WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. April 1, 2010: Mayor Adam Bradley appeared in Judge Susan Capeci’s domestic violence court today to answer charges of Assault in the third degree for allegedly slamming his wife’s finger in a door at their home February 28.

In a pre-trial conference,Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Unit, Audrey Stone introduced two new charges against Mr. Bradley for alleged assault in the third degree, and harrassment, classified as violations stemming from an alleged tea throwing incident on January 11, in addition to assault in the third degree and three other counts stemming from February 28 when the Mayor was charged for alledgedly slamming his wife, Fumiko Bradley’s finger in the door.

Ms. Stone informed the court that the District Attorney was willing to  settle the case without going to trial if the Mayor pled guilty to the lesser charges introduced today and would agree to attending a counseling program. The specifics of the plea bargain were not made clear.

After an hour, Mr. Bradley and his attorey, Louis Penichet, were recalled before the judge. Mr. Penichet said his client, Mr. Bradley rejected the plea bargain and was prepared to go to trial. The Judge, after hearing Mr. Penichet had conflicts with other cases, and noting she had scheduling problems as well, ordered the parties to reconvene Monday morning, when a trial date would most likely be set.

The court house experienced a small protest of less than ten persons from the state National Organization for Women who held signs protesting domestic violence.

Fumiko Bradley did not attend the Trial Conference, but WPCNR was informed this was not unusual in cases such as this.

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WPCNR WEST SIDE STORY. By John F. Bailey. Special to the CitizeNetReporter. March 30, 2010 UPDATED  5 P.M. E.D.T. UPDATED MARCH 31, 2010 5 P.M. E.D.T.: Angela Tucciarone, A  spokesperson for Avalon Bay Communities, when asked by WPCNR when she expected the agreement between the White Plains Housing Authority and Avalon Bay/Jonathan Rose Associates was expected to be completed and whether plans to replace buildings one at a time, allowing residents to stay until new building is completed (the original plan for the Winbrook “Revitalization,”) would be observed, today told WPCNR, “We can’t confirm any dates or details as this is still in negotiation. Of course, Avalon Bay is sensitive to displacement issues. However, construction plans have not yet been finalized.”

The Mayor’s Office informed by WPCNR of the Avalon Bay Selection yesterday, and asked for a statement, has not issued a reaction as of this hour. The development encompassing about 10 to 15 acres of city property most likely would be at least a $3 to $4 Billion undertaking and the largest single project ever undertaken in White Plains.

WPCNR first learned Avalon Bay was the front-runner from property owners familiar with the negotiations, who also pointed out that no would-be developers had spoken with them about the project. The White Plains Housing Authority has kept secret the four companies they had been considering for the massive rebuild and gentrification of the city’s west side.

Ms. Tucciarone of Avalon Bay Communities confirmed to WPCNR that Avalon Bay is the Authority “choice” to undertake the largest White Plains development since urban renewal took place in the 1970s.

Avalon Bay is the builder of the 14-story residential and town house complex on Church and Barker which broke ground in Summer, 2007, and is now renting. It has been one of the most trouble-free and smoothly absorbed projects in downtown White Plains in the last ten years of development.

Avalon Bay Communities is a key Housing and Urban Development selectee for such projects nationwide. It owns and manages 23 apartment complexes across the United States, predominantly in California, comprising nearly 7,000 rental units (as of 2005). Locally, Avalon Bay owns The Avalon Bedford, a 368-unit complex in Stamford, Connecticut and the 22-unit Avalon Glen, also in Stamford, and The Prudential Center in Boston where the company manages 781 units.

Jonathan Rose Associates, the builder, is a subsidiary of Jonathan Rose Companies of New York City. Rose, the founder is described by HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan as “a leading innovator, advocate and practitioner of green building, particularly of green affordable housing.”

Jonathan Rose Companies recently received a HUD grant of $3.6 Million to retrofit the West 135th St. Apartments in Harlem, a 10-building, 198-unit Section 8 Assisted property in January of this year. As part of that renovation, money coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, 10 high efficiency boilers will be installed, with rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, and other fixtures.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. March 28, 2010: Assemblyperson Amy Paulin whose daughter performed with Westco Productions called White Plains’ Susan Katz, “the person who makes every one a star;” County Legislator James Maisano declaring  Susan Katz Day in Westchester County called her organization one that the county has been supporting for years because of Westco’s unique contribution to Westchester families: White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley presented a plaque declaring Saturday Susan Katz Day in White Plains saying he looked forward to her company Westco Productions serving White Plains for many years to come.

Westco Productions “Magic to Do Players” Perform for over 140 Guests at the local Westco’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Saturday evening. Master of Ceremonies Jason Summers on stage (background) a performer with Westco since the age of 7, and now a professional choreographer, director and actor, leads the very special group of performers that Westco has nurtured the last two years. They were the stars of the evening and had a wonderful time– and were easily the best dancers on the floor.

White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley Presented Susan Katz, “The First Lady of Westchester Theatre,” Founder of Westco, with a Proclamation Declaring Susan Katz Day in the City. Bradley said he had known Ms. Katz for many years and looked forward to her giving White Plains another 30 years of Westco Productions to come.

Serena Russell, President of the Westco Productions Board of Directors saluted Ms. Katz for creating an organization that has entertained over 700,000 persons over the last 30 Years.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin reminisced about her own daughter’s Westco career.

County Legisalator James Maisano recognized Ms. Katz’s Westco is unique and an important resource in Westchester County also declaring Saturday Susan Katz Day in Westchester.

Jason Summers and the Westco staff entertained the friends of Westco with a medley of Westco’s Greatest Hits…from 30 Years of unique, “Flop-proof” productions because the people who produce them — produce them with love — that produces hit after hit — from Frosty the Snowman to Annie to “Resuse,Recycle.”

The Katzes — “First Lady of Westchester Theatre,” Susan Katz and her husband, Peter Katz…dance on Susan Katz Night. Mrs. Katz graciously thanked Mr. Katz for all his contributions to Westco’s success.  Surrounded by family and friends, Ms.Katz remembered her father, Sonny Katz, long-time City Marshall for his encouragement and belief in the Westco Dream when she first thought of starting a youth theatre in the city.

The occasion was Westco Productions 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration held at the Womens Club of White Plains where 150 persons gathered to salute Suan Katz for founding Westco Productions — the county’s most successful and enduring non-profit theatre company that for thirty years has introduced theatre to youngsters, entertained youthful patients in county hospitals, and most recently created a theatre group for developmentally disabled youths.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. March 26, 2010: The White Plains Democratic City Committee met Thursday evening at the White Plains YWCA,and expressed agony and concern over the plight of Mayor Adam Bradley as he awaits a Pre-Trial Conference next Thursday in domestic court after being charged with Third Degree Assault in an alleged incident involving his wife.

There was no consensus call for the Mayor’s resignation.  Each of the Common Council persons did attend at various times , but did not address the issue of the Mayor’s plight, but focused their comments on city issues.

An observer who attended the meeting who spoke to WPCNR under condition of anonymity said the prevailing mood was “agonized,” “sad,” and though several persons spoke calling for the Mayor to resign, the consensus was that the legal process should be completed, and “we should wait and see.” “Many points of view were expressed.
There was not a call for the Mayor to resign. They were grieved. To have gone from such a bright hope to this in just two months, is unbelievable.”

He said there was much concern for Mr. Bradley, his wife, his children and earnest hope they could work out their problems.

Our source said, “There is zero tolerance for abuse. It was pointed out that public officials who have resigned over similar issues had admitted, ‘yes, this is true”

Mayor Adam Bradley did not attend the meeting.

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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS OP ED. By Larry Giordano. March 24, 2010: The following is the text of an “open letter” to the White Plains City School Board  from White Plains’ Larry Giordano who examines the recently submitted Superintendent of Schools School Budget in light of current budget trends:

Pete, (Bassano, Member, White Plains Board of Education)

It was nice seeing you again. You look very professional up there which leads me to the conclusion that you and the rest of the board members must love PAIN! I want you to know I respect all of you for the fine work and effort you have done over the past years.

 I was in total amazement listening to folks stand up there and air their personal concerns with a total disregard for the rest of the residential city tax payer. For one mother to complain about her son not having a period for BAND class or another about their son NEEDING a study period is totally nuts. Now, concerning the young lady who had issues at a younger age (I do have a heart though some in WP may not think so) my question is, since the same folks that pay taxes to the WP school district also pay taxes to county government why not use their services for social and health services and even other areas where an overlap may exist?

 After looking at the breakdown of the budget it’s very easy to see the real savings has to come from the ~80% area that includes Instruction, Special Ed and Benefits. Let’s face it; going forward NYS revenue is going to continue to be a smaller piece of the revenue pie. This will unfortunately mean all NYS resident tax payers will be responsible for a greater portion of the revenue stream for their community.

To this end for the board to believe they can continue to pass on that additional cost moving forward is both naive and irresponsible. We have a saying on Wall Street, “trees don’t grow to the sky and neither do stocks”. At some point a “pullback” occurs and the price of a company is reset to better reflect current fair value.

The same should hold true with our school budget. It’s very disturbing to see total revenue being reduced by an estimate of $5.8mm yet the WP budget was ONLY reduced by $2.3mm. That is a huge difference… $3.5mm or 60%!  I know all on the board have worked hard and long to even get to this point but unfortunately more needs to be done.

I strongly feel a more aggressive position needs to be taken with the teachers union. The time has come for all of us including the teachers to pay their fair share to both health and retirement benefits. Most folks today pay ~25% for their health care insurance. The folks of WP have been very generous to our teachers and staff members over the years. The time has come for us to reset our school budget to better reflect the current fair value otherwise the bubble we continue to feed with higher taxes will be devastating when it pops! Trust me, bubbles always POP!!