School Board Will Hire a Full Service Public Relations Agency.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. October 26, 2004: The City School District is moving towards hiring one of two public relations firms, and having them in place by the second week of November. At its second monthly meeting last night, the School Board interviewed Zimmerman Edelson, Inc., of Great Neck, N.Y., and Syntax of West Sayville New York, as candidates to handle the creation of a “brand” for the School District, an ongoing public relations oversight of all the schools, including creation of  newsletters, website content and wrangling of media inquiries.

After the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors told WPCNR, one of the two agencies would definitely be in place by mid-November, and a resolution would be on the November  8 Board of Education Agenda to engage one of the firms.


Asked how decisions would be made about the selected agency’s work for the district, Connors said he would review the agency’s submissions, suggestions, and strategies for implementing the School Board’s goals, and, if on target, they would be presented to the Board.


Presently, the City School Budget allots $25,000 for production of the City School District Newsletter in the 2004-05 $143.8 Million School Budget.  The newsletter, formerly published four times a year, is the only district wide communication with parents and residents. This year only one newsletter was circulated (in promotion of the City School Budget in the spring). Since that time, to this reporter’s knowledge,  no formal newsletter communications have been published to parents other than PTA flyers and communications from individual schools.  There is also the district-wide calendar that goes out every year.


Each member of the Board indicated they felt there was a need for the district to be more aggressive in telling the story of the school district, its successes and strengths, and indicated they  would be willing to spend considerably more than the $25,000 to do that. Terrence Schruers, Assistant Superintendent for Business said any retainer required to hire an agency could be defrayed by 30% through an arrangement with BOCES services of southern Westchester.


The District has not decided on what their overall budget for public relations materials might be in the projected $150 Million budget for 2005-06, about to begin its preparation. Connors indicated to WPCNR that the scope of the public relations effort would be shaped after the agency is hired. During the meeting, he expressed the advantage of having one of the firms interviewed on board at the district-wide goal setting meeting with national author Ron Evans, author of Family Matters, who will be conducting a goal-setting workshop for the district in November.


During the course of the meeting, the Board appeared to desire more of an identifying “brand-name” look to all district publications, while retaining an individual school flavor for the eight schools in the district. The Board also asked the agencies about the district website content presently on http://www.wpcsd.k12.ny.us. During those discussions, it was disclosed that the City School District has not updated the webstite substantially since last spring.


Discussion with Ron Edelson, principal of Zimmerman Edelson, centered on getting more favorable publicity and less damaging reporting on the City School District. Edelson said it was the district’s responsibility to “get out there” and be proactive in telling their story, and to establish relationships with the media. Syntax, echoed this theme, saying the district needed to tell its story first and be preemptive on a regular basis, rather than reacting when a negative story appeared in the media. This was their response to the District’s concern about the recent Westchester Magazine story on Westchester area school districts that the Board felt was unfair to White Plains. Zimmerman Edelston has a website at http://www.zimmed.com, they currently handle public relations for 20 School Districts throughout the metropolitan area.


Zimmerman Edelson would assign an account executive, create all work in-house, and advise the School District on how to handle sensitive incidents and decisions, prepare crisis reaction statements on fast-breaking events, but felt strongly that all statements should come from a high-placed official in the district, rather than conflicting statements coming from principals, board members, or administration executives who did not have all the facts. Ron Edelson said it was essential the media be kept at bay, until the School District spokesperson had the facts that were appropriate to furnish to the media.


The discussion with Syntax’s Mary Brisbane and Kathy Beatty, centered primarily on preparation of materials and vehicles for accentuating the positive achievements of the school district with residents of White Plains and prospective residents. Syntax said they would hire a person to concentrate on White Plains needs exclusively, conduct complimentary focus groups, and expressed suggestions for improvements in district communications from frequent newsletters, story placements, and complete redesign of the district website, with frequent refreshing of content.  The Syntax website is at http://www.syntaxcom.com.

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Gunsmoke On Purdy Hill! Historical Society Remembers Battle of White Plains

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WPCNR NORTHEND EPITAPH. October 25, 2004: Gunsmoke and its sharp, pungent smell of death shrouded Purdy Hill in White Plains Sunday afternoon. The boom of muskets and the cries of charging Redcoats commemorated the Battle of White Plains, the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. The big battle unfolded across Chatterton Hill and Battle Hill, 228 years ago this Thursday,October  28, 1776, and was recognized in a ceremony staged by the White Plains Historical Society on an overcast Sunday made for remembrance.


A crowd of  some 50 persons gathered. The White Plains High School Marching Band played The Star Bangled Banner and other selections, and the names of the first patriots, residents of White Plains who died that day were read with respectful reverence by John Volperian.



Gunsmoke! Enactors of the 4th Colonials, White Plains Militia and Pawling’s Levies fire on Redcoats of General Howe on Purdy Hill Sunday. Photo by WPCNR News.



Overlooking the site of the Battle of White Plains, which unfolded left to right to the West side of the city up the slopes of Battle and Chatterton Hills, Enactors of the 23rd Regiment of Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers, at left, and Colonial troops and militia stand at Mourning
Rest, as names of White Plains’ 21 patriot dead who lost their lives defending White Plains, were announced with solemn dignity: 


James Carpenter, Jacob Cypher, John Drake, John Faulkner, William Field, Elizah Fisher, John Fisher, Moses Fowler, Robert Graham, Daniel Hatfield, Joshua Hatfield, Daniel Horton, John Hosier, Benjamin Lyon, John Martin, Caleb Merritt, Anthony Miller, Cornelius Oakley, Jospeh Prior, Jacob Purdy, and John Travis.


Photo by WPCNR News.



John Volperian read the names of the Battle of White Plains dead. Roseanna Washington, at left, who conducted the ceremony said the remembrance honored all the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country in all of the nation’s wars, and remembered the police, firemen, and civilians who died in the World Trade Center, Pentagon terrorist attacks, and members of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Photo by WPCNR News.



Alex Piekarz, Senior at White Plains High School played Taps with Zach Glass adding the “Echo Taps” to close the honoring. Mr. Piekarz, mellow, mournful, hauntingly paced delivery, each note stately, dignified, defiant was at once a rugged and elegant elegy.Photo by WPCNR News.



“Run you Rebels. You Cowards!” Cry the Redcoats,  renacting their charge up Chatteron Hill to the West, the 23rd Regiment of Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers fire on retreating colonials and White Plains Patriots. Purdy Hill, site of the enactment and ceremony was fortified during the Battle of White Plains and served as a retreat  redoubt for the wounded broken American lines on Chatterton Hill. The British encamped in the Plains below, did not charge Purdy Hill. Five hundred British and Colonial Troops died in the battle. The significance of the battle was that the colonial army was not split and destroyed by British General William Howe, who noting the casualties at White Plains refused to go after the colonials allowing them to fight another day. That day would come two months later on Christmas Eve when George Washington attacked Trenton beginning a string of victories by the Colonials, eventually ending in American Independence in 1783. Photo by WPCNR News.



John Grassi, a Fusilier from White Plains, explained that the muskets of 1776 used by the Colonials, White Plains Militia and the British troops had round barrels with no grooves in them. They fired, he said roundshot which would bounce from side-to-side in the barrel. This, Mr. Grassi said, meant the ball depending on how it bounced would go high, left, right, or down, depending on its last bounce at the end of the barrel after firing. Aim was notoriously inaccurate, and the rifles only had killing range up to 100 yards. To set up withering fire, troops would fire in a line, setting up a cross fire to take out troops in front of them. This is why what seems like crazy tactics to us (straight lines of troops firing at each other), the revolutionary war was fought in straight battle lines. The bayonet on the end of Mr. Grassi’s musket, was equipment the colonials and the militia did not have — one of the tactical reasons why Chatterton and Battle Hill defenders retreated. Photo by WPCNR News.



First Patriots: Members of the Pawling’s Levies, 4th New York Continentals and White Plains Militia march down Purdy Hill to the flagpole. Note lack of bayonets. Photo by WPCNR News.



Crowd looks on as enactment enfolds at Purdy House. Photo by WPCNR News.



WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND played The Star Spangled Banner. Photo by WPCNR News.

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Reading Night at G.W.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld. October 24, 2004: George Washington School will hold its 11th Annual Family Reading Night on Tuesday, October 26th, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.  All students and parents are invited to attend.           

Community members, teachers and administrators from the White Plains Schools will read their favorite stories to small groups of children and their families.  After three 15-minute sessions, everyone will be invited to the cafeteria for refreshments.  The PTA Book Fair will also be taking place throughout the evening and parents and children are invited to shop for books.


Members of the committee include the following staff members:  Darrin Grimm, Chairman, Kelly Agar, Daria Collins, Ximena Gomez, Rhoda Havis, Mary Lincoln, Ashleigh Madureira, Michelle McCray, Jonathan Monti, Denise Orovic, Sandra Rodriguez, Randi Sack, Linda Smith and Maria Zenon.

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Carmel’s “Humvee” O’Connor Runs Out Clock, Denies Tiger Comeback 21-14.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 23, 2004: Carmel High’s  “Humvee” Dave O’Connor took over the football with 3:41 minutes to go in the Section I Football Playoff this afternoon.  The reported 260 pound all-muscle, 5-6 fullback consumed yardage, carrying Tigers on his back six straight times through the meat of the valiant Tiger line on six straight plays to wind down the clock and deny the Tigers the ball and a chance to tie or win in the final minutes to give Number 1 seeded Carmel a 21-14 victory today. White Plains record dropped to 5-3.



NIGHT TRAIN LANE (23), shown dashing to the Carmel 39 with the interception that put White Plains back in the football game. Shortly thereafter Kevin Avery hit Gary Morello with a 15 yard TD strike in coffin corner to make the score 21-14. Photo by WPCNR Sports. 



He’s at the 15, Lane at the 10, at the 5, TouchDOWN!TouchDOWN! Mike Lane (at center of pic, between two Rams in blue), shocked the crowd with this 70 yard Kickoff Return with  10 minutes to go in the football game, that gave Tiger Fans hope. Lane picked the ball on the near side line at the White Plains 30, and lit out to the far sideline and simply out ran 8 Rams DOWN the far sideline for 6, to make the score 21-7 with the point. Then the comeback became possible when his interception got the ball back within the next 3 minutes. Photo by WPCNR Sports


After White Plains trailed 21-0 going into the final quarter, Mike “Night Train” Lane got the Tigers back in a position to win the game, with a 70 yard kickoff return and a key interception on the next series leading to Kevin Avery’s 15 yard touchdown pass to Gary Morello to make the score 21-14, and thanks to O’Connor’s grind-it-out-finish, that’s the way it ended.


Carmel dominated the first half, building a 15-0 lead, giving White Plains only 10 plays from scrimmage, while the Rams ran off 25 plays, behind their two big backs, O’Connor and Tom Calinan. A touchdown early in the 3rd quarter resulting from an interception of an Avery pass on the White Plains 39, lead to the final and winning Ram TD by O’Connor.


 


 

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WPPAC Without Fulltime Exec. Dir. Rosenstock Works 3-4 Hour Week. Pro Bono

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. October 23, 2004: Jeffrey Rosenstock, Executive Director of the White Plains Performing Arts Center since July 2002, has not been on the payroll of the WPPAC since June 30. According to Mr. Rosenstock he has been donating his services 3 to 4  hours a week to White Plains’ year old theatre operations since the end of June.



Producers, Jeffrey Rosenstock, left, Executive Director of White Plains Performing Arts Center, and Tony Stimac, Producing Director right, at the November, 2003, WPPAC Gala Opening. Mr. Rosenstock announced to the WPPAC Board of Trustees he was working as Executive Director without pay and had been in that non-salaried status since June. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.



 


Tony Stimac, the Producing Director of the WPPAC, and Executive Director of Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack, has apparently been managing the White Plains theatre programming operations and production for the last three months, with Mr. Rosenstock performing a limited supporting role.


Mr. Rosentock, to begin the conversation with WPCNR, said the report of his leaving WPPAC was absolutely not true. He was still the Executive Director and would continue to be, but that he has reduced his hours, and was not accepting pay.


Mr. Rosenstock told WPCNR late Friday afternoon,  he has been working without pay as Executive Director since June 30. He stepped back into the wings, he said,  at his own request because he felt he could not serve effectively as both Artistic Director of Queens Theatre in the Park (in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens) and White Plains Performing Arts Center at the same time, and do justice to both.


 


The change in theatre management direction was confirmed, because WPCNR had reason to believe Mr. Rosenstock was no longer involved with White Plains Performing Arts Center, and called Queens Theatre in the Park  in Queens where Mr. Rosenstock is Executive Director to find out from Mr. Rosenstock personally about his status. 


 


WPCNR was put on hold by the theatre receptionist, and then was told Mr. Rosenstock had stepped away and would call back. An hour later, WPCNR called again and was told Mr. Rosenstock had left for the day.


 


Calling Nyack.


 


WPCNR next placed a call to Tony Stimac at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack.


 


WPCNR told Mr. Stimac I was working on a story about Mr. Rosentock’s imminent departure from the WPPAC and asked if I could have the details.


 


Mr. Stimac,  when asked if Mr. Rosenstock was leaving the theatre, said “not to my knowledge, this is the first time I’m hearing about it. I just talked to Mr. Rosenstock yesterday (Thursday), I’ll have to give him a call. “


 


Rosentock Calls Back.


 


Within twenty minutes after WPCNR got off the phone with Tony Stimac, Mr. Rosenstock announced his opting for a supporting role rather than equal billing with Mr. Stimac, to the CitizeNetReporter.


 


 


                                                                                                                   


Pro Buono Status Announced  Two weeks Previously to WPPAC Board.


 


Rosenstock said he informed the WPPAC Board of Directors at a meeting two weeks ago that he had been working on a pro bono basis. He said the Board’s reaction was that of “shock,” that he was not accepting any pay.


 


However, Rosenstock said he continues to work with Mr.  Stimac in the process of programming the WPPAC, booking shows (pro bono) into both Rosenstock’s theatre, Queens Theatre in the Park and Nyack and White Plains, fund-raising, and grant writing.


 


“I could not continue meeting the obligations of both positions,” Rosenstock told WPCNR. “I continue to play a large role in fund-rasing, in grant writing, and booking programs, pro buono. We continue to be sister theatres.”


 


Asked why he assumed a supporting role without salary, Rosenstock said, “so I would not have a moral dilemma. I could not meet the level of effort (required).”


 


$100,000 a year Fee for the Stimac and Rosenstock Partnership.


 


Mr. Rosenstock and Mr. Stimac are paid $100,000 a year, in the second year of their contract to run the WPPAC for the City of White Plains. The $100,000 is straight fee for management services. Over and above that fee, White Plains has furnished seed money for the theatre, services, the details and any financial caps that exist , have never been disclosed by the City of White Plains or the White Plains Performing Arts Foundation which is responsible for  the theatre management.


 


The caps and scope of city subsidies to the theatre are not spelled out in the contract, with references in the contract referring to an “Appendix B”  that the Legal Department told WPCNR did not exist, when WPCNR filed a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy.



Jeffrey Rosenstock, Executive Director. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 


Rosenstock Remains Executive Director.


 QTIP Still in the Loop. Expenses Equally Shared.


 


Rosenstock said he still retained the title of Executive Director, still maintained a sister theatre relationship between his theatre, QTIP,  with White Plains Performing Arts Center, and still would be working with Mr. Stimac in programming White Plains first theatre. Asked how m any hours he works a week on WPPAC matters, Rosenstock estimated 3 to 4 hours.


 


WPCNR asked how production costs between the three theatres: Helen Hayes, Queens Theatre in the Park, and White Plains Performing Arts Center were shared on joint productions such as Born Yesterday, The Strength of Names. Rosenstock said the costs of productions were split equally between the three theatre companies (1/3, /1/, 3, 1/3).


 


Rosenstock tried, he said,  to “Executive Direct” both QTIP and WPPAC for one year, but said, he found it too much, and did not feel he was doing an adequate job, so he voluntarily opted  for the limited role at WPPAC. He said the Board of Directors of Queens Theatre in the Park, had nothing to do with his decision, that he made it on his own.


 


Promoter in the future.


 


He said he would continue to be involved promoting WPPAC, fundraising for it, and expected to be greeting the theatre “angels” at the Kathy Lee Gifford, Frank Gifford-hosted  “Broadway Salutes White Plains II Gala”, Monday November 8 at WPPAC.


 


Asked if Ms. Gifford was going to do some numbers from her upcoming show, Mr. Rosenstock said WPCNR would have to speak to Mr. Stimac, because he was handling that extravaganza.


 


 


Coming Back.


 


WPCNR asked Mr. Rosenstock whether at the end of June, 2005, if he would continue in his role as Executive Director, pro buono, on the present basis of  4 to 5 hours a week. “Absolutely,” he said.


                                                                                                 


 


The Debut


 


Mr. Rosenstock was originally suggested to the city administration by Arne Abramowitz, Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, based on Mr. Abramowitz’s working with Mr. Rosenstock when The White Plains Commissioner managed Flushing Meadow Park for the City of New York. (Queens Theatre in the Park is located in Flushing Meadow Park.)


 


The Common Council in choosing the Stimac and Rosenstock Team over, Centerpoint Stage,  Westco Productions and Professional Facilities Management (who run the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island) chose Mr. Stimac and Mr. Rosenstock team because of the team’s professional experience in running  community theatres, and because they could devote the time to running the theatre, while the Council felt the other two contenders could not do that, and did not have the programming resources.


 


City Made Room for the Stimac-Rosenstock Team at the Table.


 


A revised Request for Proposals was also prepared after Centerpoint Stage, Westco,  and the Providence group had submitted their proposals and had them reviewed by the Council, allowing Stimac and Rosenstock to apply legally to manage the theatre without threat of a lawsuit from previous RFP responders.


 


Rosenstock voluntarily reduced his role 12 months  into the three-year contract with the city, which comes up for review by the City of White Plains in June of 2005. The city has the right to cancel the arrangement at the end of the second year, and also the right to terminate the contract after three years. Stimac and Rosenstock retain the right to decide after three years whether they wish to continue the contract.


 


A Break-Even First Year.


 


Mr. Stimac, in the spring of 2004, reported to WPCNR the White Plains Performing Arts Center as breaking even in its first season, costing $1.1 Million to run. He said the theatre raised $400,000 in ticket sales, $500,000 in donations, and received generous donations for the balance of the expenses at the close of the year to break even. However, Mr. Stimac only said this to the CitizeNetReporter, and there has been no formal public release of theatre financial results.


 


White Plains Performing Arts Center begins its season with its first play next week, a revival of Born Yesterday premiering Saturday  evening.


 



WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

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The Grudge Opens Today at City Center Cinema De Lux

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements Cinema. October 22, 2004: Four new movies roll in to Cinema De Lux today, they include Sarah Michael Geller’s new film, The Grudge, Ben Affleck’s Surviving Christmas, I Heart Huckabees, and Flick or Treat. The Schedule for the weekend:


THE GRUDGE — This horror/thriller stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as an American nurse living in Tokyo who is exposed to a supernatural curse capable of incredible evil. Rated PG-13

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS — Ben Affleck tries to recapture the magic of Christmas by convincing the new owners of his childhood home (James Gandolfini and Catherine O’Hara) to let him spend the holidays with them. Rated PG-13

I HEART HUCKABEES – A quirky new comedy from David O. Russell, the director of THREE KINGS and FLIRTING WITH DISASTER. Featuring an all-star cast including Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg, Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts and Lily Tomlin. Rated R

FLICK OR TREAT — Join us for our 4th Annual FLICK OR TREAT on Saturday, October 30th at 10 A.M. Free Tickets available at Guest Services, while supplies last.


 Friday, October 22, 2004  
Shall We Dance? **(PG-13) –7:00;9:30 pm;12:00 am. ;
Shark Tale **(PG) –4:30 pm. ;
Team America: World Police (R) –4:25;7:10;9:40 pm;12:10 am. ;
The Grudge **(PG-13) –5:10;7:25;9:45 pm;12:10 am. ;
Team America: World Police **(R) –6:40;9:10;11:40 pm. ;
Shark Tale (PG) –5:00;7:15;9:35;11:45 pm. ;
Ladder 49 (PG-13) –6:45;9:25 pm;12:10 am. ;
Shall We Dance? (PG-13) –4:55;7:30;10:00 pm;12:30 am. ;
Surviving Christmas (PG-13) –4:50;7:20;9:50 pm;12:15 am. ;
The Grudge (PG-13) –5:40;7:55;10:15 pm;12:30 am. ;
The Motorcycle Diaries (R) –6:15;9:15 pm;12:15 am. ;
Friday Night Lights (PG-13) –3:55;6:55;9:55 pm;12:35 am. ;
Raise Your Voice (PG) –4:10 pm. ;
The Forgotten (PG-13) –4:05;6:30;9:00;11:15 pm. ;
I Heart Huckabees (R) –5:15;7:50;10:25 pm;12:45 am. ;
Taxi (PG-13) -;5:25;8:00;10:30 pm;12:40 am. ;

Saturday, October 23, 2004  
Taxi (PG-13) –12:35;3:00;5:25;8:00;10:30 pm;12:40 am. ;
The Forgotten (PG-13) –1:40;4:05;6:30;9:00;11:15 pm. ;
Raise Your Voice (PG) –1:30;4:10 pm. ;
Friday Night Lights (PG-13) –12:55;3:55;6:55;9:55 pm;12:35 am. ;
The Motorcycle Diaries (R) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:15 pm;12:15 am. ;
The Grudge (PG-13) –1:10;3:25;5:40;7:55;10:15 pm;12:30 am. ;
Shall We Dance? (PG-13) –12:00;2:25;4:55;7:30;10:00 pm;12:30 am. ;
Ladder 49 (PG-13) –12:45;3:45;6:45;9:25 pm;12:10 am. ;
Shark Tale (PG) –12:30;2:45;5:00;7:15;9:35;11:45 pm. ;
Surviving Christmas (PG-13) –12:10;2:30;4:50;7:20;9:50 pm;12:15 am. ;
The Grudge **(PG-13) –12:40;2:55;5:10;7:25;9:45 pm;12:10 am. ;
Team America: World Police **(R) –6:40;9:10;11:40 pm. ;
Team America: World Police (R) –1:50;4:25;7:10;9:40 pm;12:10 am. ;
Shark Tale **(PG) –12:00;2:15;4:30 pm. ;
Shall We Dance? **(PG-13) –7:00;9:30 pm;12:00 am. ;
I Heart Huckabees (R) –12:05;2:35;5:15;7:50;10:25 pm;12:45 am. ;

Sunday, October 24, 2004  
Shark Tale **(PG) –12:00;2:15;4:30 pm. ;
Team America: World Police (R) –1:50;4:25;7:10;9:40 pm. ;
The Grudge **(PG-13) –12:40;2:55;5:10;7:25;9:45 pm. ;
Team America: World Police **(R) –6:40;9:10 pm. ;
Surviving Christmas (PG-13) –12:10;2:30;4:50;7:20;9:50 pm. ;
The Forgotten (PG-13) –1:40;4:05;6:30;9:00 pm. ;
Shark Tale (PG) –12:30;2:45;5:00;7:15;9:35 pm. ;
Ladder 49 (PG-13) –12:45;3:45;6:45;9:25 pm. ;
The Grudge (PG-13) –1:10;3:25;5:40;7:55;10:15 pm. ;
Shall We Dance? (PG-13) –12:00;2:25;4:55;7:30;10:00;10:30 pm. ;
The Motorcycle Diaries (R) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:15 pm. ;
Friday Night Lights (PG-13) –12:55;3:55;6:55;9:55 pm. ;
Raise Your Voice (PG) –1:30;4:10 pm. ;
I Heart Huckabees (R) –12:05;2:35;5:15;7:50;10:25 pm. ;
Taxi (PG-13) –12:35;3:00;5:25;8:00;10:30 pm. ;

Monday, October 25, 2004  
Taxi (PG-13) –12:35;3:00;5:25;8:00;10:30 pm. ;
I Heart Huckabees (R) –12:05;2:35;5:15;7:50;10:25 pm. ;
The Forgotten (PG-13) –1:40;4:05;

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White Plains Faces Carmel in Saturday Playoff Collision.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR. October 22, 2004: The White Plains Football Tigers will play Carmel in their opening round of football playoffs Saturday in Carmel with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 P.M. Coach Mark Santa-Donato, who has the Tigers on a three-game winning streak, coming off a dominating performance over Ramapo says that Carmel is the Tigers’ most formidable opponent since New Rochelle, the State Champs.



Mr. WHITE PLAINS FOOTBALL: Head Coach Mark Santa-Donato on the Carmel Rams. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.


The coach describes Carmel as “very big up front, with a huge fullback (260 pounds), a very good Tailback, and a quarterback who can throw when needed.” They have a big Tight End who seems to be one of their prime targets. We are hoping our speed will help us to run them down and move us on the ground against them.”


The coach said he hopes to have Mike “Night Train” Lane and fullback Paul Scotman back for the game.


The coach says this is a big challenge: “Carmel is a solid club as their undefeated record and #1 play-off ranking shows. If we play like we have in the last 6 quarters, we know we can give them a heck of a contest.”

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Renaissance Continues: Sales Tax on Target for $40 Million after 1st Quarter

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WPCNR CITY LIMITS. By John F. Bailey. October 22, 2004: Sales Tax Receipts reported to the City of White Plains by the Department of Taxation and Finance for the first three months of the city fiscal year, July, August, through September 30, according to Anne Reasoner, City Budget Director were $10 Million, before reconciliation. The good news was the second straight $10 Million Sales Tax  quarter experienced by the city, though no detailed official budget report or public briefing by Reasoner has been made by the Budget Director in six months.



CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR ANNE REASONER HAD GOOD NEWS. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


.


Reasoner reported the information at the close of Wednesday evening’s Common Council Special Meeting, in which the Council agreed in principle to advance $160,000 for overtime costs for the staffing of the fire department at the request of Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub. The good news appeared to WPCNR to give the Common Council reason to believe that the extra overtime money could be advanced to the Public Safety Department.


At the present healthy pace of sales tax receipts, given the normally robust sales of the October, November, December holiday season, ($10,013,675 in 2003), White Plains is on target for sales tax receipts in excess of $40 Million for the fiscal year 2004-05.


There is an outside chance that a great holiday season could bring in, say, $12,000,000 in sales tax receipts, with the normal $500,000 plus kick, and sale of Boston Red Sox souveniers.  White Plains usually gets a $500,000 extra  in that key second “holiday” quarter. In which case, the city Sales Tax receipts they get back from the state could move as high as $45 Million for the year ending June 30  at the present pace, which would allow a $7 Million sales tax windfall in a rosy scenario.


The city by the numbers story, though sketchy and closely guarded by city financial gatekeepers, continues to remain strong and steady, as the revenue stream from City Center stores, Fortunoff, Whole Foods Market, Barnes and Noble, The Cheesecake Factory, Legal Seafood, Applebees, Brooklyn’s Famous and Zanaros continues to come on strong.


Mayor Joseph Delfino promised a detailed briefing by Ms. Reasoner sometime if the Common Council wanted it.

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Commish: $400 Fee for Legal Reasons. Volunteers, Mentors Do Not Have to Pay.

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WPCNR Ebersole Moves & Loops. By John F. Bailey. October 22, 2004: Commissioner of Recreation and Parks Arne Abramowitz has assured the White Plains CitizeNetReporter in an exclusive interview that the Ebersole Rink Ice Skating School Program is not in jeopardy, saying the “commission fee” to be paid by Ebersole Ice Skating School Instructors was instituted upon a recommendation of the City of White Plains Legal Department. Abramowitz explains that this policy is necessary  to establish an equal opportunity for instructors not currently instructing at the rink to use the rink facilities at public and recreation department skating sessions.


 



Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Arne Abramowitz, speaking at Sculpture Garden September 14. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.



Teen Mentors, Volunteers for Community Service Do Not Have to Pay Commission.


 


Mr. Abramowitz clarified Thursday for the first time that the 16 and 17-year olds expecting to participate in the Mentoring Program this year would not be required to pay the $400 Commission Fee required of the Skating Instructors.


 


He went on record Thursday  saying the tradition of having members of the Ebersole Rink Advanced Figure Skating Club “volunteer-teach” in Tot, Alpha, Beta and Gamma classes would not be affected, as these volunteers would not have to pay the $400 Commission Fee either. This reverses the information given instructors for the first time October 6, one week before the rink opened.


 


Salaries Doubled.


 


Abramowitz gave detail on the rate increases Figure Skating Instructors would be paid to teach group classes. He reports that WPCNR was misinformed, that the Figure Skating Instructors were being given a raise to $30 for 45 Minute classes, up from $15. He said nobody makes $60 an hour. However, in a two group lesson, an instructor would make $60.


 


Skating School Director Participation in Policy Development Was Minimal at Best.


 


Asked if Skating School Director, Kristen Fierst was included on discussions of the new Commission Fee arrangement, by which the 15 Skating School Instructors will have to pay the Department of Recreation and Parks a $400 Commission Fee if they wish to teach private classes at the rink for their own profit,  Abramowitz said she was an hourly employee and therefore did not have to be included on discussions of how the rink set policy.


 


He indicated that Ms. Fierst should have been aware of the possibility of commission fees in advance, however was vague on this point and would not say when and if Ms. Fierst was told of the policy  and whether he had discussed his plans personally with her.


 


Legal Skating.


 


Asked how the Department decided to institute the Commission Fees, Mr. Abamowitz said it came about because of a ruling by the Legal Department which came down in late September.


 


Abramowitz said the legal department advised him that the rink could not employ the Figure Skating Instructors for the school exclusively, and allow only those instructors to give private lessons for profit in public sessions or at recreation Department Advanced Figure Skating Club times (Friday and Sunday evenings) to the exclusion of other possible skating instructors who might want to teach there.


 


White Plains Figure Skating Club Session Tuesdays Not Subject to Commission Fee.


 


In speaking with the President of the White Plains Figure Skating Club, Yvette Salonger,  WPCNR has determined that instructors giving lessons during White Plains Figure Skating Club time are not affected by the Commission Fee rule, because WPFSC has purchased the Tuesday night ice, and therefore anyone can give lessons during that time, as long as they have insurance.


 


Sessions affected are   Public Sessions and ISI Advanced Figure Skating Club sessions on Friday and Sunday evenings, the Club President said.


 


Legal: Old Policy Discriminatory.


 


The Commissioner said the previous Ebersole Rink arrangement the Skating School had with instructors  (in place for at least 10 years), was viewed as unfair and an unequal opportunity by the legal department. He said the Legal Department advised Abramowitz in late September to develop a policy that would allow instructors to give lessons at Ebersole on an equal footing with the fifteen instructors already employed by the Recreation and Parks department.


 


Double Dipping Brought Case to Attention


 


Abramowitz reported that the Legal Department became aware of the rink Skating School restrictions when the Department had looked into the case of the Skating Instructor who was employed by the city in another department and was also working for the rink, accepting two checks from the city. That Instructor can no longer do this, according to the legal department, and is out. The instructor affected by this, can however give private lessons during the White Plains Figure Skating Club time, 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evenings.


 


One Thing Leads to Another


While looking at the Skating Instructor with the two jobs, Abramowitz said the Legal Department also examined the Ebersole Ice Skating School employment and payment arrangements.  This, Abramowitz said, lead to the legal department conclusion that the policy was not fair to independent contractors wishing to give lessons at the rink.


 


Legal Takes a Look. Sees Inequity.


 


Abramowitz said the decision came from the law department September 27, which had been examining it since January. Abramowitz said Ms. Fierst, Skating School Director, was aware of the possibilities of change in the rink employment policy, but did not explicitly say what he thought she knew or when she knew it.


 


The new Commission Fee plan was developed by Mr. Abramowitz in response to the legal department opinion. In it, he chose to raise the salaries of the Skating School Instructors for their Group Classes, and that they could not “volunteer” any services.


 


He determined that a Commission or payment for the right to teach private classes at the rink was the fairest solution to assure equal opportunity for skating instructors. He set that fee at $500 as the policy that would level the field.


 


WPCNR asked why he set the fee so high, Abramowitz seemed surprised and said, “why, I’m not sure you’re aware of it, but they (the instructors) make thousands of dollars,” as a reason for setting the fee high.


 


Instructors Get One Week Short Notice Before  Rink Season Starts of Fee Requirement.


 


WPCNR asked when the instructors were informed of this. Abramowitz reported they were given a memorandum outlining the new policy at a meeting as far as WPCNR can determine at the rink Wedneday October 6, at which time there was a discussion among the Instructors about the fee being too steep.


 


“We then cut the Commission 20% to $400,” Abramowitz said.


 


Oh by the way, You Have to Pay Us $500.


 


That Wednesday, WPCNR was again told by an instructor last night, was the first time the instructors had any notion that they had to pay a $500 fee to begin teaching their private classes last week. The teens about to become mentors were also told they would have to pay the fee, too, according to the instructor.


 


“They made sure all the classes and group sessions were filled. Made sure we had all set up lesson times, and then they told us (about the Commission), so we had no other choice (of rink) we did not have time to make any other arrangement with another rink.” the instructor said bitterly. “What we were told by Matt (Hansen, Rink Manager) at that October 6 meeting was the rink was being audited, and that the legal department had ruled that it would be discrimination to turn away anyone who wanted to teach at a public facility. Everyone was pretty upset, and we’ve been upset ever since. All we want is a meeting (with Commissioner Abramowitz). Had this been done in a correct fashion, we could have worked something out.”


 


Mr. Abramowitz did not indicate whether the Commission Fee came from him or from the Legal Department.   WPCNR has learned from a source speaking on condition of anonymity, that the Commission Fee solution was the Department of Recreation & Parks idea for creating an equal playing field, and was wholly a creation of the Department of Recreation and Parks.


 


 Skating School Going On as Scheduled This Weekend. Must Pay Fee.


 


The Commissioner said only one Skating Instructor has left, however, when asked how many have paid the Commission Fee of $400, Abramowitz said some have, but did not know how many, that he would have to check with Matt Hansen Director of the Ebersole Rink.  


 


WPCNR asked if any instructor on staff being paid by the rink for group lessons was required to pay the Commission Fee to teach private lessons as of now, and Mr. Abramowitz said “Yes.”


 


We’re Giving them a Raise.


 


Abramowitz stressed that the wage increase for teaching the group classes was a benefit for the Skating Instructors, and that the $400 Commission Fee was not out of line considering the money they make in private lessons.


 


He said, if anything, the Skating School and instructors should benefit, because “We’re giving them (the instructors) a raise. The mentoring and volunteer community service programs remain as before. We pay the mentors, he said, that is not going to change. They do not have to pay the Commission Fee.”


 


No Contracts. No Clarification on Salary or Straight Fee Arrangements.


 


The instructor WPCNR interviewed Thursday evening raised other questions about the abrupt policy change. She pointed out that the instructors have not been given contracts spelling out what the instructors are entitled to when they pay their $400 Commission Fee, and whether or not their continued employment would be on a salaried or a 1099 (fee basis). Previously, she said deductions were withheld from her pay.


 


Being on Staff  a Standard Rink Practice in County.


 


The instructor added that what has been done at Ebersole Rink previously is standard around the rinks at Westchester County. She said that the Legal Department never interviewed instructors on the nature of their pay arrangements with the rinks. She said Ms. Fierst was never interviewed by the Legal Department on the nature of how the Skating School was staffed and how instructors were chosen.


 


WPCNR has not been able to check with the Legal Department to see if the Department had done an investigation of rinks around Westchester to see what standard industry practices are.


 


She noted that now the Commission Fee at Ebersole at present is at least four times the commission of any other rink in Westchester County that charges one.


 


Being on Staff a Security Issue with Young Ladies.


 


“Besides,” she noted, “every rink has a policy, to my knowledge anyway that to give lessons there, you have to be a member of the skating school staff. Otherwise anybody could give lessons there regardless of qualifications, background checks, reputation.”


 


“It seems as if they are trying to shut down the Skating School, she said, to chase us away. We’re sick over it. I have so many memories. We teach at Ebersole because it was like a family. We wish the Commissioner and legal Department would have talked to us so he would understand that without the Skating School, there are no skaters to monitor the public skating sessions or fill the free style times. There is no recreational skating program.  All we want is a meeting.”


 


Since October 6, calls by instructors to the Commissioner for such a meeting  have not been returned.

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