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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. Special to WPNCR. February 24, 2012 UPDATED 3 P.M. E.S.T.:

Councilman David Buchwald gave WPCNR this report on the short Common Council Work Session tonight covering two matters: renovation of Kittrell and Gardella Pools  on Bank Street and off Ferris Avenue respectively. The effort to upgrade the pools was originally introduced by former Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Albert Moroni last summer.

Gardella Pool, Last June, 2011.

Mr. Buchwald said that Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti reported on the process for conducting the pool studies last night.

Buchwald in a statement said a pool consultant will be selected from a number of team/consultant applications and that a decison will be made at the end of March or early April which pool will be renovated first. He said that Kittrell is likely to be first because the project is simpler and the footprint smaller with limited capacity for expansion.

Buchwald says that Commissioner Nicoletti “believes’ Kittrell Pool is “likely” to be renovated first because it is in “more direct need of repair.” If Kittrell is picked, the Commissioner said Kittrell Park should be open by July 1. (It opened June 19, last year). Buchwald said design work on Gardella would begin “a couple of months before that.”  Buchwald said “there is general agreement that a zero-entry feature (a gradual slope into the pool from one edge) will be added to both pools to make them more accessible. There was discussion about how integrated the thinking about the pools should be, and Councilwoman (Milagros) Lecuona pointed out that there is at least an opportunity to creatre an active concession area at Gardella so as to provide more revenue to the city.”

Mr. Buchwald said that both pools would be open this summer. WPCNR had earlier speculated that this would mean Gardella would have to be renovated in the fall or in the spring of 2013, however Buchwald clarified this by writing WPCNR:

Data Terminals for Fire Engines

Buchwald said the Mobile Data Terminal purchase in fiscal 2011-12, recommended by the Capital Projects Board Wednesday was discussed, but not “up for a vote, but by and larege the concept was well received. The MDTs will provide more up to date data to firefighters on the building structure at the scene of a fire. A FEMA grant will pay over $100,000 of the cost, with the remaining approximately $25,000 of the amount being paid for by the city with cash rather than borrowing. This is in contrast to the original capital improvement program that expected the entire amount to be paid for through the issuance of debt.

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2012. From the David Buchwald Campaign. February 22,2012:

The North Castle Democratic Committee gave David Buchwald, a tax attorney and White Plains Common Councilman, their unanimous vote of support in the State Assembly race to take on incumbent Republican Robert Castelli. The announcement follows last week’s unanimous endorsement of Buchwald by the Pound Ridge Democratic Committee and 17 to 1 endorsement by the Harrison Democratic Committee. Previously the White Plains Democrats backed Buchwald by a vote of 67 to 1. Mr. Buchwald’s Democratic opponent, Mr. Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, has received only one local party endorsement, an 11 to 9 vote in Bedford.

John Nonna, the former Westchester County Legislator who represented North Castle, also announced his support for Councilman Buchwald, stating “I am proud to enthusiastically endorse David Buchwald, a committed public servant with impeccable integrity to be the Democratic candidate for the newly renumbered 93rd Assembly District. I have known David as a champion of effective, honest and open government, precisely what we need in Albany.”

John Diaconis, Co-Chair of the North Castle Democratic Committee, said, “North Castle Democrats are pleased to have a strong candidate with local government experience, a record of running successful campaigns, and a professional background that provides insight into today’s complex policy issues. Supporting David Buchwald is something we are very proud to do.”

Mr. Buchwald is running for the State Assembly seat that includes Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and half of White Plains.