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WPCNR COURTSIDE. February 22, 2007: The White Plains High Boys and Girls basketball teams will commence finals play in the Sectionals next Friday March 2. The boys, after taking out New Rochelle Wednesday, 77-56, will meet Number 3 Poughkeepsie at 3:00 and the White Plains Girls, after knocking off John Jay East Fishkill yesterday will play Scarsdale at 4:45 PM.
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WPNC CITY HALL CIRCUIT. February 22, 2007: The Common Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 at City Hall to discuss Police Overtime, the puchase of the Greico Property on Silver Lake, the Louis Cappelli affordable housing project atop the City Center Garage, and new parking ordinance — plus hold an executive session on the possible acquisition or sale of land. The agenda:
COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2007
6:00 P.M.
RESOLUTION:
1. Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the purchase of 4.5 acres of property near Silver Lake Park and known as the Grieco Property from the New York Trust for Public Land.
2. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains expressing the Common Council’s support for the acquisition of open space within the City pursuant to the Open Space and Natural Resource Policy of the City of White Plains and authorizing the Corporation Counsel to prepare a contract for the acquisition of the open space parcel known as the Grieco Property from the New York Trust for Public Land.
DISCUSSION:
3. Application submitted by LC White Plains LLC for an amendment to a previously approved site plan of the “Development Site” known as the Air Rights Building.
4. Proposed amendment to Compensation and Leave Plan.
5. Community Development Rehabilitation – YWCA.
6. Parking: Advertising; proposed Towing Scofflaw Ordinance; proposed change to Traffic Ordinance.
7. Budget Transfer – Police Overtime.
8. Entertainment of a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the proposed sale or acquisition of real property.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education. February 22, 2007: Superintendent of Schools Mr. Connors thanked the 30 people who participated in the three-day Core Committee session last week (Jan. 25-27), to develop a blueprint for the long-range future of the district. Details will be shared in an upcoming districtwide newsletter and on the website. The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback and to serve on committees which will develop action plans and the processes to evaluate them. The result will be a comprehensive plan to be submitted to the Board for approval in November. Mr. Connors thanked Teresa Niss and Jennifer Gray for coordinating the effort.
excitement about the session. Some excerpts:
“I was so proud of the student participants, who were remarkably articulate, thoughtful leaders.”
“There were many different opinions but everyone worked together for what is best for our kids.”
“It was a powerful experience and I applaud the Board for making it happen.”
“It made me proud to be part of the White Plains community.”
“lt was time to give something back to the community and now I feel part of it.”
“The community needs to be patient — we won’t have answers tomorrow. Work with us….”
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WPCNR RINKSIDE. By “Edge” Bailey. February 22, 2007: Some 70 young ladies from Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey’s Skyliners Synchronized Skating team and Team Image from the Yonkers Figure Skating club begin competition for the National Championships in Colorado Springs today. After spending the first four days on the “front range,” adjusting to the altitude and putting together practices on the World Ice Hall, the area’s elite most team-like teams are ready to try for that one great skate at the 2007 United States Figure Skating Synchronized Skating National Championships.
2007 Eastern Synchronized Skating Champions — The Skyliners Junior team..working on their “Wheel” at Playland Ice Casino in preparation for taking the ice at the Nationals Tonight in Colorado Springs for their Technical Program. The Juniors, 1st in the Providence Eastern Championships, will be skating with 14 of synchronized skatings elite teams Thursday and Friday. Photo, WPCNR Sports
The Juniors are Champs of the East on the ice after their great skate in Providence Rhode Island at the end of January in the Eastern Championships, nosing out the amost equally excellent Icemates by a blade.
Skyliners Working their double line over and over at Playland Ice Casino last week.
The Skyliners Coach and Choreographer Josh Babb has been working the Junior team hard to fine tune their Technical and Free Skate programs to get closer to the top four teams they skated against at the Dr. Porter Classic in December in Ann Arbor, the International Qualifier in Lowell, Massachussetts and of course The Colonials. They have had extra practices and longer practices each week for the last three weeks, finishing off with 9 hours of practice last Friday and Saturday before winging to Denver and on to Colorado Springs Monday.
Skyliners Skating to Poseiden to Win in Their Last At Bat in Providence.
Executing the Spread Eagle Intersection
Waiting for the Results of their Free Skate in Providence on the SynchroTron
Skyliner Juniors kiss the Providence Ice after their Eastern win.
The Skyliners ecstatic about their first ever Gold Medal in the Junior Division, have refocused themselves in hopes they can execute two great confident skates tonight and tomorrow. There is such a fine line between a great skate and a disaster in synchronized skating where everyone has to pull together and one ice nick or a soft patch can wreck an element.
The teams are graded by the judges who have the benefit of instant replay to seewhether all skaters in a line were performing the footwork in synch, or whether one was not putting her edge down or getting that twizzle or mohawk (footwork moves) precisely right. Synchronized skating is the truest team sport there is. All skaters have to execute the same, and when they do not the deductions come and whole elements circles, intersections, lines can fail to get “called” lowering their score.
The girls traveled to “The Garden of Gods” Tuesday afternoon and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Pike’s Peak. And spent their time enjoying each other’s company and of course, practicing.
Skyliners Enjoying Brunch in Providence before their winning skate.
Celebrating their win late Saturday night in Providence. What a feeling! Those smiles say all the work is worth it.
Parents celebrate too — simply pleased that their daughters were able through their daughters’ own hard work and effort achieved the feeling of winning a prestigious championship or achievement. It does not get any better if you’re a parent — seeing your children succed on their own and achieve happiness — well it might!
Tonight the Juniors take the ice for their Technical Skate to Proud Mary — and a season of growth, achievement and pride and learning — not matter what the result will continue. Two great skates, back-to-back are their goal that they will always remember.
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WPCNR SPORTS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 22, 2007: Westchester County is gearing up for a spectacular event right in its own backyard, and you can be part of the excitement. This summer up to 6,000 amateur athletes and 15,000 spectators will pour into Westchester for the Empire State Games, the largest amateur sports competition second only to the Olympics.
The games, a multi-sport event for New York State amateur athletes now in its 30th year, will be held for the first time in Westchester from July 25 through 29. From scorekeepers to medical personnel, more than 1,000 volunteers are needed to work at the 21 venues across the county including colleges and county parks.
“It’s really thrilling to have an event of this magnitude right here in Westchester County,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “It’s been two years in the making. Now that we are in the home stretch we’re calling for volunteers to help make this historic event a success. This is an ideal way for sports lovers to participate while not competing.’’
In a major outreach, the Empire State Games committee is contacting high schools, colleges, sporting associations, recreation departments and local governments to recruit volunteers. Those interested in volunteering should visit – www.empirestategameswestchester.com – the county’s special Empire State Games website where volunteers can sign up on line as well as get information about the games.
“We want to make it easy for people to get information and sign up to volunteer by using this new website,’’ said Spano. “The website also has information about the local venues, accommodations for the visiting athletes and their families, as well as online sign up forms for volunteers. The website will be continually updated. It’s the place to go for everything you want to know about the Empire State Games in Westchester.
Volunteers are needed in many different areas including:
· Media Center – volunteers to enter daily data of competition results.
· Communications Support – ham radio operators to assist with communications, work with medical personnel. Operators must have a current Technician class or higher license.
· EMT – volunteers specific for Emergency Medical Technicians.
· Medical Support – volunteers who are certified athletic trainers, student trainers, physicians and physician assistants.
· Sport Support – volunteers are needed to be timers, scorers, table help, linespeople and fill other capacities.
Volunteers who register electronically at www.empirestategameswestchester.com should follow to the volunteer link. They can also have an application mailed to them by calling 914-864-7149.
Visitors to the website can also find up-to-the minute information about the games, learn about sponsorship opportunities, sporting events and venues, opening ceremonies, local athletes (when announced), tourist accommodations and county parks and other area attractions.
Spano said bringing several thousand athletes and their families to the area in summer should boost the local economy with added business for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and entertainment and recreational venues.
In all, 31 different events, from archery to wrestling will take place at venues, including SUNY Purchase, Pace University, Manhattanville College, Iona College and Westchester Community College. Other sport locations include the Playland Ice Casino Tibbetts Brook Park, the Westchester County Center and Glen Island Park.
The games are a program of the New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
For more information, visit the new website at www.empirestategameswestchester.com or follow the Empire State Games link on the county’s homepage at www.westchestergov.com or call 864-7000.
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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 21, 2007: Nominations are being accepted through March 15 for a new award to honor the late Stanley Schear, a long-time affordable housing advocate.
The award will be presented at the first annual Stanley Schear Legislative Breakfast on April 20 at the Woodlands in Ardsley by the Senior Housing and Services Coalition of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS). Nominees can be individuals or organizations.
The coalition will also propose legislation at the breakfast regarding affordable housing and senior housing services.
Schear, who passed away last year at age 77, was the coalition’s chairman and guiding spirit for many years. The coalition has held legislative breakfasts in past years, but permanently renamed the event as another way to honor him.
Through his work with DSPS, Schear helped to bring more services and activities to senior apartment buildings. He was especially gratified that some buildings were also able to have senior service coordinators.
Schear was also a community activist who championed the needs of the homeless and fought to ban racial discrimination is housing. In addition, he founded and directed the Bridge Fund of Westchester which enabled those at risk of becoming homeless to stay in their homes.
Schear was director of the LIFE Program (Living Independently for the Frail Elderly) at Family Services of Westchester at the time of his death. Over the years, he lived in
Co-sponsoring the breakfast with DSPS are the Westchester Non-Profit Housing Coalition, Family Services of Westchester and Woodlands Senior Housing.
Nominees for the award must have exhibited vision and action that has produced a measurable outcome in one or more of six areas: advocacy for people in need, skill building to assist in greater independence, service coordination in linking people to community resources, respectful and compassionate quality of service delivery, philanthropic achievement and coalition building.
To receive a nomination form, contact the Housing Action Council at (914) 332-4144. They must be returned by March 15.
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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th Assembly District. February 21, 2007: Governor Spitzer presented a better budget on January 31st than we have seen in the past. There are many highpoints in his first budget proposal – significant property tax relief, commitment to fulfilling the CFE decision and adequately staffing the Department of Environmental Conservation. However, there are some areas that are problematic in that they shortchange
The governor proposed a revamped Foundation Aid formula that has some new components:
· Combines 30 existing aid programs;
· A minimum three percent increase for all districts; and
· A standard local cost of education.
I support the governor’s simplified formula but the “standard local cost of education” piece causes me concern because it includes a “regional cost factor” computation that unfairly groups
There are nine Regional Costs Indexes proposed and Westchester falls into the
The governor proposed the following operating aid increases for the districts I represent:
School | FY 06-07 | FY 07-08 | % increase |
$5.71 million | $5.77 million | 4.67% | |
Byram Hills | $3.15 million | $3.22 million | 3.37% |
Chappaqua | $6.29 million | $6.54 million | 6.19% |
$3.79 million | $3.89 million | 3.34% | |
Katonah-Lewisboro | $7.00 million | $7.15 million | 3.70% |
$2.80 million | $2.87 million | 3.78% | |
$13.15 million | $13.36 million | 2.03% |
I am concerned that
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WPCNR RINGSIDE. From TeamSaccurato. (EDITED) February 20, 2007: White Plains Million Dollar Baby, Ann-Marie Saccurato, ranked # 1 Lightweight Woman’s champion will meet Albuquerque’s 5-8, Blonde Bomber, Holly Holm — the Boxing Preacher’s Daughter, in a world -title fight card March 22 in a Main Event from New Mexico, that will be televised on Fox Sports. Ann-Marie with a 12-1-2, 5 KO record faces the 5-8 Holly Holm, 16-1-2 — 5 KOs. You can read all about Ms. Holm’s formidable career on her website, www.hollyholm.com
Saccurato defeated Jelena Mrdjenovich in Edmonton, Alberta November 4 for the Lightweight Crown in a split-decision. She now will move up in weight class and contest Holm for the undisputed WBA Welterweight title and the Welterweight Crown of five other boxing commissions, the WBC, WIBA, IFBA, GBU and IBA. The fight is the Main Event of Destiny — the all-women’s Fight Card at the Isleta Casino in Albuquerque. Saccurato is shown here punishing Ms. Mrdjenovich November 4 in “The Pounding on the Prairie.” Photo, Courtesy Team Saccurato, by Mary Owen
“I have confidence in my training with Hector Rocca and my strength coach Juan Carlos Santana, from the Institute of Human Performance in Boca Raton. I am also taking steps to combat the change in altitude by using the Colorado Altitude Training world class altitude simulation tent at night. I am doing everything I can to be mentally and physically prepared for my destiny. I importantly hope we both can raise the skill level of women’s boxing and show the world the talent and athleticism that top women boxers possess,” Saccurato said in a statement released to the media. The fight will be televised live at 11 PM on Fox Sports “The Best Damned Sports Show” March 22.
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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Ann Brady, Purchase College. February 20, 2007: The play But I Want Him, written and directed by senior Amy Grossman, will be presented by the Purchase College School of Humanities, Drama Studies program March 15, 16 & 17 at 8 PM in the Humanities Theatre of the Durst Family Humanities Building on the Purchase campus just a short ride from White Plains. But I Want Him is the story of a young woman who moves into an apartment with her best friend’s boyfriend and then falls in love with him. Tickets are $5 general public, and $3 for students. For more information, call 914-251-6550.
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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. February 19, 2007: Last week the Department of Transportation briefed the media on their six plans for the Tappan Zee Bridge. On February 27 at Purchase from 4 PM to 8 PM at Purchase College Performing Arts Center they will hold a public hearing explaining the plans to you Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains and Westchesta. But, what does the public really think about the plans? What does the public think?
For a more detailed version of the following plans proposed by the DOT, complete with diagrams, plus more than you every wanted to read about the Tappan Zee Bridge plans go to http://www.tzbsite.com/tzblibrary/stage1/aa/chapter8.pdf
Plan 1 would maintain the bridge structure and highway to avoid deterioration and complete the present I-287 bridge improvements now under way.
Plan 2 would Rehabilitate the present bridge and make it earthquake-safe, improve Metro-North and NJ Transit west of the Hudson and redesign the Tap Toll Plaza to include a three-lane highway speed toll plaza, weekend E-Z PASS PROGRAM, Ramp metering, congestion pricing.
Plan 3 would build a new bridge with two HOT lanes, 8 general purpose lanes, a pedestrian bike path between Rockland and Westchester. Transit would be improved with a Bus Rapid Transit line from Suffern to Port Chester using HOT lanes in Rockland, a barrier-separated facility in Westchester adjacent I-87 and I-287 and bus lanes on Route 119 in White Plains and Tarrytown — in addition to the toll plaza improvements.
Plan 4 adds a full Rapid rail transit line from Suffern to Port Chester with connection at the Hudson Line in Tarrytown to Manhattan. A new bridge would be built with 2 HOT lanes, 8 general purpose lanes and 2 rail tracks. Stations for the railroad wuold be built in White Plains (at County Center, Westchester Avenue).
Plan 5 — Is a variation on Plan 4 with Commuter Rail stopping at Tarrytown, and Light Rail taking over from Tarrytown to Port Chester. The Light Rail would course over Route 119 through White Plains.
Plan 6— Is as 4, but eliminates light rail through Westchester, substituting buses, and keeping commuter rail, but stopping it at Tarrytown for connection to Manhattan.