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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. February 23, 2005: The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee has notified the city’s neighborhood associations and community organizations of the subject matters of its upcoming meetings to take community comment on the City Comprehensive Plan.

The first meeting will be held March 1 in the Common Council Chambers and will focus on the Core area: Main Street and Mamaroneck Avenue down to Post Road,  Hamilton Avenue, Quorropas, Church Street, South Lex, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard,  better known as the downtown. It will be the only meeting that will call for citizen opinion and comment on the future development of the downtown.

According to the letter from Mary CAvallero and John Martin, Co-Chairs of the committee, the committee purpose is to “determine whether, and to what extent, any elements of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan should be amended to ensure that it remains an effective guide for the community now and into the future.”

The letter reports that each of the four meetings scheduled, beginning with the March 1 discussion of the downtown will begin with “a presentation about what the 1997 Comprehensive Plan states as goals, and what actions ahve been taken toweard achieving those goals. Then there will be a discussion about whether the stated goals are still appropriate or should be amended.

The letter also states that next week every Neighborhood Association will be mailed a copy of the portions of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan which deal with their neighborhood.

The next meeting will be held March 22 and deal with the Close-In Areas, Gateways/Major Corridors within them. On March 29, discussion will center on the Outer Areas, Major Properties and Gateways/Major Corridors within them.  On April 5, 2005 discussion will concern Community Resources and Implementation.

The letter said that after these meetings are held, the Committee will “prepare a report of its findings and recommendations for the Mayor and Common Council.”

The Citizens Plan Committee, the ad hoc group of citizens, who spearheaded the formation of the Mayor’s committee welcomed these opportunities for public comment with a statement sent to committee members this week:

 

February 23, 2005

 

Dear Fellow-White Plains Resident,

 

We wrote to you on February 15^th describing the February 9 th initial meeting of the city’s Comprehensive Plan Review Committee.  At  that meeting the members made clear their commitment to public participation as an important part of the review process which, it is anticipated, will set the goals for the city’s planning program for some years to come.

 

The Citizens’ Plan Committee is delighted that members of the public will be able to share their interest, concerns and suggestions at these public meetings. For our part, we have shared our November 22, 2004 report and numerous suggestions with the Mayor, Common Council and the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee to consider in the review process.  

 

A public review meeting will be held on March 1, 2005 at 7:30 pm at City Hall in the Common Council Chambers. These are critical times in White Plains.  It is vital that your voice be heard!

 

We hope to see you on the 1st.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Robert H. Levine

(for the)  Citizens’ Plan Committee

 

   

 

WPCNR Miller Hill Citizen Patriot. By John F. Bailey. February 21, 2005: The White Plains Historical Society staged its 273^rd Birthday Party for George Washington Sunday afternoon at the Jacob Purdy House (where George Washington Headquartered in White Plains) on Miller Hill. The ceremony honoring the nation’s first Forefather, General of the American Revolution, and First President, and perhaps arguably its best, was made all the more poignant by the remembrances of a young friend of Michael Arciola, the resident of Elmsford, killed in action in Iraq last week.

 

The 23rd Regiment of Foot, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Colonel Pawling’s Independent Corps of Levies, strike Old Glory, and the Continental Army Flag Sunday at Jacob Purdy House overlooking White Plains. British troops attempted to take George Washington’s well fortified positions on Miller Hill, but were stopped, withdrawing to New York ending the Battle of White Plains.  The flag was raised and lowered to half-mast in honor and membory of Michael Arciola of Elmsford. A Citizen-Soldier like George Washington himself. Photo by WPCNR News.

 

The young man spoke of Mr. Arciola, who was his friend, saying that being in the army was something Mr. Arciola always wanted to do. He spoke of him being in several gunfights, was shot in the neck, and how he died 24 hours later. Overcome with emotion, the young man spoke haltingly, fighting back tears, said his friend died doing what he loved to do.

Jacob Purdy House Yesterday during the ceremonies. John Vorperian is at the podium. Photo by WPCNR News.

The regret expressed Sunday over the sacrifice of Mr. Arciola,  brought to the mind of this reporter the sacrifices made by the “Citizen-Soldiers” at the Battle of White Plains in 1776 who stopped the advance of British General Howe’s army on this very hill. Arguably, the Battle of White Plains was the turning point of the American revolution.

 

 

Arms at Rest: The Fusiliers and the Independent Corps of Levies rest arms in honor of the fallen Citizen-Solider, Michael Arciola. Photo by WPCNR News.

 

Robert Hoch, after being introduced by John Vorperian read this tribute to George Wahington whose author is unknown. It speaks of all the “Citizen-Soldiers” who fight for what American stands for today wherever they are stationed. It lauds the kind of man George Washington was, and we reprint Mr. Hoch’s reading here:

 

Cider and a birthday cake greeted some 60 citizens who came out for the Sunday observance. The  forthright bust of George Washington, looks on. Photo by WPCNR News.

 

A prized possession of the White Plains Historical Society is a white marble bust of George Washington – sculptor unknown – that graces a pedestal or prominence here in the Jacob Purdy house.

 

It casts an aura over this historic house and is an ever-present reminder of the man who, both during and after the Revolutionary War, was the living symbol of a great nation.

 

There were many heroes during the Revolution, and not a few villains. But, the American victory, so improbable in 1776 was more than anything the personal achievement of George Washington that made final victory possible.

 

He held the army together when the cause was darkest; he declined dictatorship when it could have been his for the asking. He treat Congress with respect even when its actions and pronouncements merited only scorn.

 

His greatness manifested itself at the end of the Revolution when, after eight long years of service, the resigned his powers and commission as head of the Continental Army to the Continental Congress assembled at Annapolis. His overriding desire was to be “Citizen Washington:” to seen no personal aggrandizement.

 

A true hero of the Revolution, Washington road home to Mount Vernon in the fall of 1783 happy to lay down his burden. It is interesting to note that in his study at Mount Vernon there is not a sign of his military career.

 

Jeff Reiner entertained with patriotic songs on the  organ, including Yankee Doodle Dandy, Battle Hymn of the Republic. Mr. Reiner’s organ stylings filled the little house with stirring tunes that lifted sombre hearts with the ideals of George Washington’s heritage. Photo by WPCNR News

 

Jacob Purdy House opens three times a year: In October to recognize the Battle of White Plains; In February in recognition of President’s Week, and on the Fourth of July. The Historical Society does not have the funds to keep the home open on a regular schedule. The Purdy House stands on hallowed ground and stands sentinel for those first citizen-soldiers who died on this hill.

 

There is revolutionary history in White Plains, almost as rich as Boston in sites which forged America. Perhaps in the future, the trails and the paths, the charges and the burnings that took place here will be recognized more than just four times a year.