WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

Hits: 134

WPCNR MILESTONES. By John F. Bailey .Reprinted from September 16, 2001:

As I write this introduction, it is 12 years to the minute when unbelievably, a lone plane struck the first World Trade Center Tower on a morning of bright clear sunny sky.

This morning the city remembered the September 11 of 12 years ago in Liberty Park: the day the Towers Fell.

My wife watched them fall from her office in midtown, a sight she will never forget.

On the Sunday night of September 16, 2001, White Plains held an impromptu memorial Candlelight Walk that attracted thousands. I covered that event and this reminiscence written that night tells just a little of how The Day the Towers Fell affected all of America that black day when oily smoke filled the Manhattan sky and thousands perished before our eyes, helpless to do anything to stop it.

Here is the reprint of The Candlelight Walk report (The White Plains Government Access Channels 44 and 75 will be televising the video tape of this ceremony of these events I describe below evenings at 8 on the Government Channel.at 8 PM through this Sunday night 9/15:)

They carried flags, “thank you signs,” and lit candles. They came from all races, ranks and religions to walk, remember and celebrate what it means to be an American and prayed for America’s future on the White Plains Candlelight Walk Sunday night Police estimated a crowd approaching 8,000 persons gathered at the White Plains Railroad Station and marched shoulder to shoulder, Black to White, Hispanic to Hassidim, Italian to Jew, Arab-to-Asian, Old-and-Young, American-to-American in a solemn, uplifting remembrance and rededication to America’s future.

The White Plains Candlelight Walk staggered city officials with the streaming turnout filling the broad Main Street boulevard with ranks of 30 to 40 persons shoulder-to-shoulder all the way from the City Hall steps to Bank Street.
By 7:15 PM the parking lot below the clock tower at the railroad station was filled, and still they came. Every race, every creed. Neighbors greeting each other. Shaking hands. Some carried signs. Some carried flags. Some brought their own candles, but they came. They walked. Pushed strollers. Children did not cry or misbehave. Persons said “Excuse me,” and smiled at each other. They knew this was important.

 A disciplined group

They lit each others’ candles. At 7:35 PM they began to walk slowly south on Bank Street filling the broad cross street with quiet, orderly, confident humanity. For such a large crowd, they were serious and stalwart.

Some carried signs reading “Thank You White Plains Bravest and Finest,” and “Thank you Fire and Police.” They sang impromptu versions of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” waving their flags. Their spirits were steady. Their pride high. No fear. Their love of country and fellow Americans was glowing.

The city stops for a remembrance

As dusk stole velvetly over the streets with an orange sun receding to the West, traffic on Hamilton Avenue stopped for this long, solemn, slow freight train of White Plains citizens. They took 30 minutes to reach City Hall, and still, from this reporter’s vantage, reached back to Bank Street.

There was no honking of horns from stopped autombiles. No animosity. Motorists recognized something special: thousands of tentative, yet determined steps of America on the way back were being taken.

The City Clergy in a remarkable ceremony

At the City Hall steps, with Main Street jammed with humanity, a quiet, respectful crowd drew close to the old neo-classic columned brick façade. They waved flags, their candles in their hands glowed like they do at a Meadowlands concert.

 MAYOR DELFINO OVERWHELMED: The Mayor stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Councilpersons, city clergy, choir, and dignataries, saying “God will get us through,” at the conclusion of the historic and moving White Plains Candlelight Walk on the steps of old City Hall. WPCNR PHOTOMayor Joseph Delfino welcomed the multitudes thanking all for coming, thanking the White Plains firemen and policemen for their efforts the past week, but his remarks were hard to hear. Somehow you did not have to hear them. Everyone understood what he was saying. Everyone felt it, too. I did.

The Mayor was surrounded by a host of the White Plains clergy from many churches behind him. The men and women of the cloth had assembled at his call to present an ecumenical service of remembrance and prayer for the victims of the World Trade Center disaster. There was a chorale group and ensemble. But, I cannot tell you who they are at this point.

The message you heard even if you could not hear it

There were no news releases or media briefs at this gathering. No text of the Mayor’s remarks was handed out. He did not make many. It was not that kind of event. It was regretfully special. You did not need to know who was offering the prayers, rabbi or priest, minister or pastor.

The different prayers and appropriate hymns rose on the cool early autumn night echoing skyward, warming hearts, and somehow fit splendidly meaningfully together. The White Plains clergy, in this reporter’s opinion, should do this more often under pleasanter circumstances. It was very special and so right.

The impromptu public address system could not be heard clearly beyond 100 feet. However, the people of White Plains listened and soaked in the spirit of the sweetly sung entreaties to The Almighty, with no catcalls, no disrespect, dedication and silent endorsement of the message. Children did not cry.

A moving sequence

The most moving sequence of the service occurred when each Man and Woman of God voiced a prayerful sentiment and the ensemble sang “Lord, listen to your children preying.” It was a White Plains “Moment to Remember.”

The service concluded with the throng singing “We Shall Overcome.” After several moving choruses with the multitude of citizens swaying together, the final stanza which goes “We Shall Stand Together,” closed the old 60s protest song with a roll of applause and cheers.

The Mayor rallies the crowd

Mayor Delfino came to the podium. With clergy, councilpersons, and congresspersons to his right and left, spoke proudly and earnestly to the crowd:

“Never would I have believed that we’d have such a turnout. I am overwhelmed, this is truly the greatest community in America,” and went on to thank all the city’s clergy for coming together for the service, saying that “God would get us through.”

The Mayor said that there was a Remembrance Book in the City Hall rotunda, which would be placed in the White Plains Public Library for all to sign. The Mayor announced this because not all of the thousands could march into the rotunda to sign it that evening, which brought one of the few laughs of the night.

Everyone leaves with a sense of a job to be done

The remarkable evening of remembrance and renewal closed with a rousing singing of “God Bless America,” with outstanding voices from the steps of City Hall, helping the citizens out with the second and third verses.

The crowd slowly dispersed.

They returned to cars, parents pushing strollers, couples arms over shoulders. Old city and county political rivals often adversaries, shook hands on the City Hall steps.

Some young persons in their 20s stood in front of the fenced off E J Conroy Drive, and, impromptu, shouted “USA,USA!” Then they changed what they were chanting. They crossed their hearts and began to recite, in unison: “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,” getting every word right with dignity and dedication.

You should have been there.

Hits: 195

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Elaine London, Hall of Fame.September 10, 2013:

Four White Plains High School graduates have been selected for induction into the school’s Hall of Fame this fall.

The Hall of Fame pays tribute to White   Plains High School alumni/ae who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and/or have significantly and positively impacted the lives of others.

The 2013 inductees are: Dr. Scott Halstead, ’47, an internationally recognized expert on the causes and treatment of dengue fever; M. Howard Davis, ’54, Supervisor of Guidance for the White Plains Public Schools Alternative and Adult Education Programs for 30 years;David Corn, ’77, Chief of the Washington Bureau for Mother Jones, author and political commentator; Sorraya E. Sampson, ’84, President and CEO of The Urban League of Westchester County, Inc.

The honorees will visit the High School on Thursday, October 24 and will meet with students during the day.  The Induction Ceremony will take place in the Media Center at 3pm and will be followed by a reception.  The public is invited.

This is the seventeenth class of distinguished alumni/ae selected since the Hall of Fame was established in 1996, bringing the total number of inductees to 74.  It is estimated that more than 30,000 students have graduated from White   PlainsHigh School in its 117 years of continuous operation.

The inductees were selected by a committee of representatives of civic and school groups from nominations submitted by the public.  New nominations are welcomed each year.

 

Hits: 132

WPCNR LETTER TICKER.

LETTER TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE. Sent to the County Executive by Lisa Andrade, a person who works in White Plains, but resides in Putnam County:

Lisa M. Andrade                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lincolndale, NY  10540

September 9, 2013

To Whom It May Concern,

Please consider the following letter to Mr. Robert Astorino, Westchester County Executive, a desperate plea for help for the city of White Plains, NY. I am taking it upon myself to beg, plead and cry for a grant for this city in great turmoil.

ANY help is greatly appreciated.

Feel free to forward this to anyone who may be of assistance for this city in need.

Sincerely,

Lisa M. Andrade

Dear Mr. Robert Astorino,

We the People who work and reside in the city of White Plains, NY, request that necessary changes be made to this city in order to preserve what little beauty and dignity is left of it.

In case you haven’t heard, I’ll gladly lend my voice on behalf of myself and many others living, working, or visiting the White Plains area in order to fill you in on what’s going down on the streets of your city… and it’s not pretty.

Every morning and every evening I am greeted with the same old thing, day in and day out… (including, but not limited to)… the putrid stench of what smells like day-old vomit (sometimes actual vomit on the sidewalk just sitting there roasting in the hot summer sun), freshly minced crap, 2 day-old road kill, and dirty, filthy garbage.

Add to that the borage of homeless people hitting me up for anything and everything spanning from a quarter, two dollars, to a three-course meal, despite the fact that I am always being asked for a dollar here and a dollar there for every single organization and fundraising event under the sun. Next thing you’ll know, they’ll be asking for a dinner cruise, a brand new car, and a houseboat.

Not only am I asked for this on the streets of White Plains, but everywhere I go including supermarkets, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Aw heck, even politicians are hitting me up for donations. (Insert smiley face here).

(And let’s not get started on the “Tip Jars” that line the counters of most delis, pizzerias, and self-serve mini-marts and bodegas. Heck, I wish I could have a tip jar sitting on my office desk, too!)

Enough is Enough.

The only thing I donate now is BLOOD, the most rewarding gift ever.

I am not a resident of White Plains but have worked here for 14+ years and have seen the deterioration of your beloved city. My office is located inside the Westchester Pavilion on South Broadway, yes the almost vacant building in which still stands because the city doesn’t know what to do with it. Well, I’ll give you a hint… refurbish it or tear it down!

Lately this empty building (which used to be home to Daffy’s, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Sports Authority) has become a haven for the homeless people of your city. From 8 o’clock in the morning until 5 o’clock at night, you’ll find many of them asking for money at the front entrance or sleeping on the benches inside the Pavilion.

And you’d better be careful walking up or down the dark, isolated stairwell because there are some strange people lurking inside. In fact, they party in there on the weekends, the proof is in seeing the empty (cheap) wine bottles and beer cans scattered throughout the stairwell.  What a disgrace.

I tell my fellow female coworkers over and over again: DO NOT USE THE STAIRS. And I will keep reminding them until I am blue in the face. It is SCARY and it is DANGEROUS. One suggestion I have is to keep the shelters open ALL DAY so that you don’t have people roaming the streets in a fog and a daze, or have them occupy what is supposed to be a “professional” atmosphere.

What upsets me the most is how agitated people get when you kindly decline handing money over. Some are very nice about it, but others get very hostile which leads to a very uncomfortable, intimidating experience. 

But let the lion roar and let it be known:

I am a woman of the 21^st century and I absolutely REFUSE to be intimidated … especially by a man… on the corners of Martine Avenue, E. Post Road, South Broadway, and Mamaroneck Avenue… or ANYWHERE for that matter!

No Way. No How.

The sketchiest areas of White Plains are

Points A-Point D: (Point A= South Broadway, Point B= E. Post Road, Point C= Mamaroneck Avenue, Point D= Martine Avenue).

Just walking either to or from South Broadway to Martine Avenue, I get hit up for money at least three times a day by three different individuals. One time I even saw a woman posing with her 7 or 8-year old daughter asking me if I could buy her daughter a donut from Dunkin Donuts. I just stared at her in disbelief and then she laughed, “Oh well, I thought I would try to get a free donut!”

Well look who’s NOT laughing. Gee, wouldn’t it be nice if we could all ask complete and total strangers for money so that our credit cards, student loans, and car/house/mortgage payments could be completely paid off… TAX FREE and IN FULL!

DREAM ON.

Twice I’ve been followed into Dunkin Donuts by people asking for money to buy a donut. The first incident was from a well-known elderly homeless man who asked me for a dollar so that he could buy himself a donut. The softie that I am (was) gave him a dollar. Would you believe that the Son-of-a-gun took the dollar, turned around, and walked out of Dunkin Donuts and up the street presumably to buy a hit??

NEVER AGAIN.                                                                                                                                                Never, ever, ever!

That is the last time I will ever give away my hard earned money. Lord knows I do not make the money of a Governor’s salary, no sir, not even the salary of a County Executive… (insert smiley face here). Next time all they’ll get is my free advice to straighten up.

On 2 separate occasions (during a one month time span) I had to drop off packages at the Post Office on Martine Avenue. Both times I arrived 15 minutes prior to the post office opening and both times I was greeted by homeless, newly released jail inmates wanting to wine and dine me and take me out for the time of my life. (Editor’s Note: this area is across the street from the County Office Building, where the County Executive works)

Politely I refused their offers. When pressured as to ‘why’ I wouldn’t accept their offers, I kindly informed them that I was a happily married woman. Period. End of Discussion. Or was it? Repeatedly they kept pressuring me for my phone number over and over. It got to the point where I wanted to deck them.

Hey, in the words of President Obama, there’s a red line that’s drawn, not by me, but by the world, and these two punks had crossed that line. They’re lucky they dealt with me instead of someone else who might have started a war with them.

Thankfully, people had started showing up and waiting in line with me for the post office to open. If it had been dark and isolated, who knows what might have happened. And the post office just so happens to be across the street from 7-Eleven, which is also the infamous local bus stop (including mine) that is notorious for being the “out-of-control” corner.

Yes, everybody knows that corner… the cops… the homeless people… the residents/workers/tourists of White Plains, NY. Here is where you’ll find them all. People talking to themselves, fighting with themselves, screaming at others, and threatening everyone in their paths. It is not a safe environment! They’re either heavily medicated or not medicated enough. There is no in-between. 

Something needs to be done in order to curb this outrage. That is why I am reaching out to you, Mr. Astorino. Your city needs help and I know that you have the power to make the change that it so desperately needs in order for White Plains to flourish gracefully…

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                           

Lisa M. Andrade                                                                                                                                                   

# I-May-Have-Issues-But-Your-City-Has-More-Issues-Than-I

 (Editor’s Note: The Mayor’s Office has been asked for a response to this letter.)

Hits: 154

WPCNR PLAYLAND NEWS. From Sustainable Playland, Inc. September 6, 2013:

Sustainable Playland Inc., selected as the future manager of Westchester’s best known public park, today submitted its Playland Improvement Plan (PIP) to County Executive Rob Astorino. The plan outlines SPI’s public-private partnership approach to revitalize and restore the iconic 85-year-old park on the Long Island Sound shore in Rye and provide year-round activities and attractions.

The submission of the PIP is an important step in converting the park to a public-private partnership with the County. The County will continue to own the property, SPI will manage it.  SPI is a not-for-profit, community-based organization formed to develop and submit a restoration and revitalization plan for Playland.

SPI’s plan was selected among the dozen respondents to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for revitalizing the park issued by the County Executive. Subsequently, an Asset Management Agreement (AMA) was developed by SPI and signed by Astorino in late July. The next step in the process was submission of the PIP. This 80-page document will now be reviewed by the County Executive and his staff and commissioners.

Once the County Executive completes his review, he will formally submit the PIP to the County Board of Legislators for its review and approval.  The Board must approve any plan for material improvements and modifications to the park. SPI hopes to begin implementing the plan as soon as possible so that its multi-year phase-in of improvements and upgrades can begin in 2014.

(Editor’s Note: If the Board does not approve the plan by January 1, Sustainable Playland has the right to abandon the project.

Earlier this week, members of the Board of Legislators turned Luna Park in Coney Island, to observe how CAI Amusements, Sustainable Playland choice to run the amusement section of the new Playland Sustainable evisions.

In a news release this week, Kenneth Jenkins, Chair of the Board of Legislators has said if CAI were hired to run Playland, there would not be a need for Sustainable Playland. To wit, ” bringing Central Amusements on board raises questiona about the value of Sustainable Playland’s involvement.”)

The PIP is consistent with recommendations included in the 2006 Playland Master Plan that was commissioned by the County, including converting management of the park to a public-private partnership model. SPI’s approach is modeled after the highly successful Central Park Conservancy in Manhattan that oversees the nation’s most prominent urban park.

The PIP adheres closely to the concept plan for restoring the park that was put forth in SPI’s RFP response. The plan seeks a balance of seasonal and year-round uses which will create a more reliable and predictable income flow. Playland is currently heavily dependent on revenues generated by its historic summer-only, weather-dependent amusement park. Under SPI’s plan, the Amusement Zone will continue to be the signature area of the park and its largest single financial element.

However, additional new uses at the park including a field house for indoor sports activities, year-round restaurants, the Westchester Children’s Museum, improved and expanded ice skating opportunities, as well as the restoration and enhancement of the park’s classic architectural and landscape features will broaden the appeal of the park and draw visitors year-round.

The Amusement Zone, as well as the new Aqua/Beach Zone, will be operated by Central
Amusements International, the U.S. subsidiary of the internationally renowned Zamperla company, a manufacturer of amusement park rides and an operator of amusement parks including Coney Island. The PIP includes details of the new rides and improvements to existing rides that Central Amusements will phase in over five years.

The PIP will be posted later on the SPI website:  www.sustainableplayland.org

 

Hits: 2887

 

 

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 4, 2013 UPDATED SEPTEMBER 7,2013:

Six days, after the murder of  Michael Solomon, 68, a night watchman on duty at the YMCA front desk last Saturday morning, the 15-year resident of the White Plains YMCA who police stabbed Mr. Solomon to death was identified Friday by the Westchester County Medical Examiner as Eddie Diop, as residents of the Y had originally told WPCNR the morning of the murder, followed by Diop’s suicide.

 Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong announced  the definitive identification Friday.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong gave a statement to WPCNR Tuesday afternoon on the status of the YMCA murder-suicide investigation. Asked about details on what substance ignited the fire the suspect, tentatively identified as Eddie, used to set himself on fire, the Commissioner said the police are awaiting results from the crime lab. He also detailed the extent of damage to the two rooms the suspect set aflame, but declined to release police pictures and the police report is not available as yet. The Commissioner’s written statement:

“We are 95 percent sure that the suspect is the resident of the room that was set
on fire and that he committed suicide. His remains are being studied at the
medical examiners office. We are not actively looking for anyone else as we have
conclusive evidence on who committed the homicide.

The room was set on  fire with some sort of flammable material yet to be determined by the crime lab.

The major damage is to two rooms on the third floor with a wall collapse between
the rooms most likely due to the intense heat.

We will not release any name until we are 100 percent clear on the identity. This may take some time.

The displaced residents are back at the YMCA and the City is working with the YMCA to get them back into their private rooms as expeditiously and as safely as possible. ”

Incidentally, Richard Liebson of The Journal News notes that 11 Chinese, Vietnamese and South Korean students visiting White Plains to attend Archbishop Stepinanc High School this year who were being housed at the YMCA Saturday were also displaced and have been staying at Good Counsel Academy and Berkeley College in White Plains since. Liebson reports they and the rest of the students will be back in the Y tomorrow.

Funeral Arrangements Announced by YWCA

Michael was a loved member of our YMCA family for 25 years. We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and YMCA community.

We wante…d to share the funeral arrangements information as well as provide you with a link to Michael’s obituary:

http://www.ballarddurand.com/obituaries/Michael-Solomon2/

Visiting hours are Friday from 5-9PM at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 2 Maple Avenue at South Broadway, White Plains. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30AM Saturday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Elmsford.