I know this is Mets and Yankees territory, but I believe that some homage is due to Harry Kalas, the longtime announcer for my hometown Philadelphia Phillies.

His passing on Monday got me choked up in the same way all fans get — from whatever city — when they lose someone special. Kalas’s longtime service with the Phils just about spans the arc of my life. He was calling games when I played playground ball; he was calling games when I was in college; he was calling games well into my second and third acts. He was calling games up until Monday.

As with all the great ones, Kalas had a memorable and much imitated home run call. He also had a great sense of humor. My brother-in-law Alan, another Philadelphian, has a pastor, the Rev. Fred Day, for whom Kalas once recorded an answering-machine message. It goes something like this: “Fred can’t come to the phone right now, he’s on a LONG, LONG DRIVE, HE’S OUTTA HERE!!!”

Harry will be missed.

The Performing Arts Center in downtown White Plains at the top of the City Center mall is in trouble financially, its future murky. It’s a shame but not a surprise. The 410-seat performing arts center opened downtown in 2003, near the more popular movie multiplex. It has struggled to find its niche all along, offering performance and comedy acts that I, as a former White Plains resident, found to be, well, ho-hum.

Then the center’s Board of Trustees hired Jack W. Batman as the artistic director in 2007 to, as my colleague Keith Eddings reported earlier this month, “re-imagine the space as an Equity house for classic musicals.’’ That sounded great, and I really did want to try to get to such a show right in my backyard. But, like too many folks, time, family, job and money were pressing, and opportunities slipped by. Yes, I feel a little guilty. I believe strongly in supporting the arts, and community-based enterprises and businesses.

The center had been supported by a $100,000 annual subsidy from the City of White Plains — and the enthusiasm of Mayor Joseph Delfino, who has controlled a lot of the seats on the center’s board. Yet Delfino has announced he will be stepping down, the city has a multi-million-dollar deficit, and there has been too much political intrigue associated with the center. For example, John Ioris, whom Eddings cites as a “top political operative’’ for the mayor, was appointed by him to the theater’s board in 2006; soon after Ioris became its chairman and president. Meanwhile, the Democrats on the City Council generally aren’t too enthused about Republican Delfino and are hardly jumping forward with a rescue for “his’’ Performing Arts Center.

Like I said, a shame. Put the politics aside. And, yes, times are tough, but it’s hard to believe that a center with 400-plus seats wouldn’t be attractive to everyone from local (and generally excellent) high school theater performers, to administrators planning high school and college graduations, to nonprofits, business groups and industries looking to book seminars, to the larger, and immensely influential, arts community in Westchester and beyond. Look at how popular the Westchester County Center, just across town, is for events, graduations, coin shows and the like.

Here’s hoping that the center survives and thrives. I promise to attend just about anything to show my support. Although I will skip any reptile shows.

Photo: Members of the Allegra Junior Ballet Elite Company perform Granada during “Journey of Hope” the 3rd Annual Dance Benefit for African Children helpd at the White Plains Performing Arts Center in White Plains Jan. 26, 2007. Proceeds from the performance went to the Esther’s Aid For Needy & Abandoned Children Inc. which brings aid to youth in Rwanda and other parts of the world. ( Rory Glaeseman / The Journal News )

Reaction to the $90 million federal lawsuit filed by attorney Jonathan Lovett on behalf of the father of off-duty Mount Vernon police officer Christopher Ridley, who was killed by county police officers in White Plains while trying to stop an assault, has been swift and vehement. And most of the ire is directed at Lovett. The outspoken attorney has never shied away from the court of public opinion when it comes to his cases, often holding press conferences and seeking the spotlight.

His publicy seeking isn’t the only thing that readers find controversial—the nature of his cases often raise eyebrows and prompt debate and discussion. In addition to the recently filed Ridley lawsuit, Lovett is also representing the families of boys accused of breaking into a school in Yonkers. The lawsuit contends that the police responding to the call viciously beat the teens in a hate crime.

One thing all sides do seem to agree on is the need for the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, which is named in the Ridley suit, to release video tapes of the shooting. These tapes, along with statements from more than 60 eyewitnesses, were presented to a grand jury last spring. The grand jury cleared the officers. Also named in the suit are County Executive Andrew Spano, county Police Commissioner Thomas Belfiore, county Medical Examiner Millard Hyland and the four county police officers.

For more on the lawsuit, read the story by reporters Rich Liebson, Shawn Cohen and Jonathan Bandler and then tell us what you think. Here are some comments by other readers:

If Lovett is proved correct, the residents of Westchester need major and immediate changes in our leadership. If, however, Lovett is proved wrong, and if he is at all shown to be imagining or seriously embellishing these explosive accusations, he should be immediately disbarred, indicted and tried for a myriad of crimes including tacit incitement to riot. If it is proven that he instituted a frivolous suit in the wake of this volatile, tragic occurrence, he should not be allowed to hide behind a fragile and tenuous officership of the court defense. If that is the case, this should be his Waterloo, and those charged with affording justice to all must do exactly that.

The investigation leaves a lot of questions unanswered! … This is Westchester politics as usual! Now that the lawsuit is out, let the chips fall where they may. The DA office can’t be trusted anyway.

Here’s the problem as I humbly see it – Lovett makes outlandish allegations in his complaint. DiFiore blasts Lovett stating that the allegations are ‘purposeful fabrications’ refuted by surveillance videotapes that recorded the shooting. OK, fine. But if DiFiore is telling the truth, why doesn’t she release the video to back up her claims? Doesn’t anyone find it a little odd that if someone controls a video that speaks for itself and is saying that someone else is lying about a series of events that, rather than tell us what’s on the video just show the darn thing.

When this lawsuit is proved to be the sham that it is, then Lovett should be disbarred, made to pay restitution to the officers he is suing and sent packing.

Given the economic conditions sweeping the Lower Hudson Valley, generous public sector employee benefits have come under increasing scrutiny among our readers, many of whom are losing jobs and seeing their own benefits fall by the wayside. So it was to be expected that the reaction would be vehement to the news that former deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz got an $83,000 payout from the county for unused vacation and sick time before heading off to Albany to be a senior advisor to Gov. David Paterson.

Here’s the story by reporter Gerry McKinstry.

Most businesses have a use it or lose it policy on sick and or vacation time. I can’t imagine any non-union or non government organization letting workers accrue time that would allow for such a payout. There’s no reason to single any one employee out for collecting on a benefit of the job. In turn, such benefits should be removed and government officials should play on the same field as a majority of the taxpayers.

What is the point of this article? … Here is a public servant (Larry Schwartz) who did not abuse his sick time. In fact, he was only paid half of his sick time, saving the taxpayers a good deal of money. By not using his sick time, he remained a productive employee. Larry Schwartz should be commended for his dedication and service to the citizens of Westchester.

Schwartz was entitled under the rules. That is the problem! We, the taxpayer, need new rules. No sick time unless your are sick. No rolling over vacation time ad infinitum – let’s at least enforce the policy that is on the books (but so graciously waived by Mr. Spano in the case of Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Kriss, and who knows who else).

I think that it is wrong to have one rule for employees and one for management or the county executive’s office. If the workers can only carry over 2 weeks, then it should apply to everyone. Don’t tell me the county couldn’t run with out him. Isn’t the county running without him now?! Be fair. All should live by the same rules.

How much is enough? How much longer are we going to take this. More and more, we hear of these abuses. … So this clown leaves his job for a state job which I’m sure he won’t have for long since Paterson’s days are numbered. He will collect another check from the state.

A 76-year-old Congers woman who is being evicted from her home was defended in the forums after someone questioned the value of the story and the motives of the paper in running it. The townhouse on Leif Boulevard is the subject of a property dispute and a federal racketeering suit has been filed by the elderly resident, whose husband is dying of cancer. She claims she made arrangements for a loan against the property while a company is claiming they purchased the home from her.

Read the latest story by reporters Steve Lieberman and James Walsh and tell us what you think. Here’s are some of the comments so far:

Does the Journal News realize that nobody cares about this story except the few people that are directly involved with the situation?

I don’t know this family or anyone involved, but you are a heartless (jerk) to even say something like that. It should happen to you and your family. Anyone with a heart will feel for this family.

This type of scam is happening all over the country right now. It’s a relevant story.

Of course people care about this story. Don’t you think people are taking notes on the players involved in this situation? I’m sure that if anyone is ever involved in a transaction with these people, you can bet that they will be on their guard with what is transpiring. Do you think you would let your elderly mother hire this guy as her attorney?

A former Mount Vernon police chief, who is fighting the state over his pension after he resigned from the force when Mayor Clinton Young took office and informed him he wanted to appoint someone else, isn’t garnering much sympathy among readers. The issue of a police officer’s or fightfighter’s final year overtime counting toward their pension is a source of continual debate among readers. Many think that the practice leads to abuse and excessive pensions, and should be discontinued. Others defend the system saying that police and firefighters work hard in dangerous jobs and take lower salaries and poor working conditions for the promise of that pension.

According to reporter Jonathan Bandler’s story, chiefs in the city are technically police captains who receive a stipend for the title and are eligible for overtime. Because the city’s system is a little different than other municipalities, this is where there is a dispute between Joseph Pizzuti and the state retirement department.

Here’s what readers had to say:

The entire system of permitting police or any public sector employee to drastically increase pension benefits by working extensive overtime in the last years of employment needs to be abolished. The state is on the verge of bankruptcy partly because of these excesses. Those who truly want to be public servants will still line up for these jobs.

This is what is killing the cities, towns, counties and state – police and fire pensions. Overtime is additional pay not salary. The unions have held taxpayers hostage for years and years to come. The only way out is for the various communities to go bankrupt.

Why don’t you try being a police officer in Mt.Vernon. I bet you would change your tune real quick.

April is barely a week old, and I’ve already been reminded via form letters and/or press releases in the letters e-mailbox that it’s Alcohol Awareness Month, National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and (the first!) National Multiple Birth Awareness Month, among others – or so proclaimed by various nonprofit or trade organizations that are seeking publicity for their cause or product.

Such “awareness” months, weeks and days can be a key ingredient in promoting a worthy cause – most people are familiar with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Fire Prevention Week, all in October. But according to brownielocks.com, a Web site that lists hundreds of such observations, October is also National Roller Skating Month, National Sarcastic Awareness Month, Squirrel Awareness Month, Lee’s National Denim Day, National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School Day and National Chocolate Cupcake Day. (The site notes that “All our holidays are validated with sponsors or organizations.”)

Leaving out the obviously commercial or satirical, there’s only so much “awareness” that can be accommodated on an opinion page, and I have to be “aware” of writers trying to submit form letters or letters that serve to promote their own private business or practice. We used to get form letters from local members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons who took advantage of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to tout breast reconstruction after mastectomy, reminding readers throughout the letter that they were “board-certified plastic surgeons” (giving those who were persuaded by the letter to consider such surgery a ready “expert” to contact). That kind of free advertising went a bit too far, but local non-profits are always welcome to raise “awareness” among our readers on important topics, in their own words and preferably in a way that ties into the Westchester-Putnam-Rockland readership area.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to celebrate “Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month” with a slice of cafeteria pizza (but I guess that chocolate cupcake will have to wait until October).

Crime and punishment are always popular topics among our readers so they were more than happy to weigh in on the state’s recent decision to repeal the Rockefeller drug laws. Opinion is running pretty even whether people think the laws were too harsh and not accomplishing any decrease in drug-related crime, or whether people think the laws were too lenient and that’s why drug-related crimes weren’t decreasing.

Here’s a link to reporter Theresa Juva’s story about local reaction and a sampling of comments.

They should change it to the death penalty.

Good move scaling back these laws, but it is not enough. Marijuana should be decriminalized, the potential tax revenues could not only fill in our state’s budget deficit, but also create a surplus. Get beyond the social stigma of marijuana and look at it for what it is: a plant that grows on Earth naturally. If people are going to use it, than the government is crazy not to tax it.

You live in a fantasy world. Legalizing pot is not going to make the problem go away. Smoking weed and driving is just as dangerous as drinking and driving. … Take the idiots who sell and use drugs exactly as they should be treated, like criminals, and take them off our streets for a long time.

You all need to grow up and see that drug use will never go away, but that there does need to be programs to help those who want to stop. Most dealers are users just trying to make money to support their own habits.

Late last night, Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers was returned home. The 30-year-old from Virginia was killed in Afghanistan, the victim of an improvised explosive device. As his body arrived at Dover Air Force Base, it was the first time since 1991 that media coverage was allowed — with permission from his family — of the solemn ceremony that honors our fallen war heroes. The policy change, announced in late February by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, began the process of “opening up the solemn process to media coverage, and by extension, the consciousness of the American public,” we said in a March 2 editorial.

Judy Campbell, chair of Gold Star Families of Delaware, is quoted as saying in the Army Times:

“I really do believe, when people know that other people care and remember, it does bring them some comfort … Their loss will always be there, but it’s always comforting to know that others are not forgetting the sacrifice.”

The Editorial Board  had supported the change in policy that halted media coverage of the Dover Air Force Base transfer, first implemented by President George H.W. Bush, and continued by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. With the permission of family, and under strict guidelines to ensure no disruption of the important respectful ceremony, media can record the troops’ final return home.

Look here for a roundup of opinions published in the Army Times about the revised policy.

A group of gay and lesbian alumni of West Point who have banded together to try and advocate for getting rid of the millitary’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy have gotten strong support from readers. Those commenting think that what happens in a person’s private life, and bedroom, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual, isn’t anyone’s business. They also think the millitary ha better things to worry about—like terrorism and terrorists—than tracking down gay and lesbian soldiers.

Read the story by reporter Ben Rubin and then tell us what you think.

They shouldn’t have to hide their sexuality. Honestly, if they want to join the Army let them. … There shouldn’t be a law against that. They should be allowed to do what they want.

Anyone who performs military service for this country should be respected and protected from prejudice and bigotry. It should not be tolerated.

How is it that who you sleep with has to be known? How does that change the soldier’s job? Is it a different job for straight soldiers than gay ones? Do gay soldiers hold their guns differently? Do they perform differently from straight soldiers?

There are people out there who drive jets loaded with civilians into buildings full of civilians. There are people out there who saw reporters’ heads off in front of movie cameras and what do we spend our time on? Lesbians in the military. God help this once great nation.