Teachers Union, School District Settle Contract — Vote Coming Friday/Monday

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. June 16,2009: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors told WPCNR Tuesday morning that the School District and the White Plains Teachers Association, “we have reached a tentative agreement” settling their wage-benefits contract dispute.


In the final fact-finding session held yesterday between the teachers and the district resulted in the settlement which the Superintendent said would be presented to the teachers. Connors said he expects a vote among union members to be held Friday or Monday.



Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors


Connors said the settlement was along the lines of what has been at issue all along salary related to benefits. Benefits costs to the teachers have gone up 17% and the teachers union had sought salary increases to make up some of that difference. Whatever salary increase was negotiated will be in addition to the automatic 2% longevity increases that teachers receive automatically for each year of service (up to 20 years), unless that longevity increase amount was part of the negotiation. The contract, terms of which are not yet disclosed, would be retroactive for this year 2008-2009 and be in effect beginning July 1 for 2009-2010. A new contract would have to be negotiated for 2010-11..


The tentative settlement relieves incoming Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Clouet, of immediately taking up the contract negotiations as his first order of business and buys him about six months of settle-in time and relationship-building before he has to go back to the bargaining table with the teachers


Two weeks ago, the district had settled with the Civil Service Employees Association (with 500 employees working for the school district) for 2%

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Friends of Joseph Delfino Issues Refunds to Organizations Which Over-Contributed

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2009. By John F. Bailey. June 15, 2009, UPDATED June 17, 2009 6:30 A.M.: The Friends of Joseph Delfino political organization has issued $7,763.50 in refunds to 25 political contributors who had exceeded the state limit on the amount they could contribute ($1,483), according to New York State Board of Elections reports through January 2009.


Paul Wood, the Mayor’s Executive Officer confirmed this to WPCNR this afternoon. Wood said the remaining dollars in the Mayor’s campaign coffers could be given to another political organization, or the Mayor could use them to run for another office. To date, the Mayor has not made a decision.


Wood also said  Tuesday that the overpayments were discovered by the Mayor’s campaign fund treasurer and that there were similar overpayments in previous years.


Friends of Mayor Joseph Delfino issued the following refunds:


 


Contributor                                     Amt of Donation Refund


Byram Concrete and Supply, Inc…..$550 (July 17, 2007)


Benerofe Properties Corp…………….$116 (August 29, 2008)


Belway Electrical Corp………………..$906  (August 29, 2008)


Bennett Kielson Storch Desantis Corp….$111 (August 29, 2008)


I.U.O.E. Local 137 Political Edu. Fund…$106 (August 29,2008)


Saccardi & Schiff, Inc………………………..$156 (August 29,2008)


Delbello,Donnellan, Weingarten,L.L.P…..$106 (August 29, 2008)


169 White Plains Restaurant Inc…………..$106 (August 29, 2008)


RPW Group, Inc………………………………$91 (August 29, 2008)


McCullough Goldberger & Staudt, L.L.P…..$156 (August 29,2008)


Painters and Drywall Industry Adv Fund…….$716 (August 29, 2008)


C.W. Brown, Inc…………………………………..$131 (August 29, 2008)


Healy Electric Contracting……………………….$156 (August 29, 2008)


Markey Realty, Inc………………………………..$156 (August 29, 2008)


P.F.F.A. Local 271, I.A.F.F……………………$156 (August 29,2008)


Group 5 Ltd…………………………………………$156 (August 29, 2008)


GTL Construction LLC………………………….$86   (August 29,2008)


The College of Westchester…………………….$516 (October 29, 2008)


Other Expenditures


The College of Westchester……………………$1,000 (January 14, 2009)


WP Beautification Foundation…………………$250 (January 14, 2009)  Conservation


NCAAD/Westchester, Inc……………………..$150  (January 15, 2009) Conservation


Friends of Amy Paulin…………………………….$99  (January 14, 2009) Contribution


Antonio Meucci Lodge 213…………………….$200 (January 15, 2009)  Conservation


Tigers Fan Committee……………………………$200 (January 14, 2009) Conservation


Holtzman Vogel PLLC…………………………..$1,387.50 (January 14,2009) Consultation


 


As June 14,2009, The Friends of Joseph Delfino organization reported a closing balance of $105,457.44.

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WPPAC Looks to Next Year

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. June 15, 2009: Plans for the 2009-10 season of the White Plains Performing Arts are not clear yet according to the Chairman of the WPPAC Foundation, John Ioris in a statement issued to WPCNR this afternoon.


According to Mr. Ioris, “We are currently in the process of formulation of the WPPAC operating budget for 2009-10 for presentation to the Board. There have been no firm decisions made at this time regarding anything to do with the theatre. Decisions aregard the (theatre) staff, are directly related to our operating budget.”


Asked if the WPPAC would break even for this year, Ioris said, with two weeks to go, it was still too early to call: “We are still in tghe 2008-2009 operating year which will conclude on June 30. At this time, it appears as though we will be at a break even or show a surplus.”


 

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Homeland Security Launches Website to Communicate to Country

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WPCNR SECURITY STANDARD. From Department of Homeland Security. June 15,2009: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today launched The Blog @ Homeland Security, a new addition to the Department’s web presence designed to increase transparency and facilitate the dialogue between DHS and the American public.

 “The Blog reflects our ongoing commitment to communicate directly with the American people about the Department’s efforts across the country and around the world,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.


 The Blog will include frequent updates on the Department’s activities, including breaking news, public events and new initiatives.


 The inaugural post, found at http://www.dhs.gov/theblog, features a video message from Secretary Napolitano outlining the Department’s five overarching responsibilities and an invitation for visitors to comment on and provide suggestions for The Blog.

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White Plains Sales Tax for New Year In Place: Bradley. Hotel Tax Waits Gov Sig

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. Special to WPCNR. June 15, 2009: Assemblyman Adam Bradley confirmed to WPCNR this morning that the City of White Plains sales tax extension of  for another two years has already been passed by both houses of the state legislature and signed by Governor David Paterson. Therefore, White Plains revenues for 2009-10 will not be affected by the current senate leadership dispute playing out in Albany today.


Bradley said that the rate of the tax and the sunset provision have been consolidated at his suggestion, so no longer does the city have to work the extension of the sales tax and any alteration of the sales tax rate separately through the legislature.


The hotel sales tax, a home rule request by White Plains, Bradley said has also been passed by both houses and awaits the Governor’s signature. The 2-1/2% hotel tax is expected to begin in July and bring about $300,000 in revenues to the city in 2009-10.

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10 Days to a Settlement: Teachers, School Board Meet today in Fact-Finding

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WPCNR SCHOOL  DAYS. June15, 2009: The School Board and the White Plains Teachers Association stymied over teacher pay increases retroactive to the current 2008-09 year and 2009-10 will convene for a New York State Public Employees Relations Board fact-finding session today. The Board will meet Tuesday in Executive Session to consider presumably the progress or lack of progress in the talks at today’s meeting.


 


Teachers Association President Kerry Broderick told WPCNR a week ago that unless an agreement on teacher pay is reached in about five days, meaning by this weekshe saw little hope of a settlement before next September since teachers disperse as of June 25..


 


Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors at the same time expressed optimism to WPCNR that a settlement would be reached before his successor, Dr. Christopher Clouet begins his term as Superintendent in July.


 


The CSEA reached a settlement with the schools two weeks ago agreeing to a 2% pay raise and a $15 raise in their co-pay on their medical plan.


 


The Teachers Association is in sharp disagreement with the district over teacher compensation for sharply increased medical benefits fees that have risen 17% over the term of the last contract that ended June 30,2008.

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Should Council Approve Winbrook Rezone Without Seeing Detailed Plans?

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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. June 15, 2009: Coming up in July the Common Council gives all signs of approving a major rezoning of parking requirements of the Winbrook public housing project, which allow construction of 7 buildings for mixed use by a private/public partnership with the Federal Government, as of right. The council has not seen detailed plans of the project, simply an overhead view of where the new buildings would be constructed.



The Winbrook Revitalization: The project is proposed to begin with the first new replacement building built along Quarropas Street.



First Building to be built is envisioned to include curbside retail on Quarropas Street across from the U.S. Courthouse.



The “Plan”: First New Building is shown at upper left of  picture.


The project is being touted by the White Plains Housing Authority as a means to revitalize the Winbrook apartment buildings by replacing them without removing the residents, simply constructing the buildings one, or two at a time — not especially clear how over a period of 8 to 10 years. A Request for Qualifications for a major developer has been sent out and to date has been said to have received 30 replies. The developer chosen would have to have experience with working the Housing and Urban Development agency on major projects.



The rest of the Winbrook beginning construction site.The westside of Lexington Avenue, where more retail and possible affordable housing (it is not clear) might be built across from the new revitalized complex.


To date the effects of approving the zoning which is claimed to be needed to be approved by the council before a developer is selected, before the project is “detailed” as to height, specific components, goes ahead on the premise that the city wants to use government stimulus money for the project, among other reasons are not clear.


It is not known, according to Councilwoman Milagros Lecouna, whether the council can say “no” to any proposals down the road, or whether the city has the right to turn down a federal government – designated developer suggested project after the Council approves the zoning.



East side of Lexington Avenue — also due for mystery facelift.



The West Side of Lex — What’s going to go there if Council approves zoning change including it in the Winbrook Revitalization Project? Nobody Knows.


Should the Council approve the zoning change without knowing the details which, according to the Request for Qualifications includes multi-use for the new Winbrook buildings, including assisted living facilities, middle income housing, retail establishments. It is also not clear in the RFQ what is envisioned for the rebuilding of the western side of Lexington Avenue.


Tell the Council what you think in the poll at the right.

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Perfect Summer Musical Comedy Opens at WBT June 18.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From the Lovely and Talented Pia Haas, Westchester Broadway Theatre. June 14,2009:    I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the laugh-inducing, award-winning musical comedy about love in the suburbs, is often described as “Seinfeld set to music”.  It’s a hilarious look at love and relationships that is as touching and insightful as it is humorous. Four actors play over forty roles scaling the dizzying spectrum of male/female relationships. The trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss, and heartbreak – and everything in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about, but were afraid to admit – are cleverly explored. The show opens this Thursday, June 18.


 



 


4 for the Seesaw: (Left to right). Energetic young cast gears up for opening night: Courtney Balan, Frank Vlastnik, Jonathan Rayson and Noel Molinelli bring back I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change — the 1996 Off-Broadway smash — the longest-runnin Off-Broadway Musical in history. Photos by Pia Hass


 


 


It is hailed as the most “proposal-friendly” musical. There have been 61 wedding proposals at the show and, happily, the responses to all were a resounding YES! As the longest running Off-Broadway musical, it premiered at New York City’s Westside Theatre on August 1, 1996 and closed on July 27, 2008, after 5,003 performances.  It has garnered over $60 million worldwide in ticket sales and survived translation into thirteen languages. The musical was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical in 1997.


Directed by Westchester Broadway Theatre favorite, Charles Repole, the multi-talented ensemble includes Frank Vlastnik, Jonathan Rayson, Courtney Balan, who have all appeared in the Off-Broadway production, and the ubiquitous Noel Molinelli. Local Westchester girl and actress extraordinaire, Christine DiTota, will be taking on the challenging job of understudying both female roles.Travis Taber, whom we last saw in The White Plains PAC’s  lovely production of OLIVER, will understudy the male roles.


The production is directed by WBT favorite, Charles Repole, with John Daniels as Musical Director.  The winning production team includes Steve Loftus (Set Designer), Andrew Gmoser (Lighting Designer), Jon Hatton (Sound Designer), Donald Birely (Costume Designer), Steve Carl (Projections Designer),Victor Lukas (Production Stage Manager), and Ruth Zang & Ron Rogell (Assistant Stage Mgrs.)


 



Lose your Summertime Blues at WBT, with two fun couples: Courtney Balan, Noel Molinelli, and beaux Frank Vlastick and Jonathan Rayson — up close and personal and funny!


 


Courtney Balan. On Broadway, she created the role of “Hatchet-Face” in Cry-Baby: the Musical, and understudied and performed the lead role of Jenny in In My Life. She was the stand-by for the ladies of [title of show],


Off-Broadway:  [title of show] (Susan & Heidi stand-by);  I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (woman 1); How To Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes (Violet & Julie stand-by) and I Love You Because (NYC Woman) recording on PS Classics.  Regional:  Funny Girl (Fanny u/s), Fiddler On the Roof (Tzeitel) and The Pajama Game (Poopsie) at MT of Wichita; Jekyll & Hyde (Emma) at MGR, and the centennial celebration production of Oklahoma (Ado Annie)at the Lyric Theatre of OK. Courtney has also had the opportunity to create roles in numerous readings and workshops of new musicals by incredible up-and-coming writers.


 


Noel Molinelli Has appeared Off-Broadway as Darlene in Click Clack Moo and as Female #3 in If You Give A Pig A Pancake at Theatreworks USA, as Robyn in The Four at The Prospect Theatre Company, Connie in Good News at the 45th Street Theatre and as Lucy in The Riverside Opera’s production of Parallel Lives. Regionally: Beehive (Connie Francis/ LuLu) at Maltz-Jupiter Theatre, The Wedding Singer (Julia) at Gateway Playhouse, Urban Cowboy (Sissy) West Virginia Public Theatre,  All Shook Up (Natalie) Merry Go Round Playhouse and  Footloose (Ariel Moore) at The Prathers Theatres.



 


Jonathan Rayson, was on Broadway as Frog in the three-time Tony Award nominated A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, as Seymour Krelbourn in Little Shop Of Horrors. The Off-Broadway Productions of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Adrift in Macao, and That Time Of Year, Prospect Theater Company’s The Flood, NYMF 2006’s The Children.  Regionally,  Hello Dolly (Cornelius Hackl),  A Little Night Music ( Henrik),  Side Show (Buddy),  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Hero) ,  She Loves Me (Georg), And many others. His first solo CD, entitled “Shiny and New,” comprised of songs by some of the 1970s’ greatest pop songwriters, like James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, and John Denver was released in 2006.


 


Frank Vlastnik appeared in the Original Broadway Productions of: A Year with Frog and Toad , Sweet Smell of Success and Big As well as the Off-Broadway productions of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change“, Man With A Load Of Mischief, and Stephen Sondheim’s Saturday Night.  Regionally, at the Westport Country Playhouse in the Kander & Ebb musical All About Us, The McCarter Theatre, Capital Repertory, Yale Repertory, St. Louis Muny, Kansas City Starlight, and The Chautauqua Opera. TV: “Law & Order,” “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.,” “Another World.” Film: “The Image” (HBO), and “A Year with Frog and Toad.”  As an author, His first book, “Broadway Musicals“, is now in its fifth printing and his second book, “Sitcoms” is published by Black Dog & Leventhal.

 

Charles Repole (Director) directed the highly acclaimed concert versions of  Dubarry Was a Lady starring Faith Prince and Robert Morse and Call Me Madam starring Tyne Daly for the prestigious City Center Encores! series. Other Broadway directing credits include the revival of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (which originated at the Goodspeed Opera House), The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall starring Regis Philbin, Marvin Hamlisch, Judy Collins, Anne Reinking and the New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, the Easter Bonnet Competition at the Palace Theatre (raising more than $1 million for AIDS research) and A Salute to Frank Sinatra at Carnegie Hall.  For 7 years, Mr. Repole conceived and directed the annual fund raising gala for the 92nd Street “Y” including:  Dance! featuring the works of the Alvin Ailey dance company, the Martha Graham dance company, the Cleveland Ballet, David Parsons and Stomp!; Lyrics and Lyricists 25th Year Celebration  hosted by Angela Lansbury and starring Rosie O’Donnell, Joel Grey, Bebbe Neuwirth, Jerry Herman, Cy Coleman, Stephen Schwartz and Sheldon Harnick; Folk Songs USA starring Burl Ives, Pete Seeger, Art Garfunkle and Odetta, and Standing Ovations hosted by Tony Randall and starring Carol Channing, Elaine Strich, Nell Carter, Leslie Uggams and Donna McKecknie.  He has also conceived and directed the MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs). For the premiere season of the Kennedy Center’s concert series, Words and Music.


 


 



 

RESERVATIONS:  Call (914)-592-2222. Also at:  www.BroadwayTheatre.com .


 

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Flag Day Ceremony at 11 Monday

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. June 14,2009: The City of White Plains will hold its annual Flag Day Ceremony on Monday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at Renaissance Plaza, on the corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street.

Students from George Washington, Solomon Schechter, Good Council and Archbishop Stepinac schools will contribute to the program with poetry and song.  Representatives of veterans’ groups will speak on the meaning of the flag, including Berkeley College student Kevin W. Fischer, Vice Commandant of the Westchester Marine Corps League, who recently returned from Afghanistan.



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Juneteenth Jubilant Despite Somber Skies.

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY.  By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. June13,2009 UPDATED WITH MORE PIX, June 14, 2009: Juneteenth 2009 — the celebration of the freeing of the slaves in 1863, was celebrated by all walks and creeds of life today at the annual Juneteenth parade in White Plains. Despite a continuing steady drizzle during the hourlong parade which stretched from City Hall on Main Street to the beginning of Mamaroneck Avenue, an orderly and warm crowd cheered and waived to a large contingent of marching adults and youth, and a full compliment of politicians. Many enjoyed al fresco dining while waiting for the long contingent of celebrants to pass by. Here are some sights and sounds. The majority of groups marching represented White Plains organizations.


 



Dr. Olivia J.Hooker, a true heroine appeared in the White Plains Juneteenth Parade. Dr. Hooker is a survivor of the infamous Tulsa Riot of May 31,1921, in the racially segregated Greenwood Neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. That night, in 16 hours of rioting, 35 city blocks were burned, 39 persons “reported” killed, 10 white and 29 Black. The Red Cross reported 300 Blacks were killed by local militia and others. The Tulsa Riot was the worst race riot in US history. To read eyewitness accounts of the riot, WPCNR suggests going to http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/147.html


 



Dr. Hooker, right, with Dr. John Hope Franklin in a 1999 photograph. Dr. Hooker and Dr. Franklin were children at the time of the Tulsa riot. Their stories my been seen in a video just released, which is available at http://www.beforetheydiemove.com



 



 





 



Here comes the Parade at Mamaroneck and Post Road.


 



Even the Renaissance Square Fountain was dancing.



The Black Scholars Recognized by WPHS



Calvary Baptist Church



Centro Hispano



The Board of Education.



Mayor of White Plains, Joseph Delfino (in Panama Hat), leading the Common Council



Common Council with with County and State Brass.



National Expression — steel drum band warmed up the crowd as the parade, made up predominantly White Plains organizations, made its way up the southend of Mamaroneck Avenue.


 

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