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.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Jim Brownhold. May 25, 2005: Fort Hill Players announces uditions for Woody Allen’s hilarious comedy DON’T DRINK THE WATER to be performed this fall at Rochambeau School. They couldn’t wait to get in.  Now it’s hilarious trying to get out!

It’s 1962, and the iron curtain is at large. Watch the crazy antics as an incompetent diplomat has a catastrophe dropped in his lap. American tourists suspected of being spies, a lunatic priest who thinks he’s a magician, communist agents determined to get inside the embassy, and an assistant who thinks he’s the Wright Brothers!

Auditions:June 14, 16    Time:  7:30 pm Rochambeau School 228 Fisher Ave, White Plains

Performance dates: October 14, 15, 21, 22 4-5 f, 16 m Director:  Carin Zakes Information or conflicts:  call 914 946-5143

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR From WBT’s Allan Gruet May 25, 2005: The Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, is presenting the first show in its new series of Young Artist’s Productions, with 3 performances of Les Miserables on Saturday, June 11, Wednesday, June 15 and Saturday, June 18.

The talented cast of actors, all under the age of twenty, have been selected from over 200 hopefuls who auditioned for this inaugural production of the Westchester Broadway Theatre’s newest program aimed at promoting live theatre for the Tri-state area’s younger performers. The Young Artist’s Productions Series gives these talented performers the opportunity to appear in full-scale productions of great Broadway musicals, with full production values made possible by performing at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, New York’s longest-running, year round professional theatre.

 WBT Producer, Bill Stutler, explained that the program came about because of the consistent turnout of wonderfully talented young performers every time the theatre would hold local auditions for one of its up-coming shows.

 “I never stop being surprised at the range of talent we see among the younger actors,” he explained.  “Whenever we audition for a show that has younger kids or teens in the cast, we always have a huge turnout of very, very talented young people.  The problem is that, in most cases, we can only use a fairly small number of them in the show.”

Bill Stutler’s partner and co-producer Robert Funking agrees, adding, “It’s really frustrating to see all this talent and not be able to use them.  Sometimes, like with our current production of “Oliver” we can use more… eighteen, in fact, but most of the Broadway musicals just don’t have that many roles for kids and teens, so what can you do?”

 What Bill & Bob have done is introduce their new Young Artist’s Productions Series to tackle that very problem. The shows are cast completely with actors nineteen or younger, and they will feature performers as young as six and eight years old, when appropriate. The productions are being done to exacting professional standards, from the auditions, through the rehearsals and right up to the performances. All cast members are expected to perform under these standards. 

 “For some of these actors it’s a bit of an adjustment,” said Les Miserables Director, John Fanelli.  “Most of these kids, even the more experienced ones, haven’t had the chance to work in an Equity production or a fully professional facility like WBT.  They need to learn that the attitude has to be different from their high school plays or local community theatre group. That doesn’t mean its all ‘noses to the grindstone’ during the four week rehearsal period. There’s still the unmistakable air of fun and excitement that comes from a group of talented kids doing what they love to do.”

 “Don’t get me wrong,” Fanelli adds, “yes, it’s hard work, but they’re having a great time working like this, and there’s a wonderful camaraderie that has developed among them from knowing that they are all taking a ‘step up’ in their love of theatre by doing this show at Westchester Broadway … and it’s showing in their performances.”

 Performances of this inaugural production of the Young Artist’s Series have been scheduled for a show-only matinee, Saturday, June 11, a dinner & show evening performance Wednesday, June 15 and a final show-only matinee Saturday, June 18. 

 “The 3-performance schedule may change,” says Producer Stutler. “These young actors are the next generation of great performers in our area, and we want as many of our audience members as possible to see them getting their start right here. The reservations are coming in, and we’ll add more performances if necessary.”

Co-owner Bob Funking agrees. “This is a very exciting new program for theatre in Westchester, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the chance to enjoy tomorrow’s great actors today!”

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS WEEK NEWS. May 23, 2005: Viewers who tuned in White Plains Week Monday evening on White Plains Public Access saw John Bailey and his two guests, the controversial maverick planning advocates Robert Stackpole and Robert Levine of the Citizens Plan Committee talking animatedly in what appeared to be heated discussion, but no audio was heard.

The studio engineer on duty reported to WPCNR that the tape deck on which White Plains Week was “cabling” to Mr. and Mrs. White Plains had not been switched over from “hi-fi” to “normal” mode, and this was the reason the audio was not heard.

In recognition of the importance of the planning discussion, White Plains Week will be cablecast again Friday evening at 7:30 P.M. with hopefully audio on “The Spirit of 76” Public Access Channel 76.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. May 23, 2005: Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub swore in 8 new White Plains Police Officers this afternoon at a traditional ceremony in the Public Safety Building. Each of the elite eight are being hired from other police departments.

Commisioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub administers the Oath of Office to White Plains newest Finest. Six are from the New York Police Department, and two were previously officers with the Environmental Police, according to the Commissioner. The Commissioner said they would be assigned in neighborhood units to start their orientation to White Plains, but because they have been police officers, and have completed police academy training would be expected to be drawing regular shifts by June. Photo by WPCNR News.

“We were looking to hire veteran police officers,” Straub told WPCNR, “because we had vacancies we needed to fill. We had about 35 applicants, and were looking for officers with experience.” The Commissioner told WPCNR that if they had hired new recruits without police experience they would not be on the job for at least six months. Commissioner Straub is seen addressing the new police officers in the front row. In background are Deputy Commisioners of Public Safety, left to right, David Chong and Dr. Charles Jennings. At far right are Fire Chief Richard Lyman and Police Chief William Bradley. Photo by WPCNR News

Straub said the new police officers hired today put the White Plains Police force at a compliment of 200, and the eight fill vacancies. He said he hoped to hire 10 more officers in January of 2006 to bring the department to full strength. The eight are starting at the standard WPPD salary of $48,000 a year.

White Plains new Elite Eight: Veteran Police Officers. The eight officers sworn in today as patrol officers are Michael Abbruzzese, Antonio Cuervo, Gina Denapoli, Vincent Fasano, Michael Lanuto, Jr., Kirt Maddocks, Josef Miedreich, and Kathleen Provenzano. Photo by WPCNR News.

In his remarks, the Commissioner thanked the families, parents and spouses for sharing their loved ones with the department and the sacrifices they make by doing so. He welcomed the new recruits by saying they are joining a department that is being called on for advice and looked to nationally and called upon to address national conferences for its organization, its approaches to the demands on law enforcement today, and how it handles domestic violence.

The Commissioner closed his remarks by suggesting the new recruits take time to think about their oath of office every day to retain their focus on what their responsibility to the city is supposed to be.

Six are from the New York Police Department, and two were previously officers with the Environmental Police, according to the Commissioenr. The Commissioner said they would be assigned in the neighborhood units to start their orientation to White Plains, but because they have been police officers, and have completed police academy training would be expected to be drawing regular shifts by June.

“We were looking to hire veteran police officers,” Straub told WPCNR, “because we had vacancies we needed to fill. We had about 35 applicants, and were looking for officers with experience.” The Commissioner told WPCNR that if they had hired new recruits without police experience they would not be on the job for at least six months.

The eight officers sworn in today as patrol officers are Michael Abbruzzese, Antonio Cuervo, Gina Denapoli, Vincent Fasano, Michael Lanuto, Jr., Kirt Maddocks, Josef Miedreich, and Kathleen Provenzano.

Straub said the new police officers hired today put the White Plains Police force at a compliment of 200, and the eight fill vacancies. He said he hoped to hire 10 more officers in January of 2006 to bring the department to full strength. The eight are starting at the standard WPPD salary of $48,000 a year.

In his remarks, the Commissioner thanked the families, parents and spouses for sharing their loved ones with the department and the sacrifices they make by doing so. He welcomed the new recruits by saying they are joining a department that is being called on for advice and looked to nationally and called upon to address national conferences for its organization, its approaches to the demands on law enforcement today, and how it handles domestic violence.

The Commissioner closed his remarks by suggesting the new recruits take time to think about their oath of office every day to retain their focus on what their responsibility to the city is supposed to be.

Mayor Joseph Delfino could not attend the ceremony because he was “out of town,” according to The Mayor’s Office.

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WPNCR Names in the News. By Carl Albanese. May 21, 2005: At the Garden of Remembrance last Sunday, former Councilman Glen Hockley addressed the gathering, and the community learned something new about Mr. Hockley that we had not know before. Carl Albanese reports:

Glen Hockley Addressing Survivors, Guests, Dignataries Sunday, May 15. Photo by Carl Albanese. All rights Reserved

It was nice to see your coverage of “The Garden Of Remembrance” 60 Years Later story on your site posted May 9, 2005. My family and I attended the Memorial on May 15, unfortunately the news media coverage neglected to mention many significant elements and guest speakers at this great important ceremony.

One very significant and very important individual and family who played a major role in the history of the Holocaust and this particular ceremony on Sunday, May 15 in White Plains honoring the many Holocaust survivors is Mr. Glen Hockley, our very own, and his family.

Glen’s mother herself is a Holocasut survivor who proudly attended the Garden of Remembrance — 60 years Later ceremony with her family proudly at her side in honor of the many who did not survive the events of World War II. Mr. Hockley attended, as a private citizen proudly embracing his personal history and Jewish heritage paying respect to those who gave their lives to save his own mother. A moving story that I personally feel should be told here in our own city of White Plains, a story significantly worth telling as one of our own political leaders.

Ruth Hockley. Former Councilman Hockley’s mother and a Death Camp survivor. Photo by Carl Albanese. All rights reserved.

A story that touched me personally on Sunday watching Mr. Hockley’s mother Ruth, proudly standing among her family and many other survivors of the death camps when asked to rise among the crowd. A moment for me embellished with happiness and sadness respectfully proud to experience this moment. Witnessing Mrs. Hockley standing honorably her family at her side sixty years later as a survivor of the death camps is a moment I will always remember. Never to forget, Mrs. Hockley giving life to two generations of her own family sixty years later at her side in this moment of remembrance.

I forward this information to you with the hope that you would consider writing a story on the Garden of Remembrance ceremony, acknowledging the fact that Westchester County, White Plains has a personal history and connection to the events of the Holocaust of World War II. Respectfully paying honor and tribute to all those who survived the death camps, all those who perished, and all those who proudly died and fought as Americans during the events and history of World War II, our honorable World War II veterans.

Best,

Carl Albanese

WPCNR Notes:

Glen Hockley of White Plains, former White Plains Councilman and Director of Marketing for Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corporation in White Plains, has been named to the Advisory Board of the Westchester Holocaust Education Center (WHEC), it was announced by Richard Laster (Chappaqua), Chairman of the WHEC Board of Directors.

Mr. Hockley, who currently serves on WHEC’s Membership and Garden Committees, is a dedicated community activist and volunteer. He was the founding chair of the White Plains Interfaith Holocaust Committee, a group that brought together priests, rabbis, ministers and other community leaders to build awareness of and intolerance toward hate crimes and bigotry in the White Plains community. He served as president of B’nai B’rith of Westchester (1996-2000) and was a founding member of the Second Generation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors of New York City. 

In 2002, he was a member of the Westchester County Hate Crimes Task Force, headed by County Executive Andrew Spano; the group was instrumental in creating an anti-bias law that defined hate crimes as a felony. Mr. Hockley is a founding member of the White Plains Junteenth Heritage Week, the first city-supported African-American historical / cultural event and parade, and was chosen as the 2004 Westchester ARC Government Advocate of the Year

“We are pleased to have Glen Hockley join WHEC’s Advisory Board,” said Richard Laster.  “His professional involvements, enormous energy and deep personal commitment to promoting human rights and Holocaust education have already proven invaluable to our organization.”

“As the son of Jewish Holocaust survivors who were protected by Christians during World War II, I grew up understanding the importance of respecting people from all different backgrounds.  As a result, I believe that, regardless of race, religion, or gender, everyone deserves the same consideration and opportunity. Working with the Westchester Holocaust Education Center gives me an opportunity to help advance the values with which I was raised,” observes Hockley.

Founded in 1990, the Westchester Holocaust Education Center (WHEC) is a not-for-profit, interfaith, Holocaust and human rights education organization dedicated to assisting middle- and high-school educators in teaching the universal lessons of the Holocaust and their relevance for today.  WHEC carries out its mission through a wide variety of programs and special events for teachers and students, as well as for the general public, to raise community awareness of the Holocaust and its relationship to human rights issues, past and present. For more information, please call 914-696-0738 or visit www.holocausteducationctr.org