Library Foundation Salutes Benerofe,Libe System,WCC.Launches The Edge Teen Space

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WPCNR East Side West Side, South End, North End. April 10, 2011:


 


The White Plains Library Foundation saluted Suburban Street founder, White Plains internet innovator, and the White Plains Week television personality, James C. Benerofe Saturday evening as a “Community Partner”  for his fifteen years of support of the library  through the Shirley G. Benerofe Foundation.


 



Jim Benerofe, Speaking at the  Library Foundation Gala Saturday evening


 


Honored with Mr. Benerofe were the Westchester Library System, and Westchester Community College for their partnering in the  library New Americans Resource Center, that provides basic English instruction for persons speaking 31 different languages.


 


The affair was held at the library and officially commenced their campaign for funds to build an elaborate self-contained section on the main floor, catering to teens the library is naming “The Edge.” Sandy Miranda, Library Director said the library is now ready to move forward with “The Edge,” with the city . The Edge is a natural progression, she said, following on the Library’s creation of The Trove, where a silent auction and entertainment  was provided for over a hundred supporters and members of the Library Foundation.


 



 


Benerofe has been a board member since the Libarary Foundation began in 1995. In his remarks Benerofe described a good book as a resource “that never wears out,” acidly remarking how computers do. He stressed the importance of the library as an education resource for the community as the driving force for his involvement in his sixteen years commitment to helping the library grow.


 


Ms. Miranda complimented Mr. Benerofe as one of the many community leaders, many of whom were in attendance  who were behind the development of The Trove, the state-of-the-art children’s library, that opened in 2005 which involves young readers, listeners, and computerists daily in books, and media like no other facility in the metropolitan area.   The city contributed $2 Million to building the Trove on the second floor of the library, while the Library Foundation raised $1 Million to complete the Trove.


 



Conceptual Drawing of The Edge, new teen work center planned for the first floor of the White Plains Library.


 



 



Sandra Miranda, Library Director, with Mr. Benerofe, explain the concept of  The Edge


 


 


The Edge, Miranda told WPCNR, has been designed based on conversations with White Plains young people. It will provide space for laptop as well as six basic computer stations, books and resources in a design and teens-only area that will be inviting to the city’s young adults.. Miranda said the library will be working with the city on The Edge as part of a new Capital Project will be starting specific design and engineering work with Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti shortly.


 



 


Dr. Joseph Hankin, President of Westchester Community College noting that a  10th century Persian King traveled with his collection of 1,700 books with in a camel train caravan (organized in alphabetical order) , said that the White Plains Library housed more than double that number of books, underscoring the value of the Library to the community and county. Hankin introduced a number of WCC teachers and administrators in attendance who help make the WCC New Americans Resource Center a reality, helping persons speaking 31 languages learn English at the White Plains Library.


 


Westchester Library Systems Executive Director Terry Kirchner accepted the Foundation Award, too for its role in beginning the New Americans Resource Center with the WCC at the Library.


 



 


David Tobey, violinist with the Westchester Symphony Orchestra performed with his accompaniest, Kirk Ehrenreich, finishing the program with a spirited tango selection.


 


Judith Nevins,President of the Foundation closed the ceremony honoring the Community Partners saying earnestly that the White Plains Library was an education resource that was needed now more than ever and needed community monetary support to continue that mission.


 


****Bookends****


 


A light moment was enjoyed by all when newly elected Mayor Tom Roach won the raffle prize of a makeover, which would make him “A Brand New  You” in 2011. This brought down laughs from all


 


Because, Mr. is already “brand-new.”


 

Mr. Roach confided to WPCNR was just certified Friday by the Board of Elections as the winner of the White Plains Special election for Mayor. He told WPCNR he will be officially sworn in Thursday evening at 6:30 P.M.at City Hall.

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Jenkins on County Exec State of County Assessment

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. April 9, 2011:


“We have heard of continued economic challenges from our County Executive,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) in his answer to County Executive Robert Astorino’s State of the County Speech Thursday evening.


“Westchester needs to know that the Legislature and the County Executive all want what, we believe, is best for Westchester.  We may have differing views on how to achieve the same goal. The Board of Legislators understands that we all want less expensive, more efficient government and the Legislature has delivered with the second-largest tax levy reduction in history, decreased spending and a reduction of the County workforce – while preserving investments in the essential services that make Westchester great.”


 


In a pre-taped video response, members of the Democratic Majority outlined how they’ve maintained their commitment towards working together to develop creative solutions that provide balance for the people who pay for the services, the people who receive the services and the people who deliver the services. Members of the Democratic Majority appreciated that the County Executive mentioned in his address the need for new innovation in our regional government, while maintaining the County’s commitment to providing essential services at the least cost.  


 


“The Legislature is committed to reducing the size and cost of county government, while finding more cost-effective ways to deliver vital services,” said Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah).  “Over the last two years, we’ve cut spending by more than $50 million and reduced the size of the county workforce by nearly 11%.  The 2011 budget, which we adopted in December, cuts taxes 2.2% — that’s more than twice the tax relief proposed by the County Executive — while at the same time restores unwise cuts to public safety, health and environmental protection.”



Mr. Astorino touched on areas of investment, where county tax dollars helped to spur economic growth.  “We must continue to develop long-term, targeted economic policies that stimulate local economies and reduce unemployment in the county,” said Vice-Chairman Lyndon D. Williams (D-Mount Vernon).  “In order to fuel economic growth and job creation, the Board committed $80 million in capital investments to public works and infrastructure projects. These investments coupled with commercial development will put people back to work while allowing for improvements to the physical infrastructure of Westchester County.”



Legislators are excited to hear that the County Executive will join with our Democratic Majority in an effort to call upon Albany to give much-needed mandate relief to localities.  “Westchester County has a legal obligation to pay for the programs mandated by the state and federal governments.  However, we also have a fiscal obligation on behalf of our taxpayers to speak out and challenge the many programs that are mandated that cover over 70% of our entire budget,” said Legislator Martin L. Rogowsky (D-Harrison).  


 


“Medicaid costs alone – some $210 million in the proposed 2011 budget – make up almost 40% of our entire county property tax.  I’m glad to hear that Mr. Astorino will join with the Legislature to speak out, challenge these mandates and bring property tax relief to the people of Westchester County.”



Members of the Legislature were encouraged to hear of Mr. Astorino’s ideas to attract and retain thriving businesses in Westchester. “Creating an atmosphere that attracts new business and allows existing ones to keep flourishing is a priority of ours. That’s why we’re happy to see the influx of several new and promising businesses into the county,” said Majority Whip Judith Myers (D-Larchmont).


 


“This is an exciting time for Westchester. Companies and major employers from the restaurant, retail, hospitality and technology industries are either coming to Westchester or deciding to stay here. Understanding how this keeps revenue flowing into the area and keeps many of our residents employed, the Board of Legislators will continue to seek ways to make the county a welcoming and viable community in which businesses can operate.”



Chairman Jenkins expressed the Legislature’s renewed commitment towards making measured change. “We need to continue to move together, so that residents and families can afford to stay here, we can continue to retain and attract businesses to help our County grow. We can accomplish this while not neglecting the core responsibility of elected government: providing for public health and safety, and providing essential services to our most vulnerable.”

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Will Hold Line on Property Taxes, Astorino Vows. $103 M Deficit Seen

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) April 7, 2011:


 


In his annual State of the County Address, County Executive Robert P. Astorino pledged that he would hold the line on property taxes for the second consecutive year, while maintaining a strong safety net for the county’s neediest residents. He also asked unions to work with him to avoid layoffs.





Tax Pledge


            To maintain the momentum of fiscal reform from his first year in office, the County Executive pledged that he would submit a budget for 2012 in the fall that once again would call for no hike in the property tax levy. This year’s budget lowered the property tax levy by 2 percent or about $12 million.


 


Economy


While still shaky, Astorino said Westchester’s economy was showing positive signs of rebounding. Specifically, he said his personal efforts to reach out to businesses, coupled with incentives and expertise provided by the county’s Industrial Development Agency, were paying off.


 




Layoffs Expected in face of $103 Million Deficit Due to Unfunded Mandates


 


Astorino urged the county’s labor unions to work with him to trim labor costs in return for minimizing potential layoffs in the 2012 budget. Last year, Astorino successfully led the fight to have non-union employees, himself included, pay a portion of their health care benefits. This year, he said that it was time for the unions to follow suit. Doing so would save the county about $10 million, which could be applied to saving jobs.


In contrast to the zero contribution that union county workers currently make to health care, the average health care contribution nationally to a family plan is 33 percent of the premium for private sector workers and 27 percent for public sector workers.


 


“It is impossible to see how we can avoid layoffs if concessions are not forthcoming from our unions,” Astorino said. “Let me stress, this is in no way intended as criticism of the men and women employed by Westchester County. They work hard and earn their salaries. Our problem is not managerial. It is purely mathematical. We have a pay structure that can no longer be sustained.”


 


$103 Million Projected Deficit


The biggest problem facing the county, Astorino said, was its inability to keep up with runaway spending, fueled largely by unfunded state mandates and labor costs. Comparing all revenues and expenses, a projected deficit of $103 million is emerging for 2012.


“Broken down in terms of kitchen table economics, money is going out a lot faster than it is coming in,” Astorino said. “That’s it in a nutshell. It’s an economic concept that anyone who has ever paid a bill understands and knows ends poorly if not corrected. Past bills eventually overwhelm your ability to pay for future needs. Westchester County is perilously close to the breaking point.”


Nine state mandates currently consume 75 percent of the county’s property tax levy. Medicaid alone, at $211 million, is equal to 38 percent of the tax levy. Pension costs, another state mandate, are $51 million this year and projected to increase to $84 million by 2015. That assumes the county enters the state’s amortization program. The number jumps to $97 million if the county does not opt into the program.


Pension costs are a major contributor to the county’s escalating labor expenses. For 2011, the average cost of a county worker is $117,000. That figure includes salary and fringe benefits. The cost of fringe benefits, primarily driven by pension and health care expenses, amount to 55 percent of salary. The average fringe rate for private sector employees in the United States is 29 percent. For public sector employees, it’s 34 percent.



Safety Net


Preserving the county’s social safety net, Astorino said, was another major accomplishment of his first year in office. This year, the Department of Social Services’ budget had to absorb a $27 million loss in federal Medicaid funds. Despite the loss, the department’s budget at $578 million was $3 million higher than the year before and, through better management, DSS was able to put an additional $6 million in direct aid into the hands of residents.


 


Management improvements at DSS included:


·        automating the recertification process for benefits eligibility;


·        lowering foster care costs – and improving care – by keeping children closer to their original homes as opposed to sending them to out-of-county and out-of-state institutions;


·        moving to close homeless shelters with empty beds that the county must pay for whether they are filled or not. In the case of the WestHelp shelter in Greenburgh, it has been operating with 42 percent of the beds empty. Even with the closing, the county will have more than ample capacity across its other shelters to meet the needs of the homeless. The excess capacity in the shelters is the result of DSS teams dramatically cutting the time it takes to move the homeless into permanent housing.


“That’s a major win,” Astorino said. “Our goal for the homeless is permanent housing, not shelter housing.”


 


Initiatives and Innovations


As other examples of initiatives and innovations that are stretching tax dollars and making government operations more efficient, Astorino pointed to:


·        consolidating the Department of Transportation into the Department of Public Works and using the savings to preserve bus routes;


·        turning the county’s four mental health clinics over to nonprofit agencies;  


·        finding a provider of medical services for inmates at the jail, which will save an expected $3 million over the course of the three-year contract and potentially millions more because the county is now indemnified against legal claims;  and


·        taking over the policing of the Town of Ossining though a contract that will cost county taxpayers nothing, but provide substantial savings to Ossining residents.


Astorino said the county’s management focus for the year ahead would be for every commissioner and department head to relentlessly question whether the services they were delivering were essential, effective, and provided by those best positioned to deliver them.


“We start by rejecting the notion that less money has to mean less service, and we replace old thinking with new actions,” Astorino said. “The answer is not another government program. A big part of our problem is that we can’t afford the overhead of all of our existing programs, especially now when the state and federal governments are pulling back on their contributions. Future focus needs to be on self reliance and existing resources. That requires a new operating model energized by efficiency, common interests, new ideas and partnership.”





AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed


As evidence of Wall Street’s confidence in the way Westchester County government is being run, Astorino cited last week’s announcement by the Fitch, the ratings agency, reaffirming the county’s AAA bond rating.
            To spur growth, Astorino said the county was fighting hard to keep jobs in and attract businesses to Westchester. He said his strong opposition to the sugar tax proposed by Albany, which was a direct hit against Pepsi, helped kill the tax and keep Pepsi in Westchester .


“Our advocacy paid off,” Astorino said. “The tax died. Most important, Pepsi is still here in Purchase and in Somers.”


In March, Pepsi Beverages signed a new lease that will expand its Somers headquarters by almost 40 percent and keep 900 jobs in Westchester.


Other major business developments include:


·        Sabra Dipping, the hummus maker, is moving to Westchester.


·        Amkai Solutions is moving to Westchester from Connecticut, bringing high-paying IT jobs.


·        Contra-Fect, a biotech firm, is moving to Westchester from New York City as part of the NY BioHud Valley’s expansion.


·        Guggenheim Global Trading, a new $500 million investment fund, is locating its headquarters in Purchase.


·        Dannon is expanding.


·        So are colleges like Pace, Manhattanville, Fordham and Iona.


·        White Plains Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital have opened new emergency rooms.


·        Hudson Valley Hospital has broken ground on a new cancer center.


·        And last month, the Westchester Medical Center took a giant step in securing its financial future by retiring obligations to the county and selling its own bonds to investors.


“The direction is positive, the momentum is strong, the confidence is returning,” Astorino said.


 


Recognizing Individual Contributions


Major portions of the address were dedicated to recognizing the contributions of individuals and corporations across the county. He singled out IBM, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and its most famous computer, Watson, which is now the world’s reigning Jeopardy! champion and an example of the power of artificial intelligence.


Astorino said Watson’s capabilities spoke to the talents of the county’s highly educated workforce and reinforced the county’s claim of being New York’s Intellectual Capital. In Westchester, 45 percent of residents, who are 25 and older, hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. The national average is 27 percent.  


The pipeline of younger intellectual talent is strong as well. Of the 300 high school students from around the country named semi-finalists in this year’s Intel Science Talent Search, an astonishing 6 percent of them were from Westchester.


During the address, the County Executive cited the teachers and administration of Ossining High School, which produced 8 of the 19 semi-finalists, for special mention. He also congratulated Grace Phillips, a senior at Mamaroneck High School, who was named one of the nation’s 40 finalists in the Intel competition, and her teacher Guido Garbarino, both of whom were in the chamber for the speech.


Also recognized were members of the Department of Public Works for their efforts in keeping Westchester’s roads plowed and safe over the course of 12 winter snow storms, and several managers from the Child Welfare Division of the Department of Social Services. The Child Welfare Division became the first public agency in New York State to be certified by the prestigious Council on Accreditation.


“Our people have a combination of smarts and heart that’s second to none,” Astorino said.


A special tribute was paid to the memory of Army Specialist David Fahey. The former Yorktown resident was killed in February by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. A bronze plaque and tree will be dedicated to Fahey at Westchester’s Fallen Memorial Walkway at the Kensico Dam Plaza. The dedication is scheduled for September 25, Gold Star Mother’s Day.


            Astorino concluded his address by saying the work would continue on his three prime goals: providing tax relief, preserving essential services and promoting economic growth.


“Our fight to make our county more affordable for every resident goes on,” he said. “No one is saying it will be easy. But, as long as “of, by, and for the people” guide our actions, success will be ours. We have the people to get the job done. We are on the right path. We just need to stay on it…together.”


 


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White Plains Week name for Bronx Cobra– Cleopatra–Rejected in favor of MIA

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WPCNR ANIMAL DAILY PLANET. April 5, 2011 UPDATED April 7,2011:


 


THIS JUST IN: Mia is the winning name for the missing cobra, as announced by the Bronx Zoo today. It gathered 22% of the votes.



Celebrity Cobra!Now Named Mia.


That coy, femme fatale who slinks with sultry grace, wasnicknamed “Cleopatra” by White Plains Weeks’ celebrity anchor,John Bailey…may actually be a Cleopatra. It was one of the final names that you can vote on for the snake that escaped,  at the Bronx Zoo site above.See Mr. Bailey name the cobra on this week’s White Plains Week, www.whiteplainsweek.com.


The White Plains Week name, “Cleopatra,” suggested by John Bailey, the world-famous WPW anchor on this week’s show,  was one of the final five. The other names are Agnes, Amaunet, Subita and Mia.


 


Name that Cobra up until midnight tonight at http://e.wcs.org/site/PageNavigator/Name_that_sssssnake.html

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Council Passes Moratorium for six months on country club development approvals.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. April 5, 2011:


The Common Council passed a six month moratorium last night  on approvals of development on parcels of the Fenway Golf Club, Westchester Hills, the former Ridgeway Country Club and portions of the Hutchinson River Parkway adjacent grounds. The moratorium ends October 17. A study will be conducted at city expense to “examine issues” involving amendments to city zoning, subdivision and land use regulations in the city municipal and zoning codes as “parks and open space.”


The purpose of the “study” is to “adequately address the deficiencies in the existing code and inconsistencies with the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, and the on and off-site impacts from development on affected properties.”


The French American School of New York,(planning to build three buildings, athletic fields and renovate the clubhouse on the Ridgeway site), upon the passage of the moratorium issued this statement:


“The French-American School of New York (FASNY) understands and appreciates the goals of preserving and maximizing open space in the City, as well as enacting regulations that protect and enhance the city’s natural resources and sensitive environmental areas.


 


Our application for creating a low-density park-like campus on the Ridgeway property, which we plan to submit to the City next month, will unquestionably reflect those objectives. Our plan, which conforms to the vision and goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, will preserve over 60 acres of permanent and publically accessible open space for the City. It will also concentrate development of the site to one section of the property with less than 5% of the site covered with impervious surfaces.


 


We expect that our application will be subject to the rigorous public review provided under the city’s existing environmental regulations and special permit process. We believe that the moratorium is unfairly targeted at a limited number of properties, including our Ridgeway property. We also believe that the moratorium is unnecessary from a technical and regulatory perspective, and will generate unnecessary legal exposure for the City, procedural confusion and additional financial costs for the City.”  


 


 


 Prior to purchase of the Ridgeway Country Club by the French American School of New York, the Common Council had not raised the issue of the need to study usage of the three country club sites and the lands about the Hutchinson River Parkway.

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Dems Call for Nominations for 4 Common Council Seats Up for Election in Nov

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. From White Plains City Democratic Committee.Edited. April 4, 2011:


As first explained on White Plains Week, the city news roundup show (viewable tonight at 7 PM on Channels 45 and 76 and now at www.whiteplainsweek.com) the Democratic City Committee nominating committee announced today is now accepting resumes for the fall 2011 elections. Incumbents and others should contact the nominating committee regarding their intention to run for election or re-election.

 

There will be four seats on the Common Council (the seats now occupied by incumbents Ben Boykin, Milagros Lecuona and Dennis Power, plus the seat vacated by our newly elected Mayor Tom Roach).

 

Our County Legislators Bill Ryan and Alfreda Williams are also up for re-election.  The lines for County Legislature are being re-drawn for this election cycle.   

 

The nominating committee will issue its report no later than May 9th.

 

The nominating Committee is composed of seven members, plus the WPDCC chair as a non-voting member.  

If you are an interested candidate, feel free to speak to any member with questions.

 

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Cyber Fraud Grows in Metro Area. FBI Opens New Office. Reveals Trends April 14

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Edited) April 3, 2011:


If you think building firewalls is enough to protect business data, financial information, and intellectual property from cyber fraud, you may be surprised to learn the FBI disagrees. The fact is, the threats are coming from – everywhere. The cyber-goons want access to your data, financial information, research, business plans, and more. It is prudent to find out how to protect yourself.


Power Plants at Risk.

 

According to a report on CNBC, security threats go beyond identity theft; mobile communications as well as the control systems of critical infrastructure are also threatened. Power generation plants are major targets. “The tools are there. Through the Internet, nation states can obtain information from just about anywhere in the world,” said a spokesman for a cyber security company.

 

To update you on the latest methods used by cyber thugs, and to help you mitigate your organization’s risk, the World Trade Council in cooperation with the Connections Advisory Committee, two key Westchester County Association committees, have organized Cyber Fraud on the Rise, a special program in the organization’s 2011 Learn & Lunch Series on Thursday, April 14, 11:30 am-2 pm. The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown. Reservations are strongly recommended. The program is open to both the public and WCA members. Cost: $40/member; $50/non member. RSVP: westchester.org   or  914-948-6444.

 The program’s keynote speaker is Christopher Stangl, FBI Supervisory Special Agent.   A panel discussion follows his presentation. Mr. Stangl will be joined by Donald Garvey, Chief Information Security Officer, Chubb & Sons; and Thomas F. Blaney, CPA, CFE, Partner, Private Foundation Practice, O’Connor Davis Munns & Dobbins LLP and Professor Darren Hayes, Computer Information Systems Program Chair, Pace University.  Ms. Martinson will moderate the panel. Cyber Fraud on the Rise is sponsored by Bank of America, Mercy College, and Pace University. The 2011 Lunch and Learn series is sponsored by Compufit, Inc. and Mahopac National Bank.


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It’s Rainin’ Joy at WBT:Singin’ tappin’ dancin’ dazzlin’ delovely RAIN

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Theatrical review by John F Bailey. April 2, 2011:


 


This is easy.


 


Singin in the Rain is a Rave.


 


Drop what you’re doing, Mr. and Mrs.Westchester and Mr. and Mrs. Manhattan, too.


 


Pick up that I-Phone, or have your girl dial Westchester Broadway Theatre or jump their website www.broadwaytheatre.com  for ducats to experience WBT’S “smashville and beyond” revival of Singin’ in the Rain, before every family, every community group, every young couple and all of those Manhattanites hear of this show.


 


It’s the most entertaining, lavish, technically brilliant,show this reviewer has ever experienced at the WBT. Yeah, yeah, I say that every new show, but Mr. and Mrs. Westchester, it’s true! They set a new standard every show. Bill Stutler and Bob Funking, the owners have a honey here.


 


Singin’ has everything you want.


 



 


It’s got a long-stemmed star you want to duet with, Shannon O’Bryan (above)as Kathy Seldon, with Co-heart throb, Jeremy Benton (here singing You Were Meant for Me, as star-struck innocent in Tinseltown to be in the movies. All Photos courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre by John Vecchiolla


 



 


It’s got a dashing leading man Jeremy Benton as Don Lockwood, dancing and singin’ in real rain, above.Benton is  the Douglas Fairbanksie star who falls for the lovely.


 



 


 


It’s got Allie Schauer,(white dress) a comedienne colorata as glamorous, voice-that-could-break-glass silent actress Lina Lamont whose transition to talkees (sound pictures) gives the ingénue Kathy Seldon her chance in a voice over laugh-riot. It’s even got movies in the show. 


 


It’s got a supporting cast of A-list professionals quipping their funny lines seamlessly with characterizations you believe.


 


It’s colorful, dazzling every scene.


 


Its songs melt hearts:


 


 


Mr. Benton’s You Stepped Out of Dream (which you never hear any more and no one does but should),  strums and loosens tight heart strings. Men will recognize exactly what he means when they hear him sing You Stepped Out of a Dream.  Mr. Benton sings the feelings dreams are dreamed of.


 


Ms.O’Bryan’s You Are My Lucky Star shimmers with warmth and sincerity awakening the thrill of romance in every woman of what a gorgeous hunk does for you. O’Bryan and Benton’s duet on You Were Meant for Me, sparks so much romance,  the delightful leads’ chemistry is connected throughout the show. They’re good together. Really good. You believe they have a thing goin’ on.


 


But that’s not all Singin’ in the Rain has got.


 


It’s got more dancing feet, dancing more dances than you’d see on 42nd Street.


 


Each dance different with a plot purpose (and some that don’t seem to be in there because they like to dance them). Man, this cast loves doing this show. You feel it. Everybody appears to be having great fun in this baby. 


 


Singin revives the musical version of the hit movie starring Gene Kelly in Mr. Benton’s role and Debbie Reynolds in the Shannon  O’Bryan role. The musical opened on Broadway in 1985. It captures the atmosphere of 1920s Hollywood so dead-on you would think it was written in that era. But it was not.


 


If you’re a movie fan, you’ll be thrilled with the pictures of Hollywood this production paints. This is the time when stars were idolized and premiers of motion pictures were described with live coverage on the radio. When producers lived in mansions overlooking the Pacific and ruled with absolute power. When stars were Gods.


 



 


From  the opening scene at Grauman’s Chinese Theater with celebrities Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin, and others arriving, it just grabs you by the glamour.  Here, Cody Singer as Cosmo Brown; Mike Singer as the wonderfully comic director,Roscoe Dexter, Karen Webb as Dora Bailey, gossip columnist at the microphone arrive for the premier with William McCauley, the producer of Monument Pictures with his star, Lina Lamont, (Allie Schauer) Ms. Webb is a ringer for Hedda Hopper, the gossipist of the past.


 


Mr. Benton, playing Lockwood, the matinee idol of formula silent swashbuckler films (a la Douglas Fairbanks) is chased by adoring fans from the premier. You’re drawn hopelessly into the show lost in the glamour, the tinsel, the hopes, the search for the happy ending.


 


As Lockwood is chased into a park, he spies Ms. O’Bryan as Kathy Seldon sitting on  a bench. In a brief embrace with her, he escapes his comely pursuers. But Ms. Seldon, indignant, rebuffs his feigned embrace. She professes she is going to New York to go on the stage which is real acting. Benton’s Lockwood is both indignant and smitten. A female who is  indifferent to him and proud at the same time. They part, but dear audience, and men, we know Mr. Lockwood is hooked.


 



 


Ms O’Brady pops out of cake


 


Next stop the palatial mansion of producer of Monument Studios, R.F. Simpson, blusterously played in high mogul by William McCauley who gives the R.F.character a William Randolph Hearst/Cecil B. DeMille sendup all in one. Master of timing, McCauley delivers his laughs.  Benton as Lockwood is stunned when Ms. Seldon pops out of a birthday cake, prompting the first splendid song of da show, You Stepped Out of  A Dream.


 


Between the developing romance of star and ingénue, we are entertained by Cosmo Brown, “Donald O’Connor-ed” wonderfully  by Cody Williams in the seldom-heard Make ‘Em Laugh flashing back to when Lockwood and Brown were a team in the dance number Fit as a Fiddle.


 



Cody Williams (as Cosmo Brown), Tim Dolan, Andy Geary with Alexa Glover


 


Making her first appearance as a featured dancer is Alexa Glover as a willowy burlesque artist, who also returns to please the audience with her steal-the-stage presence in the number, Act II’s Broadway Melody   as The Girl in Green. A vision to watch, she is poetry in beauty who dazzles the eye with her fluent precision and passionate sophistication.


 


Enter the Talkees…not good if your voice is like cracked glass.


 


When Lina Lamont – HollywoodLand’s romantic lead with Mr. Benton’s Lockwood makes her first talkee, her excruciating voice is deemed in preview to be a disaster. At Lockwood’s mansion, the two sweethearts, Lockwood and Seldon with Cosmo hit upon the idea of Ms. O’Bryan’s dubbing onto Ms. Lamont’s voice to save The Dueling Cavalier movie


 


The Gene Kelly Moment


 


Mr. Benton takes Ms. O’Bryan home, and struck by his love for her he delivers a lively, perfect song and dance in rain that is real, singing and dancing Singin in the Rain.


 


Who needs Gene Kelly when you have Mr. Benton? His nuances are subtle, ease of step and lilt of voice and carefree manner and sureness of foot, and lighthearted performance makes every man’s heart remember how it feels when you love a woman and can think of nothing or no one else. It’s why that scene of Mr. Kelly’s so famous.


 


Warning to the front row: Mr. Bention has fun splashing through the rain drops. There are no off-color words in this show, so it is all right to take the kids.


 


How does stage set designer, WBT’s wizard of special effects, Steve Loftus create real rain indoors? You’ll just have to come and see the show.


 


Schauer Steals the Show.


 


Ms. Schauer is all laughs and diva in her role as the plotting actress Lina Lamont. A friend familiar with the movie paid Ms. Schauer a compliment, saying Schauer was dead-on on her portrayal of Lamont’s voice and mannerisms as acted by Jean Hagan in the original Singin in the Rain movie. That’s preparation!


 


Schauer negotiated the villainess/plotting star role, stealing the show in Act II with her bring-down-the-house delivery of What’s Wrong with Me?


 


Other highlights, (and this is a highlight reel musical, folks) are  Moses Supposes, a dance routine with Mr. Benton and Cody Williams mocking Ms. Lamont’s diction coach – filled with fast, fast, fast delivery of impossible puns– a tour de force by Williams and Benton. Not to be given any less notice is the dubbing scene in Act II and the ingenious finale where Lamont’s plot to take over Monumental Pictures seems about to be achieved.


 



 


A First Act Highlight in over-the-top production: Beautiful Girls with Con O’Shea Creal doing the honors. Busby Berkeleying, Ziegfieldesque, classic musical number lovingly, smashingly danced.


 


Will Kathy Seldon and Don Lockwood have their happy ending? Will Lamont be foiled against all odds? How would HollywoodLand handle it?


 


The production makes extensive use of film on the WBT’s video screens to show hilarious clips of Ms. Schauer as the prima donna, Lina Lamont, playing actual black and white silent movie scenes shot for the show, with Mr. Benton as Don Lockwood and Schauer in their 18th century costumes. The movie screen interludes are new to this version of WBT’s Singin in the Rain and is an ongoing comic highlight.


 


When Lina Lamont is shown on film talking and singing with Ms. O’Brady doing her voice, it is a live stage triumph for WBT. A Special effect flawlessly staged live!


 


The orchestra under Jeff Daniels lays a bed that perfectly showcases the singers and pounds out the taps and trots and melodies seamlessly. The dancers—what can I say? Kudos to a great team effort.


 


Don’t take my word for it — the bravos and whoops and sustained applause after this 2-1/2 hour show said more than I can ever write about it.


 



 


Benton and O’Brady  front and center.


 


WBT has never put on a more engaging opening to closing entertainment than this show, and I have seen these for eleven years now. I have to say that WBT in this era of cutbacks is sparing no expense to deliver perhaps the best entertainment value in the metropolitan area reviving this classic. And you get dinner and parking free!


 


They’ll be Singin’ in the Rain through June. And in case you want to punch it up on your I-Phone the box office is 914-592-2222. The web is www.broadwaytheatre.com

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Tom Roach will serve as Mayor for next 2 years,9 months; Wins Special Election w

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2011. By John F. Bailey. March 31,2011:


Tom Roach, Common Council President, and Acting Mayor will be acting no longer.



As soon as the Board of Elections certifies the election results tonight, Thomas M. Roach, Jr., will be sworn in as Mayor to complete the term of resigned Adam Bradley. Roach will serve through 2013.Roach is shown tonight at Hudson Grille where he saw the returns roll in.


In the special election for Mayor held today according to the White Plains charter, he Democrat, Working Families and Independence Party  candidate Roach is reported by the Westchester Board of Elections to have received 4,482 votes to Republican/Conservative Bob Hyland’s 3,068, and People Over Politics candidate, Glen Hockley, 1,150.A total of 8,700 votes were cast, about 40% of registered voters in the city.


The Hudson Grille headquarters where the Roach entourage was awaiting results was bedlam with whoops and shouts punctuating the jubilation when first results were received by WPCNR correspondent, Phil McGovern.


Roach, speaking with WPCNR tonight, said he planned no immediate changes in the city administration or personnel.He said he expected to govern with a more “collegial” atmosphere in the Common Council, saying that “these people are my friends.” Commenting on the results, he said that had Mr. Hockley not been in the race with Mr. Hyland, he and Hyland probably would have split the vote. 


Roach said Mr. Hyland called and congratulated him early and told Roach he had some ideas. Roach said he welcomed them and would be glad to listen. 

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Castelli Analyzes Budget Compromise in Albany. No details on How $10 B Gap Close

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From 89th District Assemblyman Bob Castelli. March 30, 2011:


Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) today released the following statement regarding his vote for this the 2011-12 New York State budget:


 “This year’s budget was one of compromise and contained the spending restraint necessary to put our state on a firm financial footing in order to meet today’s economic challenges and help produce a lasting recovery.”


“In keeping with my core mission of putting taxpayers first, in addition to enacting major spending controls, the Legislature was able to restore critical funding to our State’s Veterans’ homes, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Westchester’s schools, providing much-needed education aid.”


“While this year’s budget was one of compromise, it is also a budget passed in good faith: faith that the governor will live up to his promises and work with the Legislature in the coming months to pass necessary reforms such as a property-tax cap, unfunded-mandate relief, Medicaid reform, independent redistricting, pension and medical-malpractice reform.”


 “Without these reforms, this budget, with all its fiscal restraint, will not be enough to pull us out of a decade-long decline and restore New York’s place as the Empire State.”


 


 

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