WESTCHESTER CELEBRATES CANCER SURVIVORSHIP AT 3 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY EVENTS

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More than 1,200 Turned Out
to Support Cancer Research and Patient Services

Westchester, NY – Crowds cheered them on, as 140 cancer survivors walked the first laps in celebration of their victory over cancer at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in Westchester County. The annual events held in Dobbs Ferry, New Rochelle and Yorktown/Cortlandt raised more than $150,000 to support lifesaving research, as well as local education, advocacy and patient service programs.

More than 1,200 people, came out to the events held throughout the month of June to take their turns walking or running, relay-style, in an effort to fight cancer in Westchester. The highlight of the evening, were the luminaria services held to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against the disease. More than 6,500 luminaria candles lined the perimeter of the tracks at each of the venues, lighting the path of hope for walkers and runners. The solemnity of the luminaria ceremony reminded participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.
On the sidelines, teams enjoyed a variety of entertainment and activities scheduled throughout the night.

“We appreciate all the support we received from each of the teams as well as our event sponsors and underwriters,” said Karen Finnegan, Relay For Life Director for Westchester County. “We are especially grateful to the many volunteers and their families for all of their hard work to make these event happen.”
For those who participated in Relay For Life, the event represented hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that the disease will be one day be eliminated. Since the first Relay For Life was held in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., the event has raised over $732 million.
For more information about Relay For Life, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit its web site at www.cancer.org.
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Robert Ruger, Mr. White Plains, Interviewed on WPW.

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WPCNR VARIETY. July 15, 2002.: Former Councilman Robert Ruger will be interviewed about his life in White Plains Monday evening on White Plains Week, beginning at 7 PM on Channel 71. It will be recablecast Friday at 7:30 PM. The program recorded last year is timeless in the advice and reminisces that “Mr. White Plains” shares with John Bailey, Alex Philippidis, and Jim Benerofe.

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Routine Week at City Hall

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WPCNR Monday Morning Sun.By John F. Bailey. July 15, 2002.: The Common Council toured Indian Point. The City Center Project began erecting steel pillars. A new law firm is coming to 360 Hamilton Avenue, and JPI’s Jefferson at White Plains is still a “go.” The new Public Safety Commissioner took over.



THE STEEL ALSO RISES: The City Center construction entered a new phase last week when the first steel pillars were set in place. No new news on a hotel for the site, or new tenants but it’s still going up, according to Paul Wood, City Economic Development Officer. The view is from City Hall.
Photo by WPCNR

Indian Point:The Common Council toured Indian Point Wednesday evening and found the tour most impressive, according to City Hall spokesman, Rick Ammirato. Ammirato said council comments indicated they would consider the information they had learned in drafting any resolution regarding recommendation of closing of the facility. Ammirato also reported he and reporter Susan Elan of The Journal News had received some very minor radiation exposure, however he was not taking any iodine pills.

New Law Firm Paul Wood reported that one of the nation’s largest law firms is taking space at 360 Hamilton Avenue.

JPI Still Going.Mr. Wood also reported that the construction halt at the Jefferson at White Plains, 300 Mamaroneck Avenue, is a result of a contract dispute with the construction company. According to Wood, the construction company had informed JPI the excavation of the site would cost $20 million more than originally estimated, and that JPI did not agree with that, and they and the contractor are talking it over. He said JPI still has its financing intact and that the project is still viable.

New Commish.Paul Wood of the Mayor’s Office reported that the new Commissioner of Public Safety, Frank Straub, reported to duty last Monday morning and spent a routine day greeting and meeting the various personalities in the fire and police departments. But, he also did something very unique, according to Wood, Straub left work in the late afternoon, then returned Tuesday morning at midnight, when the Midnight police shift began.

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69% of WP Elementary Schools Pass ELA; 48% of Middle School 8-ers Fail.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS DAILY. By John F. Bailey with Sean P. Cover. July 12, 2002. Results of the English Language Arts State education tests were published this week. Results show that while the White Plains Elementary Schools continue to have an average of 70% of their fourth graders pass the tests, the Middle School eighth grade performance remained at little more than 50% (51.9%) of eighth graders passing for the second year in a row. The following are the figures, complete with number of students taking the tests, and figures for the Levels 1 & 2 categories (the unsatisfactory levels).

  Number of Students Tested Mean ELA Scale Score Percent of Students at ELA Level 1 Percent of Students at ELA Level 2 Percent of Students at ELA Level 3 Percent of Students at ELA Level 4
White Plains School District 454 667.95 5.3 25.6 44.7 24.4
Church Street School 109 672.24 5.5 28.4 39.4 26.6
George Washington School 96 670.63 3.1 20.8 51.0 25.0
Mamaroneck Ave. School 97 659.00 8.2 32.0 35.1 24.7
Post Road School 78 664.19 7.7 20.5 53.8 17.9
Ridgeway School 74 673.88 1.4 24.3 47.3 27.0

Grade 4 English Language Arts Levels – Listening, Reading, and Writing Standards

Level 4 – These students exceed the standards and are moving toward high performance
on the Regents examination. All students scoring from 692 to 800 are in this
level.

Level 3 – These students meet the standards and, with continued steady growth,
should pass the Regents examination. All students scoring from 645 to 691 are
in this level.

Level 2 – These students need extra help to meet the standards and pass the
Regents examination. All students scoring from 603 to 644 are in this level.

Level 1 – These students have serious academic deficiencies. All students scoring
from 455 to 602 are in this level.
Number of Students Tested
Mean ELA Scale Score
Percent of Students at ELA Level 1
Percent of Students at ELA Level 2
Percent of Students at ELA Level 3
Percent of Students at ELA Level 4
White Plains Middle School
468
703
4.5
43.6
39.1
12.8


Grade 8 English Language Arts Levels – Listening, Reading, and Writing Standards

Level 4 These students exceed the standards and are moving toward high performance
on the Regents examination. All students scoring from 739 to 830 are in this
level.

Level 3 These students meet the standards and, with continued steady growth,
should pass the Regents examination. All students scoring from 701 to 738 are
in this level.

Level 2 These students need extra help to meet the standards and pass the Regents
examination. All students scoring from 662 to 700 are in this level.

Level 1 These students have serious academic deficiencies. All students scoring
from 527 to 661 are in this level.

(Editor’s Note: These test results were extracted from the press release and data issued by the NY State Education Department on July 10, 2002 and located online at

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/ELA4_8_2002/Home.html

Level descriptions were extracted from the NYSED School Report Cards released in April 2002.)

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Little League’s Gedney Field Vandalized for Second Time in Week

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WPCNR Police Gazzette. From White Plains Little League. July 10, 2002.: The White Plains Little League office reports that the scoreboard at Gedney Field was rendered inoperable by vandalism for the second time in less than a week Tuesday night. Damage has been accessed by the league as over $800.00.
The league reports that sometime Tuesday evening, someone “sledgehammered” the data cable and electrical box at the rear of the Gedney Field backstop. The league office says no target date has been set for the repair. A new control panel costing $220 has also had to be ordered due to burnout of the former control panel while testing the repaired scoreboard last week.

Just one week ago, the electrical power wires at the top of the scoreboard in center field were completely severed. Electrical repairs were completed the next day.

Anyone with information leading to the identity of the perpetrators should contact the White Plains Police Department at 422-6111, or the Department of Recreation and Parks at 422-1336, ask for Commissioner Abramowitz.

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Bradley backs increased Workman’s Compensation Pct.

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WPCNR Afternoon Tribune. By John F. Bailey. July 10, 2002 2:15 PM E.D.T.: Adam Bradley, Democratic Challenger of Naomi Matusow, the Democrat-incumbent in the 89th Assembly District, said he would work to increase the percentage of salary a worker is entitled to, if injured on the job, under the Workman’s Compensation Law Wednesday.



WORKING FAMILIES PARTY ENDORSES ADAM BRADLEY: Mr. Bradley, standing on the steps of the White Plains Public Safety Building called for raising the Workman’s Compensation perceantage to 65% of salary Wednesday, in his acceptance of the WFP endorsement in the Democratic Primary September 10.
Photo by WPCNR


Mr. Bradley said the present law allowed workers to receive only 40% of salary,(though he was not sure if that was the correct percentage), if they were injured on the job, and said he supported the Working Families Party statewide initiative to reimburse injured workers 65% of their salary. He also said he supported the WFP goal of raising the minimum state wage from $5.15 to $6.75 an hour.

On a related wage issue, Bradley remarked he was behind the County Legislature initiative to introduce a “living wage law” in Westchester. Such a law, sponsored by County Legislator George Lattimer and James Maisano of New Rochelle, would require companies and organizations receiving county money (including tax abatements), to pay a minimum of $11.00 an hour with health benefits, and $13 an hour without health benefits.


WFP FOR BRADLEY: Kevin Heffernan, head of the Working Families Party called Adam Bradley “the best person to represent our Working Families” in the 89th Assembly District Wednesday, saying the endorsement was based on their extensive screening, questionnaire and personal interviews with Mr. Bradley and Ms. Matusow, the incumbent Democrat Assemblywoman. Mr. Bradley is shown third from left.
Photo by WPCNR


Benjamin Boykin, Common Council President, introduced Mr. Bradley, saying, “The Working Families Party represents the Democratic ideals: jobs, justice and health care.” He said that these concerns “can insure that our communities work.”

“Government Needs to Set an Example.”

Mr. Bradley said, “I am thrilled that the Working Families Party has chosen me as the candidate who will fight the hardest for working families in Westchester.”

Bradley said he supported both the minimum wage increase, and the concept of a living wage, saying, “Government needs to set an example on the minimum wage and the living wage.”

He said allegations of fraud in workman’s compensation claims should not be used as an excuse not to reimburse a worker “injured in the line of duty,” the wage necessary to support his family. He said that more investigators need to be added to investigate workman’s comp fraud.

In calling for the increase in the minimum wage and the workmen’s compensation, Bradley concluded his statement by saying about New York State, “We’re falling behind. We need to be the caring state we always were.”

Appearances coming up.

Mr. Bradley will be appearing in Bedford Hills Friday, and Harrison on Monday, as he continues to appear every day in communities throughout the 89th district. He was in New Castle Tuesday, and in White Plains Monday, meeting voters.

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ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE TONY SAYEGH JOINS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

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WPCNR NewsReel. From the Sayegh Campaign. July 10, 2002.: Tony Sayegh, candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 88th District, joined families from White Plains and the surrounding area as they celebrated Independence Day at White Plains High School on July 3rd.
Sayegh greeted the area residents as they participated in many of the activities held at the high school and waited for the great fireworks that would end the night of celebrating our country’s day of independence. Mr. Sayegh introduced himself to residents in the crowd listening to their issues and concerns for their community.

“It is wonderful to see children and families celebrating our nation’s independence,” said Sayegh. “In the wake of recent tragedies, gatherings like this remind us of what is truly important.”

Area residents enthusiastically greeted Sayegh and his campaign volunteers, who distributed red, white, and blue balloons at the event to add to the festive occasion.

Sayegh also attended holiday celebrations in White Plains, Eastchester, New Rochelle, Pelham and Tuckahoe this week. He is facing incumbent Democrat Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.

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Board of Ed Officers Elected.

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WPCNR School Days. From Michelle Schoenfeld. July 9, 2002:Dorothy S. Schere was elected President of the White Plains Board of Education at its Reorganization Meeting last week. Susan R. Kirkpatrick was elected Vice President.



PRESIDENT SCHERE TAKES THE REINS JULY 1: Dorothy Schere moving into the lead seat on the Board of Education last week.
Photo by WPCNR


Mrs. Schere has been a Board member for 15 years and was Vice President during five of those years.

In other action taken at this meeting, the firm of Ingerman Smith, LLP was designated as legal counsel, replacing Plunkett & Jaffe, PC, which is no longer acting as general counsel to school districts.

The next Regular meeting of the Board will take place on Monday August 12th, at 8 P.M., at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane. The public is welcome.

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King Komments: Aesthetics of White Plains

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King Komments:By White Plains Councilman William King. July 9, 2002: The peripatetic Councilman takes a weekend trip to Long Island and comes back with some ideas for White Plains.
Although you can’t bring the beautiful coastline of Eastern Long Island to White Plains (although securing the Dellwood property from the County hopefully soon finally for a low key lakeside park would be something), there are several elements in practice there that should be also done in White Plains.

Neat Pedestrian Signs

I suggest calling Easthampton, NY to see where they bought their red, yellow and white, highly visible, vertical, rectangular “Yield for Pedestrians in Crosswalk” signs that they have in the middle of the roadways all over town. Since they are much more visible than the plain black on white signs that White Plains and other towns around us use, people tend to stop more when there is someone who wants to cross in the crosswalk. Check it out!

Bike Signs in Use. No carnage.

Also, when are the Bike Route signs coming? They were also in abundance in Eastern Long Island, on Shelter Island and along the North Fork. A good look. As with White Plains, the bicyclists were already there and biking already – the signs mainly serve to give drivers an extra head’s up that there may be bicycles present -and there are many many bicyclists on Eastern Long Island.

Nifty Telephone Booths

Also, for George’s (Gretsas) edification (and mine), I saw a public payphone in a bright red British phonebox in Port Jefferson. It can be done!

Intriguing Novelties

They had a nice 4-horses-deep carousel in Greenport that was a big hit – many kids riding it. It was under an open air gazebo with big glass folding doors that were open but could be closed if it rained. The round, peaked roof should have at least had skylights or hatches that could have been open and closed too.

Festive Street Banners

I see these everywhere but in White Plains but in Long Island I saw a couple more banners across the street advertising some upcoming town fair or something. Still waiting for one in White Plains.

Finally, I saw a Victorian house-looking building in one town in a hamlet of Shelter Island that reminded me of similar ‘architectural statement’ types of buildings that can redirect and set the tone for an entire downtown or commercial strip.

Theme Architecture to Set a Mood.

There are a couple of Victorian style gems in downtown Santa Cruz, California that are used as commercial structures for restaurants and shops that act as the catalyst for downtown revitalization there. I would think a nice restaurant like the recently defunct Wrapsody would have fared better in such a structure than the plain, white (in White Plains, how ironic) 2-story office type building it was in, and failed in, on Mamaroneck Ave.

I believe it would pay for the City to help jump start the rest of Mamaroneck Avenue, between the City Center and the block between Post and Maple, by co-investing with a building owner to completely redo a facade in a more architectural way.

Thanks – Bill King

P.S. I noticed a pothole where all the asphalt is missing near the Food Emporium on Mam. Ave. – there was yellow brick underneath – wow- Mamaroneck Avenue used to be brick! – would be cool if it was again.

P.P.S. Coming back into White Plains from my weekend trip, I was hit by the bright glare of our streelights again, bathing our town in a bright amber glow, brighter than any place else.

It occurred to me once more that White Plains could be saving hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by not having so many streetlights so brightly illluminating our streets, especially our major arterials which seem as brightly lit as night-time construction sites.

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Nicholson fans 9, Goes All the Way in Historic 7-5, WPLL Tourney Win

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WPCNR Press Box. By Greg Zaccaria. July 9, 2002.:Another fun day of Little League Softball,as the White Plains National Team defeated Ardsley 7-5 Sunday in 7 innings.



WHITE PLAINS NATIONAL ALL-STARS, the team which became the first Majors Softball team to advance to the fourth game of the District 20 Little League Tournament. They were coached by Greg Zaccaria far right. Lou Petralia, back row center, and Cindy Gottshal.
Photos by WPCNR


Ardsley jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st on a unearned run off starter Shannon Nicolson.White Plains came right back and took the lead 2-1 in the top of the 2nd on a two out, two run single by Kate Smayda plating both Jill Gordon and Brittany Zaccaria.

Both Pitchers where throwing well as the score held until the top of the fifth, when Jill Gordon delivered a clutch two out single to center scoring Rachal Hacohen who had walked earlier in the inning.

Smayda Saves Game.

With 1 out in the bottom of the 6th, Ardsley mounted a two run rally to tie the score, they even had the chance for victory with runners on 2nd and 3rd and only 1 out , the runner on third broke for home, but Kate Smayda retrived the wild pitch and tagged the runner out.

Shannon retired the next batter on a pop up to end the threat.

Tearing up the Pea Patch

As the score was now tied, the game went to extra innings 3-3.White Plains, behind hits by Caroline Couzens,Jill Gordon (her third),Michelle Potillio,Brittany Zaccaria and Kate Smayda rallied for 4 runs and a 7-3 lead.

Closing it Out

But this game was not to be this easy,Ardsley just would not quit and once again rallied to score 2 runs and have the bases loaded when Shannon Nicolson struck out the final batter for her ninth strike out of the game and the complete game victory.



LITTE ACE: Coach Zaccaria with Shannon Nicholson, the Winning Pitcher in the historic game. Nicholson struck out nine and walked only one batter. Shannon says she has learned to use all the strike zone and move the ball around inside and outside to confound hitters. Pitching for a year, she is the product of Coach Ted O’Donnell’s winter pitching clinics. Her delivery is described as crackling fast with amazing speed for her size. Her mom says nothing rattles her on the mound.


I have been told that this is the first time a W.P. Majors Softball team has advanced this far in the tournament ,if that is true, it just goes to show our girls are headed in the right direction and the future looks bright.

Tigers of the Future

White Plains bowed out of the tournament losing to Kensico Monday evening, but the girls came off the field smiling, knowing they had moved the WPLL Softball Program to the next level.



WHITE PLAINS IN ACTION AGAINST KENSICO MONDAY NIGHT


The WPLL committment to the girls softball program, the last three years which include staging of annual spring clinics, conducted by WPHS softball coach, Ted O’Donnell where techniques are demonstrated to players and coaches is paying off.

Al Orfe of the White Plains Little League notes that four years ago the White Plains Major Girls advanced to the Finals through the losing bracket, only to lose to Harrison twice at Harrison.



SMILES ALL AROUND AS ANOTHER WPLL SEASON FADES INTO MEMORY: White Plains Nationals in ceremonial end of game ritual leave the field Monday evening.

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