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.

Hits: 0

 

 

WPCNR Vital Signs. September 14, 2006:  Kylie and Louis Cappelli were honored with the unveiling of  a plaque naming the White Plains Hospital Center 12-bed Pediatric Emergency Center in recognition of The Cappelli Foundation $1,000,000 gift and $500,000 donated at last year’s Grand Opening Benefit Gala for Trump Tower at City Center towards the construction cost of the PEC.

 

 

Louis Cappelli, “The Super Developer”  told WPCNR “The Foundation’s Mission Statement is we want to help kids. When we heard of this project, we very much wanted to be a part of  it and part of White Plains Hospital Center. We’re building in White Plains. We’re building in Westchester. We always want to give back. It was the right thing.” Mr. Cappelli and his wife, Kylie stand with Paul Weissman,Chairman of White Plains Hospital Center, left, and Jon Schandler, hospital CEO at Wednesday evening’s naming ceremony. Photo, WPCNR News.

 

At a gathering of dignataries who included State Senator Nicholas Spano, ( Shown above with The Super Developer  and Kylie Cappelli), Assemblyman Adam Bradley, Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, Councilman Glen Hockley, and assorted luminaries, Mr. Cappelli said, “We are also impressed with the comprehensive level of services which will be provided to children in need at the new Pediatric Center.”  The plaque naming the Pediatric Emergency Center for Louis and Kylie Cappelli is framed at the right. Photo, WPCNR News.

 

Dr. Thomas Haydock, Director of Emergency Services, said the Pediatric Emergency Center will open in September 2008, and it will be the first and only emergency treatment facility designed, equipped and customized to treat 12 children at a time, each in private rooms, custom-equipped with medical technology — sized for treating children. Photo, WPCNR News

 

Haydock , who has been guiding the busiest emergency room in Westchester County for the last two years, is enthusiastic about the new level of care the Pediatric Emergency Center offers children. Twelve of the 42 new emergency rooms being built in the hospital’s new emergency wing will be devoted to child care exclusively in the new wing. He said the hospital is in the process of hiring a team of pediatric emergency medicine physicians to staff the new facility. The development of the PEC and selection of staff is being supervised by Dr. Jolie Yuknek.

 

The PEC will separate children from the adult patients, with a separate waiting room in a more comforting environment away from the frightening tumult of the daily emergency room activity. The rooms in the wing Haydock said,would be private and decorated and more comforting than the curtain and open bay environment characterizing the general emergency room, that Haydock said can be very scary for childen.

 

Jon Schandler, Hospital President and CEO of White Plains Hospital Center told WPCNR,  the PEC was “clearly something we wanted to do. We’ve needed it forever. It’s smart for kids, and will have special equipment special treatment.”

 

Schandler said the new Flanzer Emergency Room which will include the Pediatric Emergency Center, would be constructed simultaneously while continuing operations of the present emergency center. He said planning for the simultaneous mix of treatment and construction is underway and one of his major concerns.

 

All Ambulances Come to White Plains

and Private Cars, too.

 

Haydock said White Plains Hospital Emergency Room will serve 47,000 patients in 2006, up from 30,000 patients three years ago. Haydock told WPCNR when asked if the financial decisions that resulted in the closings of United Hospital in Port Chester and St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains had been a miscalculation on the part of the area medical decision-makers, said “that’s part of it.”

 

He also said people have changed the way they seek health care and how they make decisions. He told WPCNR the emergency room traffic has been swelled due to the public developing the habit of going to the emergency room for care immediately instead of waiting to make appointments with their own doctors. “People who have their own doctors, now go to the emergency room to get care,” Haydock said. WPHC’s emergency room has a “sophisticated” triage management team that sorts out seriousness of cases as they come in. Still, waits in the emergency room can be as long as three hours.

 

At 47,000 patients a year going through the WPHC emergency room, this works out to 130 patients a day, 6 patients an hour, on average.

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Department of Recreation and Parks. September 13, 2006: The Playland Ice Casino in Rye — Westchester’s premier family ice skating facility – is now open for the 2006-2007 skating season. The studio rink is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the main and children’s rinks will open on Wednesday, September 27. 

Le Palais du Glace: The Playland Ice Casino, at Westchester’s landmark amusement park,  Playland, Rye, New York. Open for “Flying Lessons.” Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.

The City of White Plains outdoor  Ebersole Rink, shown here, is scheduled to open Tuesday, October 10, according to the White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks. Here senior figure skaters perform in the end of year ice show last March. For info on programs and classes for city youngsters, contact the rink at 422-1348, the Skating Director at 948-6696 or the White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks at 422-1336.  Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive..

 

            Playland Ice Casino’s facilities include three indoor rinks: main, children’s and studio, which can accommodate a total of 1,100 skaters. All are kept at a comfortable temperature for skaters throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons.

            Once again, this year the Ice Casino will host the popular Saturday Family Skating Night every week from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to Family Skating Night is only $30, which covers up to four family members and includes admission, skate rentals and one large pizza.

Fridays are Party Night with a D.J. from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Party Night includes special lighting effects, the best of today’s pop and hip-hop music plus prizes and giveaways. Admission is $12, which includes skate rental.

            General admission to the Playland Ice Casino is $8 for adults, $7 with a Westchester County Park Pass, and $6 for children 12 and under, $5 if accompanied by a Park Pass holder. Students pay $6 on weekdays (except Party Nights and holidays) and seniors pay $5 with a Park Pass. Spectators pay $3 on weekends and holidays.

            Ice skating clinics and classes will be given by professional instructors through the Playland Skating School; lessons are available by group session or individually by advance reservation, with instruction geared to skaters of every level of ability. Children’s hockey clinics are also offered throughout the season.

Hits: 0

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 13, 2006:  WPCNR has received the Accusatory Statements in the Michelle and William Trataros matter from the White Plains City Court. Actual charges are more detailed than previously reported.

 

 

The Accusatory Statements in the Trataros Cases: Charges have lead Ms. Trataros to excuse herself from public appearances on the Board of Education until at least after the October 17 Referendum on the district $69.6 Million Capital Improvement Project, according to Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors, speaking privately to WPCNR Monday evening. Photo, WPCNR News.

Neither Mr. Connors nor acting President of the Board of Education, William Pollak offered any public comment explaining Mr. Pollak’s appearance as Acting President and no explanation for Ms. Trataros absence or legal problems was made to the to the public or the television audience. There was no comment from those in attendance at the meeting about the Tratoros alleged incidents.

 

Connors told WPCNR after the meeting Ms. Trataros was not in attendance at the Board of Education meeting Monday night, because she needed “the time to work things out with her family.”  He said she was still a member of the Board of Education, and that he expected she would return to the Board when the direction of her legal problems was clear.

 

Last week, WPCNR asked Superintendent Connors, since the Board of Education is an elected body, whether the School District could remove a member from the Board should it feel compelled to do so, for any reason.

 

Connors said there were only two ways a member could leave the board, either by tendering their resignation, or “For Cause,” (the School District, or the Board of Education, it was not clear which,  demanding her resignation for being convicted of violating a law.

 

Mr. Connors did not indicate, in any way, or elaborate on how a “For Cause” action might unfold against Ms. Trataros, if at all, or indicate that the procedures of a “For Cause” action were being explored at this time.

 

Accusatory Statement Detail.

 

The Accusatory Statements filed against Michelle Trataros in City Court September 1, by the White Plains Police furnished to WPCNR by City Court read:

 

 

“…accuses the defendant named above of the following offense committed at 898 North Street, City of White Plains, New York on or about August 31, 2006 at approximately 8 P.M.

 

“COUNT ONE: The Offense of ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD,  a violation of Penal Law PL 260.10 01 AMO

 

 The Defendant knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years old.

 

To wit: The defendant at the above date, time and place, did hit her fifteen year-old daughter with a wooden spoon.

 

The above allegation(s) of fact are made by the complainant herein on direct knowledge (and upon information and belief) with the source(s) of complainant’s information and the grounds for his or her belief being police investigation.”

 

 

 

“COUNT ONE: The Offense of HARASSMENT IN THE SECOND DEGREE, a violation of Penal Law PL 240.26 01 0V2

 

The Defendant with intent to harass, annoy and alarm another person, he/she strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects such other person to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same.

 

To wit: The defendant at the above date, time and place, did strike her 15 year-old daughter with a wooden spoon on her back and legs.”

 

William Trataros, Ms. Trataros husband,  was also charged in the August 31 incident with the Trataros daughter.

 

 

The Accusatory Statement filed against Mr. Trataros, “accuses the defendant named above of the following offense committed at 898 North Street, City of White Plains, New York on or about August 31, 2006 at approximately 8:00 P.M.

 

COUNT ONE: The offense of ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD, a violation of Penal Law PL 260.10 01 AM0

 

The defendant knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years old.

 

To wit: The defendant at the above date, time and place, did act in a manner, which is injurious to the physical mental, or moral welfare by punching his 15 year-old daughter numerous times with his fist all over her body.”

 

 

COUNT ONE: The Offense of ASSAULT IN THE THIRD DEGREE, a violation of Penal Law PL 120.00 01 AM3

 

The Defendant with intent to cause physical injury to another person, he/she causes such injury to such person or to a third person. Assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.

 

To wit: The defendant at the above date, time and place, did punch his 15 year old daughter numerous times with his fist all over her body causing substantial pain and suffering and redness to her back, neck and stomach. Defendant also grabbed the victim around her neck with his hands causing redness and swelling to the neck area.”

 

Police Report Observations.

 

In the Police Report furnished to WPCNR by the White Plains Police Department, filed by the investigating officers, Ms. Trataros daughter was described as having the following injuries: “scratches, bruises,” and she was not hospitalized. The daughter was described by the officers checking a box on the report, as “fearful.” In the Threats section the box “Injure/Kill Persons” was checked off.

 

The officer filling out the Police Report checked off the following reported acts: kicking, punching, pushing, slapping, slamming body, strangulation/ “choking,” unwanted contact, verbal abuse.

 

The Police Report investigating officer statement reads (WPCNR has removed the address of the home to which the Tratoros daughter had fled from her home at 898 North Street and from where she telephoned police to report the alleged events.)

 

“Responded  to  —- on a report of child abuse. We met Trataros (daughter) and she stated she was physically abused by her parents, William and Michelle Tratoros… Tratoros (the daughter) stated William punched, choked, kicked and threw her down a flight of stairs during an assault. Mother, Michelle, beat her with a wooden spoon to assist in this assault. Photos taken. Transported back to H.Q. for statement. William and Michelle brought to H.Q. for investigation. See  D.D. Case for further. CPS Case Worker — notifed”

 

Deputy Chief Anne Fitzsimmons of the White Plains Police Department said that a Police Report is the first report on an incident and formal charges are drawn up based on that report, but charges are based on the report and refinement of the original police report as the investigation unfolds.

 

Signed statements of the victim and the defendants were not legally available to be released to WPCNR, FitzSimmons said.

 

The investigation is ongoing, and being refined according to Deputy Chief  FitzSimmons, speaking to WPCNR Monday afternoon.  The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson told WPCNR that all documents and information the media are entitled to have at this time are included in the Accusatory Statements.

 

The defendants were due back in City Court October 11 “for all purposes” according to the City Court clerk

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By Amy Geiger. September 12, 2006: Four White Plains High School graduates have been selected for induction this fall into the school’s Hall of Fame.

  

The 2006 inductees are: Eileen W. Johnson ’44, (posthumous award) a General Foods Corp. executive and pioneer in diversity and minority hiring; Dr. Lawrence J. Schneiderman ’49, an internationally recognized expert and teacher in medical ethics; Dr. William A. Bauman ’68, an honored physician, teacher and researcher of veterans with spinal cord injuries; Dr. Martha Himmelfarb’ 70, an internationally renowned author, scholar and expert in ancient Judaism and Christianity.

(More)

 

The Hall of Fame, which is celebrating its 11^th year, pays tribute to the White Plains High School alumni/ae who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and/or have significantly and positively impacted the lives of others. 

 

The inductees were selected by a committee of representatives of civic and school groups from nominations submitted by the public.  New nominations are welcomed each year.  White Plains High School Principal Ivan Toper and Amy Geiger are Co-Chairpersons of the Hall of Fame Steering Committee.

 

This is the eleventh class of distinguished alumni/ae selected since the Hall of Fame was established in 1996, bringing the total number of inductees to 50.  It is estimated that more than 25,000 students have graduated from White Plains High School in its 109 years of continuous operation.

 

The honorees will visit the High School on Tuesday, November 14th and will spend time with students and staff.  The Induction Ceremony will take place in the Media Center and will be followed by a reception.  The public is invited.   

   

 

EILEEN W. JOHNSON, Class of 1944 – (Posthumous Award) Mrs. Johnson, a Human Resources executive at General Foods Corp. for 32 years, was a corporate pioneer in diversity employment and training.

 

 

DR. LAWRENCE J. SCHNEIDERMAN, Class of 1949 – A professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Schneiderman is an internationally recognized expert in the field of medical ethics.

 

 

DR. WILLIAM A. BAUMAN, Class of 1968 – An honored physician and researcher of veterans with disabilities, Dr. Bauman established and is Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY.

 

 

DR. MARTHA HIMMELFARB, Class of 1970 – An internationally renowned scholar and author in ancient Judaism and Christianity, Dr. Himmelfarb is Chair of the Department of Religion at Princeton University.

                               

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. September 12, 2006: As part of a comprehensive effort to deal with the growing problem of youth violence in Westchester, County Executive Andy Spano today announced that the county will bring to the White Plains School District, Yonkers and Port Chester a  program that trains kids in non-violent ways to settle disputes and also trains them to train other kids.  

The program, known as Power of Peace, is one of several initiatives that are the outcome of the Summit on Gang Prevention and Youth Violence sponsored last April by Spano and District Attorney Janet DiFiore. Others include training for United Way’s 2-1-1 responders, a speakers bureau and an inter-agency/inter-government task force.

(More)

“You don’t get rid of gangs overnight or through one program,” said Spano. “The professionals who spoke and shared information at our summit made it clear that there must be a vast array of programs and services to prevent gangs in the first place and deal with gangs when they exist. As a county, we are committed to helping our local communities and families deal with this.”

DiFiore said, “The best way to put gangs and the violence they foment out of business is to maintain strong partnerships between law enforcement, the community, schools and social service agencies. I have made it a priority to focus on gang violence by aggressive prosecution of the individuals and groups responsible. We have seen the number of gun recoveries and prosecutions rise dramatically this year. Combining our efforts by taking the worst offenders off the streets with County Executive Spano’s initiatives to address the triggers of violence in our community before they explode is not only proactive but also effective.”

Power of Peace, a program of  The Guidance Center in New Rochelle,  is patterned after a program created at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess by prisoners who were trying to develop tools to deter youth violence. Michael Arteberry, a volunteer at Green Haven, came to the Guidance Center to adapt the Green Haven program into Power of  Peace. Currently, he runs it in several places in Westchester, including  New Rochelle.

Through Power of  Peace, youth (not just “troubled youth”) are trained in non-violent ways to settle problems including impulse control, conflict resolution and resistance to peer pressure.

The decision to bring the program to White Plains (the school district), Yonkers (Nepperhan Community Center) and Port Chester (Carver Center) was made by the county at the suggestion of the Reducing Youth Violence Committee, an inter-governmental/inter-agency group put together by the Westchester County Youth Bureau.  

            Here are some of the other initiatives now under way:

¨      Speakers Program: The Reducing Youth Violence Committee has launched a speakers program. To date, committee members have spoken in White Plains, Greenburgh, Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Peekskill concerning youth violence and what can be done. A flyer, “Youth Violence and Gangs — What You Need to Know, Gang Prevention: What Parents Can Do, What Schools Can Do and What Community Members Can Do,” is distributed.  

¨      Summit DVD: A video of the April Summit was created by the county’s Communications Office. It may be viewed on line at www.westchestergov.com/gangprevention.  This can also be viewed on cable television by those with Optimum IO  cable channel 504 (Westchester on Demand).

¨      2-1-1: The Reducing Youth Violence Committee is working with United Way’s 211 to make sure operators at this service phone number know how to handle calls from parents or others looking for information on how to deal with youth violence phone calls. A script will aid callers in finding the best referrals and solutions.

¨      Youth/Police partnerships: The Step Up, White Plains Youth Bureau’s Gang and Violence Prevention Initiative, has completed the first youth/police partnership training. Similar programs are in the planning stages for Mount Vernon and Peekskill, with those municipal youth bureaus taking the lead to improve youth, police, and community relationships.

 

¨      Best Practices: The county continues to work with Student Assistance Services to help implement best practices through the Communities That Care (CTC) model. This is specifically s focusing on New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, White Plains, Ossining, Peekskill, Eastchester and  Mamaroneck. (Port Chester will soon be included as well.)  Each of these communities assesses the available community resources to respond to risk factors that have been identified by student surveys.

 

¨      Academic Performance: The Westchester County Youth Bureau and the Guidance Center are collaborating with Iona College and the New Rochelle City School District in a new grant- funded initiative aimed at youth violence reduction and improved academic performance in the public housing complexes in New Rochelle.

¨      Enforcement: The Westchester County Youth Bureau is working with the Yonkers Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition, to coordinate action plans to reduce violent juvenile crime.

¨      Mentoring: Greg Owens, who was a keynote speaker at the gangs summit, will spearhead a Westchester Mentoring Partnership that is sponsored by the state Office of Children and Family Services. All municipal youth bureaus will join in this countywide effort.

¨      Training: The Westchester County Youth Bureau is collaborating with the Westchester Community Fund to provide gang prevention training for all personnel who work in county funded youth development programs.

¨      Website: The county will continue to put information and resources on its website, www.westchestergov.com/gangprevention