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.

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CHRONICLE-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) November 27, 2002:As of Wednesday, unmarried Westchester couples who would like to have their relationship recognized and documented may take advantage of the new domestic partner registry with the County Clerk’s Office. Here’s how an unmarried couple may register:
County Executive Andy Spano called the registry “an important step in formally recognizing the many individuals who share a family life in a committed, mutually interdependent relationship apart from marriage.”

Advantages

While couples registered with the Domestic Partner Registry are not guaranteed access to benefits available to married couples – such as health insurance — the registry will make it easier for those willing governments and employers to dispense such benefits fairly, he said.

The Westchester County government and the State of New York already extend health insurance benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. So too do many large corporations, numerous non-profit organizations, colleges and universities and some Westchester municipalities.

Each person registering will get a certificate that can be used when applying for these benefits. Under the law, a registered partner is also entitled to the same rights of visitation accorded to spouses, next of kin or family members at any correctional facility, hospital, nursing home or health care facility in Westchester.

County Clark Says They Are Ready

Said County Clerk Leonard Spano (who is not related to the county executive), “My office has worked to ensure that the domestic partnership registry will seamlessly be integrated into the services currently provided. Our systems and our staff are fully prepared to begin the new registrations.”

Steps Required

Under the law, couples who wish to register as domestic partners must fill out an affidavit – which must be notarized — and go to the County Clerk’s office. The cost is $35.

The domestic partnership registrations will be done in the Legal Division of the County Clerk’s Office (110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Room 330). Office hours are 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointments are necessary. For further information, contact 914-995-3070 or visit the County Clerk’s website at www.westchesterclerk.com . The affidavit will also be available at this site.

Among other requirements:

• The partners must be at least 18, unrelated by blood and share a common household.

• They must attest to the duration and financial interdependence of their partnership.

• Persons are eligible to register if they live in Westchester or at least one partner is employed by the Westchester County government.

• If the couple breaks up, they must file a Termination Statement with the County Clerk.

Here are the specifics on how to register a domestic partnership:

1. Establish eligibility

• The partners must reside in the County of Westchester, or one partner must be employed by the County of Westchester.

• Each partner must be 18 years of age or older, unmarried and competent to enter into a contract.

• The partners must not be related by blood in a manner that would bar marriage under the laws of the State of New York.

• The partners must share a common household.

• The partners must be in a close and committed, financially interdependent personal relationship and intend to remain in the relationship.

• The partners must be each other’s sole domestic partner, have no other domestic partner and intend to remain each other’s sole domestic partner.

• Neither partner can have terminated a domestic partnership within the last 60 calendar days.

• The partners must agree to file a termination statement in the event that the domestic partnership is terminated.

2. Complete an affidavit of Domestic Partnership Registration

• The affidavit is available in the Legal Division of the County Clerk’s office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Room 330, White Plains, NY 10601 and on the County Clerk’s website at www.westchesterclerk.com.

• Both partners’ names and their home address must be clearly printed.

• Both partners must sign the affidavit and the signatures must be notarized.

• If eligibility is based on employment, the name of the county department in which one partner is employed must be clearly printed.

3. File the Affidavit in the Office of the Westchester County Clerk

• There is a $35 filing fee payable by certified check, money order (payable to the Westchester County Clerk) or cash.

• The partners will receive 2 certified copies of the Affidavit and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership.

• The County Clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

• To file by mail, you must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

For further information, contact Chief Deputy County Clerk Mary Delaney at 914-995-4499.

History of the Statute

The legislation to establish the registry was proposed by County Executive Andy Spano and approved two months ago in a bi-partisan vote of the Board of Legislators. It applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples, who may register with the office of County Clerk Leonard Spano.

To date, over 40 jurisdictions in the United States have established such registries, including New York City, Albany, Rochester and Ithaca.

Hits: 0

WPCNR AFTERNOON TRIB & POST. From Community Crime Prevention Bureau. (EDITED) November 26, 2002:A permanent advisory council comprised of 15 community leaders from across Westchester will work together in a coordinated effort to explore the causes and recommended solutions for the escalating problem of underage drinking. A panel of educational experts, including Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, will tour high schools throughout the county in January to heighten awareness of the dangers of teen drinking.

Six Month Plan

The advisory council will meet on a regular basis over the next six months to share ideas, practices and resources. Their findings will form the basis of a second major conference planned for April 2003. A successful conference was held with a panel of Westchester community leaders who discussed the drinking issue on November 7 at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.

The concept for the permanent advisory council made up of the
original conference panel members emerged from that symposium.

Concerned D.A., Doctors, Educators to Tour High Schools Across Area in January

In addition to creation of the advisory council, a subcommittee of council members, including: District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, medical professionals from the council and educators will begin visiting high schools across Westchester to present a special program focused on the real physical dangers posed by binge drinking.

This outreach program, which will begin in January, will include a powerful educational video on alcohol and substance abuse — Dying High: Teens in the ER.

Filmed at White Plains HospitalCenter

This chilling documentary, which demonstrates the tragic consequences that often come with drinking, was filmed last spring at the White Plains Hospital Center’s Emergency Room- the busiest in Westchester County.

Pirro Outreach

The District Attorney explained that the advisory board and school program are a direct result of the countywide conference, which was held on November 7. Ms. Pirro, in a statement said,

“It was imperative that we capitalize on the momentum created by the
conference and by the heightened level of awareness brought on by recent serious underage drinking incidents across Westchester. I believe the advisory board and high school visitation program are proactive steps that can help our community in coping with this very complex problem.”

Advisory Council a Gathering of Leaders

The members of the advisory council on underage drinking represent leaders from the business, education, law enforcement and healthcare communities, as well as parents, students and clergy. Joining District Attorney Pirro on the council are:

Sam Abate, Ardsley Village Supervisor & President of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association;

Don Antonecchia, Superintendent, Pleasantville Public Schools;

Richard Berman, President, Manhattanville College;

Dorothy Fallon, School Board President, Bedford Schools (representing Westchester School Boards Association);

Marsha Gordon, President, Westchester Chamber of Commerce;

Dr. Debra Jackson, Superintendent North Salem Schools;

Bruce Kelly, Chief, Community Crime Prevention Bureau, Westchester District Attorney’s Office;

Helana Jaffe, Westchester East Putnam District PTA;

Ann Janiak, Women’s Enterprise Development Center & the Westchester Municipal Officials Association;

George Longworth, Police Chief, Village of Dobbs Ferry;

Donald Marra, Village Administrator, Irvington;

Frank Marte, Westchester Youth Council;

Dr. Franklin Richardson, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon;

Edward Stolzenberg, President & CEO, Westchester Medical Center;

Jon Schandler, President & CEO, White Plains Hospital Center;

Ron Smalls; Superintendent, Southern Westchester BOCES.

First Meeting in December

The advisory council will hold its first meeting on Monday, December 9.
Thereafter, the council will continue to meet on an ongoing basis, leading up to the April symposium at which time the members will discuss their findings. Information about the council’s ongoing work and related information will be posted on the BOCES website.

For more information, please contact Bruce Kelly, Chief of the Community Crime Prevention Bureau, Westchester D.A.’s Office at (914) 995-3317.

Hits: 0

WPCNR County Clarion-Leger. From Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation. November 26, 2002:Trash collection booms will be installed on the Bronx River Parkway Reservation to trap debris floating along the Bronx River, County Executive Andy Spano announced Monday.
Spano explained that the project is being funded through a $100,000 matching grant from the New York State DEC, and $70,000 worth of in-kind services and $30,000 in capital funds for the project.

“The Bronx River Parkway Reservation runs through the heart of Westchester and is one of the most diverse natural areas in the county,” Spano said. “While these booms will help contain some of the debris, we all share the responsibility of preserving it and ensuring that it remain the pristine resource that it deserves to be for the thousands of residents who enjoy it throughout the year.”

Spano explained that the booms will be installed in the White Plains and Yonkers area of the reservation next winter.

Each boom consists of foam-filled floats that are anchored at the far shoreline on the upstream side of the river, and stretched across to the downstream side on a 45-degree angle, where an 8 x 10-foot collection basket is set.

The booms are anchored on a sliding mechanism that allows them to rise and fall along with the water level of the river. When full, the basket and debris can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds.

He said the problem of bottles, cans, and plastic containers accumulating in the river is not new. Each year, more than 250 tons of trash is collected from the Bronx River, most of which travels downstream and winds up in Bronxville and Crestwood lakes.

In a single day, County Parks staff have removed as many as 10 tires, six shopping carts, and 20, 55-gallon bags of floatable debris from the river.

Spano noted that the Parks Department’s Bronx River maintenance staff will maintain the booms and remove the collected debris at regular intervals.

Hits: 0

WPCNR AFTERNOON TRIB & POST. From Westchester County District Attorney Press Office. November 25, 2002:Pia Stefanelli, 40, of 23 Old Mamaroneck Road has been indicted on two counts of Murder in the Second Degree by the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, for the October 14, 2002, shooting which resulted in the death of 41-year old Jeffrey Troebs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The indictment was announced by District Attorney Jeanine Pirro and White Plains Public Safety Commissioner Frank G. Straub today. The murder counts are based on two separate theories of law, one count is intentional murder and the second count is depraved indifference murder.

The indictment alleges that Stefanelli fired a single shot from close range with a .380 Beretta handgun striking Mr. Troebs in the head. Mr. Troebs was in a walk-in closet in the bedroom of Stefanelli’s apartment at the time of the incident. Mr. Troebs, a Sergeant in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Police Department, died the next day from the gunshot wound.

If convicted of the top count, the defendent faces a maxium of twenty-five years to life in state prison.

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Recreation & Parks:More than 700 cheerleaders, including the “Tigerettes,” the White Plains High School Cheerleaders, under Coach Alex Munoz, will be performing for their high school and middle school squads from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Nassau and Bronx counties during the 54th Annual Westchester County Regional Cheerleading Invitational on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 2, 3 and 4, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
Anne Chillemi reports the White Plains High School Varsity Cheerleading Team will be in competition at the County Center on December 3rd. This is new to the team and they have a new coach, Alex Munoz, to teach the team.

Middle school and junior varsity competition will begin at 4 p.m. and varsity will begin at 6:45 p.m. each day; there will be no middle school/junior varsity competition on Wednesday.

Squads will be judged on the execution of their cheers, precision of their jumps, enthusiasm, group techniques and overall effect. Trophies will be awarded for first through fifth place finishes for varsity squads and first through third place for junior varsity.

The “Grand Champions” trophy competition, in which the first-place varsity squads from each day face off against one another, will take place on Wednesday after the varsity competition.
The United States Marine Corps Color Guard, the Young Marines of Westchester, and Marine Corps Jr. R.O.T.C. of Yonkers will present the colors for the opening ceremony each evening.

To add to the excitement, more than $7,000 in scholarships will be awarded, based on candidates’ academic average, a written essay, school and community involvement, as well as cheerleading ability.

At the conclusion of the competition, both varsity and junior varsity squads will be eligible for the Team Spirit Award sponsored by the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.

Admission for spectators is $7.50. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 6, for parents and guardians of the competing cheerleaders; tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, November 7. The County Center box office is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.

The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway, Central Avenue and Tarrytown Road in White Plains. The building and parking lots are accessible to the disabled. Parking is $4 per car. The County Center is also accessible via the Westchester County BEE-LINE Bus System.

The Westchester County Cheerleading Competition is sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, the National Cheerleading Association, and the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.

For more information, call the County Parks Department at (914) 864-7064. General information on Westchester County Parks is available on the World Wide Web at www.westchestergov.com.