WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

Thruway to Survey Destinations of Motorists at Tolls

Posted on March 19, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR NOW HEAR THIS. From New York State Thruway Authority. (EDITED) March 19, 2003: On a day when the Cross Westchester Expressway was at a standstill Westbound at midday due to blasting, The New York State Thruway Authority and MTA Metro-North Railroad announced they will be distributing Origin and Destination surveys at the Tappan Zee Bridge and Spring Valley toll plazas later this month. Additional surveys will also be distributed on various train and bus lines.

The purpose of the survey is to better understand the travel patterns
and preferences of travelers in the study corridor. The information
will be kept confidential and only used as part of the Tappan Zee
Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review.

Motorists should expect some minor delays at the toll plazas while
personnel are handing out the survey forms. Your patience and
understanding during this process is greatly appreciated.

For additional information about the survey and updates on the Tappan
Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review, please log onto the project
website at www.tzbsite.com.

Support Group for Women In Transition

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR OUTREACH ON MAIN STREET. From Westchester Jewish Community Services. March 19, 2003: A support group is forming in White Plains for women who are facing major changes in their lives. The group will meet evenings twice monthly at Trinity Lutheran Church (430 North Street) to gain insight into the nature of change and how to deal with it effectively. For more information, call Adline at 937-3322.

The group is sponsored by the Westchester Self-Help Clearinghouse, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services.

Casting Call:Fort Hill Players Casting

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VARIETY. From Joan Charischak. March 18, 2003:Fort Hill Players’ 5th Annual Free Summer Theater in the Parks production, The Adventures of Stuart Little will be holding auditions at Rochambeau School, 228 Fisher Avenue, White Plains on Saturday, April 26 from 11 AM to 1 PM and Tuesday, April 29th, 7 to 9 PM for the production which will be staged July 7 to July 25 outdoors in the White Plains parks this summer.

The Stuart Little cast consists of seven people doing multiple roles,
ethnicity, gender and ages flexible. For further information contact Joan Charischak at 914-946-5143, or forthillplayers.com.

High School Names 41 “Scholar Athletes”

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Michelle Schoenfeld, City School District. March 18, 2003:Forty-one White Plains High School students from three Winter Varsity Teams were honored as Scholar-Athletes by the Board of Education at its March Regular Meeting. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association awards this status, based upon a team average of 90 or better from a specified number of athletes. Athletic Director Mario Scarano presented the teams and their coaches to the Board.
Eight students from the Men’s Ice Hockey Team, coached by Howie Rubenstein, had a 90.443 average. They are Matt Bruno, Edden Friedman, David Gramolini, Morgan Kellogg, Michael Kushman, Steven Levy, Travis Orfe and Alex Porta.

From the Men’s Swimming Team, Patty Gilmartin, Coach, the following 18 athletes qualified with an average of 90.510: William Berg, Evan Boshi, John Coulter, Marten Coulter, Joshua Daskin, Jon Gold, Clifford Gonzales, Adam Kaplan, Andrew Kaplan, Steven Kaplan, Matt Karp, Brian Koizim, Erik Lantier, Brennan Lasher, Sean McLaughlin, David Schindelheim, Ron Schoenherr and Kevin Troyanos.

The Women’s Indoor Track Team, coached by Ed Zemmel, had 15 members qualify with an average of 90.741. Members are: Kendall Alexander, Alyse Bonuomo, Ruth Annie Brice, Whitney Ford, Chelsea Henderson, Rachel Hyatt-Smith, Esther Kim, Kimberly Maxwell, Julia Pandolfo, Jennifer Russell, Rachel Salazar, Melissa Trinidad, Allison Wing, Ayana Wyse and Tamiko Younge.

In addition, Mr. Scarano recognized 9 athletes who attained averages over 90, whose teams did not qualify.

Amy Paulin’s Albany Assembly Passes Video Voyeur Law.

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR’S AMY PAULIN’S ALBANY. By Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of the 88th District. March 18, 2003: Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) announced that legislation she co-sponsored passed the Assembly – by a vote of 143 to 0 – making it a crime to photograph or videotape people in their homes with a hidden camera or to distribute unlawfully obtained images.
“Voyeurism is becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “Today, someone can invade your privacy with tiny video cameras that can be hidden anywhere. It’s alarming to think that you could be secretly videotaped in your own home — and the taping is not itself a crime. Our laws should protect us from the dangers posed by the high-tech world we live in.”

Twelve states have embraced similar laws. Paulin’s legislation would make photographic or video voyeurism, sale of an image, or transfer by the photographer a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment; and up to seven years imprisonment for a second offense. The bill would also make any other transfer of an image known to have been obtained unlawfully punishable by up to a one year sentence, and up to four years for a second conviction.

Unlawful video surveillance is prohibited in places like bathrooms and dressing rooms, but current law doesn’t apply to private residences. Legitimate photographs and videotapes involving home security systems or authorized law enforcement surveillance are exempt from this legislation.

“It’s outrageous that someone can photograph or videotape you in private moments without your knowledge — for their own twisted purposes — and violate no specific law. People have the right to feel safe without worrying about being violated with a hidden camera,” Assemblywoman Paulin concluded.

Mideast CIA Expert on Paul Feiner Show Thursday Morning.

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VARIETY. From Paul Feiner, Greenburge Town Supervisor. March 18, 2003:Jack Devine, who served as Acting Director and Associate Director of the CIA’s operations abroad will appear on Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner’s radio program this Thursday, March 20th on WVOX Radio (AM l460) from l0:05 AM to l0:20 AM.

Feiner will speak to Devine, who also headed the CIA’s Afghan Task Force, about the war in Iraq and the impact the war could have on domestic terrorism. Devine is President of the Arkin Group, which specializes in international crisis management, strategic intelligence, investigative research and business problem solving.

Pilots Under New Restrictions Around New York Metro Area Air Space.

Posted on March 18, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR NOW HEAR THIS. From Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. March 18, 2003:The FAA has established
the New York Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), affecting airspace
within the Mode C veil, extending for 30 nautical miles around Kennedy, Newark, and La Guardia airports. The restrictions are also in place in the Washington Metropolitan Air Defense Identification Zone, as well as Disneyland in California and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Pilots are advised to see the notam and a graphic at http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#3/2127. In addition, the
flight plan requirement has been reinstated for operations within the
Washington Metropolitan ADIZ, and approved based pilots flying to the
“DC-3” airports (College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield, and Washington Executive/Hyde Field) must once again clear security at a gateway airport– now Tipton Airport (FME) in Ft. Meade, Maryland. See the notam and a graphic at http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#3/2126.

According to FAA notams issued Tuesday afternoon, these changes are effective IMMEDIATELY and will continue until further notice.

Shortly after President Bush told the nation last night that war with Iraq
is likely, the Department of Homeland Security raised the terrorist threat level to orange, or “high risk.” With that, the FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) imposed the new airspace restrictions on the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas, as well as restrictions over Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida.

“While AOPA and general aviation pilots are more than willing to do what’s necessary to protect the nation from credible security threats, we’re very concerned about ‘ADIZ creep’ and the operational problems they bring,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “An ADIZ can severely disrupt general aviation operations, affecting the businesses and transportation needs of thousands of people. Let’s make sure the security threat is real and significant before once again shackling the lives and livelihoods of American citizens.”

For both New York and Washington, the ADIZ extends from the surface to 18,000 feet agl. In order to operate within either ADIZ, pilots must file a flight plan (IFR or VFR), obtain a discrete transponder code, and be in communication with air traffic control. Pilots must continue to squawk that discrete code until clear of the ADIZ or until they land at an airport in the ADIZ.

The New York ADIZ affects 28 public-use facilities, including Essex County (CDW), Central Jersey Regional (47N), Flushing (FLU), Republic (FRG), Westchester County (HPN), and Morristown (MMU) airports.

See AOPA Online for a complete list at http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/03-1-128x.html.

AOPA has created a checklist for pilots flying in either ADIZ; click here to view a copy: http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/031403_check.html )
and use it for any flights in or near ADIZ airspace. Pilots are encouraged to e-mail reports of any difficulties operating within the New York ADIZ to ( mailto:NewYorkADIZ@aopa.org ) or within the Washington ADIZ to ( mailto:WashingtonADIZ@aopa.org ).

Because airspace restrictions can change, AOPA strongly advises pilots to contact flight service for the latest information prior to any flight. Check AOPA Online ( http://www.aopa.org ) for updates on the airspace situation.

We’re In The Green! Assembly Extends White Plains Sales Tax for 2 years

Posted on March 17, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY GAZETTE. From 89th District Assemblyman Adam Bradley. March 17, 2003, UPDATED March 18, 2003, 11:00 E.S.T.: Adam Bradley who ousted former Assemblyperson Naomi Matusow in last September’s primary on the strength of Ms. Matusow’s refusal to support the White Plains sales tax, announced Monday, that the Assembly had passed the sales tax measure retaining the White Plains budget staple for another two years. The lone bill dealing only with White Plains still needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by Governor George Pataki.

In a telephone interview with WPCNR Tuesday morning, Mr. Bradley said he would be meeting with State Senator Nicholas Spano later today to “move this bill as quickly as we can, so the city does not have to go to the trouble and expense of preparing two budgets, one with the (1/2%) sales tax and one without.”

ASSEMBLYMAN ADAM BRADLEY DELIVERS THE SALES TAX” Mr. Bradley shown during an interview at City Hall at the White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade recently. He announced the city sales tax of an extra .05% passed the Assembly Monday.
Photo by WPCNR News

Bradley said the bill is an individual bill introduced by him that deals only with White Plains and is not bundled with any omnibus bill covering a number of communities.

“Everybody says I shouldn’t be doing these kind of things, ” Bradley said from Albany, “but it’s my job to do what’s right for my district. These are hard times and it’s important we get it done early for the benefit of the city.”

Bradley said he thought the next step was that Senator Spano was going to take his bill to the State Senate Rules Committee.
The Nuts and Bolts

Assemblyman Bradley announced Monday the Assembly passage of his measure extending the 0.5 percent sales tax the city of White Plains collects in lieu of additional property taxes. The amended tax law would authorize the city to continue collecting the tax until August of 2005.

“This amendment would present no new cost to White Plains families. This tax was first enacted in 1993, and helps the city avoid property tax increases,” Bradley said in his official statement. “The tax has not increased in nine years and is a great help in balancing the city’s budget. I’m pleased to pass this important legislation early so that we can help ensure that the city of White Plains does not have to needlessly prepare two budgets.”

Bradley noted the measure acknowledges White Plains’ fiscal responsibility since the city could seek a 1 percent increase but has asked only for 0.5 percent since 1993. Every other large city in Westchester has sought and received the full 1 percent increase.

“I’ve made it clear from the start that keeping property taxes stable is a top priority and extending this small sales tax will help achieve that,” Bradley said. “It will avoid steep property tax increases for White Plains families.
“White Plains is only a city of 50,000 people, but Monday through Saturday the city’s daytime population swells to 250,000,” Bradley concluded. “It would be unfair to make 50,000 residents pay for all the increased costs and services necessary to provide police, fire, sanitation and the like for a daytime population five times its actual size.”

They’re Off! Larchmont Mariner Departs Hong Kong for NY to Beat the Clipper

Posted on March 16, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR ADVENTURER’S LOG. By Cynthia Goss, WPCNR Hong Kong. March 16, 2003:Carrying two sailing adventurers and a
symbolic cargo of tea, the trimaran Great American II departed Hong Kong Harbor today in a bid to set a new sailing record to New York City.

Rich Wilson, 52, from Rockport, Mass., and Rich du Moulin, 56, from
Larchmont, NY, are undertaking the non-stop 15,000 mile voyage in an
attempt to break a 154-year old passage record but also to break new
ground in adventure-based education for K5-12 schoolchildren.

The 53-foot trimaran, home-ported in Rockport, is chasing the time of 74
days and 14 hours, set in 1849 by the legendary clipper ship Sea Witch
as she raced home to New England with a cargo of tea from the orient.

If Great American II can beat the clipper ship’s pace, Wilson and du
Moulin will finish at the Statue of Liberty sometime during the week of
May 26. The voyage of Great American II will be followed online by
school children from throughout the United States, and students will be
able to see how math, sciences such as meteorology and oceanography, andeven the lessons of history apply in real-time adventure.

Before their departure, the Director of Hong Kong’s Marine Department,
Mr. Shung-yiu Tsui made a formal presentation of a carton of tea that
the two adventurers will carry to New York.

Great American II crossed a starting line set off the host Royal Hong
Kong Yacht Club at noon local time. The starting gun was fired by Robert Bird, general manager of the Yacht Club.

Tacking in bright sunshine and a ten-knot southerly, the trimaran
threaded her way through the typical press of harbor traffic, including
the green and white Star ferries and a variety of fishing boats.

Life onboard Great American II will be tracked by an estimated 360,000
school children in the education programs Wilson creates on his
www.sitesalive.com website for the World Wide Web, for daily newspapers in the wide-ranging Newspaper In Education network, and on the AOL@SCHOOL network.

According to Wilson, the first leg of the passage to New York from Hong
Kong through the South China Sea will be an intensive trial. Sailing
alternate watches they will weave a course through a labyrinth of
islands, reefs, and shoals, and a region heavy with shipping traffic and
piracy. They will travel some 2,000 miles before passing through the
Sunda Strait and entering the Indian Ocean.

From there, Great American II will sail for the southern tip of Africa, round the Cape of Good Hope, and then turn north into the Atlantic Ocean for the passage across the equator to New York.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN FOLLOW GAII

The website tracking the voyage of Great American II is http://www.sitesalive.com. For information or to purchase
a license, go to http://www.sitesalive.com/oceanchallengelive/. The saga of GAII will also be published in a number of daily papers, in the
Newspaper In Education supplements, and tracked on the AOL@SCHOOL program (keyword: sitesalive).

THE sitesALIVE! FOUNDATION: A LARGER MISSION

In 1993, Rich Wilson founded Ocean Challenge, Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts) and pioneered a new learning concept called sitesALIVE!. The premise was simple: kids love adventure and they love computers; once they are hooked by the real-time adventure of online learning, teachers can use this format to make a multitude of subjects come alive.

Some 65 full-semester sitesALIVE! programs have connected classrooms to live adventures and field schools on land and sea, and the programs have garnered awards and award nominations. Despite testimonials on the value of internet-based learning, many students and teachers-especially those in lower income or small school systems-cannot access the technology.

The sitesALIVE! Foundation was established in 2002 to address teacher training in computer technology and funding for budget-constrained schools. The mission of the sitesALIVE Foundation is to enhance K-12 education by promoting the use of technology with real-world, real-time content from around the world.

Adam In Albany: Assembly Lowers Auto Insurance Rates

Posted on March 14, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR’s Adam In Albany. By District 89 Assemblyperson Adam T. Bradley. March 14, 2003:The Assembly passed new legislation this week to help protect consumers from run-away auto insurance rates (A.4807-A). The bill, which I voted for, cracks down on auto insurance fraud – a crime that costs Westchester and New York drivers more than $1 billion a year.

New York’s auto insurance rates have soared over the past several years because scam artists are exploiting the state’s no-fault insurance law. The Assembly’s legislation cracks down on individuals who engage in fraudulent schemes and holds insurers more accountable for their rates.

To help ensure that consumers receive a savings, the legislation requires the state Insurance Department superintendent to review rate change requests by insurers for private passenger auto policies. Insurers who do not reduce their no-fault premium rates as a result of savings from anti-fraud measures must provide the state with a detailed explanation justifying their inability to lower rates.

These reforms will go a long way towards helping reduce the cost of auto insurance to consumers, as well as send a strong message that insurance fraud won’t be tolerated in New York. This legislation creates felony level penalties for “runners” – individuals who recruit clients and facilitators to stage accidents for the purpose of scamming insurers. It also establishes the Office of Public Insurance Consumer Advocate, an independent state body, to safeguard auto and health insurance consumers.

In addition, the Assembly’s legislation would provide for stricter accounting of medical costs incurred under the no-fault program by requiring a 30-day notice of claim for initial medical treatment and a 60-day notice of proof of claim.

Right now, New York ranks third highest in auto insurance rates, and unfortunately we’re heading in the wrong direction. We have a real chance at having the worst rates in the nation if something isn’t done. This legislation would help provide New York’s working families with immediate relief from skyrocketing auto insurance costs. I urge the Senate and governor to work with the Assembly to do what’s right for motorists and enact this money-saving legislation.