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)

Soggy Earth Under Pipe Apparent Cause of Water Main Break at The Westchester

Posted on October 30, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR UNDERGROUND NEWS. By John F. Bailey. October 30, 2006: Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti said today that the water main break at Paulding Street adjacent The Westchester that occurred Saturday morning at 8:30 was repaired by 6:30 P.M. Saturday night by replacing a 10 foot length of pipe where a longitudinal crack was discovered. Another leak father down in the pipe discovered when the hole was being backfilled will be repaired with no interruption in service.

Nicoletti said the cracked main (which supplies all water to Crowne Plaza and The Westchester) was an 8 inch cast iron main that Nicoletti said apparent ruptured due to the wet ground underneath the pipe losing its ability to support the pipe causing a 3-foot long crack.

Nicoletti said the DPW had to shut off water for a short period of time to the Crowne Plaza Hotel while they rigged a by pass to continue to supply water to the hotel, opting to shut off flow to The Westchester. The Westchester was without water meaning no restrooms were available for public use and restaurant service had to be shut downfor the entire Saturday business hours. The Westchester has not returned WPCNR calls for comment.

The remain crack in the Paulding Street pipe Nicoletti said is circumferential and that is being repaired without having to shut down water pressure. The Commissioner said the Paulding Street line will be replaced when it can be worked into the infrastructure maintenance schedule.

The Commissioner said the water main will be replaced with a pipe material called Ductiliron that Nicoletti said was more flexible and not subject to cracking. Asked how much of the old cast iron mains the city has beneath its streets, Nicoletti said “miles and miles,” and that it was subject to cracking because some of it is 100 years old or more.

City Expecting $4.6 Million Dollar Windfall from Mortgage Tax.

Posted on October 30, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. October 30. 2006: WPCNR has learned from the Mayor’s Office and an independent audit effort, that the city stands to collect $4.6 Million in mortgage taxes from Westchester County, adding to the city coffers, perhaps as early as December. An independent inquiry by a private citizen at the request of the City of White Plains has revealed that over the last 9-1/2 months the county has collected $4.6 Million in mortgage taxes on closings of real estate sales in the cities.

The audit came about as a result of a city finance and budget committee in which Mayor Joseph Delfino and Commissioner of Finance, Gina Cuneo-Harwood reported to the members of the committee that previously the County Clerk Office which collects and records the mortgage tax has lagged behind in recording the taxes, and sat onthe money, enjoying the “float” of interest the money belonging to the city has earned. Harwood said the county pays the city once a year, apparently earing a year of interest on what Harwood called was city money. Harwood at the time revealed she did not have an exact idea of how much mortgage tax the city was owed.

An independent audit conducted by Don Hughes with the County Clerk’s office, at city request, has revealed that over the last nine months, the county clerk’s office calculates $4.6 Million is owed the city as follows:

2006 Mortgage Taxes Due City

Source: County Clerk Office, as Reported to Don Hughes

January: $202,000

February: $347,000

March: $282,000

April: $284,000

May: $593,000

June: $429,000

July: $938,000

August: $411,000

September: $424,000

October (through the 19th): $684,000

TOTAL MORTGAGE TAXES OWED CITY OF WHITE PLAINS, 2006: $4,594,000

Ms. Harwood said at the last Budget and Finance Committee meeting that the city had asked the County to pay the mortgage taxes twice a year, not once, so the city could get its money sooner. However, Harwood was informed that the county preferred to keep it to once a year, because, according to Harwood, they wanted to keep the interest they earn from the “float.”

Harwood said that legislation from the state signed by Governor Pataki recently freed up the counties to pay back mortgage taxes more than once a year, but the decision to speed up payments was left to the individual county.

The County Clerk office, according to Don Hughes, who compiled this data on the mortgage tax, has “caught up” with the White Plains mortgage tax pace, but it is unclear when the $4.6 Million plus in funds will be delivered to the city.

The County Clerk office was contacted by WPCNR to confirm these figures Monday morning and the latest additonal monies in White Plains mortgage taxes owed, and WPCNR awaits their response, and County Clerk Idoni’s policy in regard to whether future mortgage tax payments to White Plains (and the rest of Westchester County cities) will be issued on a more frequent basis.

Leslie Alpert, the media spokesperson for County Clerk Timothy Idoni said the Clerk was out of the office today but would comment on the matter Tuesday.

Paul Wood, City Hall Executive Officer, categorically denied the city had requested Don Hughes to find out the information for the city, and said he did not believe the figures were accurate. Hughes said he had suggested he could go to the County Clerk’s office and find out for the city and Hughes said Wood agreed that would be a good idea.

The windfall in mortgage taxes should help the city’s 2006-07 budget pattern.

Gunsmoke of the Past: White Plainsians Remember the Battle of White Plains

Posted on October 30, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR North End Patriot. By John F. Bailey. October 30, 2006: Sunday, 230 years and a day after it unfolded on Purdy Hill, White Plainsians and members of the White Plains Historical Society gathered to commemorate the stand of the Colonial Army in the Battle of White Plains in 1776. About 100 citizens wended their way to Park Circle to the old Purdy House – General George Washington’s headquarters where he strategized that battle – to remember on the crisp autumn afternoon.

Gunsmoke from White Plains Past: Reenacters Remember with a volley for the fallen. Color Guard members, Pauling’s Independent Corps of Levies, 23^rd Regiment of Foot, Royal Welsh Fusiliers fire as the names of White Plains citizens who fought in the Battle of White Plains and died that day 230 years ago were remembered Sunday: Photo, Courtesy, Carl Albanese, for WPCNR News

The first Patriots of White Plains were: James Carpenter, Jacob Cypher, John Drake, John Faulkner, William Field, Elizah Fisher, John Fisher, Moses Fowler, Robert Graham, Daniel Hatfield, Joshua Hatfield, Daniel Horton, John Hosier, Benjamin Lyon, John Martin, Caleb Merritt, Anthony Miller, Cornelius Oakley, Joseph Prior, Jacob Purdy and John Travis.

The White Plains High School Marching Band, led by Leslie Tomplins remembered with selections and the playing of the Start Spangled Banner. Photo, Courtesy Carl Albanese, for WPCNR News.

A makeshift Colonials encampment recreating typical camp on Purdy Hill was erected for youngsters to get the feel of that day long ago when the citizens of White Plains, Connecticut, and Maryland fought for freedom against overwhelming odds. Photo, WCPNR News

Jack Harrington, past President, defends Purdy House from a “Redcoat.” PHOTO, WPCNR NEWS.

Continentals on watch at Purdy Hill. Photo, WPCNR News

The Battle of White Plains skirmish grounds involved the Battle Hill neighborhood (then known as Chatterton Hill) across the Bronx River and Purdy Hill (where the Purdy House is located). British and Hessian (German Forces) opened cannon fire on Chatterton Hill and charged up Battle Hill into a small colonial force under Colonel Charles Webb and forces from Connecticut. The force outnumbered 2 to 1 defended Chatteron fiercely against waves of red-coated British troops, until overwhelmed by British cavalry and forced to retreat to Purdy Hill. A total of 500 men from both sides were killed or wounded in the Chatterton Hill assault. General William Howe delayed attacking the remnants of Washington’s force encamped on Purdy Hill, allowing Washington to retreat and escape with the bulk of his army intact. The “hold” on Chatterton Hill is considered the first turning point of the American Revolution.

Scarsdale Stand Stops Tigers, 19-14. Robles Rumbles Set Up 2 6’s

Posted on October 29, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 29, 2006 UPDATED WITH MORE PIX 10:05 AM — & BACKGROUND: It was first down White Plains on the Scarsdale 12 with 6 minutes to go in the game, after Paris Young had recovered a fumble at the Scarsdale 12. Matt ran into the line for 2. Ray Mitchell ran for 3 both into-the-line. Then Paul LaBarbera the quarterback pitched back to Mitchell for a sweep, but the Scarsdale line pushed aside the right side blockers to halt Ray for no gain.

Paris Young (66) stripping and covering the pigskin to recover a fumble on the Scarsdale 12 to give the Tigers a last chance to win. Photo, WPCNR Sports

On 4^th and 6 from the 8, Paul dropped back to pass. The protection broke down and he was sacked before he could get off a throw to the goal line. Scarsdale had held and there was 3:30 to go in the game.

Matt Robles finishing off his 38 yard rumble to the Scarsdale 8 at the end of the First Quarter to set up the Tigers’ first touchdown. Two plays earlier Matt had picked off a Scarsdale pass to start the drive. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Colin Reno, who scored all three Raider touchdowns, ripped off a run to the 29 for a first down. After three more plays, running down the clock, Henry Ross the Scarsdale quarterback pushed ahead for a first down at the 40 and the Raiders ran out the clock to hang on to a 19-14 win at blustery Parker Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Blustery Day: The diehard Football Faithful braved Sunday’s winds at the classic Parker Stadium Bowl Sunday. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Going into the 4^th quarter the Tigers looked beaten, having been unable to stop the Raider’s Reno all day, who ripped off touchdown runs of 62 yards to tie the score 7-7 in the second quarter, and then after White Plains went 4 and out with a very short punt, on the second play, Reno ran around right end for 50 yards to put Scarsdale ahead 13-7 at the half.

The Tiger touchdown was set up in the first quarter when Matt Robles burst off left tackle for 38 yards to the Scarsdale 8. Ray Mitchell carried for 3, then 2 and Robles finished it off with a 1 yard plunge and a 1 yard TD run to give the Tigers a 7-0 advantage. Then Mr. Reno took over the game with his two long TD runs from midfield for the 13-7 halftime lead.

Third Quarter Stall.

The Tigers drove to the Scarsdale 30 to start the second half, but were stopped on 4^th and 3 when a pass from Paul LaBarbera to Alex Trataros was broken up on a great tip away from Alex by the defender at the Scarsdale 15. Scarsdale then took over and got moving at 5:18 of the third quarter.

The Tigers gave a running play of 9 yards to the Scarsdale 39 when a Tiger pushed the Raider runner Sam Freihofner after the play. 15 yards penalty! A most unfortunate loss of composure which put Scarsdale into Tiger country at the 44 yard line.

Then bingo! A run by Freihofner moved the ball to the Tiger 25. Mr. Reno burst to the 12. The Tigers almost stopped the Raiders, but on 3^rd and 12 from the 15 Henry Ross hit Freihofner for a first down on the White Plains 5. On 3^rd and 6 from the 5, Reno took it in on a sweep for the touchdown just inside the right pilon to make it 19-7 going to the 4^th period.

Strong First and Fourth Quarters

This game was played with a 20 knot wind blowing North North West across the classic Parker Stadium Bowl. The blustery day played havoc with the passing game with Scarsdale dominating the second and third quarters and White Plains taking over in the first and fourth quarters.

White Plains took the kickoff at their 35 and marched to the Scarsdale 25 before a fumble on a snap, a false start, a five yard loss and a holding penalty nullifed a first down on the 15 on a pass to Matt Robles. a sack pushed the ball back to the White Plains 46 and a fumbled snap to the punter resulted in a 2 yard punt. White Plains stopped the Raiders when Shawn Edwards recovered a Sam Freihofner fumble at the Tiger 38. After three and out. Scarsdale took over on their own 32 follwed by a Matt Robles pickoff on a first down play which Matt returned to the Scarsdale 48. Matt’s 38 yard run to the Raider eight set up the Tigers first touchdown by Robles on a 4th down and 1 at the goal line on the first play of the second quarter.

This was a controversial touchdown. Scarsdale, which shredded the Tiger line most of the day appeared to have stopped Matt inches before the goal. The linesman ruled the nose of the football had broken the plane of the goal for a touchdown. The Raiders threw up their hands in disgust at the call. (Remember the Tiger touchdown that was taken away in the Gorton game when the Tiger QB crossed over the goal line and the ball came out and was ruled a fumble?)

One Play Turns around the game. 4 Plays, 13 points.

Scarsdale took the following kickoff, starting at their 30. After two plays they were at 3rd and 2 on their own 38. The hand off went to the 5-10 Colin Reno. He appeared stopped at the 40 as the Tigers converged from the sides then he was through and rolling down the middle of the field. And there he went 62 yards right down the middle of the field for the equalizing touchdown just like that. The kick was converted and it was 7-7. The Tigers went from the mindset of confidence against the Raider line to a state of uneasiness in one play, and it affected their play for the next 24 minutes.

After three and out, the Raiders got the ball back again at their 48. The quarterback ran for 2. He called Colin Reno’s number again and again Reno burst out of the middle of the line, around right tackle crossed the secondary and raced down the far side line for the go-ahead touchdown. It was a 50 yard overland ramble for a 13-7 lead with 7:33 to go in the half. The Tigers were in shock and awed.

Third quarter sluggishness

White Plains came back at the beginning of the second half, forcing Scarsdale into a punt and taking the ball at their 48 Ray Mitchell running on a fourth down got a first down on the Raider 37. Paul LaBarbera’s 4th down pass was on target to Alex Trataros for a first down at the 18, but a great play by the Raider defensive back broke up the first down pass and Scarsdale took over. They proceeded, helped by the Tiger push after a whistle to march down 70 yards in 9 plays for their third touchdown at the close of the third quarter. The big play on this drive was a 3rd and 8 from the 18 pass to Freihofner from Henry Ross giving Scarsdale a first down on the Tiger 5. After Shawn Edwards, George Don Pierre and Maurice Thomas had stopped a run on second and goal from the 5, Reno took it outside and dove inside the pilon for the score that made it 19-7 as time expired in the third stanza.

4th Quarter Penalty, Robles 53 yard Ramble Turns momentum back to the Tigers

The Tigers did not have a monoply on unfortunate penalties. Scarsdale had the Tigers stopped on 3rd down on the Tiger 22, needing 8. However a facemask penalty gave the Tigers a second chance. They used it. Labarbera hit Savaungh Greene for a first down on the Tiger 30. On third and 1 on the Tiger 39, Matt Robles exploded up the middle deked two would be tacklers and took off to the far sideline rumbling 53 yards to the Scarsdale 7.

Shifty Greene seconds after his great touchdown catch to make the score 19-13 midway in the 4th quarter. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Mitchell ran it for 3. Robles for two. On third and goal from the 1, Paul Lababera found Savaungh “Shifty” Greene in the back of the endzone, double-teamed. Shifty leaped high snared it and touched down in bounds for the 6 points. The Tigers were back in business with 7 minutes to go in the football game. Mike Howard added the point and the score was 19-14.

Paris Young Takeaway.

Scarsdale started from their own 15 after a terrific kickoff and coverage by the Tigers, and on second down, Paris Young gave the Tigers the break. The Tigers got into the Raider backfield and Paris stripped the ball for a fumble recovery giving the Tigers a first down on the Raider 12. But two tries into the line by Robles and a foiled pitch to Mitchell only got the Tigers to the 8 as the Raiders refused to be rattled. Labarbera went back to pass on 4th down from the 8 looking for Greene.

Robles to the 8 on First Down on the tying bid. Photo, WPCNR Sports

Turned Aside at the 8. Robles again turned aside on second down. Photo, WPCNR Sports

The Raiers were coming with everything they had. The protection collapsed and they sacked Labarbera for a loss stopping the bid. Unofficially it was the fourth sack of the day by the Raider line.

Scarsdale took over on downs at the eight, and who else, Colin Reno ran them out of trouble. With the Tigers out of timeouts they could not stop the clock.

Scarsdale moved to 3-5 on the year. White Plains showing the heart to come back, fell to 2-6. The Tigers will play Mahopack next Friday night at 7 in Mahopac.