White Plains CitizeNetReporter

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      It’s a great day to buy a house in White Plains New York, Dennis . The housing market is still very hot continuing the last 6 months boom in real estate throughout the county.

That is what Crystsal Hawkins-Syska President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors told me on White Plains Week this week. She sells real estate out of Keller-Williams in White Plains and told me White Plains is still very hot and we continue to be an annex to New York City

She says homes in White Plains are flying off the shelves.Right now 415 homes are for sale in White Plains and 468 White Plains homes have been sold in the last six months.

She remarks that if no more homes are put up for sale in White Plains it would take 5 months to sell all the homes for sale right now.

She told me 98 homes are being sold a month in White Plains, an average of 3 sales a day. Crystal remarks that Keller Williams has 100 plus listings now in their White Plains office.

That’s how hot White Plains is and it is a struggle to show all the homes for real estate agents because the owners want a limited amount of persons visiting their homes—Crystal says they are limited to 12 in a party plus the agent. She says she has not seen a market like this since 2004-2005 “when people would walk into the house and make an offer.”

She says prices are holding up and not selling far above their assessed value. She believes this is because the assessments were appraised on the high side when the city set them. This goes along with what the White Plains Assessor’s Office told me two weeks ago: the assessment roll coming out Monday will tell the tale

She says persons putting up homes for sale have to get their homes in good condition, because potential buyers will not negotiate needed repairs to lower the price if serious repairs are needed on the home. They will just walk away.

There is also big interest in multifamily homes as starter homes that couples can fix up, rent then use as collateral to buy another house.

Ms. Syska notes this is a new way for first time buyers to get in the market. She says financing is available through New York State to help out persons not having quite enough to qualify for a mortgage. The complete interview will be telecast 8 pm Thursday on fios ch. 45 and optimum in White Plains, ch 76. The short interview can be seen on White Plains Week (on this website.)

We had a coup in White Plains New York USA this week. The Democratic City Committee voted to nominate Richard Payne to run for Common Council, replacing incumbent councilman John Kirkpatrick. This resulted in a spirited floor fight.

Sources tell me Mr. Kirkpatrick is not going to primary Mr. Payne for the nomination. This failure to be renominated for another time is nothing new with the Democratic City Committee.

Bill King was denied the nomination back in 2001, paving the way for Tom Roach, the current Mayor to go on the Common Council. Glen Hockley and Arnold Bernstein were also denied the nomination. And in one of the most outrageous denials of all. Milagros Lecuona a Councilperson for 12 years, was never appointed Council President. 

Mr. Payne is assured a seat on the Common Council because there is a lack of dynamic Republican candidates to challenge apparently. Can we see a show of hands?

Mayor Tom Roach tells us the data is continuing to show a decline in active COVID cases in White Plains. There are currently an estimated 372 active cases in our City, down 16 from our call last week. Over the past 7 days we have averaged 27   new cases per day.  The number of COVID patients at White Plains Hospital has continued to  decline. Patients are encouraged to come to the hospital if they are in need of care.  

The CDC has provided additional guidance on the most effective masks and the most effective ways to make use of them to protect yourself and others. It’s been shown again and again that wearing a mask reduces the risk of infection. Research shows that wearing a kn95  mask or layering a cloth mask atop a surgical mask, can increase protection to the wearer and others. More information may be found on our website, Cityofwhiteplains.com

The federal government has been slowly increasing vaccine supply to New York State. They have increased the anticipated weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks.  However, even with these increases, the demand continues to far exceed the supply and as a result appointments remain difficult to secure.

Eligible residents should continue to check the State website, covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov or call the State Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829) to check for new openings. 

In the last 6 Days since I was on the air, the Westchester infection rate of positives from  tests has been 4.2%.  2,961 new positive cases appeared. If they hospitalize at the rate of 5% we could see 148 hospitalizations within next 10 days. And due to snow cancellations, the state will call or e-mail you with new dates for scheduled test.

The establishment of a Yonkers vaccination site could not have come at a better time and is long overdue. Because Yonkers and Mount Vernon have lead the county by far in new positive cases for months.

However it begs the question of why the tent structure at the County Center was not turned into a vaccination area instead of being dismantled. You could run vaccination buses right up to the tent in White Plains.  It is great the state county or whomever finally discovered Yonkers and Mount Vernon were out of control in infections. However the infections down there are already there…the vaccines may be coming in way too late. Not good thinking, but now it is out of control.

I also think that it is not easy to get directly from Mount Vernon to Yonkers for the Yonkers vaccination site at the New York Armory. If they had kept the tent hospital facility at White Plains open, they could send “Vaccine Buses up Route 22 direct to White Plains to the tent increasing the ability to move persons up for the vaccine.

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WPCNR COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER CORONAVIRUS REPORT, February 22, 2021:

Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced this afternoon the opening of a 1,000 shot-a-day Covid-19 FEMA-created Vaccination facility to be opened for administration of Covid vaccine shots to residents of Yonkers and Mount Vernon residents living in these zip codes only :

Eligible Zip Codes: 10705, 10701, 10550, 10553, 10704, 10703, 10552

The new FEMA location is at the New York National Guard Armory at 2 Quincy Place, Yonkers, NY

Appointments open 2/24 for the folks IN Mount Vernon and Yonkers ONLY in the specific zip codes and then on 3/3 for the rest of the County and this site will be for Westchester residents only.

·      Appointments can be made at the  Yonkers State-FEMA Vaccination Site on Wednesday, February 24 at 8 a.m, again for Yonkers and Mount Vernon eligible persons living in the above zip codes.

·         For the first week of scheduling, appointments at this site are initially reserved specifically for New Yorkers currently eligible for vaccination living in areas with low vaccination rates.

·         After one week, appointments at each site will then be made available to all eligible residents of Westchester County.

New FEMA-created Sites in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Yonkers will Open March 3 – Eligible New Yorkers Can Begin Making Appointments for Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Yonkers State-FEMA Vaccination Sites on Wednesday, February 24 at 8 a.m.

It is unclear at this time specifically what date the actual vacinations will start. It appears the shots will start March 3, but scheduling for your shot in Yonkers and Mount Vernon will begin Wednesday February 24.

CALL THESE NUMBERS FOR QUESTIONS ON ELIGIBILITY AND SCHEDULING

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Benjamin Boykin, Feb 22, 2021: The Westchester County Board of Legislators has begun its formal review of the the County’s Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force report, with plans to adopt a police reinvention document by March 22.The review is being led by the Board’s Committee on Public Safety, which met Wednesday, February 17, to hear from Task Force Co-Chairs Mayo Bartlett and Leroy Frazer. The review will include weekly Public Safety Committee meetings as well ass a chance for the public to comment on the report by mail and email as well as during a Webex teleconference public input session on Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Here’s how to participate in the Public Safety Committee’s Public Comment Session:Online: Members of the public who would like to speak via Webex may go to the Event Information page to register: https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/onstage/g.php?MTID=effe129e657086c8a1af951a58dbf3df7  By phone: Participants may dial-in, toll-free, when the session starts at 1-844-621-3956. Enter the meeting access code: 185 569 8776  In writing: Comments can be submitted in writing, beginning immediately, by emailing BOLPublicComments@westchesterlegislators.com or mailing physical copies to the Clerk of the Board of Legislators, 148 Martine Ave., 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 1060. Written comments must be received by March 10 at 5 p.m.  To watch: The meeting will stream live on Current Meetings section of the BOL website at www.westchesterlegislators.com Read the Westchester County Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force report at: https://www.westchestergov.com/images/stories/pdfs/policereformreport.pdfWatch archived video of Wednesday’s Public Safety Committee meeting at: http://westchestercountyny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=571 Check our meeting calendar for the upcoming meetings of the Public Safety Committee as they are scheduled — https://westchestercountyny.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

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WPCNR MILESTONES. Reprinted from the WPCNR ARCHIVES. February 22, 2021:

Today is George Washington’s Birthday.

The time when we remember the first leader and the best. It is instructive to look at our first leader, George Washington, the father of our nation — America — that used to be.

One cannot help be reminded of the snowy winter at Valley Forge, when the bedraggled, poorly equipped rebel army suffered but held together, and attacked the Hessians in Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, crossing the Delaware River at night. What kind of man was he that George Washington could inspire his troops against all odds?

Washington was a man of tremendous character. Of principle.

Where did he get this character?

He specialized in self-control at an early age. That congressmen, lobbyists, and pundits and yes, Presidents,  means mind-control, reason and responsibility, and humanity.

According to  the book, The American President, Washington, at sixteen, had formed a code of conduct. He had written a book of etiquette with 110 “maxims” to guide his conduct in matters. In this etiquette book he had written:

Every action done in company ought to be done with a sign of respect to those who are not present. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop;…Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave…Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

The character sketch provided by the authors of The American President, indicates this personal “rulebook” was a book that Washington wrote over the years and referred to it often, for, they write, for the following reasons:

“for self-control, to avoid temptation, to elude greed, to control his temper. Reputation was everything to him. It had to do with his strength, his size, his courage, his horsemanship, his precise dress, his thorough mind, his manners, his compassion. He protected that reputation at any cost.”

Earning respect by example. Quelling rebellion with a few words.

He sets an example today for those who would take advantage of America’s weakness and seize power by opportunism.

Washington inspired by example.

He lived with his troops. He shared hardships with them, and there was so much respect for him that he was able to talk them out of armed rebellion at the end of the American Revolution.

Washington had been asked by the army to join them to overthrow the Continental Congress, and make himself King.

Washington had been asked by one of the officers of the rebels to join them, and he wrote them,

You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Banish these thoughts from your mind.

Hearing that the rebels who were planning insurrection against the new country due to not having been paid by the Continental Congress, Washington rode to Newburgh, New York, (not far from White Plains,NY,USA) on March 15, 1783, to meet with the dissident insurgents. Washington spoke to the rebellious group, saying,

“Gentlemen, as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common Country; as I never left your side one moment, but when called from you on public duty; as I have been the constant companion and witness of your Distresses…it can scarcely be supposed …that I am indifferent to your interests. But…this dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it…has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts from the idea…I spurn it, as every Man who regards liberty…undoubtedly must.”

The would-be rebels fell silent, digesting what he had said. Then Washington withdrew a letter from Congress, but could not read the text, withdrawing some eyeglasses from his tunic, remarking,

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”

The men present were reported to have tears in their eyes at this gesture of Washington’s and abandoned their plot out of respect for their leader.

Washington retired from the military, surprising the entire new country.

His action surprised King George III of England, who was astonished that Washington had refused to hold on to his military authority and use it for political or financial gain.

The defeated King of England, remarked, “If true, then he is the greatest man in the world.”

Seeker of Diverse Views. How to pick a cabinet.

As President, George Washington invented the Presidential Cabinet, whom he referred to as “the first Characters,” persons who possessed the best reputations in fields and areas of the jobs he was filling.

Washington said on political appointments:

“My political conduct and nominations must be exceedingly circumspect. No slip into partiality will pass unnoticed…”

Washington tolerated the relentless clashes between Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, but lectured them on the necessity for tolerance and moving beyond partisanship:

“I believe the view of both of you are pure, and well meant. Why then, when some of the best Citizens in the United States, Men…who have no sinister view to promote, are to be found, some on one side, some on the other…should either of you be so tenacious of your opinions as to make no allowances for those of the other? I have great esteem for you both, and ardently wish that some line could be marked out by which both of you could walk.”

The Constitution Should be Protected

When George Washington left office after two terms, he made a farewell address which warned future generations of Americans about foreign entanglements and partisanship in the republic:

I shall carry to my grave the hope that your Union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the Constitution may be sacredly maintained; and that free government…the ever favorite object of my heart…will be the happy reward of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.”

Washington died in 1800, three years after leaving office in 1797. He was saluted on the floor of congress as being

“First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

He was the first and best. The ultimate role model for any leader.

Today, February 22, 2021 is a day that tries Americans’ souls.

It is hoped that some of our “leaders” in Westchester, in Albany, in Washington might read the words I have quoted above and take them to heart in future deliberations.

George Washington’s vision of his country is being challenged by those who know not what they do.

But we who remember, and read these words must refocus.

I hear you, Mr. Washington, and we heed.

Note: The American President By Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt (Riverhead Books. Penguin-Putnam, Inc.,1999) is the source for this information and quotes on George Washington.

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WPCNR GOVERNOR CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. FEBRUARY 21, 2021:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The statewide positivity rate, now at 2.99 percent, dropped below 3 percent for the first time since November 23.

(Editor’s Note: The Mid-Hudson Region, including Westchester County, Rockland, Dutchess, ORANGE, Putnam, ULSTER, SULLIVAN Counties has a total of 606 Hospitalizations–according to the Hospitalization Chart below, 3% of the population, 40% ICU BEDS AVAILABLE WITHIN 7 DAYS. Westchester County yesterday was reported by the state to have 410 tested positive on Thursday of 9,754 tested for a 4.2% infection rate.

According to WPCNR analysis reported on White Plains Week Friday evening, of Westchester County positive results from Wednesday February 11 through Wednesday, February 17, Westchester County had a daily percentage average 4.1% testing positive each day, the lowest average infection week since November 18, 2020.

Westchester experienced an average of 369 new positive cases a day for a total of 2,585 new covid positives a week. according to the New York State Workbook Covid Tracker reporting positive tests. End Editor’s note. )

The Governor also said the first case of the South African variant has been identified in a resident of New York State. The sequencing, involving a Nassau County resident, was conducted at Opentrons Labworks Inc’s Pandemic Response Lab, a New York City based commercial lab, and verified at the Wadsworth Center in Albany. Last week, a Connecticut resident who had been hospitalized in New York City was found to have the South African variant.  

“We continue to see a reduction in positivity and hospitalizations throughout the state, which is good news, and this progress is allowing us to reopen the valve on our economy even further,” Governor Cuomo said. “But with the discovery of a case of the South African variant in the state, it’s more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear masks, wash hands and stay socially distanced. We are in a race right now — between our ability to vaccinate and these variants which are actively trying to proliferate — and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined.”

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported – 221,157
• Total Positive – 6,610
• Percent Positive – 2.99%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.44%
• Patient Hospitalization – 5,764 (-213)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week – -829
• Patients Newly Admitted – 602
• Hospital Counties – 55
• Number ICU – 1,162 (+0)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 794 (-7)
• Total Discharges – 142,307 (+715)
• Deaths – 75
• Total Deaths – 37,851

The regional hospital bed capacity and occupancy numbers, including the number of hospitalizations as a percent of the region’s population, is as follows:

Region	COVID Patients Currently in Hospital in Region	COVID Patients as Percent of Region Population	Percent of Hospital Beds Available Within 7 Days Under Surge Plan
Capital Region	168	0.02%	35%
Central New York	95	0.01%	32%
Finger Lakes	213	0.02%	40%
Long Island	983	0.03%	34%
Mid-Hudson	606	0.03%	43%
Mohawk Valley	109	0.02%	36%
New York City	3,130	0.04%	31%
North Country	74	0.02%	57%
Southern Tier	134	0.02%	47%
Western New York	252	0.02%	38%
Statewide	5,764	0.03%	35%

The regional ICU bed capacity and occupancy numbers are as follows:

Region	Total ICU Beds in Region	Total Occupied ICU Beds in Region	Percent of ICU Beds Available in Region (7-day Avg)
Capital Region	236	174	27%
Central New York	262	170	32%
Finger Lakes	397	246	37%
Long Island	857	662	22%
Mid-Hudson	678	394	40%
Mohawk Valley	127	93	29%
New York City	2,609	2,032	21%
North Country	60	29	45%
Southern Tier	126	74	44%
Western New York	545	344	38%
Statewide	5,897	4,218	28%

Each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

REGION	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
Capital Region	2.09%	2.00%	1.90%
Central New York	1.41%	1.33%	1.24%
Finger Lakes	2.33%	2.37%	2.32%
Long Island	4.36%	4.31%	4.27%
Mid-Hudson	4.43%	4.14%	4.18%
Mohawk Valley	2.11%	2.11%	2.02%
New York City	4.40%	4.40%	4.41%
North Country	3.91%	3.95%	3.82%
Southern Tier	0.78%	0.76%	0.76%
Western New York	3.01%	2.87%	2.28%
Statewide	3.60%	3.53%	3.44%

Each New York City borough’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

BOROUGH	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
Bronx	6.20%	6.00%	5.67%
Brooklyn	4.57%	4.56%	4.48%
Manhattan	3.01%	2.98%	2.91%
Queens	4.96%	4.95%	4.88%
Staten Island	4.57%	4.47%	4.23%

Of the 1,578,785 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:

County	Total Positive	New Positive
Albany	20,392	56
Allegany	2,839	7
Broome	14,228	83
Cattaraugus	4,281	12
Cayuga	5,289	47
Chautauqua	7,185	33
Chemung	6,362	12
Chenango	2,376	17
Clinton	3,390	21
Columbia	3,318	6
Cortland	3,078	4
Delaware	1,448	10
Dutchess	21,565	113
Erie	63,468	220
Essex	1,298	7
Franklin	1,954	19
Fulton	3,202	32
Genesee	4,293	21
Greene	2,582	9
Hamilton	276	0
Herkimer	4,505	6
Jefferson	4,622	40
Lewis	2,005	9
Livingston	3,452	18
Madison	3,765	10
Monroe	51,564	141
Montgomery	3,095	16
Nassau	143,615	546
Niagara	14,984	27
NYC	684,185	3,384
Oneida	19,393	42
Onondaga	31,909	61
Ontario	5,646	20
Orange	35,648	152
Orleans	2,398	4
Oswego	5,894	19
Otsego	2,247	9
Putnam	8,116	31
Rensselaer	8,788	28
Rockland	37,579	101
Saratoga	11,604	44
Schenectady	10,624	31
Schoharie	1,168	8
Schuyler	850	3
Seneca	1,544	12
St. Lawrence	5,233	39
Steuben	5,426	11
Suffolk	158,029	513
Sullivan	4,616	22
Tioga	2,752	12
Tompkins	3,389	13
Ulster	9,754	56
Warren	2,769	6
Washington	2,248	16
Wayne	4,382	12
Westchester	104,400	410
Wyoming	2,756	8
Yates	1,007	1

Yesterday, 75 New Yorkers died due to COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 37,851. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence:

Deaths by County of Residence
County	New Deaths
Albany	1
Bronx	5
Broome	1
Delaware	1
Dutchess	1
Erie	1
Kings	13
Lewis	1
Manhattan	6
Monroe	3
Nassau	4
Niagara	1
Oneida	1
Onondaga	1
Orange	2
Queens	14
Rensselaer	1
Rockland	2
Saratoga	2
Schenectady	1
Suffolk	9
Sullivan	1
Westchester	3

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