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. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

George Gretsas Contract a Honey. Tops $200G’s in Salary, Benefits.

Posted on June 22, 2004 by John Bailey

LIMITS. By John F. Bailey. June 22, 2004: The City of Fort Lauderdale made it official Tuesday that George Gretsas is coming on down. The public information office of Fort Lauderdale acknowledged that the “contract is fully executed” and Mr. Gretsas will be starting work in “The Venice of America” on August 2. Mr. Gretsas has signed a contract that he could not, in his right mind refuse.

THE $238,906 MAN: George Gretsas, officially now the New City Manager of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced this morning by that city. Mr. Gretsas is shown at the demolition of the old Macy’s in April, 2002. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

A copy of the contract released to the media, reveals that Mr. Gretsas is free to consult during his “time off” from his new City Manager position, with no restrictions on who he can consult for. In addition, he is guaranteed a raise each year, plus more merit raises if the City Commissioners feel he’s done a good job. Gretsas, should he run into problems and is dismissed gets a lucrative severance.

Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale, James Naugle, in a statement issued to WPCNR Tuesday evening expressed confidence in the city’s choice: “We look forward To Mr. Gretsas joining our City. Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant city and I am confident that someone of George Gretsas’s character will be a good fit.”

Making Half the President of the United States.

Gretsas’ contract is for three years from August 2, 2003 to August 2, 2007, and it automatically renews, unless the City Commission votes to remove him.

His total compensation and benefits pack for year is $238,906, which includes $180,000 in base salary with an automatic $5,000 raise in year 2 and another automatic raise to $185,000 in year 2, and $190,000 in year 3.

However, if Mr. G does a good job, the City Commission may consider him for a merit raise bringing him to $193,000 in Year Two in base salary, and as much as $205,000 in year 3.

He also gets a $590 a month car allowance, plus 8.060 FICA, $36,072 in pension contribution, $331 in life insurance, $2,636 in Disability Insurance, and $4,727 in medical and dental benefits. His total first year compensation package is $238,906.

Golden Parachute.

If things do not work out, Mr. Gretsas walks off with a generous severance. If he is fired the first year, he receives 10 months’ salary and benefits as a severance. If released in the second year, he gets 8 months’ salary and benefits, and if terminated in the third year and following years, he gets 6 months’ salary and benefits.

Free to Consult, Write, Teach.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is also very generous in not limiting what Mr. Gretsas can do in his spare time. A specific paragraph in the contract spells out that the City Manager has the right to teach, consult or write “during time off from working duties of the City Manager.”

The actual clause reads:

(D) City Manager agrees to remain in the exclusive emply of City and shall not accept other employment nor tobecome employed by any other City until his termination date as provided in this Contract. This paragraph shall not effect the City Manager’s right to participate in occasional teaching, consulting or writing during the time off from working duties of the City Manager.

The contract does not place any prohibitions on what firms, entities, and organizations the City Manager can teach, write and consult for.

Mayors’ Offices Silent.

As of this hour, the City of Fort Lauderdale has not released any statements regarding the announcement of the contract, and the City of White Plains has not issued any comments on when Mr. Gretsas’ last day of employment will be, what his accrued sick pay and unused vacation pay will be, or who Mr. Gretsas’ successor, if any, will be as the Mayor’s Executive Officer.

The official departure of Mr. Gretsas raises the question of whether Mr. Gretsas will bring members of the Delfino Administration with him to Fort Lauderdale.

WPCNR has not been able to reach Mr. Gretsas for comments on when he is leaving White Plains, who he might bring with him, or whether he will continue to consult for the City of White Plains after his departure.

Once Again Boston & NY Set Inning Record…Nauts Go 27, Beat Tide, 3-2

Posted on June 22, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESSBOX. From Kristen Zimmerman (Edited) June 22, 2004: On May 1, 1920, Joe Oeschger of the Boston Braves and Leon Cadore of the Brooklyn Dodgers dueled each other for 26 innings at Boston’s old Braves Field on the banks of the Charles River to a 1-1 tie.

Monday night, National Pro Fastpitch teams New England Riptide and the NY-NJ Juggernaut played 27 innings until Venus Taylor’s single ended the historic fastpitch marathon, 3-2, at 1: 00 AM Tuesday morning.

The longest professional ballgame, the Baseball Hall of Fame Library reports to WPCNR, was 33 innings between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket PawSox April 18, 1981. The Nauts-Riptide game is the second longest professional game…and the longest major league game.

Kaci Clark, Juggernaut righty pitched 21 innings for the Nauts, throwing 218 pitches, 167 for strikes, and fanning 20 batters. She joins baseball immortals Bob Smith of the Braves (22 Innings), and Babe Adams of Pittsburgh (21), Rube Marquard of the Giants(21), Art Nehf of the Braves (21), Ted Lyons of the White Sox (21) Rube Waddell of the A’s (20), Cy Young of the Red Sox (20) and Brooklyn’s Burleigh Grimes(20), who have pitched 20 innings or more in a start before giving way to relief. Gina Oaks notched the win for the Nauts with 6 innings of scoreless relief. Photo by WPCNR Sports

In the bottom of the 27^th inning, Juggernaut centerfielder Venus Taylor scored shortstop Lyndsey Klein with a single to right for the 3-2 win against the New England Riptide. Klein went 4-for-10 on the night. The game that took place at Montclair State University lasted six hours and ten minutes. Gina Oaks earned the win going five innings, giving up no runs on four hits, and one walk, while Dana Sorenson took the extra-inning loss, pitching 13.2 innings, giving up 11 hits and one earned run.

New England took the lead in the 13^th inning when left fielder Ashley Moore scored on an error by Taylor. However, the lead didn’t hold as Juggernaut first baseman Kellie Wilkerson singled to center to score Oaks and even the tie at two in the bottom of the inning. Wilkerson led the Juggernaut offensively with six hits in 11 at bats and two RBI. The game would go 14 more innings before another run would score.

The Nauts jumped on the board right away when first baseman Wilkerson scored second baseman Carri Leto with a single to right in the first inning. Leto led off the inning with a single up the middle.

The Riptide scored their first run when right fielder Sara Jewett answered the Juggernaut’s offense in the first with a lead off solo homerun that cleared the scoreboard in left center. Second baseman Nicole Thompson led the Riptide at the plate, with four hits on the night.

Pitcher Kaci Clark started the game for the Juggernaut and pitched 22 full innings, giving up 10 hits, just one earned run and one walk, while striking out 20. Riptide starter Leigh Ann Ellis went 13 innings, giving up 12 hits, two earned runs, and one walk, while striking out five.

The Juggernaut is sleeping in this morning according to G.M. Ricard Perotty, but will be back in action tonight at 7:35 at Montclair State University Softball Stadium against the Riptide, before heading to Lowell for three more games with the Riptide in a home-and-home.

Nauts President and GM Richard Perrotty told WPCNR both ball clubs had numerous chances to win the classic. He reported that only 30 fans were left to see Venus Taylor’s winning hit that moved the Nauts to 11-6 in the National Pro Fastpitch standings 1 game back of the Texas Thunder. Perrotty said they had “No Doz Specials” in between innings, and had contests for fans who guessed the inning when the game would be over.

Latimer: Let’s Take a Close Look at the Olympics in NY

Posted on June 22, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From George Latimer. June 22, 2004: Westchester County Legislator George Latimer has called for a study by Westchester County of the impacts of proposed plans for New York City to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, as those plans affect Westchester County,
its residents and taxpayers.

“We’ve seen much hoopla over the possibility of bringing the Olympics here”, Latimer said, “but we haven’t seen any analysis of the financial impact of public expenditures or use of facilities that may be targeted here in Westchester. I think we owe it to the taxpayers to let them know what they’re buying when they get behind the push for the 2012
Olympics.”

Latimer – a candidate for the NY State Assembly in the 91st A.D. in this year’s elections – elaborated that economic impacts studies by proponents highlighted the benefit to New York City’s economy. “Usually, these one-shot events include creating permanent structures, such as a football stadium on the West Side of Manhattan, that require long-term usage for viability. I just want us to do our due-diligence as Westchester officials, so in 8 years’ time we’re not facing expensive surprises”.

FLASH! Gretsas is Gone: Contract Fully Executed. He Starts August 2

Posted on June 22, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY LIMITS. By John F. Bailey. June 22, 2004: Leslie Backus, the Public Information Director of the City of Fort Lauderdale advised WPCNR Tuesday morning that George Gretsas, the Mayor’s Executive Officer has signed his contract with Fort Lauderdale to become City Manager of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning August 2. The Mayor’s Office had no information, when contacted, as to when Mr. Gretsas’ last day of employment was going to be, or whether a new Executive Officer was going to be appointed, or any information on the transition process.

GOING ON DOWN: George Gretsas, Executive Officer of the City of White Plains, left, shown schmoozing with City of Fort Lauderdale Police Chief, right, and City Commissioner, Cyndi Hutchinson, center, one of his primary advocates at a cocktail party reception in Fort Lauderale in May when Gretsas, the architect of the White Plains Renaissance, was interviewing for the City of Fort Lauderdale position. He signed the contract at the end of last week, and Ms. Backus, Fort Lauderdale’s information director, reports “the contract is fully executed,” this morning. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

Defeating Identity Theft. A Rueful Lawyer Now Knows Better.

Posted on June 21, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Candyce Corcoran. June 20, 2004: A White Plains resident passes along this helpful advice that she advises citizens might follow should they ever have their identity papers stolen. The advice was prepared by an attorney who learned from painful experience the what-not-to-do’s when preparing your personal papers that you carry with you.

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it some day. A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

– The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them.

– If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

– When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.

– Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks (DUH!) you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

– Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.

– Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.

– We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.

– Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month.

– Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from BMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

– But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

– We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.

– File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

– But here’s what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this).

– Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

– The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

– By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.

– There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend.(someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line):

1-800-269-0271

White Plains Performing Arts Center Announces Fall Season

Posted on June 21, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Oscar Sales, Jr., WPPAC. June 21, 2004: The White Plains Performing Arts Center announced its 2004-05 season today. Starting its second year, the White Plains Performing Arts Center is the newest venue for live performances in Westchester and in a very short time has established itself as a major component in the revitalization of Downtown White Plains. The 2004-05 season features the revival of Broadway’s longest running comedy, a literary classic for the holidays, two powerhouse actors in a new play and the Tango Swing musical, SWANGO.

THE SEASON!

Born Yesterday

By Garson Kanin

Junk tycoon Harry Brock uses his ignorant and naive mistress, ex-chorus girl Billie Dawn, a “dumb but savvy blonde,” as a front for his shady deals but finds himself embarrassed to travel in Washington society with his illiterate paramour. Brock hires a journalist who agrees to educate Billie. You will delight at her transformation to a woman of intellect and culture; the Pygmalion-like story is filled with laughs and sexual innuendo. Billie is an apt pupil and the brutish Brock is the loser in the love game in this appealing, deft play.

October 29 – November 7, 2004

Single Tickets: $30.00 – $42.50

A Christmas Carol

Adapted by Del Tenney

Music by Jordan Rudess

Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The spirit of the holidays comes to vivid life in this colorful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. The whole family will be thrilled by the glorious sets, stunning costumes and eye-popping special effects in this spectacular production. Travel back in time on an enchanted journey to Victorian England as Ebenezer Scrooge faces his past, present and future. A magical night of music, dancing, ghosts and spiritual redemption your family will never forget. Bring the children, bring the grandchildren and share with them one of the most powerful stories of all time.

December 3-19, 2004

Single Tickets: $32.50 – $45.00

Jack Klugman and Louis Zorich in

The Value of Names

By Jeffrey Sweet

The Value of Names is an intriguing look at the aftermath of the Hollywood blacklisting of the 1950’s. Set on the patio of a beachside home in Malibu in 1981, Jack Klugman (The Odd Couple, Quincy) plays actor Benny Silverman, star of the hit situation comedy Rich But Happy, whose career was interrupted by the blacklist. His daughter, Norma, has just been cast in a play to be directed by Leo Greshen, the man who testified against Benny before the House Un-American Activities Commission. Suddenly, Benny must deal with the troubling history he has tried to forget. At Norma’s urging, Benny meets Leo, played by Louis Zorich (Mad About You, Brooklyn Bridge). The two men, who were once great friends, but have not spoken to each other in thirty years, are forced to confront eachother. The Value of Names explores issues of culpability, forgiveness, and how the next generation must deal with the mistakes from the past through a provocative and passionate exchange of ideas. Made possible with special funding by the David Schwartz Foundation.

March 4 – 13, 2005

Single Tickets: $32.50 – $45.00

Swango

Conceived and Choreographed by Mariela Franganillo & Robert Royston

Script by Rupert Holmes

Argentine Tango! West Coast Swing! Two exciting dance forms clash against one another and dance around each other in an exciting, sensual, breathtaking event. With a script by Tony Award-winning playwright, Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Swango explores the intriguing love story between two dancers from different worlds and exposes the odds each must face. Four-time International Swing Dance Champion Robert Royston (Swing!) and Forever Tango choreographer/performer Mariela Franganillo portray the young lovers whose mutual attraction emboldens them to defy their worlds and create a new and thrilling dance form fusing Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing. Performed by the best National and International Tango and Swing Dancers, the show has received raves by all who have seen it.

April 29 – May 8, 2005

Single Tickets: $32.50 – $45.00

Subscriptions for the 2004-05 Season are now on sale and start as low as $104. Senior Discounts are available for most subscriptions. Subscribers not only save up to 25% over single ticket prices, but also have ticket exchange privileges, free ticket insurance, advance notice on special events, subscriber only performances, and also receive 15% discounts on the purchase of tickets to other events.

For information on subscription packages, call the box office at (888) 977-2250 or www.wppac.com. Single tickets go on sale August 1, 2004.

White Plains Fireworks Display to Blast Off July 1, 6 PM.

Posted on June 21, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL SPIN. From the Mayor’s Office. June 21, 2004: The Mayor’s Office announced today that the annual White Plains fireworks display at White Plains High School will be held Thursday evening, July 1, at 6 P.M., with fireworks commencing at dusk. The raindate is Friday evening, July 2. The annual display attracts some 10,000 persons to the White Plains High School natural amphitheatre on the WPHS campus. Sponsors and festivities will be announced shortly.

THE WHITE PLAINS FIREWORKS BEGIN, July 3, 2002. Photo from WPCNR News Archive.

Collins Blast and Lisa’s Liner Rip Tide, 3-2 Before 1,100 On Father’s Day

Posted on June 21, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESSBOX. Special to WPCNR From Kristen Zimmerman. (Edited) June 20, 2004. In the sixth inning, Juggernaut catcher Lindsey Collins tripled on the left field line with one out, when New England Riptide leftfielder Ashley Moore dove in vain for her liner and missed stopping it. Moore had no chance, as the scorcher hit the foul line. As the ball bounced into the corner, Collins wheeled around to third in a tie game to set the table for Lisa Iancin’s gamer.

IT’S IN THERE! Designated player Lisa Iancin, after taking 2 balls, caught a Dana Sorensen pitch up with nothing on it and drove a hump back liner just to the left of RipTide’s Dana Sorensen shown lunging desperately for the shot, and to the right of the shortstop to give the New York New Jersey Juggernaut a 3-2 win over the Tide before 1,100 fans on Father’s Day family crowd at Montclair State University Softball Stadium. The Nauts, New York’s National Pro Fastpitch team snapped a two-game skid and moved to 10-6 on the season. WPCNR Video Capture from the YES Network.

JUGGER KNOCK! Shortstop Lyndsey Klein homers in the first inning, high, far and gone to left with a Juggernaut aboard for the first 2 Naut runs.The 2-run dinger was Klein’s third homerun of the season and she finished 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. WPCNR Video Capture From The YES Network

The Riptide tied the score at two with four straight singles off of starter Amanda Scott in the first of the fifh Leftfielder Ashley Moore and designated player Emily Krueger each picked up an RBI in the inning. But those would be the only runs the Riptide would score as Scott got leadoff batter LaDonia Hughes to ground out and second baseman Nicole Thompson to fly out to right. Scott pitched a complete game, giving up two earned-runs on five hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.

Right fielder Lauren Bauer and left fielder Gina Oaks led the Nauts offensively. Bauer went 3-for-3 and Oaks went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

New England starter Dana Sorenson went six full innings, giving up three earned-runs on nine hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

YES does it better, needs more cameras. Misses two Key Plays.

The game was the second of four to be aired live on the YES Network, which in WPCNR’s opinion, did a much better job of covering the game and showing the family atmosphere that prevails at Juggernaut games, actually even showing some shots of fans in the stands, (but with no ballpark panoramas. The Juggernauts still have not bought a bumper slide ad on YES to showcase their Box Office Phone Number which is inexplicable.

YES still needs to spring more jing for more cameras, though, since they missed closeup replays of two key plays (something that never happens in a Yankee telecast) : Moore’s failure to stop Collins triple down the (the big break in the game), and Jackie Pasquerella’s backhand glove stop to choke off the Riptide rally in the 5th. (The YES summer intern producing the telecasts is learning.)

Still no fan interviews were offered, and no interview with the Juggernaut owner, or the new manager, Dana D’Aquino. (Come on, YES, you have to interview the new manager — unless to be fair — they asked and the new manager declined.)

The next game to be aired on YES will be on July 11^th at 7:35 pm against the Arizona Heat. The third-place Juggernaut now improve to 10-6 on the season and the Riptide drop to 6-10.

AIR PASQUERELLA: Bay Shore Long Island’s Jacklyn Pasquerella airborne in Pete Rose classic headfirst slide to first in an attempt to beat a 2-out throw to first on a deflection in the second inning. They got her and saved a run. WPCNR Video Capture from The YES Network

Upcoming Schedule

Monday Nite…Tonite vs. NE Riptide, 7:35 pm (home) (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)

June 22^nd vs NE Riptide, 7:35 pm (home) (Montclair State University Softball Stadium).

Adam In Albany: Assembly Passes Drunk Driving Legislation.

Posted on June 20, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th Assembly District. June 19, 2004: The Assembly recently passed a driving safety package that cracks down on serious driving offenders and improves safety on New York’s roads.

Dangerous drivers can cause accidents that injure and kill people close to us. The Assembly’s legislation will help prevent accidents by increasing penalties for unsafe driving. The package would also implement measures to help motorists reach their destinations safely.

Making drunk drivers pay

Those who drive under the influence of alcohol would face stiffer penalties under the Assembly’s legislation (A.773-C). Drivers with a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 percent or higher would be charged with the new crime of “aggravated DWI.” Those convicted would face twice the fines and loss of license periods as those levied against first-time DWI offenders. Commercial drivers charged with aggravated DWI would face a more serious charge than regular motorists. School bus drivers would face up to seven years in prison instead of the current penalty of up to four years.

The Assembly’s plan also cracks down on DWI offenders by:

· providing mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment for appropriate offenders;

· increasing the penalty for vehicular manslaughter from up to seven years in prison to a maximum of 15 years for defendants where two or more people were killed or where there were previous DWI-related convictions;

· doubling the loss of license period for those who refuse a chemical test from 6 months to a year on a first offense, and from 12 months to 18 months for a subsequent offense; and

· revoking the licenses of serious repeat DWI offenders.

Too many of our loved ones have had their lives impacted by drunk drivers. The Assembly’s legislation sends a clear message that New York does not tolerate drinking and driving. It’s a serious crime with very serious consequences.

Cracking down on dangerous drivers

As part of the package of legislation, the Assembly passed two bills I sponsored to punish unsafe motorists by:

· charging drivers with multiple convictions for serious traffic offenses who cause a fatal accident with the new crime of “vehicular homicide,” which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison (A.11352); and

· directing district attorneys to use special unit state police to provide accident reconstruction assistance, and requiring DAs to designate at least one assistant DA as a vehicular crimes prosecutor (A.11453).

These measures give law enforcement officials enhanced power to protect us from unsafe drivers. Hopefully, this legislation will also send the message to aggressive motorists that New York State isn’t the place to drive recklessly.

Keeping New York’s roads safe

To improve driver safety, I sponsored legislation to:

· apply the same stringent laws now applicable to school bus drivers to the drivers of pre-school and nursery school children as well (A.11393);

· require trucks and tractor trailers weighing over 18,000 pounds to be equipped with convex mirrors – which improve the driver’s sight range – on the front of the vehicle (A.9971-A);

Punishing dangerous drivers and adopting common-sense measures will improve road safety. I urge the Senate and the governor to follow the Assembly’s lead and pass this legislation.

White Plains Hospital to Hold Annual Golf Outing July 19

Posted on June 20, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Thompson & Bender. June 14, 2004: White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) will hold its Second Annual Golf Outing and Dinner to benefit the Hospital on Monday, July 19 at the Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale. The event is being sponsored by Sidney E. Frank Importing Co. Inc., of New Rochelle and Community Counseling Service Co., Inc., of New York City. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Hospital.

The Golf Outing begins with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:00 a.m. Tee off, shotgun, starts at 1:00 p.m. The dinner and awards presentation will take place at 6:00 p.m. For more information or reservations, please contact Tricia Laine at (914) 681-2264 or Plaine@wphospital.org.

Jonathan F. Spitalny of Harrison, WPHC Board Member and Sidney P. Zimmerman, M.D., a cardiologist and internist, of Rye, and are this year’s Golf Outing Co-Chairs. The Golf Outing Benefit Committee includes: Richard Carr of Scarsdale, Ossie Dahl of Cortlandt Manor, Charles N. Glassman, M.D. of Scarsdale, Wayne Eisman, M.D. of Scarsdale, John Frank of Stamford, CT, Stuart T. Nevins, M.D. of White Plains, Peter Nisselson of Mamaroneck, and David Wiener of White Plains.

Ticket prices range from $150 to $6,000. They include:

Diamond Circle, $6,000

q Foursome, including lunch and dinner

q Four extra passes for dinner

q Acknowledgement in Tournament Program

q Diamond Circle signage on course

Silver Circle, $3,500

q Two players, including lunch and dinner

q Two extra passes for dinner

q Acknowledgement in Tournament Program

q Silver signage on course

Foursome for Golf, $5,000

q Includes lunch, dinner and golf for four

Golf for One, $1,250

q Includes lunch, dinner and golf for four

Summer Non-Golf Package, $500

q Includes lunch, tennis, pool usage and dinner

Dinner Only, $150

Sponsorship and Underwriting levels range from $50,000 for Event Sponsor to a Tournament Program ad for $1,000.

White Plains Hospital Center is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high quality, acute health care and preventative medical care in a caring and compassionate manner to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. The Hospital will provide care and services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. For the third time, the Hospital is the winner of the National Research Corporation “Consumer Choice Award” for Westchester County. WPHC is an affiliate of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and a member of Stellaris Health Network, Inc. and Voluntary Hospitals of America, Inc. For further information, please call (914) 681-1119 or visit the Hospital’s website: www.wphospital.org.[]