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)

Here Come Homeless: Hardcore Homeless to 85 Court St Tonite. No WPPD Inspection

Posted on January 10, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. January 10, 2005 UPDATED 4:50 p.m. E.S.T. UPDATED 5:55 P.M. E.S.T.: Susan Tolchin of the Westchester County Department of Communications confirmed at 5 P.M. today that the homeless persons who gather at Quarropas and South Lexington nightly to be taken to county-provided shelter for years, will be driven by bus tonight a short hop across town to 85 Court Street to be housed in the basement of the Department of Social Services.

The Mayor’s Office stated today the city has no plans to interdict the transfer and would accept it. In a new development, the White Plains Department of Public Safety reports to WPCNR the department has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street premises, because the building is under Westchester County jurisdiction.

Ms. Tolchin told WPCNR this eveing, that Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Thomas Belfiore had inspected the premises, and that the County Fire Marshall had also cleared the 85 Court location as conforming to safety codes. She added that Mr. Belfiore had also met with the White Plains Department of Public Safety to discuss the plan and that the White Plains Police had no problem with any safety issues.

No Grand Opening of the 85 Court Street facility is planned, Donna Greene of the County said, “we don’t usually do that.”

The county did hold a news conference and tour of the new Valhalla Homeless Shelter on the Grasslands campus two weeks ago to introduce that new facility. The hardcore homeless found in White Plains, since they have refused county services, are excluded from the Grasslands facility, which is why they are being relegated to the Court Street location. The Court Street “base” was chosen, according to the County so they would be closer to “county services” and be more encouraged to come into the system and seek help.

It could not be determined if County Executive Andy Spano who decided on housing the homeless at 85 Court Street (because according to the Department of Communications the Airport Shelter is “dilapidated,”), was going to make an appearance at the 85 Court Street shelter tonight on its first night to welcome the homeless in and encourage their participation in getting county help.

David Maloney of the Mayor’s Office said the city has no plans to interfere with the 2-block transfer of the homeless. He said the police would not prevent the homeless from entering the building and there are to Mr. Maloney’s knowledge, no plans by the county to make a last minute change in the venue.(“You’ll have to ask the county,” were his words.)

Asked if the city was planning a “Grand Opening,” of the 85 Court Street to make the homeless feel “at home” and whether Mayor Joseph Delfino planned to be onhand when the homeless arrived at 85 Court Street to welcome them, Mr. Maloney said, “No. The Mayor will not be there.”

Mr. Maloney said in response to the county challenge in today’s media that the Mayor find another location within White Plains, and did not, Maloney stated, “The Mayor is not going to supply an alternate place. That is up to the county. They’re just dictating to us.”

Asked if the basement of 85 Court Street was up to code (occupancy, sprinklers, bathrooms, etc.), Maloney said the issue of code compliance was up to the county to decide “because they have jurisdiction over us. I don’t know whether it is (up to code).”

The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County Department of Communications, has “signed off” on the safety of the 85 Court Street location with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.

Inspector Daniel Jackson of the White Plains Department of Public Safety clarified the “safety issue” this afternoon, issuing a statement on the safety of the premises:

With reference to your recent posting which states “The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County has “signed off” on the safety of the 85 Court Street location.” The White Plains Department of Public Safety has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street Drop-in Shelter. Federal, State, and County buildings do not fall under the jurisdiction of the local municipal codes and are not inspected by local authorities.

Bare Bones School Expenses rise $12.7 Million, Up 2006-07 Budget to $167.5 M

Posted on January 9, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: Assistant Superintendent for Business Terrance Schruers informed the Board of Education Monday night that a preliminary survey of budget expenditures for 2006-07 showed expenses rising 8.34% or $12, 762,082. School District revenues for 2006-2007 were not estimated.

The expenditures were based on a barebones expenditure of what it would take to keep the district programs in place as they are presently, with no new programs and no increase in district personnel. A new certiorari payment of $4,489,893 was approved for the One North Broadway-455 Hamilton Avenue property.

Schruers reported the major increases were in the Teachers’ Retirement Contribution, up 45% or $1,854,093; Utilities, up $974,475 (31%); Debt, $1,566,870 (up 34%);Tuition, 403.000 (up 21%).

In Utilities, Schruers reports the district expects Electricity to rise 15%, fuel and natural gas, 21% next year. In 2005-2006 so far, Schruers said natural gas prices had risen 50% over last year and said that the district had not budgeted for such an increase. He said at the present pace for 2005-2006, the district is expecting a $250,000 overrun in Utilitiy costs for this year.

Health Insurance is up $ 1,250,660, or 7.9%, but the increases for three of the district’s health plans are not in yet, so this could go higher, Schruers said. Salaries (for all current positions) were projected to rise $4,617,652 (5.2%) Transportation $418,523 (6.8%), but that could increase because the bus company contract is being renegotiated.

The BOCES expense rise is pegged at $694,340 (or 8%), but this also could rise depending on test scoring contracts now being negotiated. The district is over budget by $125,000 for special education costs.

Cert Debt Mounts. $4.5 Million Cert Approved.

Schreurs said debt from certiorari bond payments would rise an estimated $2,321,837 in the 2006-07 budget. The new payments for debt on certiorari bonds add 1.5% to the budget. Without bonding for the certiorari payments the base budget increase in debt would amount to 6.74%.

In a related certiorari development, the School District approved (in Executive Session) a $4,489,893 certiorari payback to Metropolitan Life and White Plains Plaza on the One North Broadway-455 Hamilton office building. Last Monday night the city approved a $1,366,054 cert on the same property, and tonight the School District kicked in its share of the cert.

Bassano: Meet with City to

“Kick in their fair share.”

The Board of Education approved a Joint Facilities Agreement between the School District and the City of White Plains for another three years through 2007-2008.

Board member Bill Pollak said it was hard to tell what the Joint Facilities Agreement meant to the school district based on the way it was presented. Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors pointed out that “tax collection was a big part of it.”

Peter Bassano, Board Member, asked if the Joint Facilities Agreement contained any city commitment to the District’s Five Year Facilities Improvement Plan the District was now considering (and will discuss their decisions on the $67 Million bond plan January 17).

Superintendent of Schools Connors said it did not.

Bassano offered the opinion that now as a good time for the district to meet with the city to discuss how the city could “kick in their fair share” of the $67 Million in capital improvements the District foresees (though no decisions have been made on what projects to execute at this time). Connors said he planned to discuss this with the Mayor, the city Recreation Commissioner, (Arne Abramowitz) and Budget Director, (Ann Reasoner) and Commissioner of Public Works (Joseph Nicoletti) in the near future, but a date had not been set yet.

Patricia Keegan Has Left WPPAC Board of Directors

Posted on January 9, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: WPCNR contacted Patricia Keegan, another member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors according to the WPPAC wesbite, to get her comments on how the White Plains Performing Arts Center is moving ahead into 2006-2007.

Ms. Keegan told WPCNR she had resigned as a member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center board in September. This was approximately the same time that Eli Schonberger, another director resigned, whose September resignation came to light this afternoon. (See earlier story below.)

When WPCNR asked why she resigned, Ms. Keegan said her letter of resignation stated it was because of her increased responsibilities in her job with Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.

This morning the WPPAC website still lists Ms. Keegan as one of its directors.

Schonberger Has Left WPPAC Board of Directors.

Posted on January 9, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: Eli Schonberger, longtime patron of the arts in White Plains, pioneer and benefactor of the Sculpture Garden at the White Plains Public Library, told WPCNR today that he had resigned from being a member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors three months ago.

Mr. Schonberger said he no longer could devote the time to the White Plains Performing Arts Center. He told WPCNR he is concentrating on lining up new massive sculpture works for the Library’s outdoor display by September of this year.

Eli Schonberger introduces the Sculpture Garden with Mayor Joseph Delfino at the White Plains Public Library Sculpture Garden September, 2004. Mr. Schonberger is third from left, next to Mr. Delfino. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

As of Monday morning the WPPAC website lists Mr. Schonberger as a member of the WPPAC Board of Directors on the WPPAC website. The site continues to list The Girls Room and Charlie’s Place as the WPPAC’s spring productions, though the box office Friday told WPCNR they had been postponed and other shows are reportedly under consideration.