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.

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Updated 3:00 PM Dec. 19: New Final Fortunoff’s Fotos:The Planning Board December monthly meeting told would-be sub dividers the board had major problems with their plans for Greenridge Avenue, Scott Circle and Woodcrest Avenue, praised the final site plan for Fortunoffs and indicated widespread diverging views on the New York Presbyterian Hospital DEIS.

THE PLANNING MAN SAYS GOODBYE TO THE PLANNING BOARD: Mike Graessle, appearing far right in your picture, in his fairwell to planning last night said, “This Planning Board has had some difficult tasks in front of it. You’ve been fair, impartial and it doesn’t allow politics to interfere.” Board Chair, Mary Cavallero, returned the bouquet, saying,” The city has been well-served by you as a commissioner and a citizen. You managed to calm people down.”
WPCNR PHOTO.

Michael Graessle, retiring Commissioner of Planning, returned from vacation to praise the Board as being “one of the hardest working (Planning) Boards I’ve ever seen. At no time has this Board been better served by its members and its chair (Mary Cavallero).”

Woodcrest Sub Divider Warned

The Jaffee Subdivision planned at 89 Woodcrest Avenue in Woodcrest Heights got an ultimatum from the Planning Board to come in with plans with specific dimensions and diagrams of their proposed “shared” driveway solution. The Board demanded that the real owners of the property identify themselves before the next Planning Board meeting on January 15, or the Planning Board would deny the application. Susan Habel said the applicant had not demonstrated “sensitivity” to Planning Board recommendations, and recommended that if the applicant is not “responsive” the Planning Board deny the subdivision application.

Gritty on Greenridge

The Bayrakdarian Subdivision two-lot plan for 60 Greenridge Avenue was told by the Planning Board to communicate with the immediate neighbor, (who is former councilperson, Mary Ann Keenan), on their proposed driveway solution which the Planning Board felt would shine lights through the shrub property line between the proposed subdivision and Ms. Keenan’s property. The architect for the property, as well as the owner, protested that they had communicated to the Highlands Civic Association, and had been met with a flat rejection of their proposal by the HCA.

You got to talk to MAK

Susan Habel said, “It is the policy of the (Planning) Board to consider the impact to adjoining property owners…The owner of the adjacent property has not been contacted by the applicant in good faith. The applicant should meet with their neighbor and work out a solution between the two properties.”

Ms. Habel’s suggestion was met with the comment, “That’s absurd,” by the architect.

The owner of the property accused the Highlands Civic Association of being “a private club,” that he had made “extensive calls” and that the association made a decision that they did not want the project without giving him feedback of any kind.

The architect said, “neighbors should not have veto power” over a property owner’s plans.

Subsequently, that the owner and his architect admitted they had not contacted Ms. Keenan, their immediate neighbor, about their plans person-to-person at any time.

The architect was disturbed that the revised plans for the driveway he had delivered to the Planning Department, were not available according to the Planning Board for referrals. The Planning Department representative said she would check, but had only received three plans to her knowledge.

At the close of the proceedings, they admitted the revised plans for the new driveway design arrived late Tuesday afternoon. The hearing resumes January 15. In the meantime, the applicant and his architect are to discuss matters with Ms. Keenan.

Scott Circle Subdivision Given Slim Hope of Approval

With six neighbors from the Prospect Park area looking on, the three-lot subdivision met troubled skepticism from the Planning Board.

Paul Bergens, the noted attorney representing the owner, said that the Department of Public Works Commissioner, Joseph Nicoletti, was comfortable with the road alternatives proposed for accessing the three-lot development. He said he hoped the Planning Board would review coming revised plans on treating the steep slopes on the property.

Susan Habel was skeptical, saying, “The Planning Board is concerned about steep slopes, and though the applicant’s plan is not completed, how you’re going to treat steep slopes. You cannot have an irregular-shaped lot line to meet a minimum lot requirement.”

She said she was concerned that the Lot B plan particularly used an erratic lot line to meet compliance with the 100-foot frontage requirement, “Our concern is that it turns it on its head without sensitivity to these features (the steep slopes). We believe (by Lot B), the application be denied.”

Bergens said dryly, it would have been “helpful if we had seen the comments (of the Planning and other Departments).” Bergens doggedly said that his client’s plan would “enhance” the slopes, providing a site design that would preserve them from erosion and other factors, and said he hoped the Planning Board would consider them.

Mary Caballero, Chairperson, said she felt “torn, I assure you this board keeps an open mind.”

The hearing continues January 15.

Fortunoff’s praised

FORTUNOFF’S UNVEILS FINAL DESIGNS PRIOR TO COUNCIL FINAL VOTE THURSDAY: Michael Divney, engineer and Scott Pollack, architect, present the Fortunoff’s “Ocean Liner” design ready to dock at Martine Avenue and Bloomingdale Road, as Planning Board looks on.< br>WPCNR PHOTO.



THE FORTUNOFFS BACK THEIR TEAM. Andrea Fortunoff, left, and Louis Fortunoff, right, watch Divney and Pollack present the final designs. The Fortunoffs have appeared at every council work session and public session and numerous meetings in support of their project, sometimes waiting for hours to present their plans. They have been responsive, sensitive and creative in changing their project to deal with Hale Avenue concerns and the concerns of the City.< br>WPCNR PHOTO.

The Fortunoff’s entourage arrived to present their final designs to the Planning Board that were well received. William Null, the Fortunoff attorney, noted that substantial progress had been made allaying Hale Avenue neighborhood concerns involving the loading dock, landscaping, hours of operation, lighting, rodent control, and a host of other matters.

Fortunoff representatives displayed the final design for the Fortunoff’s complex, which looks like the bridge of one of those transatlantic ocean liner ships of the past.

SS FORTUNOFF ARRIVES ON MAPLE: Final design seen from the Maple Avenue view as shown at the Planning Board last evening.< br>WPCNR PHOTO.



SS FORTUNOFF FROM BLOOMINGDALE ROAD: Final design seen from the Bloomingdale Road view, showing the parking garage at the left, shops, restaurant at street level. Restaurant has not been selected yet.
WPCNR PHOTO.



THE “BRIDGE” OF THE SS FORTUNOFF, shown looking West corner of Maple and Bloomingdale Road, looking up Maple Avenue. The clear and opaque “bridge” will be a rounded column wrapping around Maple and Bloomingdale Road with an enclosed collonade at street level.
WPCNR PHOTO.

Materials included red brick, transparent and opaque glass panels. A third lane has been added to Bloomingdale Road to accommodate turns into the proposed Fortunoff’s garage.

FORTUNOFF PLAN MAP shows deeper tree landscaping on West side of property, (top of map), more space between service ramp and Hale Avenue, and the city road improvements on Bloomingdale Road, (bottom of picture), adding a third lane for turns into and out of the parking garage. City will spend $2MM on the road improvements.
WPCNR PHOTO.

The loading dock has been covered and moved to the direct rear of the complex, out of view of the Hale Avenue residents. The rooftop parapets have been raised to shield rooftop machinery and climate control units from the Hale Avenue view. The Planning Board heartily endorsed the project, suggesting that Westchester County add a bus stop.

In other Planning Board Action…

The Planning Board set a public hearing for January 15, 2002 on a complex of town houses planned for 319,321 and 325 West Post Road, proposed by the DeKalb Development Corporation.

The Board approved cell towers at 199 Main Street, 709 Westchester Avenue, and 149 Mamaroneck Avenue. It set a hearing for a Satellite Radio antenna at 30 Lake Street for January 15, 2002.

It approved a two-story home at Fifth Street, with the proviso the builder preserve existing woods and limit his paving.

It approved a resolution to go to the Zoning Board recommending they approve a day care program for children of teachers employed at Solomon-Schecter School. Mark Weingarten, presenting for the school, pointed out that aggravating (to the neighbors) traffic patterns at the school had considerably diminished and that the school had agreed to deduct one student from their student cap total, (currently 500), for every child they accept as a straight day care child (of teachers who are employed at Solomon-Schecter) at the proposed day care facility.

New York Presbyterian Hospital Preview

The board also participated in a preliminary discussion of the New York Presbyterian Hospital Draft Environmental Impact Statement, agreeing to meet in late January to formulate a statement to present at a public hearing on the hospital DEIS February 4, 2002.

Robert Stackpole voiced particular concerns that the financials of the proton beam accelerator project had to be looked at with an eye for traffic patterns – whether the number of persons treated to make the facility profitable would impact traffic.

James Gould, pointed out that the 150 to 200 persons a day cited as profitable treatment traffic, paled in comparison to the “thousands” the Planning Board had just endorsed coming to the Bloomingdale Road area as part of the Fortunoff’s project.

Susan Habel, Deputy Commissioner of Planning, went on record as saying the DEIS revealed alternate sites for the proton accelerator and research facility that “turned out to be very viable,” and that the Bryant Avenue location was “just flat-out not the right place for it.” She urged the Planning Board members to examine closely the alternate site descriptions and alternatives within the DEIS.

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Westchester County will reopen the White Plains Public Library Garage for patron parking on Monday, the day before Christmas, to library goers who present a White Plains Public Library Card and identification with their picture to a Westchester County Police Officer stationed at the garage ramp.
Susan Tolchin, spokesperson for County Executive Andy Spano, said the Library underground parking will be opened again for library visitors beginning Monday, December 24. Vehicle search procedures will no longer be conducted on vehicles, Tolchin is reported saying.

There was no official news release or statement from the County Executive Office or Tolchin’s Communications office announcing lifting of the ban, despite repeated requests from WPCNR, until after 1 PM Wednesday. A statement just issued from the County Communications Office reads:

Starting Monday library goers who present the proper identification will once again be allowed to park in the White Plains Library Garage, County Executive Andy Spano announced today.

“It’s an early Christmas gift for the City of White Plains library patrons,” said Spano. “We are very happy that we were able to work out an arrangement that protects the courthouse and other public buildings without continued inconvenience to the public. We thank the library patrons for their patience.”

Library goers who present photo ID and a White Plains Public Library card will be able to use the garage starting Dec. 24. The garage, which serves the library, the courthouse and the county office building, has been closed since Sept. 11 as a security precaution.

The Board of Legislators are expected to act Friday on a $1.1 million bond act proposed by Spano that would install new security in the 557-space garage.

Construction on changes to the garage — ones that will probably include barriers to separate the public areas from those serving the County Office Building and the courthouse — will probably not be completed for at least six months.

Spano said the new system was worked out with the cooperation of County Legislator Bill Ryan and White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino.

WPCNR is attempting to clarify the roles Mr. Ryan and Mayor Delfino played in getting the County Executive to change his mind.

Victoria Hochman, spokesperson for the County Executive, said that she did not know how the liability issue was resolved, but theorized that it had to do with the security measures planned to be installed.

Asked if the county and the city would split costs, she said, no. Asked if the county would reimburse the city for lost revenue sustained while the library garage was closed, she said, no, but referred us to Susan Tolchin for a more definitive answer.

Presently, parking is being limited to lawyers and authorized county employees presenting identification to the Westchester County Police Officer “gatekeeper” at the Library garage ramp entrance on Martine Avenue. Trunks of the cars enterting are checked.

Law enforcement sources observing of the procedures have been highly critical of the effectiveness of the gate-keeping. Over 1,000 library patrons presented a petition calling for the garage to be opened.

WPCNR sources said that the liability issue was the roadblock to reopening the garage all along, with the county wanting the city to share responsibility for the security of the Library Garage.

The library management told WPCNR that it had not considered hiring a private security guard($15 an hour, from a typical security firm), to escort patrons across Martine Avenue, one of the library managers’ main concerns being the safety of the elderly, mothers with children crossing busy Martine Avenue.

Now, apparently the county has very quietly has changed its position, as they did with the Westchester County Airport parking garage that was also closed immediately after the September 11 World Trade Center attacks.

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Special from the White Plains Department of Parades, Parties, Pep and Promotion:Don’t go to Manhattan to see the big ball drop on New Year’s Eve. Watch it drop in White Plains while you party, dance and indulge with the elite of the County Seat under the big,heated party tent between Main Street and Martine Avenues from 9 to 1 New Year’s Eve at the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Street Party.

Dust off your Top Hat, Put on your Tails, Put on the Ritz

Enjoy fireworks at midnight set off from the City Center site, staging provided by Louis R. Cappelli and fireworks provided by Louis Fortunoff. You will also be witness to the first ceremonial White Plains Ball Drop, and dance under the big top to the music of a live “swing” band. Reservations are being taken at 328-5166 at “The BID.”

Be there or Be Square

The Mayor’s First Annual New Year’s Eve Party will begin at 9 PM December 31 and jitter and jive until 1 AM. It will take place under a spectacular block- long, heated Party Big Top Tent, complete with dance floor, cabaret tables that will turn Mamaroneck Avenue between Main Street and Martine Avenue into a Rainbow Room. All that will be missing will be Guy Lombardo.

Inside the tent, Mark Scuyler reports, will be a dance floor, tables and an elegant bouffet supper catered by Sam’s of Gedney Way, served late in the evening with entertainment provided by sidemen of the Count Basie Orchestra tour.

The party was dreamed up by Mark Schuyler and Harold Vogt of White Plains Downtown, at the suggestion of the owner of the Splendid Coffee Shop, Gus Manassas.

Ball to be dropped from the erect ladder of a White Plains Hook ‘N Ladder

In the search for the appropriate building to drop the first White Plains New Years Eve Ball, the Mayor’s Office reports that buildings were reluctant to come forward and volunteer their property.

Consequently, the expertise of the City of White Plains is creating a spectacular “Ball Drop” involving use of one of White Plains Bravest’s fire trucks, with a specially-designed ball to descend or ascend (it has not been decided) up or down an extended fire engine ladder. Actual procedure has not been disclosed.

The cost for you to be a part of the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Big Tent Party, a history-in-the-making evening is $75 per person, and includes dinner buffet, beer, wine and champagne.

Complimentary car service will be provided in White Plains city limits only. Get your reservations in to “The BID:”

Fax your reservation to 914-328-5168, or call it in to 328-5166. Or mail to White Plains Downtown, 14 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 402, White Plains, NY 10601.

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Special to WPCNR:Richard P. Biondi, a well-known and highly visible figure in the Westchester corporate community for nearly three decades, has joined White Plains Hospital Center as Vice President for Development. Mr. Biondi, a resident of White Plains, will be responsible for all fund-raising, community relations and marketing undertaken by the Hospital.

“We are pleased to welcome Rich Biondi to White Plains Hospital Center,” said Jon B. Schandler, its President and CEO. “Everyone knows Rich. He’s a well-respected member of the Westchester nonprofit and business communities. His career spans 35 years in community affairs, healthcare, education, government, business and the not-for-profit sector. If anyone can impart to donors the importance of helping us provide the most comprehensive and compassionate health care for our community, Rich Biondi can.”

Prior to joining White Plains Hospital Center, Mr. Biondi worked for Verizon, formerly Bell Atlantic and NYNEX. While there, he was a member of Verizon’s External Affairs and Corporate Communications, Regulatory and Government Affairs Department. His prime areas of responsibility included Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and the Town of Greenwich, CT. Before Verizon, Mr. Biondi was Vice President for Institutional Advancement at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. Before that, he was Manager of State and Community Affairs for the General Foods Corporation (now Kraft Foods), and prior to that he was Manager of University Relations.

For more than 12 years, Mr. Biondi enjoyed a multifaceted career in higher education at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. While there, he served in a number of senior administrative posts including financial aid, admissions and ultimately in development and government and constituent relations as the Executive Director of College Advancement.

Very active in community and civic activities, Mr. Biondi has been appointed to the Westchester Putnam Workforce Investment Board, where he is Secretary. He serves as Vice-chairman of the Westchester Public/Private Membership Fund for Aging Services and is the immediate past Co-chair of the Corporate Community Jobs Project. In addition, he is the Past Chairman of the Board of: the County Chamber of Commerce, the City of White Plains Charter Revision Commission; Junior Achievement of the Lower Hudson Valley; the Lighthouse International *Hudson Valley Region); the White Plains Public Access Cable Television Commission; Food-PATCH; the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association; and the American Heart Association of Westchester, Rockland & Putnam.

Currently, Mr. Biondi serves as a Board Member of Advisory Trustees at Iona College and of the Department of Transportation, Westchester County. He is Co-chair of Westchester Coalition of Social Adult Day Service Programs and a Board Member of the League of Women Voters of New York State, Education Foundation, Inc. He is a Board Member of the Rockland Business Association.

Mr. Biondi has been an Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science and has taught Public Administration on the college level. He has published several articles and delivered numerous papers at national professional conferences on these subjects.

A graduate of Iona College with a B.A. in History/Political Science, Mr. Biondi earned a Masters of Public Administration from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs, Statue university of New York at Albany. He did other graduate study at The City University in New York and at John Carroll University in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He holds Certificates from the Boston College Graduate Program in Corporate and Community Relations and from the Executive Management Program at The Wharton School in Philadelphia.

He is married to the former Maureen Ann Baker of New York. They have two grown children, Jennifer O’Sullivan and Dr. Richard P. Biondi II, and two grandchildren, Maureen Ann O’Sullivan and Thomas Francis O’Sullivan, all of whom reside in White Plains.

White Plains Hospital Center is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high quality, acute health care and preventative medical care in a caring and compassionate manner to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. The Hospital will provide care and services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. The Hospital is a first-place recipient of the 2000 National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award for Westchester County. White Plains Hospital Center is a member of the Stellaris Health Network, Inc. and the Voluntary Hospitals of America, Inc. For further information, please call (914) 681-1119 or visit the Hospital’s Web site: www.wphospital.org.[

Richard P. Biondi
Named Vice President for Development at White Plains Hospital Center

White Plains, NY (December 10, 2001)—Richard P. Biondi, a well-known and highly visible figure in the Westchester corporate community for nearly three decades, has joined White Plains Hospital Center as Vice President for Development. Mr. Biondi, a resident of White Plains, will be responsible for all fund-raising, community relations and marketing undertaken by the Hospital.

“We are pleased to welcome Rich Biondi to White Plains Hospital Center,” said Jon B. Schandler, its President and CEO. “Everyone knows Rich. He’s a well-respected member of the Westchester nonprofit and business communities. His career spans 35 years in community affairs, healthcare, education, government, business and the not-for-profit sector. If anyone can impart to donors the importance of helping us provide the most comprehensive and compassionate health care for our community, Rich Biondi can.”

Prior to joining White Plains Hospital Center, Mr. Biondi worked for Verizon, formerly Bell Atlantic and NYNEX. While there, he was a member of Verizon’s External Affairs and Corporate Communications, Regulatory and Government Affairs Department. His prime areas of responsibility included Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and the Town of Greenwich, CT. Before Verizon, Mr. Biondi was Vice President for Institutional Advancement at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. Before that, he was Manager of State and Community Affairs for the General Foods Corporation (now Kraft Foods), and prior to that he was Manager of University Relations.

For more than 12 years, Mr. Biondi enjoyed a multifaceted career in higher education at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. While there, he served in a number of senior administrative posts including financial aid, admissions and ultimately in development and government and constituent relations as the Executive Director of College Advancement.

Very active in community and civic activities, Mr. Biondi has been appointed to the Westchester Putnam Workforce Investment Board, where he is Secretary. He serves as Vice-chairman of the Westchester Public/Private Membership Fund for Aging Services and is the immediate past Co-chair of the Corporate Community Jobs Project. In addition, he is the Past Chairman of the Board of: the County Chamber of Commerce, the City of White Plains Charter Revision Commission; Junior Achievement of the Lower Hudson Valley; the Lighthouse International *Hudson Valley Region); the White Plains Public Access Cable Television Commission; Food-PATCH; the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association; and the American Heart Association of Westchester, Rockland & Putnam.

Currently, Mr. Biondi serves as a Board Member of Advisory Trustees at Iona College and of the Department of Transportation, Westchester County. He is Co-chair of Westchester Coalition of Social Adult Day Service Programs and a Board Member of the League of Women Voters of New York State, Education Foundation, Inc. He is a Board Member of the Rockland Business Association.

Mr. Biondi has been an Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science and has taught Public Administration on the college level. He has published several articles and delivered numerous papers at national professional conferences on these subjects.

A graduate of Iona College with a B.A. in History/Political Science, Mr. Biondi earned a Masters of Public Administration from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs, Statue university of New York at Albany. He did other graduate study at The City University in New York and at John Carroll University in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He holds Certificates from the Boston College Graduate Program in Corporate and Community Relations and from the Executive Management Program at The Wharton School in Philadelphia.

He is married to the former Maureen Ann Baker of New York. They have two grown children, Jennifer O’Sullivan and Dr. Richard P. Biondi II, and two grandchildren, Maureen Ann O’Sullivan and Thomas Francis O’Sullivan, all of whom reside in White Plains.

White Plains Hospital Center is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high quality, acute health care and preventative medical care in a caring and compassionate manner to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. The Hospital will provide care and services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. The Hospital is a first-place recipient of the 2000 National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award for Westchester County. White Plains Hospital Center is a member of the Stellaris Health Network, Inc. and the Voluntary Hospitals of America, Inc. For further information, please call (914) 681-1119 or visit the Hospital’s Web site: www.wphospital.org.[]

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The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department in good old Brooklyn USA, has declared a stay, holding off on the continuation of Election while they consider Glen Hockley’s appeal of Judge Nicolai’s decision calling for a new election.

The majority of respondents last week disagreed with court decision to stay the election.

Take our latest poll and tell us what you think the justices in Brooklyn should do.