THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Dan Rather, Anchorman Icon, Preserves Bronx River History.

Posted on July 22, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR GREEN NEWS. July 22, 2009: Dan Rather, CBS News Anchorman, legendary national convention reporter, Vietnam correspondent, the man on the scene where news was from the 50s to the 80s, introduced the unique audio Bronx River Walking Tour today at Kensico Plaza, Mr. Rather generously donated his prestige and talent to creating the 26 historical audio history lessons which starting today can be heard at various twists and turns on the Bronx River Walkway at each of the 26 stops. The project was conceived by Friends of Westchester Parks, headed by Liz Bracken-Thompson of Thompson & Bender who hosted the Opening Day Ceremony.

Liz Bracken-Thompson, Weschester County Executive Andrew Spano, Mr. Rather, County Legislator Ken Jenkins, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Joe Stout today at Kensico Plaza

Doing a “twist” on the statement that “history is another country,” Mr. Rather said that in America, “our country is its history.” He agreed to give his voice to the 26 key historical stops, including stops along the underground railroad during the Civil War, and key battle sites of the Battle of White Plains in 1776, (just down the Walking Path from Kensico Dam), because of his love for history. He congratulated County Executive Andrew Spano for Mr. Spano’s appreciation of parkland and the county’s history. Mr.Rather’s narratives create, for the first time, an historical destination in White Plains.

Executive Spano, Mr. Rather and Ms. Bracken-Thompson open the Bronx River Audio Tour today.

HOW THE TOUR WORKS: CALL UP DAN!

At each of the special signs along the walkway beginning at Kensico Dam and winding down the Bronx River Parkway rural walking and bike path, citizens wanting to learn the significance of each of the sites call a telephone number to listen to Mr. Rather’s familiar, urgent, and compelling narrative detailing the history of each of the 26 stations on the Walking Tour. Or, you can download all the audio to your IPOD.

Board Approves $862,636 for New HS Tennis Courts. Rehires 6 T.A.’s Extends KGD C

Posted on July 22, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. July 22,2009: The Board of Education authorized the expenditure of $862,636 for rehabilitation of the White Plains High School tennis courts Monday evening.

The tennis courts at the high school will be completely reconstructed beginning in August, anticipated to be completed by Spring 2010. The courts had in the past been considered as the site of a new field house for the high school.

The Board appointed Lisa Panaro, long-time language instructor at White Plains High School to the position of Interim Coordinator for the Language Other Than English program, created this spring to bring language to the Highlands Middle School.

The District also approved payment of $304,500 to Kaiser, Garment & Davidson, its architect for the $69 Million capital improvement project , in commissions for $3.4 Million of new projects that will be undertaken using bond issue money still available from the district Capital Improvement Program.

The Board reinstated six Teaching Assistants from the Preferred Eligible List, bringing the number of Teaching Assistants laid off from 20 down to 14, according to the School District Business Office because some staff have retired, others have taken maternity leaves, others have left the district for other jobs, allowing Teaching Assistants to be brought back on the payroll, and remaining on budget.

The cost of the tennis court construction is $862,636 to repair the tennis court surfaces of 11 high school tennis courts. Each of the 11 courts is laced with cracks and upheaves in the surface (illustrated in the above photograph). The funding is coming from the funds not used from the ongoing bonded capital project coming in under budget that included construction of Post Road School.

Included in the tennis court construction cost is $172,803 for asbestos-contaminated concrete, that Kaeyer Garment & Davidson’s Russ Davidson says has not been a health threat because the asbestos is under the surface.

The tennis team is expected to find courts elsewhere in the city to play.

The board also approved $28,000 for limestone maintenance at Highlands; $30,600 for air-conditioning the computer server room at White Plains High School; $43,704 for a fire pump to maintain pressure for the sprinkler system at the new Post Road School.

Original Model of Loucks Field 2002 –showing new dressing room facilities (gray side structure).

It should be noted that though the new $5.4 Million Loucks Field looks great and plays great, dressing for a game is still going to be done in the cramped, antiquated cinderblockhouse locker room the stadium has had for years. It had been estimated previously at the time the new stadium was being considered for the bond issue that adding new locker room facilities to the new Loucks Field renovation would have cost about $500,000 five years ago. The stadium was refurbished with synthetic turf, lights, and new aluminum bleachers seating 5,000 in hopes of attracting state competitions, but it was built without any improvements to the locker and dressing room facilities.

About ten years ago,the tennis courts had beenconsidered a possible location for a new White Plains High School Field House. Should that project ever be resurrected another spot on the campus would have to be considered.

WPPAC TO ANNOUNCE FALL SCHEDULE—BATMAN IN CONTROL—FUNDRAISER FEATURES MAYOR

Posted on July 21, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. July 21, 2009: The White Plains Performing Arts Center will run a fall season of productions, according to John Ioris, Chairman of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation, which manages the theatre on a long-term contract for about another two years. Ioris said subscribers should be receiving notifications of the new fall season within a week. The schedule is being put together by Jack Batman, former Artistic Director.

Mayor’s Fairwell Tour Kicks Off October 9 With Fundraiser for WPPAC, As Advertised on WPPAC website.

Ioris confirmed that the major fall fund-raiser for the WPPAC would be “Tribute to the Mayor” featuring Mayor Joseph Delfino under whose administration the White Plains Performing Arts Center was created.

Ioris told WPCNR “half the schedule has been set and the balance of the schedule has not been decided.”

Ioris said that Jack Batman, whose contract as Artistic Director expired in June, is working with the theatre on a consulting basis, organizing the fall productions. Ioris said the new fall series of productions “we need to get mailed and selling quickly,” saying he expected the schedule out next week. He declined to name the first productions because rights had not been secured as yet.

Mayor Joseph Delfino, the incumbent Mayor who is leaving office in 163 days after eleven years, 6 months and 21 days in office, will be honored for his achievements in a fall fundraiser for the benefit of the financially-in-need WPPAC October 9, as part of a continuing fund-raising effort for the theatre, Ioris said.

Ioris told WPCNR the Board of Directors has not decided how the proceeds from the “Tribute to the Mayor” will be used. Ioris said several uses of the funds raised are being considered: setting up an endowment for the theatre, funding the present schedule, programming, or purchase of equipment for the theatre.

New Post Road School On Schedule for September 9 First Day

Posted on July 20, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. July 20, 2009: The Assistant Superintendent for Business of the White Plains City School District, Fred Seiler, told WPCNR Friday that the new Post Road School is on target for its September 9 “First Day of School” Opening. Seiler said the electrical was in, and that computer and networking installation was next on the schedule to be followed by furniture. He said the building was expected to be occupied about mid-August. Here are a look at the new school between Post Road, Sterling and Soundview Avenues, captured Sunday:

Main Entrance of New Post Road School, Sterling Avenue Sunday.

Main Entrance.

MAIN Entrance of New Post Road School viewed from Post Road

New School Connects to former Old Post Road School Gymnasium, right.

Rendering of Main Entrance as it is supposed to look September 9

New Post Road School left. Former Post Road School (to be demolished) at right. View is of former Post Road School Parking lot, to be turned into playing fields.

Demolishment of former Old Post Road School Cafeteria in progress.

View of Lower Soundview Avenue Side of the New School, showing connection to the former Old Post Road School Gymnasium and Parking Lot.

Soundview Avenue view of New School Sunday.

Rendering of Soundview Avenue view of the New School.

Former Post Road School is scheduled for demolition in November or December, after asbestos is removed from the premises. The Assistant Superintendent for Business,Fred Seiler said there are no plans to use the old school for any school activities in September,.