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)

Ambulance Company Pleads for $100,000 Increase From City to Cover Fuel RunUp

Posted on June 25, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. June 25, 2008: The Common Council was asked last night to authorize $100,000 more in payment to Transcare ambulance services for the next year due to skyrocketing costs of diesel fuel. Jim O’Connor of Transcare said diesel fuel three years ago cost $2.10 a gallon and this year it is up to $5.25 a gallon. The city pays the ambulance service roughly $280,000 a year for its services, said Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Daniel Jackson. The request, which the council has not made up its mind upon, will be considering pending further information from “staff,” regarding what the cost price index would provide as opposed to actual increased costs.

The $100,000 increase would bring the contract for the next year to about $380,000, based on Mr. Jackson’s estimate of what the city pays now.

Currently, the contract calls for an increase each year based on the Cost Price Index. Neither the Mayor, nor Executive Officer could provide how that CPI percentage is defined, but they assured the council “it was in the contract.”

Tips from the Commissar of Coin on How to Avoid Parking Tickets in White Plains

Posted on June 24, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE PARKING NEWS. June 24, 2008: The new city website always has something new, and informative, but you have to visit it. Today, we offer a new nugget of information that can save White Plains residents time and money.

White Plains Commissioner of Parking, Al Moroni.

It’s the White Plains Commissioner of Parking Albert Moroni’s Guide to Visitors and Residents on How to Avoid Parking Tickets in Downtown White Plains

Residents and new visitors to “America’s City that Works the Best” may be unfamiliar with the highly specific and time-limited parking hours, procedures, and diversity of locations and how the White Plains Parking facilities can be turned strategically to your advantage to fit your errand or mission in the city.

The Commissioner’s own guide on how to navigate in and out of the “Parking Enforcement Zone,” in the White Plains downtown, is geared to help the visitor avoid the relentless pursuit of those dedicated White Plains Parking Enforcement Officers– “The Mamaroneck Avenue Blues” — The White Plains PEO’s whose vigilence, diligence and dedication is beyond peer are computer-guided, under constant surveillance of the home office, and the PEO’s circulate tirelessly, relentlessly to preserve parking without prejudice for all and secure coin rightly due the city coffers.

Without further adieu — the Commissioner’s tips:

WHERE TO PARK…and how to AVOID PARKING TICKETS

From your friends at the White Plains Department of Parking

Metered Parking

MAKING A QUICK STOP….

Most on-street metered spaces provide a 1 hour parking limit. Short time limits at on-street meters promote turnover which increases space availability.

STAYING A WHILE LONGER….

Less expensive off-street parking is available at the following downtown municipal surface lots:

Waller/Livingston
Lyon Place
Mitchell Place
Waller/Maple
Quarropas Street
Court Street

PARKING GARAGES….

Short and long term metered parking is available at various municipal parking garages.

Chester/Maple * (Behind Mamaroneck Avenue)
Hamilton/Main * (Across from Sears)
Lexington/Grove (Galleria Mall)
White Plains Center Garage* (City Center)

*Multi-Space Meters Available

For a complimentary City of White Plains Municipal Parking Map, call 422-1232.

IF YOU RECEIVE AN “EXPIRED METER” SUMMONS…

On-Street, in a Lot or in a Garage when the Garage Office is closed, a $15.00 “Street and Lot” summons will be issued. This summons can be paid at any municipal garage office (except the City Center Garage) before the appearance date indicated on the ticket.

IF YOU RECIEVE AN OVERTIME NOTICE…

In a Garage when the Garage Office is open, the following overtime fees apply and can be paid at the Garage Office as you exit the Garage.

                                                  $2.00 – up to 1 hr.
                                                    3.00 – 1-2 hrs.
                                                    6.00 – 2-3 hrs.
                                                  10.00 – Over 3 hrs.

If a garage overtime notice is not paid by the Appearance Date indicated on the notice, it becomes a $15.00 City Court Traffic Violations Summons, as shown on the notice, and is subject to the Schedule of Fines show below.

IF YOU RECEIVE A “PARKED BEYOND THE LIMIT” NOTICE…

On streets and in municipal parking areas, the parking limit is indicated by signs and/or by the meter TIME LIMIT. This time limit is the maximum time a vehicle may be legally parked whether or not time is shown on the meter.

At the expiration of the TIME LIMIT, the vehicle must be moved or it is in violation and subject to a summons answerable in City Court.

Schedule of Fines

DAY OF ISSUANCE	AFTER DAY 30	AFTER DAY 90
$15	$25	$50

PARKING TICKETS

Tickets can be paid by phone 914-422-6125 with MasterCard or VISA

MULTI-SPACE METERS

In specified municipal structures, parking patrons use centrally located multi-space meters (similar to bank automated teller machines.) These meters accept both coins, bills, MasterCard and VISA and issue change and receipts. Parking patrons may purchase additional time as needed without returning to their space.

FRIENDLY METERS

These electronic parking meters accept nickels, dimes, quarters and Cash Keys and grant a six (6) minute grace period.

LOOK FOR METERS WITH THE GREEN STICKERS.

Meter Rates

Off-street $0.75 per hour

On-street $1.00 per hour

Commuter Locations

$0.75 /hr up to 8 hrs
$6.25 /12 hrs
$6.50 /16 hrs $6.75 /20 hrs
$9.75 /24 hrs

To obtain a Permit Parking information booklet, call 422-1232.

Education Department Releases 2008 School Report Cards — Minority Results Up

Posted on June 24, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From New York State Education Department. (Edited) June 24, 2008: Achievement in grades 3-8 math and English has improved overall this year, according to State test results announced today by Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett and State Education Commissioner Richard Mills.

This year, 81 percent of students across grades 3-8 achieved the math standards, compared to 73 percent last year, while 69 percent of students achieved the English standards, compared to 63 percent last year.

Fewer students also are showing serious academic problems in grades 3-8 in both math and English. A more detailed breakdown of results as well as school by school results is available on the web at www.nysed.gov .

“These are impressive results for children at all points in our system. Closing the achievement gap is our constant target. The news today confirms that our reforms are striking closer,” Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said. “We cannot rest until achievement is up everywhere and the gap is closed for all children in New York State. We thank and congratulate all the children, parents, teachers and administrators who worked so hard and well to accomplish these encouraging results.”

“The schools delivered,” State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. “Children in the gap are improving in math and English, and there are improvements in low need districts as well. Successful schools applied effective methods: stronger curriculum, extra help for kids who needed it, continuous professional development to support teachers, and a clear message from leaders at every level – the children can learn these concepts. These improvements encourage us to press on. We haven’t yet raised achievement for all children to the level required.”

The achievement gap narrowed in both Math and English. Across grades 3-8, the number of black students achieving the English standards increased from 45 percent last year to 53 percent this year.

The number of Hispanic students achieving the English standards increased from 46 percent last year to 53 percent this year. White students increased from 76 to 79 percent. In math across grades 3-8, the number of black students achieving the standards increased from 55 percent last year to 66 percent this year. The number of Hispanic students achieving the math standards increased from 61 percent last year to 71 percent this year.

Results for students with disabilities also improved overall, although they remain low, and there was a significant drop in the number of students showing serious academic difficulties in both English and math.

New York’s testing system, including the grade 3 through 8 tests passed a rigorous peer review last year conducted by the US Department of Education. In addition, distinguished national experts on the Technical Advisory Group meet regularly to challenge all aspects of New York’s assessment system.

Students receive a specific scale score on the tests which falls into one of four levels:

· Level 4 – Exceeds the learning standards

· Level 3 – Meets the learning standards

· Level 2 – Partially meets the learning standards or meets part of the learning standards

· Level 1 – Shows serious academic problems.

A more detailed breakdown of results as well as school by school results is available on the web at www.nysed.gov .

Youth Bureau Given $4 Million Grant to Fund EXCEL Programs

Posted on June 23, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From The Mayor’s Office. June 23, 2008: Mayor Joseph Delfino is pleased to announce that the City of White Plains Youth Bureau has been selected by the New York State Education Department to receive a five-year 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant award. The award will fund Club Excel, Family Excel, and Future Excel – a unique and creative out-of-school time program for middle and high school youth. The annual amount is $800,000 for the next five years for a total grant award of $4 million.