For The Record: The Mayors’ Statements.

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WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. October 29, 2005: On Thursday, Mayor Alfred Del Vecchio and Mayor Sy Schulman, the previous two Mayors of White Plains delivered statements on the Mayoral race at a news conference at City Hall supporting Dennis Power for Mayor. Robert Stackpole, a longtime member of the Planning Board, also read a statement. Here are the transcripts of those statements:

October 27-05
Statement by Alfred Del Vecchio

Good morning!

On so glorious a morning I would like to report that our elected
officials have done their jobs well. That will not be possible. Let me
tell you:
    • After eight years of promoting “economic prosperity” with
taxpayer’s money, our tax base has actually decreased in the face of
claims of an increase in economic growth worth more than $2 billion.
That’s quite an achievement–or would you call it a dechievement? In
previous administrations development created wealth for the City and
actually lowered taxes. After eight years the current development is
driving us to the poor-house.



Alfred Del Vecchio, Mayor of White Plains 1975-1993 addressing News Conference Thursday.Photo by WPCNR News
    • Not only did we give a developer $23.4 million to build a garage
for the city center, we then turned around and gave him the whole
garage. To compound the felony we agreed to take care of all major
maintenance in the garage. What a deal!
    • Moody’s independent investment service recently issued a
“negative outlook to White Plains municipal bonds warning all buyers
that “White Plains had the last three years of operating losses.” No
surprise.


Dennis Power has asked me to endorse him for mayor. I heartily do so.

My experience as mayor includes having worked with each of the
candidates when they were councilmen, I know how they think and how
they work. Let me tell you, Dennis has the confidence to listen to
others.  Dennis has the background to manage.  Dennis has
people-skills: he is clearly better equipped to lead. Given the
opportunity, Dennis will enrich the quality of life of our city.

Dennis Powers understands that good government makes the best politics.
I think he will serve all the people of this city very well . Given the
opportunity I think he has the capacity to become one of the great
mayors of our city. Please think about it. I will vote for him and urge
you to do so as well.

Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________


October 27-05
Statement by Sy J Schulman

My colleague Mayor Del Vecchio has just disturbingly outlined how the
current administration has frittered away the fiscally sound government
it inherited in 1998.

Equally serious has been the Delfino failure to review the 1997
Comprehensive Plan annually, and to update it every five years as
prescribed when it was endorsed by the Common Council in 1997. Only
after prodding by a grass roots citizens’ group did the City start to
review the plan, albeit with little or no effort to enlist significant
citizen participation.  In sharp contrast, the 1997 Plan had the input
of more than 400 citizens.



Mayor Sy Schulman, leader of White Plains from 1993-1997, delivering his statement at Thursday News Conference for Dennis Power.  Photo WPCNR News

The many changes during the past eight years have not been universally
welcomed –– far from it. Thirty-five- and forty-story- buildings were
never contemplated by the Comprehensive Plan.  There was never any
intention that the City donate $23 million to a private developer
––virtually stripping the City of its available funds. And what has the
City received for its largesse?  The developer just raised condominium
prices by one hundred thousand dollars each. (So much for affordable
housing!)

Let’s get down to it. Our City needs to re-visit its plan:
    • to reflect new pressures and needs faced by the School District
    • to reflect changing population characteristics
    • to reflect compounded traffic and parking problems
      • to reflect the need for a coordinated urban design

Dennis is a man of integrity, a hard-driving, “get-it-done” kind of guy
who can be counted on as the Mayor to involve us all in addressing  and
correcting these problems. I will be pleased to assist in every
possible way.

Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________

October 27, 2005
Statement by Robert J. Stackpole

I enthusiastically endorse Dennis Power for Mayor of White Plains.

I.    Dennis is a man who believes in the bedrock democratic principles
of public participation in making vital decisions –– open government.

II.   Dennis is a man who is not afraid to encourage vigorous debate of
the issues–– not afraid to listen to the concerns of our citizens.

III.   Dennis is a man whose dynamic personality will thrive in his
role as Mayor.

IV.  Dennis is a man who does not recoil from criticism.

V.   Dennis is a man who will not govern by intimidation.



Robert Stackpole, member of the Planning Board, endorsing Dennis Power Thursday. Photo, WPCNR News

VI.  Dennis is a man who will not hide behind non-elected spokesmen for
the administration

VII. Dennis is a man who will not be beholden to developers or similar
special interests.

VIII.Dennis is a man who will not squander the wealth of the City in our
joint quest to move the City forward.

IX.   Dennis is a man who understands that engaging citizens in the
conduct of City government will ensure that the outcomes will be
embraced by the many.

X.     Dennis is a man who will reach out to all the citizens of White
Plains to be the leader of us all.

Because Dennis Power recognizes that the future of White Plains and the
substance of our municipal government is far and away the most
important issue we face in this election, and because Dennis has the
requisite personal and professional resources to deal with our problems
on a mayoral level, and because he is able and willing to use them, he
is, without question, the man to lead us for the next four years.

________________________________________________________________

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Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside Too Much for Tigers. John Jay All the Way, 27-0

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WPCNR Press Box. By John F. Bailey. October 28, 2005: John Jay High of Cross River’s “Mr. Inside,” Ryder Bohlander scored the first touchdown of the game within the first 2 minutes and 8 seconds of Friday evening’s Sectional Playoff,  to give John Jay a 7-0 lead. Boulander had set up the touchdown with a 35 yard run up the middle to the Tiger 35. John Jay had rolled 67 yards in 5 plays for the first score. You knew it was going to be a long cold night.   


 


Dan Sheeran, “Mr.  Outside” had previously taken the ball  21 yards to the 14 around right end on a beauty sweep to the 14 and Bohlander  rolled in 14 yards for the first touchdown on the next play. The Indians rolled to a 21-0 lead at halftime on two big plays and won the game 27-0.


 



FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS at John Jay High. Tigers kickoff to start the game.


Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 





John Jay’s speed and quickness found Indians instantly in the Tiger backfield and all night, giving Conor Gilmartin-Donahue no time to pass, sacking him unofficially 4 times,  Offensively, the Indians did not appear to outweigh the Tiger line, but their blocking schemes and deceptive handoffs combined with the speed of Bohlander and Sheeran found the Tiger linebackers and secondary with their handsful before they knew it. Bohlander and Sheeran are hard to bring down, too, their speed making open field stops a nightmare.


 


After the first John Jay scoring drive, the Tigers were stopped on downs and a low snap caused the Tiger punter, Ian Jackson to inadvertently touch his knee to the ground stopping the snap,  giving John Jay a first down on the Tiger 30. But the Tigers held on downs. John Jay’s first play, a pass on one of Quarterback Kevin Stockel’s rollouts was incomplete.  Bohlander was stopped on a run, and on 3rd down Tyrone Roper tackled  Eric Svenson on the 22. On the fourth down, Stockel’s pass into the endzone was batted away by Jeffy Charles and Tommy Lee and the Tigers had held.


 



THE TIGERS HOLD EM: Tommy Lee (11) and Jeffy Charles to the left of Mr. Lee, have just combined to swat away a 4th down pass to stop the relentless John Jay drive in the first quarter. White Plains stopped three John Jay drives inside the red zone. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


John Jay stopped the Tigers on the next series at the Tiger 32, and a punt gave John Jay the ball back on the 50. The Indians drove to the Tiger 32, attempted to punt, but Gerard Bryant blocked the Indian punt and the Tigers took over at the 50.


 


Gilmartin-Donahue was sacked on the Tigers first play, and two incompletions later, White Plains punted. John Jay took over on downs at their own 30.


 


40 Yard Rumble.


 


On a third and 1 from the Jay 39, Bohlander on a quick hitter off tackle, burst into the Tiger secondary and ran 40 yards down the middle to the Tiger 21, breaking tackles all the way, and the quarter ended one play later, the Tigers down 7-0.


 


On 2nd and 7, Bohlander went off tackle to the 15, setting up a 3rd and 3. The Tigers held, setting up a 4th down and 3 from the 15.  Dan Sheeran swept around left end to the 2 yard line. I mean the speed at which John Jay got outside all night was something to see. Sheeran then swept around left end again for the second touchdown with 10 minutes to go in the second quarter. They added the conversion and it was 14-0.


 


The Breaker.


 


Jeffy Charles returned the kickoff to the White Plains 40. Then came the crucial play. On a pitchback halfback option play,  Two John Jays burst in on the Tiger back and in his desperation to avoid a big loss he threw the ball. It was tipped, fluttered in the air.


 


Not a good thing, The Jays’  Chris Costello leaped at the line and intercepted giving John Jay a first


down on the White Plains  40.


 


Then the roof fell in on another John Jay big play.


 


On the next play, Stockel threw a 36 yard pass to Dan Sheeran who caught it at the 10 on the sideline, deftly coming back from the Tiger defender to make the catch and they had a first and goal on the 4.


Sheeran then rolled into the endzone on the textbook sweep. John Jay added the point and it was 21-0 with 8:44 to go in the half.


 


White Plains made one goal line stand before halftime, halting John Jay on one more bid.


 



THE WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND (The Best Band in All the Land)  held the stands spellbound at halftime. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


The Tigers had the ball to start the second half but again could not move past the 50. Jordan Griffith intercepted a pass in the endzone to thwart another John Jay score, but the Indians added another 6 at the close of the Third  Quarter.


 


The synthetic turf enhances the speed of John Jay, and the Tiger pursuit was several steps behind the entire evening. But this club is a very good team. The double threat of Sheeran and Bohlander is hard to defend against, and the running plays are executed with crispness. They are a threat to score on every play.


 


White Plains falls to 4-3 on the season.


 


A word about synthetic turf.


 


Because White Plains is considering synthetic turfing for three of its athletic fields: Parker Stadium, Loucks Field and Eastview, I want to go on the record as saying it gives you a tremendous advantage. You never make a bad cut. You always have sure footing and it enhances your speed. This was very apparent in last night’s game. It makes a fast back faster, it is a tremendous offensive advantage. The offensive line can dig in and get a jump start.


 


Conversely, it slows down the defensive reaction time. White Plains which has contained sweeps fair to middlin against New Rochelle and Gorton, could not contend with the extra bursts John Jay showed them on sweeps tonight.


 


Does anyone recall when synthetic turf first came in to the NFL? Dallas used it. So did the Houston Oilers of the old AFL in the Astrodome.  On synthetic turf they were unbeatable.  Remember how a baseball shoots through a synthetic turf field and the infielders cannot get to it? Same thing with running backs, blockers and receivers. They fly. I have to guess their acceleration off the flat is enhanced by at least a half second. John Jay is very enhanced by their synthetic turf because they know where they are going and you the defense do not, and the synthetic turf slows your reaction time.


 


May I suggest that all playoff games be on neutral sites? Why? Because there are not many synthetic turf fields, and the team that is used to playing on one has a big time advantage.


 


 


 


 


 

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White Plains Watch to Become the White Plains Times; To Publish Weekly Jan. 5.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. October 28, 2005: Pat Casey, the new publisher of The White Plains Watch announced to WPCNR Thursday that her newspaper is expanding and will publish weekly beginning in January introducing a new force in White Plains reporting, the White Plains Times



Pat Casey of The White Plains Times in front of City Hall. Photo, WPCNR News.


Casey said the paper will remain the same length and size as it is now, 20 pages, but will change its name to the White Plains Times. Casey said the paper’s logo is being redesigned by Berlin Associates, a city-based design firm, but the format will remain the same, retaining the color photographs. She plans no change in editorial style.


She said the paper will report hard news affecting the quality of life in White Plains, and present features focusing  on the activities of White Plains personalities, provide profiles  and continue its roundup of events and happenings around town.


Casey reports she has expanded the staff of the new Times to 7, with a Managing Editor, Associate Editor, an Advertising Sales Manager, and full-time writers, supplemented by a free-lance staff up to 25.  She said the paper will publish on Thursdays of each week, beginning January 5.


The paper will be circulated by mail at no charge to a resident population of 25,000. Subscriptions are $25, she said and will avail subscriber supporters of  certain privileges and benefits that are in the process of being determined.


The White Plains Times will join the White Plains Crusader as the second weekly in White Plains.


 

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Mayors Endorse Power. He Enlists Pair to Put City Financial House in Order

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. By John F. Bailey. October 27, 2005: On the steps of city hall today, former Mayors Alfred Del Vecchio and Sy Schulman not only endorsed Dennis Power for Mayor of the city, but agreed to serve in his administration as Co-Chairs of the City Budget and Finance Committee. Power announced his plans to rely on Del Vecchio and Schulman to lead White Plains out of its present alleged financial brink and also promised to reconvene the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee and do their work over,  enlisting more community involvement. He also promised an open administration.



Three Mayors for Price of One: Dennis Power, Candidate for Mayor center, with former Mayors of White Plains, Alfred Del Vecchio, left, and Sy Schulman, right after Power announced Del Vecchio and Schulman would be Co-Chairs of the city’s Budget & Finance Committee in Power’s administration, should he be elected. Photo by Paul Schwarz, The Power Campaign.

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The Last Debate: Friendly Confines of Battle Hill.

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WPCNR Campaign 2005.  By John F. Bailey. October 27, 2005: The final Candidates Debate unfolded in the friendly confines of Battle Hill Condominiums last night. Mayor Joseph Delfino and the incumbents and challengers (councilpersons) fielded a series of general questions. The right to ask questions was limited to  Battle Hill residents by the chairpersons of the Battle Hill Association, apparently to avoid alleged “embedded agents” from asking pointed questions which marked last Wednesday’s uncivil exchange between Mayor Delfino and alleged Dennis Power supporters prompting  the Mayor to refer to citizen complaints against development as “minutiae.”


 



The Battle Hill Debate Wednesday Evening”: Left to Right on the dais, Mayor Delfino, Rita Malmud, Larry Delgado, Tom Roach, Glen Hockley (standing), Dennis Power, Frank Mastraccio, John Carlson. Photo, WPCNR News.


Incumbent councilpersons Roach, Malmud and comeback candidate Glen Hockley as well as the Mayor  and Councilman Larry Delgado defended their $1.2  Million in grants of Affordable Housing Assistance Funds to Kensico Terrace and Lake Street Partners to build affordable housing projects at 24 Kensico Avenue and Silver Lake, but offered no explanations why they did not make the grants in the forms of loans to be paid back as suggested by Council Candidate John Carlson to perpetuate the funds.  


 


Tom Roach said the funds did not come from the General Fund, but were earmarked specifically for affordable housing assistance or for the building of affordable housing, without addressing why the money was just given away with no guarantees. The Mayor said market rental housing was a minimum of $1,500 a month and that level was simply not affordable and affordable housing needed to be addressed. He also did not defend the outright gift nature of the “grants.” Rita Malmud justified the grants as being the city’s way of “partnering with developers” to create affordable housing


 


 


Larry Delgado said he felt making the affordable housing grants was good use of the money since the city was partnering with non-profit organizations to build these projects, whose object was not to make a profit (though the cost of the units by WPCNR calculations approach the cost of the city’s most recent cost/per unit built in the North Tower at City Center).


 


Mr. Power, the Mayoral candidate expressed his desire that the set-aside for building units be raised to 15% from the present 6%, and that it be expanded to the whole city, including the outer neighborhoods. He said the city should be more aggressive with negotiating with developers for affordable housing, and that the city should work more with the county.


 


Power said he supported the county senior citizen project planned for the former Post Office parking lot behind the Board of Elections building.


 


The Mayor said he was adamantly opposed to expanding the set-aside affordable housing legislation to include the outer neighborhoods. The Mayor said developers, especially Louis Cappelli have given more than their fair share, noting that Mr. Cappelli had contributed $1.5 Million beyond what he was required to do regarding his 221 Main Project.


 


Frank Mastraccio, a candidate for Common Council said that affordable housing had to be targeted and discussed with individual landowners as a way to spur growth in Affordable Housing.


 


A question about the rise in school busing costs to the Youth Bureau, and day care charges for after school programs prompted a range of responses. Glenn Hockley, bidding to make a return to the Common Council, said “We’re one city,” and that the city should combine purchasing power with the schools and see how they could work together to lower costs.


 


 


Finances Not Touched By Candidates.


 


 


John Carlson brought up the point of eroding commercial assessments and city certiorari givebacks,  and said he would work and lobby hard with Albany to find solutions to stop this trend which he said hurts all taxpayers. The other candidates did not address this canard. Though Rita Malmud said the city had tried to hold the line on taxes, but occasionally a tax increase is necessary. Tom Roach, deferred with Carlson saying the city’s financing was on the upswing, and the Council had addressed the problems of the past, saying that other cities “would like to have our sales tax ($40.9 Million).” The sense of Roach’s take on the finances was that the city had turned the corner, dismissing Carlson’s concerns.


 


Dennis Power, Mr. Delfino’s opponent, called for a joint meeting between the School Board and the Common Council “on a regular basis” to address common problems. The Mayor said he met regularly with the Superintendent of Schools, but that the Board of Education had never expressed their desire to meet with the city regularly. The City School District expressed dissatisfaction last spring in getting specific PILOT tax payment projections from the city last spring, however, the City Assessor did meet with the Board of Education to give them a short-term view of tax payments to be expected from the new development.


 


Battle Hill Issues.


 


The questioning was turned by the moderators to Battle Hill issues which revolved around traffic and enforcement of housing codes. Larry Delgado said, “we listen to your concerns.” Tom Roach said he was concerned that housing code violations were taking too long to work their way through the court system and he would be working to speed that process of litigating against the landlords. Mr. Hockley maintained that speeding enforcement had to be stepped up. Dennis Power, the Mayoral candidate, said there had to be better speed enforcement and that the neighborhoods had to be involved more by city hall, referencing the city’s Comprehensive Plan review needed to continue with more neighborhood input sought.


 


When John Carlson tried to raise the issue that violent crime was actually more than it was in the year 2000, Virginia Falzarano, the Moderator attempted to cut him off saying the discussion was on traffic. The audience said they wanted to hear him on it. Carlson noted that violent crime was steady and an issue that needed to be addressed in the downtown.  Later in the evening, the Mayor said, he did not care that as far as he was concerned crime was at a new low. What Carlson has brought to light is, and the police agree with him, that violent crime, especially assaults is 10% more than it was in the year 2000, and it is only when property crime figures are mixed with the violent crime figures that crime shows to be down.


 


A questioner asked the candidates what their visions were for the city.


 


Mr. Power said he wanted “A very open city, more responsive to needs of residents, ” and that the city not be developed “at the expense of the residents.”  He said the vision of the Comprehensive Plan of 1997 had to be followed, and he would make sure that was implemented. He shied away from attacking the Mayor for his “minutiae” remark of the previous week where the Mayor characterized the vast majority of citizen complaints as “minutiae.” Power’s comment on finances called for holding property tax increases to 3% and projecting a three year budget plan. In fact, Mr. Power was diffident this evening, as were all the candidates, as if trying smooth over the unseemly rancor of last Wednesday’s debate.


 


 


John Carlson said he wanted to “restore financial health to the city,” and he would work to find solutions to the city’s dwindling tax base, and expenditures. Mr. Delgado said he wanted to expand the “rejuvenation” of the downtown, extending it to Post Road and South Lexington Avenue.  


 


Frank Mastraccio, the Common Council Candidate said he wanted to work for a viable public transportation system for White Plains.  


 


In a question about what the candidates would do for the Hispanic population, all candidates lapsed into platitudes about the diversity in White Plains, and the many opportunitys except for Mr. Hockley who said more had to be done for Hispanic Day Laborers. Hockley revealed that he had been working to set up a building in the city where day laborers could meet to be available for day hires, eat, and receive counseling if needed. Hockley said a prominent Hispanic leader whom he did not name was responsible for at least temporarily blocking this initiative of his.


 


Salaries


 


In a question on council salary increases, the Mayor responded he had not had a raise in eight years. The Mayor has had a lapse of memory. According to the official budget, he received two raises in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 from $125,000 to $130,000 in 2003-2004, and an increase from $130,000 to $134,875 in 2004-2005. Budget Books for previous years were not immediately available to check back further. The Mayor said he would be willing to serve without a raise next year.


 


 


WPCNR thought it would be interesting to note how the Mayor’s Cabinet Salaries have fared over the last four years.


 


The Mayor has raised salaries of key Commissioners roughly 4% a year since 2000-2001 over the last four years, (through 2004-05), while the city was running deficits. WPCNR thought it would be interesting to note how the Mayor’s Cabinet Salaries have inflated over the last four years when inflation was under 2%.


 


The Assessor’s salary has gone up over $20,000 from $82,560 in 2000-2001 to $104,000 today.


 


The Budget Director has moved up $17,000 from $108,275 in 2000-2001 to $125,381 this year.


 


The Commissioner of Building’s stipend has moved up $17,000 from $102,168 to $119,521.


 


The Commissioner of Finance has moved up $17,000 in four years from $108,214 in 2000-2001 to $125,381 in 04-05.


 


The Information Services Director was paid $92,880 in 2000-2001, and is paid $108,655 today, up $16,000 in four years.


 


The Corporation Counsel has had his salary increased $20,000 in four years, from $121,401 in 2000-2001 to $140,661.


 


The Personnel Officer has moved from being paid $101,962 in 2000-01 to $124,480, an increase of $23,000 in four years.


 


The Mayor’s Executive Officer has gone from a salary of $104,000 in 2000-2001 to a salary of $130,000 today, a $26,000 increase in four years.


 


The Planning Commissioner’s Salary has moved from $115,528 in 2000-2001 to $134,822 .


 


The Public Safety Commissioner position pays $20,000 more than it did in 2000-01, from $126,000 to $146,894 today.


 


The Commissioner of Public Works position  is up $21,000 from 2000-01 to $142,896, compared to $121,000 in 2000-01.


 


The only commissioners not participating at the same level are the City Clerk, up $11,000 in four years, and the Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, up $10,000 from 2000-01 to $118,060. 


 


 The Mayor recounted his accomplishments and said he wanted a chance to continue the work he had begun in redeveloping the city. He promised to pay attention to all the issues, including “the small ones.” Overall the Mayor appeared in complete command this evening in one of his strongholds which has long supported him. He made no gaffes, projected an air of concern and earnestness and benevolence. He said he had involved all the neighborhoods in projects concerning them.

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Mr. Rios, and White Plains Anne Marie Bring Sweet Science Back to The County C.

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WPCNR RINGSIDE. From Northeast Promotions. October 27, 2005: Northeast Promotions that has brought pro boxing back to the County Center in White Plains will be staging their third night of the Sweet Science on Wednesday November 23, 2005 with a Holiday Spectacular Fan Appreciation Night.



Why Can’t They Have Inning Girls In Baseball?  Details on the November Card follow. Photo of County Center Ring Girl by WPCNR Sports Archive.



Joey “Mr. Rios” stands in corner awaiting count out of his last opponent in February at the County Center. Rios will be returning to action after a arm injury. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.


In the co-feature, The Bronx, NY’s own Joey Rios (10 – 0 5KO’s) will be taking on formidable opponent Jefferson Rodriguez (20 – 6 19KO’s) Columbia.  Rios, will be facing his toughest test yet as a pro, when he battles Columbian Jefferson Rodriguez in an 8 round Junior Welterweight match-up.  Rios has displayed the skills and popularity to become a big time player in the Junior Welterweight division.



White Plains Ann Marie Saccurato, left, in action in August at the County Center in a brutal match with Belinda  Laracuente, right. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.


 


Also featured will be White Plains, NY’s Ann Marie Saccurato who will be taking on Liz Drew (9 – 8 2KO’s) Troy, MO in an 8 Round Junior Welterweight female bout.  Saccurato looks to rebound after losing a close split decision in a sensational fight last August 26, 2005 against Belinda Laracuente.


 





Headlining the 7 bout card will be Danbury, CT’s Delvin Rodriguez (16 – 1 – 1 9KO’s) taking on crafty veteran Virgil McClendon (22 – 5 8KO’s) Columbus, OH in an 8 Round Welterweight bout.  Delvin is coming off a vicious first round knockout over Luther Smith which was featured live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” this past August 5, 2005.  Rodriguez is consistently, fight after fight, showing the boxing community that he is a powerful force to be reckoned with. 


 



Four young top prospects will fill up the under card featuring Curtis Jones (2 – 0 – 1 2KO’s) Brooklyn, NY, Nationally ranked amateur Carlos Small St. Louis, MO, Ray Dominguez Bronx, NY and the pro debut of the # 1 ranked U.S. Amateur Heavyweight Tony Grano who now resides in White Plains.

 


Doors open at 7:00 PM, first fight will be at 8:00 PM.  Tickets will be $75.00 ringside, $40.00 Reserved, and $25.00 General Admission, available at the Westchester County Center and all Ticket Master Outlets.


 


For More Information please call the Westchester County Center at 914.995.4050 or Raul Gonzalez (Event Coordinator) at 845.255.4900



The CitizeNetReporter and the Northeast Promotions Ring Girls. Three great reasons to go to the Friday night fights. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.



The Ring. Westchester County Center. As the Crowd Begins to gather. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.

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Mayors Del Vecchio and Schulman Endorse Power for Mayor.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. From The Power Campaign. October 25, 2005: WPCNR News has received a news release from The Power Campaign announcing that former White Plains Mayors Alfred Del Vecchio and Sy Schulman will endorse Dennis Power for the post of Mayor at a news conference Thursday. The release reads:



White Plains Mayors Aflred Del Vecchio (1976-1993), left, and Sy Schulman (1993-1997) will formerly endorse Dennis Power for Mayor of White Plains Thursday, according to an official announcement received by WPCNR today. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 




PRESS ADVISORY — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-10/25/05 Contact: Paul Schwarz


 


FORMER MAYORS TO ENDORSE DENNIS POWER FOR MAYOR OF WHITE PLAINS


 


White Plains, October 25, 2005 – This Thursday, two former Mayors of White Plains will endorse Democratic Candidate Dennis Power for Mayor of White Plains at a City Hall press conference.


 


Alfred DelVecchio, former Republican Mayor (1975 – 1993) will join Sy J. Schulman, former Democratic Mayor (1994 -1997) in endorsing Dennis Power, former White Plains Councilman.


 


On hand will be:  NYS Assemblyman Adam Bradley; NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin; Chair, Westchester County Board of Legislators Bill Ryan; Westchester County Legislator Lois Bronz;  White Plains Council President Tom Roach and members of the Common Council, Rita Malmud, Arnold Bernstein, Ben Boykin and Council Candidate Glen Hockley; former Councilwoman Pauline Oliva; and other local elected officials, community leaders and friends. Power is also endorsed by the Working Families Party.


 

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Board of Education To Start $50-$60 Million Bond Referendum Process Nov 14

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. October 25, 2005: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors announced last night at the Board of Education meeting, that the Board would start the decision-making process to bond for school building infrastructure improvements at their next Board of Education meeting November 14. Connors said the Board had been advised by KG & D Architects and the District attorneys that the Environmental Impact Statement process takes approximately 100 days to execute with the New York State Education Department, and that for the school board to schedule a bond referendum in the spring the decision to bond would have to be made at the December meeting of the Board of Education.


At the November meeting, Connors said the Board will hear from the architects and the school board’s finance and legal counsel on the cost of bonding scenarios and which upgrades and improvement options should be undertaken first.


Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors told WPCNR after the meeting that he would prefer to bond for approximately $50 Million to $60 Million of the nearly $95 Million in upgrades and district improvements KG & D Architects has recommended for the district to comply with NYSED standards and provide for school building improvements (included synthetic turfing of three athletic fields). Connors said his preference would be to execute the Post Road School improvements and the $44 Million to $50 Million in infrastructure upgrades in that $60 Million “first bonding.”  Connors cautioned though that what came first was “up to the Board of Education.”



At the beginning of this month, KG & D presented three possible directions for the Post Road School: A minimum upgrade costing $19 Million, an extensive reconstruction of Post Road School, requiring relocation of its 500 students for $29 Million, and construction of a new Post Road School (shown above)  for $32 Million. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

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A Nice Piece of Ice: The Big E Opens. Ice Skating Lessons, Plainsmen Hockey Star

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. October 24, 2005: Good Ole Ebersole Rink opened Friday evening after a two week delay caused by warm weather and a leaky pipe, and on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, White Plains community ice skating rink was just like old times. A total of 250 children of all ages were participating in the Figure Skating School programs, according to Kristen Fuerst, Skating School Director for the last ten years, and John Barry, Director of White Plains Plainsman Hockey reports 125 players playing on all the Plainsman Youth Hockey  teams.



Skating Lessons Begin at Ebersole rink Saturday. Photo, WPCNR Sports


Plainsmen Scrimmage Friday Night. Photo, WPCNR Sports



Jen Nicosia, a former White Plains Figure Skating Club member, who goes to college in Rhode Island, comes back weekends to help young skaters. Here, Jen helps a student during one of the Ebersole Rink Figure Skating School lessons. One of the great traditions of Ebersole Rink ice skating is that White Plains youth have such a good time there throughout childhood,  that girls and boys who learn to skate here come back to teach new generations how to skate, shoot that puck, and get their “Axels”.  Friendships are grown between older skaters and beginners and role-modeling is a reality not just cliche. Photo, WPCNR Sports.



Bill Tobin,(in black jersey) a Coach of the White Plains Plainsmen Squirts scrimmages with the junior defensemen Friday night. Photo, WPCNR Sports



Kristen Fuerst, Director of the Ebersole Rink Skating School taking registrations Saturday afternoon. Fuerst says parents can still register their children for skating classes, by calling 948-6696. Fuerst says registration is slightly down from last year, but attributes that to the warm weather.  She also invites individual skaters to take advantage of Advanced Figure Skating Times on Friday nights, and to consider joining the White Plains Figure Skating Club Photo, WPCNR Sports.



John Cooney , New Director of the Plainsmen Hockey Program, with Plainsmen Squirts practicing Friday night. Cooney says all divisions this season will get 4-1/2 hours of ice time a week, for about half what other hockey rinks charge. He hopes to grow the program, communicate well, and keep up its tradition of feeding the high school hockey programs. Photo by WPCNR Sports.



Parents, children relax in the safe, well-light, relaxing Skaters Lounge at Ebersole Rink Saturday afternoon while their skaters learn to skate. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

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Power Assails Mayor for Ridiculing Citizen Concerns at Debate

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. From Dennis Power. October 23, 2005: Friday afternoon Dennis Power, candidate for Mayor of White Plains held a short-notice news conference at Prospect and Soundview Avenues. Because WPCNR could not cover it, due to a prior assignment,  we present Mr. Power’s prepared remarks taking Mayor Joseph Delfino to task for taking a cavalier attitude about complaints and feelings of White Plains citizens who disagree with him during last Wednesday evening’s debate. The debate, held at White Plains High School was videotaped and is scheduled to be cablecast Monday through Friday at 8 P.M. on Government Access Channel 75. Mr. Power’s remarks:



Dennis Power at News Conference Friday Afternoon. Photo, Courtesy, The Power Campaign


“I’d like to thank all of you for coming. The residents of White Plains, the press, and most importantly, those of you who’ve been so unfortunately downgraded in priority by City Hall during the growth of White Plains.


 


I’m here to tell you there are better days ahead for you.


 


First, many of you are here because this past Wednesday night, at the League of Women Voters Mayoral Debate at White Plains high school, you saw the realization of a very frightening attitude displayed by my Republican opponent, Mayor Joseph Delfino.


 


And you called me about it.


(More)


 


 


Because you saw this man refer to the serious issues affecting you —such as parking nightmares, traffic headaches, and most importantly, responding to your needs— as “minutiae.” 


 


You saw a position of Mayor Delfino’s which has been evident for many years of his terms in office and one which I deplore.


 


My neighbors, our city is at a tipping point in its growth and we have no room for irresponsible attitudes and blatant disregard for the people who live here.


 


To say I was disappointed to see our so-called ‘leadership’ so blatantly shrug off the things that concern you most is an understatement.  But that’s just a summation of what you’ve seen from our mayor for years: unanswered calls, unreturned emails, a cold shoulder to your ideas and zero response to your crucial needs.


 


We’re at a time in our city and a time in our country where there’s no room for ignoring the public concern. We’ve seen it on a national level with natural disasters, educational and financial policy. Now we’re seeing the same style of disregard for people in White Plains right now.


 


Our Mayor’s categorizing resident’s concerns as “minutiae” has cemented his position in this election loudly and clearly:  SPECIAL INTERESTS COME FIRST AND YOU, THE RESIDENT, COME SECOND.


 


That’s not a future for White Plains, but my policy is, and you all are very familiar with it: RESIDENTS COME FIRST.


 


But I am one man, having spoken to many of you in the last two days. I urge you to judge for yourself. Mayor Delfino’s cavalier statement from the other night is all on video for you to see. And I urge you to check it out on Public Access cable when it airs next week on Channel 75.


 


But we’re here not just to make you aware of our mayor’s telling comment but to tell you how we’re going to solve this grave problem of unresponsiveness in our city.


 


We need to look at the bigger picture in this city. Not just one of new buildings and downtown vitality.  We love that, of course. I love our new downtown and for one am intent on seeing it grow smartly and properly.


 


But revitalization is only half the picture. And my Republican opponent has been grossly ignoring what makes up the second half of vitality: YOU THE RESIDENT.


 


I have a plan for the complete picture of the future of White Plains. The one that takes economic growth AND YOU into account.  Where you’re the top priority.


 


Now, Mayor Delfino tells us in a live forum the other night he doesn’t do email. That sums up the state of communications by him with you. It’s time for a modern approach.


 


When I’m elected your Mayor, I am going to create a 311-style phone-in system that’s operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It will serve the sole purpose of allowing you to have your concerns heard and addressed, and opening that door of conversation with your mayor that’s been shut for eight long years.


 


We’ll fund it with grant sources and we’ll make sure that this already economical idea is efficient and effective. In fact, every one of you could have a sticker like this on your fridge or in your wallet, so you can be in constant access to your City Hall and that City Hall will be listening.


 


As our city grows rapidly, this is no time for restricting the thinking of residents. Your voice counts as much as developers’ and I’m going to see that you come first in this town.


 


And you know the state of things today do not afford us the luxury of poor or non-response. We live in the shadow of uncertainty with Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. Kensico Dam. We need the proper channels and modes of communication with government open and ready.


 


We need to make sure you can communicate concerns the right way with City Hall and that’s an integral part of my platform.


 


My Republican opponent has been concentrating on big developments downtown, leaving YOUR concerns on the side for others to take care of. It’s been his reputation as mayor, and he showed us the same bad habit when he served on the County level.


 


But never confuse lip service with public service.


 


Here’s more of what I’m going to do when it comes to communication and involving people in the process of government:


I am going to make sure that all of City Hall is more responsive to public inquiries, including the commissioners. I will make that key staff have voice mail so people can actually leave messages instead of having to call back numerous times.


I plan on having meetings out in the neighborhoods with the appropriate commissioners present so we can address concerns right there on the spot.


I’m going to bring a few of the regularly scheduled televised Common Council meetings out into the neighborhoods.


I’m also going to televise the “Citizens to be Heard” Meetings before Common Council so more people know what’s going.  I will also open up the Council Work Sessions and hold them in the Council Chambers so more people feel welcome to attend.


 


In general. I will open up the channels of communication at City Hall and make sure that the residents know that their ideas and concerns are respected and heard.


 


Neighbors, Joseph Delfino may think that concentrating on both growing our city AND responding to your needs is too much to handle. “Minutiae.”


 


But I can tell you— from 36 years of management experience and cutting my teeth on the trading desk on Wall Street — I know how to handle three or four phone calls at once. AND email!


 


We’re at a stage in our country where we have no choice but to make sure our leadership can deal quickly & decisively at the neighborhood level while still being able to deftly handle the big issues we face. The ones my opponent sees as “minutiae.”


 


You need a White Plains that looks at you as people and not shoppers.


You need a Mayor that’s out in neighborhoods and responding to people’s concerns.


You know that public service begins with the public. Residents come first.


 


That’s the only way for our city to truly prosper, and you shouldn’t have it any other way.


 


I thank you for your time today and I look forward to serving you as a responsible and responsive mayor.  And there’s one thing I will never forget as mayor:


RESIDENTS COME FIRST!”

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