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)

White Plains Says Happy Birthday, America at Fireworks Celebration at WPHS

Posted on July 1, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR STARS & STRIPES . By John F. Bailey. July 1, 2004: Crowds of friends and neighbors gathered at White Plains High School’s rolling fields this evening to enjoy the annual city party for America: The 2004 Independence Day Celebration. A crowd, smaller than in recent years, seasoned observers said, and numbering about 5,000 persons saw a 25-minute fireworks display that satisfied, showcased a diversity of pyrotechnic creativity and ended with a powerful ever-building finale that took the crowd’s breath away with the appropriate “oooooohhhhhhs” and “ahhhhhhhhhs” in the right places.

CROWD GATHERED AT 6:30 P.M., at White Plains High School good-naturedly spreading out blankets and enjoying the music provided by Jazymn. Photo by WPCNR News

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN enjoyed a mini Midway, with rides at $1.75 each, plus magic shows and Mad Science. The White Plains P.T.A., Good Humor, Fried Dough, Netmeg and Maui Wowi also provided food booths. Photo by WPCNR News.

ROGER THE VENDOR sold red, white and blue “light-ups” for your ears, your mouth and your hands. Photo by WPCNR News.

JAZMYN played a mix of latino and pop that lent a festive flavor leading up to the fireworks. Photo by WPCNR News.

THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY POLICE EMERALD SOCIETY PERFORMED stirring patriotic songs on the pipes to the delight of the little children frolicking on the field. In blue shirt and khaki pants is Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Arne Abramowitz, and Master of Ceremonies who produced the show. Photo by WPCNR News

Mayor Joseph Delfino Introduced Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Assemblyman Adam Bradley, and County Legislator William Ryan and his Common Council seen standing to the Left of the Mayor. Mayor Joe awarded plaques to the Extravaganza’s five sponsors, Todai Restaurant, Famiglia Pizza, Century 21 Wolff, White Plains Hospital Center, and the New York Power Authority. The Mayor invited visitors to enjoy White Plains new revitalized downtown, its Renaissance Plaza Fountain, new restaurants and retail stores, and wished America a great happy birthday. Photo by WPCNR News

MEANWHILE, down on basebaseball field,International Fireworks crews prepared the launch batteries for 3 inch, 4, 5 inch, 6 and 8 inch “shells” as they call them in the pyrotechnics biz. Five batteries of these cylindrical “mortar” launchers consisting of approximately 25 cylinders lined up in a row on each of the five batteries, plus about 7 to 10 steel barrels for the hotter “shells” were used to put on the 25-minute show. The Pyrotechnologist on the right is readying a fuse. The “Shells” are all lit by hand. Photo by WPCNR News.

A 5 INCH SHELL, demonstrated by Chris Burgmier, supervisor of the show for International Fireworks. He holds the fuse in his left hand, and the business end in his right. The Shell is dropped into a cylinder, lit by hand by roving igniters. Burgmeir told WPCNR that it took 8 to 10 hours to set up last night’s show. Burgmier has been putting on fireworks shows for 30 years, another member of his crew has been in the bang business for 33 years. Photo by WPCNR News.

AND THEY WORK PRETTY GOOD, TOO! Photo by WPCNR News

Westchester Police to Target Seatbelts on Most Heavily Traveled Weekend of Year

Posted on July 1, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Westchester County Department of Communications. July 1, 2004: Westchester County Police will be cracking down on seat belt violators during the most heavily traveled holiday weekend of the year — July 4^th weekend.

“Every hour someone dies in a car crash simply because they didn’t buckle up,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “Summer is a time when teenagers are more likely to be driving and at greater risk of death or injury due to traffic crashes. We must get the message out to young people and everyone else that wearing your seat belt is still the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways,” Spano continued.

Westchester County intensified its seat belt education efforts and focused on young drivers starting last October, targeting high school students with contests, dramatic crash demonstrations and a new website at www.westchestergov.com/teendriving. National statistics indicate that car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15-20, fatality rates for teen drivers are four times higher than for older drivers, and 60 percent of teens do not wear their seat belts.

“Messages about seat belts usually fall on deaf ears, but young people need to know that the police in Westchester will be writing tickets, especially this weekend,” Spano added.

Seat belt use will be a top priority for police departments throughout Westchester this holiday weekend. This year, police are focusing efforts on teenagers, one of the most at-risk driving populations.

Besides buckling up, other tips for safe travel over the upcoming July 4^th weekend include:

· Allow someone else to drive when taking medications or when you are drowsy. Fatigued driving can be just as deadly as driving drunk;

· Plan your trip so that you have plenty of time to reach your destination;

· Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as, speeding, tailgating, failing to yield the right-of-way, and following too closely;

· Make sure your vehicle is well maintained. Check tire pressures and tread, clean all lights, check brakes and battery.

Spano urges all Westchester residents to follow these tips and drive defensively. Also, he reminds all residents to use seat belts each and every time they are in a vehicle and always secure children in child car seats in the back seat. These reminders could make the difference between life and death.

For further information on traffic safety issues, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works/ Traffic Safety at 995-2271 or log on to www.westchestergov.com/teendriving.

Gretsas Departure Date Still Not Decided. Wood is the Word.

Posted on July 1, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL SPIN. July 1, 2004: George Gretsas, Executive Officer for Mayor Delfino, told WPCNR Wednesday that his last day with the city has not been decided yet, laying to rest a rumor that July 13 would be his last day.

WOOD’S THE WORD: Paul Wood, standing, behind Mayor Joseph Delfino in October, 2003., is the rumored successor to George Gretsas. Photo From WPCNR News Archive.

Speculation on the new City Manager of Fort Lauderdale’s departure from the White Plains city limits has been the talk of city hall. Paul Wood, the City’s Economic Development Director and sometime press spokesperson, according to “City Hall speculators” and county sources will be appointed by Mayor Joseph Delfino to the position of Executive Officer after Mr. Gretsas leaves. Wood has told WPCNR he would like the job.

Wood is a former reporter for a New Jersey newspaper whom Mr. Gretsas met while Mr. Gretsas was serving on the Board of Education in Park Ridge, New Jersey. Mr. Wood has filled many roles behind the scenes in the Delfino Administration.

He has been the city political and economic intelligence specialist researching relationships, and players in city intrigues. He has found companies to bring to White Plains, by attending economic development conventions, and has toured cities for development ideas. He has written redevelopment plans, campaign literature, news releases.

A Gretsas Guy

Ostensibly a media spokesperson, he has done less and less media contact over the last 15 months, supervising other members of the Mayor’s Office staff, and being a confidente of Mr. Gretsas, working ever more closely with the increasingly isolated Executive Officer over the last two years. Wood is familiar with Gretsas’ thinking, and of course, would have ready access to the Gretsas thinking, after Mr. Gretsas leaves the city. (Though Mr. Gretsas has said he would not consult with the City of White Plains after he leaves.) Wood has a personable manner in dealing with city hall employees and media personnel (most times). Wood may have to rely heavily on the City Legal Department or other knowledgeable sources in the areas of common council procedure in implementing Mayoral policy, and City Charter matters.

Dunphy A Long Shot

The other apparent candidate is Edward Dunphy, the City Corporation Counsel, but this appears unlikely at this time, unless Mayor Delfino has a change of heart.

Awaiting the Plume of Smoke

Since Mr. Gretsas let it be known he had accepted the Fort Lauderdale position, there has been no announcement, statement or procedure announced by The Mayor’s Office as to whether a national search for an Executive Officer would or would not be conducted, if the position would be filled from within, or if the Mayor would leave it unfilled, or even when Mr. Gretsas would officially depart the city. The Mayor’s Office has had shades drawn tight most of the day and night despite beautiful summer weather. Phone calls have not been returned on the Gretsas replacement issue.

Mr. Gretsas will begin his Fort Lauderdale adventure August 2.

White Plains Little League Hosts District 20 Tournament Games.

Posted on July 1, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. July 1, 2004: The White Plains Little League is hosting a series of Little District 20 Tournament games, as it does every year at its growing Gedney Field complex. White Plains volunteers run the games operating scoreboard, announcing the batters, and making the Little League big league.

Last night, White Plains American hosted Sherman Park in a Majors (11-12s) contest at the Big G, with Sherman Park. White Plains American had the early lead, 6-3 but a grand slam down the line by Brittany Connick put Sherman Park ahead to stay, eventually winning 12-6, and a first to second double play killed a White Plains rally.

CELEBRITY UMPS WORKED THE GAME: What do you do when your daughter stops playing fastpitch softball? You umpire with her. Westchester Fastpitch pioneer Rudy Nettek, left (founder of the now legendary Hudson River Bandits), called balls and strikes, while his daughter, Margaret Nettek, Horace Greeley windmiller who will be attending Indiana University in the fall, called traffic on the basepaths. The father-daughter umpiring team called a flawless game. Photo by WPCNR Sports