WHITE PLAINS WEEK: BAILEY KATZ BENERFOFE NEWS BEDLAM on YOUR INTERNET

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The BEDLAM!

WHITE PLAINS WEEK:

This week:

THE BIG CHILL

THE BIG HOLES

THE DOUBLE SHOCK:

EXPENSIVE TENNIS ANYONE?

WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FOREVER.

CAN WESTCHESTER’S YOUTH BE SAVED FROM GOING TO BROOKLYN AND MANHATTAN?

INSIDE THE CAMBRIA SUITE HOTEL TO BE ON MAIN STREET

ON YOUR PERSONAL NEWS CHANNEL

www.whiteplainsweek.com

PLUS

YOU’VE GOT

DAVE BUCHWALD

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Assemblyman of the 33rd Assembly District, David Buchwald, center, bantering with Peter Katz left, and Jim Benerofe on the set of PEOPLE TO BE HEARD — where People who Have something to say, have their say.

ASSEMBLYMAN AT LARGE 

INTERVIEWED ON 

PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

on his first year in the Big Albany

see him interviewed at www.whiteplains.com

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Meanwhile, Robert Astorino is Still Thinking: To Be Governor or Not to Be, That is the Question.

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Robert Astorino, Running for County Executive last November — he will make the run-norun decision for Governor of New York next week.

WPCNR WATCH ON THE MICHAELIAN BUILDING. By John F. Bailey. A WPCR Exclusive. February 28, 2014:

A spokesman for Robert P. Astorino, the Westchester County Executive, told WPCNR Friday afternoon that Mr. Astorino will tell his staff tonight whether he is going to run for Governor of New York.

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William F. O’Reilly, from his November appearance on PEOPLE TO BE HEARD, the White Plains Westchester Talk Show Mondays at 10 and Wednesdays at 10:30 on FIOS CHANNEL 45 and CABLEVISION 76.

William F. O’Reilly, the Astorino strategist told WPCNR moments ago when asked if Mr. Astorino was committing Friday, or not, issued this statement:

“Not.  He is telling staff his decision tonight.  We will announce yes or no midweek, next week. “

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Con Ed Reports 240 still Out of Power from Friday Afternoon Underground Explosion.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Con Edison and Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner. February 28, 2014:

The Con Edison website reports 240 still without power as of 7:15 Friday morning as a result of  a Thurdsay afternnoon underground cable explosion. Paul Feiner reported as of late this morning all but 100 East Hartsdale Avenue had been restored.

Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor provided this description of the incident when it was in progress yesterday afternoon from Greenburgh Police Chief, Chris McNerny:

We are currently working with the Hartsdale Fire Department and Con Edison battling an underground fire in the area of 100 East Hartsdale Avenue. Several manhole covers were blown open during initial explosions and there is concern of additional as the fire spreads. Luckily we have no reported injuries. We have power outages reported from 160 East Hartsdale Avenue to Central Avenue. We are working to identify and treat residents that are on life sustaining equipment and we have made arrangements to transport residents to the community center and multi purpose center.
The Journal News reported this morning the fire was brought under control by 4 P.M. and 563 electrical customers were affected. Con Edison reported the explosion appeared to be caused by melting snow and salt infiltrating the under ground cables.
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Tennis Year Round comes to Delfino Park: Courts to be Expanded, Upgraded, “Bubbled” Clubhouse to be Built.

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Delfino Park showing Tennis Courts to be renovated by Tennis Innovators. The group with facilities around the New York City area will manage the tennis courts for the city in a new licensing agreement with the city, providing year round tennis to all.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. February 26, 2014:

The city has chosen Tennis Innovators, a national operator of tennis facilities to improve the Tennis courts at Delfino Park, adding three new courts, improving two for a total of 8 courts. The outfit will build a clubhouse,  provide a tennis professional and a pro shop.

Improvements and bubbling to the courts will be paid for in total by the developer and the city will be paid a million dollars plus 5% interest yearly in a ten-year contract.

The plan was presented to the Common Council Monday evening.

Tennis Innovators was the best deal submitted in response to a Request for Proposals put out by the Department of Recreation and Parks. Tennis Innovators, as part of the licensing agreement,( tentatively scheduled for Council consideration next Monday), will pay the city $100,000 plus 5% each year to operate the facility and Innovators will pay for the entire cost of the tennis operation. Six courts of the facility will be covered with a bubble from Labor Day to Memorial Day.

The facility, if the licensing agreement is approved will be operated by Tennis Innovators this year. It will be open to anyone wishing to play, with White Plains residents receiving a 15% discount.

Tennis Innovators operates facilities at the New Rochelle Racquet Club, John Jay Tennis Court, the Chinatown Y, Kips Bay Tennis Court, Westend Church, Montclare School, Hunter College Sportsplex and the River School

They describe themselves on their website as ” provid(ing) top to bottom assistance to help take your tennis business to the next level. We are focused on helping you attain a level of optimal revenue generation while providing five-star customer service and effective tennis programs to position your business for success and growth. Our 15 years of experience and “winning” philosophy will enable your business to reach a higher standard both on and off the court.

“Our group of world class professionals create superior programs for all ages and levels; each program is modified to meet the needs of the players. High quality training with continuous updates on programs to further engage your players as well as encouraging membership growth is what Tennis Innovators provides

“Tennis Innovators focuses on developing a growth strategy through coordination and sales to increase membership and court revenue. Customer segmentation strategies are the key ingredient to making your tennis programs and business more successful than the average tennis club. Tennis Innovators has experience with all surfaces and specializes in hard-tru and red clay court maintenance. Our team of experts are able to tackle any surface challenges that may arise.

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White Plains Performing Arts Center Asks City to Extend Operating Contract 5 Years. “Most Optimistic, I’ve ever been going into a new season” says Foundation Leader.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. February 26. 2014:

The White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees asked the Common Council Monday evening to extend its current contract to run the City Center-based community theatre for five years to June 2019.

John Ioris, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, told WPCNR  Tuesday the new theatre leadership under Jeremy Quinn, Producing Artistic Director has cut its production costs and renegotiated its contract with Actors Equity, the performers’ union. The resultant cost savings has put the 11 year old center very close to breakeven this year.  Mr. Ioris did not specifiy what the current operating loss is.

Ioris said the contract that appearently will be presented for approval by the Council next Monday evening does not change the existing terms of contract. The city will still pay the utilities for the theatre, but no additional funding is being  added nor is WPPAC requesting any.

Ioris said extending the contract for five years instead of the current three year contract enables potential sponsors for the WPPAC to enjoy more of a benefit to sponsoring (funding) theatre operations (4 to 5 years of exposure). Mr. Ioris said the WPPAC is seeking joint sponsors for shows and events as part of programming funding strategies.

Jeremy Quinn, the Producing Artistic Director of the theatre since 2011, told WPCNR, the 2014-2015 season plans to stage 100 to 150 events, “a healthy mix of produced and presentation events.”

He said the programming will  expand to present concerts, cabaret (he is currently beginning negotionas with Below 54 a cabaret production company in New York, comedy (Gilbert Gottfried is coming up_ , in addition to 4 WPPAC produced and directed performances, that he sees being three musicals and one play. He plans a Summer  Theater Festival to be staged by  the Music Conservatory, now in residence at the WPPAC. (Quinn formerly was Artistic Director at the Conservatory). Quinn said there would be a Play Reading Series and a Musicals in Concert Series, and plans two fund-raising galas, in addition to other fund-raising performances.

“Art is not free,” Quinn told me. ”We have to raise the money to buy the art we love.We have gotten the cost of art under control  to where we are much more realistic and affordable (to the public)  All it takes is a commitment of the community to rally around it.”

He pointed to the WPPAC productions of  Cats and Les Miserables, as evidence WPPAC is producing professional entertaining theatre (the show was reviewed very favorably).

Ioris said costs have been trimmed by working out a contract with Actors Equity where WPPAC is only required to have two Actors Equity members in any staged production. He said Mr. Quinn’s contacts in show business have enabled Quinn to attract artists, designers, and production and lighting personnel who are performing services for the White Plains theatre at reduced costs “to where we can produce a show for approximately $75,000.

Quinn said he is concentrating  on producing works that can be staged without great expense. He noted that the attempt to produce a musical for Broadway several years ago by the  original artistic director of the theater (that ran up approximately $400,000 in production costs)  is a burden the WPPAC is still dealing with.

In tax year 2011, the most current filing WPPAC has on file on the Guidestar non-profit organization databank, at the end of 2011, had total revenue of $593,878 (including $478,051 programming revnue) and expenses of $714,850, for a loss of $120,972.

 

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 8

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WPCNR MAIN STREET. From the City of White Plains. February 25, 2014:

On Saturday, March 8th the City of White Plains will be wearing green for the 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Councilman John Martin, the Parade Chairman, has announced the selection of Mary Helen Jordan as the Grand Marshal.

The parade will begin promptly at Noon at the intersection of Mamaroneck Avenue and Livingston and proceed up Mamaroneck Avenue to Main Street, ending in front of City Hall.

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Thomas Paine Cottage Presents Revolutionary Events

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Thomas Paine Cottage Museum –

20 Sicard Avenue,

New Rochelle, NY

Upcoming events

Exhibit Opening & Reception – “The Trailblazers”

When: Sunday, February 23, 2:00 P.M.

Discover the Black heroes of the New Rochelle community who opened the way for future generations to move from slavery into politics, public service, business, theatre and the military. Admission: $5.00 Adults $3.00 Children

Living History- “Rebels & Redcoats” (Re-enactors!)

When: Saturday & Sunday, March 1 & 2, 10:00 A.M to 5P.M.

Discover the differences and similarities of the soldiers who fought for and against freedom during the Revolutionary War. “Join” one of the armies by signing enlistment papers with a quill pen and learn to march. See a soldier’s camp. Muskets will be fired and food will be cooked over a fire. Learn the role that women camp followers and blacks played in each of the armies. Admission: Adults $5.00 Children $3.00

Lecture- “The Birth of the Women’s Movement & it’s Connection to New Rochelle”

When: Saturday, March 15, 2:00 P.M.

For Women’s History Month the Cottage will proudly present a lecture by Sydelle Herzberg, League of Women Voters of New York, Treasurer and Historian. Mrs. Herzberg will speak about former New Rochelle residents Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt and the role they played in the women’s movement. Admission: Adults $5.00 Children $3.00

Where: Thomas Paine Cottage Museum, 20 Sicard Avenue, New Rochelle, NY

914-633-1776, http://www.thomaspainecottage.org

 

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Westchester 4 Geese Applauds Senator George Latimer for Bill Calling for Hearings Before Goose and Mute Swan Kills

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WPCNR ENVIRONMENTALIST. From Westchester4Geese Facebook.  February 21, 2014:

On July 22, 2013 Westchester 4 Geese met with Senator George Latimer for the express purpose of creating legislation to restrict the DEC and USDA ‘s (bird) culls, mandatory prior notification of culls and the termination of food bank donations of culled animals.

The DEC is the licensing agent for the USDA. After months of repeated followup State Senator George Latimer has created the following bill; some items may be added:This is the bill:

Subject: Geese Protection LawProposed new law to protect geese with (a) public hearing; (b) requirement to review all human alternatives, and (c) prohibit use of meat for human consumption.

New Sect. 11-0541. Turkeys and geese

1. Prior to filing a request with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit for lethal disposition of turkeys or geese, the
local government shall hold a public hearing thereon in a place determined by that government in the locality affected. At least ten (10)
days before the hearing, notice thereof shall be advertised in a newspaper published in the community affected. The notice shall state the

subject of the hearing and the proposed disposition of the turkeys or geese. 

2. Prior to filing said request for permit to the NYS DEC, the local government shall provide proff that they have fully evaluated all humane

alternatives to execution of the turkeys or geese, subsequent to the public hearing, and have reviewed that evaluation at a public meeting

of the governing board of that government, no more than sixty (60) days after the public hearing, such meeting held under full compliance

with the applicable open meetings laws. 

3. The local government shall not donate turkeys or geese to be used for human consumption.

Sect. 2. This act shall take effect immediately. 

Please contact Senator Latimer and thank him for this ground-breaking legislation, which comes at a time when the public has been made aware of the vast abuses of those agencies, which will hopefully assist in the passage of this bill.

Contact Senator Latimer via legislative aide Andrew Ferris:
EMAIL:
Ferris@nysenate.gov

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Contractor Convicted on Fraud Charges

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney. February 21, 2014:

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Anthony Delmaro (DOB 12/11/71) of 44 River Street, Lindenhurst, New York, pled guilty Thursday to:

  • one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony.

The defendant owns various roofing businesses and in 2005 met the victim, an elderly semi-retired graphic designer who resided in his New Rochelle home with his sister, when he made roofing repairs to the victim’s home. The defendant convinced the victim that he wanted to bring him in as a partner in his roofing business. The defendant convinced the victim to write numerous checks payable to his business on the pretext that the defendant would merely show these checks to potential customers as proof that defendant had funds to cover the purchase of supplies for new projects.

The victim wrote cash advance checks on his credit card accounts.

When the victim had amassed credit card cash advance balances in excess of $80,000, the victim attempted to obtain a mortgage on his property in that amount to pay off his high interest credit card balances.

The defendant and a co-defendant, Claude Naracci (DOB 08/07/57) of 7 Woodbine Street, Coram, New York, who owned a check cashing business in Connecticut, used this as an opportunity to steal the equity in the victim’s home.

Naracci pled guilty on March 28th, 2011 to:

  • one count of Grand Larceny in  the Second Degree, a class”C” Felony, and was sentenced on June 30th, 2011 to five years probation.

Naracci introduced the defendant and the victim to a mortgage broker in Long Island, New York.

The defendant and Naracci attended the closing in March of 2006, where they convinced the victim to sign over said mortgage proceeds.

The victim believed that the mortgage proceeds would be used to pay off his credit card debt and to invest in defendant’s business, with the remainder being returned to the victim to use for whatever purpose he desired.  The victim signed over all the proceeds to the Naracci believing him to be defendant’s “accountant.”

Thereafter, the defendant and co-defendant used the stolen money without the permission of the victim, for their own personal use.

The total amount of the larceny is $507,390.

The defendant initially paid some money back each month to the victim, while continuing to defraud him out of additional money, however, after a few months, he stopped paying the victim any money.

Charges were filed in December 2009, at which point the defendant absconded.

The defendant was arrested on an unrelated matter in November of 2013 after he returned to WestchesterCounty and defrauded an 85-year-old out of $5,000.

The defendant was arrested on December 5, 2013 by the Harrison Police Department.

Sentencing will be in May 8th, 2014.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years in state prison.

He also faces additional criminal charges in both Nassau and SuffolkCounties on Long island.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Conway Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau prosecuted the case.

 

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Arts and Business Strike a Partnership

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WPCNR THE ARTIST.From Westchester Arts Council. February 20, 2014:

Some fifty business leaders gathered yesterday with Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett,  and President and CEO of Americans for the Arts Robert Lynch at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester hotel to promote what has become a national movement of partnerships between business and the arts. Leading this effort locally is ArtsWestchester, which over the next two years, in celebration of its milestone 50th anniversary in 2015, plans to inspire 50 new partnerships with local companies that will bolster Westchester’s neighborhoods and business opportunities.

Lynch, whose Washington, DC-based organization has a membership of 10,000 arts agencies throughout the country, believes that the arts and business are a “mighty powerful pair.” A recent study, he reports, revealed that in this competitive market, creativity outweighed management capability and dedication as the most valuable leadership quality to the 1500 business leaders polled.

“The arts are one of the most important aspects of what we do in Westchester County, said Kevin J. Plunkett at the event. “It’s a team effort, a partnership effort… The real partnership has to be a tripartite partnership – ArtsWestchester, County Government and private business.”

Established in 1965, ArtsWestchester is New York State’s largest private, not-for-profit service organization. Throughout the years, it has had a robust history of diverse business partnerships with such corporations as IBM, PepsiCo, First Niagara, Con Edison, J.P. Morgan Chase, Maxx Properties, RPW Group and Entergy, and more recently with Aetna Foundation, Curtis Instruments, Westchester Medical Center, Regeneron and the Cross County Shopping Center. Many of these partnerships will be demonstrated at today’s breakfast as a way to inspire others.

“These partnerships not only support the arts,” says ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam, “but they have been shown to be good for business in that they promote innovative thinking and creativity in the workplace, strengthen community engagement and increase the vibrancy of places to live and work.”

Robert Lynch agrees, adding, “When the arts and businesses partner, everyone profits, and that’s the thing that savvy businesses across the country and savvy communities and community leaders have seen for a long, long time.”

ArtsWestchester offers a diverse menu of partnership opportunities throughout the year. They range from event sponsorship; to space rental; to advertising in its monthly publication, ArtsWNews; to volunteer opportunities and underwriting of educational programs. Partnership opportunities are also available with ArtsWestchester’s affiliate organizations, of which there are more than 150.

A list of ten (10) easy ways to partner with ArtsWestchester can be found at: www.artswestchester.org/artsandbusiness

To arrange a custom arts & business partnership with ArtsWestchester, interested parties should contact Debbie Scates, Manager of Partnership Marketing, at (914) 428-4220 or email dscates@artswestchester.org.

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