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Luxury Condo For Sale in White Plains
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THE GREENBURGH PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED
Westchester Legislators Deliver 0% Tax Increase and Protect Jobs in 2012 Budget White Plains, NY – The Democratic majority of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) presented its 2012 County Budget yesterday, delivering a promised 0% increase in the County Tax Levy and restoring 187 jobs to the County workforce that had been cut in the County Executive’s proposed budget. After a day and night of negotiations with members of the BOL’s Republican caucus and with County Executive Astorino, the BOL’s 2012 County Budget was passed in a special meeting early this morning by a vote of 16-1. It now goes to the County Executive for consideration. “After listening to several hundred residents in our three public budget hearings and then bringing their ideas and concerns into a careful analysis of the numbers, we have been able to create a budget for 2012 that is right for Westchester,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “This budget preserves essential investments in our infrastructure and prioritizes the maintenance of important programs that protect public safety, public health and the environment.” The BOL’s 2012 County Budget contains a $1.698 billion spending plan, which is a decrease of more than $91 million from the 2011 County Budget. Also, the BOL’s spending and revenue plans are balanced without using fund balance, which will help protect Westchester County’s AAA Bond rating. “The only way we could justify bringing back 187 County jobs to the 2012 budget was to offset expenditures and find the funding within the confines of the existing budgeted numbers,” said BOL Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah), who noted that additional revenue in the BOL budget includes additional revenue projected at nearly $8.5 million ($4.8 million from the Department of Social Services), over $1 million in reimbursements generated from health center funding and over $8 million in health care savings. “Bottom line is we have put $8.48 million of additions into our 2012 budget by creating $8.48 million in deletions,” said Harckham. The strong degree of fiscal responsibility in the BOL’s 2012 proposed budget is also “right for Westchester,” noted Jenkins. “We adopted a budget with a 0% increase in County Tax Levy, and there will be no use of fund balance,” said Jenkins. “It is our intention to protect County’s AAA Bond Rating, and the Board’s actions and financial decisions in 2011 are projected to return $15.8 million to fund balance, and I’m sure this will be viewed positively by the financial community as well.” The community-minded investments that the BOL deems to be “Right for Westchester” include capital project funding for bridge repairs and flood mitigation, plus maintaining the six County Nature Centers and restoring funding for the Greenburgh Nature Center, the County’s deer management program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. In addition, the BOL’s proposed 2012 County Budget reduces the parent share for low-income daycare from the County Executive’s proposed 35% to 20%. Funding is restored for ArtsWestchester, Youth in Education, and Community Capital Resources, a not-for-profit organization that provides small business loans to Westchester residents. A number of investments that Westchester County makes in public safety, public health and the environment actually save money for county taxpayers, which makes them “Right for Westchester” as well. “The $5 we spend in the Probation Department to monitor defendants each month saves Westchester County taxpayers over $300 it costs to incarcerate individuals in our corrections system,” Harckham pointed out. “Similar savings are found in eviction prevention programs that keep people in their homes instead of the County’s homeless shelters. Community health center funding is cheaper than giving primary care treatment in hospital emergency rooms. Child care support allows people to get off unemployment insurance and on to payrolls. And the many programs we fund for children and young adults have all been shown to decrease delinquency and improve academic success.” Added Jenkins, “These investments are such proven money savers for taxpayers, it’s hard to understand why they were even cut in the first place.” After reviewing the County Executive’s 2012 proposed Capital spending plan and identifying approximately 123 projects awaiting bonding authorization, it was decided to retain County engineers and Planning Department staffers slated for layoffs so the projects could be handled by experienced staff without contracting for outside professional help. “It’s always prudent to retain institutional knowledge when possible,” said Harckham, “and keeping current County engineers involved will move these projects forward in an expeditious manner.” Last year, when the Westchester County Board of Legislators doubled the County Executive’s proposed decrease in the County Tax Levy and cut $30 million in spending, their budget was tagged as an “historic” achievement. The 2012 County Budget of the Westchester County Board of Legislators is, simply, heroic. It provides 0% increase in the County Tax Levy while retaining 187 County positions, including 71 in Social Services, protects County Parks and Nature Centers, funds community health care centers, keeps probation officers on the job—all without use of the fund balance! It’s a budget that is “Right for Westchester.” ACCCOUNTING FIRM CITRIN COOPERMAN ROLLS UP ITS SLEEVES TO SUPPORT FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER CITY OF WHITE PLAINS ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION HUD GRANT TO JUMP START TRANSFORMATION OF THE WINBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD White Plains, New York. Mayor Tom Roach and White Plains Housing Authority Executive Director Mack Carter today announced that the Housing Authority has secured a $3.5 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant will come through HUD's Capital Fund Education and Training Community (CFCF) Facilities Program and will be used by the Housing Authority to jump start the transformation of the Winbrook neighborhood in the City. The City of White Plains has also committed to contributing $1.5 million toward the cost of the project. Specifically, the grant's capital funding will be used for the construction of a Community Education Facility that will offer comprehensive, integrated services to help residents of public housing as well as the surrounding community achieve better educational and economic outcomes resulting in long-term economic self-sufficiency. The Winbrook Community Education Facility will provide additional and improved space for the provision of adult education, job/skills training, youth-at-risk and entrepreneurship programs, as well as community-based services through a cadre of strong partners that include City of White Plains Youth Bureau, the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board, the White Plains School District, the Business Council of Westchester, and Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Education Services. The development plan for the Winbrook Community Education Facility entails new construction of a 13,500 square foot facility. The facility has been designed to accommodate social and educational programs ranging from adult education, job training, youth programs, as well as potential dance, music, and theater programs. There will be flexible meeting rooms that can also be used as classrooms. A computer lab as well as a culinary arts training space, greenhouse, gallery/exhibit space and administrative offices will be housed in the facility. Design development is expected to begin in 2012 and the building will be in operation by 2015. Mayor Roach said, "Receipt of this grant is the culmination of a long process in which many pulled together to ensure that the City and Housing Authority are able to take the first, crucial steps forward on a comprehensive re-design plan for Winbrook, which is long overdue. It is also an affirmation of the hard work of Executive Director Mack Carter and his staff. In addition, this process required the cooperation of a number of City departments and of my colleagues on the Common Council, who, together with the Housing Authority, have showed how successful we can be when we work together." Mack Carter, Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority, said, "This funding is going to help the downtown White Plains community support job training and educational programming for both low income families and the White Plains community at-large. We're going to build a community center and this will help support the building of that community center. The Board of Commissioners has worked hard to secure this grant and this will be simply amazing for us." This was a highly competitive grant. HUD received 58 applications from across the nation and of those 58, made awards to only five public housing authorities for grants totaling $14,535,985. The funds enable the development or rehabilitation of facilities that offer education and/or employment training services to help public housing residents to achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. As one of the five recipients of funding, HUD commended the City and Housing Authority for their "efforts to create community facilities that connect housing with quality education and training resources." 22 Students GraduateFrom White Plains Hospital’s NYSDOT Receives $2 Million in High-Speed Rail FundingFederal Grant to Progress Livingston Avenue Bridge Improvement Project ALBANY, NY (08/05/2011)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced receipt of a $2 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for preliminary engineering and environmental work for a project to rehabilitate or replace the Livingston Avenue Bridge. The structure carries freight and passenger trains along the Empire Corridor across the Hudson River between Albany and Rensselaer counties."The Livingston Avenue Bridge provides a critical link for high-speed passenger and freight rail service across New York State," Commissioner McDonald said. "High-speed rail is a critical component of Governor Andrew Cuomo's economic development agenda. Modernization of this vital but aging structure is an essential investment that will increase the speed and reliability of service and reduce travel and shipping times. I thank Congressman Tonko and all of the New York State Congressional Delegation for their work to secure this important rail funding for the Capital District. "Congressman Paul D. Tonko said, "This is another small step forward toward more reliable freight and passenger train service in New York. This bridge is old, outdated and in desperate need of replacement. These are the type of federal investments that repair aging infrastructure, improve our transportation system, and most importantly - create jobs. I applaud Governor Cuomo and Commissioner McDonald for their commitment to creating the infrastructure we need to remain economically competitive and create jobs. These federal funds are proof positive that stretching government resources can spur growth and upgrade our aging infrastructure."Moving forward with this preliminary work is an important step to ultimately replacing or rehabilitating the existing Livingston Avenue Bridge, which is near the end of its useful life. Closure of the bridge would put rail passenger service west and north of Albany at risk. The Albany-Rensselaer Station is typically rated as one of the 10 busiest Amtrak stations in the United States.The Empire Corridor is the primary passenger rail corridor in New York State, connecting the New York City metropolitan area to Albany and points west, including Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls. The Livingston Avenue Bridge, the only Hudson River crossing in the Empire Corridor, is a vital link for rail traffic traveling through the Capital Region. The existing bridge, which is a movable swing bridge, was built in 1866 and trains are limited to crossing one at a time at no more than 15 MPH.Completion of the required engineering and environmental work will allow the project to move forward to the final design phase and eventually construction of a rehabilitated or replacement bridge. NYSDOT expects to hold a public information meeting about the project sometime this fall.NYSDOT applied for funding in 2010 through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, a discretionary program that provided $245 million nationwide for corridor development and congestion relief projects. The Department will provide $2 million in matching funds for the engineering and environmental work. The Livingston Avenue Bridge is used primarily by Amtrak for passenger rail service, but is owned by CSX Transportation, a freight rail company. Senior Advisor to the Mayor Announced. Mayor Thomas M. Roach announced today that Karen Pasquale has joined his staff as Senior Advisor to the Mayor. In this capacity, Ms. Pasquale Ms. Pasquale previously worked at the New York Power Authority (NYPA) of Information Technology, Procurement and Real Estate. Prior to that, Mayor Roach previously announced the appointment of Kim DiTomasso Mayor Roach said, "My goal is to put together a small and nimble staff Together, Ms. Pasquale and Ms. DiTomasso look forward to working with all Both Ms. Pasquale and Ms. DiTomasso are filling current vacant positions 
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TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE ROCKLAND COUNTY HOULIHAN PARNES & METRO PROPERTY GROUP, LLC ANNOUCES LEASE SIGNING WITH PAPANICE RISTORANTE ITALIANO AT 126-128 EAST POST ROAD, WHITE PLAINS Houlihan Parnes, a major owner and manager of properties in Westchester County is pleased to announce that it represented the landlord in completing a 2,800 square foot lease to Papanice Ristorante Italiano Bar & Lounge. Papanice Ristorante will be the second restaurant for Owner and Chef Ralph Pisani. Mr. Pisani’s other establishment, Abatino’s in White Plains, has been a mainstay in North White Plains for over 25 years. 124-128 East Post Road is located one block from Mamaroneck Avenue and currently Craig Weitz of Houlihan Parnes Realtors & Metro Property Group represented the Church Street Elementary School Wins Top Prize White Plains Elementary School Wins Contest with 14,840 Votes; 52 Elementary Schools in Westchester Win $500 Prize Donations WHITE PLAINS, NY (November 9, 2011) – Church Street Elementary School in White Plains is the big winner in Main Street Connect’s “Better Schools Bonanza” capturing the top prize of $10,000. The elementary school won the online contest with 14,840 votes.
“Main Street Connect is proud to support schools in the communities we serve through this fun and exciting contest. Congratulations to Church Street Elementary School and the 53 schools that also received prize donations,” said Mr. Tucker. The runner-up elementary school, William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle, received a prize of $1000. Fifty-two other schools won prizes of $500 each for receiving 500 or more votes throughout the duration of the contest. A total of 136 elementary schools in Westchester County participated in the online contest. Readers of Main Street Connect’s popular community news sites had the chance to vote for their favorite elementary school, with the hopes of helping their school claim a grand prize of $10,000. A leaderboard on all of Main Street Connect’s 32 Westchester websites displayed the number of votes each school had garnered. The Better Schools Bonanza complements Main Street Connect’s efforts to return to the roots of local communities and revive the concept of the hometown newspaper in an online digital format. With local schools at the heart of each community, the contest rallied communities at the most local level possible. The 52 schools in Westchester County that received a prize of $500 are: Alice E. Grady, Greenburgh Benjamin Franklin, Yorktown/Cortlandt BMP-Ridge Street School, Port Chester Brookside Elementary, Yorktown Buchanan-Verplanck, Cortlandt Carl L. Dixon, Greenburgh Carrie E. Tompkins, Croton Columbus Elementary, Mount Pleasant Crompond, Yorktown Daniel Warren, Rye Daniel Warren, Rye/Mamaroneck Daniel Webster Magnet, New Rochelle Dows Lane, Tarrytown Frank G. Lindsey, Cortlandt Furnace Woods, Cortlandt George M. Davis, New Rochelle George Washington, White Plains George Washington, Yorktown/Cortlandt Greenvale Elementary, Eastchester Hawthorne Elementary, Mount Pleasant Henry Barnard, New Rochelle Holy Name of Jesus, New Rochelle Hudson Country Montessori School, New Rochelle Hutchinson Elementary, Pelham Jefferson Elementary, New Rochelle Lee F. Jackson, Greenburgh Lewisboro Elementary School, Lewisboro Lincoln-Titus, Yorktown/Cortlandt Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains Meadow Pond, Lewisboro Mohansic Elementary, Yorktown Mt. Kisco Elementary, Mt. Kisco Osborn, Rye Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary, White Plains Our Lady of Sorrows, White Plains Park Avenue, Port Chester Pequenakonck School, North Salem Post Road, White Plains Primrose Elementary, Somers Richard J. Bailey, Greenburgh Ridgeway Elementary ,White Plains/Mamaroneck St. Augustine, Ossining St. Columbanus School, Cortlandt St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton, Yorktown St. Patrick's, Yorktown St. Theresa School, Briarcliff Todd Elementary, Briarcliff Trinity Elementary School of Arts and Science, New Rochelle Van Cortlandtville, Cortlandt/Yorktown Waverly, Eastchester
Mayor Tom Roach joined the commissioner of the Youth Bureau, Frank Williams in accepting the award.
America’s Promise Alliance raises awareness and supports communities to ensure that young people have the fundamental resources needed to graduate high school and succeed in college, work and life.
Miss New York USA ® Pageant to be held in Westchester County New pageant producer K2 Productions plans major upgrades for event at Purchase College Performing Arts Center
White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Keith Lewis, Co-Director of K2 Productions of California, announced today that the 2012 Miss New York USA® Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA® Pageant will be held at the Performing Arts Center of Purchase College in Purchase, New York on January 13-15, 2012. This is the first time in more than three decades that these pageants have been in Westchester. Astorino and Lewis made the announcement today at 42 Restaurant in White Plains, New York, where renowned Chef Anthony Goncalves prepared a special meal to celebrate the occasion. Also in attendance was MISS USA® 2011 Alyssa Campanella. Donald Trump’s MISS UNIVERSE® Organization also has announced that this year’s MISS NEW YORK USA® Pageant is getting an extreme makeover. New director K2 Productions promises to represent a chic and contemporary event – in music, program and fashion – at the pageant. Said Astorino: “I am delighted that Westchester County was selected to host the 2012 Miss New York USA Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Westchester County to hundreds of visiting contestants and their families, as they stay in our premier hotels, dine at our top-rated restaurants and visit our many cultural and historic attractions during what is typically a slow period in the industry. Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli, who helped in the early stages of working to bring the Miss New York USA Pageant to Westchester, said: “As a strong supporter of the Miss Westchester Pageants, I am pleased to see the pageant grow here in Westchester, and am thrilled our county will host the Miss New York USA Pageant as well. I believe they will bring much needed revenue and attention to our county and give the young women of Westchester a chance to shine.” Lewis said that about 300 contestants are expected to compete in the Miss New York and Miss New York Teen USA Pageants; and this could pump nearly $3 million into the local economy. Lewis, who was born and raised in Schenectady and attended college at SUNY, said: “It’s great to be back on my home turf – especially to work on something as exciting and innovative as this pageant. We’re taking a new look at a traditional idea and revitalizing it. Our experience revamping the MISS CALIFORNIA USA Pageant helps us understand how to bring contemporary and professional changes to the New York pageant.” Co-Executive Director of MISS NEW YORK USA ® Shanna Moakler, the 19 th Miss USA and current model/actress/reality TV star, said, “The Miss New York USA pageant seeks to empower women to be recognized for their internal as well as external beauty – to give them their own distinctive approach and technique.” K2 Productions has had tremendous success with the California pageants. Lewis said Miss California has made the top 15 since K2 took over seven years ago. “We also had three runners-up in the pageants; and our team trained Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, who went on to capture the current Miss USA title,” added Lewis. “I am so pleased to be here for today’s big announcement,” said Campanella. “ Westchester County and K2 Productions comprise a winning combination for tremendous success with the 2012 Miss New York USA Pageant. As a contestant for the Miss California USA and Miss USA Pageants, I received invaluable professional training from the K2 team.” Out are the sashes and swimsuit uniforms; in are individualized styles that complement the figures of the women, for a more natural presentation, according to Moakler, whose goal is to inspire the contestants to recognize that their outer attractiveness is a manifestation of their inner confidence and sense of worth. Young women in New York ages 14 – 27 who want to be trained exclusively by a professional team, and have opportunities to win scholarships and prizes, are encouraged to participate in this year’s MISS NEW YORK USA ® and MISS NEW YORK TEEN USA ® pageant, the official preliminaries to the prestigious MISS USA ® and MISS TEEN USA ® pageants. This year there will be over $300,000 in prizes and scholarships. Some prizes go to all the competitors and many go to the top five. The winner gets to do appearances that sometimes pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per booking. The 2012 MISS USA ® Pageant will be televised live on NBC. For more information on qualifications and the application process, log onto www.missnewyorkusa.com or call 310-275-4339. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester Names
FATHER THOMAS COLLINS APPOINTED Stepinac Alumni Takes Reins of 63-Year-Old School CASTELLI AUTHORS, PASSES BILL HONORING FALLEN OFFICER Legislation designates state Route 119 as ‘Detective Michael Perry Memorial Highway. Castelli this week announced legislation commemorating State Route 119, which feeds into Detective Michael Perry Way, as the Detective Michael Perry Memorial Highway. Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) today proudly announced the unanmious passage of legislation designating state Route 119 in Westchester County as Detective Michael Perry Memorial Highway. The legislation was passed in honor of Officer Michael Perry, who suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after chasing and arresting a man at a local mall near state Route 119. “Designating state Route 119 helps us to honor the memory of Detective Michael Perry,” said Castelli. “Detective Perry died in the line of duty while serving the community he loved. For his actions, and service to our community, we are eternally grateful.” A resident of Yorktown, Officer Perry had served with the White Plains Police Department for seven years and previously with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police. He is survived by his wife, twin sons, parents, sister, and brother. On June 14, 2010, Officer Perry was posthumously promoted to the rank of Police Detective. Perry suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after chasing and arresting a man at a local mall near State Route 119. He had called for assistance and chased the larceny suspect a short distance before placing him into custody. The suspect, who was a career criminal with over 300 arrests, was charged with resisting arrest and larceny. The route, from the intersection of Route 119 and Route 100, continuing to the intersection of Route 119 and Main Street, leads directly into the newly designated Detective Michael Perry Way, which was designated by the City of White Plains on June 12th, the one year anniversary of Detective Perry’s death. The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by Senator Greg Ball and is currently awaiting action in the Senate Transportation Committee. Assemblyman Castelli is a 22-year veteran of the New York State Police and served as one of the first Crime Prevention Specialists in the stateWe've Seen Enough! Local Teens Stand Up To Deadly In-Store Cigarette Advertising on World No Tobacco Day WHITE PLAINS, NY (05/31/2011)(readMedia)-- This World No Tobacco Day, when it comes to in-store tobacco advertising, Hudson Valley youth want to send clear message to cigarette makers: we've seen enough! Recruiting "replacement smokers," also known as kids, is a building block for big tobacco's marketing strategy. Recent surveys have shown kids are consistently targeted by flashy cigarette advertising in local stores. Today, May 31 at 4pm, local teens will join together on the front steps of White Plains City Hall to protest this deadly influence. "Teens are tired of turning a blind eye to deadly in-store advertising," said Maureen Kenney, Director of POW'R Against Tobacco. "This is about standing up to these giant, cancer-causing, corporations and letting them know you won't allow them to push you into a lifelong tobacco addiction." In efforts planned for World No Tobacco Day, Hudson Valley youth will gather to send a message that dangerous tobacco marketing should be removed from stores where kids shop. Unless community leaders and storeowners enforce change, covering their eyes will be the only way for kids to avoid this deadly influence. In addition, a virtual demonstration will be held online as teens from across the state will post photos on a special Facebook page set up: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114092028676472 An online petition urging people to take a stand against in-store advertising has also been posted at TobaccoFreeNYS.org. "Research in the U.S. and abroad suggests that exposure to in-store tobacco promotions is a primary cause of youth smoking," said Ellen Reinhard, Director of TFAC of Ulster and SmokeFree Dutchess. "Very few adult smokers begin after high school, with 90 percent of adult smokers starting at or before age 18." "The bottom line is that tobacco advertising attracts kids to smoking," said Irwin Berlin, MD board chair of the American Lung Association in New York. "If we're going to prevent another generation of Americans from succumbing to deadly tobacco-caused illnesses, we've got to do everything we can when it comes to preventing kids from ever starting to smoke. Eliminating in-your-face tobacco advertising at store check-out counters would be a good place to start." In-store promotions are a major cause of youth smoking. A National Cancer Institute study concluded that exposure to cigarette advertising causes nonsmoking adolescents to initiate smoking and to move toward becoming regular smokers. Another study found young people are more likely to be influenced by cigarette advertising than by peer or parental smoking. A 2008 analysis found a direct relationship between increased teen smoking and the density of tobacco retailers around schools, while a paper published earlier this year found a direct relationship between the frequency that a kid visited stores containing tobacco advertising and his or her risk of becoming a smoker. An annual survey, conducted by Baruch College Survey Research for the Hudson Valley Community Partnerships in June/July, illustrates overwhelming support from the community. A convincing 84% of Hudson Valley residents support the idea of requiring stores to keep all cigarette packs and other tobacco displays out of the sight of children. As a result of the recent Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FDA law) and the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), retail stores are one of the last places where tobacco companies can expose kids to their advertising. Consequently, tobacco companies spend billions of dollars each year marketing their deadly products at the point of sale. This is done by controlling dominant display space in retail stores and through in-store advertising. Both are typically found around the cash register, sometimes referred to within the industry as the "goal post" because it is the one place in the store where everyone must go. Tobacco companies invest a lot at these locations in creating so-called "power walls," large, visually appealing displays of products intended to attract the interest of customers. In addition to World No Tobacco Day efforts, the Hudson Valley New York State (NYS) Tobacco Control Program Partners annually celebrate the Great American Smokeout each November to raise awareness about the issue of the strong tobacco company presence in our stores and to encourage community members to take action to limit youth exposure to this dangerous and deadly influence. White Plains Library Foundation Honors Three at Spring Gala and the Library Unveils First Floor Master Plan, including Plans for New Teen Space (“The Edge”)White Plains , NY— The White Plains Library Foundation held its Sixth Annual Treasures Gala: “Honoring Our Community Partners,” on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the White Plains Public Library, and was proud to honor James Benerofe and The Shirley G. Benerofe Foundation; the Westchester Library System; and Westchester Community College. At the Gala, the Library and the Foundation also unveiled a First Floor Master Plan developed by architects Vitetta and Bermello Ajamil & Partners, which includes preliminary renderings for a special teen space to be called “The Edge.” The Master Plan and rendering for The Edge are on display at the Library, and can also be viewed on the Library’s website, www.whiteplainslibrary.org. The Gala was attended by 135 people, including White Plains Mayor Tom Roach and Common Council Members Ben Boykin, David Buchwald, Milagros Lecuona, Dennis Power, and Beth Smayda. Architects Rai Fernandez and James Rowe of Bermello Ajamil also attended. During the Gala program, Foundation President Judith Nevins said, “W e are very excited to be moving forward toward making “The Edge” become a reality, and we have completed the first step by developing a Master Plan for the Library’s first floor that will give us a road map for the future. We are thrilled to share the Master Plan with the community, and want to thank the many Foundation donors who have provided the core funding to begin The Edge.” Library Director Sandra Miranda presented Community Partner awards to the honorees, and said, “These honorees have done exemplary work to further the Library’s role as the community’s partner in education for people of all ages and backgrounds. We are proud to honor them tonight, and look forward to continuing our partnerships to benefit so many people in Westchester and White Plains.” James Benerofe , a Board Member of the White Plains Library Foundation since its inception in 1995, was honored for his philanthropic support, individually and through The Shirley G. Benerofe Foundation.
The Gala program also included a performance by the multi-talented David Tobey, violinist with the Westchester Philharmonic and lifelong Westchester resident, whose paintings and sculpture will be on exhibit in the Library’s Museum Gallery through June 15. The White Plains Library Foundation, a non-profit organization, was incorporated in 1995 to raise funds to help meet the long-range goals of the White Plains Public Library. The Foundation’s work supports a wide range of programs and initiatives that promote literacy, educational achievement, career development, and lifelong learning.
FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL SIGNS CONTRACT TO PURCHASE RIDGEWAY COUNTRY CLUB WHITE PLAINS, NY (December 2010) -- The French-American School of New York and Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains announced today that they have signed a contract for the school to purchase the 128-acre club. The purchase price is $11 million. The school will propose retrofitting the existing club buildings and adding new facilities that will allow it to consolidate many of its operations in White Plains over a period of several years. A significant amount of the property is to be preserved as permanent open space. The club, which has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a various other club-related facilities, had put the property up for sale earlier this year. It currently has about 100 members. The golf course opened in 1923. The property became Ridgeway Country Club in 1952. The French-American School was founded in 1980 to provide a bilingual, bicultural French and American education to an American, French and international student population from nursery school through 12 th grade. Today 825 students attend its Pre-School in Scarsdale, its Lower School in Larchmont and its Upper School in Mamaroneck. Brokers for the sale were William Cuddy and Budd Wiesenberg of CB Richard Ellis. The Westchester Bank Celebrates First Anniversary of White Plains Branch Branch Attracts Over $50 Million in New Deposits in First Year WHITE PLAINS, NY (November 2010) --- The Westchester Bank recently celebrated the first anniversary of its White Plains branch. And what a year it’s been! Just one year after opening for business last November, the White Plains branch has attracted more than $50 million in new deposits for the bank. “We are extremely pleased by the enthusiastic response we’ve received in the White Plains area from small and medium sized businesses and consumers who want a bank that offers the latest technology and services with the personal touch,” said John Tolomer, President and CEO of The Westchester Bank. Mr. Tolomer, along with The Westchester Bank Chairman W. Thomas Clark, White Plains Branch Manager Bina Ahmad and members of the branch staff, were on hand November 18 th for a reception at the branch for customers and local businesses. The new branch is drawing customers primarily from White Plains and surrounding communities within a ten-mile radius such as Scarsdale, Hartsdale and Armonk. “While there is a great deal of competition for banking services in the White Plains market, we have found there is a strong and growing demand for a bank where lending decisions are being made locally by local people,” he said. Located at 464 Mamaroneck Avenue in the heart of downtown, t he White Plains office is a full service branch with an ATM as well as a drive-up banking window. “The drive-up window has been popular with our customers. Convenience is very important in today’s fast-paced business environment. That’s why our convenient Remote Capture Deposit service has grown dramatically in both numbers and usage,” said Mr. Tolomer. The Bank’s Remote Capture c heck scanning service allows business customers to safely and securely deposit checks directly into their account without ever leaving their office. Combined with the Bank’s online banking service, business customers can do their banking quickly and conveniently right from their office. “Once our customers try the Remote Capture service they love it. It saves them time and money and enables them to focus on building their business,” he noted. The success of the White Plains branch builds on the momentum that The Westchester Bank has enjoyed since opening for business in Yonkers just over two years ago. The Bank is profitable and currently has in excess of $190 million in assets, with over $111 million in loans and over $172 million in deposits. “At a time when banks are failing nationally at a record pace, we continue to grow by offering our customers the same state-of-the-art services as the big banks but with the highly personal service of a true community bank,” he said. Mr. Tolomer said the Bank continues to look for new branch locations in Westchester that fit its long-term strategic goals. 13 Physicians at WESTMED Medical Group on Top Doctors List WESTMED Medical Group, a multi-specialty medical practice with 16 office locations in Westchester County, announces that the following physicians have been named to the Westchester Magazine "Top Doctors" list, based on information compiled by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd., a healthcare and information company: Castle Connolly, Ltd, relies on peer review and peer nomination to select highly skilled physicians for their "Top Doctors" list. Selection criteria also include education, board certification, advanced training, leadership positions, and professional experience. Serafina, Popular Manhattan Hotspot, is Coming to Downtown White Plains CASTELLI PRESERVES REGION’S HISTORY BY ADDING WOMAN’S CLUB OF WHITE PLAINS TO REGISTRY OF HISTORICAL PLACES
Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, I, C – Goldens Bridge) is pleased to announce that the Woman’s Club of White Plains has been added to the State Register of Historic Places, and will soon be sent to the National Park Service for listing on the National Register. “The C.V. Rich Mansion and the Woman's Club of White Plains have both become integral parts of our community,” Castelli said. “While the building itself is a historical treasure, the decades selfless service provided by the members of the Woman's Club of White Plains are the real treasure and a credit to the American spirit of volunteerism.” According to the State's Historic Preservation Board, the building is “a distinctive and intact example of an early 20 th century Italian Renaissance residence in Westchester county. It meets (the Historic Register’s) criterion in the area of social history for the important role it has played, and continues to play, in the history of the city of White Plains. Designed by the New York City architectural firm of Albro & Lindeberg and built in 1910 as a residence for Thomas H. Kerr, the house is an impressive example of the Italian Renaissance style with its stuccoed walls, broad hip roof, columned symmetrical porches, and refined classical ornamentation on the exterior and interior. Acquired by the Contemporary club (now the Woman’s Club of White Plains) in 1931, local architect Philips Brook Nichols designed a large ballroom addition in 1932 that complements the original house. Contributing to the significance of the house is its four-acre property, with sweeping lawns, circular entrance drive, raised rear terrace, and mature specimen trees and plantings. The building retains a high degree of integrity of location, setting, design, materials, craftsmanship, feeling, and association, continuing to recall the lifestyle of the well-to-do and the importance of social clubs in Westchester County.” The State and National Registers official listings of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects, and sites hold significance in history, architecture, archeology, and culture. Being part of the State and National Register list can assist property owners in the upkeep of their structures, making them eligible for varied public preservation programs and services. “I am gratified that the Division for Historic Preservation has bestowed this important designation on the Woman's Club, whose lovely atmosphere and pristine conditions have been so caringly and expertly maintained by the Woman’s Club for nearly a century,” Castelli said. “The Woman’s Club should rightly be proud of this accomplishment and I look forward to seeing their home achieve it’s rightful place amongst the storied landmarks of the National Register.” The Woman's Club of White Plains is also known as the C.V. Rich Mansion, originally built in 1910. The club itself was established in 1904 as the Fortnightly Literary Club and has since grown to become one of the leading civic and philanthropic organizations in White Plains. In 1924, the club purchased the C.V. Rich Mansion, which is located at 305 Ridgeway in White Plains. Eight WESTMED Physicians from White Plains Area Receive National Recognition for Diabetes Care Eight WESTMED Physicians from White Plains Area Receive National Recognition for Outstanding Care of Patients with Diabetes A total of eight physicians from WESTMED Medical Group, who live in White Plains, Armonk or Harrison, have been granted recognition for their achievement in the delivery of diabetic care. The physicians are: Sheldon Alter, MD, internist, of White Plains, Jack Berger, MD, rheumatologist of White Plains; Silvio Ceccarelli, MD, internist, of Harrison; Steven Kubersky, MD, internist, of White Plains; Steven Meixler, MD, internist of White Plains; Michael Silver, MD, cardiologist, of White Plains; Susan Seligman-Haas, MD, internist, of Armonk; and Randy Stein, MD, endocrinologist of White Plains. WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU OFFERS QUALITY, LOW-COST AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM The City of White Plains Youth Bureau, After School Connection, operates at eight sites around the City (all White Plains elementary and middle schools plus the Slater Center) from the end of the school day through 6 pm, every full school day throughout the year. The After School Connection offers a children’s choice program in a relaxed, supervised and nurturing environment. Children’s choice means children have the chance to choose a variety of enriching and stimulating activities, including active games and sports, arts and crafts, reading, music, computer learning, science and math, building with blocks and Legos and more. Homework completion is offered daily, with staff assistance. The After School Connection offers children the opportunity to spend quality time with their friends and with warm and caring adults. What parents value most is knowing their children are safe and well cared for while they are at work, and that their children will be able to engage in enriching activities, be physically, socially, and educationally active during the after school hours.
ASTORINO PROPOSES CONSOLIDATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENTS Move will save $3 million over three years In his ongoing effort to make county government more efficient and less costly, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today released his plan to merge the county departments of Public Safety and Emergency Services. “Working closely together, Commissioners George Longworth of Public Safety and Anthony Sutton of Emergency Services have put their years of professional experience into building a new organization that increases efficiency, lowers costs and positions Westchester County to meet the public safety challenges it faces today and in years to come,” Astorino said. “The consolidation will save about $700,000 next year and double that by 2013 by reducing duplication.” Astorino has asked the county attorney to prepare legislation to be submitted to the Board of Legislators to implement this plan. If approved by the board, the new structure would be put in place on Jan. 1, the start of the new budget year. “In today’s world, where an emergency is just as likely to be caused by a terrorist act as a natural disaster, it is more important than ever for our police and emergency services teams to be fully coordinated at every stage from planning to response,” Astorino said. “This plan does just that.” The proposed consolidation of these two departments is another example of Astorino’s focus on “right-sizing” county government. Policies he implemented over the first half of this year reduced the projected deficit of $166 million to $130 million – a reduction of $36 million. As proposed by Astorino, the Department of Emergency Services would be folded into the Department of Public Safety, with Longworth as its commissioner. The new department would have three divisions, each headed by a deputy commissioner: emergency services, to be headed by Sutton; fire services, to be headed by John Cullen, who is now a deputy commissioner for DES; and police services, to be headed by Joseph Yasinski, now deputy commissioner for DPS. Astorino said the consolidation would eliminate duplication of services in a number of administrative areas, such as budget and human resources, and also create savings in communications, special operations, training and grant administration. For example:
Said Longworth: “In today’s harsh economic times, all aspects of how we do business have to be evaluated and where possible reshaped. The proposal to consolidate under one unified agency will provide savings for the taxpayers of Westchester County while strengthening the essential services that keep the people of Westchester safe.” Sutton said: “Commissioner Longworth and I have worked together to develop a common-sense plan that eliminates duplicative expenses, encourages cost-saving initiatives and keeps protecting the safety of Westchester residents as its top priority. I look forward to implementing this plan with the commissioner." In addition to savings through attrition and identification of duplicative administrative services, savings will be realized through the consolidation of capital projects such as office space and infrastructure. The Department of Public Safety was created in 1979 through the merger of the then county Parkway Police and the county’s Sheriff Department. Initially, it handled disaster and emergency services. In 1997, the county created the Department of Fire Safety Services and two years later this division was put within the newly created Department of Emergency Services. According to the Astorino administration analysis, immediate and identifiable tax levy savings in the first year will about to $692,000. This would become about $1.18 million in 2012 and $1.54 million in 2013.
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His personal and family generosity have enhanced the Library’s educational initiatives for children, teens, and the business community, including the Library’s Center for Business, Jobs, and Nonprofits. The Westchester Library System (WLS), a consortium of 38 member libraries in Westchester County, was honored for its leadership in effecting partnerships that advance excellent library service for the County’s more than 940,000 residents. WLS Executive Director Terry Kirchner, PhD, accepted the honor on the organization’s behalf. Westchester Community College, the County’s largest institution of higher education, was honored for its outstanding work to boost literacy and opportunity for new immigrants in the County. The college partners with the White Plains Public Library to operate the New Americans Resource Center, which offers free basic English conversation and literacy classes taught by college faculty. Dr. Joseph N. Hankin, who assumed the Presidency of Westchester Community College in 1971, accepted the honor on behalf of the College. 
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