WPCNR WHITE PLAINS WEEK NEWS ROUNDUP. April 11, 2005: In the news last week, the intrigue surrounding the White Plains City Budget began to swirl, as the Preliminary Budget mysteriously arrived with no announcement or news conference by City Hall announcing the 2005-06 spending plan of $129 Million with fund balance used to balance the budget. Susan Habel, Commissioner of Planning announced the city sales tax was on target to hit $42 Million this year. As the week began a discussion of the budget scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6 PM (April 12) was temporarily cancelled, no reason given.
Mike Gismondi, Commissioner of Building, working with Cappelli Enterprises, instituted pollution control measures (long called for by Dan Seidel, who has consistently demanded them) on the demolition of the Bar Building annex, which Gismondi said, had been causing several plumes of demolition dust clouds to float over the downtown.
The White Plains Watch announced it was being sold to Patricia Casey, who takes over editorship of the beloved paper from Susan Chang at the end of this month. Ms. Casey announced to the CitizeNetReporter she would move the paper to become a weekly publication as soon as possible.
The Common Council approved a 40-story height for parcels of 300,000 square feet in the White Plains Central Business District, the first stage of expected approval needed for the Cappelli 221 Main Street Hotel and Condoplex. The approval of this project (expected), will be taken up on April 21 at 6 P.M.
China Computer Firm Lured: County Executive Andy Spano returned from his Ricksaw initiative trip to China and announced a series of financial incentives designed to induce China’s leading computer firm to headquarter in Westchester County.
Comprehensive Plan Continues Review: The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee held its fourth hearing last Tuesday to lacklustre attendance, and appears to be not galvanizing the populace. No new ideas were advanced for the development of the city at all, though John Kirkpatrick's addressed formulated the issues the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee should consider. There was a meeting at Centro Hispano Sunday, and a sixth final meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening (not Tuesday evening) at The Thomas Slater Center, 7:30 P.M.
Meanwhile health care benefits were scheduled to end today for striking county busline drivers in the 40th day of their strike, which should put an end to their strike shortly.
Highlands Lunch Hour Attack Suit Settled: WPCNR has learned from a member of the Board of Education that the lawsuit filed by the family of a young man sexually attacked by youths during a lunch hour on the Highlands Middle School in 2001, has been settled by the school district. The amount of the settlement (rumored to be in the millions), was not disclosed by mutual agreement, and was paid for by the School District insurance. The family sued the school district over the fact that the true nature of the attack was withheld from them by the Highlands Middle School staff.
Speculation on Who Will Run: Rumors were beginning to surface around town as to who would run for the Democrats against Mayor Joseph Delfino as no front runner has emerged, or stood out to indicate they are running. The candidates are conspicuous by their lack of commentary on either the city budget, the course of city development (in the process of several major approvals), and their lack of criticism of Mayor Delfino. Perhaps Mayor Delfino will run unopposed. Likely candidates with the political credentials to run appear to be Bill Ryan, Benjamin Boykin, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach, and Glen Hockley
