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)

School Board Passes Budget Unanimously. Tech Crew Makes Progress on Data Massage

Posted on March 30, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 30, 2004: The Board of Education passed a $143,809,184 School Budget for the 2004-2005 school year Monday evening, calling for an increase of 6.82% over the 03-04 budget. It is, WPCNR believes, the lowest year-to-year school budget increase in Westchester County. The budget will mean a 7.53% School Tax Increase, costing the owner of a home assessed at $15,000 approximately $300 more in taxes.

The budget provides for All Day Kindergartens at all five White Plains elementary schools at a cost of less than $850,000, adding eight new kindergaten teachers and eight teaching assistants and provides for all building alterations. It adds 2.4 additional teachers at the high school, brings Latin to the seventh grade, and adds a fifth grade teacher at Ridgeway School.

The $9.6 Million increase is due in part to mandated $4 Million in year-to-year cost rises in Health and Retirement mandates from insurers and the New York State Retirement Funds and an additional $2.4 Million in eroded assessments. Supertintendent of Schools Timothy Connors said the District will be working closely with the city beginning this fall to incorporate assessment erosion and PILOT impacts on the budget so there are no surprises in the years ahead. The School District will issue a newsletter making the case for the year-to-year budget increase and a special booklet on the transition to All-Day Kindergarten to all residents in the coming weeks before the budget comes to a vote on May 18.

In a special report to the Board, Dr. Lucy Roman and her three technology specialists presented an optimistic report on the District’s “Data Warehouse,” saying they are now capable of prepraing reports on “longitudinal” performance of students from Grades K through 9, and that longitudinal studies can be custom-prepared on high school students and groupings starting with this year’s courses.

Official Pizza of Yankees Comes to White Plains. Dough Made with Pure Olive Oil.

Posted on March 29, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAMARONECK AVENUE AMBLER. By John F. Bailey. March 29, 2004: Famiglia, an immigrant success story, opened at Mamaroneck Avenue and Martine Monday, and donated all of Monday’s proceeds (not just profit), to the St. Agnes Children’s Hospital in White Plains. The family owned business that has 9 stores in Manhattan and occupies choice New York Gateway locations Newark Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and is the official pizza served in Yankee Stadium gave media freeloaders a taste of the Famiglia difference.

A REPORTER’S REPORT: Freeloading scribes sampled slices of Pizza Fresco: a delicious tomato and basil combination on ricotta Monday noon at brand new Famiglia on the Mamaroneck & Martine crossroads. Two out of two journalists agreed Famiglia’s crust is light and tasty, ingredients full-bodied, and seasoned to perfection. “Best Pizza crust I’ve ever had,” said Jim Benerofe of suburbanstreet.com. The difference: their crust is made with pure virgin olive oil imported from the Frosinone region of Italy (between Naples and Rome). The tomatos are from California, the sauce home made. There is no lard or vegetable oil in the dough, and you can tell because it leaves no greasy, fatty patina on your fingers.. The restaurant, one of whose owners, Dad Tony Kolaj lives in White Plains, opened Monday and turned over all Opening Day receipts to St. Agnes Children’s Hospital. They are open 10 AM to 10 PM. They also serve a full 18″ Large Pizza for just $18. Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.

RUSTY SCISSORS: George Gretsas, the Mayor’s Executive Officer commented the Mayor’s opening day ribbon cutting scissors were getting worn out from the number of openings Mayor Joseph Delfino is presiding over lately. Right to left at Monday’s Famiglia Opening are: John Kolaj, Chief Operating Officer, Paul Kolaj, (red shirt) President of Famiglia-DeBartolo, Mayor Delfino, Pascal Daka, (in hat) uncle to the Kolaj sons, his sister, Jane, and Rosa Kolaj, their mother, whose name appears on the Famiglia Extra Virgin Olive Oil that makes their pizza dough so outstanding, and Theresa Romano of the Mayor’s Office, (holding the ribbin.) Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.

QUALITY CONTROL THE DIFFERENCE: Famiglia owns 27 stores around the country. John Kolaj (of Armonk) told WPCNR that in order to maintain the “New York taste,” New York water is shipped to all their stores nationwide to use in Famiglia pizza dough. Tomatos are imported from California. His brother Paul, President of the chain said that the firm was recently joined by the Dibartolo Corporation, which is now a 50% partner in the operation. The Dibartolo family owns the San Francisco 49ers football team, and Eddie Debartolo, Jr., became familiar with the Famiglia taste when introduced to it at George Steinbrenner’s luxury box at Tampa Legends Field where the New York Yankees train. The Famiglia brothers ran into the Debartolos again at a national restaurant convention in Las Vegas, had some talks and Mr. Debartolo bought half the business. Kolaj said that Debartolo told him that the taste of Famiglia and its concentration on original Italian ingredients “reminded him of family,” and that was a major factor in persuading Mr. Debartolo to partner in the business. Paul Kolaj added that the firm has plans to expand to university markets, too, they currently furnish pizza to Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.

Look for Mama Rosa’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil when you vist Famiglia at Mamaroneck & Martine. Famiglia is open from 10 AM to 10 P.M., seven days a week, does deliveries, and may be reached at 328-4444. The website for the business chain is www.famousfamiglia.com. Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.

30 Buildings Face New Excess Water Use Charges of 85%; Charge Doubles.

Posted on March 29, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. By John F. Bailey. March 29, 2004, UPDATED with Rate Structure Chart, 10:45 A.M. E.S.T. Correction, April 1, 2004: The city’s former Budget Director, Eileen Earl, took the wraps off a study of trends in White Plains water consumption at last week’s Council meeting, calling for rates that would virtually double water charges for commercial buildings using over 250,000 cubic feet of water in a three-month period, not in a one-year period as previously described. Ms. Earl advised WPCNR of the error, which actually means even higher annual costs for excess per capita users. The new rates seek to have these buildings with a “large non-resident population” pay 85% more for their “excess water usage” on a quarterly basis while homeowners would pay 15% more beginning today, April 1.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A CONSULTING ROLE: Eileen Earl returns. The former Budget Director proposed sharply higher water rates to turn red ink to black by fiscal year 2005-2006, with out depleting the rapidly declining Water Fund Balance. Ms. Earl made her presentation last Wednesday at the Common Council marathon Special session. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ms. Earl’s study recommends the city raise initiate an excess usage for commercial users that will close-to-double water charges for 30 major buildings in White Plains consuming in excess of 500,000 cubic feet of water in six months (not annually as stated in the first edition of this article) by the non-resident tenants of their properties.

Rates will go up on residential users, but not at the same rate. New York City’s 272% increase in Excess Per Capita Charges is the factor driving the need for the hike in White Plains water rates to make up a deficit eating into the Water fund Balance at the rate of $1.1 Million in 02-03, and $1.8 Million in ’03-04.

Earl said the water fund balance was currently sitting at the $16 Million level, and could absorb the last two years of deficits but would be faced with a $6 Million-PLUS hit, because of the city needs to replace its 120 Million Gallon water tank at the Kensico Reservoir within the next two years, according to Commissioner of Pubic Works, Joseph Nicoletti.

THE NEW RATE STRUCTURE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2004, pending Common Council approval April 7. Note the graduated rates for heavy water use in the extreme right hand column. The doubling occurs when consumption is flowing at the 500,000 cubic foot level. Photo by WPCNR News. Source: City of White Plains

The Basic Schedule for the typical homeowner would go up 15%. An average White Plains Family Dwelling with 4 persons, Earl said, using 16,042 Cubic Feet of water, currently pays $136.34 a year in water charges. Under the new rate, effective April 1, they would pay $159.20, an increase of 15%.

It is a different story if you are a big commercial operation, exceeding Ms. Earl’s guideline of 250,000 cubic feet of water in a quarter, you are hit hard, paying $4.62 per 100 cubic feet as opposed to the $2.51 you pay currently.

Ms. Earl’s study proposed quarterly billing of these water clients (of which there are 30 in the city), and racheting up their rate 85%, from $2.51 [per cubic foot], which consumers pay now to $4.62, for consuming over 500,000 cubic feet of water in six months (not annually, as previously reported).

Real Building Example — a $182,620 Increase Annually

Earl cited a specific example of a current building in White Plains that uses 5.2 Million cubic feet in six months. That building pays $111,057 currently. The new proposed rate goes up 85%, raising that building 2004-2005 six-month water bill to $202,367. In this building’s case, their water charges almost double over six months from the current rates, and would be up $182,620 for the year. The same 85% hike will affect 29 other existing buildings around the city. No list of the effected properties was provided. Consumption it should be noted, is charged at a gradient rate, and will be billed quarterly.

Earl said the new rates would begin retroactive to April 1, pending Common Council approval of the rate hikes at their April 7 regular monthly meeting. Also included in the rate hike would be increases in connection charges. ranging from $2 for a 1″ connection (now $8) to $45 for an 8″ connection.

Rate History

Earl noted that the last water rate hike in White Plains was administered in 1999 and it was 12% across the board.

Since then, her study notes, New York City has raised the price of “raw water” to White Plains 41.3% from $383.78 per million gallons to $542.36 per million gallons.

New York City has also assessed White Plains 272.7% more in Excess Per Capita Charges, (which are charges for excess water consumption beyond the levels dictated by the 2000 census). These charges, Earl said have gone from $112,440 a year to $419,073 a year, because of the growth in White Plains non-resident population in the downtown that increases consumption, yet does not pay for the water they use. Instead, the city has to make up the difference not collected from residents. Commercial building owners use more water but do not pay the surcharge New York City charges the city.

Earl noted dryly that the census will not be adjusted until 2010 and the city has to find a way to meet these excess water consumption needs. Her solution is to charge commercial users a premium for their excess water consumption to meet those charges.

Ms. Earl said that White Plains charges the lowest water rates of any other city or town in the County. White Plains charges the consumer currently $115 a year per 1,000 gallons. Yonkers is next. Mount Vernon is next up the list at $140. In the middle of the list is New Rochelle at $307 per 1,000 gallons.

THE TOP 50: White Plains was last in water rate charges among 50 Towns, municipalities, cities in Westchester County in 2001. Photo by WPCNR News. Source: Westchester County Fall Water Conference, 2001.

One Great Skate After Another: Ebersole Rinks Stars on Ice Dazzle in the Night.

Posted on March 28, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. March 28, 2004: The 41st Annual Ice Show at Ebersole Rink, Ticket to Broadway, wowed some 200 parents, children, friends and relations at good ol’ Ebersole Saturday evening in the tightest, most creative, smoothest-skated ice show in many years. Figure Skating aficianados were impressed again and again as soloists showed tenacity, heart, style, grace and courage in the world’s most precise, demanding and dangerous sport, interpreting music with elegant, thoughtful, uplifting choreography and daring. Beginning skaters just getting their ice legs to senior skaters leaving for college put on a colorful display of what a good community recreation program does: bring children of all ages together in a common quest to aspire, achieve, and inspire. Thirty-six solists performed and six group extravanganzas by 86 skating school students entertained with concentration, whimsy and panache.

IT’S A HARD KNOCK LIFE: Skating to the Annie Song, Beta Skaters got into one of the 43 great Broadway Songs that themed Ticket to Broadway Saturday night at Ebersole Rink. Photo by WPCNR Ice Cam

READY FOR MY SPOTLIGHT: In the Ebersole Rink Skating School program, as in programs at rinks across the County, the children of White Plains grow up togethe, gain respect for each other. Juliana Bailey, 14, poised to skate, started skating at Ebersole at age 4. Children move up through Tots, Alpha, and Beta and always aspire to skate like the older girls and where the covetted black “Advanced Figure Skating Jacket” with the leaping figure skater on the back. As skaters advance to that level, they take lessons, work hard, and develop friendships with girls older than they are in a most unique “mentoring” program that just happens. It is a beautiful thing. Photo by WPCNR Ice Cam

THE LAST SKATE: Amy Reinthaler owned the ice in her final Solist Skate at Ebersole with riveting, fastpaced program of deft footwork, sonic spins and an authoritative double Sow jump to “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk. Observers of many shows over the decade peg Saturday Night’s show as the best performed, most entertaining programs in memory. Photo by WPCNR Ice Cam.

ANOTHER FINAL BOW: Alyson Salonger, who represented White Plains at the Empire State Games Skating Competitions this year, performed a choreographically brilliant program of spins and footwork that you just had to watch. Photo by WPCNR IceCam.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN: The exhilaration of a program skated just the way you wanted to shows on Daria Marinelli’s face as she cruises to the finish of her unique on-ice rendition of the famous Gene Kelly routine, and she did it on skates. Photo by WPCNR Ice Cam.

BROADWAY BABIES SAY “GOOD NIGHT”: The Final big number to 42nd Street’s “Lullably of Broadway” brought down the rink. Senior skaters skating for the last time at Ebersole were introduced and there was not a dry eye on ice as Evan Boschi, Amy Reinthaler, Kat Murphy, Aly Salonger, and Samantha Basso, skated around the rink for the last time. Photo by WPCNR Ice Cam

Some of the most outstanding solos of the night were Julia Edwards’ sensational Eva Peron on Ice interpretation of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, her emotes were smouldering, spins, footwork and synchronization to the complex music memsmerizing. Great costume, too, Julia.

Jenna Bisignano’s stylish tour de force of Broadway Baby gripped the audience. Eli Snyder, “Mr. Showmanship” pleased the crowd as he always does with his turn to Barry Manilow’s “Gonna Fly Now.” Mr. Snyder’s dedication to skating (he comes every Tuesday), superb conditioning and attention to detail and style show the girls that it is how you show your love for the skate that sells a program.

Katy Dockery, showed mastery of concentration and choreography with an enchanting interpretation of Send in the Clowns, in which she stepped into and out of a hoop while relating to the music without missing a step.

Kim Wood created a tour de force of Don Quixote (From Man of La Mancha) with a forceful edge tempered with grace weaving footwork, spins and jumps, intepreting the aggressveness of a fencer. As with so many skaters this evening, Ms. Wood skated her personal best.

Christina Tompkins caught the eye of many with a sizzling interpretatioon of The Wild Party — The Juggernaut. Her strapless evening gown costume was the most striking outre couture of the evening, coupled with her jaunty, sassy charisma sold her story on ice.

Kristen Smayda took on a completely different look delivering Whatever Lola Wants and was totally believable setting a stylish tone of spins, spread eagle, and footwork combinations. You paid attention to her skate.

Another very heartwarming aspect of the Ebersole Show is that everybody stays. At some rinks and competitions, people leave the rink after their child or favorites have skated. Not at Ebersole.

Not only do most parents stay for the whole show to see every skater, but so do the skaters. They root for each other. They respect the achievement of others. Is it because it inspires them, or is it because they are friends? I think it’s a little bit of both.

A lot of the credit for the atmosphere at Ebersole Rink goes to the caring people that run this rink, Matt Hanson, Rink Supervisor; Rose and Lou DeMarco, and of course, Skating School Director Kristen Fuerst and her instructors. Ebersole Rink is a home away from home where everyone knows everyone, gets along, and respects each other.

There Goes That Mayor Again.

Mayor Joseph Delfino, on hand, was so delighted at the crowd enjoying itself and the quality of skating that in an enthusiastic moment he committed to the city paying for half the cost of a new sound system for the rink, if Ebersole parents would raise the other half. He said he would be speaking to Arne Abramowitz about the possibilities of a new sound system this week.

WPCNR will pledge $500. Do I hear $1,000?

And, while you’re thinking of that Mr. Mayor, some new bleachers wrapped around the rink would be nice too.

After a show like Saturday night, where every soloist tried and delivered their best, every program showed creativity and moves sequences that were unique, and where every skater was one with the ice and above the ice, they deserve it.