WPCNR Variety. From Fort Hill Players. May 13, 2002. 12:00 Noon EDT: The Players are calling for aspiring or experienced actors and actresses aged 12 and up to audition for their fourth “Free Summer in the Parks” production of Charlotte’s Web to be staged July 9 and 11 and July 16 and 18. Auditions will be held at Rochambeau School, 228 Fisher Avenue, Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 PM. Jim Brownold is the Director. For more background on this production, go to the Fort Hill Players website, by going to White Plains Links, clicking on White Plains and Westchester Arts and Entertainment and clicking on the Fort Hill Players Link.
Rugers Rascals Silverman stifles Sherman Park, 11-8 in first-ever WSGSL Win
WPCNR Pressbox. May 11, 2002. 10:00 AM Rugers Rascals, the senior girls Little League Team beat Sherman Park Friday evening at Gille Field under the lights, 11-8, behind the sinker ball stylings of Rachel Silverman to record White Plains Senior Girls first-ever win in the Westchester Senior Girls Softball League. Rookie Manager Jack Hackbarth’s team was lead by the slugging of Emma Cornfield who blasted a 3-run homer in the first inning. Cornfield added a bases-clearing triple in the right centerfield gap later in the game.
Hackbarth’s team backed up Silverman’s pitching with slick fielding on the infield theater, producing a crisp win. Silverman kept the ball down and the Rascals’ gloves were equal to the task with slick picks and accurate throws. Righthander Silverman’s stylings were reminiscent of the great Lew Burdette of the old Milwaukee Braves, as Sherman Park hitters consistently beat the ball into the Gille dirt, rarely getting anything in the air.
The White Plains girls were playing with only 8 fielders, so the win was not only solid, but remarkable for Silverman’s ability to induce the Sherman Parkers to hit the ball on the ground. Sherman Park rallied late, but fell short.
Silverman showed great command of the strike zone, and elegant poise in pitching out of jams. She had a shutout through three innings.
Mayor Delfino and Andy Spano Engineer Woodcrest Land Swap for City Park
WPCNR Getaway Gazette. By John F. Bailey. May 10, 2002. 3:00 PM EDT: The Mayor’s Office announced today that Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains and County Executive Andy Spano have negotiated an agreement where the former Dellwood Dairy property on the Silver Lake waterfront in Woodcrest Heights would be leased to the city for a passive recreation park, in return for the County acquiring the Petttinicchi property of 7.7 acres for 17 units of “affordable” housing.
Under the terms of the deal worked out personally by Mayor Delfino, with the assistance of Councilperson Rita Malmud, Chair of the city Recreation Committee, the city is able to acquire the 1.94 acre Dellwood piece nestled on the shores of Silver Lake on a 30 year nominal lease from Westchester County, the terms of which are to be worked out.
City to Lease the Waterfront for a Song.
Executive Officer George Gretsas speculated that it would be a token rental of perhaps as little as $1 a year. It would be similar to the deal the county has with Harrison’s lease of their side of Silver Lake for 99 years at a $1 a year.
Gretsas said the lease of the Dellwood property was contingent on the county purchase of the 7.9 acre Pettinicchi property, and subsequent entry into an agreement with a developer of the site to build the housing units.
Woodcrest Heights Approves.
Gretsas said the Woodcrest Heights Neighborhood Association had advised the city it was in favor of the purchase, provided that the parkland be used for “passive” recreation. Gretsas reports that all that the city plans for the Dellwood shoreline property is some paddleboats and nature trails, some park benches. No athletic fields of any kind are planned. He also said the city of White Plains would be responsible for maintaining the property, once leased from the County.
He said that the deal acquires at minimal expense the number one land preservationchoice of the Open Space Acquisition Committee, and that it completes a “lifelong” dream of the Mayor.
Malmud, Spano lauded.
Mr. Gretsas said that the agreement was “a byproduct of the cooperative relationship the Mayor has with the County Executive. The Mayor said that Councilwoman Rita Malmud partnered with the Mayor to join the effort.”
He said the plan was revealed to the Common Council in Executive Session last week and that the council supported the idea.
County Anxious to Close the Deal.
Gretsas added that the Pettinicchi family was eager to close the deal with the county.
Connors Signs on as New Superintendent. Starts July 15.
WPCNR Daily Mirror. From Michelle Schoenfeld. May 10, 2002. 9:30 AM EDT: The City School District reports today that Timothy P. Connors, currently Superintendent of Schools in Danbury, Connecticut, has signed a three-year contract to assume the position of White Plains Superintendent of Schools, beginning July 15.
THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OFFICIALLY ON BOARD: Timothy P. Connors right officially inked his contract to become Dr. Saul Yanofsky’s successor Thursday evening. He is seen with his wife, Jean, left, on April 23 when he was first introduced to the community.
Photo by WPCNR
Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education told WPCNR Friday that Connors had signed a contract Thursday evening which will pay him $197,000 per year through July 2005. She said there was no housing allowance provision in the contract, but a moving allowance was provided, and that Mr. Connors would take over the Superintendent position on July 15, 2002.
Dr. Saul Yanofsky, outgoing Superintendent will serve through June 30 of this year.