WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER TOPS 5 MILLION VISITS IN A YEAR! 5,566,746 VISITS IN ONE YEAR BY 1,769,260 VISITORS 7,631 VISITORS A DAY! IN AUGUST, 247,700 VISITORS MADE 684,903 VISITS (22,830 DAILY)

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WPCNR ALBANY GAZETTE. By New York Assemblyperson Naomi Matusow. November 20, 2002: In a formal letter to her constituents, Ms. Matusow reflects on her ten years spent in the New York State Assembly, and issues a hope for the future.

NAOMI MATUSOW
New York State Assemblyperson
89th District
Photo by WPCNR News

To the Editor November 19, 2002

From Naomi Matusow, Assemblywoman, 89th A.D.

Re: Thank you to my constituents

Now that the election is over and I’ve had time to consider the
disappointing results, I find myself reflecting on the wonderful experience I have enjoyed over the last ten years representing the people of the 89th Assembly District.

From the outset, my goal has been to make a difference. I am so grateful to the voters who gave me the opportunity to achieve that goal.

I was successful in increasing state aid to public education for the 89th Assembly District.

As the result of my efforts to enhance public safety, New York has imposed a state-wide ban on assault weapons, and requires fingerprinting and background checks of school personnel, as well as mandatory reporting of allegations of child molestation to law enforcement personnel.

MS. MATUSOW ON WHITE PLAINS WEEKin July, with Alex Philippidis, left, and John Bailey.
PHOTO BY WPCNR NEWS

I led the way for New York to adopt tough air quality standards for jet skis. By creating the “Drive Out Diabetes” special license plate, I found a way to fund research to find the cure and to educate the public about this life-threatening disease.

As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, I increased funding for libraries and highlighted their importance to our communities.

I hope my colleagues will carry on my mission to ban fifty caliber weapons; to extend the mandatory reporting of allegations of child molestation to day camps, sleep-away camps, child-care centers and other child-related organizations; to fight for more library aid; and of course to provide more state school aid for elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.

I will continue to pursue these and other important goals. I will persist in working to close the Indian Point nuclear energy facility while at the
same time promoting alternative energy solutions. My commitment to the preservation of open space will not diminish.

I will also work to bring more attention to the importance of directing resources to children from birth to age three in order to maximize the so-called “window of opportunity” for our youngest citizens. In 2001, Speaker Silver and my colleagues agreed to include $1 million in the Assembly’s proposed budget for a program I designed and named Baby Steps. It would have provided grants to libraries working with parents of young children. I wish that the Senate and the Governor had agreed to include it in the final budget.

Photo by WPCNR News

Had I been returned to office, these are the issues I would have pursued. Now, only the venue has changed. To everyone who gave me the unique opportunity of serving in the New York State Assembly, I say thank you? Two words that cannot begin to express the depth of feeling they represent.

Please keep in touch with me. Together we can continue to work to make a difference.

Assemblywoman Naomi C. Matusow

89th Assembly District

District Office

125-131 East Main Street

Mount Kisco, NY 10549

phone: (914) 241-2649

fax: (914) 241-0822

e-mail: matusow@assembly.state.ny.us

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WPCNR White Plains After Dark. November 16, 2002: Westco threw a birthday bash for Mr. White Plains Saturday night, and 250 White Plainsians turned out to meet, greet, and honor the man who spreads concern, love and positive results everywhere he goes — he is the virtual spirit of the city.

From the Silent Auction beginning at seven to the dynamic Robert Ruger video that began the evening’s dinner dance to 11:30 PM, the good feelings Robert Ruger has a special talent for bringing out in people lifted people’s spirits.

INTRODUCING MAN OF THE CENTURY: Susan Katz, President of Westco introducing the main man, Robert Ruger with Dinner Committee Chair, Jo Falcone, and emcee Charles Goldberger. Mr. Ruger was honored by 250 of his closest friends Saturday night. Proceeds will be used to support Westco productions for ill and disabled children and help bring a million wheelchairs to children around the world. Mr. Ruger in his speech at the close of the evening, asked White Plainsians to give themselves a hand for they “are all volunteers,” and to volunteer and help, he felt, was the “greatest feeling in the world.”
Photo by WPCNR Entertainment

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From James Benerofe and Westchester County Department of Communications (EDITED). November 13, 2002 UPDATED November 14, 2002:Jim Benerofe of SuburbanStreet.com, reporting from the County Executive’s news conference at noon Wednesday, reports that Executive Spano is calling for the county to take over the Entergy Indian Point nuclear energy plant, and study converting it to natural gas. Benerofe also reports, the issue of removal of the spent fuel rods in storage at Indian Point, was not addressed. He also reports Jim Steets, spokesperson for Entergy, noted that Entergy could run just such a plant, but did not elaborate.

The Associated Press reporting later today quoted Mr. Spano as saying purchasing the plant would cost the county possibly $3 Billion, but that electricity savings might make it worth while. The AP story also noted Entergy, the present owner paid approximately $1 Billion to purchase the plant, and that their spokesman, Jim Steets, indicated Entergy might entertain an offer.

Earlier Wednesday, the Westchester County Department of Communications summarized the news conference:
“I have long said that I would like to see Indian Point closed,” said Spano. “These new studies provide a basis to go ahead and investigate buying or condemning Indian Point and building a natural gas plant on the site. But many, many questions still need to be answered. We are prepared to hire experts to analyze this further. I want the study completed within six months.’’

Spano released the results of two studies recently prepared at the request of the county’s Public Utility Agency: one that looked at the possibility of building, owning and operating a natural gas-fired generating plant; and a second that studied the feasibility of acquiring the electric distribution system within the county.

New Study Called for. NYC invited to Participate

The county will issue RFPs (requests for proposals) for the study, which is estimated to cost $500,000. Spano said he intends to ask Mayor Michael Bloomberg if New York City wants to participate.

Spano said the proposed study would address the following questions:
• What would it cost to take over Indian Point, either by purchase or condemnation?

• What would it cost to replace the nuclear reactors with gas-burning generators with sufficient capacity?

• How could this best be accomplished? What partnerships, such as with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), would be needed?

• What would be the effect on the tax base of local municipalities and school districts?

• What would the effect be on energy rates for Westchester businesses and residents?

• Would county ratepayers further benefit if a county utility agency takes over some or all of Con Edison’s distribution system? Would it help the county qualify for cheap hydroelectric power and/or rid Westchester ratepayers of the burden of having to subsidize ratepayers in New York City?

“Masters of Our Own Fate”

“While there has been a lot of rhetoric about closing Indian Point, only Entergy or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission can make that decision,’’ said Spano. “However, if we buy the facility — or, if needed condemn it — and replace it, we don’t need the company or the NRC. We can be masters of our own fate.’’

He added, “Replacing Indian Point’s nuclear reactors will make us all feel safer. Now we need the specifics on how to do that.’’

The two preliminary energy reports released today were done by Sargent and Lundy of Chicago, a nationally recognized firm that is known for its consulting work on engineering, technical support and strategy for the electric power industry. The studies, titled the “Distribution Feasibility Study” and the “Power Plant Cost Study,” were recently completed.

They dealt broadly with the questions of whether alternate energy sources could be built in the county and whether a takeover of all or part of Con Edison’s distribution system could control or reduce electric rates paid by the public.

These reports were commissioned by the County of Westchester Public Utility Service Agency (COWPUSA), which was created in 1982, and gives the county the power to purchase, construct, lease, own or acquire a public utility to provide energy to county residents. While the agency was created to help provide cheaper energy for Westchester consumers, a natural progression could be the acquisition of Indian Point, Spano noted.

Old Idea

The idea of acquiring the old Con Edison energy system was first raised almost 30 years ago. At that time the rationale was to take over the generation and transfer of electricity to reduce outrageously high electric rates. A proposal to take over Con Edison’s distribution lines was narrowly defeated in a public referendum in the late 1970s.
“Life has changed since Sept. 11. While we are still concerned about unfair energy costs, the focus now is on nuclear power plant safety in this age of terrorism,’’ Spano said.

Issues to be Considered.

The formal report Spano has ordered now must cover a range of financial and legal issues, including:

• The ability and effect of using general obligation or revenue bonds to finance the buyout or condemnations necessary to construct any needed county facilities;

• Identification of any and all regulatory agencies whose approvals would be necessary for the project;

• Identification of the actual facilities and properties that the county needs to acquire or develop and an estimate as to the costs of such acquisition and development;

• A plan for the management and operation of the proposed county facilities;

• The impact of closure of the existing nuclear plants upon the employees of those facilities and the feasibility of retaining existing employees to operate and maintain the contemplated county facilities;

• The impact of closure of the existing nuclear plants on the tax bases of local communities and school districts and steps that may be taken to avoid or mitigate loss of property tax revenue;

• The increased energy costs to local governments from the expiration of the Power Purchase Agreement between NYPA and Entergy in 2004 and the ability of using of county facilities to avoid or mitigate property tax increases resulting from these higher energy costs;

• A comparison of Con Ed rates with those of New York State Electric & Gas to review why NYSEG’s Westchester customers pay so much less than rates paid by Con Ed’s Westchester customers.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From American Cancer Society. (EDITED) November 12, 2002:College Basketball tips off locally on Monday, November 25th at 7:00 pm, when the American Cancer Society will present the Coaches vs. Cancer Snapple College Slam at the Westchester County Center. Manhattan College will tip-off with Sacred Heart, followed by a 9:00 pm game matching Hofstra University against St. Francis College.

All attendees will be provided with free Snapple beverages, and raffle entry with admission to win T-shirts and other prizes. The evening’s event will also include shoot out contests. Tickets are on sale now for $11.00, available through the Westchester County Center Box office or Ticketmaster.

“Coaches vs. Cancer is an instrumental part of the American Cancer Society’s effort of supplying lifesaving information to help reach our goal of finding the ultimate answer – a cure for all cancers,” said Peter Ruccione, Corporate Relations Director at the American Cancer Society.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a partnership begun in 1993 by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Since its inception, Coaches vs. Cancer has united over 500 NABC member coaches who have helped raise over $15 million nationwide for the American Cancer Society.

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is dedicated to defeating cancer by funding cancer research, education, advocacy and services of the American Cancer Society.

Money raised from ticket sales, sponsorships and game day activities will go to support the American Cancer Society’s programs of cancer education, patient services and support, as well as critical cancer research.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Society’s website at www.cancer.org.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. November 9, 2002 UPDATED: After an afternoon of offensive frustration, Mike DeVere threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Darrell Mack with 1:30 to go in Saturday’s Riddell Bowl in beautiful Memorial Field, Mount Vernon, to give the Tigers a 12-8 victory, their sixth win of the year in 10 games.

FIRST DOWN! FIRST DOWN! IN THE BAVARRO-SAUER TRADITION: Evan McGuire holds on at the Mount Vernon 19 for a key first down in a posse of purple Knights after executing a clutch 2-hand leaping grab with Knights all over him on Mike Devere’s pinpoint laser strike over the middle for a first down on a 4th and 6 play that began at the Mount Vernon 32. It was the Captain’s second key catch of the 10-play 67-yard drive in the last 4 minutes that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for the Tigers. “I know there were a lot of guys on me, ” McGuire told WPCNR after the game. You bet, Evan, there were two knights hanging on to your waist as you went up for the pass.

TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

TouchDOWN! TouchDOWN! A BEAUTIFUL THING. Two plays later, Quarterback Mike DeVere rolled out to his left, and found “The Warrior,” Darrell Mack in the flat, after he had executed a perfect 2-second delay, ran a hook pattern into the left flat and took DeVere’s on-target spiral, turned to his right upfield, dashed DOWN THE SIDELINE into the Promised Land. Mack in full stride in center of picture has turned to his jubilant teamates celebrating the clincher. DeVere had made this play work to McGuire earlier for 15 yards to jumpstart the drive giving the Tigers a first down on the Vernon 48. Ryan Smalls forced a fumble in the first quarter and ran it in untouched 32 yards for an early 6-0 Tiger lead at the tail end of the First Quarter.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Tigers defense, which had stopped the Mount Vernon Knights all afternoon not allowing them to penetrate past the Tigers’ 30 yard line on any sustained drive, gave White Plains a chance to win stopping the Knights on 3rd and 3 when the secondary knocked down a pass play to the Tiger 45. Tiger ball with 4:56 to go in the game.

Déjà vu All Over Again.

After a punt returned by Darrell Mack to the 37, the Tigers had time for one last drive. White Plains had pushed Mount Vernon all over the field with three drives stalling inside the Knights 15.

MACK ATTACK AS TIME RUNS OUT IN FIRST HALF. Darrell Mack after a reception that gained Tigers a first down on the Vernon 15 as time disappears. Darrell was not to be denied later, when he took a similar pass in for the winning touchdown.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

All three derailed due to the illegal procedure penalties, once at the end of the First Quarter, another at the end of the first half, and another at the close of the Third Quarter, where they ran 16 plays, holding the ball for 8 minutes, only to turn the ball over on downs on a fumbled snap at the Knights 15.

DRIVING AND LOOKING GOOD in the Third Quarter, with a 6-0 lead. Mike DeVere over center. Two plays later, the fumble turned the game around temporarily.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

Stopping the Knights on downs, they began their second third quarter penetration and appeared to to be going for the clinching touchdown, driving to the Knights 20, holding a 6-0 lead, when with 3rd and 10 on the MV 20, Mike DeVere rolled right to the far sideline to pass. The Knights sent the house, chased Mike to the far side line and as he was about to throw, knocked the ball out of his grasp. Melvin Freeman picked up the ball on the 25, and ran all the way the other way, outrunning dogged Tiger pursuers, 75 yards to tie the score 6-6 with about 2 minutes left in the third quarter.

The following two-point conversion put the Knights ahead, 8-6 with a minute to go in the Third Quarter.

CHEERLEADER TIME: That’s Molly Gottshall on top of the pyramid of White Plains Cheerleaders exhorting the Tiger crowd.

TigerVision Photo by WPCNR

A similar big play in the first meeting between the two teams also turned the game around for Mount Vernon. That time it was a kickoff return by Deshawn Washington. This time a fumble recovery turning a winning touchdown drive into 8 points for the opposition, and it seemed perhaps another tough loss.

Was it going to happen again?

Not this time.

MEMORIAL FIELD GRANDSTAND FANS saw a classic. Close to 500 fans enjoyed the taut defensive struggle.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Drive: 4 Devere Direct Connects.

In the long autumn shadows, the Tigers started up again. On the Tigers’ first play from their 37, Devere passed to Evan McGuire for the first of his two completions to Evan that highlighted the winning drive. McGuire working the delay, turned, caught the ball in the flat and raced sideline to the Knights 48 for 15 yards. Spencer Ridenhour lugged it to the 43.

After a running play gained little, the Tigers faced a 3rd and 5. Devere turned and threw to Darrell Mack on a screen play, Mack turned caught the Devere Dart with one hand and turned up field ploughing through Knight interference for a key first down on the 35. After a pass fell incomplete and a running play got 4, Devere hit Tito Smith on third down and 6 for what appeared to be a first down. No! The referee called it back on offsetting interference and facemask penalities. A third down running play failed, and it was still 4th and 6.

Devere to McGuire Time.

The pass went to Evan McGuire on an L- slant-in pattern across the middle. DeVere hit Evan in the hands high. Knights converged, pinched him as he went high for the bullet pass and he got it, coming down and holding on. First Down on the 19. This was one dandy catch in traffic. The Knights were pawing him all the way down, trying to shake the payroll loose but he held on.

The Delay Went All the Way.

A first down run was stymied. Next play, Darrell Mack got the call. According to Levar Wright, WPCNR Bleacher Side Analyst, Darrell worked a 2-second delay pass play. According to Wright, last year’s QB who now attends Westchester County Community College, the end holds his block for 2-seconds to sucker the Knights out of covering him. They fell for it, shifting right as DeVere rolled left, just as they had on the first play of the drive. McGuire shed his blocker raced out five yards, turned back to look at DeVere, and took in DeVere’s graceful overhand southpaw strike in the gut, whirled racing madly to the sideline gathering steam, and down the sideline he cruised as the Knights frantically shifted to pursue. Too late. He dashed into endzone untouched to leaps of joy from his teammates. It was 12-8, Orange and Black, with 1:26 to go.

No Heroics on Kickoff this time.

On kickoff, the Tigers closed the shoot, and Mount Vernon took over on their 45, with no timeouts, carelessly squandered earlier in the 4th quarter. A run gained two yards. A long pass down to the Tiger 10 into double coverage, was played cleanly by Tiger defenders and it fell incomplete. A flat pass fell incomplete, and the fourth down pass fell short. The Tigers ran out the clock and had the win.

Defense Stalwart

White Plains contained the Knights vaunted running backs DeShawn Washington and Lance Jenkins, by punishing gang tackling. Levar Wright called it “closing on the ball,” and it denied the Knights consistently when a clutch stop was needed.

DEVERE DIRECT CONNECT: Mike DeVere holds the game ball next to WPHS Athletic Director, Mario Scarano after the game.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

Devere-to-McGuire. You’ll hear that again, all next year.

What emerged today was perhaps a new direction in White Plains Tiger offense. Junior Quarterback Mike DeVere and Junior End, Evan McGuire, combining intuitively for clutch receptions when needed. They’ll be back.

DeVere’s rangy height and ability to see the field is only going to improve and his accuracy at throwing into tight coverage is unusually precise for a QB of his age. LeVar Wright, commeting on the game for WPCNR, said DeVere can throw the ball 75 yards, unusual for a high school quarterback. McGuire showed poise and fearlessness in holding onto passes in traffic without bodyfear.

GREAT HANDS, KID: Mike DeVere’s Dad catches up with Evan McGuire after the game with a phone call from his Dad, for the young man who made the key 4th and 6 must-catch.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Tigers play Archbishop Stepinac next in the Thanksgiving Day game, and have a better record than the New York Jets or New York Giants, at 6-4. Better defense, too. And, no Giants and Jets, you can’t have Devere and McGuire and Mack.

TIGERS CELEBRATE BOWL WIN AFTER THE GAME
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports

What characterizes this team most, as can be said for all White Plains teams, is their heart. They do not give up. They do not get down after adversity. They never protest an official’s call, no matter how egregious. They try. And try again.

AUTUMN SHADOWS OVER THE GRANDSTAND, A HALF HOUR AFTER THE GAME as fans savoring the memories of a perfect football Saturday are reluctant to leave the field. Memorial Field has seen some classics, and the old green grandstand from a once-and-innocent time evoked a timeless melancholy as another football season of heroes and great plays and testing of character drew to a close.
TigerVision Photo by WPCNR Sports