WPCNR VARIETY. July 15, 2002.: Former Councilman Robert Ruger will be interviewed about his life in White Plains Monday evening on White Plains Week, beginning at 7 PM on Channel 71. It will be recablecast Friday at 7:30 PM. The program recorded last year is timeless in the advice and reminisces that “Mr. White Plains” shares with John Bailey, Alex Philippidis, and Jim Benerofe.
Routine Week at City Hall
WPCNR Monday Morning Sun.By John F. Bailey. July 15, 2002.: The Common Council toured Indian Point. The City Center Project began erecting steel pillars. A new law firm is coming to 360 Hamilton Avenue, and JPI’s Jefferson at White Plains is still a “go.” The new Public Safety Commissioner took over.
THE STEEL ALSO RISES: The City Center construction entered a new phase last week when the first steel pillars were set in place. No new news on a hotel for the site, or new tenants but it’s still going up, according to Paul Wood, City Economic Development Officer. The view is from City Hall.
Photo by WPCNR
Indian Point:The Common Council toured Indian Point Wednesday evening and found the tour most impressive, according to City Hall spokesman, Rick Ammirato. Ammirato said council comments indicated they would consider the information they had learned in drafting any resolution regarding recommendation of closing of the facility. Ammirato also reported he and reporter Susan Elan of The Journal News had received some very minor radiation exposure, however he was not taking any iodine pills.
New Law Firm Paul Wood reported that one of the nation’s largest law firms is taking space at 360 Hamilton Avenue.
JPI Still Going.Mr. Wood also reported that the construction halt at the Jefferson at White Plains, 300 Mamaroneck Avenue, is a result of a contract dispute with the construction company. According to Wood, the construction company had informed JPI the excavation of the site would cost $20 million more than originally estimated, and that JPI did not agree with that, and they and the contractor are talking it over. He said JPI still has its financing intact and that the project is still viable.
New Commish.Paul Wood of the Mayor’s Office reported that the new Commissioner of Public Safety, Frank Straub, reported to duty last Monday morning and spent a routine day greeting and meeting the various personalities in the fire and police departments. But, he also did something very unique, according to Wood, Straub left work in the late afternoon, then returned Tuesday morning at midnight, when the Midnight police shift began.
69% of WP Elementary Schools Pass ELA; 48% of Middle School 8-ers Fail.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS DAILY. By John F. Bailey with Sean P. Cover. July 12, 2002. Results of the English Language Arts State education tests were published this week. Results show that while the White Plains Elementary Schools continue to have an average of 70% of their fourth graders pass the tests, the Middle School eighth grade performance remained at little more than 50% (51.9%) of eighth graders passing for the second year in a row. The following are the figures, complete with number of students taking the tests, and figures for the Levels 1 & 2 categories (the unsatisfactory levels).
| Number of Students Tested | Mean ELA Scale Score | Percent of Students at ELA Level 1 | Percent of Students at ELA Level 2 | Percent of Students at ELA Level 3 | Percent of Students at ELA Level 4 | |
| White Plains School District | 454 | 667.95 | 5.3 | 25.6 | 44.7 | 24.4 |
| Church Street School | 109 | 672.24 | 5.5 | 28.4 | 39.4 | 26.6 |
| George Washington School | 96 | 670.63 | 3.1 | 20.8 | 51.0 | 25.0 |
| Mamaroneck Ave. School | 97 | 659.00 | 8.2 | 32.0 | 35.1 | 24.7 |
| Post Road School | 78 | 664.19 | 7.7 | 20.5 | 53.8 | 17.9 |
| Ridgeway School | 74 | 673.88 | 1.4 | 24.3 | 47.3 | 27.0 |
Grade 4 English Language Arts Levels – Listening, Reading, and Writing Standards
Level 4 – These students exceed the standards and are moving toward high performance
on the Regents examination. All students scoring from 692 to 800 are in this
level.
Level 3 – These students meet the standards and, with continued steady growth,
should pass the Regents examination. All students scoring from 645 to 691 are
in this level.
Level 2 – These students need extra help to meet the standards and pass the
Regents examination. All students scoring from 603 to 644 are in this level.
Level 1 – These students have serious academic deficiencies. All students scoring
from 455 to 602 are in this level.
|
Number of Students Tested
|
Mean ELA Scale Score
|
Percent of Students at ELA Level 1
|
Percent of Students at ELA Level 2
|
Percent of Students at ELA Level 3
|
Percent of Students at ELA Level 4
|
|
|
White Plains Middle School
|
468
|
703
|
4.5
|
43.6
|
39.1
|
12.8
|
Grade 8 English Language Arts Levels – Listening, Reading, and Writing Standards
Level 4 These students exceed the standards and are moving toward high performance
on the Regents examination. All students scoring from 739 to 830 are in this
level.
Level 3 These students meet the standards and, with continued steady growth,
should pass the Regents examination. All students scoring from 701 to 738 are
in this level.
Level 2 These students need extra help to meet the standards and pass the Regents
examination. All students scoring from 662 to 700 are in this level.
Level 1 These students have serious academic deficiencies. All students scoring
from 527 to 661 are in this level.
(Editor’s Note: These test results were extracted from the press release and data issued by the NY State Education Department on July 10, 2002 and located online at
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/ELA4_8_2002/Home.html
Level descriptions were extracted from the NYSED School Report Cards released in April 2002.)
Little League’s Gedney Field Vandalized for Second Time in Week
WPCNR Police Gazzette. From White Plains Little League. July 10, 2002.: The White Plains Little League office reports that the scoreboard at Gedney Field was rendered inoperable by vandalism for the second time in less than a week Tuesday night. Damage has been accessed by the league as over $800.00.
The league reports that sometime Tuesday evening, someone “sledgehammered” the data cable and electrical box at the rear of the Gedney Field backstop. The league office says no target date has been set for the repair. A new control panel costing $220 has also had to be ordered due to burnout of the former control panel while testing the repaired scoreboard last week.
Just one week ago, the electrical power wires at the top of the scoreboard in center field were completely severed. Electrical repairs were completed the next day.
Anyone with information leading to the identity of the perpetrators should contact the White Plains Police Department at 422-6111, or the Department of Recreation and Parks at 422-1336, ask for Commissioner Abramowitz.