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)

Tigers Fastpitchers Win Pennant on Final Day 6-2 over Yorktown As New Ro Fades

Posted on May 19, 2005 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. May 19, 2005: In perhaps Coach Ted O’Donnell’s finest coaching season, his White Plains Tigers behind Kelsey Kulk’s steady pitching and three run homer backed by flashing leather work, disposed of Yorktown to win the League 1-B Championship, 6-2 under the softball sun on O’Donnell’s Bluff.

Put-It-In-the-Books! Tigers dash off the field celebrating a tie for the Pennant Wednesday afternoon. They won the title outright when last place Ursuline blasted New Rochelle, 19-4, dropping New Ro out of a first place tie with the Tigers. It is White Plains’ 2nd straight League Championship, and 8th crown in 10 years with Coach Ted O’Donnell at the helm. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Kelsey Kulk, The Incredible Kulk, won her own game with towering clout in the third inning off Roberta Marro, the changing speeds specialist who was popping the Tigers up the first two innings. Erin Cook leading off the Tiger third, singled, was sacrificed to second by Candice Abbott. Dena Frederick in the lead off spot turned on the pitch sharply and scorched one of the Yorktown third sacker’s glove for a tough error and the Tigers had runners on first and third. After Marro fanned the next hitter there were two out and The Kulkster was up.

Here the Yorktown coach made a bad decision, he decided to let Marro pitch to Kulk.

Kulk had already hit a towering can of corn to the rightfield fence in the first inning. On a 2-1 pitch, Kulk got a Marro pitch fat on the bat and drove a majestic fly to dead centerfield, up in the 10 knot northeasterly wind blowing out.

It was drilled. It was deep, would it be downtown?

Back, back, back drifted the centerfielder. She seemed to have it lined up for the catch. It took forever for this ball to come down. Five steps in front of the White Plains Softball Sign she appeared to have it, but the O’Donnell’s bluff breeze caught the fly and drifted it over the fence out of the centerfielder’s forlorn reach for a three run homer.

Kelsey Kulk Nailing Down the Pennant in the 7th. Dena Frederick’s at Third. Ashley Encarnacao at First. Photo by WPCNR Sports

It stayed 3-0 until the last of the sixth when with one out, Christine Younkin walked. Carrie Abbott was safe on another error by the third baser who appeared to have lost her concentration. With runners on second and third, Abbott reaching on the error, Juliana Bailey singled sharply to left through the shortstop hole, scoring Younkin to make it 4-0. Another error at third plated a run to make it 5-0, and Dena Frederick drove in the final run with a single to make it 6-0.

Defense Supports The Kulkster.

The game was highlighted by Bailey in left throwing out a runner trying to move from first to second on a flyball in the second inning when it was still scoreless.

Third Sacker Dena Frederick’s snare of a line drive in the 4th with Yorkies on first and second, no one out, converted a double play when she caught the second base runner way off the bag, to break the back of a Yorktown threat. Bailey executed another gem when on a single with a runner on second, Bailey threw the runner out at the plate on the fly. Bailey brought the fans to their feet with another running over-the-head, backhand catch on a dead run in the leftfield corner to save another run in the sixth, retiring the side.

Coming together In Adversity.

In many ways this has to be one of Coach O’Donnell’s best coaching jobs. When third sacker and big bat, Danielle Szabo tore a ligament eight games into the season, and players in and out of the lineup, the coach had to figure a new infield combination and move players around, move the runners, and build runs.

The team responded by learning new positions, each player improving skills and in each game, different players stepped up to make big plays in hard games. The doubleheader win in the Mohawk Valley. The wins against North Rockland, Yorktown, and the outstanding 1-0 win over New Rochelle, when Ashley Encarnacao kept pennant hopes alive with legging out an inside-the-park homer after the famous 4-strike game loss to New Ro, showed great heart, great defense, and perseverence.

Szabo supported the team while rehabbing her injury, keeping score, being there and supporting her teammates, like a fourth coach.

Kulk won her 19th game, which is the most victories in a season ever for a Tiger pitcher. She breaks Kristin Roselli’s record, set in 1997.

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors, left, and WPHS Principal Ivan Toper were at the game viewing the Pennant Winning Game, watching the WPHS “product:” Photo by WPCNR Sports

Meanwhile in another part of the County… Koalas ROAR, Rip New Ro, 19-4.

New Rochelle took the field against Ursuline, having to win to keep pace with the O’Donnells and hold their first place tie with the Tigers. Ursuline has fallen on hard times winning only 4 of 20 games. New Rochelle had the crafty Jillian Schonberg. However, bad luck took a hand.

Ms. Schonberg, our New Rochelle on-the-field correspondent reports, took sick before the game, and had a sore arm,

Ursuline pounced on the New Ro back-up pitcher. Here is our New Rochelle correspondent’s report from the bleachers:

“When a pitcher is being roughed up to that extent, the coach needs to shake things up, which he did not do for some reason. Jillian was sick today. She was quite ill. We had the coach’s back-up pitcher pitch today, and she was throwing okay, but they hit her.

We were not on the field, if you know what I mean. Lots of physical errors, mental errors, misplays. You name it. Just one of those days. Four times the shortstop had the ball less than a foot from 2nd base with a force on there, and didn’t step on the bag. PLUS… we couldn’t hit their pitchers — 3 of them!!!

We sent their first pitcher to the hospital — ambulance took her, the whole bit — a pitcher who turned 14 TODAY — on a bang-bang tag at home by our catcher.

Then Ursuline brought in their secret weapons… 2 weak lob slingshot pitchers, and we could do nothing.”

The Tigers now go to the Sectionals Friday. They win the League B-1 Championship with a 10-1 mark to New Rochelle’s 9-2. The Tigers post and overall record of 19-4. But, they have already won in a fine comeback down the stretch. Kulk actually has better than a 19-4 record, with wins over Voorhees and Mechanicsville and Islip, making her22-4.

Student Athletes Rule! Photo of Tiger Bobblehead Doll by WPCNR Sports.

Voters Pass White Plains School Budget by 1,063 to 331. 5% vote.

Posted on May 17, 2005 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 17, 2005, Updated with Reaction, Interviews 11:09 P.M.: At 9:23 P.M. at Education House this evening Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education chalked up the last results from Mamaroneck Avenue School, and the $154.7 Million 2005-2006 White Plains School Budget had passed. The result, 1,063 Yes’s to 331 voting “No”, representing a turnout of 5.5% of the 25,000 voters eligible to vote in the election, was a continuation of the series of 3 to 1 approval margins that the school district has enjoyed in recent years

William Pollak (Center) was reelected to his second three year term on the school board, and Rosemarie Eller (Left) was elected to her first. They were unopposed for the two seats. Timothy Connors, Superintendent of Schools, right, joins them in front of the vote tally board at Education House Tuesday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ms. Eller told WPCNR, ” I’m very happy and it is a privilege to be part of the White Plains School System. I’ll work very hard for this very good team.”

I’m forward to working on the Achievement Gap and to really close that gap, monitor our performance better and work towards that end. It’s a primary interest. We need to evaluate our resources, what’s working and what’s not working and address that and move forward.”

Asked about her thoughts on reining in the “ever escalating school budget,” Eller said, “I have thought about that. There are certain financial things going on and I hope to learn more about it and provide more input as I get more intimate with the details surrounding it.”

WPCNR asked Mr. Pollak why he returned to the Board for a second term. He explained:

“I decided there were still a lot of important things to do. I didn’t see any exciting candidates on the horizon to do them, so I felt a responsibility to step up to the plate.”

Asked what he hoped to achieve, Pollak was strong on the issues he is known for: “I think we’ve made some significant strides in trying to narrow the achievement gap. I still don’t think we have the tools we need to evaluate test results and I’d like to keep the pressure on to make that happen. I’d like to continue the process of evaluating our curriculum and see if we can do a better job of reaching out to the community at large.”

Superintendent Attributes Vote as One of Confidence.

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors told WPCNR: “We’re appreciative of the community’s coming out to vote and the 76.23% of the people who voted in favor of the budget. We’re also very pleased with the Board Members who are here, that Mr. Pollak is back and he is a known quantity and has been very supportive. We’re going to miss Maria Valentin, but we welcome Rosemarie Eller, I think she’s a smart woman who will provide good leadership and fit into the overall dedication to our youngsters that our Board of Education has. We’re happy with the outcome of the budget vote and we’ll continue to strive to earn the support of the community in trying to provide the best quality education we can for the youngsters in White Plains.”

Asked if he would be involving the Annual Budget Committee in the 2006-2007 Budget process earlier this year, as the ABC Committee requested, Connors said: I think, as you know, John, we got some good suggestions. I believe a large part of our success in getting the budget passed is the support of the ABC Committeem the fact that they come, ask the tough questions, take a real interest and go back out in the community and tell the folks what we’re doing and what are the issues. I think that perhaps the two most important groups in getting the budget passed are the Board of Education and their concern for being fiscally responsible, and the ABC Committee for their concern for that same fiscal responsibility but asking the tough questions but causing us in the schools to make sure we’ve got an eye on the bottom line as well as to provide a quality education for all our students.”

WPCNR asked what the top budget priority next year’s budget considerations. Connors said, “How do we make sure we use the dollars we have wisely for the things they were budgeted for, so that hopefully we can generate some reserves so we can look at those things such as tax certs and the retirement issue that we need to try to always be cognizant of those. Our top priority across the board is we need to watch our programs. Is this the best use of dollars?”

Apathy or Confidence?

Asked if this was a confidence vote or an apathy vote, Connors came down on confidence:

“I don’t think it’s apathy. When you get large numbers, it usually says there’s a problem. I’m proud of the fact that our administrators, our teachers, our staff, our Board of Education and the City we all work closely to do the best job we can for the children. If we definitely weren’t doing that the folks would be out in different numbers. I think it’s a vote of doing well and knowing what we’re doing. I don’t see this as apathy at all. I know this district, if they weren’t pleased with the schools they’d be out in large numbers.

Because things are moving in the right direction.We’ve got good leadership from our Board of Education, from our school Principals, and great things going on in our classrooms, I think the community is pleased with what they’re seeing.”

Getting the message out.

In his message to the voters before today’s vote, Connors noted the budget just maintains existing programs in place. He reported only three new teaching hires (at the high school), no funding for new programs, and that class size at five elementary schools will be maintained at 19-20 students.

He reported the Math scores at the 8th grade level have shown gains, as have results on 4th grade Languare Arts Chores.

Goals for the District.

The District goals for the year are to

1.) Enhance student achievement for all students with the goal of closing the achievement gap.

2.) Maintain essential programs and services.

3.) Provide professional development for staff.

4.) Maintain favorable class sizes.

5.) Implement new New York State curriculum and assessment requirements.

6.) Support technology initiatives.

7.) Expand enrichment programs and opportunities for all students.

8.) Develop a 3-5 year capital improvement program.

9.) Undertake program evaluation for cost effectiveness and efficiency.

Police Reach New Three Year Contract with City UP 4% A Year Through 2008

Posted on May 17, 2005 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. May 17, 2005, UPDATED May 18, 2005 11 P.M. E.S.T. : The Department of Public Safety issued a statement to WPCNR on the new White Plains Police contract reported exclusively by this reporterTuesday afternoon.

The Department statement says: “Commissioner Straub and the Department of Public Safety are pleased that the successor contract was resolved as timely as it was. It is an example of what all parties working together can accomplish.”

The White Plains Police Benevolent Association announced Tuesday to WPCNR that its members have ratified a new contract with the City of White Plains covering fiscal years 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08. Jim Carrier, President of the WPPBA, reported to WPCNR today the police have agreed to a 4% a year wage increase across the board for each of the three years, and detectives have received an additional 1% a year over the life of the three year contract.

Carrier said the union negotiated the contract without outside consultants, with the Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub, who participated directly in the union negotiations. Carrier said that in addition to the 12% increase, the union received an extra personal day, and increases in dental and optical plans.

Carrier said his union members ratified the contract last Friday by a vote of 154-30. He said he was very happy that the contract was wrapped up two and a half months prior to expiration of the current contract June 30. Carrier added it was the first time in memory that negotiation on a new contract had been completed early. He stated the 12% package was achieved “with no givebacks and no concessions (on work rules).”

Carrier added, that to his knowledge, the White Plains Professional Fire Fighters union was still in negotiations with the Department of Public Safety.

David Maloney of the Mayor’s office asked for a statement Tuesday by this reporter, said “The Mayor’s Office has no statement to make to WPCNR.”

Juggernauts Play at Hofstra University Stadium Opening June 2

Posted on May 17, 2005 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From New York Juggernaut. May 17, 2005: The New York Juggernaut has finalized their stadium naming Hofstra University as the home site for the 2005 season. The Stadium, which features dugouts and seating for approximately 1,000 spectators, will receive an upgrade including Musco lights and additional bleacher seating in the outfield. The new venue for the Juggernaut will enable them to tap the vast Long Island-Queens-Brooklyn fan base. It also marks a return home for Alicia Smith, the former Hofstra University star, now joining the Juggernaut.

ALICIA SMITH, Katonah Fastpitch Great, Fastpitch Star in European league last year, looks forward to returning to Hofstra Alma Mater on Picket Duty for the New York Juggernaut. Ms. Smith is shown on a visit to a Juggernaut game last August. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Former Hofstra softball standout, Alicia Smith is extremely excited to return to the diamond of her alma mater once more, “I can’t convey the emotions I feel about returning to Hofstra in words. My experience playing at Hofstra helped mold and shape me into the person I am. A lot of tradition has been built on that field; I’m glad to be apart of it again, this time wearing a Juggernaut uniform!” Smith played for the Pride from 1997 to 2000 and still holds the all time Hofstra Softball records for Most Games Played (63), At Bats (727), Hits (271) and Doubles (54).

Long Island native and team owner John Schmitz is pleased the franchise is located in Long Island, “Long Island has been waiting for more softball outlets and I am glad to be able to provide the best by way of the Juggernauts. We are expecting big things this season and hope to develop a strong fan base as support.”

Head Coach and General Manager Julie Smith (Far Right) is glad that the 2005 site has been finalized stating, “I am so thrilled to be playing our games this season at Hofstra University. Hofstra has a great name as well as a beautiful field. I am excited to be able to announce to the public our home field; I hope to see an excited crowd filling Hofstra’s seats. Having Alicia Smith, a Hofstra alumni and NCAA All- American, should get some Hofstra fans out at the games to support their local star!” Ms. Smith, and Carri Leto, Naut Second Sackette (Center), appeared recently on White Plains Public Access Cable Show, Beyond the Game with Johnny Vorperian. The show will be cablecast Tuesday, May 24 at 10 PM and Friday May 27 at 9 P.M.
Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Returning on the diamond for the New York Juggernaut includes Bayshore, NY native Jaclyn Pasquerella and NPF All-Star Carri Leto. Amanda Scott will be make the transition from the mound to the sidelines as this year’s pitching coach, and holding down the infield will be 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Natasha Watley.

Jackie Pasquerella, The Spiderwoman on the Hot Corner. Photo, Courtesy, NY Juggernaut.

The season opens up June 2^nd, 2005 against the Venezuelan National Team. For more information on the stadium or to purchase tickets, please visit the Juggernaut online at www.nynjjuggernaut.com. Prices range from $5 for outfield general admission tickets to $12 for VIP tickets.

Carri Leto, NY Juggernauts, 2nd Sackette. Photo by WPCNR Sports.