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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The Daily White Plains is reflecting on what news stories mattered most this year. Here's a look at how the top 10 headlines of 2011 continue to affect White Plains residents:
The French-American School of New York (FASNY) (FASNY) submitted its plans to build a $60 million private school campus on the former Ridgeway Country Club grounds this summer, which upset the surrounding Gedney Farms neighborhood.
Gedney Association President Terence Guerriere said the neighborhood surrounding Ridgeway is pleased with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) the Common Council approved this December. The DEIS is a template for the many environmental, traffic, ambiance and other studies residents have requested the school analyze and submit to the city for review.
"We think that the document is thorough and the council is following the process very closely," said Guerriere. "They're doing what we hoped they would do, which is bring up all the issues that need to be examined."
The Gedney Association worries the neighborhood's streets, sewers, and traffic will be overburdened if FASNY gets a special permit to operate a school on Ridgeway. The association hopes the DEIS will help the city learn more about FASNY's project and make an educated decision about the special permit.
"We're letting people know that it's not a done deal. We will do our best to make sure everybody understands the facts," said Guerriere. "We've hired an attorney who will be able to help us when we need legal advice."
Also this year, White Plains honored the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a tribute for six residents lost during the terrorist attacks and a memorial ceremony with speeches from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Public Safety Commissioner David Chong and local politicians:
Family and friends of victims said they were touched by how many people gathered at Liberty Park to honor the White Plains residents who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
Weve never see it like this. Its overwhelming. Its sad, but it makes me happy that so many people have come together to honor my girlfriend and others, Nella Barrese said at the ceremony. "Shes up there in heaven watching over us."
Public Safety Commissioner David Chong, who was with the NYPD at the time of the attacks, and others who were at Ground Zero said the assassination of Osama Bin Laden helped them gain closure.
"Ten years later, I can stand here as a proud survivor and a public servant and say, 'New York has recovered.' Lower Manhattan is more vibrant than ever. The Freedom Tower will be bigger than ever. America has recovered," Chong said at a September ceremony. "More importantly the terrorist networks are on the run. The demon responsible has been brought to justice by the best military force in the world."
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