JULY 9–COUNTY EXECUTIVE TESTIFIES AGAINST PROPOSED RATE INCREASES BY CON ED

Hits: 74

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins testified in-person at a New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing to voice the County’s strong opposition to proposed rate increases by Con Edison.

The hearing provided Westchester residents with a critical opportunity to speak on the record and demand accountability from the utility giant.

Jenkins, who previously testified at a virtual PSC hearing, has remained a vocal critic of the proposed hikes. He recently signed legislation—unanimously passed by the bipartisan Westchester County Board of Legislators—officially making Westchester a party to the state’s major rate case against Con Edison.

Jenkins said: “The proposed Con Edison rate increases are unfair, unaffordable and unacceptable.  Families across Westchester are being pushed to the breaking point. Seniors on fixed incomes, working parents and small business owners cannot afford to pay more for an essential service while wages stay flat and inflation rises. Forcing people to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table is simply wrong.”

Jenkins emphasized that while he supports investment in reliable infrastructure and clean energy, such progress must not come at the expense of affordability.

Posted in Uncategorized

JULY 9– RAIN CLOSES BEACHES ON LONG ISLAND SOUND

Hits: 84

BEACH CLOSURES DUE TO RAIN IN NEW ROCHELLE, MAMARONECK AND RYE

(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Health Department has closed the following beaches preemptively for today due to 0.67 inches of rainfall over the last 24 hours:

NEW ROCHELLE: Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Beach Club, Greentree Country Club and Surf Club on the Sound

 

MAMARONECK: Harbor Island Park, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club and Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club

 

RYE: Coveleigh Club

Beach patrons are advised to avoid the water at these beaches today due to bacterial contamination from road runoff into drainage outfalls near these beaches. The beaches can reopen tomorrow.

The County remains committed to maintaining high standards of environmental health and safety across its recreational facilities.

 

Posted in Uncategorized

JULY 8 — CON ED PUBLIC INPUT HEARINGS THIS WEEK

Hits: 99

Dear EDITOR

 

Property owners, co-ops, condos, and homebuilders alike have been alarmed by Con Edison’s request to increase its electricity delivery charges by 11.4% and its natural gas delivery charges by 13.3%. Thanks to the intervention of our local elected officials—including State Senator Shelley Mayer and the Albany delegation, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, and the Westchester County Board of Legislators—there will be two public statement hearings in Westchester hosted by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the regulatory body that will accept or reject Con Edison’s proposed increases.

 

We strongly urge all BRI members who wish to go on the record with the PSC to attend one of these two in-person hearings:

 

Tuesday, July 8

1:00–6:00 PM

Cortlandt Town Hall

 

Wednesday, July 9

1:00–6:00 PM

Westchester County Center

 

Planning to give a statement? Let the BRI know here.

 

The PSC requires those wishing to provide testimony to sign up for a speaking slot in person, on a first-come, first-served basis. Testimony is typically limited to three minutes or less, and no written material is required. If you’ve never spoken at a PSC hearing before, there are several resources to help you prepare:

 

·    BRI staff is available to help you edit your statement. Please use the response link above.

·    PULP has produced a helpful guide, which you can download here: PULP Guide to Participating in Rate Case Hearings.

 

These double-digit proposed rate increases would have a major impact on the operating expenses of homes and buildings—and on affordability across Westchester for individuals, families, organizations, and businesses. We strongly encourage you to participate and make your voice heard!

Posted in Uncategorized

JULY 7 — COUNTY LOSING $1 MILLION A MONTH IN UNPAID BUS FARES. COUNTY EXECUTIVE ASKS COUNTY BOARD FOR $50 FINE FOR FIRST VIOLATION. $100 FOR SECOND FARE BEATING OFFENSE

Hits: 98

 

Watch the Press Conference Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pjgzzp-RpE

 

 

NEW LAW INTRODUCED TO HELP CURB FAIR EVASION ON BEE-LINE BUSES

 

Proposed Legislation Would Establish Civil Penalty for the Theft of Services on Bee-Line Buses

(White Plains, NY) – In an effort to promote fare compliance and ensure the safety and sustainability of Westchester County’s Bee-Line Bus System, the County has introduced a proposed local law that would establish a civil penalty for the theft of services on the Bee-Line.

The proposed legislation—submitted for adoption to the Westchester County Board of Legislators—would amend the Laws of Westchester County by adding a new Chapter 643, creating a non-criminal enforcement mechanism for individuals who fail to pay the required fare to ride the Bee-Line.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Fare evasion is costing us about $1 million dollars a month, and it poses a serious threat to the safety, fiscal integrity, and the long-term success of our Bee-Line system. This legislation is about accountability, not criminalization. It provides a fair and proportionate response to a growing problem that affects all riders. This is about protecting the integrity of the system while being mindful of who’s riding, and why they might not be paying.”

According to a 2018 report by the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Bee-Line serves approximately 100,000 riders per day at over 3,000 bus stops throughout the County. The system is a vital resource for students, seniors, commuters and residents who rely on public transit every day.

Currently, fare evasion falls under New York State’s Penal Law Section 165.15 (Theft of Services), a Class A Misdemeanor. However, Westchester County is now seeking to address the issue through local civil penalties rather than criminal charges.

Key provisions of the proposed local law include:

  • A civil fine of $50 for a first offense of fare non-payment.
  • A fine of $100 for each subsequent offense.
  • Authorization for County and local law enforcement to issue appearance tickets.
  • The option for violators to either pay the fine or appear in local court.

The County urges the Westchester County Board of Legislators to adopt the proposed local law and support the continued reliability and equity of the Bee-Line Bus System.

Posted in Uncategorized

JULY 5—-CONGESTION PRICING 6 MONTH REPORT FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL. IT’S WORKING NEW YORK

Hits: 103

SIX MONTHS IN, GOVERNOR HOCHUL HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS OF CONGESTION PRICING: TRAFFIC IS DOWN, BUSINESS IS UP, AND CRITICAL INVESTMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO IMPROVE TRANSIT

State of New York Has Succeeded in Blocking Federal Attempts to Unwind the Effective Program

Traffic is Down Throughout the New York City Region; Quality of Life Has Improved; Transit Ridership Has Surged to Post-Pandemic Highs

Economic Activity Has Increased in New York City in the First Six Months of 2025

Program Will Fund $15 Billion in Transit Improvements From the Hudson Valley, to Long Island, to New York City

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that in its first six months, New York City’s congestion pricing program has succeeded in reducing traffic and raising revenues to fund transit improvements across the region, while economic activity in New York City has flourished. Activated at 12:00 am on January 5th, the nation’s first urban congestion pricing program reduces gridlock in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) below 60th Street by charging motorists to enter the zone. Revenue from congestion pricing is on track to reach the forecasted $500 million in 2025, allowing the MTA to advance $15 billion in critical capital improvements to mass transit on its subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad systems.

“Six months in, it’s clear: congestion pricing has been a huge success, making life in New York better,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York, we dare to do big things, and this program represents just that – traffic is down throughout the region, business is booming, transit ridership is up, and we are making historic upgrades to our transit system. We’ve also fended off five months of unlawful attempts from the federal government to unwind this successful program and will keep fighting – and winning – in the courts. The cameras are staying on.”

New York State and the MTA have successfully fought off repeated legal challenges to congestion pricing and have stood up to block the unlawful attempts of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In May, a preliminary injunction was issued in the case of Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, keeping congestion pricing in effect pending further court proceedings and enjoining the federal government from taking retaliatory measures in response.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Congestion relief is a massive success and validation of the initiative keeps pouring in. The program is achieving all of its goals in terms of traffic reduction, increased travel speeds, safety, noise reduction and more. And not only is Congestion Relief delivering all the projected benefits – and more – it’s also proving that New York State government can effectively execute major, ambitious initiatives that improve the quality of life in ways New Yorkers notice and appreciate.”

MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “In addition to all of the benefits New Yorkers are already feeling on our streets, Congestion Relief is delivering accessibility at 25 subway and railroad stations, modern subway signals for AC and BDFM riders, new subway and rail cars, and countless other essential projects for our public transit system. The new MTA is hard at work advancing these projects better, faster, and cheaper.”

Since the congestion pricing program took effect on Jan. 5, it has delivered a wide array of benefits according to data from the MTA and other reports and studies from business groups and other data sources.

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic and improving quality of life

In just six months, congestion pricing has succeeded in reducing traffic, speeding up the flow of traffic, and reducing delays – not just in the Congestion Relief Zone but throughout the region. The number of vehicles entering the zone is down by 11% since congestion pricing started. Every day, 67,000 fewer vehicles enter the zone, and since the program started, more than 10 million fewer vehicles have entered the zone compared to last year.

According to a report from the Regional Plan Association and Waze, traffic delays are down in the Congestion Relief Zone by 25% and across the metropolitan region by 9%. Delays are also down by 10% in the Bronx and 14% in parts of Bergen County, NJ. Time lost to traffic jams is down 12%, giving seven minutes for every hour spent in traffic in 2024 back to commuters’ lives. Travel times on river crossings have decreased by 6% to as much as 42% in 2025 compared to 2024. In the Holland Tunnel, rush hour delays are down by 65% since congestion pricing began. In the Lincoln Tunnel, MTA express buses are traveling almost 24% faster than in 2024. Roads and highways approaching the Congestion Relief Zone, including Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn and the Long Island Expressway, are also moving faster than last year.

Reduced gridlock has improved quality of life in New York City. Crashes in the Congestion Relief Zone are down 14%. Traffic injuries are down by 15% in the zone, and the safety benefits are being felt citywide. Just this week, the New York City Department of Transportation released data showing that pedestrian fatalities on New York City streets are at historic lows, matching levels last seen in 2018.

Additionally, air quality has improved and noise pollution has reduced since the program was launched. Honking and vehicle noise complaints to 311 are down by 45% in 2025. A new report from the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released on July 2 showed steady or decreasing levels of fine particle air pollution (or PM2.5) at most sites, both inside and outside the Congestion Relief Zone.

Transit service and ridership are on the rise

Transit ridership across all modes has increased from January-May 2025 when compared to the same period last year. All MTA modes of public transportation have had post-pandemic record high ridership in the first half of 2025.

  • Subway: +7%
  • Bus: +12%
  • LIRR: +8%
  • Metro-North: +6%
  • Access-A-Ride: +21%

Transit service has steadily improved in 2025 to near record levels. In May, subway On-Time Performance was 85.2%, the best non-pandemic month in recorded history. Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North On-Time Performance have consistently been at or near 97% and 98% respectively in 2025. Buses are moving faster thanks to congestion pricing. Bus speeds have increased by an average of 3.2% within the CRZ, with some routes increasing by as much as 25%.

Governor Hochul and the MTA have also made historic investments to improve bus service. Service was increased on eight key Express Bus routes in March and on 14 high-ridership local bus routes on June 29th. The MTA also launched the first phase of the Queens Bus Network Redesign on June 29th, bringing more frequent and direct service with better connections to 800,000 Queens bus riders. Phase 2 will launch on August 31.

Economic activity in New York City is up

Gridlock is bad for the economy. According to a report from the Partnership for New York City before congestion pricing was launched, businesses and individuals were wasting hundreds of hours sitting in traffic, costing the economy $20 billion per year. Congestion pricing is a locally developed solution to a generational challenge. 

Already, the benefits of congestion pricing are improving New York City’s economy. Commuters are saving as much as 21 minutes each way. Time savings help businesses make deliveries and save costs. The annual value of these time savings could be as high as $1.3 billion. In May, business district pedestrian activity within the Congestion Relief Zone increased by 8.4% compared to May 2024. This growth is much faster than for business districts outside of the zone, which saw an increase of 2.7%.

Business is booming in the Congestion Relief Zone in 2025. Broadway just posted its biggest season ever with $1.9 billion in ticket sales; retail sales are on track to be up $900 million in 2025 compared to 2024; Hotel occupancy was 87% in April 2025 compared to 85% in April 2024; Commercial office leasing in 2025 Q1 is up 11% compared to 2024 Q4 and up 80% since 2024 Q1. At the same time, New York City now has the most jobs in its history – nearing 4.86 million in April 2025. That represents 1.6% growth over April 2024, outpacing the national average of 1.1%.

The MTA is investing in transit improvements funded by congestion pricing

By enabling the MTA to issue $15 billion in bonds to fund projects in its 2020-2024 Capital Plan, congestion pricing is powering improvements across the MTA network. Improvement projects funded by congestion pricing include:

  • 435 additional R211 subway cars – including 80 additional open-gangway cars
  • 44 new, more reliable dual-mode locomotives for the Long Island Rail Road
  • 300 new M9A cars for Metro-North and the Long Island Rail-Road
  • Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signal upgrades on the A and C lines between Downtown Brooklyn and Ozone Park, allowing for more frequent and reliable service
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades at 23 subway stations, including new elevators, reconstructed platforms, and other improvements

Additionally, funding from congestion pricing allows the MTA to move forward with the tunneling contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, which will be awarded in the second half of 2025.

Posted in Uncategorized

BASEBALL AT THE ALL STAR BREAK– THE SIESTA

Hits: 93

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK By “Bull” Allen. July 5, 2025:

Hello there everybody, THIS is Bull Allen.

I am sitting in the Mel Allen Honorary Broadcast Booth in the open mezzanine under the Upper Deck in the Ghost of The  Big Ball Park  (Red used to the stadium that in its glory days) Macoombs Dam  Park at 161st and River Avenue in The Bronx in Heaven

I am looking at the Home of Champions stretching out in the endless green carpet of the outfield of yesterday where the legends played: The Babe, The Rabbit, The Old Crow, The Mick, the Lou’s, The Jet, The Moose, Ellie, Old Country, Roger, Bernie, The Stick, Poosh Em Up, The Chairman of the Board,  Prince Hal, Steady Eddie The Super Chief, The Yankee Clipper, Lefty,  Red, King Kong, Bob Meusel, Willie, E-5,  played  pitched and still play in this Ghost of a Ball Park in Heaven.

I am seeing a second straight season of altered baseball, a Yankee team lose 15 of their last 21 games. Leave  634 runners on base, the most in the major leagues. Lose 12 of 18 1-run  ball games in the last 3 weeks, and lose 5 extra inning games, winning only 1.

The bullpen, I am tempted to  rename the “Gashouse Gang” has blown 9 saves.

The same offenders keep throwing away 1 run leads with throwing high strikes for leadoff hits, compounding that felony with walks and fat homers. 3-run homers which rebuild the lead  after the Yankees tie it up. The pitchers that do this, consistently seem to do it, but instead of blown saves, they get losses on their record.

The Homer happy Bombers have now lost 5 in a row to Toronto and now the Mets on 4th of July.

The batters have a consistent problem. They leave runners in scoring position with 2 outs a lot. The team does not have a  hitters that can hit to the opposite field to advance the runner. They swing for the fences and hit homers with the bases empty and not when there are two on.

I have not seen a season of inept Yankee baseball like this in my 65 years of watching the Yankees play.

They only win when they put up 7 to  10  runs, and even then that kind of lead is not safe with this group of  bullpen and inconsistent starters.

Now fans, I know you scoff at my criticism of the new rules in baseball.

The Yankee performance this summer  is a replay of what the team started doing last July when the same thing appeared. Sleepy ball. You recall they got hot against a soft schedule in September and finished first. But when they hit the World Series against good pitching from the Dodgers, the bullpen collapsed and the Yankees lost in 5.  The obvious Yankee need going to this season was more starting pitching and bullpen improvement.

However, due to injuries, the bullpen has been inconsistent and I am being generous here with that adjective

Going to the 9th with a lead in Yankee Stadium today, is excruciating for fans in the upper deck who do not leave the game early. This is not Manuel Rivera coming out of the bullpen. And they know it. The stadium is silent with anxiety. It is never a 1-2-3 inning. It’s usually a 10 batter inning and the visitors have a big winning lead.

But when the Yankees fall behind early because of inept pitching or “Hold the lead” pitchers do NOT hold the lead. The game becomes “unwatchable.”

Yankee Starters are barely giving 4 good innings. Before they leave giving up 4 runs. And then….and then, the bullpen parade starts. The Yankee bats fail to get the big hit.

Toronto the first strong team the Yankees have played in awhile, swept them four games and scored 36 runs in 4 games off Yankee pitching. There was no good pitching.

The Mets also having trouble in June (it must be a New York thing), have seen pitching and bullpen problems too.

I remember in the time George Steinbrenner was running the Yankees, if they were going bad the manager was gone in midseason. He fired Billy Martin and brought in Bob Lemon in 1978 with the Bombers 14 games behind the Red Sox. The Yankees caught them and won the playoff in Fenway on Bucky’s homerun.

At this point, the Yankee manager has worn out his bullpen, the guys come in every day he has to use so many pitchers. He has no confidence in any of them and this wears down the pitchers’ confidence. When you warm up you throw 20 pitches…then you come in and throw 20 more in action. This wears down  arm and control which is evident from pitcher performances the last 2 months.

The manager has not learned. The pitchers have to go out every day. There arms are ready to fall off. The starters are demoralized.

The Yankees score a lot of runs but the last month that has been sporadic. And when they do hit the other team hits more. This is an insoluble dilemma.

The front office has the option of trading for pitching (ONE 7 inning stsrter please, 2 would be great and closer)

The  confidence of the young pitchers on this staff  is shot. One has 4 blown saves for example. He has been ruined.

The team needs a pitching coach or manager who knows how to handle pitching. It’s not pitch counts that make pitchers. It’s knowing how to pitch.

“Stuff” makes good pitchers.

“Control” makes pitchers effective.

“Confidence” makes pitchers tough.

“Toughness’ instills fear in the hitter as Sandy Koufax once said.

Right now the bullpen needs rehab, rest. The Yankees could lose 8 more games  before the daily horror of the next game ends. The Yankees have Mets for two games. The Seattles for 3 games and the Cubs for 3. The Yankees will  roll the dice every time one of their in-shock relievers is summoned.

It is not enough to say “We’re the best team in the league right now.” (The manager said that yesterday.}

The Tigers and the Astros are.

The Yankees are praying for 6 rainouts this week.

The manager has proven to be inept and not learn from his mistakes.

The players may like him. But he is the worst manager the Yankees have had in decades.

If the Yankees would exhume Billy Martin’s coffin and put Billy back in the dugout in the corner the present manager could consult with Billy through the coffin and we might improve.

It is time to relieve the general manager and the manager who refuse to recognize their mistakes.

It is time for sportswriters to explore the fatigue in the bullpen. It is time to question strategy. It is time to question the week hitting bench with the lack of clutch pinchitters like Oscar Gamble and  Enos Slaughter of the past, and an infield prone to crucial errors and failure to turn Double Plays in the clutch.  you cannot run a baseball team on stats analysis and projection.

Heart counts.

It is time.

Posted in Uncategorized

HERE LIES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: BORN JULY 4, 1776. DIED JULY 5, 2025 BY ITS OWN HANDS IN 6 MONTHS

Hits: 95

Here Lies the United States of America: Born July 4, 1776. Died July 4, 2025. Aged 248 Years. RIP WE remember you and thank you for your service while it lasted.

 

Statue of Liberty

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT By John F. Bailey. July 4, 2025:

I DID NOT GO  to the fireworks in White Plains New York USA.

There should be no fireworks anywhere in America today.

Because there is little to celebrate about America anymore.

What Americans used to  celebrate on July 4 in the past no longer exists.

It is a memory, a once shining hope  the world always looked to for inspiration.

That America is forever gone.

I miss it so.

We may never see that respect and admiration from the world again.

Our reputation for standing up for the good, the decent, and the just has been smeared and shattered  by persons  who should have known better.

America to the rescue no more. I was always proud of that.

Unselfish acceptance of persons in trouble coming to our shores to start a new life: the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, Latinos, Africans, Asians, Muslims– has been callously, proudly, viciously attacked by our “leaders” in congress.

Both houses of congress and a mean-spirited selfish man have aroused hatred of the different, the oppressed, the  persecuted, and the poor, in citizens who should know better.

There but for the grace of God go you and I, Mr. and Mrs. And Ms. America.

We collectively bear full responsibility for the death of the America Dream, by not paying attention, by  buying into a line and a hate.

How quickly America’s heart hardened to stone.

Cruelty rationalized. Hate defended. Discrimination championed. Truth attacked.

That was never the American Way.

6 months  is all it has taken.

A year of a media circus campaign followed by the nomination of “An American Strongman,” a  man of the people champion who spoke of “Making America Great Again.”

The media carried and publicized dutifully the ranting of this man.  Because he was good copy.  “Everything is copy,” it has once been said. But no judgment was used. Nothing was censored. The media were putty in this man’s hands. Criticism was labled as fake news.

The man who condoned  and  popularized hatred of his opponents, who  courted the cooperation of an enemy of America to influence his election, and who  reveled in his denigration of women and the weak was elevated to an exulted level. Too many of us bought the easy answers.

His opponent in the election underestimated him. She failed to grasp the visceral violence he aroused in voters—voters who  only saw the promise of  their personal getting even with their perceived tormentors and disregarding the premise of this very mastermind.

Half of the voters in the country ate his message up.

That horrendous campaign has been followed up with a march on American values that, like those before him and his henchmen: Mongols, Huns, Cossacks,  Barbarians  and Nazis rampaged across Europe with sword and violence.

The weapons today are  microphones, videos, propaganda, slogans and big lies that play as convenient truths, executive orders laying waste to reason and morality in this nation, forsaking our friends of the past and uplifting the evil leaders of the world. And initiatives ineptly executed, inappropriate, and bungled because of the inability to manage and think.

I and you have seen 180 days of dismantling rights taken for granted by Americans. Courts ruled by idealogues full of their bluster. Justices making rights-robbing decisions virtually one jaw dropper a week.

Ludircrous Leaders in cabinet positions opposed to the missions of their agencies.

How great are we now?

The promise of America has been forever broken.

How great are we now?

It is embarrassing  to be an American  for what this neo-Nazi government  has done in just 6 months.

As  fireworks explosions are prepared to celebrate a government that now rips children away from families at the border . Adequate records not even being kept. Are photographs being taken of the children already in custody with their parents? Who knows? Reporters have not even documented the process of what happens in the separations.

We now have masked police.

Now America, look at you: America has “Children Concentration Camps.”

Look at you America, you now are going to test children’s DNA with the parents who brought them to make sure they are not “Fake children.” The birthright guarantee is going to be revoked. But will it be retroactive?

America did not used to be afraid of children.

But hate was always under the surface that the premise of America had to always fight.

Hate is always poised to raise its horror,  its ugliness, its indifference to the suffering of others. But it is not indifference. The haters love hurting people they consider inferior. It makes them feel good.

Slavery, the segregation of the South and the North (remember redlining?). Other than the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, and the Cavalry revenge massacres at Wounded Knee and the Washita River, and Andrew Jackson’s Trail of Tears (the Cherokee Indian death march), and the burning of Atlanta, and Bloody Kansas, we have forgotten our humanity  conveniently  in favor of the easy emotion: hate and destruction of lives because it makes us feel so good.

Look at you, America: Religious freedom for all. No more.  Muslims are being ostracized by travel bans.

In fact the clergy, the Christians in America, I call you out: What would Jesus say about your failure to take in strangers or your condoning  (as a matter of faith for crying out loud!) administration policies that hurt, displace, deny aid, and safety. There is nothing Christian about that.

Look at you, America, how what you have built in 248 years has been ripped away in 4 feckless days by both houses of congress resulting in a vote that what featured only one Democrat in the House speaking for 8 hours. Where was every Democrat poised to vote against the bill not follow up and delay for days the vote. I guess they all wanted to head off on vacation.

Look at those fireworks, and this year they will represent an America flaming apart in the night falling.

Look at what it takes to be an American of the past now.

You are a drifter still believing in freedom and truth, justice and the American Way in your heart, mourning what America once was and is no more.

I remember not the country whose leadership has betrayed its country’s promise this week with little effort to stop it. This was America’s Last Stand, and no congressman or senator fought to the last man or woman. Seven New York Republicans voted against their own state. Gutless.

Remember their names: Rep. LaLota, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s. They could have saved us but did not.

America has died in one week.

Its leadership has betrayed its war dead and veterans who fought for truth, justice and the American Way  and the Pursuit of Happiness.

America, Look at you and remember what you once meant to millions.

The Stars and Stripes are no longer forever.

Old Glory is tattered, the white and red stripes  wrinkled, ripped, furling asunder in the cruel winds of hate, in total disunity, no longer a whole flag. A hydra of hate, no longer proud.

The white stars falling out of the blue background lose their unity. Scatter to the four winds.

Lay a wreath on the flag.

Cancel the fireworks celebrations everywhere.

There is nothing to celebrate  this July 4.

But for those of us old Americans, who remember what America used to stand for, our work is just beginning.

We are the last Americans at the barricades like the first Americans at Bunker Hill in Boston.

Even those of us who may just now are beginning to realize how they have been taken in by slogan, lies and hate and are beginning to feel uneasy.

I want you with us.

We the Americans left have a lot of work to do to make America the Greatest again, all over again.

Give us time, old friends.

You and I have to knit that Grand Old Flag back together again.

Stitch by stitch.

Vote by Vote.

Heart by Heart.

Lincoln by Lincoln.

Every member of congress knows what they did last week.

We all know what happened this week, the U.S. Congress of 2025 has transformed into the American Reichstag  emulating the German Reichstag of 1933 and turned over absolute power to Adolf Hitler  in a bill that none have a clue of how its policies will be carried out, when they will be inacted, ignoring warnings of impact on citizens.

We know too what our job is.

Work will be hard.

We are on the barricades now

We have to work and  take  care of our little space and if all the citizens in every little town, big town, city, rich state, poor state, agriculture state turn their eyes inward to work for the good in our towns and thwart the the strategies that wreak our communities and restore the takeaways just approved with blessings by the representatives who have betrayed their oaths that’s our mission now.

Are you with me?

Lafayette, we are here.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

TONIGHT: 7:30 EDT WHITE PLAINS WEEK FIREWORKS THE JULY 4 EDITION–FIOS 45, OPTIMUM 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Hits: 107

THE POWER RATE HEARINGS THIS WEEK– CHRIS BURDICK AND THE PIRATES

COVID CASES ON A SLIDE. 70% DOWN FROM LAST JUNE. JULY INCREASE SHOULD NOT BE AS LARGE AS  2024

GOVERNOR HOCHUL TELLS IT THE WAY THE MONEY IS AFTER THE BIG BILL IS SIGNED. PAYS OFF 7 BILLION IN STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND DEBT TO MEET THE DAMAGE. 

COUNTY ON TRACK FOR 1.4 BILLION SURPLUS. THE TIME IS NOW FOR COUNTY TO COME TO THE RESCUE TO DEFUNDED HEALTH, EDUCATION AND OVERWHELMED NON PROFITS WHO AID HUNGRY HOMELESS, SCHOOLS.

 

REMEMBERING AMERICA WHEN WE WERE THE WORLD’S DEFENDER 108 YEARS AGO TODAY

COUNTY EXECUTIVE  JENKINS ANNOUNCES COUNTY HAS PREVAILED

IN ARBITRATION HEARING OVER STANDARD AMUSEMENTS

 

ART POWER AT THE WHITNEY! SHOWING TRUTH TO POWER

 

AMY SHERALD TO THE RESCUE–THE MOST POWERFUL INSPIRATIONAL PORTRAIT ART YOU WILL EVER SEE AT THE ONE THE ONLY WHITNEY IN NY

WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK

ON THE ONE AND ONLY WHITE PLAINS WEEK

HIS 25TH YEAR REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Hits: 70

It’s Sunny. It’s 73 WABC DEEEEEGREES! DAN INGRAM IS ON MUSICRADIO WABC.TURN IT UP.THE INTREPID AMERICAN GRILLMAN RETURNS ON A PERFECT 4TH!

 

IMG_7219

STOVETOP STARTER MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE OF  RAINY 2025 Using the New York Times started Saturday twilight Grill in record time. Superior burning newsprint!

WPCNR GRILLMAN GAZETTE. By The Grillin Gourmet. ReInternetted from The CitizeNetReporter Archives of the Ancient Past. April , 2018:

No matter whether you’re a New York Liberal, a Michigan Wolverine, A Trump supporter, or California free spirit, there’s still one phenomenon the country still believes in the American grill.

Thanks to the chimney charcoal starter and its glowing orange coals, the backyard American barbeque DNA macho in the amateur chef was inordinately delayed by the coldest WETTEST spring in memory.

But today its 73 degrees in White Plains New York USA, Dan Ingram is telling you to “Roll Your Bod,” and the grill is  READY!

Steak was raised outside, it was born to be cooked outside, and the barbequed steak puts the Cartier- priced steakhouse in its place!

In this griller’s opinion, outdoor grilling proves once again to be the equal and superior to the overpriced artificial-tasting steak. Sleek decor and atmosphere cannot duplicate backyard origins. The economy may be whatever you think it is, your home equity quiting, but  take heart even the hobo can grill! It’s part of American DNA. It’s Democracy! WHEN THEY BAN OUTDOOR GRILLING THAT’S WHEN THEY GET IN DEEP TROUBLE.

IMG_7221

To do real steak right , you have to do it outside on charcoal.

The instinct of generations of the American backyard barbeque tradition passed up from  the cave, enjoyed at Valley Forge. Lewis and Clark bit into venison discovering the Northwest.

Cowboys sunk teeth into rare beef around chuck wagons on the prairie and up from the Southland , barbeque inbred and passed on from American father to American son – cutting across nationality and station – gives you real steak – not $100 technology  enhanced cuts. Flaming charcoal makes steak a living thing in your mouth!

IMG_7220

I thought America can pull itself out of this. As long as the American grilling tradition is handed down, the pioneer “can-do” spirit lives! Look at those glowing babies romancing, enhancing that steak. It makes your mouth water!  

“HOT CHA CHA CHA” as Jimmy Durante would say!

Why go out for dinner when you can tap your inner griller and say I can cook steak better? I can do this. The difference is the air, the smoke, the way marinade just drips down into the coals and gets into the meat. It’s chemistry,  Americans!

What is it about the American Grillman that’s so special that his or hers backyard cuts beat the insider  professionals’ inflation-friendly ostentatious steaks?

It’s the unique chemistry of being American and believing in the charcoal flames.

On Memorial Day weekend, it’s a must. On Independence Day Weekend, it’s not July 4 unless you’re grillin’. On Labor Day, if you’re not workin’, you’re grillin’.

There’s just something about the searing intensity of glowing charcoal combining mystically with the testosterone and instinctual synergy between red meat and the dedicated outdoor griller –  it beats in taste, juiciness and texture the contrived technology of the most expensive restaurant equipment.

No matter how tasty the megabuck meat is in the swank sticker shock steak palaces of the swells, there’s always that artificial packaged taste that betrays the indoor steak. The butteryness. The soft crust of the black topped surface of the indoor steak just does not have the nubile grizzled roughhewn flamed  reluctant yield of the outdoor one-on-one grilled steak that fights your bicuspids with spirit as you crush it!

The Chimney Starter the Secret.

Pour in a helping of those ultimate black beauties, Kingsford charcoal briquettes into the chimney top.

Fifteen minutes before the wife has the sides ready, take a wooden match to the apertures in the base of the starter and light up the edges of the newsprint. Within 10-15 minutes you’ve got coals a firey orange red. You’re ready to outcook the pros.

After the Griller’s wife has marinated the meat –  the bone trimmed Porterhouse is sizzzzzzzlllllllllling in the caressing deep searing heat of glowing orange briquettes – 4  minutes a side in 400 degree heat and deft turning and surgical “rareness checks” – the seasoned grillistabalero  simply has a feel for the meat – passed genetically down from generations of American grillers.

The combination of cauldron, flavored steel grill rods and perfect flames creates the grillmark “brand” lets you know just by looking at the cut, you’re going to get the natural taste of the backyard steak –  No one can do a great cut like you can!

As any redblooded American Grillman will tell you when doing a steak – you can’t deliver a steak by manual or instructions.

You have to feel the meat,man!  Feel it cook. You just know it’s time. Hearty smoke promises juicy meat that melts in your mouth creates an experience only the grillman or GrillGal knows.

Every cut is not the same.

Each deserves a surgeon’s attention to cooking timing and detail. Surgical checks are necessary.

The American Grillman becomes one with the meat.

With eye and knowledge of the hue of red – you just  know  by instinct when she’s done. Cooking is slowed down by moving the meats to the side off the heat to keep the American beauties warm

With the wife’s deft presentation, sweet potato fries, corn pudding, fresh beans and mushrooms the Grillman’s natural art creates the taste of the Fourth of July

Get those grills handy and ready to fire up to get that taste of American Independence once again.

When you’re over the grill, you’re King of the Hill.

IMG_7222

Gentlemen Start your fires!

 

Posted in Uncategorized

JULY 3: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES TAX BILL. SENDS IT TO WHITE HOUSE FOR SIGNING. ALL 7 NEW YORK HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR IT.

Hits: 103

 

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL ON THE FINAL PASSAGE OF TRUMP’S BIG TAX BILL IN THE HOUSE

“Today’s vote makes it official: all seven New York Republicans in Congress voted to rip health care away from 1.5 million New Yorkers and jeopardize SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million more. They had two chances to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for the people they serve. They failed both times, gambling with their constituents’ lives to pay for billionaire tax breaks.

“To the 48,000 New Yorkers set to lose their coverage in Rep. LaLota’s district, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s: your members of Congress may have given up on you, but I never will.

“As Governor, your family’s health and well-being is my top priority. And I will keep fighting every single day to shield you from the cruelty and chaos coming out of Washington.”

###

Posted in Uncategorized