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)

1973 Gas Crisis Revisited — Feiner Moves to Break Gas Jam at Hess Station

Posted on May 17, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PAUL FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. May 17, 2004: A gas station on Central Ave that is selling gas at prices below competitors is creating major traffic jams at all hours of the day and evening –creating a public safety problem for the town. As a result, the town will be considering some legislative actions to address this problem.

In recent weeks cars have been waiting in both direction on Mt Joy to turn into the Hess Station at the corner of Central Ave. There is a backup. Residents who live on Westminster have had to wait several minutes. It’s dangerous…it’s frustrating. Cars are also doing u turns on Mt Joy, which has bad sight lines with drivers coming down the hill at fast speeds. Last night I was returning home close to midnight. Cars were lined up waiting to pump gas even at that late hour.

I have spoken to the Police Chief. We will be recommending, at the next Town Board meeting (May 26) that the Town prohibit left turns into the station westbound into Mt. Joy Ave. In addition, police are periodically visiting the site and moving cars or issuing tickets. In addition, we’re exploring other options.

Westchesta Dems Hold Fund-Raiser for Kerry May 23

Posted on May 17, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2004. From Ellen Brief, Lewisboro Democratic Club. May 17, 2004: The Northern Westchester Democratic Clubs of Lewisboro, North Castle, Somers, Bedford, Pound Ridge and North Salem have joined forces to raise funds for Senator John Kerry.

On Sunday, May 23rd, from 2-4 p.m. refreshments will be served and the North Country Bluegrass Band will perform live at the “Spring Fling for John Kerry.” This festive event will be held at the home of Naomi and Gene Matusow in Bedford, NY.

“We wanted to do something to help make a difference in the outcome of the Presidential election,” commented Ellen Brief, President of the Lewisboro Democratic Club. “I can barely watch the news these days, the war report is so gruesome. The loss of prestige and respect for our country, how poorly we are perceived by other nations, saddens me. The news on the domestic front is not much better. There has been some job growth, but not nearly enough; and the little growth there is, is not at the same salary level Americans are used to.”

“Although contributions of any amount are welcome, a contribution of $250 will reserve your place at the Spring Fling for John Kerry,” stated Gene Matusow, NY State Democratic Committee member and host of the event. “I am very excited about the participation of so many local democratic clubs. By organizing this event, we are creating an even stronger Northern Westchester democratic presence. We appreciate the support of our neighbors who want to make a difference. Their support is very much appreciated and will go along way to restoring our faith in our nation.”

Information about the event can be found by clicking on the Kerry icon on the Web site: www.Westchester-Democrats.org. A donation form can be downloaded and travel directions printed or e-mail [email protected] for details.

Trouble at The Fountain: Reader Suggests More Supervision at Renaissance Plaza

Posted on May 16, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR White Plains Voice. By J. Matero. May 16, 2004: A White Plains citizen who visits the Renaissance Plaza Fountain writes CitizeNetReporter about what they perceive as an unsafe situation at the city’s meeting and greeting place at Mamaroneck and Main. They claim children are playing in the fountain, citizens are having water fights, and just unsafe shenanigans are being permitted. Here is their report:

RENAISSANCE PLAZA, 8 A.M. From Starbucks Photo by WPCNR News.

What has happened to our beautiful new fountain? I was skeptical when I first learned of plans to create a fountain that “danced to music” near City Center last year. Honestly, I felt it was a “Gimmick”. However, when it finally opened, it became clear that it would soon become one of my favorite places to visit when I venture downtown. I really love the idea of sitting there, listening to music and watching the water dance.

HOWEVER… things have changed. First of all… no matter when I an in the new plaza… any day… any time…. the fountains are surrounded by unattended children who climb up the sides, splash water and run on the ledges surrounding each body of water. In fact, it has become impossible to walk from Starbucks to City Center without being spashed by people throwing water around like they are at a Fun Park.

I went down there Sunday night with a friend and watched as two ADULTS had a water fight… they were at opposing fountains splashing water at each other… then finally drenching both me and my guest. We yelled at the two responsible but they did not understand English and just laughed at us. We looked at each other and then at the fountains and it looked like the site of an open fire hydrant in the city. Plain and simple.

I have been at the fountain now 3 weekends in a row and EVERY TIME there are unattended children leaning into the fountains prying the stones (which are glued in) off the bottom… and as was the case this morning… THROWING THEM back into the fountain or at eachother. Last weekend I watched as kids pulled submerged stones up and tossed them into the fountain nozzels causing water to shoot sideways onto the plaza drenching people. Just walk around every body of water there and you”ll see most stones missing from the fountains and it looks terrible.

Meanwhile, while all of this is going on, I watched as three “Park Rangers” (at least that is what they look like…) either ignored it, hung out in Starbucks or talked on cell phones.

Finally, I do not know who maintains the fountains but there are a number of nozzels… more each week… that are either shooting at an angle, firing with a weak stream or just not firing at all….. and the music at times cannot be heard as the sound goes up and down.

Personally, I think they should erect a simple foot-high fence on the outter fountain walls to keep hands out of there. If for nothing else, I defy anyone to hang out there on the weekend and not see kids running along the WET walls… somebody is going to fall and break their neck.

I think the fountains are beautiful but something has to be done about the kids (and in some cases ADULTS) splashing, people runing along the walls of the fountain base and finally making sure the device is working correctly. This should be a place where people can come and enjoy the fountains… not a place where all you hear are people grumbling under their breath about how they do not want to get close for fear of being splashed or slipping on the ground made wet by hands being where they should not be. What can we do about this?

J Matero

W.A.V.E. Endorses Tratoros, Tompkins for School Board

Posted on May 16, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. May 16, 2004: Steve Rabinowitz, Convenor of White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education, has released a position paper on the School Board Election and Budget Vote coming up Tuesday, citywide. The three candidates contending for the three seats on the School Board are Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros (incumbent), and Rick Tompkins. The community is being asked to approve a $143.9 Million budget for the 2004-05 School Year. Here is the text of the Rabinowitz letter:

THREE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: Shown at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum, May 4, are, L to R, Rick Tompkins, Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros. WPCNR did not report on the Forum due to a lack of substance in the proceedings. The two new candidates, Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Taft demonstrated a naivete and lack of knowledge of the City School District painful to hear without offering any specific new ideas or initiatives, except for Mr. Taft’s willingness to be oppositional and a voice of reform, while Ms. Tratoros supported spending at the current school district pace to maintain the quality of the instruction to remain competitive with other School Districts. Photo by WPCNR News.

Dear Friend and Neighbor:

We would like to take a moment to share some thoughts with you on the upcoming election for the White Plains Board of Education. Like you, we are currently or have been active in various parts of the educational system here–PTA, School-Based Council, Budget Committee, and so on–because we are all first and foremost concerned with the education of our own children and the well-being of all the children of White Plains. Like you, we understand that the success of our community and the success of our schools go hand in hand.

To that end, along with others in our community in 2002 we formed a group called WAVE–the White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education–to promote the democratic process in our school district with regard to the Board of Education. Further, we seek to encourage active participation by parents and community members in making decisions that affect the educational system.

This year there are 3 candidates running for two positions on the Board of Education.   After looking carefully at the qualifications, experience and public statements of all 3 we believe strong that that Richard Tompkins and Michelle Trataros are the most qualified of the three candidates for two positions in this year’s Board of Education election.    It is our opinion that Michelle and Rick clearly have the type of experience and credentials needed to serve successfully on the Board.

Rick Tompkins is a lifetime White Plains resident with 2 children in the White Plains schools and who has worked for some years as a realtor in the community. Rick has served on the district¹s Annual Budget Committee for 2 years.    Michelle Trataros has served on the Board for 4 years, has 2 children in the district and works with a wide variety of community groups and organizations. While we have sometimes disagreed with Michelle, there is no question as to her commitment to the work of the Board during her years of service.

We are very concerned about the candidacy of Stephen Taft, the third person running for the school board.   Mr. Taft has made some strongly negative statements about the Board and the Superintendent both on public websites and in various discussions he has had with residents.    As such we have no confidence that he will be able to work in a cooperative and constructive way with the Board or the district administration in the future to further the interests of our children.

We urge anyone who did not attend the Candidates Forum to watch it when it shows on Channel 77 (May 14-17, at noon, 7:30 and 10 p.m.). Listen to the candidates closing statements and make up your own mind as to which candidates will be able to work cooperatively for the good of the children.Also, we urge you to vote yes on this year¹s budget, in order to maintain the important work that the district is doing for our children, and to implement the historic initiative of bringing full-day kindergarten to all the incoming students to our schools.    We need to show our continued support for the dedicated work of the district staff on all levels.

Most of all, we urge you to come out and vote, and to encourage your own friends and neighbors to do the same. Do it for our children and the future of our schools.