THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.Text of Mayor’s State of the City Address. February 3, 2004: Mayor Joseph M. Delfino of White Plains delivered his sixth annual State of the City address last night at the Common Council meeting, citing as his goals for 2004: a makeover plan for Lexington Avenue, the building of a senior housing complex (proposed by Clayton Park Developer, Frank Cantatore) on the Post Office property behind the Board of Elections headquarters;  the approval of the Cappelli Hotel project, and acquisition of 55 acres of park from New York Presbyterian Hospital, urging the council to resist as “a handful of extremists attempt to block this effort.”  The complete transcript of the Mayor’s State of the city address follows:

MAYOR DELFINO DELIVERING STATE OF THE CITY MONDAY EVENING. He prepared White Plains citizens for what he said were  “tough decisions to be made as we complete our budget,” warning of White Plains facing “huge increases in employee pension fund costs mandated by the state that will put a strain on our budget in the coming year.” Photo by WPCNR News.

The first item on our agenda tonight is the annual State of the City Address. And it is with great pleasure that I report to you tonight that the State of our City is stronger than ever.

 

To put it simply, White Plains had an amazing year! In 2003, history was made over and over again. Goals that all of us had been dreaming about for decades were realized in a grand fashion. Ideas and Proposals that were debated on this very floor took form and rose from the ground before our eyes. Promises that were made were delivered above and beyond expectations. Bi-partisanship flourished and this government became a national model for what people can accomplish if they work together. Optimism rose to an all time high and the future of White Plains becamse brighter than ever. Indeed, 2003 was a great year.

 

In 2003, we made history by building the first waterfront park in White Plains. All of us who visited Liberty Park for the first time were amazed not only by the stunning views of St. Mary’s Lake but by the overall beauty of the park. New recreational opportunities that never existed in White Plains before are now available to all including boating, fishing, and lakeside picnicking. For those who have not yet visited Liberty Park, I would encourage you to do so next spring. It is truly one of the most beautiful spots in White Plains.

 

In 2003, we also made history by opening a spectacular 15-screen multiplex theater in the downtown. For almost two decades, there was plenty of talk about the need for a movie theater in White Plains but nothing got done. Many had lost hope. Some even believed that our downtown was too far gone economically to be able to attract a movie theater chain. But I never lost hope and the City stayed focused on its economic development plan and today the movies are open.

 

The theater’s grand hall is a fitting tribute to this region’s most magnificent movie theater. This cornerstone of our downtown revitalization effort is the beginning of a new renaissance for our downtown and I am very pleased that Developer Louis Cappelli and National Amusements chose to invest in our community and take a chance on White Plains.

 

In 2003, we also made history again when we opened the doors to our new White Plains Performing Arts Center. This new 417-seat live theater is unquestionably the best community theater in Westchester County and provides us with unlimited opportunities to bring the arts and entertainment into our downtown. Best of all, the theater was built without using one penny of money from City property taxes.

 

All of us on the Council are extremely pleased with the job our theater managers, Tony Stimac and Jeff Rosenstock have been doing. Our gala opening weekend, which was kicked off with the help of comedy legend Bob Newhart was a smashing, standing room only success and has been followed by a number of other quality shows. The theater is also providing our local community theater groups with an opportunity to showcase their talent. The Playgroup Theater just recently premiered Tom Sawyer, a children’s musical which filled the house four nights in a row and many more local groups are scheduled to grace the stage this spring.

 

The upcoming schedule has something for everyone, including the family fun performance by Avner on February 7, a one-week run of It Had to Be You starring Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna beginning March 9 and a major production of the musical comedy Fashion which begins March 20. You can get more information about upcoming performances at the center by calling 888-977-2250. Once again, I encourage everyone to support the arts in White Plains.

 

In 2003, we also made history in the downtown by creating a one-of-a-kind fountain plaza which has become a regional attraction while generating funds for open space acquisition. For those of you who have not yet seen it, I urge you to join us in the spring as we turn the fountain back on at Renaissance Plaza for our second season. It really speaks for itself and is a major centerpiece in the amazing story of the rebirth of downtown White Plains. Like our Performing Arts Center, Renaissance Plaza was built without using a penny from city property taxes. Even the plaza’s beautiful glass café was built by the City without using taxpayer money. Furthermore, through a very unique agreement with Starbucks, the City will receive rent payments from Starbucks which have been earmarked for the acquisition of additional open space. And so, not only will Renaissance Plaza create new life in our downtown, it is literally a park that creates more parks.

 

Other elements of our economic development effort became a reality in 2003 as well. Fortunoff’s opened its doors this fall to rave reviews. Fortunoff’s hired hundreds of White Plains residents and is expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the City. Its neighbor, the Cheesecake Factory, has been so successful that wait times for dinner regularly exceed two hours.

 

We have also seen amazing progress on our new downtown residential apartment complexes. Ten Bank Street, formerly known as the Hole in the Ground, has been a resounding success. The first building is almost entirely leased and the second building, which had initially been scheduled for construction to start in 2005, is nearly complete 2 years early and will be ready for tenants in a few months. Clayton Park on Canfield and Main Street is also leasing up ahead of schedule with more than half of the building already leased. The first of the apartment buildings at the City Center will be ready for tenants this spring and the second tower is already under construction. The Jefferson at 300 Mamaroneck Avenue is also under construction and making substantial progress.

 

Phase 3 of my economic development plan was released this year and several new initiatives have already been implemented including our Gum Busters initiative to keep our downtown sidewalks free from gum and our Downtown Street Ambassadors Program, through which senior citizens and young adults provide directions, information, helpful hints about places to shop and dine and other useful information to visitors.

 

I have also presented a plan for a downtown children’s museum and sports complex which a developer has expressed interest in building, and my administration is working on a plan for an international outdoor market. The City is also working on a feasibility plan for a downtown trolley bus system. Special thanks to our Business Improvement District for all of their efforts and for their partnership in making our downtown the best it can be.

 

In 2003, our public safety department made significant strides in crime prevention. Our already low crime rate went down a significant 13.8%. We have also targeted the quality of life concerns that are so very important to our citizens.

 

Patrols are up 26.4%

 

Speeding summonses are up by 35%

 

Seatbelt summonses by 75% and

 

Cell phone summonses have increased by 132%

 

I would like to thank all the fine men and women in our Public Safety Department, both Firefighters and police officers, for the continued commitment to the safety and security of our residents.

 

In 2003, we also made history by striking a tentative agreement with New York Presbyterian Hospital for a 55-acre park at no cost to the city. The 55-acre park would be three times larger than any other public park in White Plains and would include significant opportunities for active and passive recreation including numerous ballfields and walking trails.

 

Under the agreement, the City would rezone a portion of the hospital property to allow for commercial medical activity at the northern side of the property while guaranteeing that no development would take place near any residential neighborhoods.

 

This agreement is likely the last chance this City will have to acquire a large block of open space on the New York Presbyterian Hospital property. It is vitally important not only because it will enhance the quality of life for our current residents but because it will create an important legacy for our children, and for their children as well.

 

Unfortunately, a handshake agreement will not be enough to bring our dream for a central park to fruition. It will require public support and strength from this Council as a handful of extremists attempt to block this effort. And I ask for that strength this year as we move forward with the approval process.

 

The year 2004 will offer a series of other challenges as well. The fact is that, even though 2003 was a great year, a great City cannot remain great if it simply rests on its laurels. If we do not keep moving forward, we will fall behind and repeat the mistakes of the past which cost White Plains almost a decade of stagnation.

 

A proposal for a beautiful four star Westin Hotel, luxury condos, and an office building in the heart of our City is a necessary part of our plan to fix the downtown. We need to finish what we started. We need to build on the momentum that we created otherwise we risk undermining our own creation. Over the next few months, we need to put our finishing touches on the project and get it done. It means millions of dollars in revenue to the City, which will help ease the burden on our property taxpayers and it will be a substantial upgrade to the downtown. The current string of vacant and rundown stores on Main Street are a blight on the downtown and need to be addressed.

 

This year, we also need to expand our economic development efforts to the Lexington Avenue corridor. My administration is currently working on a Lexington Avenue Improvement Plan which will focus on some key initiatives to help improve the area and I hope to begin a dialogue on the plan with the Council and residents in the next few months.

 

I am also hoping to see approval of affordable homeownership legislation which I proposed to the Council recently. This legislation is aimed at providing financial assistance to lower and moderate income individuals who need help making the down payment on a co-op or condo.

 

I am also looking forward to the approval of a joint venture project that I proposed to the Council for Longview Avenue that will provide a needed service for senior citizens, needed assistance to White Plains Hospital, and needed parking in our downtown. Under the proposal, an outside developer would construct a roughly 100-unit assisted living center for senior citizens and a multi-level parking garage for White Plains Hospital and the White Plains Parking Authority. This proposal is a win/win/win solution to a variety of different issues that have remained unresolved for years.

 

In 2004, I will also push for a project that I proposed to the County several months ago to create new affordable senior housing at the site of the old post office downtown. This site, which is currently owned by the County, is a perfect location for senior housing, since it is within walking distance of so many things. With hundreds of seniors on waiting lists for affordable housing, there is no doubt as to the need for such a project. My plan would involve the County turning the property over to the City and the City soliciting proposals from developers to build a project that will make us proud.

 

This year, my administration will also be working on a variety of other new initiatives that will be aimed at improving the City’s quality of life and continuing current programs that are vital to many of our residents. These efforts will not go without their challenges. For example, White Plains faces huge increases in employee pension fund costs mandated by the state that will put a strain on our budget in the coming year. Sadly, White Plains is not alone. Cities, towns, and villages throughout New York State are facing similar problems, with significant tax increases necessary to make up the shortfall.

 

Over the next few months, tough decisions will need to be made as we complete our budget and as always, I ask our residents for their understanding and support. While property taxes in White Plains are among the lowest in Westchester County, we are always facing important choices in dealing with financial burdens not necessarily created in White Plains.

 

Speaking of outside events not within control of our City, the recent closure of St. Agnes Hospital has created a real question as to the fate of the St. Agnes property. With the state having control over the property, I am very concerned with the possibility of State decision-making without local community input. As the State begins to address the question of what will happen to the property, we will be watching very carefully and calling on our State representatives to work with us to ensure that all local zoning laws are respected and complied with and that a good use for the site is found.

 

To my colleagues on the Common Council, I would like to once again thank you all for your service to this community. Each of you in your own way, has put in a tremendous amount of time and effort, and I am sure that you will all agree that we had an amazing year. One thing I have noticed in the six years I have been the Mayor is that when we unite and rally behind a common cause, we get things done. When we put aside partisan politics and do what’s best for our community, great things happen. When we look at each other as colleagues and not as competitors, we foster an environment of progress and positive change. I would encourage each and every one of you to stay focused on our joint objectives without being distracted by the same handful of partisans who prefer political infighting and animosity over progress. There is no question in my mind that if we stand united, we will continue to break new ground and flourish as a City.

 

I would also like to thank each and every member of the City’s staff. We are very fortunate to have terrific employees. Their dedication and hard work has been instrumental in past successes and will be vital for our future success.

 

I would like to recognize my wife Ellie for her continued sacrifice and for putting up with my crazy schedule.

 

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow White Plains residents for the continued support for our efforts.

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. February 2, 2004: The White Plains Police Department announced today that police veteran, Captain Dennis O’Keefe, after an “extensive internal investigation,” by the police department, and by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, has returned to active duty on the force today after a two-month suspension from duty, “fully exonerated,” Deputy Police Commissioner David Chong said.

Captain Dennis O’Keefe.  May 2003. Photo From WPCNR News Archives.

Captain O’Keefe, Chong said,  has been reassigned from the Detective Division to new administrative duties “on special assignment, reviewing administrative procedures involving new computerized and technical programs that need a senior staff member to take a look at them,” according to Commissioner Chong.

Chong said he would not comment on the allegations brought against Captain O’Keefe. He said “no charges are forthcoming. He’s back on duty today.”