Playing a Championship Game in a Monsoon Did Not Help Either

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WPCNR’S VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By John Baseball Bailey. October 11, 2005: Bob–  I could not agree with you more…even in fastpitch softball…the best pitch is the outside pitch low and away on the corner, but when the ump is squeezing you as the new down the middle strike zone in baseball does to a pitcher, you’re going to get hit even if you’re Walter Johnson. But, it ain’t just the inside pitch.



GLORY DAYS. 2003 World Series.  Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


However — the umpiring behind the plate has much to do with it. Joe West was killing Mussina last night, with an inconsistent strike zone,  and he killed the Yankee hitters who took pitches for strikes that West was calling balls for the Yankee pitchers.


And that running inside the baseline call on  Robinson Cano — they NEVER call that. Are you kidding me? That was a huge call. That is bush league umpiring. The throw was bad. He was right on the line to the base. The only way you can have a running box that works for the runner, is if you have a double base…as they do in softball.


But overall — you’re correct. The Yankees like all power clubs…try and pull the ball…no one has taught them how to hit the outside pitch. Usually because the major league pitching they face on 80% of the teams they play is so bad.


Another thing — the Angels have good scouts and pitchers that locate…though the Yanks also are not patient….A Rod…with Rodrigruez hanging curves all over the place should have been more patient at the plate with one on and nobody out.


And the centerfield/outfield problem has killed us all year long. Bernie cannot come in on a ball, and Crosby is a loose cannon. There is no excuse for the collision last night that ultimately cost the Yankees the ball game. You have to be watching out of the corner of your eye as you’re going for the ball.


Matsui is the only decent outfielder out there…Sheffield has been letting them drop in all year long….and Soriano used to go out and get a lot of those pops that are falling in….Canoe has got to learn to range out there to make up for Sheffield’s camping out at the running track…Robinson  is learning as a fielder….


The Yankees lost games this year for two reasons: inconsistent pitching and lousy defensive outfield. That’s what happened in the Angels series, too.


The Rain Game.


But everyone also overlooks the fact that Friday night’s game never should have been played in those conditions…ESPN was why the Yankees lost the series and the Angels won. Though if it had been good weather perhaps the Angels might have won anyway, but at least the pitchers would have had a chance at making good pitches.


The Angel bullpen and the Yankee bullpen were hurt because HEY when it’s pouring rain — you can’t locate your pitches because you cannot get a grip on the ball!  You cannot grip the darn ball. Watever happened to resin bags?  


Outfielders cannot race in on balls. Outfielders cannot race back for balls….it was a disgrace they played that game. Another black mark on the Selig ledger — the Commissioner who is singlehandedly destroying baseball for television contracts.


It is our game, not the networks’!!!


And hey — the rain  killed both the Angel starter and the Yankee starter (Johnson) Friday night.


That is what nobody else is saying or writing.


You cannot play baseball in a monsoon, which the ESPN announcer, John Moore kept referring to as “a light rain.”  What a shill for the house! The only good thing on ESPN is Joe Morgan, whose analysis and honesty is refreshing, and tailoring is splendid. I learn a lot from Joe Morgan.


However ESPN’s play-by-play ineptitude is far surpassed by FOX’s Joe Buck whose commentary on belabors the obvious and tries to read trends into insignificancies as if reading tobacco spit residue. Buck is one of the few sportcasters who can make an exciting ballgame dull. He never analyzes.


 His father Jack Buck was far better. He let the game play. I will never forget his call on the Kirk Gibson homer in the first game of the 1988 World Series:”Unbelievable! I don’t believe what I just saw!”  To be a good sportscaster you have to be a fan, too. That moment that Jack Buck broadcast was perfect. I see it to this day.


WHEN is some one ever going to ask a hitter who hits a winning home run, what pitch he hit. It appeared that when Chris Biggio hit the game-winner against Atlanta that it was a hanging slider — INSIDE. The rookie throwing a dangerous pitch that Biggio could pull into the Polo Grounds distance in left — the most dangerous part of the Houston ballpark.


I just want you to know Mr. and Mrs. America and all the fans watching outside of New York that was a steady rain on Friday night. The game never should have been played. They would not have played rec league ball in that rain. Only major league baseball does that.


Perhaps the telecasters should be made to sit out in the open, then we might be able to get some objective reporting on games.


“It’s sopping wet in this booth ladies and gentlemen.”


One recalls a game broadcast during World War II by Dizzy Dean. In those days, wartime restrictions prevented broadcasters from mentioning what the weather was like in major league cities. Mr. Dean on particularly sloppy day, wry observed, “I ain’t allowed to say what the weather’s like, but that ain’t sweat that’s dripping down the pitcher’s face.”

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Baseball Zen: Why the Yankees Lost Again. The Inside Pitch That Does Not Sink.

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   WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Bob and Jenny Petrucci. October 11, 2005: First, we’re Yankees fans.  I (Bob) did not accurately predict the result of the playoff series… picking the Angels in 4…primarily because the Angels depend less upon the “Bust ‘Em Inside” pitching philosophy (BEIPP) than the Yankees do (which was/is almost all the time). 

   On last night’s broadcast, even announcer Tim McCarver (with whom we almost never agree) said, when Garrett Anderson was batting, that he doesn’t understand why the Yankees try to pitch inside like that, especially when the hitter is looking inside.  (As many of you may remember our published article last year (“Swinging in Reverse”), that’s exactly why in our view the Red Sox beat the Yankees.  Seems the Yankees did not learn from that experience.)

 


   We also feel, because of this BEIPP prevalence, that ERAs, HRs and RBIs are so high.

   How much worse could it possibly be to concentrate on knee-thigh high fastballs on the outside part of the plate, especially sinking. (with occasional inside and down, knee-high curveballs and under the hands fastballs to set them up…completing most batters’ weak points of the periphery triangle)?

    Nope, makes no sense.

 

Accurate Prediction on the Giambino

 

    As many of you know,  at this season’s start, we published our view that Giambi would hit about 25-30 HRs, with about a 260-70 BA and about 80-85 RBIs..all depending upon how many pitchers pitched him inside straight balls.  The more they did, we said, they higher the numbers.  His season-end numbers were 32 HRs. 271 BA, 87 RBIs.  Not bad a prediction (but there’s more later). In the playoffs, he had 6 hits (singles and doubles), numerous walks and no home runs.

    During the season, Giambi hit zero home runs on outside fastballs.  We think, moreover, that his first hit on an outside pitch (though an offspeed one) came in the Yankees 11-7 home playoff loss. That hit was a slow dribbler that managed to get through because of an overshift.  (He may also have had a bunt down the third base line during the season…an overshift tradeoff that many teams would take).

 

Inside Pitch Not a Good Thing to Throw.

 

    Here’s the stunning part about his numbers this year…Virtually every single hit (and every home run) came from inside, non-sinking pitches (knee high to gut high…fastballs and some up hanging curveballs).   Case in point: In the Angels’ Playoffs, 5 of Giambi’s 6 hits were on belt-high fastballs/hanging curveballs…over the inside part of the plate.   .

    In other words, for the most part, he was pitched primarily in the only zone that his swing permitted max contact (and there is a specific reason for this.  If you want to know, just call). 

    Why he (and other similar-swing batters) isn’t pitched fastballs over the outside part of the plate (until he proved he could hit them) is astounding. 

 

Pitching Outside the Key.

 

    Key: His mechanism simply won’t allow him to catch up to them (and often not reach them).  It takes considerable time, on such a swing, to open the entire front side (which also causes a “spin out” which pulls him away from outside pitches and contracts his swing arc/reach. On a particular swing recently, his front shoulder was pointing or past directly behind him, when his bat missed the ball.  Can you imagine a professional golfer hitting a 300 yard drive that way?  They are basically square at impact.). 

    Still, considerable credit must be given to Giambi for his comeback from the trials and tribulations of last year…and for the swing changes that he did make…especially from the early part of the season when he was literally trying to drive his left fist/arm (facing down) straight at the pitcher.  Where he got that from is beyond us.  We don’t recall Giambi doing that with Oakland.

    In our view, he utimately changed that swing…and we think due primarily to A-Rod’s influence.   Still, Giambi has a way to go before he recaptures the powerful, smooth swing of Oakland years past.  He is on the right track though (as, we feel, he has made 2 of the 3 needed corrections; 1 more will allow him to reach the outside pitches).   By the way, we think his numbers should be closer to 50 HRs, 300 BA, 125 RBIs.

 

Why Yankee Pitchers Are Inconsistent

 

    Recently, someone asked us why the Yankees’ pitchers can’t seem to do the job.  Here are parts of our answer:


    … First our published article from last year still applies.  (See CitizeNetReporter Archives). They (the Yankees) didn’t move from it…they can get away with pitching the second tier teams inside non-sinkers but not the good teams.  That’s the reason why the RS beat the Yankees last year.

    In short, the main problem (somewhat excusable last year but not this year) in the playoffs (and we don’t know who fosters/ok’s it) is the Yankees’ “Bust ‘Em Inside” pitching philosophy (or BEIPP).   The alleged (and we say unsubstantiated) reason is that they don’t want the opposition to extend their arms  That’s exactly what they should want most batters these days to do (If you want to know why, just call).

   You watch any hit by the opposition (and by the Yankees) and you will see that the vast majority of them are on straight or off-speed hanging pitches…on the inside half of the plate from knee to gut high…that don’t sink.  

 

Only Baseball Knows or Doesn’t Want to Know.

 

    Anyway, we have emailed, called, faxed the Yankees for 2+ years telling them all this.  We even emailed Francessa (Mike) and other radio people.  No response.  Not even a “thanks for your email”.  Nothing.  We even mentioned it to someone we know whom we are told knows Joe Torre… nothing,  After all, what could we present civilians know, right?

    And so they continue with their BEIPP…it didn’t even work for RJ (Randy Johnson).  (Note: Tonight, he pitched mostly outside (even then he needed to be careful with side-armish sweeping curveballs) with far better results.  Last night,  Leiter pitched the outside part of the plate really well against 2 batters…and then “inexplicably” went inside.)

 

Inability to Hit a Spot. Refusal to Buck Baseball Tradition.

 

    Why…because in our view, it’s the philosophy…the approach…not so much the pitchers. (Note: It’s hard to believe that professional baseball pitchers cannot hit the glove over the outside part of the plate with 85 mph fastballs (even sinking).  That’s like “Tryout Day 1” stuff.)

    In our view, the solution is really simple:  throw curveballs/sinkers in and down, over and off the inside part of the plate…throw high heat under the hands…and then hard heat over the outside part of the plate knee to belt high..sinking even better (weakest point of the periphery triangle).  And you keep doing it until the opposition proves, beyond doubt, that they can consistently hit that outside pitch (Dunk singles, dribblers and bunts don’t count).  Only 2-3 Yankees can touch the outside…with some power or consistency. 

   And there is a technical, mechanical reason for this (per our swing research project).  And we tried repeatedly to tell the Yankees, through many sources and ways.

  They were not listening…again.   

  Thanks for reading.  Your comments are always appreciated.

Bob and Jenny

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WPCNR Photograph of the Day

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. October 11, 2005: Today’s photograph shows a tradition in Westchester County: Purdy’s Farm on Route 120 out by Westchester County Airport. The working farm has been supplying cider, vegetables, apples, pumpkins, tomotos, apple pies and antiques in a charming chock-a-block atomosphere, complete with chickens and assorted charming attractions for at least 60 years. The CitizeNetReporter can remember visiting Mr. Purdy when I was a kid. The cider is homemade on the premises and it’s just not autumn without a trip to Purdy’s Farm.



IT’S NOT AUTUMN UNTIL YOU’VE BEEN TO PURDY’S FARM. Photo by the WPCNR Roving Reporter

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New Ro Overpowers Tigers in OT, 12-6

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 8, 2005: Quarterback Justin McGhee powered into a stack of Tigers from 1 yard out to score the winning touchdown in overtime Saturday afternoon to give New Rochelle High a 12-6 overtime win today in a minihurricane in New Rochelle. Conor Gilmartin-Donohue scored on a 10 yard rollout to tie the score in the third quarter in windy rainy winswept conditions. New Ro scored on the last play of the first half to take a 6-0 lead into the second half.  White Plains falls to 3-1. New Rochelle is 4-1



CONOR TIES IT UP: Conor Gilmartin-Donahue, trapped behind the line of scrimmage at the 15, took off for the far sideline, eluded three New Ro tacklers and is about to ease in past the goalline pylon for the equalizer late in the third quarter. Conor is to the left of Number 25 in the picture. Photo, WPCNR Sports



New Ro Ends the Classic: Justin McGhee bulls under a pile of Tigers for the winning touchdown in Overtime. The touchdown came after the Tigers failed to score at their turn with the ball in their Overtime Series, when Conor Gilmartin-Donahue was stripped of the ball by McGhee after making a first down at the 9. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 



Boomer! Ian Jackson punting with the wind in the Fourth Quarter in one of his 6 punts Saturday afternoon. This one traveled with roll 75 yards from the line of scrimmage. Jackson consistently punted White Plains out of trouble all afternoon keeping them in the game. Unofficially, WPCNR had him for two punts of  about 75 yards each. Punting against the 25 knot crosswind South to North 35 knots in gusts, Jackson was able to get 25 yards a punt, enough to keep New Ro out of in-close field position. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


They elected to play football at New Rochelle High School Saturday afternoon in the remnants of a tropical storm. Some remnants! The wind was whistling from southwest to northeast in a gusty, shifting pattern that took away Conor Gilmartin-Donahue’s passing game, by sailing his passes and robbed White Plains of their setup passing game.


 


It had rained so much over night that New Rochelle moved the game from McClellan Field which is all grass to their Junior Varsity synthetic turf practice field, which allowed the game to be played without the mud effect. But it was still raining in stinging, wind lashed waves that made making catches and catching passes a work of art. There were no masterpieces.


 


White Plains took the ball to start the game, and managed one first down before having to punt. They did not get another until the end of the third quarter.


 


New Rochelle’s line controlled the line of scrimmage except for one stretch in the fourth quarter, hassling Conor Gilmartin-Donahue all afternoon, and not giving him the time to set up to execute his passing game. There were more purple jerseys than white ones in the Tiger backfield. Jamaine Hewitt was contained by the New Ro dee, the White Plains running game stopped dead.


 


New Rochelle’s  McGhee was moving the ball well with short passes into the right flat to Markel Rice, on the seams of the Tiger zone and handoffs to Rice,  but the Huguenots stalled three drives deep with key turnovers, fumbling away the ball three times in the redzone.


 


Controversial New Ro TD. Knee was down.


 


New Ro scored first on the last play of the first half when two passes to Rice moved the ball to the White Plains 20 and on fourth down with seconds, McGee threw the ball to Markel Rice in the right flat at the 10, he legged it to the three was tackled, his knee down and then he pushed the ball over the goal line. The referee signaled touchdown.


 


Yours truly was watching the game with Mike Leone, and Mike pointed out that technically the runner was down when his knee hit the ground and the play should have been dead, no touchdown. The sequence of the tackle and the arc of the ball crossing the goal line were not sequential. They were two separate acts. But the referee bought the touchdown and White Plains was down 6-0 at the half. A really bad call and it cost White Plains 6. (WPCNR is tired of seeing football games where the officials do not know the rules. But, wait, wait until you hear the next beaut by the zebras.)


 


Controversial White Plains TD– Chains Moved.


 


New Rochelle  appeared to have the game in hand midway through the third quarter. All they had to do was maintain field position, because the Tigers simply were not moving it.


 


New Ro then lost their composure. They were driving in Tiger territory on about the Tiger 40.  Five of their linemen menaced Gerard Bryant behind the line of scrimmage after he burst in on McGee. That little bit of macho cost New Ro a 15 yard personal foul penalty putting them back on their own 40, and almost the game. On the next play McGee was sacked by Bryant for another loss back to the New Ro 30. On the ensuing 4th down punt Rice had his punt blocked by Bryant and Tyrone Roper recovered it for a White Plains first down on the New Ro 20. Two runs by Hewitt moved the ball to the 13.


 


It was 4th down and 3 at the New Rochelle 13. Conor Gilmartin-Donahue kept the ball and appeared to be short of the first down at the New Ro 10. But wait! The referee was signaling to move the First Down marker chains back one yard. Incredibly, the referee observed that the first down stick had been misplaced at the start of the series. He moved the first down marker back a yard to the 21 yard line, giving White Plains their first first down since the opening 4 minutes of the game.


 


The New Rochelle fans exploded in disbelief.


But New Ro’s coach kept his team’s focus.


 


With a gift first and 10 at the 11, thanks to the adjusted first down sticks,  Conor dropped back to pass. All receivers were covered. (New Ro did a great job of covering all afternoon). Conor rolled to his left and lit out for the sideline in a long circular route. He picked his way, dodging and jiving, tightroped the sideline and got just inside the Goalline pilon for the tying touchdown as time ran out in the third quarter. It was 6-6.


 


On the extra point try, New Ro’s coach Lou DiRienzo personally went out to the defensive huddle, instructed all the linemen individually what he wanted them to do to block the Point After Touchdown.


 


Ian Jackson was trying the conversion into the 20 to 30 knot wind. He kicked it low,  it appeared,  to avoid it being blown wide in the crosswind  (as New Ro’s extra point try had been blown wide at the end of the first half.) Ian got it off but the New Ro blocking pyramid blocked the kick and the score remained tied. It was a tough break for Jackson whose punting was superb through the game. He caught a very wet football in driving rain and got off every punt.


 


Countdown to OT 


 


In the final period each team had chances to score, but could not convert. White Plains had  three opportunities with good field position in New Ro territory but could not manage a first down. On one first down play, Conor Gilmartin-Donahue had Tommy Lee wide open on a post pattern but the following wind held the pass up floating it, allowing the safety to cut across in front of Tommy at the goal line and intercept. So close to a touchdown, but it was not meant to be.


 


New Ro Takes the Shootout.


 


In overtime, White Plains had the ball  first on the 20 going into the wind. Two runs by Jamaine Hewitt moved the ball to the 15. Conor Gilmartin on third and 5 circled right end eased past two tacklers, making the first down at the 9, but as he slid by them, he was stripped and New Ro fell on the ball, killing the Tiger Chance.


 


New Ro then resorted to the McGee to Rice combination again for a first down on the 10. A run to the five by Rice, then a run, and a straight keeper by McGhee at the one finished off the Tigers.


 


This was another New Rochelle-White Plains classic game. Both teams played valiantly in terrible playing conditions. The White Plains defense forced turnover after turnover and consistently bailed the team out of trouble. Jeffy Charles, Mickey Morello, Gerard Bryant were consistently on the spot when needed.


 


I also like the way New Rochelle’s coach DiRienzo keeps his team focused. His setting up the blocked PAT play patiently,  saved his team the game. The White Plains team played a tight game, only turning over the ball twice, but the storm really took away the effective of Con-Air.


 


The real star of this game was the synthetic turf which allowed the game to be played with little slipping and sliding, (it appeared to us, the players may have a different opinion on that). The turf has a drainage system built into it, I was told that allows water to drain down in it, preventing puddle formation seen on synthetic turf of the past. It was amazing considering the grass field uptop was a spongy quagmire.


 


 



TURNOVER! Fans standing on top row of bleachers caused this section to flip over. Fortunately no one was hurt. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 


A section of bleacher alongside the field flipped over, just as the regulation fourth quarter ended, apparently from fans standing on the top row. One person appeared to be pinned under the flipped bleachers, but was seen being helped off under his own power. Ambulances were called. But, the game continued. A White Plains parent who had been sitting in the overturned bleachers reported that an elderly man seemed shaken up and another person slightly disturbed, but said no one appeared hurt


 


 



 


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White Plains Diane “Make a Difference” Hadley Honored with Cab Calloway Award

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westco Productions. October 8, 2005: Diane Hadley, the Production Manager-Director of Westco’s after-school Creative Theater Workshop program at the Thomas H. Slater Center  in White Plains since its founding by Westco Productions,  was honored for her work before over 300 persons  at the Westchester Broadway Theatre September 26.  Representatives of the Cab Calloway Foundation presented Ms. Hadley with the Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Award.


 



 


Slater Center’s Theatre Impressario for ten years, Diane Hadley, center, Westco Pioneer, Honored with Cab Calloway Award at Westchester Broadway Theatre, with Steven Sledzik, President of Westco’s Board, and Susan Katz, Executive Director of Westco. Photo, Courtesy, Westco Productions.



 


Steven Sledzik, Westco’s Board President and Susan Katz, Westco’s Founder and Executive Director accompanied Diane to the stage and praised her for her many accomplishments.


 


“Diane has made it possible for more than 600 children ages 7-15 from low income families in White Plains to participate in and learn about the performing arts through this afterschool program,” Ms. Katz said. “She is not only a professional teacher of the arts for children, but also a warm, sincere person who loves the children and the opportunity to make them shine.”


 


The Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Awards are meant to honor Mr. Calloway’s commitment to excellence in the performing arts as well as his dedication and support for young, rising talent. The recipients are chosen to be recognized for their body of work, dedication and contribution to some aspect of the performing arts in the Westchester area. The honorees are chosen from a roster of submissions made by previous honorees, the Cab Calloway Foundation and ordinary persons.


 


Cab Calloway was a longtime resident of Elmsford, New York, (approximately 35 years). His career spanned at least six decades and was highlighted by his work on stage, film, television and the recording industry.


 


Ms. Hadley started with the  Westco/Slater program at its beginning ten years ago when Susan Katz saw the need to provide children who would otherwise be unable to participate in or be exposed to this type of cultural/educational program with the opportunity to learn about the performing arts.


 


The Westco/Slater program has been funded for the past 10 years by the City of White Plains through its Community Development Block Grant program. The program also provides literacy assistance and homework help. The children meet three days per week after school and rehearse for a play, which is then presented to family, friends and the community. For more information on the program, call 914-761-7463.

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Politicians Tour Begins. Oct. 19 Mayoral, Council Debate To Be Cablecast on Tape

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. By John F. Bailey. October 8, 2005:  After a  Mayoral and Common Council campaign summer marked by a lack of active campaigning, candidate debates have been scheduled around the city beginning less than four weeks before the November 8 election.


 


Debates between Mayor Joseph Delfino and his challenger Dennis Power  and an undercard of two sets of city Common Council candidates (John Carlson, Larry Delgado, Glen Hockley, A. Mastraccio, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach)  will take place at White Plains High School October 19. They will be videotaped and televised by the Board of Education Channel 77 in White Plains and on Channel 76, the schedules of airtimes to be determined, according to the White Plains Chapter of the League of Women Voters. That to-be-taped debate will take place Friday October 19 at 7 P.M. in the Media Center of White Plains High School, and is open to the public.


The debate to be taped will unfold live in public. according to Marge Ruderfer, Co-Chair of the White Plains League of Women Voters Voter Issues Committee, in the Media Center of White Plains High School beginning at 7 P.M. with two different debates. There will be a Mayoral debate between incumbent Mayor Joseph Delfino and challenger Dennis Power, and a debate between the six Common Council Candidates. Ms. Ruderfer said it had not been determined which debate would be first that evening. The public may attend free.


 


Ruderfer told WPCNR in a telephone interview Friday that the White Plains City School District plans to video tape the debates, edit the content to and run it “in its entirety” on their education channel 77 in White Plains, and also on the White Plains Public Access Channel 76, “within a few days” after the October 19 event. The election is on November 8.


 


Politicians Tour Begins Tuesday


 


You can get a taste of the Democratic political souffle Tuesday, October 11, when the Council of Neighborhood Associations will host the Democrat candidates for office, beginning at 7:45 P.M. at Education House: Mr. Power for Mayor, Rita Malmud, Thomas Roach and Glen Hockley for Common Council, and, reportedly Bill Ryan for County Legislator. (However that meeting conflicts with the Board of Education citywide meeting to introduce a five year renovation plan for the school district and discuss the Regents Passing Grade standards at the high school in the same time slot.)


 


Women’s Club Showcases Candidates Wednesday.


 


 The first official Mayoral and Common Council candidate debate will be held this coming Wednesday afternoon, October 12 at the Women’s Club of White Plains at approximately 1: 30 P.M. when the Women’s Club hostesses its traditional candidates forum for city and county races preceded by a luncheon at 11:30 A.M. . For reservations at the luncheon to dine and schmooze with the politicos, up close and personal, and ask the really tough questions, you may contact Laurel Holzer at 948-5432.


 


Tour Wraps Up in the Highlands and Battle Hill


 


The Politicians Tour continues at the Highlands Middle School, October 20 at 7:30, when the Highlands-Soundview Neighborhood Association hosts the city candidates and wraps up on Battle Hill at the old Battle Hill School condominiums October 26 at 7:30 P.M.


 


 

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What Would Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis Say?

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WPCNR’S VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By John Baseball Bailey. October 4, 2005: The chorus of praise for baseball’s “fantastic finish” over the weekend overlooks the pall of anti-climatic contrivance, dishonesty  and convenient “pulling of punches” that the “fantastic finish” turned out to be. That Commissioner Bud Selig went to NFL “tiebreakers” to decide who gets into the playoffs is a disgrace. It is his seventh major bungle as a commissioner.


 


The first  Bud Bungle being the 1994 strike, the second the shrunken strike zone, the juiced ball, the condoning of steroids, interleague play without reason, the wild card, and the seventh being use of tiebreakers. All bungles have arguably made baseball more successful, and that is the bottom line, but in the great box score of the game, it is a lot of unearned runs in my scorebook.



Fenway Park, 1999. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.


 



When the Yankees refused to start Mike Mussina against Boston Sunday because they wanted to save him for tonight against the Los Angeles Angels, they were dooming the Cleveland Indians chances of getting in as a wild card. Mussina’s replacement starter predictably was blown up by the Bosox and New York lost 10-1.


 


When the Texas Rangers pulled all their starters against the Los Angeles Angels, was Buck Showalter, avowed Yankee hater, arranging to lose, even when his team had the lead, so as to “give” the Angels home advantage against the Yankees – as sportscaster Warner Wolf pointed out?


 


When Bud Selig, baseball’s Commissioner went to the NFL system of tiebreakers popularized by the National Football League, where your season record against another team, head-to-head, determines whether you finish ahead of them for post-season positioning if tied,  he created a situation that allows baseball teams to consider not to  compete in an important game for the team they are playing, which compromises baseball’s integrity.


 


Had the Yankees had to beat Boston Sunday to avoid a one-game playoff with Boston on Monday for the actual Division title which might give the Yankees Chicago as an opponent instead of the Angels then Cleveland might have had a chance to get in. I guess, baseball does not have time to have a one-game playoff to determine who finishes first (when the Yankees and Boston were tied at the end of 162 games). But they should have a playoff, this tiebreaker business is hockey, football nonsense, it does not belong in baseball, you have to play and compete your way in in baseball, or at least it used to be that way.


 


To avoid this unseemly appearance of a collusion between the Yankees and Red Sox, the Bosox and Yanks should have played Monday to decide the outright division winner. Then the loser of that game should have played the second place team with the next best record to assure 100% effort in all games. In fact to make absolutely sure teams give their best effort there should be a best 2 of 3 series for the two best second place teams, in this case this year it would be the Yankees and the Indians. This would preserve intensity of competition, and not give Wild Cards a free pass into the playoffs, it would provide incentive to finish first, to avoid a 2 of 3 playoff. It would also prevent the Wild Card team from saving their best pitcher to open up their first Division Series Game.


 


The Wild Card Season


 


If you enjoy living in a fool’s paradise – the sucker world of the Wild Card fan, this was the season for you as the sports media establishment just concentrated on the Wild Card races, oblivious to the Division first place races.


 


What was the concentration all season long? It was not who was going to win the division, it was on who the Wild Card Teams were g to be. Not until the Boston-New York race and Chicago-Cleveland race tightened up did sports pages begin to even talk about the first place chases.


 


Believing you’re team isn’t good enough to overtake first place, so we can get the wild card, is a lot like waiting for hurricane aid from FEMA. You’re still hungry, thirsty, and living in a fool’s paradise.


 


I hate the Wild Card because it mocks excellence and consistency to the sentimental contrivances of sentimentality and underdogism. Did the contending wild card teams make deals to finish first? .They went with what they had and what happened? Cleveland and Philadelphia did not have it in the last week of the season, lacking that one late acquisition that might have put them over the top. But, they made business at the box office, providing fans with false hope.


 


Wild Card is all about false hope, about sneaking in, getting there with less effort and less talent and some how cheating your way in.


.


 


So what is wrong with the Wild Card? Nothing if you like beefing up attendance and as long as fans buy the ability to have a chance by finishing second. If they’re o.k. with that.


 


It was never that way in baseball until the wild card came along. But now, it is all about contriving and “second seeds” and the playoff mentality  where regular season performance is only “good enough to get in.”


                                                                                           


Some teams in baseball have the pride to play contending teams tough instead of rolling over for them in September. Kansas City did. Tampa Bay did.


 


And, didn’t you wonder just a little why Boston left its starter in so long Saturday until the Yankees had built up a hefty lead. I mean, It was clear, low humidity, high pressure weather – absolutely the worst weather conditions for a knuckleballer, which is what Boston’s pitcher , Tim Wakefield is. It was obvious in the first inning his ball had nothing. So you get him out of there in the second inning. Instead he is left in until the game is gone.


 


What did that do? It assured baseball of having high profile, high ratings markets in the playoffs instead of Cleveland. Then on Sunday, the Red Sox were assured of getting a Yankee “batting practice” pitcher whom they have not relied on at all during the regular season. Boston gets in. Cleveland is out.


 


That’s what the Wild Card does to you. It creates advantageous scenarios that can be manipulated, while building fan interest.


 


The Wild Card machinations are another example of how the commissionership of Bud Selig has egregiously, irreparably eroded the integrity of the game. There was the awful strike of 1994 that destroyed the myth of baseball as something beyond a business. I have never felt the same about professional baseball (minor leagues excluded) since the strike. I simply can not bring myself to care about what the teams do.


                                                                                                                      


There was the condoning of steroid use that has cheapened and made baseball records meaningless. The records of Sosa, Bonds and McGwire should be stricken from the record books, as they were achieved with steroids.


 


There is interleague play which is interesting, but instead of reorganizing divisions along geographic lines, building rivalries and playing a balanced schedule, the interleague play becomes a series of exhibitions in the middle of the season. Give us divisions like this:


 


Empire Division : New York, New York, Boston, Toronto, Balt. Wash


 


Golden West: Seattle, L.A., L.A., S.F. Oakland, San Diego


 


Great Lakes Division:: Chicago, Chicago, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland,


 


Prairie League: Colorado, St. Louis, K.C., Houston, Texas, Arizona


 


Mason-Dixon Division: Pittsburgh, Phila, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Cincinnati


 


 


 


Baseball simply has to get rid of the Wild Card, by expanding to 32 teams giving you 8 divisions of 4 teams each. I recommend expanding to Las Vegas  and San Antonio, or Tokyo and Honolulu,  or Portland and  Mexico City. Personally Las Vegas and San Antonio appear the most viable, though Tokyo and even Venezuela intrigue. Expanding to 32 clubs would eliminate the fall-back nature of the Wild Card position


 


Add Las Vegas and Tokyo….and you go to 8 Divisions of 4 teams each, three rounds of playoffs.


 


Empire Division: NY, NY, Boston, Toronto


 


Atlantic Seaboard Division: Phila, Pitts, Balt. Wash.


 


Great Lakes League: Chicago, Chicago Detroit, Cleveland


 


Corn Belt League: Minnesota, Milwaukee, K.C., St. Louis


 


Prairie League: Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Houston


 


Dixie Division: Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Cincinnati


 


Golden West: Seattle, S.F., Oakland, Tokyo


 


Sun Coast: L.A., L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas


 


The advantage of adding the two teams, eliminates the Wild Card contrivance. You could add a one-game play in to assure that below .500 teams do not make it in.


 


 

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WPPA-TV’s Johnny V. Up Close Personal with Handsome Dan, The Ultimate Mascot.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR by WPPA-TV’s John Vorperian of “Beyond The Game.” October 3, 2005: YALE’s Best Known College Sports Idol granted an exclusive few moments this past Saturday October 1st at the Yale Bowl, New Haven, CT during the 2nd quarter in a fierce gridiron contest against Holy Cross, with WPPA Channel 76 BEYOND THE GAME Host Johnny V for the White Plains CitizenNetReporter.



White Plains Public Access Sportscaster, John Vorperian interviews “Handsome Dan” on the sidelines at Yale Bowl Saturday afternoon during Holy Cross-Yale action. Photo for WPCNR Sports  by Chi-Lam Mak.


    Sure BTG has gotten to chat with Hall of Famers, Super Bowl, World Series, and All-Star participants but nothing compares to being at that hallowed Ivy League venue and on the field with a key Yale Athletics celebrity. 


Indeed, there are many, George W. Bush ’68 (fullback, rugby/pitcher, freshman baseball) his dad George H.W. Bush ’48 (first baseman, baseball 1947 & 1948 Yale teams that played in College World Series), Stone Phillips ’77 (All-Ivy quarterback, Yale football 1975 [7-2] and 1976 [8-1]) or Calvin Hill ’69 (All-Ivy running back with the League Football- Champions 1967 and 1968).

    Yet the Eli Icon was Handsome Dan, a spry two-year old 69 pound English Bulldog from Hamden CT.  On April 26, 2005 selected from a field of 10 candidates, Magnificent Mugsy Rangoon, put his paw print on the dotted line and became Handsome Dan XVI.  As noted by Yale Bowl Illustrated publications his prime mission is “to serve as the Yale University Athletics mascot, to be patient with young and old alike and to bring good fortune to the playing fields of Yale.”

    The BTG Host met with Handsome Dan who was prowling the Home sideline to the cheers of many.  All responses were interpreted on Handsome Dan’s behalf by his owner Bob Sansone, a middle school language arts teacher.

    JV:    “Good afternoon, thanks for taking this time out. Yale was the first university in the USA to adopt a mascot.  The tradition started in the 1890s.  Some of your predecessors have worn gear in supporting Eli Athletics.  For example, will you don bathing trunks for the diving team?”

    Handsome Dan:    “No. I’d rather swim au natural.”


    JV:    “What’s your favorite toy?


 



Handsome Dan Relaxing in his special Box. Photo by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity.




    HD:    “This specially adapted football with handle.  (HD gripped handle with his mouth and swiftly ran 20 yards back and forth with the ball.)  My second favorite toy is the Hula-Hoop with a football player figure.  Stick around I’ll be catching that for the half-time show.”

    JV:    “How do you prepare for a game?”

    HD:    “I sleep a lot, and eat a lot.”

    JV:    “In competition you beat out the other Bulldogs because instead of the stuffed Princeton tiger doll you assertively went after the Crimson blanket.  Yale leads the series 64-49-8 and you host THE GAME here November 19th.  How will you prepare for Harvard?”

    HD:    “I’ll sleep a little more and eat a little more.  And jump up on the couch!”

    JV:    “What’s been the greatest Yale Athletics Moment in Handsome Dan’s career?

    HD:    “So far, hmm, when Yale beat Cornell 37-17 in our 2005 home opener.”

    JV:    (Cheers for HD are louder.)  “The crowd loves you, what other things are you doing?”

    HD:    “Lots of appearances.  Went on ESPN’s Cold Pizza, I was at the Yale Bookstore for Children’s Day.  Celebrated Dogs and Cats Day at the Peabody Museum and attended a Worldwide Fellows Meeting.”

    JV:    “After football what’s the next big sporting
event?”

    HD:    “I’m looking forward to the Yale v. Quinnipiac Hockey Match-Up.”

    JV:    “Today is Youth Day and…”

    HD:    “I love meeting kids.  The more kids the better. I just love being around children and…(HD has dashed off and is now playing with a youngster and a mini-football.)

    If Mr. and Mrs. White Plains or actually from Handsome Dan’s viewpoint, White Plains Youth wish to
see him in action Yale Football’s next home games are:

    October 8th Dartmouth
    November 5th Brown
    November 19th Harvard

    For more information visit: http://yalebulldogs.collegesports.com/  Also, kudos to Assistant Athletic Director Steve Cohn, Bob Sansone, Sam Rubin, and all the Yale Sports Publicity Staff for granting this interview.



Handsome Dan’s Digs: The famous Yale Bowl, perhaps the most famous hallowed football stadium in the world. Boola Boola! Photo by Bill O’Brien. Courtesy Yale Sports Publicity.

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Dennis Power Calls for Holding City Budget, Property Taxes Increases to 3%

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. October 1, 2005: Dennis Power, speaking on Battle Hill to a galaxy of Democratic Party luminaries who included County Executive Andy Spano, Chairman of the County Board of Legislators Bill Ryan, Assemblypersons Adam Bradley and Amy Paulin, County Legislators Luis Alvarado and Loiz Bronz, and State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, summarized his platform and policy initiatives that he would bring as Mayor of White Plains.


       Mr. Power called for holding the line on city budgets to a rise of 3% over the next three years, and holding property tax increases to 3%. He said he would roll back parking fees, end the aggressive ticket enforcement policies of the Department of Public Safety, cut city department expenses, extend life of rolling stock, and make city hall more responsive to the residents and give residents more of a role in shaping the future of the city.


Here are Mr. Power’s remarks:


 



Dennis Power Delivering His Platform Address at Battle Hill Park. Photo by Paul Schwartz, Courtesy, The Power Campaign.


 


Here we are on the spot now called Battle Hill in 1776, overlooking the white marshes of a town nestled around the Bronx River, a band of rebels, lightly equipped and waiting for the well-armed British regulars and highly trained Hessian mercenaries ready to storm the hill.


 


Well, the Power Committee purposely picked this spot to lay out the game plan for the ensuing campaign to the finish line on November 8 because of the emphasis on neighborhoods in my campaign. Like the villagers defending their homes and we with our band of small signs, are taking on the big challenge. 


 



Dennis Power deliveringhis message Friday. Photo by Paul Schwarz, Courtesy, The Power Campaign.


 


 


And ever since June 10th, when we launched the Power of the People campaign over on Soundview and Prospect, the small individual neighborhoods have been the battlegrounds, whether they be apartment buildings or single family homes. We knew then and we know now that there is a sense of urgency to the campaign.


 


On September 30, 2005 there is a sense of urgency and quiet alarm among those who realize what is at stake. White Plains may be forever changing, and we hope, through our efforts, to get the word out on how to fight for the White Plains we know so well.


 


White Plains is emerging from a transitional period and needs leadership not for its past, but for its future as a vibrant residential community.  One of the greatest challenges – and one of the greatest opportunities – for our next Mayor will be to shape our downtown development so that it serves our community as a whole, both now and in the future. We need a fresh look at the issues. The residents need to feel that the vision and the destiny of this city is back in their hands and not in the control of outsiders. They need to feel the benefits will accrue to all the people in the city, and those benefits will come sooner than later.


 


But for the moment, let me answer an even more current question for all of us here today. Who is Dennis Power? Why will I make a better Mayor, a better leader for White Plains?


 


Dennis Power is a man who loves White Plains. And has shown so for the last 26 years. I’ve been a Councilman, a Corporate Manager, a Nonprofit Executive Director, a Community leader and Volunteer. A servant to the community in need, and I know how to gather good people about me and lead, with them. And a father of adult children who graduated from our excellent public schools who live in White Plains. Now I’ve got a grandchild waiting to start. Dennis Power is a fighter for those who want their voice heard again and for those who like the sound of Democracy in their town.  Dennis Power is also a listener.  You’ve got to be able to listen first in order to understand what the residents, the taxpayers need.


 


For the past 3-months I have been walking around this small 10-square mile city with you. And, I have heard you. This is a good place to live, to raise a family, to work, there is a lot happening, and there is a lot of development, new stores, new shops, new housing. Other towns and small cities wish they had our problems. But, there are also a lot of heads shaking who are raising real questions about where we’re going and how fast. I am hearing things like this:


 


Responsible Fiscal Management


It is not sufficient for the City to encourage development through real property tax abatements that fail to consider the long-term impacts on our School District, which does not share in sales tax revenues and depends primarily on property taxes to meet its already tight budget.    Both a fiscally sound School District and a fiscally sound City government must be essential components of planning for WP’s future.


 


All around the city residents have been asking me: If  White Plains is continuing to undergo a remarkable renaissance, can you explain why approximately $2 billion worth of construction during the past 7 years has produced a budget deficit for the past 3 years and that City’s tax base has actually decreased on top of that? I thought I was supposed to see a benefit!! No, instead I get property tax increases the last few years.


 


Folks, we’ve got some serious thinking to do about our financial picture. And, that’s why, as Mayor, I will


–          Institute a three-year budget plan to improve the long term fiscal health of the City.


–          Introduce legislation to cap the City Budget, restricting spending increases to 3% annually over the next three years and restricting  property-tax increases to 3% over the same period.


–          Extend the running life of rolling stock in all City departments.


–          Reduce the City’s share of capital improvements in projects involving private developer financing. Heh, let them build their own sidewalks! They got a garage and you got increased parking fees! And, by the way, you don’t mind if they keep the parking revenues for the next 13-years to pay off their debt? As a taxpayer, you also get the bonus of financing the maintenance of the garage! Is something wrong with that picture?


 


As Mayor I will also defer any major new capital improvements, like City Hall, until the City’s financial health and balance has been restored. I will also relax the City’s unfriendly and aggressive enforcement of parking and traffic regulations which serves to drive residents and surrounding population to out-of-city shopping centers. Time and time again residents told me how they avoid driving downtown and do their shopping or restaurant hopping in another Westchester town or CT. You get smacked with a $15 parking ticket for a short overtime and it sticks in your memory!


 


Affordable and Workforce Housing


Affordable housing requires action, not lip service, to assure that we meet the housing needs of  the full range of WP households and remain a model for how American cities can flourish as home  to a diverse range of families from every ethnic and economic group.  WP has a proud history of welcoming newcomers to our community from every part of our nation and every part of the world, and we must continue to find innovative ways, as we have in the past, to provide a range of housing types and supportive services to accommodate both new and existing residents. That’s why as Mayor I will


–          Establish an Affordable Housing Task Force comprised of community and faith-based organizations, residents and local businesses to analyze, study and target best practices for generating low cost, moderate income and workforce housing units.


–          Revise the current set-aside requirement of all new development of 50 or more units from 6% to 15%.


–          Expand the Central Business District set-aside requirements to all areas of the City.


–          Partner with county, state and federal governments to create affordable and senior housing.


–          Lobby the federal govt. to restore cutbacks in Section 8 subsidy payments for those who desperately need that help.


 


Traffic, Parking, Pedestrian Safety and Security


Wow, have I heard about gridlock traffic and the terrible tales of those greedy parking meters that stalk fear in people’s minds. When I hear people saying that they now have to leave an hour earlier to drive across town – a 6-minute drive- to avoid being stuck for an hour, I think I’m in L.A.


 


A great city is a walkable city, and we must reverse the current trend of affording first priority to vehicles, rather than to pedestrians.  This means providing clearly marked pedestrian crossings and plazas and making sure that everyone, including seniors and people in wheelchairs can beat the cars!


That’s why as Mayor I will 


–          Commission an independent study to evaluate traffic flow throughout the City to analyze current and future pedestrian and vehicular needs.


–          Deploy additional  traffic safety personnel to manage peak use and congestion downtown.


–          Mandate that developers provide sufficient off-street parking for all new buildings.


–          Explore options for providing residents with preferred parking meter status.


–          Review current operating procedures for parking fees, fines, and hours of operation, including  enforcement measures.


–          Review the practice of allowing valet parking on downtown City streets.


–          Step up enforcement for drivers who are a threat to pedestrians.


–          Enforce laws requiring wheelchair accessibility for all public facilities. And, most importantly, I will


–          Institute a comprehensive and coordinated review of security procedures in municipal garages, utilizing the most effective strategies for deployment of police and security personnel, supported by the best available surveillance equipment, to deal with any possible crime.


           


Open Space and Environmental Quality


Open space and the quality of our city’s environment are  critical to the long-term success of our community, both for the residents who make up our diverse  neighborhoods and those who work, shop and visit here.  This means continuing to protect and care for our remaining open space in our residential neighborhoods and developing well-designed user-friendly open spaces in our downtown. 


As Mayor I will


–          Continue to protect and acquire open space and park land for community use.


–          Continue the work on the Greenway, extending the trail from Gedney to Bryant.


–          Develop well-designed user-friendly open spaces in our downtown and densely populated areas.


–          Hire an additional Code Enforcement Officer to monitor construction and other hazardous activities to control sources of air, water and noise pollution.


–          Establish and fund a local alternative energy production network to reduce energy costs and improve air quality.


–          Install air quality monitors in the Central Business District, enabling a proactive response on the City’s part  to meet federal air quality standards required in non-attainment areas.


–          Propose legislation to require Green Building Standards and promote the use of low-sulfur fuels on development projects.


 


Open and Responsive Government


I hear so many complaints from residents who tell me about unanswered phone calls, lack of concern for their problems, neighborhood associations that cry out for help and get no response. As Mayor I will


–          Initiate Mayoral meetings with neighborhood associations involving Commissioners and appropriate City personnel.


–          Conduct two regularly scheduled, televised Common Council meetings per year in rotating neighborhood locations – “bringing City Hall to the neighborhoods.”


–          Alert the  public, with appropriate notification, to all Common Council Work Sessions, conducting these meetings in Council chambers and allowing for public participation. 


–          Televise all “Citizens to be Heard” sessions conducted prior to monthly Common Council meetings.


–          Establish a “311” type customer service system directly linking residents to appropriate City departments for assistance.


–          Reinstitute joint meetings of the Common Council and the School Board.


–          Reinstitute meetings between the Mayor’s Office and  County Legislators representing White Plains.


 


Before concluding I want to highlight a few other points from my platform that merit special mention. As Mayor I will


–          Review organization, function, vacancies for all boards/commissions. Ensure that membership on such bodies affirms policies of inclusion and representation, reflecting cultural diversity of White Plains.


–          Promote diversity at senior management levels to benefit from leadership from all communities.


–          Maximize the outreach to all qualified individuals throughout White Plains in offering opportunities for employment and advancement in City positions.


–          Provide counseling and incentives to support and stabilize the growth of locally-owned small businesses, bringing economic vitality to all sectors of the White Plains business community.


 


 


Folks, we are at a critical juncture in our White Plains history and that if we don’t stop and listen carefully and objectively study what has happened at breakneck speed over the last several years, then we may forever lose what we love most about White Plains—that it is a modern-day city with an incalculable amount of resources and attractiveness and a small town feeling. A vision I share with so many of you is that of a White Plains, continuing to move forward as a thriving regional business center, that puts the needs of its residents first and values the rich cultural diversity, excellent education system, precious open spaces, and its prominent place in American history that has made this city so unique.


 


White Plains residents can have what’s great about this city, but they can also have more: They can put place a City Administration that’s more open, more forward thinking and more responsive to its people.


 

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Stop, Look & Dodge. What Is White Plains Most Dangerous Intersection

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WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VIEWS. September 30, 2005: Two teens were struck by an out of control SUV Monday to start the week. They were not injured seriously, but it raised the consciousness of one WPCNR reader of two years, who suggested the following poll. Every time you walk the streets of White Plains, and you step off a curb, you have to take care of yourself as more impatient, aggressive motorists beat lights, turn into cross lanes and whisk very close to your toes. Tell us, Mr. & Mrs. White Plains, what is the most dangerous intersections in White Plains by checking some of the pedesterian traps listed at the right?

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