WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From My Sisters' Place, White Plains. September 7, 2010:  

My Sisters' Place has hired a legal expert to aid the agency in the sensitive and growing problem of human trafficking.

Laren Pesso  will be a resource to MSP staff and to our community at large as she coordinates the agency’s response to actual and suspected cases of human trafficking.  In addition, she will conduct trainings for law enforcement and community groups, develop strong internal protocols for handling trafficking cases, and draft a best practices guide for domestic violence agencies that are looking to add the work of human trafficking to their mission. 

Ms. Pesso, MSW, MPA carries the official title the of  My Sisters’ Place/LexisNexis/Somaly Mam Foundation Human Trafficking Fellow. 

Ms. Pesso has worked directly with domestic violence victims, as well as in important international research experience around issues of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and women’s health. 

She has held positions with Women’s Political Resource Center as a project manager in Tbilisi, Georgia and Engender Health leading a team of researchers in Uganda in the study of gender based violence.  Her graduate internship posts were at Sanctuary for Families at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center and the Crime Victims Treatment Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Additionally, she has published and conducted trainings on her experiences abroad working to advance women’s rights.  Ms. Pesso holds joint masters degrees in social work and public administration, with a focus on human rights, from Columbia University.

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. September 6. 2010 UPDATED SEPTEMBER 7, 2010:

The Department of Public Works confirmed to WPCNR this morning yesterday's small flood on Post Road was caused by failure of the main water line under East Post Road. The city has repaired the water leak causing minor flooding Monday morning on East Post Road, restoring service to Westchester One.

The Department told WPCNR today that it was not a feeder line to the empty former Frozen Ropes building as first thought, instead the break was in the main water line going down Post Road. It is the third failure of a major water main in the city in 8 months. Others  occured at Bank Street and Main Street, and most recently, Martine Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. WPCNR has a call in to city hall to see if the city has a concern that multiple city water mains in the downtown may need replacement.

Previously White Plains Week the city news roundup show had noted that city water main pipes are only expected to have a life expectancy of 60 years.while mains installed in the mid-1800s have life expectancies of 100 years. With many of the pipes in the downtown installed in the mid-twentieth century the city may be facing recurring infrastructure proplems with their water manes, this being the third break this year.

Commissioner Joseph Nicoletti told WPCNR he suspecedt that a connector line leading from the city water main into the former Frozen Ropes storefront, now vacant, had failed as of about 10 A.M. Monday morning.  Nicoletti said the leak was noticed when water was seen bubbling up from the street.

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From The Mayor's Office. September 4, 2010:

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. September 1, 2010:

Mayor Adam Bradley of White Plains will address the next meeting of the Commercial & Investment Division (CID) of the Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors (WPAR) on September 16 at the WPAR offices at 60 South Broadway, White Plains. The meeting begins at 8:15 A.M.

The Mayor plans to address future development in downtown White Plains.The Mayor will discuss how his administration is navigating the recession. He will discuss the Metropolitan Plaza project on Main Street (site of the former A & P), redevelopment near the railroad station and the Winbrook Housing redevelopment, overall economic development and the city's "green" policies

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. Special to WPCNR. August 20,2010:

White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong advised WPCNR this evening that the fire investigation team investigating what caused the Bengal Tiger restaurant fire that destroyed half a block on East Post Road July 7 is awaiting some lab results to aid them in making a determination of what lead to White Plains worst fire in five years.

Bengal Tiger Block July 7 Burning. Fire took some 10 hours to bring under control

Aftermath, July 8.

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. August 12,2010:

The July Sales Tax Report was handed down to WPCNR today by  Susan Burns of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance showing White Plains July sales tax collected $286,053 more in sales tax receipts over last July’s figures. (July is the first month of the new city fiscal year

 City Sales tax receipts of $3,717,403 beat the county July sales tax pace, benefiting from a ¼% city sales increase that went into effect June 1, raising July sales receipts 8.34%  (though short of the proportionate increase in the sales tax, 12%) while County Sales Tax receipts continued robustly, up 7.63%.

The city sales receipt for July ($3,717,403), is below the July, 2008 high water mark of July collections of the last five years of $3,938,114, reflecting the pace of sales prior to the beginning of the 2008 economic downturn.

On the county side of the sales tax ledger,  county sales tax continues headed for a surplus with its continued strong showing in July with its 7-1/2% rate of growth sustaining itself another month. Should the county continue on this 7-1/2% sales tax increase trend, the county will generate an $11 Million sales tax surplus, realizing approximately a $444 Million sales tax handle for fiscal year 2010, generating a $12 Million surplus in sales tax receipts over the expected and forecast $432.6 Million.

WPCNR ENTERTAINMENT TOMORROW. August 11, 2010 UPDATED August 12, 2010, 11:30 P.M. E.D.T. with Broadcast Link:

Former White Plains resident, Candyce Corcoran, internationally known as an animal rescuer, and defender of the delicate Bichon Frise breed, and finder of homes for animals who have no home,better known in the past in White Plains for her challenges to Bill Ryan and her runs for the Common Council and tireless work for a major party is fitting right in, downhome in Nashville, Music City, USA.

Candyce and Oliver arrive at WSMV-TV NBC Studios in Nashville Wednesday for their appearance on BETTER NASHVILLE with Kacy Hagerty which telecast Thursday on NBC affiliate. To see the interview go to Click here: Dog Helps Kids Cope With Daily Meds - Video - WSMV Nashville

Ms. Corcoran has been a resident of Murfreesboro,Tennessee,for one year, just outside of Music City, USA,  Ms. Corcoran through her community involvement on environmental issues and work with local Bichon Frise owners and fanciers is rapidly becoming a key factor in the resilient and historic pillar of the South, Nashville

Thursday, Ms. Corcoran was interviewed on the NBC Television network affiliate, Channel 4 on Kacy Hagerty's program BETTER NASHVILLE. The program may be viewed on the internet on this link: Click here: Dog Helps Kids Cope With Daily Meds - Video - WSMV Nashville . Ms. Corcoran discusses her children's book "Oliver," written by her to help children cope with medical treatments.

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. August 14,2010:

Archbishop Stepinac High School, located at 950 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, will hold its Fall Open House on Sunday, October 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.    The event, which is open to 7^th and 8^th grade students throughout Westchester and the Bronx, will provide parents and future high school students with information about the school, along with its academic, sports and extra-curricular programs.

 The Open House will begin with a welcome from school officials and a video presentation in the auditorium. Current high school students will then conduct separate tours for parents and students.  The event will conclude in the gymnasium, where teachers, coaches and students will provide information on various course offerings, sports teams, clubs and other school activities.

For more information on the Stepinac High School Open House, please visit www.stepinac.org.

WPCNR CNA NEWS. August 10,2010: 

The August meeting of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA) will be held on Tuesday, August 10 at 7:30 pm in the lower meeting room of Education House, 5 Homeside Lane, White Plains.

The meeting will feature two presentations in the CNA Leadership in Governance Series:

    * Thomas Roach, Esq., President of the White Plains Common Council, will deliver the keynote address, exploring "Leadership in a Fiscal Crisis."
    * Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive will round out the evening with a brief topical presentation followed by a question and answer period.

A brief business meeting will be held before the featured presentations.  During the business meeting:

    * Linda Levine, the Mayor's Representative, will distribute leaflets about the Youth Bureau's 40th Anniversary celebrations.
    * Arnie Bernstein, the new President of the White Plains Downtown Residents Association will introduce himself and discuss his goals.
    * Events permitting, White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong will attend and introduce himself.

WPCNR asked Lou Bruno, CNA Co-President, why Robert Castelli, who is the incumbent 89th District Assemblyman, was not invited to address the CNA, too.

(Mr. Roach will be running against Castelli in November, provided Mr. Roach wins the Democratic Primary in September).

Mr. Bruno in a statement, explained: "No need to rush the season. Tom will be talking on Tuesday about leadership, which as you know has nothing to do with politics. We'll have a Roach-Castelli debate as part of the October Candidate's Night."

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. August 4, 2010:

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong hosted a block party for the neighborhoods on Public Safety Headquarters last night, attracting some 500 persons through the evening. He hoped would introduce members of the community to the number of services provided to enhance public safety of residents in the city. This was the first time White Plains has participated in the national police event, "National Night Out," and Chong told WPCNR he would definitely bring the various organizations back next year for another "Night Out."

On hand were the the Westchester K-9 unit, the Fire Bureau Rescue 88 truck, the Domestic Violence Unit, the New York State Troopers, the Westchester County Police, the Visiting Nurse Service, and others.  Citizens could meet and greet leading personalities of the White Plains Department of Public Safety: the Commissioner, the Police Chief, and Assistant Police Chief, members of the Fire Bureau on an informal basis. Information tables were set up for the various services with literature available.

Councilpersons Benjamin Boykin, David Buchwald, Dennis Power, Tom Roach, Beth Smayda and Mayor Bradley attended and mingled with the crowd.

As of 8 P.M. the event attracted a crowd as diverse as White Plains itself, enjoying rock and roll music, a boxing exhibition featuring the Youth Bureau, and all had the options of viewing the inner workings of the emergency and service vehicles available.

Chong said it was the first time persons in White Plains had the chance to make themselves aware of all the services provided for their well-being and learn how to work with them. He said, in his opinion it was very successful,well-attended and he thanked the organizations that participated.

Here is how it looked to the WPCNR Roving Photographer:

The Night Out at 8:15 P.M down at the Public Safety Building. For more photos, click READ MORE

WPCNR INTERNET NEWS. August 4, 2010:

The White Plains Professional Firefighters have launched an internet website.

The site airs concerns, distributes information, and appears to be a vehicle to continue the fight to retain  health benefits and retiree benefits the city is attempting to take away by legislation. (Currently the matter of whether the city has the right to collect health premiums from fire department retirees going forward is in litigation in the U.S. Southern District Court, which has issued an injunction.)  Various comments note the need to remove members of the Common Council one-by-one through the election process.

The site may be viewed at www.wpruff.wordpress.com.

WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. AUGUST 4, 2010: '

White Plains Common Council President Thomas Roach will be the Guest Speaker at the August meeting of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino will also address the meeting and hold a Q&A session afterward.

The August meeting of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA) will be held at Education House at 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains, NY at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 10, 2010. Council President Tom Roach will explore "Leadership in a Fiscal Crisis " in his keynote address. County Executive Rob Astorino will round out the evening with a brief topical presentation followed by a question and answer period. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend and participate.

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. AUGUST 2,2010:

White Plains Youth Bureau is hosting a Homecoming Barbeque on Saturday, August, 14, 2010, Noon-6pm at Gardella Park. This is the first in a series of celebrations for the White Plains Youth Bureau’s 40th anniversary year. Anyone ever involved in the life of the Youth Bureau is welcome to attend and bring their family and friends. There will be tennis, swimming, games, sporting activities and much more!!!

The White Plains Youth Bureau has touched thousands of young lives since it became a formal office of city government in 1970. The White Plains Youth Bureau has one mission: helping youth grow into successful adults. Today, the Youth Bureau works with over 2000 youth each day with 50 programs backed by our proud tradition of 40 years of service.

Bring your White Plains Youth Bureau stories, some sun screen a great appetite!!

WPCNR PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT. August 1, 2010:

A smokey fire resulted in evacuation of the White Plains YMCA on Mamaroneck Avenu Sunday morning, according to Jim Benerofe. Benerofe advised WPCNR the fire began about 11:15 A.M. and was under control by 11:45 A.M. No one was injured.Benerofe could not confirm exactly where the fire was, but had heard it started in the sauna. No one was injured.

WPCNR PUBLIC SAFETY SENTINEL. July 28, 2010:

Fire Chief Richard Lyman advised WPCNR Wednesday that “nothing has changed, we are still investigating (the Bengal Tiger site) in the initial phase of our investigation.”

Asked when possible findings would be announced, Lyman said “we are pretty far out still.”

Asked if the torrential rains which flooded the  razed site over the weekend had compromised the investigation team ability to identify substances possibly causing the blaze, Lyman said the rain would not obscure possible clues to what caused the block gutting fire three weeks ago today.

Asked if arson had been ruled out, Lyman said nothing had been ruled out as a cause at the present time.