Opening Day: The Thrill Is Gone. A Pastime Betrayed.

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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By John Baseball  Bailey. April 3, 2005: This used to be the best day of the year next to Christmas for yours truly, but this year the magic of Opening Day is no longer there. Not a scintilla of heartbeat is there within my breast for the First Pitch. There is no anticipation on my part. The thrill is gone.



 


                             WRIGLEY FIELD, CHICAGO. 1975. Pete Rose at the Plate. Photo, From WPCNR Sports Archive.



The magic of Major League Baseball was killed for me in 1994, when the players and owners killed a season over money. They showed then they did not care about the legions of fans like myself who believed in them and cared about their success on the field for our town, who bought the concept that they were playing for us…that they were our boys.  


 


I knew it was a business. I knew it was all about the money, but still when the Bombers went out there or the Dodgers went out there on that immense green, they were playing for us and we cheered for them. Their success made us happy. Their failures lingered long. To me a ballpark was as good as being in a church, and I got the same feeling as I did when in church.


 


Then the strike broke out and killed the balance of the 1994 season. That strike was orchestrated by none other than Bud Selig and his nouveau riche owners who had the owners stay firm insistent on a salary cap. Well there still is no salary cap today. When Selig and the owners took that strike in 1994 – they shattered the illusion that baseball was a sport not a business. The strike showed us all that it was a business flat out.


 


Now in 2005, Selig and the owners and the media (those shills for the house), who cover major league baseball have destroyed the other pillar that major league baseball was built upon for one hundred and fifty years: integrity.


 


By the owners and the media unwillingness to expose the steroid use problem the last fifteen years, and  the created enhancements of the game:  pumped up baseball, the shrunk strike zone, the shift to interleague play (in a meaningless format),. the hideous wild card system, the game has been transformed into a travesty of cheap homeruns, and records that mean nothing any more, and a regular season that is beginning to rival the NBA in triviality.


 


This was all brought about by the powers that be creating a tighter-seamed baseball, wound so tightly that when it is hit it ricochets off the bat like a pinball and flies out of the ball park no matter where on the bat the hitter connects with the ball. Balls are hit off the end of the bat and the handle and they go out.


 


Tom Seaver proved the baseball of today is different than 25 years ago on live television, dissecting a baseball from 1969 and a circa 2000 baseball. He showed the difference in the winding, the tighter seams, and I believe the smaller core. Yet, the media still bought the propaganda that the baseball has not substantially changed. The keyword being substantially.


 


But baseball needed to excite the fans after the strike.


 


Then the Major League Baseball geniuses said let’s shrink the strike zone. This made the mediocre big league pitcher worse (more walks, forcing him to throw down the middle), and took away the sleight-of-hand of the superior pitchers who worked the corners knees and  letters. Now the strike zone is knees to the belt. That forces you to throw down-the-middle – not a good place.  The men in blue are also not giving pitchers the black or the knee pitch.  The formula is set for disaster: less strike zone, livelier ball, sucker locations demanded.


 


Then, of course, there were the cheaters: the homerun king with the corked bat (how many cork bats had Mr. Sosa used? How come no one asks that question?)  There were the incredible productions of Mr. McGwire, Mr. Bonds, Mr. Sosa. The records of the Babe, Roger Maris fell by the wayside — a little too easily, I felt at the time.


 


The media chalked this up to the narrower strike zone and superior stronger athletes. This was what was written about the homer barrage of the late 90s.


 


Did any one write about steroids? I can’t recall that even being mentioned by any leading sportswriter when Sosa and McGwire and Bonds were being hailed.


 


Well, now the public knows differently.


 


Steroids may have been taken by more than Messrs McGwire, Sosa and Bonds. How many other inflated performances were there? Does baseball care? Did their teamates care?


 


Baseball has never cared. I happen to recall Steve Howe who was involved with drugs seven times and baseball simply welcomed him back.


 


Well now we have an opening day or night, as it were where fans have to wonder, how many out there are enhancing their performances with junk?


 


How many still remain? How will baseball enforce a no steroid policy?


 


It has been pointed out to this reporter that there never was a ban on steroid use in baseball. So the players did nothing wrong.


 


Well if gaining an advantage by drugging yourself isn’t wrong what is? It is why drugs are not allowed in horse races.


 


Well there should have been a ban. So does that make it all right to cheat, just because you can?


 


But, I allege it was all part of the major league baseball schtick: a phony homerun race, great hitting, no one cared. The message baseball has sent to players is it’s all right to cheat as long as your bottom line is fine.


 


A real commissioner, a leader would order mandatory drug testing of every player right after opening day. Those testing positive would be banned for life. Contracts terminated.


 


But Bud Selig is no leader. He is no Kenesaw Mountain Landis.


 


No media dwelt at length on what steroids did to the NFL’s Lyle Alzado (they killed him young). We expect that the same will happen to those pseudo-stars who have used steroids.


 


The Steroid Stars’ legacy is not being some of the great players of all time. Their legacy is that of the Black Sox – the men who forever tarnished the integrity of the game. The Steroid junkies make a mockery of the greats who perhaps played with no more vices than hot dogs, alcohol, and womanizing and still hit them out with a real strike zone against real pitchers, the Spahns, the Koufaxes, the Groves, the Three Finger Browns.


 


The game is at its lowest ebb in my opinion.


 


Commissioner Bud Selig, the owners, the managers, the trainers, the team doctors and the sportswriters of America have presided over this national tragedy. They gave us a phony game.


 


 More so than the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, the steroid scandal calls into question the very nature of the “competition” we will see today.


 


I see no point in ever watching another major league game because I do not know what I am seeing. It has taken on the odor of a fixed horse race – a figure skating competition where the competitive balance is compromised. The strike zone inconsistent. Players unversed in the fundamentals.


 


 


I have scorn for the sportswriters, those pressroom buffet hogs who have as much nose for news in the club house as Fox News. I have to wonder at how the sportswriters are rehabilitating the local abusers of steroids on local teams in print.   


 


The steroid users are not strong people. They are weak. They are small.  To think that team management did not know they were taking is laughable. Junkies is what they are.


 


I weep for this beautiful game, I weep for myself and the loss of innocence, and have nothing but scorn for those entrusted with the game who have betrayed it by their dishonesty, their acceptance of  performance-enhancing drugs on members of their team, their aggrandizement of profit at the expense of integrity. You have allowed this.


 


It saddens me that I can no longer make myself care when the Bombers take the field.


 


I’ll go watch the New Jersey Jackals, the Toledo Mud Hens, the Harrisburg Senators, the Norwich Navigators, the Lowell Spinners, the PawSox, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Arkansas Travelers, the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Modesto Nuts, the Rochester Red Wings, the Buffalo Bisons, the bushleagues – the wonderful minors – where they’re still playing to make the show.


 


Where they pay you in dirt, and  in order to make the bigs, you have to agree to play for less dirt. You give them all the hustle you got, and you still might not make it. As it turns out the minors are the major leagues, and Major League Baseball is the bush league.


 


I’ll still root for the Twins — and I admire the Red Sox for their great achievement last fall. But I never saw an inning.


 


(Thought I’d go to the tube, last fall,  got as far as the knob, would have turned it on but what for? They would have asked me to care, and I don’t get care much any more.)


 


The steroid stars insult the honest effort and hustle of those less gifted, by tarnishing the record book, destroying the game’s sense of fairness.


 


Their records should be expunged from the game. 


 


What would Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis have done with these guys? He would have thrown them out. And removed all their achievements. No question.


 


Baseball, fastpitch softball they are still the greatest games. I still love a ballpark or  a ball field. And I  will watch a game I pass by in progress. I long to play it.


 


It fascinates me how those in charge of the game think so little of it. Of those players gifted enough to play the game for money are so insecure that they cheat. Who do not think of us. Of the effects their actions have on  the children who idolize them.


 


I find it hard not to root.


 


But I am like a lover who has been betrayed once too often. It is hard to care any more when baseball has betrayed your love once too often.


 


As Jim Bouton wrote at the end of Ball Four, when he was thinking of whether he would go and pitch in an industrial league like the Cincinatti Reds Jim O’Toole, who was still trying to get back into the bigs, playing for the Ross Eversoles in an industrial league. Bulldog Bouton wrote: 


 


“Then I thought, would I do that? When it’s over for me, would I be hanging on with the Ross Eversoles? I went down deep and the answer I came up with was yes. Yes, I would. You see, you spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time.”


 


It is easier for me to think about baseball’s past.

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The Feiner Report: Government Official Wants to Delay Tax Collections! Halleluja

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner. April 2, 2005:  I believe that there should be a change in the law so that Westchester County residents will not have to pay the county, fire, sewer and town taxes in April. Currently, everyone has to pay their federal and state taxes the same month. The law should be changed so that local taxes would be due another month.


 This would make it easier for many people who find it difficult to pay their local, county, state and federal taxes the same month.


In addition, the law should be changed to provide people with an opportunity to pay a portion of their taxes at given times during the year.


Residents of Westchester currently pay half of their school tax bills in September and the other half in January. But, county, local taxes must be paid in one lump sum. It’s very hard for some people who live on fixed incomes. We have to look for ways to make it easier for people to pay their taxes, especially since the percentages of the tax increases are getting to be very high.


PAUL FEINER


Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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Appellate Court Tosses Ginsburg-F & J Claim on 240 Main. Clears Way for 221 Appr

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. April 2, 2005. UPDATED 12:45 P.M. E.S.T.: The Appellate Court, Second Circuit, in Brooklyn ruled this week upholding (in effect) Louis Cappelli’s purchase of the 240 Main Street (Corner Nook, Main Street Bookstore and deli) property. The decision orders F & J Continental Food Corp. to assign its right of first refusal to Cappelli Enterprises within 30 days. 



Cappelli Hotel & Condoplex Work In Progress. Photo by WPCNR News


 The Common Council is scheduled to take up a possible vote on approving Mr. Cappelli’s 221 Main Hotel & Condominium project for 40 stories each tower Monday evening. The decision would appear to clear the way to provide Cappelli the ability to satisfy his affordable housing committment on that hotel project by building them on the 240 Main Street site, should he choose to do so.


Appellate judges  Thomas P. Adams, Fred T. Santucci, Gloria Goldstein and Stephen G. Crane, ruled “the agreement included all essential terms, F & J’s contention that there there is  a distinction between fair market rent and market rent is not supported by any authority. The fact that what constituted fair market rent was subject to arbitration did not render the option agreement indefinite.”



THE HOT CORNER: Dispute over whether Louis Cappelli had the right to purchase 240 Main Street was thrown out this week by the Appellate Court. Property is shown, center of picture. City Center garage is in the background. Photo from WPCNR News Archive.


The justices concurred that F & J ‘s protest that Mr. Cappelli put them under duress did not hold water, noting “where a party (F & J) has accepted the benefits of an agreement and then seeks to repudiate the agreement on the ground of coercion, it must do so in a timely fashion or any objection is waived.”  (F & J entered into the option agreement with Cappelli June 22, 2001, and it was not until May 14, 2003, that F & J raised objections to the agreement).


Mr. Cappelli has told WPCNR that F & J had sold him the right of first refusal, and that F & J had sold the right to continue its lawsuit to Ginsburg Development Corporation, which has been seeking to use the suit to block Mr. Cappelli from erecting 42 units of affordable housing on the 240 Main Street site. Building the units there would  satisfy Cappelli’s affordable housing commitment to the city for the City Center and his 221 Main Street Hotel and Condominium complex (scheduled for a possible approving vote Monday evening.)



A Domain on Main for the Common Man and Woman: The affordable housing apartments/condos Louis Cappelli is thinking of building on the 240 Main Street site. Photo by WPNCR News.



THE FIT WITH “THE PINNACLE:” A Cappelli Enterprises graphic showing an 8-story Affordable Housing building on 240 Main Street and a 5-story Affordable Housing complex adjacent the Ginsburg Development Corporation planned Pinnacle complex. The Pinnacle is the larger building in each picture. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


In order for the Appellate Court decision to be appealed, the Ginsburg Development Corporation counsel would have to ask the Court of Appeals to hear the case, (seek leave for appeal). They are not automatically entitled to appeal it to the higher court, because the decision was unanimous.


The complete decison follows:


Decided on March 28, 2005


SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

APPELLATE DIVISION : SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARMENT
THOMAS A. ADAMS, J.P.
FRED T. SANTUCCI
GLORIA GOLDSTEIN
STEPHEN G. CRANE, JJ.


DECISION & ORDER


2003-09898


[*1]Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., appellant,

v

F&J Continental Food Corp., respondent, et al., defendants. (Index No. 8244/03)






Delbello Donnellan Weingarten Tartaglia Wise & Wiederkehr,
LLP, White Plains, N.Y. (William E. Dumke and Alan
Scheinkman of counsel), for appellant.
Saretsky Katz Dranoff & Glass, LLP, New York, N.Y. (Alan
G. Katz and Eric Dranoff of
counsel), for respondent.


In an action, inter alia, for specific performance of an option agreement contained in a lease, the plaintiff appeals, as limited by its brief, from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Dillon, J.), dated October 1, 2003, as denied its motion for summary judgment on its first cause of action seeking specific performance of the option agreement and on its second cause of action for a judgment declaring that the defendant F&J Continental Food Corp. forfeited its right to any additional consideration pursuant to the terms of the option agreement.

ORDERED that the order is modified, on the law, by deleting the provision thereof denying that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was for summary judgment on its first cause of action for specific performance of the option agreement and substituting therefor a provision granting that branch of the motion; as so modified, the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements; and it is further,

ORDERED that the defendant F&J Continental Food Corp. shall deliver to the plaintiff an assignment of its right of first refusal within 30 days after service upon it of a copy of this decision and order.

By option agreement dated June 22, 2001, contained in a lease, the defendant F&J Continental Food Corp. (hereinafter F&J), gave the plaintiff an option to purchase its right of first refusal with respect to its landlord’s property for the total price of $82,500, $27,500 due upon the [*2]signing of the option agreement and the remaining $55,000 due upon the exercise of the option. As further consideration for the option agreement, the plaintiff agreed that if it purchased the property it would extend F&J’s lease for a period of 10 years at market rent or at the plaintiff’s election relocate F&J to a comparable location at fair market rent. If there was a disagreement about fair market rent, the issue would be determined by arbitration.

F&J claims that the agreement was void for indefiniteness, duress, and overreaching. With respect to indefiniteness, the courts should endeavor to hold parties to their bargain and the definiteness doctrine is a doctrine of last resort (see Marshall Granger & Co. v Sanossian & Sardis, AD3d [2d Dept, Feb. 28, 2005). The agreement included all essential terms. F&J’s contention that there is a distinction between fair market rent and market rent is not supported by any authority. The fact that what constituted fair market rent was subject to arbitration did not render the option agreement indefinite (see Matter of 166 Mamaroneck Ave. Corp. v 151 E. Post Rd. Corp., 78 NY2d 88, 91).

With respect to duress, F&J’s president, Frank Lombardi, claimed that the plaintiff threatened to use its influence to have the City of White Plains condemn the property if he did not sign the option agreement. Lombardi further claimed that he did not retain an attorney because the plaintiff promised to take care of him, and the unequal bargaining power between the plaintiff and F&J gave rise to overreaching. Lombardi raised these claims for the first time by letter dated May 14, 2003, after F&J received and retained the $27,500 downpayment, and after F&J’s counsel demanded an additional $1,000,000. Lombardi admitted that his counsel asked for an additional $1,000,000 from the plaintiff but claimed that this was “a settlement proposal to compensate me for the monies that I believed I was to receive.”

Where a party has accepted the benefits of an agreement and then seeks to repudiate the agreement on the ground of coercion, it must do so in a timely fashion or any objection is waived (see Capstone Enters. of Port Chester v County of Westchester, 262 AD2d 343, 344). In this case, the claim of duress was not raised in a timely manner, and was only raised after F&J had ratified the agreement. Further, Lombardi failed to set forth a sufficient factual basis for his claims (see Lane-Real Estate Dept. Store v Muchnick, 145 AD2d 469).

F&J further contends on appeal that this controversy has been rendered academic since the owner entered into a contract with the plaintiff to sell the property directly to it. However, the plaintiff was entitled to an assignment of F&J’s right of first refusal to determine the parties’ rights in the property and settle any claims F&J may have. There was no basis in the record to deny the plaintiff the assignment of F&J’s right of first refusal.

Summary judgment was premature with respect to the issue of F&J’s rights to additional consideration pursuant to the option agreement and the parties’ rights to damages. Further, we note that any dispute between the plaintiff and F&J as to what constitutes fair market rent is subject to arbitration.

F & J’s remaining contentions are without merit.
ADAMS, J.P., SANTUCCI, GOLDSTEIN and CRANE, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court

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Latimer Moves on Teen Liquor Problem. Lift Teen Driver’s Licenses.

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WPCNR LATIMER IN THE LEGISLATURE. From Assemblyman George Latimer’s Office. April 2, 2005: State Assemblyman GEORGE LATIMER (Dem, 91st A.D.) has sponsored two bills designed to reduce under-age drinking by attacking the problem at both ends: raising penalties for those who sell alcohol to minors, and to those minors who are in possession of alcohol.


“We must make a stronger effort to punish those who sell to minors…and we must raise the penalty to the young person who obtains the alcohol”, Latimer said. “We mean business. We’re not going to tolerate the continued incidence of auto accidents that ruin lives, or to accept the societal problem of young people who develop early alcoholism”.


Bill Seeks to TakeAway liquor/lotter licenses. Lift Teen Driver’s Licenses.

The two bills tie in as sanctions state licensing powers. When a business is found guilty of selling alcohol to minors, the proposed law could cost them their liquor license and their lottery license. When a young person is found be in possession on alcohol, they run the risk of losing their drivers license/permit – even if the offense does not occur behind the wheel.

“Driving may be the most important privilege a person at age 16, 17 or 18 possesses; that’s what at stake if they’re caught breaking the law”, Assemblyman Latimer noted. “The financial value of a lottery license – including Quick Draw – and certainly a liquor license – may be incalculable. People will think long and hard before they break the law
if this much is at stake”.

Latimer, who represents Westchester’s Sound Shore, indicated that numerous incidents of drinking at proms, at after hour locations around communities, and in other venues, must be addressed in a serious and significant manner.

“Our children’s lives are at stake. We can’t pretend ‘it’s no big deal’. Our laws on under-age drinking are in place for good reasons, and they must be enforced”.

Both bills will be sent to Assembly committees for review; both will likely need approval from the powerful Codes Committee. Senate companion bills are either submitted or in development.

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WBT Presents ‘Summer Stock’ Program for Kids.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westchester Broadway Theatre. April 2, 2005:


The Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, Bob Funking and  Bill Stutler those showmen who know theatre and have been turning a healthy profit at the bistro/theatre/showplace in Elmsford for 30 years are introducing an exciting new feature for Westchester residents with children this summer – the 2005 WBT Summer Theatre Workshop. 


 


This is a terrific new summer venue for kids, where they learn all about the different aspects of the theatre; Acting, Dance, Voice, Staging….even Improvisation, in a fun and entertaining environment.


 


The Summer Theatre Workshop is offering 3 consecutive three-week sessions; June 27 thru July 15, July18 thru August 5, and August 8 thru August 26.  All sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, and are a great place for the kids to be entertained and instructed while school is out and the parents are still at work each weekday.


 



“Summer Theatre camps have become very popular in the Westchester area,” said WBT co-owner Robert Funking.  “And many of our customers have asked, since we’re the longest running Professional Theatre in Westchester, why we weren’t providing one.  Frankly, we didn’t have an answer for them, so we decided to give them what they wanted.”


 


Funking, and his partner, William Stutler, have hired John Fanelli as the Summer Theatre Workshop’s Artistic Director.  Mr. Fanelli brings over 10 years of experience in the field of Children’s and Young Person’s theatre to the Workshop, having taught and directed thousands of youngsters throughout California, and even internationally in New Zealand. John has shaped an exciting and innovative educational approach that has inspired these kids to pursue their goals, theatrical and otherwise.  Mr. Fanelli holds a BA from the University of California at San Diego, and has directed children’s and young person’s versions of such favorites as, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Secret Garden, Peter Pan, and The Fantasticks, to name just a few.


 


The Summer Workshop students not only learn the different crafts of the theatre, they actually learn, rehearse and perform a full-scale musical during each session.  Performances are held on the mainstage at the Westchester Broadway Theatre on the Saturday following the last day of each session.


 


“We’ve been presenting Equity Productions for over thirty years,” said Bill Stutler.  “And we’ve worked, and continue to work, with some of the most talented theatre people in New York City.  And because of this, we’ll be able to bring in these top Actors and Directors as ‘Guest Lecturers’ every session, so the kids can learn from some of Broadway’s Best.”


 


In addition to the shows the kids learn and perform during the first two sessions, the Session 3 students will be able to take part in Fanelli’s exclusive “From The Page To The Stage” program, where the kids, themselves, utilizing the techniques they’ve learned during the summer, actually write the Script and the Lyrics to the final session’s production.  It’s a truly unique program Mr. Fanelli developed in California, and in now bringing to the Workshop right here in Elmsford.


 


The daily classes will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, conveniently located on Rt. 119 in Elmsford, just minutes away from the Westchester Broadway Theatre.  It is a terrific and easily accessible facility, which can be reached by all major roads and parkways throughout the area.


Session tuitions are $585 for a single session, with discounts for additional sessions, and discounts for additional family members.  Tuitions include not only the 3-week sessions, classes and games, and the performances at the WBT, but also a special group trip to a mainstage performance at the Dinner Theatre, where the whole class will enjoy the professional production at no charge.


 


For information and reservations to the Summer Theatre Workshop, parents should call 914-592-2268, and ex. 842.  John Fanelli will get them an application, and answer any questions regarding this fun, entertaining program for the kids this summer!

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Times Man Addresses Purchase on Environment Apr 13

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WPCNR WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP. From Purchase College. April 2, 2005: The Environmental Studies program at Purchase College presents a lecture by “New York Times” environmental reporter Andrew Revkin, April 11 at 5:30 PM, Room 1008, Social Sciences Building. Mr. Revkin will discuss “The Daily Planet: A Journalist’s Search for Sustainability, from the Amazon to the Arctic.” The lecture is free and open to the public. Purchase College State University of New York is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY.


Andrew Revkin, a prize-winning author and reporter, describes his 20-year (and counting) search for ways to mesh the human adventure with the planet’s limits. The quest has taken him to the Amazon, with the resulting book, “The Burning Season,” chronicling the life and death of Chico Mendes and grassroots efforts to extract value from living rain forests instead of torching them. Most recently, he has made three trips to the Arctic in two years to describe the extraordinary changes at the top of the world that appear to be driven, long distance, by the buildup of greenhouse emissions from smokestacks and tailpipes.


 


For more information, call 914-251-6632.

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Budget Passes Both Houses On Time.

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. From Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley’s Office. March 31, 2005: Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-White Plains) announced that the state Assembly and Senate have passed a budget plan that will provide over $848 million more in funding to public schools than last year – approximately $354 million more than the governor proposed.





 


The budget includes $26.6 million in operating aid for schools in the 89th Assembly District, which is $787,000 more than the governor provided in his budget.


 

















































School District (SD)


05-06 Enacted Operating Aid


Increase Over Executive


 


 


 


WHITE PLAINS CITY


$7,178,387


$225,207


CHAPPAQUA 


$3,806,420


$125,572


KATONAH-LEWISBORO  


$4,030,266


$119,304


HARRISON 


$3,034,849


$86,734


BYRAM HILLS 


$2,165,234


$77,130


BEDFORD 


$4,663,020


$117,752


VALHALLA  


$1,721,294


$35,609


 


 


 


 Total


$26,599,470


$787,308


 


 


“It’s incumbent upon us as state legislators to do our best to adequately fund our schools.  I strongly urge the governor to accept this bipartisan compromise which secured substantially more for the education of our children.”


 


The Legislature restored the governor’s cuts for various expense-based aids, funds that local schools already spent and are entitled to state reimbursement for, including BOCES services, transportation costs, and educating students with disabilities.


 


To better ensure schools are spending tax dollars wisely, an additional $2.9 million was added to the state Comptroller’s office for additional school audits. The legislative budget also includes $4.5 million in additional aid to local libraries vetoed by the governor last year. Westchester’s library system will receive more than $2.5 million, which is a restoration of $128,000.[1]


 


“The governor has made it a point to cut funding to libraries year after year. The Legislature’s appropriation puts that funding back in the budget,” Bradley said. “Our communities depend on public education resources to thrive and it’s unacceptable to withhold funding to libraries.”


 

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Bradley: State to Give $540,000 More in Aid to White Plains

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. March 31, 2005: We are well on our way to the first on-time budget in 20 years after we began passing budget bills yesterday. Included in the Legislature’s budget is an increase in municipal aid to cities, towns and villages. The Legislature’s budget will provide White Plains more than $4.7 million, which is $540,000 more than last year. The funding can be used to provide important services like police and fire protection. It’s a win-win situation that will help preserve our quality of life, while keeping local property taxes down. Our budget protects the services that matter most – and I urge the governor to join us in moving these bills forward.”

 


Detailed below are all of the cities, towns and villages receiving aid under the Legislative budget plan in the 89th Assembly District. Overall, the Legislature’s budget provides nearly $450,000 more to municipalities in the 89th AD than the governor’s executive budget provided.


 


Municipality                                2005-06 Funding


 


Bedford                                              $        65,384


Harrison (1)                                          $        148,095


Lewisboro                                           $        30,711


Mount Kisco (1)                                   $        65,718


New Castle                                          $        71,123


North Castle                                        $        43,077


Pound Ridge                                       $        264,449


White Plains                                        $        4.7 million      


Total                                                  $        5,388,557


 


(1) Represents funding for both the town and village.

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NPFS Fastpitch Femme Fatales — Juggernaut Open June 2 at Night

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from NPF. (Edited) March 30, 2005: On the day when the White Plains High School softball teams play a pair of exhibition games at WPHS, National Pro Fastpitch, ball’s third  major league the media don’t cover, don’t talk about, and ignored last season,  announced its 2005 schedule.  The league, featuring the champion NY-NJ Juggernaut will play a 48-game regular season schedule for each of the six NPF teams, including games that count against international champions from Canada, China, Venezuela, Russia, and Australia. Juggernaut Tickets are now on sale for their 2005  32-game home season featuring visits from the Chicago Bandits and Jennie Finch, the Venezuela and China national teams, their archrivals the New England Riptide and the Akron Racers with Krystal Bustos.



BALL BEYOND MEN! Johnny Vorperian, White Plains “Mr. Baseball,” interviews NY-NY Juggernaut star Carri “Lightening Leto,” secondbaser of the NY-NJ Juggernaut (center) and 1996 USA Olympic Champion and General Manager of the Juggernaut, Julie Smith on Beyond the Game at the WPPA-TV, White Plains Public Access Television Studio. The Juggernauts were in town to discuss the Juggernaut 2005 season last week. They open the season in Long Island on June 2 where they will be playing at a larger facility under brand-new lights with free parking. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Juggernaut office at 212.907.6561 or gameday at the Ticket Office. General Manager Smith has put together a strong rotation and have UCLA and 2004 USA Olympic sparkplug, Natasha  “Whackin” Wately batting leadoff with Lightening in the number two slot. The program will “cable” closer to the start of the season. Photo by WPCNR Sports.



Ms. Leto in her Business Suit, 2004 Season. Photo, Couresy NY-NJ Juggernaut.



Whackin’ Wately is coming to town. Ms. Smith figures to have America’s flashiest fastpitch legend hitting leadoff at the Naut’s new home. Photo, Courtesy NY-NJ Juggernaut.


The first riser of the season will launch the first week in June and run through August 21, 2005 with the exception of the Arizona Heat kicking off their season Memorial Day weekend. Regular season play will be followed by the Playoffs and Championships August 27–28, 2005. The six NPF teams include the Akron Racers, Arizona Heat, Chicago Bandits, New England Riptide, NY/NJ Juggernaut, and Texas Thunder. The California Sunbirds will also play a limited schedule in 2005 with plans to fully participate in the league again in 2006.


 


International Teams Hook Up with NPF — Da Best Play in Da NPF




NPF is excited to be able to include the Australia, Canada, China, Russia and Venezuelan National teams into the schedule.  The New York-New Jerseyy Juggernaut open the season June 2 with the Venezuala ball club.


“Bringing in international teams to play NPF teams is the league’s way of promoting both NPF credibility and continuing the development of U.S. Olympic and international players simultaneously,” stated NPF President, Bill Conroy. “It is our hope that the league will build attendance and media coverage through the international team drawing power.”


Brakettes Lead Prestigious Clubs into NPF in 2006

NPF has also opened the pool of opponents to include potential teams and owners in 2006 and beyond. The nationally recognized Stratford Brakettes already announced their plans to join NPF in 2006. Additional teams include the Phoenix Flames, SoCal Schutt Hurricanes, Peoria Outlaws, Illinois Cougars, St. Louis Saints and the Long Island Angels.


 “Due to the overwhelming demand for potential owners it made good sense to look at the teams’ viability in the league as well as allow them the opportunity to experience what it’s like to participate and compete at this level,” stated Conroy.


To make the competition even more interesting, all games against the international teams and potential expansion teams will count in the league standings and only the top four NPF teams will go on to compete in the Playoffs.


NPF enters into its third year as the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of professional women’s fastpitch softball. The new alliance with ASA/USA Softball and the International Softball Federation (ISF) has helped tremendously with bringing the international teams into the fold.


ESPN Discovers NPF





Be sure to tune into ESPN this summer, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, as they will air a select number of NPF games in 2005, as well as, Comcast who signed an agreement to televise eight NPF games.


“This type of national exposure is exactly what the league and players need to continue to create awareness of this awesome sport and its female athletes,” stated Conroy. Agreements for radio broadcasts and webcasting are in the works.


Sponsor Lineup Grows for the League the Media Does Not See.


National and local NPF sponsors include Majestic Athletic, Schutt® Sports, JUGS, Adams USA, Inc., Mizuno, Anderson Bat Company, Louisville Slugger, Akadema, Gatorade, My Sports Warehouse, Softball Junk. Com, Infinity Pro Sports, Motion DNA, Fisher Nuts, AMI Graphics, Radio Disney, Softball Today Magazine, Marcus Theatres, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tanel 360, Velocity Sports, Dominick’s Finer Foods (Safeway) Thilman Filippini, See’s Candies, Innovative Sports, Athletique Inc., TFC Bank, United Community Bank, Canandaigua Wine Company, National Baseball Softball Academy, Swing Town, American Hole-In-One and Jewel-Osco.


National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).


To view the NPF Composite Schedule
Click Here

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Sin City, Beauty Shop, Upside Arrive at City Center De Lux

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. March 30, 2005: The City Center De Lux welcomes the new Bruce Willis vehicle, Sin City this weekend, Queen Latifah’s new flick, and rolls Joan Allen’s comedy turn, Upside of Anger. The capsule rundowns and showtimes for the week:

BEAUTY SHOP — Queen Latifah stars in this comedy about the trials and tribulations of an Atlanta hairdresser who decides to open her own salon. Co-stars Alicia Silverstone and Kevin Bacon. Rated PG-13

OPENS FRIDAY, April 1st, EVERYWHERE

SIN CITY — Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett and Clive Owen star in this visually stunning action thriller based on the successful Sin City comics about seedy underword characters. Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Rated R

UPSIDE OF ANGER — Joan Allen stars as a divorced woman raising several daughters. The plot thickens when she finds herself falling for her neighbor, played by Kevin Costner. Rated R


Wednesday, March 30, 2005  
Hitch (PG-13) –1:30; 4:20; 6:55; 9:35 pm. ;
Robots (PG) –12:45; 3:00; 5:15; 7:35 pm. ;
Million Dollar Baby (PG-13) –12:25; 3:20; 6:30; 9:25 pm. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –1:20; 4:00; 6:40; 9:15 pm. ;
The Ring Two **(PG-13) –12:40; 3:25; 6:10; 8:50 pm. ;
Ice Princess (G) –1:00; 3:15; 5:35; 8:00; 10:20 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous **(PG-13) –1:15; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:45; 4:40; 7:30; 10:15 pm. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:00; 2:25; 4:50; 7:20; 10:00 pm. ;
Robots: The IMAX Experience (PG) –12:15; 2:30; 4:45; 7:10; 9:15 pm. ;
Hostage (R) –1:40; 4:50; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;
Be Cool (PG-13) –1:10; 4:15; 7:25; 10:10 pm. ;
Guess Who **(PG-13) –1:05; 3:45; 6:45; 9:20 pm. ;
Guess Who (PG-13) –1:35; 4:25; 7:15; 10:00 pm. ;
The Pacifier (PG) –12:00; 2:15; 4:35; 6:50; 9:10 pm. ;
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (PG-13) –10:05 pm. ;

Thursday, March 31, 2005  
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (PG-13) –10:05 pm. ;
The Pacifier (PG) –12:00; 2:15; 4:35; 6:50; 9:10 pm. ;
Guess Who (PG-13) –1:35; 4:25; 7:15; 10:00 pm. ;
Guess Who **(PG-13) –1:05; 3:45; 6:45; 9:20 pm. ;
Be Cool (PG-13) –1:10; 4:15; 7:25; 10:10 pm. ;
Robots: The IMAX Experience (PG) –12:15; 2:30; 4:45; 7:10; 9:15 pm. ;
Hostage (R) –1:40; 4:50; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:00; 2:25; 4:50; 7:20; 10:00 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:45; 4:40; 7:30; 10:15 pm. ;
The Ring Two **(PG-13) –12:40; 3:25; 6:10; 8:50 pm. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –1:20; 4:00; 6:40; 9:15 pm. ;
Ice Princess (G) –1:00; 3:15; 5:35; 8:00; 10:20 pm. ;
Million Dollar Baby (PG-13) –12:25; 3:20; 6:30; 9:25 pm. ;
Robots (PG) –12:45; 3:00; 5:15; 7:35 pm. ;
Hitch (PG-13) –1:30; 4:20; 6:55; 9:35 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous **(PG-13) –1:15; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;

Friday, April 01, 2005  
Hitch (PG-13) –1:30; 4:10; 6:55; 9:30 pm; 12:10 am. ;
Robots (PG) –12:45; 3:00; 5:10 pm. ;
Million Dollar Baby (PG-13) –8:00; 10:35 pm. ;
Ice Princess (G) –12:00; 2:00; 4:00; 6:00 pm. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –1:20; 3:55; 6:35; 9:05; 11:50 pm. ;
Be Cool (PG-13) –1:10 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous **(PG-13) –4:10; 9:50 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Upside of Anger (R) –1:40; 4:30; 7:35; 10:10 pm; 12:40 am. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:45; 4:40; 7:30; 10:15 pm; 12:40 am. ;
Hostage (R) –1:20; 4:20; 7:05; 9:55 pm; 12:30 am. ;
Robots: The IMAX Experience (PG) –12:15; 2:30; 4:45; 7:10; 9:30; 11:30 pm. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:05; 2:35; 5:00; 7:40; 10:25 pm; 12:45 am. ;
Fever Pitch (PG-13) –7:30 pm. ;
Guess Who **(PG-13) –1:05; 4:00; 6:40; 9:20; 11:55 pm. ;
Guess Who (PG-13) –1:35; 4:25; 7:20; 10:00 pm; 12:25 am. ;
The Pacifier (PG) –12:00; 2:15; 4:30; 6:50; 9:10; 11:25 pm. ;
Sin City (R) –12:50; 3:50; 6:45; 7:25; 9:45; 10:20 pm; 12:35 am. ;

Saturday, April 02, 2005  
Sin City (R) –12:50; 3:50; 6:45; 7:25;

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