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DFEIS PROBE: Info on Sewer Capacity, Cleanup $ Demanded by Malmud.

Posted on December 20, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. December 20, 2003 UPDATED 1 P.M. E.S.T. with New Designs of Cappelli Proposal: The Common Council met Friday morning to begin the process of accepting the Draft Final Environmental Impact Statement on The Cappelli Hotel project at 221 Main Street in City Hall.

HIGHLIGHTS of the meeting found Councilperson Rita Malmud demanding a comparison chart for expected effluent loads before 221 is built and after, and towards the close of the morning, demanding that Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti appear before the Council at the resumption of the DFEIS review in January to answer specific questions about the condition and capacity of the city Main Street sewer line. Pictured, left to right: Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel, Jeffrey Zupan, Transportation Consultant, Dr. Eugenie Birch, Urban Planning Consultant. Benjamin Boykin, Common Council President, honchoing the meeting in the Mayor’s absence, Michael Gerard, Environmental Lawyer, and Rod Johnson, Deputy Commissioner of Planning. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ms. Malmud also demanded from Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel a specific cost for the cleanup of the fuel leakage left over on the 221 city-owned parcel from when the police headquarters was located on that site. Ms. Malmud politely described the sewage data and statements on the city sewer ability to handle the complex as “very vague.”

Consultants Weigh In.

The council heard the city’s development consultants, Jeffrey Zupan and Eugenie Birch, testify that the Alternative F design of Louis Cappelli’s hotel project was more preferable for pedestrian movement, streetscape ambience, and hotel design. Alternative F assumes razing of the Bar Building to expand the hotel complex from Grace Church to the Court Street extension.

Bar Building E-Bomb

A bombshell was dropped by Councilman Tom Roach who revealed that a letter from the State Historical Preservation Society had been delivered Thursday evening, as part of the DFEIS package, addressed to the owner of the Bar Building, Anthony Longhitano, which said that the Society thought the Bar Building,eyed for acquisition by Cappelli Enterprises, could be “eligible” to be considered for for historical landmark status in New York State, and that he could apply for that designation for his 199 Main Street property.

This “eligibility” was known to the owner prior to the December 1 Common Council meeting, when Mayor Delfino asked Mr. Longhitano if he was willing to apply for landmark status to preserve his building and Mr. Longhitano said he was willing to do so. The owner apparently chose not to reveal that he had been told he was eligible to apply in mid-October, the date of the Historical Preservation agency letter to Mr. Longhitano, according to Michael Seymour, President of the White Plains Historical Society.

Opening Statements.

The meeting got underway at 9:20 A.M. at City Hall with Council President Benjamin Boykin gaveling the proceedings and sitting in the Mayor’s chair, with Councilman William King and the Mayor not in attendance. The Mayor was sick with a throat ailment, which made it very difficult for him to talk, according to Louis Cappelli.

THE PREAMBLE: Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel opened the proceedings explaining the seven sections of the DFEIS, among them The Bar Building, Traffic, Transit, Parking, Uses & Designs, Subsurface Issues. She said it was the job of the Council to review the DFEIS and determine if it contained all the information they needed to base a decision on, which they are required to “base” on information contained in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Photo by WPCNR News.

Rita Malmud expressed an opening statement saying there were some “very broad basic issues” the council was concerned about in the way the DFEIS was written, and that she had not had time to review all the documents.

Benjamin Boykin followed up on that, saying he had some “really broad thoughts” about the documents (in the DFEIS), and said the Council should have one more meeting in January. “This is an extremely important project and we need to take the appropriate time,” he said. “I would like to see some additional detail on other alternatives, similar to what we did on New York Presbyterian Hospital.”

Malmud also said, she wanted more pros and cons discussion in the DFEIS, and in her opening statements, she said she was worried about the capacity of the Main Street sewer. “There is very, very, very little discussion about that, (in the DFEIS).” She said she wanted more discussion of eminent domain and council exercise of it, and Mr. Cappelli’s rights as an owner since he does not own 100% of the Center Garage rights.

Next Glen Hockley spoke strongly in favor of Alternative F (which takes the Bar Building), describing it as “well-balanced.” He supported the DFEIS sewage position, saying they “were assured quite logically…” and later in the same statement, “I don’t think it’s that big a concern.”

IT’S RAINING DFEIS

Mr. Boykin asked Mr. Roach if he wanted to make a statement.

The DFEIS, the audience learned, was not complete when delivered last Monday evening. Parts of it, Tom Roach said, were delivered daily up through Thursday evening, with some sections being completely replaced with new versions. Roach pointed out that one of those deliveries on Thursday night contained a New York Historical Preservation agency letter to Mr. Anthony Longhitano, declaring that the Bar Building was “eligible” for consideration as an historical landmark, but he said Dr. Birch and Mr. Zupan were there and he felt “we should hear from them while they were here. Let’s get to work.”

They got to work at 9:45 A.M.

THE CONSULTANTS STEP UP TO THE PLATE: Jeffrey Zupan, left, and Dr. Eugenie Birch, prior to testimony Friday. Photo by WPCNR News.

Jeffrey Zupan, the transportation consultant, summarized his findings. He said he had three observations:

1. He did not like the 4-story above ground parking garage that was necessitated by keeping the Bar Building as part of the project. 2. The curb cuts required by retaining the Bar Building were “inadequate” for pedestrians because of vehicles turning in off Court Street to enter the above-ground garage. He also did not like curb cut drop offs in front of the hotel on Main Street, (required to drop guests at hotel, prior to parking) if you kept the Bar Building; 3. The building seemed wedged in between the Bar Building and Grace Church.

The New Cappelli Hotel Design with the Bar Building: Louis Cappelli showcased his newest designs of the hotel to the media before the meeting began. This is the new Fred Bland enhanced glass hotel and condominiums, viewed from the South. Main Street is in the foreground. Grace Church is at lower right. Bar Building (in brown, in reality it is white, lower left). The Court Street extension (3 lanes is at left foreground.) Design, courtesy, Cappelli Enterprises. Photo by WPCNR News.

Zupan said Alternative F, which supposes the razing of the Bar Building, improved the flow of traffic on Court Street by eliminating the need for cuts on Main, and making it safer for pedestrians. Zupan dryly observed that he felt that building above-ground parking garages as proposed, was akin to creating “Vehicular Mausoleums.” He urged particular attention to traffic road markings to make it safer and more inviting for pedestrians to stroll along Court Street.

ALTERNATIVE F: The Bar Building has vanished. More open space is created, according to Zupan and Birch. The Buildings become more graceful, in Birch’s opinion. Design, courtesy, Cappelli Enterprises. Photo by WPCNR News.

Birch Calls it “Shoehorning.”

Dr. Eugenie Birch, the urban planning consultant, summarized her views included in the DFEIS, by bluntly saying the design preserving the Bar Building, by building the hotel between the Bar Building and Grace Church, “appears to be shoehorned into a setting extremely crowded. The shoehorn solution is not the best solution for this site or the large atrium.”

She said Alternative F allows “a more graceful set of buildings, and should not be ignored here because of situations that could be mitigated (preservation of the Bar Building).” Alternative F, she said, “is so much more effective in terms of what a vision for the downtown should be. It makes much more valuable space. “

THE NEW CAPPELLI HOTEL (right), and proposed Office Complex, viewed from the new Court Street, with the Bar Building preserved, its rear extension, we believe, removed. Design courtesy of Cappelli Enterprises. Photo by WPCNR News.

Birch said Alternative F (eliminating the Bar Building) would open park space near Grace Church, make for more welcoming sidewalks, landscaping, and general charming ambience.

In her opinion, the Bar Building “does not fit in the same way the other historical buildings have in White Plains,” (referring to the Greenpoint Bank space, next to City Center).”

She did say she did not like the retail arcade concept, Cappelli has proposed for the hotel block, saying it privatized the public space (the sidewalk). She encouraged open to the street retail, saying an arcade would be “a big mistake.”

ALTERNATIVE F: VIEWED FROM COURT STREET WITH BAR BUILDING REMOVED. Design, courtesy, Cappelli Enterprises. Photo by WPCNR News.

Glen Hockley, said he felt some preservation of the façade of the Bar Building could be made. Birch raised the possibility of creating signage as the city of Providence has to indict and recognize famous buildings, and former locations.

Zupan agreed with Dr. Birch that an arcade was not as effective for creating a pedestrian-friendly center as open-to-the-street establishments.

At this point, Commissioner of Planning Habel, said, “From B to Z, we’re trying to address how to create the best urban environment at Mamaroneck and Main, and create linkage to Hamilton Avenue, the White Plains Mall.”

Does Not Recommend Eminent Domain.

Habel switched gears in the meeting at this point, stating strongly that, in the DFEIS, “There is no recommendation made expressly with the regard to condemnation (of the Bar Building), it mentions it as an action the council can take.”

She also said it does not recommend Alternative F, including it only as a means of remediation. “It (the DFEIS) doesn’t say it is the only option.”

The Underground Considerations.

After a brief discussion of how to proceed through the sections, the group decided to open it up for the councilpersons to raise their main questions.

Rita Malmud complained about “a lack of information on sewage capacity,” and referred to a letter from Department of Public Works Commissioner Joseph Nicoletti, saying, in effect, the developer (Mr. Cappelli) would make technical improvements to the sewer system, including “lining” of the pipe, if it became necessary.

Habel directed Ms. Malmud to a second reference to the capacity, being a 2-page memo from Divney, Tung Schwalbe, (Mr. Cappelli’s consultant) that notes gallonage per minute before and after the 221 Project is built, as follows:

“The 16-inch main line has a capacity of 5,200 gallons per minute…in June 2003, the results (of a flow meter test) reveal a recorded maximum flow rate of approximately 1,800 gallons per minute. In most other times the flow was recorded less than the amount with peak flows ranging from 600 to 1800 gallons per minute…Using accepted values published by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the estimated maxium peak flow rate to be added to the 16-inch swer main is approximately 1,300 gallons per minute (from both the City Center at completion and the hotel project at completion-WPCNR note). This also does not take into consideration the many different uses that have varied peaking times that would lessen the peak estimated in the table. By adding the maximum-recorded flow rate of 1,800 gpm with the projected peak flow rates the estimated flow in the 16-inch main will be approximately 3,100 gallons per minute. Since the capacity of the 16-inch main is approximately 5, 200 gallons per minute, there should (be) adequate capacity within the main to accommodate the proposed project.”

Malmud said that does not answer my question. Ms. Hable referred her to Section 2A-34, from the Commissioner of Public Works, dated September 19, 2003, which reads in part:

“we are continuing discussions with them to resolve these technical issues:….Estimated water and wastewater demands: Further discussions as to capacity of the City’s infrastructure. Excess per capita costs to the City of White Plains as a result of hotel and non-residential portion of project…and the liability for damage to private property in the event of unforeseen failure of the City’s water or sewer mains.”

Referring to Mr. Nicoletti’s letter, Ms. Malmud, said “That (Mr. Nicoletti’s letter) is an inadequate answer to my question.”

Councilman Hockley asked Ms. Malmud, “I don’t understand your question.”

Malmud said, “I’d like a chart, showing what the capacity is now, what the capacity will be (after 221). A little chart.”

Referring to the Nicoletti letter, Malmud said, “That’s very vague.”

“I want it very clear, who’s paying for what,” Malmud said.

Ms. Habel said based on a document, also signed by Mr. Nicoletti in section H-9, that the developer would clean and line the sewer pipe, and make technical improvements to the sewer pipe, if needed. It should be noted that Mr. Cappelli feels any costs of physical improvements to the sewer pipe should be shared with other users of the pipe on Main Street.

Hockley said he couldn’t see this concern on Malmud’s part. By the nature of his comments, he felt Ms. Malmud should take the documents as written as adequate assurance the city is handling the sewage issue correctly.

Ms. Malmud would not let go, saying again the sewage section was “inadequate. Have that chart, and next time I request the Commissioner of Public Works be present to discuss it.”

Cost of Cleanup

Ms. Malmud raised the issue of the cost of cleanup of the gasoline spillage from the former police headquarters approximately 15 years ago. (That site is to be deeded over to Cappelli in a swap, not involving cash, according to Ms. Habel.) Malmud asked Ms. Habel, how much it would cost the city to clean up the spillage. Ms. Habel did not offer a figure. Then Ms. Malmud asked if the cost of the cleanup would be recouped in the sale of the land to Mr. Cappelli, if the cleanup cost was a million dollars. Ms. Habel said it would not cost a million dollars. Malmud said she wanted further information on the cost of that cleanup to the city.

Height Issue

In other matters, it became clear that the cost of extending and possibly widening of Court Street would be paid for by Mr. Cappelli.

It was also stated by Ms. Habel, that if the 221 and City Center projects were considered as two sites, Mr. Cappelli could not build a 34-story tower as of right, that the Council would have to consider it as one site in order to accomplish that.

Rotunda Spin

The council adjourned at 11:30 A.M., and Mr. Boykin said he would push for an early evening meeting in January to resume the DFEIS discussion.

In a chat with Michael Seymour, President of the White Plains Historical Society, WPCNR learned that Mr. Longhitano, the owner of the Bar Building had been advised by the State Historical Preservation agency that his building could be “eligible” for landmark designation as of late October, Seymour said. Seymour said he thought Mr. Longhitano had mentioned this at the December 1 Common Council meeting.

Benjamin Boykin was asked in Mr. Seymour’s presence if he (Boykin) recalled that, and Mr. Boykin said “No, the Mayor asked Mr. Longhitano if he’d be willing to apply for landmark status, and he said he would.”

WPCNR, asked Mr. Boykin why he maintained that Mr. Cappelli should only build the hotel to a height of 28 stories. Boykin said, he felt “I think it just should be tapered down. I do not think it should be as tall as the City Center.” Boykin asked that a study done for the City Center in which it justified height as saying a city should have “a head on its shoulders,” should be included in the DFEIS.

Bruce Berg, Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises, encountered by WPCNR in the rotunda, was asked what effect he thought the newly revealed landmark “eligibility” had on the Bar Building as a piece of real estate. Berg said it makes the property harder to develop, if you are designated an historical landmark, because you are subject to state approval for any changes you want to make in the property. Jim Benerofe, real estate magnate in the city, commented to WPCNR that an actual landmark designation would lower the value of Mr. Longhitano’s property considerably, because the designation makes the property less attractive to a prospective buyer.

In an action before the meeting began, the Council appointed Eric Press as partime City Court Judge.

Councilpersons Mull Draft FEIS on Cappelli Hotel. Showdown Friday Morning.

Posted on December 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2003, UPDATED WITH PICTURES, 1:30 P.M. E.S.T.: The draft Final Environmental Impact Statement from Cappelli Enterprises providing its answers and city commissioners’ answers to environmental concerns raised by the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was placed in most Councilperson’s hands Monday evening. It was delivered by the White Plains Police Department about 9 P.M., giving the Common Councilmembers three days, including today to review the document for discussion by the council with the city environmental consultants in a meeting Friday morning at City Hall, beginning at 9 A.M.

“I DON’T BELIEVE I CAN COME TO AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE:” Louis Cappelli, the Super Developer discussing the present state of Bar Building negotiations on White Plains Week this week, the public access news roundup show on Channel 76. He also said he could not see building his $350 Million Dollar hotel and office complex around the Bar Building or its proposed retail court. Photo by WPCNR News.

A Planning Department spokesperson said the Draft Final Environmental Impact Statement was not available for viewing by the public because it was the Council’s document, and a work in progress, and would change based on Council input and direction given to city departments based on tomorrow morning’s discussion.

Discussion is sure to include council concerns about the proposed demolition of the Bar Building. In the meantime, appearing on White Plains Week on WPPA-TV, Public Access Television this week, Mr. Cappelli said he was at an impasse on going ahead with his Cappelli Hotel (at 221 Main Street) project if he is forced to build around the Bar Building, saying “It doesn’t do me or White Plains any good, if I build a substandard $350 Million project. Building around the Bar Building is a substandard $350 Million Project.”

Asked how negotiations, if any, were going on with the owners of the Bar Building on the date of the show, December 5, Cappelli said, “I don’t believe I can come to an acceptable price for the property. (The owners) are demanding an exhorbitant amount of money. It’s not in the realm of fair and reasonable. It’s not even in the realm of a high premium. It is more in the realm of I know I’m in the way of the project, and I guess you’re not going to build the project.”

The Silent Underground.

Another sensitive area that should be interesting to hear about from city departments is what role the Cappelli organization will have in preparing the Main Street sewer to handle the effluent from both the City Center project and the Cappelli hotel-office tandem.

Cappelli revealed on the show that within the last two months, the city Department of Public Works has suggested lining the interior of the Main Street sewer to make the effluent entering the pipe flow smoother, he said, (as the city has had JPI do with the Mamaroneck Avenue sewer at the 300 Mamaroneck Avenue).

Asked why he would not automatically replace the sewer to remove any doubt about the sewer capacity, Cappelli said he was “more than willing to pay my fair share (of replacing the sewer pipe) if we all chip in, even more than my fair share.” But he did not feel it was fair that he should pay to dig up and replace the Main Street sewer when the Ginsberg development on Main Street, among other businesses were going to add to the sewer payload, too. He said he did not believe it needed to be replaced.

He praised the Department of Public Works department for suggesting lining the Main Street pipe with a smooth synthetic surface as a good suggestion which he was willing to do, since it cost approximately $150,000 to $200,000, as opposed to the estimated $1 Million to $1.5 Million to replace the 100 year-old Main Street sewer line.

When asked about Mr. Cappelli’s willingness to reline the sewer pipe Tuesday, George Gretsas, the City Executive Officer, said “we’re not convinced it is needed at this time, but it remains an option.” Gretsas has told WPCNR previously that the Main Street sewer line may need to be replaced after 221 comes on line, in which case, he had said Mr. Cappelli would be expected to replace the sewer line.

Bar Building Should Go, Stackpole says.

The Bar Building was originally included in the Cappelli Hotel plan. However, the analysis of Robert Stackpole, a member of the Planning Board, when he originally saw the hotel designs which included the Bar Building has lead to the present design of the project that calls for the acquisition and demolition of the Bar Building, or its acquisition by eminent domain.

ONE OF THE GUARDIANS SPEAKS UP: Robert Stackpole has been a resident of White Plains since 1960. His long experience with the Planning Board has made him unafraid to call them as he sees them. His criticism of the Cappelli monolith building originally planned for City Center, lead to the hiring of Frederick Bland, which resulted in the splitting of the single monolith into two towers. Stackpole also reports that the Cappelli organization is going to enhance the white crowns of the two City Center spires with a more striking design. Photo by WPCNR News.

As Mr. Stackpole recalls it, he confronted Bruce Berg of Cappelli Enterprises when Mr. Berg was presenting the Cappelli Hotel design which worked around the Bar Building. After Mr. Stackpole made his comments, the concept of eliminating the Bar Building was introduced by Mr. Cappelli into his project.

THE ORIGINAL CAPPELLI HOTEL PLAN retained the Bar Building, only “taking” the rear annex portion of the building. The diagram is from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

Stackpole told WPCNR Wednesday evening at the Planning Board, that he was stunned that the Cappelli organization was attempting to “wedge” a 34-story hotel in between the Bar Building and Church Street.

“It made no sense,” Stackpole said. “I had no confidence that the project would work in terms of traffic flow, parking needs, and aesthetics. Here you were attempting to wedge this mass in between two buildings. I asked Mr. Berg, why are you attempting to work around the Bar Building. Berg said, because it had historical value. I said, let’s talk about the way you’re designing your project.”

DIAGRAM OF THE BAR BUILDING PLAN: Viewers should note the Court Street extension is three lanes wide, and the rear extension of the Bar Building has been taken for a driveway into the hotel complex. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

Stackpole told WPCNR Wednesday evening, “This is so illogical to wedge this (the Cappelli Hotel) in there between the Bar Building and Grace Church. To extend Court Street logically, you need four lanes, not three. I have less problems with the height of the hotel building, than I do with the mass if you leave the Bar Building there. Where are you going to have the parking if you keep the Bar Building? You would have to put it above ground into the hotel, making the base thicker and more massive. Taking the Bar Building creates a slimmer hotel, more open space, and allows you to lower the height of the building.”

“NO BAR PLAN” FIRST YOU SEE THE BAR BUILDING THEN YOU DON’T: The current Cappelli Hotel plan, showing how the area around Grace Church is loosened up, more sidewalk and urban space is freed up, and building becomes less bulky and thick at the base. Drawing from Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

4 LANES ON COURT STREET WHEN BAR BUILDING IS REMOVED, MORE “PLAZA SPACE” CREATED ON SOUTH SIDE. The overhead schematic of the “No Bar” Plan. From the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

THE MAMARONECK AVENUE VISTA LOOKING NORTH WITH THE “NO BAR PLAN”: Note the broader plaza, more space at street level. One of the alternatives the Council will have to consider Friday morning. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

MAMARONECK AVENUE LOOKING NORTH WITH BAR BUILDING (slightly to the left of the Cappelli Hotel), showing the crowding affect Stackpole sees if the Bar Building is retained. The rendering is from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Photo by WPCNR DocuCam.

Notion of Bar Building being “historical,” is “ludicrous.”

Stackpole said he could not understand the White Plains Historical Society stance that the Bar Building was an historical building. Stackpole, who restores historical sites as a hobby, said the Bar Building does not meet any of the tests the state applies to determine whether a site should be included on the Historical register.

He ticked them off. “Is it designed by a famous architect? No, the architect has no significant body of work. Is it architecturally significant? No, the building is of a generic style of the period (1920s), and only has two sides of which are designed in the art-deco style. Did anything historical happen there? No. Did it have any ongoing historical purpose? No, a bunch of lawyers met there. They didn’t even fight to save the County Courthouse (now occupied by the East End of The Galleria), which did have historical significance. It’s ludicrous!”

Not Worth the Powder to Blow It Up.

He noted that the Historical Society and well-meaning citizens are being used by the the owners of the Bar Building “ whose goal is to create a more desirable piece of real estate. It’s not worth the powder to blow it up.”

He said he expected eminent domain would not be used by the city, and that somehow there would be some arrangement reached between the owners of the Bar Building and the Cappelli organization.

Stackpole said the proposal for redesigning the Bar Building annex that their owners have proposed that has appeared in the media, has not been presented as a serious proposal because it has not been formally presented to the Common Council or the Planning Board. He raised just two questions from a planning standpoint of where parking for the new Bar Building arcade was going to be provided for the ongoing visitations to the retail outlets the owner plans, and how could traffic flow be handled between the hotel and the Bar Building complex with only three lanes.

Mr. Stackpole sighed, saying there are people in the city who do not like to see things change, and he said that in order for the city to grow you have to accept change. In his opinion, this is one of those cases.

Stackpole warned that if the Common Council opted to keep the Bar Building, “It would be the most ludicrous planning decision the city has ever made.”

1st Black Woman Detective Appointed; Jackson, Lombardi, Tribble, Byrne Promoted

Posted on December 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From WP Department of Public Safety. December 17, 2003: The White Plains Police Department has made Cynthia Hood, a 17-year veteran of the Police Department, the first African-American woman detective in White Plains. In a round of promotions made official December 8, the department promoted Lieutenant Daniel C. Jackson to Inspector; Detective Robert L. Lombardi was made Detective 1^st Grade. The School Resource Officer, Detective Howard Tribble was promoted to Detective 1^st Grade, and Detective Timothy D. Byrne was made Detective 2^nd Grade.

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMERS: Left to Right: Detective Timothy Byrne, Detective Cynthia J. Hood, Detective Howard Tribble, Detective Robert L. Lombardi, Inspector Daniel C. Jackson. Sitting in front of the promotees is Cythia Hood’s mother, Sylvia Jamison, Madison Hood (4 year old daughter), Mary Hood, (mother-in-law). Photo by White Plains Department of Public Safety

Detective Hood was hired by the City of White Plains as a police officer on November 17, 1986, and is currently assigned to the new unit of Community Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives. Her duties include domestic violence oversight, strategic initiatives and victim services. Her new rank is Detective 3^rd Grade.

THE COMMISSIONER DOES THE HONORS: Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub, swears in Detective Hood who becomes the city’s first African-American Female Detective. Detective Hood joins Joyce J. Munera, the first Policewoman hired December 9, 1966, and the First African-American Policewoman, Helen Littleberry hired in 1967, as women who have set the standard for future young women to aspire. Deputy Commissoners of Public Safety David Jennings, center, and David Chong observe the milestone. Photo by White Plains Department of Public Safety.

Inspector Daniel C. Jackson.

Photo by White Plains Department of Public Safety

Inspector Jackson is completing his 16^th year with the police department, having been hired November 16, 1987. He made Sergeant in 1994, was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997, and assigned to the Office of the Commissioner in November of 2002. Mr. Jackson is Commanding Officer of the DPS Office of Professional Standards. He supervises all Internal Affairs investigations and the Department’s performance measurement and accountability system, (COMPSTAT).

He is also the Department’s Public Information Officer, and since he has been handling that responsibility, information and communications between the department and the community have been prompt, courteous, comprehensive, detailed and informative.

Detective Robert Lombardi , a 20-year police veteran is Confidential Medical Investigator for DPS personnel for both police and fire bureaus. He is Coordinator of Emergency Planning, and Investigator for Internal Affairs.

He joined the WPPD in November, 1983, was promoted to Detective in 1999, and Detective 2^nd Grade in October, 2002. He was Assigned to the Office of the Commissioner in June, 1992.

Detective Howard Tribble has been with the force for 17 years, joining in 1986. He was promoted to Detective in April, 1992, Detective 2^nd Grade in January, 2003. He is currently assigned to White Plains High School as the School Resource Officer.

Detective Timothy D. Byrne is an 8-year member of the WPPD, joining the force in 1995. He was promoted to Detective in July, 2002. He is currently assigned to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.

Starbucks Opening on Renaissance Plaza Postponed.

Posted on December 17, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Paul Wood, The Mayor’s Media Relations Office. December 17, 2003: The Mayor’s Office announced Wednesday that the Starbucks concession on Renassance Plaza would not open Thursday morning as planned. Paul Wood, the Mayor’s Economic Development Specialist, said inclement weather and recent snows had set back exterior work, and that the opening would be rescheduled, but did not have a date yet.

STARBUCKS AWAITS ITS OPENING DATE. “America’s Coffee” Stop in White Plains as it appeared Monday evening on Renaissance Plaza. Photo by WPCNR NightCam.

Housing Authority Ground Broken; South Lex Makeover Next

Posted on December 16, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 16, 2003: A crowd of councilpersons, former Housing Authority Commissioners, Winbrook tenants, and citizens with long memories gathered for the groundbreaking of the new White Plains Housing Authority headquarters at 223 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Tuesday morning. Mayor Joseph Delfino capped the happy occasion with the announcement that within a month he would be announcing city plans for rehabilitation of South Lexington Avenue that bounds Winbrook on the eastern side of the Winbrook campus.

MAYOR DELFINO ADDRESSES ASSEMBLED MULTITUDE on Winbrook grounds Tuesday morning. To the left of the gathering beyond fence, is the site the new one floor, 7,800 square foot headquarters that will connect to 223 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will occupy. Photo by WPCNR News

THE WHITE PLAINS HOUSING AUTHORITY “PENTAGON” will be built as an extension of 223 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The street in foreground is Fisher Court. The Street on the left is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. You are looking South. The complex will house a new community room, meeting rooms, classrooms, a complete maintenance staging facility, and housing authority offices. The project is expected to take 12 to 14 months to build, if the WPHA can move their offices into trailers, otherwise it will take up to 24 months to build, according to Mack Carter, WPHA Executive Director. The project will be bid within the next two days, he said, and could not comment on its cost until the project was bid out. Photo by WPCNR News.

AN EMOTIONAL MAYOR JOSEPH DELFINO RECALLS the need for a new headquarters for the WPHA reached all the way back to when he was a member of the Common Council. He praised Bernie Arnold, former Director of the Housing Authority, and recognized many former executive directors in the audience: Mike Divney, Ron Jackson, and Nick Wolff. He concluded his remarks by saying, “It proves what I always say; you can do great things when people are willing to work together.” On the dais behind the Mayor, are Norma Frank, Mrs. Bernie Arnold, Mack Carter, the Reverend Mr. Stukes, and Larry Sallee, Chairman of the Housing Authority. Photo by WPCNR News.

The new WPHA “Pentagon” came about when residents of Winbrook, Bethel Baptist Church (on the Winbrook grounds), Ron Jackson and Councilman Glen Hockley objected to the taking of the green space parallel to the Bethel Baptist Church for a new headquarters building developed by former Executive Director Anthony Tascione. After discussion with the Mayor, the Mayor directed the Planning Department and Building Department to investigate possibilities with the Housing Authority and the Tenants Council, and a design incorporating the new “Pentagon” into 223, was developed.

Hockley Drives Home Need for Security Beyond Tenant Watch.

Glen Hockley took the occasion afterwards to discuss with Mack Carter, the need for security measures that go beyond a Tenant Watch program that Mr. Carter has instituted at four of the five buildings the Housing Authority controls. Hockley said that a television monitoring system was needed from a central command post in the new headquarters. Carter said he is working Verizon to fix the long out of service intercom systems in the buildings. Carter said he agreed with Mr. Hockley that a television surveillance system was definitely needed, and that he would be working toward that. He estimated it would cost $1.2 Million.

Hockley said he was looking forward to Carter’s pursuit of such a system with the city, saying that it was his (Hockley’s) experience that a tenant watch system places too much a burden and a security risk on tenants themselves, should they confront a dangerous situation.

Applebee’s Opens; Tankel, Applebee’s Head Reports Zanaro’s Coming in May

Posted on December 16, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR Main Street Journal. By John F. Bailey. December 16, 2003: Applebee’s the cozy, cordial, home of tasty, zesty treats opened Monday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Joseph Delfino, Councilmen Tom Roach and Benjamin Boykin and Councilperson Rita Malmud presiding with Apple Metro Chief Executive Officer, Zane Tankel doing the honors. Matching checks of $2, 150 each, from proceeds of last Monday evening Applebee’s VIP party were presented by Mr. Tankel to Amy Kohn of the YWCA and Robert Lapp, President of the YMCA of Central Westchester. Ms. Kohn and Mr. Lapp said the money would be primarily used to award scholarships to families in need of child care programs run by the two organizations.

APPLEBEE’S PIONEERING RESTAURANT IS OFFICIALLY OPENED, ZANARO’S TO COME IN MAY: Zane Tankel, Apple Metro Chief Executive Officer (third from left) wields The Big Scissors with Mayor Joseph Delfino in the Official Applebee’s Opening Ceremony Monday. To Mr. Tankel’s left are Councilman Benjamin Boykin, Restaurant Manager, Hedy Gannon, and Councilwoman Rita Malmud. Photo by WPCNR News.

Tankel said that Zanaro’s, his other restaurant planned to take over the Greenpoint Bank building on the corner of Mamaroneck and Main, would open in May. Tankel said he originally planned to open Zanaro’s in December, but Greenpoint Bank space was not ready in the City Center, so he could not begin renovating for his new restaurant. Tankel reports Greenpoint was originally supposed to vacate October 15, now will be out of the space on January 2, at which time he would begin his new Zanaro’s design. He said the restaurant would feature outdoor seating, a party room in the previous bank vault, and a completely unique atmosphere different from his Zanaro’s at New Roc City.

JING FOR THE Y’S: Robert Lapp, President, YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester, left, accepts $2,150 check from Zane Tankel, second from left. Any Kohn, President of the Y.W.C.A. (third from left) holds up her $2,150 check; Mayor Delfino, and Benjamin Boykin. The funds were raised by Applebee’s last week at the V.I.P. party for the opening of the new Applebee’s. Photo by WPCNR News.

APPLEBEE’S PLEASED AT FIRST WEEK: Mr. Tankel said Applebee’s had a great first week, despite the handicap of not being accessible from the interior of the City Center. “We had a great week, in spite of it,” Tankel said. He said the main entrance to City Center to the left, was expected to be opened this week, allowing shoppers for Target, Circuit City and moviegoers to access the stores and the cinemas from Mamaroneck Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News.

Soccer Field at Saxon Woods Park Approved for White Plains.

Posted on December 14, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Department of Communications. December 14, 2003: The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved the construction of an artificial turf soccer field on a portion of the Saxon Woods pool parking lot this week.

The county is currently designing a new, all-weather soccer field and other improvements at Saxon Woods Park. Under terms of the intermunicipal agreement between White Plains and the county, the city will be responsible for all the operation, maintenance, scheduling and security of the field at its own expense. The county will issue up to $1.6 million in bonds to finance the construction costs.

Commenting on the approval of the soccer field and a baseball field in Peekskill, County Executive Andy Spano said: “This is part of my Legacy Program announced in 2002, in which I pledged to work with local governments to build these fields. These two projects are only possible due to the cooperative relations between the county, Peekskill and White Plains.”

County Legislator Bill Ryan, vice chair of the Board of Legislators and one of the leading advocates of the Legacy program, said: “These new fields will be excellent additions to Westchester’s outstanding parks and recreation program. Not only do they address a desperate need for athletic fields but they reaffirm the strong commitment that the county has as a partner with its municipalities to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

A Triumph! De Lux Recalls 30s Movie Palace With 21st Century Chic

Posted on December 12, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR MORNING RUSHES. By John F. Bailey. December 11, 2003 CINEMA DE LUX TOUR: The City Center 15 Cinema De Lux had its premiere for White Plains dignataries, divas, doyennes, dilletantes Thursday evening and drew 800 thumbs up. A crowd of some 400 persons accepted National Amusements invitations to spend a night at a choice of 10 movies. They strolled the opulent, red, blue, and gold swank carpet in oriental fan pattern and entered the finest movie palaceplex this reporter has seen.

The sophisticates gawked at the massive Egyptian columns, reminiscent of the Baths of Caracalla, strolled for what seemed like forever down the spacious foyer that rolls on like Route 66, from the East end of the Center Center on City Place to the West end fronting Mamaroneck Avenue, while giving you the consumer choice of every confection and movie you can want on your left, specialties on your right, while accompanied by the tinkling of the ivories from a grand piano.

“THE COLUMNS, THE LIGHTING, COMBINE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL, THE WOODWORK, THE LITTLE TOUCHES MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL, A LITTLE FINER, IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD,” was Councilperson Rita Malmud’s first reaction on seeing the majestic Grand Hall of Cinema De Lux Thursday evening. The Councilperson recalled it restored the magnificence of theatres of the past that she remembered. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

Recalling the luxury of theatres long torn down, with 21st century elegance, City Center 15 Cinema De Lux makes movies an experience once more, recalling the magic of “Paramounts,” “Palaces,” and “Majestics” gone by where kids from the Bronx, Brooklyn once entered a world of statuary, chandeliers, and grand staircases that took them into a world where dreams are born.

Ron Jackson, another resident told WPCNR “This is a great Christmas Present for the people of White Plains. I’m so glad the Mayor invited me. It’s wonderful that families now have a safe clean place to enjoy the movies.”

YOU’RE CROSSING THE BRIDGE AND INTO THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CITY CENTER, AND “THE LUX” WELCOMES YOU IN. White Plains Peforming Arts Center is slightly to the left. Movie Posters under glass are an ode to theatre marquees of the past. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

STEP RIGHT UP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND TEENS OF ALL AGES: Just inside the specious swinging glass doored entrance on the left, White Plains movie buffs can purchase their choice of seats in advance by computer in 4 Director’s Halls theatres, and tickets for any of the 11 other theatres at the computer sceens here, which show seating arrangements for the Director’s Halls. The attractions will be shown with prices ranging slightly more than $10 a ticket, on computer screens (shown upper right of pic) with special prices in effect for performances before 6 P.M. Actually pricing was not available to the media last night. Neither were telephone numbers to arrange for amenities, rentals, parties. WPCNR will make the information available when they become available to us. The cinemascopic Grand Hall presents a tasteful “soft” inviting aura without the harsh jarring visual glare typical of virtually every other multiplex in Westchester County. Seats for Friday’s performances may be purchased on the www.nationalamusements.com website. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

AFTER PURCHASING TICKETS, STROLL DOWN THE GRAND HALL BY THE SNACK MIDWAY: In perhaps the most elegant concession stands ever designed, you and yours can pick from 50 varieties of loose candy by the pound, or select packaged theatre favorites, on the right side of the hall,(below), that’s the Head of the Downtown Business Improvement District, (in the foreground) are a line up of Ben & Jerry’s, Nathans, Sbarro’s Pizza, and Pretzel Depot, and Starbucks Coffee for the discriminating indulger. The Gold “Oscar” was a special “living statue” for the evening. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

AFTER PURCHASING YOUR DUCATS, LADIES & GENTS CAN RELAX in this lounge awaiting the shows to begin. The complex is so spacious, it is more like the interior of an ocean liner. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

OR YOU CAN MEET YOUR BABY FOR DINNER AND A DRINK AT THE SUGGESTIVELY DIMLY LIT CHATTER’S LOUNGE just off the lounge. Chatter’s serves appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches all priced under $8, and cooked to order. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

YOUR SEAT RIGHT THIS WAY: Just to the right of Chatter’s Lounge, previously pictured, is the cleverly designed Theatre Concourse, that is a combination of the Grand Central Terminal lower level and a cruise ship passageway, seducing you into the world of make-believe. The theatres, all 15 of them, are so cleverly concealed into the building that you cannot believe there are fifteen of them. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

THE DIRECTOR’S HALL: Here is one of the four Director’s Halls, featuring 24″ wide UltraLeather Seats, and Dolby Digital Surround EX. All the theatres feature the murals of the Bear Mountain Bridge, a very elegant design touch, that lends each theatre a touch of nostalgia when theatres had murals on the walls, a stepup to another level in multi-plex design. We cannot go back to the black box theatre ever again, thanks to the Cinema de Lux. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

WPCNR TOUR GUIDES demonstrate the Director’s Hall seating, with all the comfort of a La-Z-Boy. Patricia Alsina is at right, and Quianne Heyward, left. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

PARTIES, ANYONE? Cinema de Lux will stage theatre parties for families and groups, providing the food and drinks in these specious rooms, just off the Theatre Concourse. Theatres may also be rented by corporations, schools, and community groups for meetings, presentations, and special showings. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam

NOW, ON WITH THE SHOW: Shari E. Redstone, President of National Amusements, and “Mr. Movies,” Mayor Joseph Delfino cut the silver ribbon, officially opening the City Center 15 Cinema de Lux. Ms. Redstone said she hoped to open her Cinema de Lux to local performing groups, businesses, and invite local artists to perform as entertainers in the complex, and promised National Amusements would be a contributing member of the White Plains community. The only faux pas was that Louis Cappelli, “The Visionary,” was not on the podium. He was briskly walking about supervising last minute repairs to theatre interiors calling in a welder here, a carpenter there, to fix the tiniest of imperfections. At the conclusion of the evening, he remarked to me, “I’m done. I can’t do this any more, I’m drained.” Ms. Redstone praised Mr. Cappelli, saying she wanted to “thank Louis Cappelli for his vision and commitment to redevelop this area.” (at least until this morning.) Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

PROUD FATHERS: Mayor Delfino, the father of the new movies in White Plains, back to camera, and the entertainment titan, Summer Redstone, observe Mr. Redstone’s daughter, Shari’s remarks, who ended her talk, saying she loved her father. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

MR. MOVIES, Mayor Joseph Delfino, asked all “How does it Look?” and a “huzzah” came from the assembled multitude. The Mayor thank all involved in the project, and encouraged all to make this the best theatre in the region, and encouraged all “to go out and sell this city and sell this theatre” to all they know. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

“I NEED A WELDER RIGHT AWAY!” That’s the meticulous, intense, concerned Louis Cappelli in center showing two of his construction crew a rough spot on a railing, that he wants smoothed out. Throughout the evening leading to the movie shows, Mr. Cappelli, “The Super Developer,” described as “The Visionary” was looking into things, finding little nicks and imperfections and demanding they be fixed. His manner was cordial, inspiring, a leader’s way. Photo by WPCNR HollywoodCam.

If you want to take your own tour of City Center 15 Cinema de Lux, on Friday evening the shows will as follows: Bad Santa, 7:10; 9:25, and 11:40 P.M.; The Cat in the Hat, 6:50 P.M.; Elf 6:55, 9:15, and 11:20; Honey, 7:20, 9:40, 11:45 P.M.; The Last Samurai, 7:15, 8:00, 10:30, 11:15; The Last Samurai in Director’s Hall, 6:30 and 9:45 P.M.; Love Actually, 9 PM, midnight; Love Don’t Cost A Thing, 7:50, 10:20, 12:35 A.M.; Mystic River, 6:35, 9:35, 12:25 A.M.; Something’s Gotta Give, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:15 A.M.; Something’s Gotta Give in Director’s Hall at 6, 7, 9, 10, 11:50, and 12:40 A.M.; Stuck on You, at 6:45, 9:50, 12:25 A.M. Tickets and Director’s Halls arrangements may now be available onthe website, www.nationalamusements.com.

Cinema de Lux Showcases This Evening. Showtimes Now Posted on Website

Posted on December 11, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR BACKLOT BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. December 11, 2003, UPDATED 4:50 P.M. E.S.T. with Friday Movie Schedules: The era of the multiplex begins in White Plains this evening when a preview party will be held beginning at 5 P.M. for invited V.I.P.’s and community figures to showcase the Cinema 15 de Lux at the City Center. Movies for the general public begin tomorrow and will be open to movie fans at 6 P.M. Within the last hour, a National Amusements spokesperson told WPCNR that official showtimes through Tuesday have been posted on the National Amusements website, www.nationalamusements.com, but have not appeared in print media.

LIGHTS! ACTION, CAMERA, HANG! City Center crews in process of mounting City Center signage on Mamaroneck Avenue Wednesday. Photo by WPCNR News.

The Showtimes just posted, on Friday evening are as follows: Bad Santa, 7:10; 9:25, and 11:40 P.M.; The Cat in the Hat, 6:50 P.M.; Elf 6:55, 9:15, and 11:20; Honey, 7:20, 9:40, 11:45 P.M.; The Last Samurai, 7:15, 8:00, 10:30, 11:15; The Last Samurai in Director’s Hall, 6:30 and 9:45 P.M.; Love Actually, 9 PM, midnight; Love Don’t Cost A Thing, 7:50, 10:20, 12:35 A.M.; Mystic River, 6:35, 9:35, 12:25 A.M.; Something’s Gotta Give, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:15 A.M.; Something’s Gotta Give in Director’s Hall at 6, 7, 9, 10, 11:50, and 12:40 A.M.; Stuck on You, at 6:45, 9:50, 12:25 A.M. Tickets and Director’s Halls arrangements may now be available onthe website, www.nationalamusements.com, but were not as of 4 P.M., according to the spokesperson.

Meanwhile Applebee’s, the first City Center restaurant to open, was in the swing of things Wednesday, hosting good lunch crowds Tuesday and Wednesday who were enjoying the movie and Broadway show memorabilia that festoon the walls of the roomy new restaurant. As one person remarked to me yesterday, Applebee’s is a great after-the-movies place. Applebee’s is ready for the movie crowds tomorrow.

APPLEBEE’S AWAITS YOUR BEFORE MOVIES, AFTER MOVIES APPETITE: The first City Center Restaurant is alive with interesting, unique movie artificacts, posters and wide aisles, and terrific acoustics (you can hear yourself across the table), and mooted conversational carry for relaxing. Photo by WPCNR News.

Movie Patrons who are first time visitors to the new complex which opens at 6:00 P.M. should allow extra time to pay for parking at the City Center Garage parking kiosks on the upper levels 4,5,and 6 closest to the movies since the parking time dispensing machines may take a few minutes for first-time users to figure out.

THE PARKING BUDDHA: Parking is purchased by punching in your parking space and depositing “jing” with the “Parking Buddhas” at the exits of the parking levels in City Center Garage. Patrons should allow extra time to establish a relationship with the Buddha. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ambassador Satch, the musical playing in the White Plains Performing Arts Center will also be showing tomorrow evening at 8 P.M. Patrons of the theater would also be advised to allow extra time before the 8 P.M. “Procession” as they will be competing with moviegoers for parking spaces on the 5th Level.

County Exec Establishes Discount Prescription Program for $15/ $26 a year.

Posted on December 11, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) December 11, 2003: County Executive Andy Spano today announced an innovative program designed to give Westchester residents of all ages who lack adequate health insurance significant discounts on prescription drugs. Individuals will pay $15 a year for the program, Families, $26.

White Plains Pharmacies honoring the program, beginning today are: Duane Reade, both Stop N Shop Pharmacies, Post Pharmacy, Target Pharmacy, White Plains Pharmacy, FamilyMeds Pharmacy, Rosedale Pharmacy, K-Mart Pharmacy, and Value Pharmacy.

The county program, dubbed “WestchesterRx,” will cost county taxpayers nothing, but can save consumers 10 to 50 percent on their medicines. The variations depend on the particular medicine and whether the consumers continue to purchase at a local pharmacy or use a mail order program. And the savings can be even greater if the customer uses an option that accesses pharmacies in Canada.

Westchester becomes the first county in the state and one of the first in the nation to use its clout to devise and implement a comprehensive, easy-to-use program to help residents pay for prescription drugs.

“Something is very wrong in this country where the people who can least afford to pay for medicines are paying the highest prices. This is not going to be true any longer in Westchester County,” said Spano. “Our program will provide real savings and provide these savings immediately. And unlike the recently enacted federal prescription drug plan, our program will help people and families regardless of their age.”

The county estimates that there are about 90,000 people in Westchester who are uninsured or underinsured. Ultimately, other value-added services such as vision care benefits and discount coupons will be incorporated.

Participants receive a card that identifies them as members of the county’s new program. People will be able to enroll via the Internet or through an enrollment form. They will be able to buy their medicines at one of 114 participating local pharmacies, through a national network of participating pharmacies or by mail service. A toll-free phone number will be set up for enrollees to call to get names of participating pharmacies – in and out of Westchester – and get answers to other aspects of the program.

“I believe this is the most important program that we have ever implemented in terms of how many people it will affect and its potential to save lives or at least give people access to drugs that can help them with their illnesses and improve their quality of life,” Spano said.

In creating the prescription drug plan, the County brought to the table industry leaders to administer the program. Namely, POMCO, administrator of the county’s employee health plan; Arxcel, Inc., an independent prescription drug consulting firm; Inteq, a pharmacy benefit managers corporation responsible for claims processing and network management, which negotiated special group rates with the pharmacies; and finally, LibertyCareRx, a marketing organization that will provide the web site, customer service and handle sales for the discount card. Together, with the county’s leadership, they have created a model prescription drug benefit program.

The program also includes a Canadian pharmacy option that allows residents to access medicines produced in America but sold at significantly reduced rates in Canada.

“I am outraged that Americans have to pay up to three times as much as Canadians for the same drugs,” Spano said.

The program will be operational Feb. 1, 2004 and is open to all Westchester residents. It will begin accepting enrollees in early January. More specific information including a website, brochures and a telephone line will be developed over the next few weeks. There will also be materials and a phone number set up for Spanish-speaking people.

EXAMPLES OF PRICES

(Actual prices can vary from day to day, so these numbers are not precise)

· The average price in Westchester of Lipitor (10mg), taken for high cholesterol, is $81.90 for 30 pills, a month’s supply. Through the county’s program, the medicine at one of the participating pharmacies will be $67.26, a savings of 17.9 percent. If the member uses mail order, the

medication will cost $63.04 for a savings of 23 percent. If the Canadian option is used, the medicine is $54.91, for a total savings of 33 percent.

· The average price in Westchester for Zoloft (50 mg), an anti-depressant, is $86.96 for 30 pills, a month’s supply. Through the county’s program, the medicine at one of the participating pharmacies will be $73.83, a savings of 15.1 percent. If the member uses mail order, the medication will cost $69.38 for a savings of 20.2 percent. If the Canadian option is used, the medicine is $53.95, for a total savings of 38 percent.

· The average price in Westchester for Celebrex (200 mg), for arthritis pain, is $98.12 for 30 pills, a month’s supply. Through the county’s program, the medicine at one of the participating pharmacies will be $80.02, a savings of 18.4 percent. If the member uses mail order, the medication will cost $75.35 for a savings of 23.2 percent. If the Canadian option is used, the medicine is. $43.25, for a total savings of 55.9 percent

· The average price in Westchester for Metformin (550 mg), for diabetes, is $23.16 for 30 pills, a month’s supply. Through the county’s program, the medicine at one of the participating pharmacies will be $21.25, a savings of 8.2 percent. If the member uses mail order, the medication will cost $13.11, for a savings of 43.4 percent. If the Canadian option is used, the medicine is. $5.19, for a total savings of 77.6 percent

HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK

· LOCAL PHARMACY NETWORK: Currently, 114 pharmacies in Westchester are part of the extensive geographically diverse pharmacy network. People may bring their prescriptions to these pharmacies, along with their program ID card, to get discounts on their medicines. The local network is made up of chain stores as well as small pharmacies. The network will have national coverage as well, so enrollees will be able to obtain their medicines outside the county.

Prices can change depending on the wholesale price of a particular drug on a particular day. The pharmacies, via their contract with the WestchesterRx program, have agreed to a negotiated discount. In the instance where the pharmacy may be charging less for a particular drug on a particular day, the WestchesterRx member will get the lower price. In no case will a member pay more through the network than what the store might otherwise charge.

· MAIL ORDER OPTION: For larger discounts on maintenance medicines, members can use a mail service pharmacy. The program will use drugstore.com. Prescriptions may be mailed, ordered via the Internet or faxed.

· CANADIAN OPTION: For even greater discounts, a participant may use the Canadian pharmacy option. WestchesterRx will be working with an intermediary that has relationships with various well-established and quality Canadian pharmacies.