THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

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WPCNR FREEWAY FLYER By John F. Bailey. August 25, 2009: The ongoing construction at the Exit 6,7,8 area paralleling and above the Cross Westchester Expressway is taking shape. Gregory Kisloff, Community Liaison for the I-287 Stage III Reconstruction Project put together a graphic explanation of how the project, the Department of Transportation hopes will eliminate the criss-cross traffic patern at the Exit 7 area that has plagued the area for decades. The new Exit 7, taking shape between the North Street bridge and the Westchester Avenue cross-over, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009. Here’s how it works.

 

 

 

New I-287 Exit 7 Ramp “I” is being positioned  under construction  under Westchester Avenue Westbound Overpass  leading into White Plains, and beginning about halfway between the North Street cross over ramp (railing in photo) and the Westchester Avenue Overpass (background) ( The scene of the new ram is shown at a distance above, and closeup below)

 

 

 

 

 

New Exit 7  Ramp I ( in yellow) show as it passes under the Westchester Avenue (westbound into White Plains), allowing westbound I-287 traffic to exit into White Plains to Central Westchster Parkway and local streets without crossing speeding up I-287 westbound entering motorists.

 

Kisloff  explains: “this relocated interchange takes existing Westbound I-287 traffic off the mainline roadway (of I-287) onto Westchester Avenue, en route to Central Westchester Parkway, while merging with two lanes of westbound traffic emanating from Bloomingdale Road and the Westchester Mall Ramp U and with the On-Ramp H adjacent to Underhill Avenue. “

 

The Merge: (Close up of above diagram): Ramp I , the new Exit 7 ramp from I-287 westbound (in yellow) merges with Ramp U, lower left, forming 3-lane frontage road.Ramp H (above the new Exit 7) carries traffic from Underhill Avenue bound for I-287 or local streets.

 

Kisloff notes the advantage of the new configuration:  “This merge results in a three-lane frontage road,  Ramp I, carrying three lanes of traffic westbound, allowing traffic to enter the Central Westchester Parkway, enter the I-287 westbound, or exit onto local roads near the existing (present) Exit 7 ramp, east of the Grant Avenue Bridge and west of Ramp G.”

 

“This new frontage road will serve to eliminate much of the weaving and merging problems currently experienced by motorists between the entrance ramp past Westchester Avenue and the existing Exit 7 ramp.”

 

WPCNR observes that the new three-lane frontage road allows cars entering 287 to get up to speed to enter I-287 westbound, but still means that  2 lanes of those cars have to merge into the main I-287 westbound. Whether, the diversion of Central Westchester Parkway and local streets bound traffic from I-287 via the new Exit 7 Ramp I will ease the four-lane into one merge that now exists at that  entry-exit point, is a question that will be answered in the spring.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. AUGUST 24, 2009:  “Is It Memory Loss or Alzheimer’s?” will be the subject of a seminar for family caregivers on Sept. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave.

            The program will include a panel presentation featuring local geriatrician Dr. Roger Madris and other experts in the Alzheimer’s and caregiver fields.

            Co-sponsors of the program are the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS),; the Alzheimer’s Association, Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter; the White Plains Public Library and the Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley.

            The event is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the New York State Office for the Aging and DSPS.

            The program is free, but reservations are required and can be made by calling (914) 253-6860.

 

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From National Pro Fastpitch. August 24, 2009: The Rockford Thunder captured their first Cowles Cup at Firestone Stadium  in Akron, Ohio, on Sunday afternoon crowning them the 2009 NPF champions as they defeated the USSSA Pride 2-0 in the final game of the season.  Rockford climbed back from a 1-0 deficit and near elimination to win both of their series on the weekend and become champions.

 
Cat Osterman led the way with her second complete game shut out of the day only allowing the Pride to have one single and a walk on the day.  Between the two games on Sunday, Osterman struck out an amazing 26 batters and only gave up four hits.  For the tournament, Osterman struck out 50 batters in 31 innings in five starts, pitching 31 of her team’s 41 innings. Photo, Rockland Thunder

 
The only player to get on for the Pride in game three was Oli Keohohou who drew a walk and hit an infield single that bounced off of Osterman’s glove in the fifth inning.
 
The Thunder picked up enough offense for Osterman against tough pitching by Sarah Pauly and Monica Abbott.  Leadoff hitter Shanel Scott got Rockford going right away with a hit to left field jsut past a diving Kristin Schnake.  Scott would eventually score on a sacrfice bunt by Lyndsey Angus to give Rockford a 1-0 lead.  For good measure, Chelsea Spencer added another run when she blasted a towering shot that soared over the center field fence for a solo home run.
 
The home run would be the last pitch Pauly threw as the Pride turned to Abbott, who shut down Rockford’s offense the rest of the way.  Abbott gave up a signle to the first hitter she faced, but then retired 12 of the next 13 hitters to close out the game.  Even though Abbott kept the Pride close, Osterman wouldn’t allow the Pride offense an opportunity to get back in the game.
 
Following the game Osterman was announced as the MVP of the NPF Championship weekend after picking up all of her team’s victories.  The Thunder ace allowed only gave up an astonishing two runs, one earned, in her five starts of the tournament.
 

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey. UPDATED 3:30 P.M. E.D.T., August 20, 2009: According to the New York State Department of Health, New York state “assisted living facilities” like the Esplanade Senior Residence in White Plains are not required to have on premises an emergency source of power in case of a power outage.

 

The question of a backup power source came up after the 130 tenants of The Esplanade were without power for about five hours Thursday evening as result of a burned out feeder cable beneath Mamaroneck Avenue.

According to Jeffrey Hammond, spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health, “Assisted living facilities are required to have in place and to follow an established protocol to insure the comfort and safety of the residents.” Asked if this stopped short of requiring a source of emergency power, Hammond said  that was correct.

 

Last night, White Plains Department of Public Safety opted not to attempt to evacuate the 130 tenants of the Esplanade, because of the difficulty and health risks involved.

 

Currently there are two assisted living facilities planned for construction in White Plains, the Kensington assisted living facility on Maple Avenue and Longview Avenue and the North Street Community senior condominiums and assisted living facility.

 

Frank Pagani of Thompson & Bender, speaking for the North Street Community  reports this afternoon that the North Street Community assisted living facility planned for the former St. Agnes Hospital site will have total emergency backup: “Regarding your inquiry, the assisted living facility planned for North Street will have 100% back up for life safety operations (sprinklers, emergency lighting, automatic doors) and the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning system. And, in about 3-4 months, building 311 (doctors’ offices facility) will be 100% backed up in case of a power failure.”

 

Damon Amadio, White Plains Commissioner of Building, advised WPCNR Thursday afternoon that the Kensington whose plans have not been finalized was required to have emergency back up for its fire pump, elevators, and lighting, and said he’d be very surprised if the building was not planning on installing a full power backup facility. Amadio said the Kensington was required to by code because of its height and number of proposed residents.

 

Amadio reported that nursing homes in the city were required by national and state law to have full emergency power backup systems. He said that facilities without backup systems have been known to contract with outside generator-supply companies to rent generators to keep the facilities operating during an extended power outage period. He said according to the city code, buildings were not allowed to keep buildings occupied when the temperature in them dropped below 50 degrees, but there was no city ordinance saying a building could not be occupied when it reached a maximum temperature. Amadio was checking into whether or not the Senior Armory Residence had an emergency generator.

 

Mr. Hammond of the Public Affairs Office of the Department of Health said that persons  as a Hotline persons can call to report concerns they have about assisted living facilities which keeps identity anonymous. That HOTLINE is 1-866-893-6772.

 

The Department of Communications of Westchester County told WPCNR that the Esplanade and all other assisted living facilities in the county are strictly under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Health, which regulates how those facilities are constructed and managed.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2009 By John F. Bailey. August 18, 2009: City Councilman Glen Hockley submitted petitions to the Westchester County Board of Elections today, totaling by Mr. Hockley’s estimate, 1,800 to 2,000 signatures, to run for Mayor of the City of White Plains, Hockley told WPCNR this evening. He told WPCNR he had a plan to control the rise of property taxes in the city, saying details would be spelled out in his coming campaign.

 

 

 

Glen Hockley at Common Council work session, July.

 

Hockley said he gathered “a bunch of the signatures” himself, going house to house in 90 degree heat, under threatening skies, and with the help of  loyal supporters.  Hockley will the lone opposition in the November Mayoral race facing Adam Bradley, the nominee who has the Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Independence and Working Families Party lines.Hockley’s sigantures of course, are subject to verification and legality by the Board of Elections.

 

 

Hockley said when he serves as Mayor he will be serving with the people of the city of White Plains and would have their best interests in mind. He told WPCNR he would begin campaigning after Labor Day, and one of the cornerstones of his campaign will be a plan to bring property taxes under control.

 

He said he would be concentrating on pocketbook issues that would help the citizens of  White Plains get along financially. He said he would not be beholden to any particular party philosophy, and that his knowledge of the city finances gathered from his six and ½  years on the Common Council made him qualified to fix the city problems.

 

He thanked his supporters who helped him acquire the signatures placing him on the ballot.

 

Hockley had sought the Republican nomination for Mayor, but was denied consideration, though Mr. Hockley has loyally supported many of the Mayor Joseph Delfino’s initiatives: the City Center, the 221 Main hotel complex, the 1/2% increase in the sales tax, among the most significant. It is also not known whether Mayor Delfino will bankroll the Hockley run from the Mayor’s $106,000-plus Friends of Joseph Delfino political war chest that now has no war to fight.

 

Mr. Hockley according to the New York State Board of Elections, as of July 31, 2009, had $1,453.56 in his Citizens for Glen Hockley Campaign Fund, while Mr. Bradley had $239,643.67, (and Mr. Bradley continues to raise money).

 

Should the Board of Elections find Mr. Hockley’s petitions in order, the campaign will pit Mr. Hockley against Adam Bradley,

 

Glen Hockley, left, and Adam Bradley, right in March, 2002 when Mr. Bradley successfully fought for Mr. Hockley to be seated on the Common Council all the way to the state’s highest court.

 

 

Hockley being sworn in, March 15, 2002, after victory in New York’s highest court.

 

Mr. Bradley’s legal efforts on Mr. Hockley’s behalf resulted in Mr. Hockley’s ascending to the Common Council in 2002 after a legal battle up to the New York State Court of Appeals stemming from a jammed voting machine in White Plains District 18. The Court of Appeals ruled that the courts did not have the authority to call new elections to recontest District 18, allowing Mr. Hockley to assume his post on the Common Council in March 2002.

 

Hockley was subsequently removed from the Common Council by order of New York State Attorney General at the time, Eliot Spitzer, as a result of a quo warranto action initiated by lawyer Jeffrey Binder on behalf of  former Councilman Larry Delgado, who was seated on the Council in 2003. Hockley was re-elected to the Common Council in 2005. Binder oddly enough is now organizing a fundraiser for Mr. Bradley.