Harrison Apar Rock n Cops Golf Tournament + Dinner -
Oct 8, 2007by Eric Wenzelposted 08/18/O7
SAVE THE DATE + SIGN UPOn Columbus Day!
Join the fun and help raise funds for YAC at 2007 Harrison Apar Rock n Cops Golf Tournament + DinnerColumbus Day, October 8 --Putnam National Golf ClubHill Road, Mahopac (off 6N)1 PM Shotgun Start - $200 per player6 PM Reception and Dinner - $100 per person (non-golfers)(Reception and Dinner included in $200 player registration)Awards, Prizes + Silent Auction of sports memorabiliaclick here for the promotional flier with more details.click here to register online or become a sponsor for this charity event.Event is co-sponsored by Yorktown Athletic Club, Yorktown Police Benevolent Association, Club Fit, North County News, Doc James and Doral Arrowwood. Hole and other sponsorships available. Sponsors will be added to tournament ad running in North County News.contact mailto:harrisonapar@optonline?subject= /dot/ net or (914) 275-6887 for additional information.
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FYI:
There will be a debate sponsered by The North County News between Supervisor Sam Davis and Councilwoman Wendy Whetsel for the Democratic Party Nomination for Town Supervisor at the Putnam Valley Community Center Monday 09/10/07 at 7:30 PM. ATTEND!!!!!!!
Your Primary vote day is Tuesday September 18, 2007. VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a primary for Yorktown Town Justice. Registered Republicans, Democrats and Conservatives are all elegable to vote. The date is Tuesday September 18, 2007. VOTE!!!!!
BYW: You can read about my thoughts on Race For Yorktown Town Justice ONLY in this weeks issue of the North County News on sale Wednesday 09/12/07.
There will be a debate by the Peekskill candidates for elective office, sponsered by the NCN Wednesday 10/10/07 at the Cortlant Colonial 7PM...ATTEND!!!!!!
There will be a debate by the Yorktown candidates for elective office sponsered by the NCN Wednesday 10/03/07 at the Yroktown Stage 7PN...ATTEND!!!!!!!!!!
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A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR VOLPE:
Hello once again readers of the Bazzomanifesto:
I left off last week promising everyone to explain the importance of the Independence Party's endorsement and what it means to you as a voter. For years and unlike other states (where you can only run with one party's endorsement) incumbents have had the ability to influence elections by gaining the support of minor party lines. This makes it literally impossible for a challenger to have any success in mounting a "winning campaign".
The playing field has been leveled when the Independence party gave me their endorsement
and also has set into motion a chance for you as a voter to have a genuine chance to elect someone who has an independent viewpoint. I also share the same values with many of the readers of this blog or taxpayers in general who have been disillusioned by the current political process we see across the country. Make no mistake-- the recent wins by Greg Ball and John Hall who were newcomers and knocked out politicians who thought staying in office is an entitlement proved there is a small revolution in the making. I hope with your support we can come together across party lines and make the changes we so desperately need.
-- Domenic Volpe
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR OROS
George Oros
Legislator, 1st District
September 7, 2007
Contact: George Oros
tel: (914) 995-2828
Goo6@westchestergov.com
NURSES DESERVE CONTRACT
OROS and SWANSON CALL FOR FUNDING FREEZE AT MED CENTER UNTIL AGREEMENT REACHED
Legislator George Oros (R-C/Cortlandt) and Legislator Suzanne Swanson (C-R/Mount Pleasant) while joining scores of Westchester County Medical Center Nurses at a contract rally outside the County Courthouse today announced they are introducing a resolution to prevent the County from providing any further financial support to the Medical Center until the nurse dispute is resolved.
“Nurses are the backbone of the operations, care and spirit of the Westchester County Medical Center,” said Oros. “This shabby treatment by the Board of the Health Care Corporation and management must stop.”
Oros noted the “critical shortage of nurses in the region” and stated that this type of disregard sends a message to any applicants “go take your skill and profession somewhere else”. He called the hard line stance on negations “short sighted” because it will hamper recruitment and retention.
“These hard working individuals who have such stringent professional requirements, long, hard working hours and ever changing techniques and technology need to be treated with respect and fairness”, said Swanson.
Their proposal would have the Board of Legislators cease all funding to the Westchester County Health Care Corporation and halt any appointments to the Board of Directors there until the negotiations are concluded.
Oros claimed that the lack of good faith negotiations and the threat of impasse ”demonstrates not only a lack of good management and disregard for the nurses but distain for the taxpayers and the Board of Legislators that has approved funding to keep the WCHCC solvent”.
A copy of the draft resolution is attached.
THE RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION OF THE WESTCHESTER
COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS
Proposed by George Oros, minority leader
WHEREAS, the nurses employed at the Westchester County Health Care Corporation (WCHCC) have been without a contract for too long; and,
WHEREAS, nurses are the backbone of the operations, care and spirit of the Westchester County Medical Center run by the WCHCC; and,
WHEREAS, nurses are in critical short supply and deserve the respect and just compensation befitting a profession that has such stringent requirements, hard working hours and ever changing techniques and technology; and,
WHEREAS, the WCHCC has bargained in bad faith, refused to negotiate and has threatened to declare an impasse; and,
WHEREAS, the taxpayers of the County of Westchester, through the Board of Legislators approval of budgets, budget acts and other measures has consistently rendered great financial aid to the WCHCC and supported its continued operation; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the WHCC has see fit to increase the salary and benefits of many in management positions; and,
WHEREAS, the lack of good faith negotiations, the threat of impasse and other actions and lack of action by the management and Board of Directors of the WCHCC has demonstrated a lack of good management and disregard for the nurses and all employees of the WCHCC as well as distain for the taxpayers and the Board of Legislators that has approved funding to keep the WCHCC solvent;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Westchester County Board of Legislators hereby declares that it shall approve no measures, acts, or resolutions that provide funding to the WCHCC until negotiations with the nurses and their union are concluded in a satisfactorily manner; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Westchester County Board of Legislators shall not approve the appointment of any members to the Board of the WCHCC until such time as these negotiations are satisfactorily completed.
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A MESSAGE FROM PEEKSKILL DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN DARREN RIGGER:
Peekskill Democratic City Committee
September 04, 2007 FOSTER AND TEAM CALL ON SCHMIDT TO STOP USING THE HOMELESS SHELTER AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL -
Ask Schmidt to stop playing politics with Peekskill's 15 homeless, many of whom are veterans- -Schmidt's single-minded goal of shutting the shelter shows lack of leadership - -Ex-Councilman's tactics distort Foster's record of leadership on securing location for shelter - Mary Foster, Democratic candidate for Mayor, called on ex-councilman Bill Schmidt to stop using Peekskill's homeless shelter as a political football and campaign slogan and instead help to relocate it. "Jan Peek House has existed in Peekskill for over twenty years," Foster stated. "It has provided critical services to Peekskill's homeless veterans. Since the start of the campaign season, Schmidt has behaved as if Jan Peek House is a new threat to the City's safety and reputation when in fact the shelter existed during the eight years Schmidt was on the council. His call to shut down the shelter is purely politics and an effort to defame anyone who tries to help Peekskill's poor and homeless." The Jan Peek House is home to currently 15 homeless men and women, many of whom are veterans, who are taking part in a series of programs that will enable them to resume a life of self-sufficiency. In the long-term, Jan Peek House will need to be relocated to make way for riverfront redevelopment. Currently, however, it still has a long-term lease at its Water Street address and is operating under a special use permit. One possible relocation site has been offered by a building-owner, and a special use application has been submitted to the City's Planning Department. "Mr. Schmidt is clearly demonstrating the difference between leadership and politics," continued Foster. "If he were interested in anything other than cheap political shots on the backs of our veterans and homeless, he would work for a long-term solution in our region and not pass the buck to others, be it the county or other towns and villages in the area." For more than a year, Foster and her running mates have been working with members of Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill (CHOP), local business leaders, and members of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association to find a suitable location for the shelter. More than a third of the residents at the shelter are veterans who served our country. Since the start of the political season, local Republican candidates have tried to give a negative spin to Foster's work with local business leaders in finding a suitable new location for the shelter. After Foster's meeting with the new owners of a development project on Corporate Drive, ex-councilman Schmidt and Mayor Testa even went so far as to suggest it was her desire to scuttle the development of the corporate park in favor of a homeless shelter. "This is a perfect example of why Bill lost his bid for re-election in 2005," said Councilman Don Bennett. "He fails to show leadership. You don't govern a city with thoughtless quotes. You must offer solutions." Foster and her running mates have been looking at a series of options for the shelter that could be accomplished through the development of a broad coalition of businesses, clergy, and local residents and neighboring municipalities. The developer of 9 Corporate Drive has also stated that he is willing to help find a suitable option. "We need solutions, not rhetoric," said Democratic candidate for common council Joe Schuder. "Mr. Schmidt doesn't seem to understand that simply shutting down Jan Peek House does not make the homeless go away, quite the contrary. If it was up to the former councilman, instead of sleeping in a safe, supervised shelter, they'd be forced to sleep somewhere else in the city," continued Schuder. "He is taking a very short-sighted approach rather than looking for a real solution that reflects the community." Patricia Riley, a life-long Peekskill resident and candidate for Common Council, noted that until the Jan Peek House was established in Peekskill, the city's homeless could be found sleeping under the railroad tracks near John Walsh Boulevard, in alley ways, and elsewhere throughout the city. "We have a job to do here," said Riley. "We have a homeless shelter that will no longer be able to operate at its current location. We need to step up to the plate and find a safe and suitable location where it can relocate. It's all fine and well for Bill Schmidt to say he wants to shut Jan Peek House down, but true leadership offers solutions."
Darren
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Question? Is it being suggested that a discussion of a serious issue that is important for the voters on where the candidates for office stand is "political football"? Is it being suggested that this discussion should not take place before the election? Is dismissing the topic as politics a way to avoid the discussion? The fact that the candidates do disagree is what debate is all about and should not be avoided nor dismissed as politics. This is what elections are for. The voters actually get to decide which candidate speaks for them. LET THE DEBATE CONTINUE!!!!
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THIS WAS IN THE JOURNAL NEWS:
North County News in transition
By BRIAN J. HOWARD AND ROBERT MARCHANTTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: September 8, 2007)
On the North County News' 30th anniversary, founder John W. Chase said he took great satisfaction from the weekly newspaper's longevity and hoped it survived another 30 years.
In the year since his death, loyal readers have taken note of changes in not only the look but also the feel of the paper, not to mention the systematic exodus of numerous veteran staff members. In the process, the fate of an old community institution and the family drama behind it have become topics of conversation from local firehouses to high school locker rooms.
"When my subscription was up, I said I can't see renewing because I don't see it's worth it," said Mohegan firefighter Gus Stretz of Cortlandt. "So I let it go, and I can't tell you how many people in the firehouse did the same thing."
The perception cited by many was that the paper had lost the edgy approach and independent mind-set that had been its hallmark. Eschewing breaking news and controversy for feature stories and personal commentary, it didn't seem the same.
"The paper is different," Gil Kaufmann of Yorktown said. "I thought it was more informative years ago."
Whether the changes are a matter of perspective and perception or the result of a deliberate effort to remake the 40-year-old publication, it is clear the North County News is no longer the same newspaper many readers came to know.
Small-town papers also have a way of arousing strong passion.
"There's something about a local weekly that fills a role, to be a place where community conversations take place," said Dan Gillmor, a former journalist who heads the Center for Citizen Media. "People take a very personal interest in them."
The millionaire next door
In 1958, Chase had the vision to recognize the money to be made advertising the sale of used cars, overstuffed attics and the wares of mom-and-pop stores across northern Westchester. He brought the "pennysaver" concept to a region burgeoning with new development and began giving away mimeographed sheets packed with small advertisements from the back of his station wagon.
As a demanding boss, flinty manager and all-around civic booster, Chase became the millionaire next door off the proceeds of a small-town media conglomerate.
The son of Russian immigrants, he drove late-model Cadillacs and cultivated an appreciation for high Russian culture. When he died of cancer in August 2006 at the age of 89, he left behind generous bequests to a number of civic organizations, including $10,000 for the Tolstoy Foundation, and was buried under a headstone in Amawalk Cemetery that reads, "It's a tough life."
The organization's management fell to the younger of his two daughters, Carla, in a stipulation in his will that she would take over the business.
The current publisher and editor, Bruce Apar, says that change is necessary in today's media environment and that new leadership at the paper has raised its standards and attracted new readers.
"For anyone to suggest the North County News has 'lost its way' presumes there is only one way to do things, the old way. We keep raising the bar on new ways to succeed, and those who help us do that by rising to the occasion will thrive," Apar said.
"It's not my father's paper" became the byword of Carla Chase, 53, who adapted management concepts promulgated by her second husband, Frank J. Rich, a business consultant who now writes a column on workplace issues and organizational behavior.
Another daughter, Claudia Chase, 55, lives in New Hampshire and is uninvolved with the newspaper.
The weekly, with a circulation of around 9,600, won 10 awards in the 2006 New York Press Association contest. The North County News historically has been a training ground for other papers, including The Journal News and its predecessors, with numerous reporters and editors leaving the weekly to take jobs with dailies over the years. Seldom, however, was anyone fired, and turnover was typically low.
But in the year since John Chase's death, more than a dozen longtime employees have been fired, forced out or simply moved on. An informal workplace gave way to one of meetings, memos and business jargon.
"Goal sheets" sent out by Carla Chase reminded the staff to set S-M-A-R-T goals, as in Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely, and a host of new personnel policies were enforced.
A new publisher
Former editor and 25-year veteran Rick Pezzullo said the biggest changes at the paper came with the ascension of Apar as the publisher.
Well known for the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation, a charity he launched in memory of his deceased son, Apar came to the weekly with a background in media consulting and industry trade publishing. At the time of his hire, the Yorktown resident had been recruited by The Journal News to be an unpaid "citizen journalist" for the Yorktown page on its Web site, LoHud.com.
Apar was hired eight days before John Chase's death. Nine days after that, he took over as editor and demoted Pezzullo, who stayed on as a reporter yet continued writing editorials until he resigned in January.
"All the values that Mr. Chase put into it, he just threw it all out the window in a matter of weeks," said Pezzullo, who now works as a legislative aide for Westchester County.
He sensed trouble brewing four months earlier in a memo from Carla Chase chiding the staff for "arrogance, intolerance, irreverence, disagreeability and aggressiveness" after a contentious meeting.
"I will not allow the limitations of the few to keep us from reaching our goals, which require a selfless devotion to the whole," she wrote.
As editor, Pezzullo championed the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation. Bruce Apar even named Pezzullo to the foundation's board, and Pezzullo urged the staff to welcome Apar's hiring as a positive step for the paper.
And sports editor Ray Gallagher had hired Harrison Apar as an intern. The younger Apar suffered a rare form of dwarfism. He died in March 2003 at age 15.
"It meant the world to him," Gallagher said of the internship. "His father told me so."
Gallagher was fired two weeks after Apar was named publisher, on the grounds he was also working for the town of Putnam Valley, a job he said he could not quit.
"To unceremoniously release me after 17 years, you know how that hurt? I mean, that killed," he said.
The move incensed high school coaches such as Peekskill basketball's Lou Panzanaro and Yorktown football's Ron Santavicca.
"It was a shame that they let Ray go, because he was full of vitality," Santavicca said. "As soon as it happened, I even wrote a letter that I was appalled."
Readers are talking
Readers have been vocal about changes at the paper. A discussion forum at LoHud.com titled "What's happened to the North County News" has attracted more than 15,000 page views since it began in February, making it one of the most viewed active forums this year.
John Mattis, a financial adviser from Cortlandt who is active in political and civic circles, said the paper shies away from controversy and reporters lack their predecessors' depth of local knowledge.
Former Yorktown Councilman Tony Grasso still subscribes and says there's value in the paper, especially its letters to the editor. But he traces a decline in news content to Chase's death.
Howard Frank, a member of United Taxpayers of Yorktown, senses a pro-schools slant he attributes to Apar's active support last year for a slate of Yorktown school board candidates.
"It doesn't have the same independent voice under Apar that it had under John Chase," he said.
On the other hand, Croton-on-Hudson activist Maria Cudequest praised Apar for covering her community and providing a forum for letters and commentary.
"There is always room for improvement, and there are reporters that I miss," Cudequest said, mentioning Pezzullo and others by name. "However, all papers go through spurts of growth and change."
Apar said he was not concerned about the negative comments from online sources, some of them viscous and personal.
"I pay zero attention to it. It has no effect on what we do. I don't want to be distracted by gossip," he said. "The primary objective is to engage readers and as long as we're doing that, we're succeeding."
He said the paper was making modifications and improvements in a number of ways to make it "reader friendly and useful to the community." The paper announced the hiring of a news editor, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, this week, along with additional editorial personnel.
New management style
The "paradigm shift" at the paper, as it was referred to in various memos, required staff members to check in and out before leaving the office. Mail addressed to employees was opened first by management, a policy that was never explained, and memos and meetings laden with the terminology of behavioral psychology became staples of the workplace culture.
Management began issuing inspirational daily e-mails dubbed "Winning Habits," while employees were encouraged to wear buttons that read "Ask Me About the North County News," declaring their pride in the newspaper.
Scrutiny of time sheets, emphasis on a dress code and a sense of second-class status to Pennysaver employees spurred features editor Anne Greenidge's departure.
"That was when I had to get out of there because it was demoralizing and demeaning," Greenidge said.
Apar said standards at the paper have grown more professional in its personnel and workplace policies, a number of which are also used at major corporations.
"The company wants people to be motivated, and we do our best to motivate people in various ways," Apar said. "I've never worked at a company that was more invested in people as this company."
He said it would be "inappropriate" to discuss the circumstances of people who have left and declined to get into specific cases. He said the paper was "doing fine - more than fine," and bringing on new readers on regular basis.
Carla Chase did not return calls for comment.
Experts say the dynamics behind a change in leadership in a family business can often play out in the business itself.
"Whenever a senior leader dies, there's lots of unresolved feelings. That's going to change the dynamics, when an important piece of the puzzle is missing. It's an emotional time for people. There are a whole bunch of issues that could be in play," said Barbara Spector, editor of Family Business Magazine. "Generational transition can be a lot of hard work."
Greg McCann, a professor at Stetson University specializing in family businesses, said, "Typically the founder sets the tone, his personality frames the culture. With growth and success, there can be a tension in the second generation to make new policies and procedures. There's a sense of filling the throne, and that can be an emotional challenge sometimes, not just a resume challenge."
Reach Brian J. Howard at 914-666-6177 or bjhoward@lohud.com
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Dear Readers:
The above is an example of a "journalistic" hit piece. Were this a true news piece there would have been balance in the story. While it is true the Publisher Apar is quoted, there is no way you will convince me there were no regular readers that like the present form of the North County News. What you have read is a temper tantrum by ex-employees brought to you in full fury by the Journal News.
Yes, I am biased, I write for the NCN. It was Publisher Apar who in his infinite wisdom decided that another opinion on the editorial page was a good idea. From the phone calls an e-mails begging to differ, it was. I think you have found in the NCN that there is more NEWS and as the election season progresses even more. Also the reporting has improved to the point that the writers opinions are not known. This is as it should be.
This IS why the NCN is the local paper of record.
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FYI:
There will be a book signing by Danny Lopriore at the Village Bookstore in down town Pleasantville.
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss how for the final time before the Democrat Party primary(09/18/07), the race for Putnam Valley Supervisor. You can read my column on this topic exclusively in this weeks NORTH COUNTY NEWS on sale now. I am worth the seventy-five cents. Look for my column IN MY OPINION(page 10) in the editorial section. Better yet as this column is exclusive to the North County News on a regular basis and will be covering the local political scene, take out a subscription. Click on the North County News link below and go to Subscribe. Between this blog and The North County News you will have all the information to make a vote based on substance.
************************************************************************************FYI: ATOM TAXI INC. AIRPORT SERVICE:
Dear Readers:
This gives me a chance to plug my business ATOM TAXI INC. Instead of the headache of trying to find Airport parking, we do Airport Service to The Westchester County Airport(and ALL other airports) 24/7. Just call 1(914)879-6121 and my partner Tommy, will be glad to take you in our Airport Taxi. You will also be provided with a free copy of your local paper of record The North County News. If this is a business trip we also provide a professional receipt, just tell Tommy at the time of booking. The cost of a one-way trip to the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. We do not take credit cards, sorry.
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E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR COMMENTS:
Dear Readers:
It has come to my attention the difficulty in posting a comment on this blog. If you wish to comment, e-mail me at the link posted below, putting "Manifesto Reader" in the subject matter, and I will "cut and Paste" your comments myself. If you DO NOT wish your comments posted, but just wish to communicate with me, please make your wishes known in the e-mail.
LINKS: atom_taxi@yahoo.com(as this a yahoo address make sure you put an underscore (-) between atom and taxi)
For immediate reply: atomtaxi@aol.com
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SITES TO LINK TO:
ON THE OTHER HAND W/ FORMER PEEKSKILL COUNCILMAN SCHMIDT: http://peekskillperspectives.blogspot.com/
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.com/
PLAN PUTNAM: planputnam@googlegroups.com/
PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN: http://peekskillguardian.blogspot.com/
NORTH COUNTY NEWS: http://northcountynews.com/
THE JOURNAL NEWS: http://thejournalnews.com/
PEEKSKILL DEMOCRATS: http://www.peekskilldems.com/
PEEKSKILLREPUBLICANS:http://peekskillgop.com/
YORKTOWN CANDIDATE FOR SUPERVISOR DON PETERS: http://www.donpetersforyorktown.com/
YORTOWN CANDIDATE FOR SUPERVISOR ROSE MARIE PANIO: http://www.rosemariepanio.com/
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CABLE SHOWS TO WATCH:
ON POINT ON PEEKSKILL: Every Tuesday at 8PM channel 15 (Peekskill only)
Hosted by:DARREN RIGGER
DON PETERS AND YORKTOWN: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: DON PETERS
YORKTOWN WATCHDOG: Every Friday at 9:30 PM on channel 74
Hosted By: ED CHIFFON
LEGISLATORS REPORT: Saturday and Sunday at various times on chanel 20
Hosted By: COUNCILMEN NICK BIANCO AND LOU CAMPISI
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
All articles re-printed in this blog from the North County News are with the permission of Bruce Apar Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
BAZZO 09/09/07
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