There’s Something About Those Tigers

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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER BLEACHER. By Fastpitch Johnny. May 19, 2005: The Fastpitch White Plains Tigers won the League 1-B Pennant yesterday, beating Yorktown, 6-2 on Kelsey Kulk’s three-run natural homer and stalwart defensive play, ousting New Rochelle from a first place tie. Here, Fastpitch Johnny is moved to pen a new ode to this mix of young women who overcame adversity, injuries to key players, and exemplified the Tiger ability to pull together under pressure. Congratulations to them as they head into the Sectional Championships.


But, no matter what is to come, they are Champions forever, and here from the Bard of the Basepaths, the Grantland Rice of Softball is a poem saluting the 2005 League B-1 Fastpitch Softball Champions, the White Plains Tigers:


There’s Something About  Those Tigers


By Fastpitch Johnny


 



 


 


There’s something about Tigers, those fastpitch fillies


In Orange and Black, serious of demeanor


Giggling teens capable of everyday sillies,


In WPHS halls, but with softball and bat, beware them, Senor!


(More)





Around windy O’Donnell’s Bluff they roam,


In serious drills under watchful eye of Teddy Ballgame,


The chessman of the bench, of meticulous preparation


Aided by Tireless Stevens, and efficient Cronk on their diamond home.


Endless hours they practice so they play on a higher plain.


 



 


With flowing locks and orchestrated pigtails


They take the field to create glory days like before


When their diamond days are done, matching the feats


Of fastpitchTiger legends of yore.


 



With cries of “Three Outs,” “Three Down,”


“Nobody Gets Around,” they take their stations in the softball sun.


To shine on the Elysian Fields of Tiger renown.


Conquering adversity, growing by game they emerge champs when season is done


 


Behind the plate is Sandra of wicked arm and deft catcher’s glove,


Agile Ashley at first of elegant stretch and efficient fetch,


The acrobatic Abbotts, Candace at keystone sack , she of catlike coverage to love.


With sister Carrie strong to the hole, quick to her left the shortstop ketch.


 



 


Dena The Dreama on hot corner, with lightning reflex and rifle arm


To snare the killer liner, smother every bunt, and in cloud of dust nail the OUT!


Anchored by the Incredible Kulk in pitcher’s circle, with risers that snarl


Curves, changes, drops that bedazzle with elegance and rack up the strikeout!


 


In the far reaches on the glorious green, the rangy Christine


Nabs screamers to right with unerring eye, turns ground singles into outs.


In straightaway unerrin’ Erin drifts back to haul towering drives and gappers between.


Juliana, the Little Engine in left, given the call rises tall to the occasion bringing shouts.


 


Lest we forget the Redoubtable Danielle Third Sackerrette struck from lineup


By injury in heat of play. Her presence every game inspired


Scoring pitch by pitch when she’d rather be playing,


With encouragement and word-up ,


Unselfish, a leader to her team,  helped create the play desired.


 



 


From Killer Kel’s relentless bat, blasting drives of Babe Proportions,


To Lauren’s laced liners, to Dena’s leadoff deuces and rally starters


Ashley’s up-the-middles, Bailey’s pinch sacs and baseline darts,


From Cookie’s slashes to Cristine’s bashes, every hitter was a contributor


Each won a game with their bat and with their leather


 


On the bench, fresh talent awaited ready to fill


If one Tiger went down, another was waiting to warm up


 From Egypt’s puttin’ it in play to move ‘em, Meghan’s pinch hits


To Kailey’s hitting behind the runner, they are a team together.


 


One by one, their turns came to be the heroines and the savers.


From Kelsey’s perfect game, to Ashley’s Inside-the-Parker to rock New Ro.


Erin’s three bagger that yanked one from Yorktown. Dena’s double to take North Ro.


The Little Engine’s squeeze to closeout Voorhees. Christine’s Crush on Mechanicsville


Each took their turns giving their fans a thrill.


 


 


 


The hits to remember stud the scorebooks of another championship season.


Frederick’s 3 RBI Day knocking down North Rockland;


The Kulkster’s 3-run dinger to win the flag.


Sandra’s deadly sweep tag.


 



 


Now another extraordinary Tiger season of stress, challenge, choice and strife


Fades into memory.  Another team photograph goes up in Tiger Hall,


Commemorating the unlikely Tigers with mix of vets and new life.


They stayed together, grew together, played together to hang another banner on the wall


 


Another Tiger season is done, fulfilling the fastpitch tradition on old  O’Donnell’s Bluff,


Where girls stride on to the diamond and young women come off.


They discover their depths in the clouds of March’s crust


On the basepaths of glory, the rich green where memories of their stuff


Set goals for the little girls who come after them to take the test of the dust.


 


Congratulations, Tigers from The CitizeNetReporter!

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Tigers Fastpitchers Win Pennant on Final Day 6-2 over Yorktown As New Ro Fades

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. May 19, 2005: In perhaps Coach Ted O’Donnell’s finest coaching season, his White Plains Tigers behind Kelsey Kulk’s steady pitching and three run homer backed by flashing leather work, disposed of Yorktown to win the League 1-B Championship, 6-2 under the softball sun on O’Donnell’s Bluff.



Put-It-In-the-Books! Tigers dash off the field celebrating a tie for the  Pennant Wednesday afternoon. They won the title outright when last place Ursuline blasted New Rochelle, 19-4, dropping New Ro out of a first place tie with the Tigers. It is White Plains’ 2nd straight League Championship, and 8th crown in 10 years with Coach Ted O’Donnell at the helm. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


Kelsey Kulk, The Incredible Kulk, won her own game with towering clout in the third inning off Roberta Marro, the changing speeds specialist who was popping the Tigers up the first two innings. Erin Cook leading off the Tiger third, singled,  was sacrificed to second by Candice Abbott. Dena Frederick in the lead off spot turned on the pitch sharply and scorched one of the Yorktown third sacker’s glove for a tough error and the Tigers had runners on first and third. After Marro fanned the next hitter there were two out and The Kulkster was up.


Here the Yorktown coach made a bad decision, he decided to let Marro pitch to Kulk.


Kulk had already hit a towering can of corn to the rightfield fence in the first inning. On a 2-1 pitch, Kulk got a Marro pitch fat on the bat and drove a majestic fly to dead centerfield, up in the 10 knot northeasterly wind blowing out.


It was drilled. It was deep, would it be downtown?


Back, back, back drifted the centerfielder. She seemed to have it lined up for the catch. It took forever for this ball to come down. Five steps in front of the White Plains Softball Sign she appeared to have it, but the O’Donnell’s bluff breeze caught the fly and drifted it over the fence out of the centerfielder’s forlorn reach for a three run homer.



Kelsey Kulk Nailing Down the Pennant in the 7th. Dena Frederick’s at Third. Ashley Encarnacao at First. Photo by WPCNR Sports


It stayed 3-0 until the last of the sixth when with one out, Christine Younkin walked. Carrie Abbott was safe on another error by the third baser who appeared to have lost her concentration. With runners on second and third, Abbott reaching on the error, Juliana Bailey singled sharply to left through the shortstop hole, scoring Younkin to make it 4-0. Another error at third plated a run to make it 5-0, and Dena Frederick drove in the final run with a single to make it 6-0.


Defense Supports The Kulkster.


The game was highlighted by Bailey in left throwing out a runner trying to move from first to second on a flyball in the second inning when it was still scoreless.


Third Sacker Dena Frederick’s snare of a line drive in the 4th with Yorkies on first and second, no one out, converted a double play when she caught the second base runner way off the bag, to break the back of a Yorktown threat. Bailey executed another gem when on a single with a runner on second, Bailey threw the runner out at the plate on the fly. Bailey brought the fans to their feet with another running over-the-head, backhand catch on a dead run in the leftfield corner to save another run in the sixth, retiring the side.


Coming together In Adversity.


In many ways this has to be one of Coach O’Donnell’s best coaching jobs. When third sacker and big bat, Danielle Szabo tore a ligament eight games into the season, and players in and out of the lineup,  the coach had to figure a new infield combination and move players around, move the runners, and build runs.


The team responded by learning new positions, each player improving skills and in each game, different players stepped up to make big plays in hard games. The doubleheader win in the Mohawk Valley. The wins against North Rockland, Yorktown, and the outstanding 1-0 win over New Rochelle, when Ashley Encarnacao kept pennant hopes alive with legging out an inside-the-park homer after the famous 4-strike game loss to New Ro, showed great heart, great defense, and perseverence.


Szabo supported the team while rehabbing her injury, keeping score, being there and supporting her teammates, like a fourth coach.


Kulk won her 19th game, which is the most victories in a season ever for a Tiger pitcher. She breaks Kristin Roselli’s record, set in 1997.



Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors, left, and WPHS Principal Ivan Toper were at the game viewing the Pennant Winning Game, watching the WPHS “product:”  Photo by WPCNR Sports


Meanwhile in another part of the County… Koalas ROAR, Rip New Ro, 19-4.


New Rochelle took the field against Ursuline, having to win to keep pace with the O’Donnells and hold their first place tie with the Tigers. Ursuline has fallen on hard times winning only 4 of 20 games. New Rochelle had the crafty Jillian Schonberg. However, bad luck took a hand.  


Ms. Schonberg, our New Rochelle on-the-field correspondent reports, took sick before the game, and had a sore arm,


Ursuline pounced on the New Ro back-up pitcher. Here is our New Rochelle correspondent’s report from the bleachers:


 “When a pitcher is being roughed up to that extent, the coach needs to shake things up, which he did not do for some reason.  Jillian was sick today.  She was quite ill.  We had the coach’s back-up pitcher pitch today, and she was throwing okay, but they hit her. 


We were not on the field, if you know what I mean.  Lots of physical errors, mental errors, misplays. You name it.  Just one of those days.  Four times the shortstop had the ball less than a foot from 2nd base with a force on there, and didn’t step on the bag.  PLUS… we couldn’t hit their pitchers — 3 of them!!! 


We sent their first pitcher to the hospital — ambulance took her, the whole bit — a pitcher who turned 14 TODAY — on a bang-bang tag at home by our catcher. 


Then Ursuline brought in their secret weapons… 2 weak lob slingshot pitchers, and we could do nothing.”


The Tigers now go to the Sectionals Friday. They win the League B-1 Championship with a 10-1 mark to New Rochelle’s 9-2. The Tigers post and overall record of  19-4. But, they have already won in a fine comeback down the stretch. Kulk actually has better than a 19-4 record, with wins over Voorhees and Mechanicsville and Islip, making her22-4.



Student Athletes Rule! Photo of Tiger Bobblehead Doll by WPCNR Sports.

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Voters Pass White Plains School Budget by 1,063 to 331. 5% vote.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 17, 2005, Updated with Reaction, Interviews 11:09 P.M.: At 9:23 P.M. at Education House this evening Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education chalked up the last results from Mamaroneck Avenue School, and the $154.7 Million 2005-2006 White Plains School Budget had passed. The result, 1,063 Yes’s to 331 voting “No”, representing a turnout of 5.5% of the 25,000 voters eligible to vote in the election, was a continuation of the series of 3 to 1 approval margins that the school district has enjoyed in recent years



William Pollak (Center)  was reelected to his second three year term on the school board, and Rosemarie Eller (Left)  was elected to her first. They were unopposed for the two seats. Timothy Connors, Superintendent of Schools, right, joins them in front of the vote tally board at Education House Tuesday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Ms. Eller told WPCNR, ” I’m very happy and it is a privilege to be part of the White Plains School System. I’ll work very hard for this very good team.”


I’m forward to working on the Achievement Gap and to really close that gap, monitor our performance better and work towards that end. It’s a primary interest. We need to evaluate our resources, what’s working and what’s not working and address that and move forward.”


Asked about her thoughts on reining in the “ever escalating school budget,” Eller said, “I have thought about that. There are certain financial things going on  and I hope to learn more about it and provide more input as I get more intimate with the details surrounding it.”


WPCNR asked Mr. Pollak why he returned to the Board for a second term. He explained:


“I decided there were still a lot of important things to do. I didn’t see any exciting candidates on the horizon to do them, so I felt a responsibility to step up to the plate.”


Asked what he hoped to achieve, Pollak was strong on the issues he is known for:  “I think we’ve made some significant strides in trying to narrow the achievement gap. I still don’t think we have the tools we need to evaluate test results and I’d like to keep the pressure on to make that happen. I’d like to continue the process of evaluating our curriculum and see if we can do a better job of reaching out to the community at large.”


Superintendent Attributes Vote as One of Confidence.


Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors told WPCNR: “We’re appreciative of the community’s coming out to vote and the 76.23% of the people who voted in favor of the budget. We’re also very pleased with the Board Members who are here, that Mr. Pollak is back and he is a known quantity and has been very supportive. We’re going to miss Maria Valentin, but we welcome Rosemarie Eller, I think she’s a smart woman who will provide good leadership and fit into the overall dedication to our youngsters that our Board of Education has. We’re happy with the outcome of the budget vote and we’ll continue to strive to earn the support of the community in trying to provide the best quality education we can  for the youngsters in White Plains.”


Asked if he would be involving the Annual Budget Committee in the 2006-2007 Budget process earlier this year, as the ABC Committee requested, Connors said: I think, as you know, John, we got some good suggestions. I believe a large part of our success in getting the budget passed is the support of the ABC Committeem the fact that they come, ask the tough questions, take a real interest and go back out in the community and tell the folks what we’re doing and what are the issues. I think that perhaps the two most important groups in getting the budget passed are the Board of Education and their concern for being fiscally responsible, and the ABC Committee for their concern for that same fiscal responsibility but asking the tough questions but causing us in the schools to make sure we’ve got an eye on the bottom line as well as to provide a quality education for all our students.”


WPCNR asked what the top budget priority next year’s budget considerations. Connors said, “How do we make sure we use the dollars we have wisely for the things they were budgeted for, so that hopefully we can generate some reserves so we can look at those things such as tax certs and the retirement issue that we need to try to always be cognizant of those. Our top priority across the board is we need to watch our programs. Is this the best use of dollars?”


Apathy or Confidence?


Asked if this was a confidence vote or an apathy vote, Connors came down on confidence:


“I don’t think it’s apathy. When you get large numbers, it usually says there’s a problem. I’m proud of the fact that our administrators, our teachers, our staff, our Board of Education and the City we all work closely to do the best job we can for the children. If we definitely weren’t doing that the folks would be out in different numbers. I think it’s a vote of doing well and knowing what we’re doing. I don’t see this as apathy at all. I know this district, if they weren’t pleased with the schools they’d be out in large numbers.


Because things are moving in the right direction.We’ve got good leadership from our Board of Education, from our school Principals, and great things going on in our classrooms, I think the community is pleased with what they’re seeing.” 


Getting the message out.


In his message to the voters before today’s vote, Connors noted the budget just maintains existing programs in place. He reported only three new teaching hires (at the high school), no funding for new programs, and that class size at five elementary schools will be maintained at 19-20 students.


He reported the Math scores at the 8th grade level have shown gains, as have results on 4th grade Languare Arts Chores.


Goals for the District.


The District goals for the year are to


1.) Enhance student achievement for all students with the goal of closing the achievement gap.


2.) Maintain essential programs and services.


3.) Provide professional development for staff.


4.) Maintain favorable class sizes.


5.) Implement new New York State curriculum and assessment requirements.


6.) Support technology initiatives.


7.) Expand enrichment programs and opportunities for all students.


8.) Develop a 3-5 year capital improvement program.


9.) Undertake program evaluation for cost effectiveness and efficiency.

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Police Reach New Three Year Contract with City UP 4% A Year Through 2008

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. May 17, 2005, UPDATED May 18, 2005 11 P.M. E.S.T.  :  The Department of Public Safety issued a statement to WPCNR on the new White Plains Police contract reported exclusively by this reporterTuesday afternoon.  


The Department statement says: “Commissioner Straub and the Department of Public Safety are pleased that the successor contract was resolved as timely as it was. It is an example of what all parties working together can accomplish.”

The White Plains Police Benevolent Association announced Tuesday to WPCNR that its members have ratified a new contract with the City of White Plains covering fiscal years 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08. Jim Carrier, President of the WPPBA, reported to WPCNR today the police have agreed to a 4% a year wage increase across the board for each of the three years, and detectives have received an additional 1% a year over the life of the three year contract.


Carrier said the union negotiated the contract without outside consultants, with the Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub, who participated directly in the union negotiations. Carrier said that in addition to the 12% increase, the union received an extra personal day, and increases in dental and optical plans.


Carrier said his union members ratified the contract last Friday by a vote of 154-30. He said he was very happy that the contract was wrapped up two and a half months prior to expiration of the current contract June 30. Carrier added it was the first time in memory that negotiation on a new contract had been completed early.  He stated the 12% package was achieved “with no givebacks and no concessions (on work rules).” 


Carrier added, that to his knowledge, the White Plains Professional Fire Fighters union was still in negotiations with the Department of Public Safety. 


David Maloney of the Mayor’s office asked for a statement Tuesday by this reporter, said “The Mayor’s Office has no statement to make to WPCNR.”

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Juggernauts Play at Hofstra University Stadium Opening June 2

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From New York Juggernaut. May 17, 2005: The New York Juggernaut has finalized their stadium naming Hofstra University as the home site for the 2005 season. The Stadium, which features dugouts and seating for approximately 1,000 spectators, will receive an upgrade including Musco lights and additional bleacher seating in the outfield. The new venue for the Juggernaut will enable them to tap the vast Long Island-Queens-Brooklyn fan base. It also marks a return home for Alicia Smith, the former Hofstra University star, now joining the Juggernaut.


ALICIA SMITH, Katonah Fastpitch Great, Fastpitch Star in European league last year, looks forward to returning to Hofstra Alma Mater on Picket Duty for the New York Juggernaut. Ms. Smith is shown on a visit to a Juggernaut game last August. Photo, WPCNR Sports.


Former Hofstra softball standout, Alicia Smith is extremely excited to return to the diamond of her alma mater once more, “I can’t convey the emotions I feel about returning to Hofstra in words. My experience playing at Hofstra helped mold and shape me into the person I am. A lot of tradition has been built on that field; I’m glad to be apart of it again, this time wearing a Juggernaut uniform!” Smith played for the Pride from 1997 to 2000 and still holds the all time Hofstra Softball records for Most Games Played (63), At Bats (727), Hits (271) and Doubles (54).


 



Long Island native and team owner John Schmitz is pleased the franchise is located in Long Island, “Long Island has been waiting for more softball outlets and I am glad to be able to provide the best by way of the Juggernauts.  We are expecting big things this season and hope to develop a strong fan base as support.”


 



Head Coach and General Manager Julie Smith (Far Right)  is glad that the 2005 site has been finalized stating, “I am so thrilled to be playing our games this season at Hofstra University.  Hofstra has a great name as well as a beautiful field.  I am excited to be able to announce to the public our home field; I hope to see an excited crowd filling Hofstra’s seats.  Having Alicia Smith, a Hofstra alumni and NCAA All- American, should get some Hofstra fans out at the games to support their local star!”  Ms. Smith, and Carri Leto, Naut Second Sackette (Center), appeared recently on White Plains Public Access Cable Show, Beyond the Game with Johnny Vorperian. The show will be cablecast Tuesday, May 24 at 10 PM and Friday May 27 at 9 P.M.
Photo, WPCNR Sports.



Returning on the diamond for the New York Juggernaut includes Bayshore, NY native Jaclyn Pasquerella and NPF All-Star Carri Leto.  Amanda Scott will be make the transition from the mound to the sidelines as this year’s pitching coach, and holding down the infield will be 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Natasha Watley.


 


Jackie Pasquerella, The Spiderwoman on the Hot Corner. Photo, Courtesy, NY Juggernaut.


 The season opens up June 2nd, 2005 against the Venezuelan National Team.  For more information on the stadium or to purchase tickets, please visit the Juggernaut online at www.nynjjuggernaut.com. Prices range from $5 for outfield general admission tickets to $12 for VIP tickets.



Carri Leto, NY Juggernauts, 2nd Sackette. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 

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Ryan on Why He Will Not Run for Mayor of White Plains. Interviews Himself.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From County Legislator Bill Ryan. May 16, 2005: Friday evening, Legislator Bill Ryan, long thought to be the front runner in the Democrat “Race” to run for Mayor of White Plains, issued a Question and Answer News Release on the topic of his political future, after WPCNR was first to report the White Plains Democratic Party Nominating Committee had not found a person to nominate to run against Joseph Delfino.


 



COUNTY LEGISLATOR BILL RYAN.


Photo WPCNR News Archive.


 


Here are Mr. Ryan’s comments in Question and Answer Format:


Q: Will you be seeking re-election to the County Board of Legislators?


 


Ryan: Yes, I’ll be seeking a fifth term on the Board.


 


Q: There was speculation that you might be the Democratic Candidate for Mayor in White Plains? What happened?


 


Ryan: Yes, I did look into the Mayor’s race. It was tempting to consider. The City is at a crossroads and it would be an exciting opportunity to lead it but I can’t walk away from the enormous countywide responsibilities that my colleagues entrusted me with and that I agreed to assume.


 


A year and a half ago, the legislators unanimously asked me to lead the Board and I agreed to do that. Today, in addition to being the County Legislator for White Plains and Scarsdale, I’m Chairman of the Board with countywide responsibilities.


 


I’m up to my eyeballs with the most serious issues that Westchester County has ever faced. After weighing all this, my job is here (on the County Board of Legislators), helping to further improve our County, not out in the street in an all time-consuming race for City Hall. I can’t walk away from the challenges facing the County.


 


Q. What are those challenges that you’re so heavily involved in?


 


Ryan: Obviously, saving the Medical Center is among the most pressing at the moment, along with ensuring a financial plan for Westchester that includes a balanced 2006 budget, stabilized property taxes and maintenance of the County’s Triple A rating. I’ve also been working on providing more affordable housing, especially for our growing senior population (our White Plains proposal, for example), as well as enhancing our very fine public safety and emergency response capabilities that I helped put into place.


 


Q. How much was your decision based on your poll?


 


Ryan: What poll? Okay, let’s say there was a poll. If I had a poll, my gut tells me it would say we’re running neck and neck. By all rights, I shouldn’t be running neck and neck with an eight-year incumbent (Joseph Delfino), who’s presiding over what he promotes as the renaissance of White Plains.


 


One would think he’d be way out in front. He’s not. In fact, he’s been running scared at the prospect that I’d be his opponent. He’s been all over the place, in front of every camera. He’s been showing up in more places in the past six months than in his entire term.


 


Those are not the actions of a front-runner who believes he has it locked up.


 


Honestly, you don’t need polls or my personal opinion. I think most people have a sense as to how this race would turn out.


 


Q. So, where does this leave the White Plains Democrats now?


 


Ryan: When I made my decision, I also looked at the challenges facing White Plains and the Democratic talent on the City Council and I saw a number of people who are eminently qualified to serve as Mayor. Let me emphasize, the Democrats have a tremendous pool of talent in the City and it’s not just limited to the Council.


 


Q: There are those who would like you to remain in County government and become the next County Executive. Would you run for County Executive?


 


Ryan: Not this year! Right now the only County Executive’s race I’m interested in is Andy Spano’s re-election. He’s a terrific County Executive and I’ll be working hard to get him four more years. We don’t always see eye-to-eye but we have a good, working relationship that produces positive results for Westchester. If down the road, people ask me to run for County Executive, well, I’d certainly consider it.


 


(Editor’s Note: A voter preference poll asking voter’s opinions on Mr. Ryan’s candidacy for Mayor if he were to oppose Joseph Delfino, and  Councilman Tom Roach’s candidacy for Mayor, as well as questions that sampled  voter opinions on the performance of Mayor Joseph Delfino was conducted some time  in the first three months of this year. WPCNR was interviewed in that poll. WPCNR has been able to gather sufficient information as to what political camp conducted and financed the poll.)

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Tigers Finishing Strong in Possible Galligani Goodbye.

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WPCNR Press Box. From a White Plains CitizeNetReporter. (EDITED) May 15, 2005: The WPHS Baseball Tigers won their fourth game in a row on Friday night, coming from behind to beat Fordham Prep. The Tigers had built a comfortable 7 – 2 lead through 4 and a half innings, but sloppy play, including 7 errors in the game, handed the lead back to Fordham Prep.  However, they never gave up and came back in the seventh to pull out a 10 to 8 victory.  It was a big win for the team, which showed they had the depth to replace injured players, and it brought pitcher Jake Riss to a 7 – 0 won – loss record, tying him for the third best record in Westchester County. 

Down by a run in the top of the seventh, Matt Taft began the inning with a single.  Keith Lazere was then hit by a pitch.  Kenny Lipshutz put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third.  Mike Bivas tied the game on a slow grounder, and then Joe Danyo grounded out to the shortstop, but batted in the go-ahead run.  Jesse Grasso followed with a single that batted in an insurance run for the Tigers.


 


Riss, who leads the team with 50 innings pitched, came out to pitch the bottom of the seventh, but was already well over 100 pitches.  When the first batter singled, Coach Galligani called on Matt Taft to come in and close the game.  The next batter singled to put runners on first and second.  An alert catcher, Mike Bivas, picked off the runner at second, and the next batter grounded out to Taft for two outs.  But another single put the tying run back on base.  Taft then retired the side on a weak grounder to Esposito at second to earn the save. 


 


Galligani Good Bye?


 


Coach Galligani is in the news, as it is reported that he is considering this season to be the last one that he coaches, at least for a while.  Galligani has a new baby at home and his “full-tilt” style and effort that he puts into everything he does may not allow him to enjoy both the joys of a rigorous baseball schedule and a new family member.  The Journal News reports him as considering stepping down from his coaching position after the season ends.  Knowing his love of baseball and his family, we appreciate how hard a decision this can be.  We truly hope that everything works out the best for everyone.  


 


 

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Dems Plead “Nolo Contendre” Against Mayor Delfino. Nominate No One for Mayor.

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WPCNR Backroom Bulletin. By John F. Bailey. May 13, 2005: The White Plains Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee has found no Democrat whom they recommend running against Mayor Joseph Delfino, who will run for his third term in November.  The revelation leading contenders for Mayor have dropped out (Tom Roach, Rita Malmud, Bill Ryan, Benjamin Boykin) confirmed what the CitizeNetReporter first reported last week that Mr. Ryan and Mr. Boykin had dropped out, was announced to Democrat District Leaders in a letter mailed Wednesday, received by District Leaders  Thursday.


 



 


The text of the Nominating Committee letter announcing candidates for county and Common Council positions reads “The Nominating Committee has no recommendations for the position of Mayor, City of White Plains.


 


 



 


The letter on White Plains Democratic City Committee letter head, was shared with WPCNR by a Democratic District Leader under condition of anonymity.


 


The appearance of the letter means that  for the first time in the history of the Democratic Party, the Nominating Committee could find no one to run for Mayor.


 


Council Candidates: Familiar Faces


 


The letter announces the Nominating Committee recommends to the Democratic City Committee that Glen Hockley,  and incumbent Councilpersons Rita Malmud and Thomas Roach, Jr. run for Common Council.


 


 Ms Malmud if confirmed by the City Committee as expected when they meet May 24 at the YWCA on North Street, will be seeking to be elected for her fifth term on the Common Council to serve through 2009.  


 


Where did the Contenders Go?


 


It was widely expected that Ms. Malmud and Mr. Boykin and Mr. Ryan would dog fight for the Mayoral nomination.


 


But sources close to Mr. Ryan have told WPCNR that Mr. Ryan’s survey to test his strength among voters showed him losing to Mayor Delfino, and therefore he elected to keep his safe, powerful position as Chair of the County Board of Legislators. WPCNR has also learned that Mr. Ryan has been told he would be supported for County Executive when Andy Spano is up for reelection in 2009. Running against Joseph Delfino and losing would finish him off politically.


 


Mr. Boykin was the next likely Delfino opponent, but he has not raised funds for a run, and has shown little interest in taking on “America’s Favorite Mayor.” Boykin told close friends last week he was not running for Mayor.


 


Mr. Roach, will be running for his second term on the Common Council, if the City Committee follows through and nominates him on the 24th. It was expected that Mr. Roach with his pragmatic thoughtful approach to development and  housing issues, on which he has differed with Mayor Delfino in recent months, at least had a basis upon which to challenge the Mayor. When asked last week about running for Mayor, Roach told WPCNR “You never know,” but that he was more interested in the Common Council.


 


Ms. Malmud had credentials to mount a campaign against Mr. Delfino. She supported Commissioner of Public Works Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti on the controversial sewer lining crisis that gripped city hall last spring in a story first reported by WPCNR.  Ms. Malmud also spoke up strongly on Louis Cappelli’s affordable housing commitments.


 


However, party sources, speaking on condition of anonymity have told WPCNR that though the Nominating Committee asked Mr. Roach, Ms. Malmud, and Mr. Boykin if they would run, they all turned down the opportunity.


 


Hockley Nominated to Run Again.


 


The indefatigable Glen Hockley will be attempting to be elected without controversy to the Common Council, after being ousted from the Common Council as a “usurper” in July, 2004, replaced by Larry Delgado.  The historical ousting occurred after a  successful quo warranto action brought by the New York State Attorney General on behalf of Larry Delgado.


 


The quo warranto action was brought after Mr. Hockley was sworn into his council seat March 14, 2002 when the New York Court of Appeals overturned a summary judgment by Judge Francis Nicolai in New York Supreme Court, calling for a Special Election in District 18 in White Plains where a voting machine had jammed costing Mr. Delgado over 100 votes.  


 


The special election was upheld by the Appellate Court in Brooklyn when Mr. Hockley, (with Adam Bradley as his attorney) appealed. The Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Court ruling, allowing Mr. Hockley to be seated on the Common Council March 15, 2002, where he served approximately 27 months of the 48 month term. Mr. Delgado was seated July 17, 2004, where he has served 9-1/2 months.


 


At the time of Tuesday’s nominating, Mr. Hockley was still fighting his ouster in the courts. He has until June 30, to depose the 103 voters who signed affadavitts saying they voted for Mr. Delgado in November of 2001 when the fateful District 18 election machine jammed. Mr. Hockley, when last he spoke to WPCNR, had said he had not made a decision on whether to have his attorney question voters on the way they voted that day 42 months ago.


 


Mr. Hockley has professed to WPCNR that he is dedicated to going back on the Common Council. 


 


Bradley too? 


 


It has been reported that Adam Bradley was asked to run for Mayor, but also turned it down. But this could not be confirmed with Mr. Bradley at presstime. Mr. Bradley has told WPCNR previously last fall he was not interested.


 


Still Time Brother to run for Mayor.


 


Though the Nominating Committee has not recommended any candidates for Mayor, a candidate may be nominated from the floor at the Democratic City Committee Meeting on May 24, when nominations will be open from the floor.


 


County Legislators Renominated.


 


The Nominating Committee’s letter recommends Bill Ryan to run for County Legislator of the 5th District, and Lois Bronz, for County Legislator in the 8th District.


 


The Nominating Committee is made up of Zelle Andrews, Lydia Barkley, Howard Glassman,Chair, Robert Hock, Cheryl Melton, Barbara Schwarz and Robert Wall.

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Astorino Calls for Release of Indian Point Closing Study

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WPCNR County Chronicle.  May 10, 2005:  On the day the Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave Indian Point its highest safety grade as a prelude to renewal of Indian Point operating licenses, and was asked by County Executive Andy Spano not to renew the plant’s licenses in 2013 and 2015, Westchester County Legislator Rob Astorino (R—Hawthorne), candidate for county executive, called on Andy Spano’s administration today to immediately release a costly and long-overdue study on the feasibility of shutting down the Indian Point nuclear power plants in Buchanan.


Previously, the cost of closing Indian Point to the county has been estimated by Entergy as being over $3 Billion.


According to a news release from the Astorino campaign, the county awarded a $385,000 contract for the study to a Boston-based consulting firm named Levitan & Associates in May 2004, but one year later there is still no indication when the study will be released and what, if anything, it will determine about the future of Indian Point. 


 Astorino said sources inside the Spano administration have confirmed the study is complete but is being withheld because Spano doesn’t agree with the results.  



 The Spano administration approved the contract in 2004 without legislative approval, opting instead to award the contract for the study through the county’s Board of Acquisition and Contract, a three member panel which Spano controls.

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County Hires New Emergency Services Dir. Experience in Towers, Ok City

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WPCNR COUNTY CHRONICLE. From Westchester County Department of Communications. May 10, 2005: A former New York City Fire Department Deputy Chief for EMS who responded to terrorist attacks in Oklahoma City and at the World Trade Center has been hired as Westchester County’s new Director of Emergency Management.


Carl Tramontana who recently retired from a 26-year career in New York City began work Monday as head the county’s Office of Emergency Management within the Department of Emergency Services. As OEM director, Tramontana will be in charge of emergency planning for Westchester County including Indian Point and coordinating emergency management with fire, police and EMS agencies throughout the county. He will earn $74,395 a year.



             “Carl is a great addition to the Department of Emergency Services, bringing over 26 years of “street” and administrative experience to his position as Director of Emergency Management,’’ said Emergency Services Commissioner Anthony Sutton. “With the relocation of the office to a new “state of the art” emergency operations facility in Hawthorne, he is leading OEM at a particularly exciting time. I look forward to working with Carl to advance the County’s emergency planning and response capabilities and to provide as much support as possible to Westchester‘s cities, villages and towns.”


             Tramontana said he was eager to start in his new position and that his first priority would be to reach out to other police, fire and EMS agencies in Westchester to coordinate emergency response.


            “Our new emergency operations center provides a great facility for everyone,’’ he said. “We want to make ourselves available to help coordinate and provide equipment and training for departments throughout the county. Large scale emergencies affect everyone and we must be able to work together.’’


 


 


 The county recently completed the construction of a new state of the art Emergency Operations Center in Hawthorne, which will be under Tramontana’s purview.


Tramontana has extensive supervisory experience. In his last job, he was in charge of EMS Command personnel and equipment for Queens, overseeing more than 200 people. 


             Tramontana, 49, began his career as an EMT with the Health and Hospitals Corporation in 1978 and advanced to paramedic and later became a member of the New York City Fire Department, when HHC became part of the FDNY.  He worked at FDNY’s hazardous materials school where he trained members to deal with terrorism incidents. A member of the NYTF-1 Urban Search and Rescue Team, Tramontana has responded to several major emergencies including the Oklahoma City bombing and the World Trade Center attacks. He recently graduated from West Point Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism and Leadership Program, a joint program with the FDNY.


           He is married and has two daughters.

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