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)

Playland Ride Death Accidental. No Ops Error.Voluntary Steps Announced.

Posted on June 5, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. June 5, 2004: Westchester County Department of Public Safety has released its findings from an accident on a ride at Playland on which a young girl died on May 22. The police report has concluded that the cause of death was accidental and not due to mechanical problems or ride operator error.

The New York State Department of Labor, which inspects and issues permits annually on rides, also released a report today that said there were no mechanical violations or ride operator errors which contributed to the accident. They did recommend that any additional safety changes be made to the Mind Scrambler ride.

Although not cited by the Labor Department or required to make any improvements to the ride, Westchester County has decided to take a number of its own precautionary steps to further ensure the safety of the ride.

“The death of Stephanie Dieudonne was a tragic accident that we never want to see happen again,’’ County Executive Andy Spano said today at a press conference held at Playland. “For 76 years Playland has been known as a safe, clean, family amusement park. As a father I took my children there. As a grandfather, I take my grandchildren there. However, today we are taking additional safety measures that go above and beyond what we already have to reassure families that Playland is, and continues to be, the safest park of its kind.’’

Changes have already been made to the ride and include the following:

· Seat belts have been added to all cars in addition to the safety bar.

· More lighting has been added to give the operator better visibility during the ride.

· Safety instructions have been painted onto the back of the rides in day glow paint so that they will be visible even when the lights are off.

· The size of the window in the operator’s booth has been doubled to increase visibility.

· An additional employee will be placed at a newly constructed station within the ride to serve as an additional set of eyes and will have an emergency stop button.

· The lights will be left on at the start and end of the ride.

· The ride entrance and exits paths are more clearly marked with bright yellow paint.

Playland Director Joseph Montalto said other safety measures are also being pursued. “We will hire an industry ride safety specialist to review all rides at Playland. We are also developing a ‘Partnering with Parents Safety Guide,’ which will give guidelines for monitoring children at amusement parks.”

Council of Neighborhood Associations Meets on Budget Cap Tuesday

Posted on June 5, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SOUTHEND SENTINEL. From Marc Pollitzer. June 5, 2004: The White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations will meet Tuesday, June 8th, at 7:45 PM at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane (lower level meeting room) The return of the White Plains Watch will be discussed as well as the The Cappelli 221 Main Street project (scheduled to be approved Monday evening at the Common Council, and there will be discussionof the City Budget and 13% city property tax hike.

High School Musical Theatre Awards at WPPAC & Helen Hayes Monday

Posted on June 4, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Oscar Sales, Jr., WPPAC. June 4, 2004: When the 6^th annual High School Musical Theatre Awards are presented on Monday, June 7^th, over 1,000 screaming students will be connected through a satellite feed from the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack to the White Plains Performing Arts Center in White Plains. The award ceremonies, which are modeled after the “Tony’s,” award overall excellence in many of the high school theatre productions from throughout Bergen, Rockland and Westchester counties.

The award categories encompass such elements as overall production of a musical, best performance by actors in various categories, to technical awards both in front of and behind the stage. But this year, “The Helens” go high tech with a direct broadcasting system (DBS) that will connect the awards show to both White Plains and Nyack. The video coordinator for the awards show is Ned Barber, president of Ned Barber and Associates.

With a telos link, one DBS truck will be broadcasting to another. The Two trucks will be connected with a 2.6-meter Vertex antenna, 15kva diesel generator, and provisions for multiple-camera production and onboard editing. The first satellite will be equipped with a 6.4/7 GHz microwave and a 42-foot mast. The second satellite similar to the first has a 2.3-meter Andrew antenna and identical communication and IBF capabilities.

In simple terms one satellite will send information to the other. With the help of a video Director, video supervisors, a 10 ft. screen, a main Camera and mobile reaction cameras White Plains Performing Arts Center and The Helen Hayes Theater Company will be able to hear and see one another throughout the ceremony.

The Helen Hayes High School Theater Awards will take place on Monday, June 7^th at 7pm at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack and the White Plains Performing Arts Center in White Plains. Tickets are $30. For tickets, please call the Helen Hayes Box Office at 845-358-6333 or the White Plains Performing Arts Center at 888-977-2250.

Adam In Albany: Assembly School Aid Plan would Bring $7.25 Million to WP

Posted on June 4, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By 89th District Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. June 4, 2004: In addressing the decision by our state’s highest court in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, we must reject a ‘Robin Hood’ approach that supports some school districts by taking away resources from others. The Assembly’s plan to meet the CFE court ruling rejects that kind of ‘Robin Hood’ answer.

It’s not only a constitutional obligation, but a moral obligation as well to equip our children with the education they need to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Investing in all New York State’s schools will give all our children the opportunity to succeed. The Assembly’s plan would provide nearly $37.7 million to schools in the 89^th Assembly District, which is a $2.6 million increase over the governor’s proposal.

The Assembly’s plan also establishes a program for rehabilitation and construction in high-need schools across the state. It would provide $7.25 million to the White Plains School District for capital projects. In addition, the plan establishes a foundation formula to help stabilize education funding from year to year, and sets a minimum commitment per student based on need. Our plan recognizes the fact that investing in young minds now will reap the greatest rewards in the future.

As part of this proposal, New York City taxpayers must contribute their fair share by ensuring from the city a $1.2 billion commitment over the next five years. I’ll also work to ensure the Circuit Breaker property tax relief program is expanded.

As we work to fulfill our obligation to provide our children with a good education, we must also ensure accountability to make sure school resources are used effectively. The Assembly’s plan strengthens accountability measures initiated by the Board of Regents and the state Education Department.

This plan is a good starting point for discussion, but we need the cooperation of the Senate and governor to meet the court’s deadline. If we don’t come up with an equitable solution, a court-appointed special master will devise a new school aid plan that addresses only the needs of New York City’s schools. We must address the CFE decision now, so that Westchester’s school needs are addressed, not just those of schools in New York City. Our taxpayers cannot afford the risk of handing the case back to the court to impose its own judgment.