The White Plains Photograph of the Day

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. March 5, 2004: The Friday Photograph of the Day is of a rare visitor introduced to White Plains palates, Portugese Baby Octopus, grilled to succulent chewy perfect at the daring City Limits restaurant today on a bed of red pepper orzo with caper berries. Just feast on those voluptuous enfolding tentacles of this “Free Reef Octopi” flewn in from the coast of Portugal by the discriminating City Limits culinary geniuses. The report of the consume is that the octopi were terrific, the pepper orzo a delectible compliment to this delicacy. The octopi were described as having been harvested wild on the ocean floor off the Portugese Coast.



 DARING FARE By The White Plains Roving Photographer


 

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Bradley Says It’s Time for Town Speed Limit Rights

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam Bradley. March 5, 2004: Every town should have the opportunity to change their own speed limits because they know their roads better than anyone else. In New York State, certain towns and all cities and villages can set their own speed limits. Approximately 852 towns – many of them with higher populations than the villages – are without this power. Lewisboro, Pound Ridge and North Castle are just a few of those towns.

 


Instead, those towns must often go through a time-consuming process with the state Department of Transportation to get speed limits changed, which frequently ends with a denial. I’m trying to change that process.


 


 


Legislation I sponsored would permit towns to set speed limits on roads within their jurisdiction (A.6101). This bill would remedy an inequitable situation and improve safety. An identical bill is being taken up in the Senate.


 


I also authored a bill that would require the DOT to make a determination and issue a decision on speed limit requests within 90 days. If the DOT fails to respond in time, the municipality would be able to make the requested change, provided it has a reasonable tie to public safety.


 


Under current law, the DOT is under no time constraints to make these decisions. My legislation will allow municipalities to ensure greater safety on their roads. It will provide encouragement for the DOT to rule on requests in a timely manner or enable the towns to meet their public safety needs when the DOT does not act in a timely manner. 


 


There have been far too many cases in which town boards wanted to lower speed limits in residential areas to protect the families that live there, but the DOT said no, or did not act in a timely manner.


 


These types of incidents need to stop. The setting of speed limits should not be in the hands of distant bureaucrats, but in the local leaders who know the best interests of their communities. My legislation will make sure that power is where it belongs.


 

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Leader of The Corps, Jerome Robinson, Passes Away

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WPCNR EPITAPH. November 5, 2004: You could hear the thunder of their drums from one end of the city to the other, the rumble and bump and clack and snap of their drumsticks, and  smash of their symbols filled the spirit as their high stepping leader lead them down Mamaroneck Avenue for many a parade in White Plains over the years. More than the White Plains High School Band, more than any other musical group, The Slater Center Drum Corps under the military tutelege of Jerome Robinson made a White Plains parade. They always marched last because they were big time, and took their inspiration from Mr. Robinson.



LEADER OF THE CORPS: The T. H. Slater Drum Corps lost its leader Thursday.  Jerome Robinson, manager of the Community Action Program, but best loved for his leadership and inspiration ofthe Slater Center Drum Corps died Thursday, a WPCNR reader reports.  “Jerome was certainly someone in White Plains who made a difference.”  The Corps is seen marching in last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Main Street in White Plains. Photo from WPCNR News Archives.

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Bradley Chides Bloomberg MTA Derailing Effort

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WPCNR CAPITOL DISTRICT. From The Press Office of Adam T. Bradley. March 5, 2004: Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-White Plains) reinforced his support of Westchester commuters and criticized New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for interfering in the MTA’s plan to purchase 120 new railway cars. Bradley also called on the MTA to immediately release more details regarding their capital plan so this important issue is quickly resolved.


 


“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these cars are desperately needed – we can’t take another winter of constant breakdowns. We pay fares, we pay taxes, and we contribute to the city’s economy – we deserve to have safe, reliable transportation,” Bradley said. “Mayor Bloomberg and everyone else have to realize how important these cars are to the city’s workforce and support their purchase.”



 


Bradley noted that the New York City mayor had threatened to sue to block the purchase of the cars in order to pressure the MTA to take over more than 80 city-funded bus routes.


 


“The mayor is playing political football with the health, safety and well-being of commuters. Westchester residents contribute a sizeable amount to the city’s economy and should not be punished because of greed by the mayor, the two issues should not be connected,” Bradley said.


 


     Keeping the MTA accountable to taxpayers


 


Earlier this week, the Assembly’s representative on the Capital Program Review Board raised questions regarding the lack of details in the MTA’s capital plan.


 


Bradley noted that last year the MTA also pushed through fare hikes and service cuts without public input or oversight. “State authority and public benefit corporation officials are not elected and operate with little outside control. It is essential that they are held accountable for their decisions,” Bradley said.


 


“Given the questions about the MTA’s procedures – including a $500,000 phone call by former-senator-turned-lobbyist Al D’Amato, the Assembly is exercising proper legislative oversight in the purchase of these cars,” Bradley said. “Commuters and taxpayers should know that their tax dollars are being wisely spent.”


 


To protect Westchester residents from a more expensive commute, Bradley sponsored legislation requiring more oversight of and public input into MTA service changes (A.7998-E) and fought the city’s effort to reinstate the “commuter tax.”


 

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Paulin Intros Illegal Gun Sale Bill

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WPCNR’S NEW AMY’S ALBANY By Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, 88th Assembly District. March 5, 2004: New York must do a better job of keeping deadly and illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals. Firearms are used to kill over 30,000 Americans every year, including more than 1,200 people in New York State. In addition to the tragic human toll, guns cause hundreds of thousands of non-fatal injuries and millions of dollars in economic costs annually.


 



Unfortunately, there is a thriving underground market for illegal firearms in this state that leads to many of these problems. There were over 30,000 illegal guns seized in New York State between 1994-1998. A substantial portion of illegal firearms are diverted to the illegal market through licensed gun dealers.


 


An all too familiar scenario occurs when “straw purchasers” buy firearms from licensed and unlicensed dealers, then sell them to criminals. Almost 50 percent of all trafficking investigations involved straw purchasers, with an average of 37 guns confiscated per investigation.


 


Legislation I am sponsoring will help protect our families by making it more difficult for criminals to obtain firearms, rifles and shotguns from gun dealers. It will also increase the criminal penalties for those who illegally possess multiple guns and are trafficking them from other states (A.8456-A). Specifically, the legislation will:


 


·        prevent sales of firearms to criminals;


·        require gun dealers to store, display and ship guns in a secure manner;


·        mandate that guns may only be sold at the location on the gun dealer’s license or at a gun show;


·        prohibit children from entering a place where guns are sold unless accompanied by a parent or guardian; and


·        reduce the amount of weapons needed to qualify for felony criminal possession charges.


 


Additional requirements in the bill will help police departments, prosecutors and other law enforcement officials in their efforts to trace and recover illegal weapons.


 


In addition to making our neighborhoods safer, this legislation will save substantial taxpayer dollars in future years through reduced costs in the prosecution of gun-related crimes and the treatment of gun-related injuries.


 


The gun culture in our country is a dangerous one. Too many criminals are getting their hands on firearms and compromising the safety of our neighborhoods. My legislation will keep our families safe. I strongly urge the Senate and the governor to join the Assembly in making this lifesaving bill a law.


 


      Assemblywoman Amy Paulin


      88th Assembly District


 

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Hey Parents! Comment on Westchester’s Regional Transportation Plan March 9

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WPCNR TRANSIT TIME. From Westchester County Department of Communication. March 4, 2004:


Two workshop sessions open to the public from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at the Westchester County Center to discuss traffic, commuting, railroads, tunnels and other Westchester transportation issues and concerns, such as easing congestion spots, the network of train and bus transit systems and access to Manhattan.


         Conducted by staff of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, the region’s coordinating umbrella group for transportation issues, programs and funding, the meeting will begin with a presentation of transportation issues and proposals for Westchester County.  Maps will show plans and projects which cover every mode of transportation:  walking, bicycling, highways, transit, ferries and freight.




         The comments and suggestions made at this meeting will be used to update a formal blueprint, the Regional Transportation Plan, for transportation in the New York metropolitan region spanning 20 years in the future — from 2005 to 2025.  The plan is updated every three years as required by state and federal regulations.  The next update is expected to be completed by October next year.  Besides Westchester, nine other counties and boroughs — Putnam, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx — will each submit their area’s comments to the region’s long range transportation plan.  The Plan, which will ultimately be funded through federal, state and local sources, is expected to cost $145 billion over the next 20 years with the focus being on infrastructure and equipment maintenance, and regular replacement. 


          The plan can be viewed on NYMTC’s website at www.nymtc.org/plan.html .  Comments may also be submitted by fax to RTP Update at (718) 482-7431 and by mail to Regional Transportation Plan Update, NYMTC, 45-46 21st Street, LIC, NY 11101.

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Hey Kids! Find Out How to Get Your Driver’s License on the Web

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WPCNR TEEN CANTEEN. From Westchester County Department of Communications. March 4, 2004:         Teens now have one website where they can find all the information they need about the process of getting a driver’s license, the tools to help them learn how to drive and safe driving skills to keep that new license.

Developed in-house, Westchester County’s website at www.westchestergov.com offers this new link on teen driving as the latest teen-oriented website developed by the county.


According to County Executive Andy Spano,  “Our website brings reliable information together in one place.  There are questions and answers to help teens obtain their license from DMV, understand the new graduated driving law, provide tips about how to handle certain driving conditions, and give them the opportunity to post their ideas, stories and news about their driving experiences to share with other teens.”





    


Spano noted that the site is unique in that it covers many topics for teens, parents and teachers.  The site also allows teens to subscribe to an e-mail bulletin to receive updates about special events (Playland, County Center concerts, etc.), anti-drinking programs, anti-smoking efforts, and programs to promote seat belt use and other safe driving tips.  Other teen sites developed by the county include teen smoking and drinking and can be found at westchestergov.com under “Family Services,” then “Teens.”


 


The teen driving website offers a list of links to other agencies and resources that offer assistance to teens, parents and teachers with driving issues, for instance, a resource guide addressing everything from how to get your driver’s license to simulated road tests.  Links to other county websites, which may be of interest to teens, are also available.


            This site is the latest effort in an ongoing program to reach the county’s teen driving population.  Several months ago, a successful teen outreach campaign called “Save Your Face, Click it or Ticket in Westchester” was launched to provide high schools with programs geared towards raising seat belt awareness.  Over 20 high schools participated in the program last semester.  Due to the program’s success, it is being offered again this spring.  To schedule the free program, high school personnel can contact the county’s Traffic Safety Board at 995-2555.


A key component of this program is to conduct seat belt “ticket” contests in high schools, where SADD students would issue coupons to those students that were “caught” wearing their seat belts while driving into school and mock tickets to those students not wearing their seat belts.  The coupons enable students’ names to be submitted to a drawing for prizes. 


Last semester, six grand prize winners were awarded a tour of MTV studios and lunch at ESPN Zone in NYC.  The winners were from Saunders High School in Yonkers, School of the Holy Child in Rye, Walter Panus High School in Cortlandt Manor, Harrison High School, Peekskill High School and Hastings High School.

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The Feiner Report: Comptroller Resigns. Town Hall Sale Coming Up. Court Report

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WPCNR’S THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. For Thursday, March 4, 2004:  This Wednesday, March 10th the Greenburgh Town Board will hold our next Town Board meeting at the Greenburgh Housing Authority offices on Maple Ave, off of Manhattan Ave. The meeting begins at 7:15 PM. We initiated a policy of holding some of our Board meetings away from Town Hall over a dozen years ago. Residents of the low income housing units had felt, for some time, that their concerns were not given adequate attention. Although the Housing Authority is independent of the Town of Greenburgh, the town government wants to partner with Housing Authority members to improve the quality of life for their residents.

             On another matter, our Town Comptroller, Ann Marie Berg, has submitted her resignation. We’re looking for a new Comptroller. Those who are interested in applying for the position (which pays up to $116,000) should send a resume to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, Greenburgh, NY 10607. You can e mail me at pfeiner@greenburgh.com.


            My experiences working in the Town Court on February 27th highlighted the need for a court expansion. Although I was impressed with the hard working town court employees, I was distressed at working conditions in the Town Court. There is a lack of space for employees…boxes are all  over the place…inadequate space for files. The room for the Jurors is gloomy, no windows, small – looks like a holding cell. I’m proposing a $25,000 space study.


            The Greenburgh Library Board has recommended that the Town Board sell the old Town Hall building to Sunrise Assisted Living. This will generate about $2.75 million in revenue to the town, between $250,000-$300,000 a year in taxes. The Town Board will discuss this matter at our March 24th Town Board meeting at Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, Greenburgh at 7:15 PM.  We’re also working with the Library Board on an expansion initiative. Conceptual drawings should be available to the public within weeks outlining different options.


            Please feel free to call me anytime. My office is 993 l540. My home is 478 l2l9.


PAUL FEINER

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Saturday Night at the Cinema De Lux: Starsky & Hutch, Hildago Roll

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WPCNR FIRST RUSHES. From National Amusements Cinema de Lux. March 4, 2004: Cinema De Lux has advised WPCNR of their new motion picture lineup for this weekend at the City Center in White Plains. Premiering this weekend and all next week in “The Renaissance City” are Starsky and Hutch and Hildago.  Here’s the stuff that dreams are made of:

OPENING FRIDAY, March 5th

STARSKY AND HUTCH — Set in the 1970’s, two streetwise cops, Dave Starsky and Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson, bust criminals in their red-and-white Ford Torino with the help of their police snitch Huggy Bear. On their first big case, the duo goes after a former college campus drug dealer who has moved on to white collar crime. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Snoop Dogg and Vince Vaughn star in this hilarious comedy based on the hit 70’s TV show. Rated PG-13

HILDAGO — Set in 1890, a wealthy Sheik invites an American cowboy, Frank T. Hopkins, to enter the Ocean of Fire – a 3,000-mile survival race across the Arabian Desert. Hopkins, who worked as dispatch rider for the US cavalry, was once billed as the greatest rider the West had ever known. The Sheik puts this claim to the test by pitting the American cowboy and his mustang, Hidalgo, against the world’s greatest Arabian horses and Bedouin riders. The race soon becomes not only a matter of pride and honor for the American, but also a race for his very survival. Based on a true story, this breathtaking action-adventure stars Viggo Mortensen and Omar Sharif. Rated PG-13


Thursday, March 04, 2004  
50 First Dates **(PG-13) –12:00;2:20;4:45;7:10;9:40 pm. ;
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (PG-13) –12:40;2:55;5:15;7:30;9:55 pm. ;
Eurotrip (R) –12:25;2:40;4:50;7:05;9:20 pm. ;
Mystic River (R) –4:30;7:25 pm. ;
50 First Dates (PG-13) –1:00;3:20;10:35 pm. ;
Welcome to Mooseport (PG-13) –1:10;3:45;6:25;9:00 pm. ;
Monster (R) –1:15;3:55;6:35;9:10 pm. ;
Catch That Kid (PG) –12:15;2:25 pm. ;
Twisted (R) –12:10;2:50;5:00;7:20;9:50 pm. ;
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (PG) –12:35;3:15;5:30;7:50;10:05 pm. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –12:30;1:00;3:30;4:00;6:30;7:00;9:30;10:00 pm. ;
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) –12:05;4:05;8:00 pm. ;
Miracle (PG) –12:00;3:00;6:20;9:25 pm. ;
Against the Ropes (PG-13) –1:20;3:50;6:50;9:45 pm. ;
Barbershop 2 (PG-13) –12:00;2:30;5:05;7:35;10:25 pm. ;

Friday, March 05, 2004  
Barbershop 2 (PG-13) –12:45;3:10;5:30;7:50;10:10;10:25 pm;12:30 am. ;
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) –12:00;3:55;7:55;11:45 pm. ;
Against the Ropes (PG-13) –11:55 pm. ;
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (PG) –12:35;2:50;5:05;7:25;9:45 pm. ;
Twisted (R) –12:50;3:15;5:40;8:05;10:30 pm;12:45 am. ;
Starsky & Hutch **(PG-13) –12:15;2:40;5:00;7:20;9:40 pm;12:00 am. ;
Hidalgo (PG-13) –12:40;3:40;6:50;9:50 pm;12:45 am. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –12:00;1:00;3:00;4:00;7:00;7:30;10:00;10:30 pm;12:30 am. ;
Monster (R) –1:15;3:50;6:35;9:10;11:50 pm. ;
Eurotrip (R) –12:25;2:40;4:55;7:10;9:15;11:25 pm. ;
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (PG-13) –12:15;2:30;4:35;6:45;9:00;11:10 pm. ;
Mystic River (R) –4:30;7:30 pm. ;
50 First Dates (PG-13) –12:55;3:20;5:45;8:00;10:15 pm;12:30 am. ;
Catch That Kid (PG) –12:10;2:20 pm. ;
The Passion of The Christ **(R) –12:30;3:30;6:30;9:30 pm;12:10 am. ;
Hidalgo **(PG-13) –12:10;3:10;6:20;9:20 pm;12:20 am. ;

Saturday, March 06, 2004  
Hidalgo **(PG-13) –12:10;3:10;6:20;9:20 pm;12:20 am. ;
The Passion of The Christ **(R) –12:30;3:30;6:30;9:30 pm;12:10 am. ;
Catch That Kid (PG) –12:10;2:20 pm. ;
50 First Dates (PG-13) –12:55;3:20;5:45;8:00;10:15 pm;12:30 am. ;
Mystic River (R) –4:30;7:30 pm. ;
Monster (R) –1:15;3:50;6:35;9:10;11:50 pm. ;
Eurotrip (R) –12:25;2:40;4:55;7:10;9:15;11:25 pm. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –12:00;1:00;3:00;4:00;7:00;7:30;10:00;10:30 pm;12:30 am. ;
Twisted (R) –12:50;3:15;5:40;8:05;10:30 pm;12:45 am. ;
Hidalgo (PG-13) –12:40;3:40;6:50;9:50 pm;12:45 am. ;
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) –12:00;3:55;7:55;11:45 pm. ;
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (PG-13) –12:15;2:30;4:35;6:45;9:00;11:10 pm. ;
Starsky & Hutch **(PG-13) –12:15;2:40;5:00;7:20;

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The Watch Comes Back. Monthly to Rise From the Dead

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WPCNR PRESSROOM. By John F. Bailey. March 4, 2004: The White Plains Watch is coming back, White Plains. Susan Chang, Publisher of the White Plains Watch, who suspended publication for three months, when her paid subscription drive did not meet expectations, has almost achieved her goal, with citizens flocking to her support thanks to stalwart community effort.


Ms. Chang says she needs 335 subscriptions to meet her goal of 2,000 subscriptions to publish.


WPCNR has learned that Ms. Chang will celebrate the resurrection of The Watch at a “Count Down to Publish Meeting” to be held at Memorial Methodist Church at 7:30 P.M., March 11. At that time, the publisher promises to detail what she describes as “long-term development plans for the paper.”


She is also promoting a slide show for Watch subscribers that is available at http://205.181.16.75/wpwatch/

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