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)

Donahoe Youngster Says “I’m Doing O.K.”: Scarano

Posted on February 10, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. February 10, 2004: White Plains High School Athletic Director, at the request of the Board of Education, delivered good news about injured WPHS Freshman, Brian Donahoe Monday evening at the Board of the Education meeting.

Mr. Scarano said he visited Brian Monday afternoon at Westchester County Medical Center, and reports that Brian said to tell his friends, “I’m doing O.K.”

Scarano reported that Brian had suffered a skull fracture behind the right ear, and a broken wrist, and that he expected to be in the hospital for another 5 days. The WPHS A.D. said that personnel at the high school at the time when Brian hurt himself last Wednesday afternoon were “instrumental” in saving Brian’s life. Scarano added that Brian’s doctors at the Medical Center said “it’s a miracle he’s doing as well as he is.”

Legislature Offers Westchester Half Percent Sales Tax Increase. Spano Thankful.

Posted on February 9, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Department of Communications. February 9, 2004, revised midnight, February 9, 2004 E.S.T.: County Executive Andy Spano reports that the State Legislature has offered Westchester County a 1/2 % increase in the sales tax, instead of the 1% he requested. Executive Spano, in an initial statement noted this would leave Westchester $28.5 Million short, which he said would result in a property tax increase. Now later on Monday evening, Executive Spano amended his initial reaction statement, backing off his prediction that the county would have to raise the property tax. Here is County Executive Spano’s revised Statement in reaction to the legislature decision:

The 2004 County Budget that I signed provided for a property tax increase of 8.5% and a sales tax increase of 1% or one penny on the dollar, to cover a $75 million increase in the cost of State Mandated Programs. For the past three months, my administration and the Board of Legislators as well as individuals and organizations county-wide have lobbied Albany to give us the authority to raise this sales tax.

Today, I have received word that the bill introduced in the State Legislature gives us half that amount—or 0.5% and authorizes us to distribute a portion of it to municipalities and school districts. In addition, we have been given the authority for a 25% increase in the mortgage tax and an auto use tax increase.

Unfortunately, we did not receive the entire amount. However, I want to thank our state delegation as well as Speaker Silver for reaching a consensus and working hard to achieve what they did. I look forward to continue working with them to identify other cost saving measures for the tax-payers of Westchester County including pension relief and Medicaid reform.

Pothole Patrol: Salt, Heavy Rains Take Toll on Infrastructure

Posted on February 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR POTHOLE PATROL. February 9, 2004: Two snowstorms and two heavy rainstorms mixed with the salt and chemicals applied to keep White Plains roads clear have taken their toll on the roadways, main boulevards, and residential streets in the city, causing a number of washouts creating gaping potholes that slow traffic and are deep enough to break an axle. Not all roads pictured are White Plains responsibility, but motorists should be aware of a few of the trouble spots.

THREE TRENCHES SLOW TRAFFIC ON WESTCHESTER AVENUE EASTBOUND. Photo by WPCNR News.

CRATER WESTBOUND ON WESTCHESTER AVENUE, Eastern Gateway. Another serious trench can be found at the fork some 100 feet west of this gaping hole. Photo by WPCNR News.

MORTER HOLES ON NORTH STREET SOUTHBOUND are deep enough to cause motorists to swerve in two-lane traffic. Photo by WPCNR News.

NORTH STREET WESTCHESTER AVENUE CUTOFF DEPRESSION. Photo by WPCNR News

LUMPY MAIN STREET: The roughest street in the city is Main Street in front of City Hall. The three-block stretch from Mamaroneck Avenue to North Broadway, admittedly has been torn up by construction of City Center, however, the salt and chemicals appear to have made the street trickier to negotiate by depressing the temporary paveovers. Hamilton Avenue Westbound is smoother but has approximately 5 potholes in the West bound lanes. Photo by WPCNR News.

BRYANT WASHOUT at Grandview Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News

EXIT FROM THE WESTCHESTER…On WESTCHESTER AVENUE EAST is so deep, traffic backs up to avoid it. Photo by WPCNR News.

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY

Posted on February 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. February 9, 2004: Today’s panorama is the eastern gateway looking West, revealing that the South City Center tower has risen above the skyline, you can see it just below the white construction crane. Meanwhile the health club atop the City Center garage is taking form.

Looking West: By The WPCNR Roving Photographer.