Hits: 0
WPCNR PRESS BOX. December 22, 2002: The Tigers behind Quentin Martin’s 17 points and Hassan Washington’s 14, outlasting Trinity Catholic of Stamford, 59-55 to win the Journal-News Slam Dunk Challenge at the County Center last night. The Tigers ran their record to 5-0.
Hits: 0
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. By Anthony Bongiorni. December 21, 2002: Anthony Bongiorni introduces a new employment concept for companies: an Employer Bank. Here is how it works:
Hello, my name is Anthony Bongiorni, I am a Job Developer at Search For Change, which is a non-for profit organization that helps the Disable with all there vocational, as well as Employment needs.
I am reaching out to all my fellow Chamber of Commerce member’s, in an attempt to be able to help me start an Employer Bank, which will enable my Consumers to be able to utilize, as another method of successfully integrating themselves in today’s work force.
Our Consumer’s are very well capable to be successful in the job force, once they are properly trained in their prospective positions. Most of our consumer’s have college degrees, but due to our stereotypical society, are not being given the opportunity to show their skills in the workplace.
Hopefully this message can reach a few members that will be interested in helping change the lives of so many qualified people with mental disabilities. Any questions that anybody may have, or if you would like to know more about what I am trying to accomplish, please feel free to contact me at (914) 428-5600 ext# 251, and I will be more than happy to schedule a time to sit and talk to you about what I believe to be a fantastic idea for all businesses.
Hits: 0
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VARIETY. By Johnny Flash. December 21, 2002: White Plains men on the street were being interviewed Friday by WCBS-TV Channel 2 News newest savviest local reporter, Jennifer Jordan, formerly Anchorwoman at Cablevision’s News 12. The statuesque “Woman-on-the-Scene” with the precise syntax and commanding charisma on camera brings a new electricity and much needed local j’ne sais quoi to the New York station’s coverage of Westchester news.
Ms. Jordan has been appointed Westchester News Bureau Chief for WCBS-TV News.
She has been on the new assignment for about a month. She tells WPCNR she loves the new action, saying it’s completely different: “Number one it’s network, not local. It’s a bigger news operation. They know what they’re doing. I love it.”
White Plains can look forward to Jennifer’s informed coverage of Westchester issues on the big eye. Look out, Dan Rather.
Hits: 0
WPCNR’S CINEMAFANTIC: Rob Barrabee. Published with permission from The Yonkers Tribune. December 20, 2002:
What is it so many people said about Gus Van Sant’s Finding Forrester? Ah yes, they said that it’s Good Will Hunting moved to the inner city. Well, if that is true, than Antwone Fisher is Good Will Hunting moved to the inner city, and then moved again to the Navy.
And, not surprisingly, if you liked Good Will Hunting, if you liked Finding Forrester, chances are you’ll like Antwone Fisher too.
It is a story that seems to work no matter where you put it. Wise but troubled youth, wise but also troubled mentor, working together so that each can feel better. Whether at Harvard, in the Bronx, or on a boat, this is feel-good stuff (and who doesn’t want to feel good?). Throw a little romance into the equation, as all three films dutifully do, and you’ve got a can’t miss winner.
Antwone even takes things a step further, with an added advantage that the other two films only wish they had: it’s true. The real Antwone Fisher even wrote the screenplay. Forget feel-good, this is feel-great.
Just because a movie is true, though, doesn’t mean it can’t be formulaic, and, as I’ve hopefully already implied, Antwone Fisher proves this. However, just because it’s formulaic doesn’t mean it can’t be good, and Antwone Fisher proves this too. It’s a good movie.
As the title suggests, Antwone Fisher tells the story of a man named Antwone Fisher (played by newcomer Derek Luke). As the movie unfolds, we learn that Antwone was an orphan and had a brutal, terrible foster experience, but he is strong, resilient, and determined to make good. To do so, he joins the Navy, but he can’t seem to go it alone.
Enter Doctor Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington). With the help of Doctor Davenport, Antwone hopes to overcome his past and live a meaningful future. I don’t think I need to tell you if he succeeds.
The film, directed by Denzel Washington (in his directorial debut), uses flashbacks to convey Antwone’s past. These flashbacks are extraordinarily powerful, and they help provide Antwone with the sympathy he deserves. The power of the flashbacks spawns largely from Novella Nelson, who plays Antwone’s foster mother, Mrs. Tate. Hers is one of the most unforgettable supporting performances in recent memory.
The film’s romance, between Antwone and fellow sailor Cheryl Smolley (played by model Joy Bryant), is nearly as effective as the flashbacks, and I attribute this almost entirely to the captivating, shyly sweet charisma of Mr. Luke. He is a fine new actor and his future, like Antwone’s, ought to be bright.
The scenes between Antwone and Davenport work too, but of course they do. Denzel Washington, as an actor, can make good out of almost anything (except, I suppose, the awful ‘John Q’).
As a director, the only decidedly negative thing I can say about Denzel Washington is that his film’s conclusion left me a bit flat, but I still walked out of the theater feeling good.
Some are calling Antwone Fisher one of the year’s best films. I find this to be a grossly inflated assessment, but, for Good Will Hunting on a boat, it’s solid, enjoyable, and well worth the trip.
Antwone Fisher, directed by Denzel Washington. Written by Antwone Fisher. Starring Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Viola Davis, and Denzel Washington. Running time: 113 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for language, sexuality, and violence)
Hits: 0
WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. From WPCNR Correspondents. December 20, 2002 UPDATED WITH EXCLUSIVE PICTURES 6:10 P.M. E.S.T.:The developers of Clayton Park, now renting apartments for occupancy February 1, presented the Common Council with their design for a 71-unit, high end luxury condominium development at 10 Windsor Terrace during a work session last night.
In other activity, the Council approved the compression fitting for plumbing, the recent use of which, caused a stop work order to be issued at the City Center construction site by the city’s building department. The council is expected to approve the compression fitting at its January meeting.
The Council also approved an additional $55,000 in overtime to be paid to Civil Service Employees to speed completion of the Streetscape improvements.
WPHA Headquarters at Windbrook Looking Even Better
In another matter, the council saw a new improved design for the new White Plains Housing Authority headquarters that enables the maintenance department to be put underground, freeing up more space at the new headquarters planned to be added to 225 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Council President Boykin said it was a “win-win” situation for both the Housing Authority and the Winbrook complex, and it is expected to be approved at the January meeting.
Jim Benerofe of SuburbanStreet.com, reported to us that beginning in January, the city will publish the days of all Common Council meetings, including work sessions.
Hits: 0
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 19, 2002: Leaders of the Westchester Women’s Agenda said Tuesday, the county budget cuts affecting their nonprofit volunteer agencies would create a maelstorm of misery, costing Westchester County hundreds of thousands more dollars in the year ahead to achieve a short-term saving.
County-run Services Chided.
Three persons directly helped by non-profit agencies represented at Tuesday’s conference, the YWCA of White Plains, Open Door Medical Center, and Westchester Putnam Legal Services, told how the agencies helped them where county agencies had not.
Latimer would defend a tax increase to restore the cuts.
George Latimer, former Chair of the Westchester County Legislators, and presently leader of the Democratic Party of Westchester County, appeared in support of the WWA position, calling on the County Legislators and the County Executive to,
“Let’s drop the weapons of rhetoric. Let’s deal with what’s best for Richard Jones if he’s still out there.”
Assembly delegation whacked.
Latimer in his remarks took Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who has opposed the county request for a 1% raise in the sales tax to balance the budget, to task for taking what Latimer described as a “Scrooge-like” attitude, and being unproductive in finding a solution to the problem.
Latimer said he was for restoring the cuts and he would vote for a county property tax increase, currently sitting on 28%, if “I would be able to defend it on the basis of the good that it does.” He said he would work for a restoration of cuts to the nonprofit agencies in the present Westchester County Budget.
Maisano praised non-profit agency use of County dollars, saying the non-profit agencies knew how to manage services better than Westchester County, saying they really run their organizations efficiently, getting “better bang for the buck.”
Caseworkers to be Laid Off.
Ms. Downs, of Westchester Residential Opportunities, chair of the news conference was interviewed by WPNCR afterwards. Downs said the figures presented on the charts at the news conferences showed the number of persons who would not be served, based on approximately how many persons individual caseworkers at their agencies were responsible for on average.
She said that in agencies she knew about, most were thinking about eliminating at least one and sometimes two full-time caseworkers or, in the case of Westchester Putnam Legal Services, one full attorney.
Asked if agencies could cut administration, instead of line case workers, Downs said most agencies were light in administration, often consisting as in the case of her agency, Westchester Residential Opportunities, of an Administrator and Assistant. She noted that one caseworker for CLUSTER (of Yonkers), or the Westchester Putnam Legal Services, one lawyer often works with “hundreds of cases” at any one time across the county, which accounted for the chart figures given.
Downes said in her own agency, Westchester Residential Opportunities, her First Time Homeowners Program was projected to be cut 50% and her Fair Housing program, 10%, and that CLUSTER, a Yonkers-based program was also facing cuts.
Charts of Woe
Ms. Downs began the news conference at the YWCA of White Plains Tuesday by pointing to compiled charts showing the number of persons who would be turned away by several of the nonprofit agencies represented today.
Westchester Putnam Legal Services which handles persons facing evictions for various reasons reported they most likely would have to turn away 445 less cases.
They prevented 1,697 evictions in 2002, project they would be called on 1,825 times in 2003, yet due to elimination of attorneys caused by the projected budget cuts, would only be able to handle 1,380 cases.
Domonkos said that caseworkers work 10-12-14 hour days serving the needs of domestic violence victims and should not be cut, saying “We need them to know there’s no fat to be cut when it comes to human service agencies.”
Speaking today, Domonkos said that her 60 staff total are spread among 4 shelters in the county, and all but two handle caseloads, even she herself handles cases. The Director of Finance and the Maintenance person are the only two who do not counsel.
My Sister’s Place can be contacted at 1-800-298-7233, at any time, by persons seeking help in dealing with a domestic violence situation.
Health Care Visits Projected Most Affected
Lindsay Farrell, President of Open Door Medical Center, said health visits by individuals without medical insurance would be most impacted. The WWA charts reported that in 2002 the county supported 50,000 such visits, and project 53,500 visits in 2003. By WWA statistics, the WWA reports the 2002 capacity to handle Open Door Medical Center visits will lower to 43,200 visits based on projected cuts to the program, leaving the possibility of approximately 10,300 persons not being served.
Farrell, “This is a terrible time to cut county support of human services. Even holding the funding level flat constitutes a cut in support, but we could have handled that. What we can’t handle is deep cuts in dollar support.”
How Open Door is Used.
Daysi Briones, a U.S. citizen from Peru spoke how the Open Door Health Center in Ossining helped her and several members of her family, who do not carry medical insurance. Her brother who was saved from appendicitis, thanks to the Open Door Health Center program. She said she had learned a lot about democracy, and how voting works, and how leaders are changed, and she hoped Westchester’s leaders would change their minds,
“Don’t cut the wings of life,” she said.
Y’s Supervised Visitation Program faces cuts.
Carrie Miller, a mom who has been able to keep her former husband involved in her son’s life, thanks to the YWCA of White Plains program, told WPCNR that the Y’s program enables children to maintain stable relationships with a parent who does not get along with their mother and father. She said this was important for children to maintain a relationship with the parent who is no longer in their life, otherwise they “internalize” it and feel that they are the cause of the disagreement between their parents.
Ms. Miller has been taking her son to the Y on North Street to visit with her former husband for the last year and it has worked out very well for her son, who loves seeing his father, preserving the bond.
County charged with throwing away matching funding dollars. Loses $3 for every $1 saved.
Ms. Farrell exposed a hidden cost of possible cuts, in her opinion: “Over and over we see that the county’s proposal to save themselves a dollar will cost these agencies and their clients almost three dollars in foregone programming.”
Using domestic violence programs as an example, Farrell in the accompanying news release, said the county would lose $126,818 in matching funds from New York State and Federal matching funds, by enacting their $201,300 15% cut, thus turning a $200,000 saving into a saving of only $74,480.
Latimer recalls the “Richie Joneses of the world.
Chair of the Board of County Legislators, George Latimer recalled a Little League player he once managed named Rickie Jones. He told the story of taking Richie home one day after a game, and seeing what he described as “the disarray of his apartment,” and no one at home to give him dinner. Latimer was visibly moved, recalling the scene, how he felt he wanted to help Richie in some way. He took him out to MacDonald’s that evening.
“I often wonder whatever happened to Richie Jones,” Latimer said. “What did he wind up doing?”
He also spoke of another man he knew who had died this week, who had been helped by the Open Door Medical Center, concluding that he would vote for a tax increase “for the Richie Jones of the world.”
Hits: 0
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VARIETY. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2002. 10:15 E.S.T.:White Plains Public Access Cable offices have been swamped by telephone calls from residents with complaints about the switch of White Plains Public Access Channels. Members of the Hispanic community are particulary angry about the Educational Channel being switched to Channel 77.
An average of 15 to 20 calls a day are coming in to White Plains Cable Television Commission, bitterly complaining about not being able to find the channel, of the C-Span 2 channel being switched the Programming Guide, and not being able to find the three W hite Plains local channels: Public Access 76, Government Access 75, and White Plains Public Schools Channel 77.
“We are witnessing the Titanic sinking, ” said one source familiar with the orchestrated changeover, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is the most complaints we have ever received during a cable changeover.”
WPCNR’s source said the Hispanic community has been particularly upset that their Spanish-speaking viewers cannot find the White Plains Public Schools channel, which they rely on for Spanish language messages and programming. Our source had no explanation for why the Hispanic community is so affected.
In an attempt to better inform the public of the changes, White Plains Cable Television Commission requested more programming guide brochures to distribute to the School District. The brochures that were shipped by Cablevision were for the wrong city.
Citizens have also called in to complain that they cannot get through to Cablevision with requests for information. They cite endless vocemail messages, and no satisfaction.
This has caused many citizens to contact the Mayor’s office, who refer the calls to White Plains Cable Television, who in turn attempt to inform the viewers.
Cable Television sources privately were sharply critical of Cablevision’s management of the changeover last week, disrupting the traditional sequence of the local channels, which for the last decade has always been: Public Access, Government Access, and Education. Now the sequence has completely reversed to: Government Access first, Public Access second, and Education, third, contributing in White Plains Cable Television’s opinion to the “Cablevision Chaos.”
Presently, Common Council meetings and White Plains government information can be viewed on Channel 75.
Public Access Television programs like yours truly’s White Plains Week are now cablecast on Channel 76.
White Plains Public Schools education programming is seen on Channel 77.
Hits: 0
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2002 10:00 E.S.T.: Joel Graber, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s right-hand man, handling the Delgado-Hockley quo warranto action, filed a Request for Judicial Intervention Monday with County Clerk Leonard Spano.
The action requests a “preliminary conference” that could result in the assigned judge declaring Larry Delgado the real winner in the disputed 2001 election, where the jammed voting machine in District 18 cost him the election, in the Attorney General’s finding. After the preliminary conference, it is expected there will be a court appearance for Mr. Hockley to make his case.
Mr. Graber, Assistant Attorney General, in his Request papers filed with the County Clerk, specifically asks for Judge Francis Nicolai to be assigned to the case. Justice Nicolai wrote the original decision calling for a special election in the 18th district, that started Mr. Delgado and Mr. Hockley on the way up to the Court of Appeals last March and on the road to today’s quo warranto situation.
In the first edition of this story, the supposition was made that the judge eventually assigned might have the option of decalring Mr. Delgado the winner, but WPNCR has been advised that there would have to be a court process to hear Mr. Hockley’s side.
Hits: 0
The Havorah Program of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) and Bet Am Shalom Synagogue invite persons with developmental disabilities to Sabbath Services on Saturday, December 21 from 1:30 – 2:15 PM at 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains.
The WJCS Havorah Program is designed to connect children, adolescents, and adults who are developmentally disabled with their Jewish heritage and customs.
All are welcome and admission is free.
For information and reservations, call Gail Oliver at 845-565-8610.
Hits: 0
WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Billy Wooters. Information Officer, WPLL. December 17, 2003: The White Plains Little League announces that online and in-person early registration was completed over the weekend with about 75% of expected players signed up by their parents. Billy Wooters of the Little League reports that parents can still register their children in for the 2003 season by registering online or by e-mail only without a late penalty. Here is his report:
Many thanks to those that helped out on Thursday night and Saturday. Now the real challenge begins. We currently have 756 players registered (562 in person and 194 on line).
I will be sending out a post card note to the 522 players that are eligible to return and play this year that have not registered.
Last Ups
Online registration is still available till December 31st at the regular registration price:
Tee-Ball (Pre-K) – Machine Pitch (2nd Grade) = $75.00
Minors (9 years old) – Seniors (15 year olds) = $90.00
After December 31st late registration begins. Anyone who signs up after December 31st will be added to a waiting list and that doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the line up.
Rates also increase significantly after December 31st.
Sign Up Today, by going to: www.eteamz.com/whiteplainslittleleague
or Email: whiteplainslittleleague@yahoo.com.