1133 Westchester Avenue Solar Installation Hearing Feb 7

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Gedney Association. January 26, 2021:



Please see the important letter below from the North Street Association regarding a proposed utility-scale solar farm at 1133 Westchester Avenue. Both the North Street Association and White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) asked us to distribute this letter to our members. 

We urge you to email and/or call the Mayor and Common Council Members. For your convenience, a sample email is provided in the letter.

The Gedney Association

CALL TO ACTION: On Monday Feb 7th there will be a Public Hearing for a proposed utility-scale solar farm at 1133 Westchester Ave.  This solar farm will be as close as 60 feet from some of our residents’ backyards and less than 35 feet from ponds and watersheds that run between the neighborhoods and corporate park. 

In advance of the Public Hearing, we urge you to call or email the Mayor and Common Council Members and express your concern about this project and the lack of existing zoning that would regulate projects of this scale. Further, remind them we are currently updating the Comprehensive Plan which when completed will guide zoning and regulation around solar utilities to ensure responsible and orderly development. 

We are deeply troubled by the sheer size of this project, 6.5 acres ( 5 football fields!) and the complete absence of any zoning that would prevent the establishment of solar farms anywhere in this city!   We are happy to answer any questions you may have around this project, please contact us at NorthStreetWP@gmail.com  We will be speaking at the Public Hearing and hope that you can attend in a show of support, but, if you cannot attend please email our officials.  
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NY APPELLATE COURT STAYS THE NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT KILLING OF MASK WEARING MANDATES. PARENTS, STUDENTS, STAFF MUST STILL WEAR MASKS TO SCHOOL,ON BUSES, AS PREVIOUSLY, SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS. GOVERNOR HOCHUL ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE APPELLATE COURT RULING

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the White Plains Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joseph Ricca. January 25, 2021 6 P/M. EST:

So that you are aware, this afternoon, the New York State Appellate Court granted an interim stay while the matter regarding the NYS mask mandate in schools is appealed by the State. Accordingly, masking within WPCSD school facilities and on school transportation remains in force and effect.

As we have said from the start of the pandemic, protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains of the upmost importance.

As this issue continues to evolve within the courts, we will continue to keep you updated. Thank you, as always, and have a good evening.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued this statement from Albany on the ruling:

“As Governor, my top priority is protecting the people of this state. These measures are critical tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, make schools and businesses safe, and save lives. I commend the Attorney General for her defense of the health and safety of New Yorkers, and applaud the Appellate Division, Second Department for siding with common sense and granting an interim stay to keep the state’s important masking regulations in place. We will not stop fighting to protect New Yorkers, and we are confident we will continue to prevail.”

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NYPD OFFICER MORA DIES OF HIS WOUNDS.

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“Westchester County joins with his family, friends and the entire region to mourn the passing of NYPD PO Wilbert Mora. Wilbert gave his life protecting the people of New York City while setting an example of service for those who knew or encountered him. May his loss, and the loss of PO Jason Rivera, make that example of selflessness leave an indelible mark on us all.”

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WP SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: JUST KEEP MASKING. NASSAU COUNTY COURT ORDER IS AUTOMATTICALLY STAYED UNTIL APPEAL IS HEARD. MASK AS YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL From Dr. Joseph Ricca, White Plains Superintendent of Schools. January 25, 2021:

First, I apologize in advance for the confusion caused by last night’s announcement that the state mask mandate has been struck down by the Nassau County Supreme Court.

I recognize that this ruling/information, and the legal back and forth, that has followed has been extraordinarily confusing and stressful for our families and our educational community. To be sure, our entire state is contending with these conflicting orders presently.

So that you are aware, this is the present situation in the White Plains City School District.

The White Plains City School District adheres to all New York State laws and regulations pertaining to public schools. 

The State Department of Health, through the Attorney General, has filed a notice of appeal (attached) to the court’s order.

Additionally, the New York State Education Department and our School District Counsel have indicated that the moment the motion was filed, an automatic stay on the lower court’s ruling was put into force and effect until the appellate court hears the State’s appeal.

What does this mean for us?

While we recognize that many community members have different thoughts and feelings regarding masking in schools, and we truly understand and respect these various personal positions, the State’s appeal effectively maintains the State’s masking policy, for the moment.

Accordingly, masking within WPCSD school facilities and on school transportation remains in force and effect. Please be advised that all members of the WPCSD community must continue to follow the State’s requirements until this legal matter is resolved.

Please be advised that this guidance may/will change again quickly. A change in masking requirements in schools could happen at any time.  As always, we will continue to monitor this evolving situation to alert you to any changes to this decision.

Thank you in advance for your patience and again, our apologies for the increased stress on our children, families, and community. A K12 Alert to the entire community is forthcoming.

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TONIGHT: THE BID’S BRITTANY BRANDWEIN ON THE WHITE PLAINS DOWNTOWN: IT’S COMING BACK.

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CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE THE BID’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON HOW THE BID IS DOIN’
CLICK ARROW TO LEFT TO VIEW BRITTANY BRANDWEIN’S INTERVIEW ON THIS WEEK’S “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” ON THE ISSUES FACING THE WHITE PLAINS DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND HOW IT HAS SURVIVED AND HAS REVIVED AND HOW THE BID CAN HELP YOU.
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WESTCHESTER CUTS NEW COVID INFECTIONS BY 19,673 IN 2 WEEKS! STUNNING DECLINES IN COVID NEW CASES.

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WESTCHESTER HAS BEST WEEK IN LIMITING COVID SPREAD SINCE COVID 4TH WAVE BEGAN: 6,327 POSITIVES JAN 16 THROUGH SATURDAY JAN 21, DOWN 10,455 INFECTIONS IN 7 DAYS.

WPCNR CORONAVIRUS MONITOR.  From New York State Covid Tracker. Analysis by John F. Bailey, January 23, 2021:

Westchester County and the rest of the Mid-Hudson Region continued to stymie the covid virus, lowering the 7-county infections for the week through yesterday (Saturday) to 1,950.

Westchester found 761 persons testing positive for covid yesterday (Saturday) the lowest single day total since December 14  when 730  in Westchester tested positive.

COVID-STOPPERS NOTEBOOK: Mid Hudson Region declined to 1,950 new positive cases Saturday. Westchester declined to 761.

The fourth wave of covid began the next week December 19 to 24, when the  5,395 infections the week of December 12 to  18 doubled to  11,450 the week before Christmas the result of 2,791 infections December 5 through 11 and  5,395 infections the week of the 12 to  18 of December.

This past week due perhaps to the extreme cold last week and the continuing increasing number of Westchesterites getting their covid shots was the second straight stunning week of stopping the covid wave before it could reach the beach.

WPCNR COVID LOG: JANUARY. Last two weeks show dramatic drop of infections.

The vaccines have cut down amazingly on the number of new infections in Westchester County, reducing infections 75% two consecutive weeks. .

Looking ahead, those 6,327 this week means the 25,294 persons infected 2 weeks ago spread the disease to less than 1 person (.25). This means they were not mingling for two weeks or staying in because of cold and bad weather.  

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20 YEARS OF WHITE PLAINS WEEK EVERY WEEK. THE CITY NEWS ROUNDUP REPORT BEGAN JANUARY 23, 2001

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20 Years ago, this week, WHITE PLAINS WEEK DEBUTED ON WHITE PLAINS TV. with Alex Philippidis, John Bailey and Jim Benerofe.

20 Years ago this week in 2001, John Bailey, Jim Benerofe and Alex Philippidis began White Plains Week, the “weekly news roundup of White Plains news and what’s happening.” In recognition of this occasion, we present this week’s White Plains Week, the January 21 report with Mr. Bailey and Guest Anchor, John Marino of Westchester Talk Radio. which you can see on the video below.

This week’s “White Plains Week” with John Bailey and John Marino of Westchester Talk Radio. Press the arrow at the left to see the program highlighting an historic past week.
THE START OF 20 YEARS REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW. The founders of White Plains Week, the city news roundup program: Alex Philippidis, then of the Westchester County Business Journal, John Bailey, founder of the White Plains CitizeNetReporter website, and Jim Benerofe, Editor of Suburban Street. WPCNR salutes Peter Katz, longtime ABC television correspondent and Editor of the indispensable aviation news report, NTSB Reporter, for his 11 years of co-coanchoring the program with Mr. Bailey and Mr. Benerofe, and frequent contributors to the program over the years. Thank you all who continue to inspire us with your support by tuning in each week. The White Plains Week report is for you.
CO-ANCHOR PETER KATZ WITH JOHN BAILEY. MR. KATZ REPORTED WEEKLY FROM 2007 THROUGH 2018
I would personally like to recognize the late Fred Straus, above, former head of White Plains Public Access TV for his confidence in the program in 2001 and enabling it to be fresh and current once a week. Thanks too, to Jim Kenny for his managing a smooth transition to WPTV new professional studios in the White Plains Library, and his continued support of WPTV producers during the covid epidemic. I also salute invaluable contributions of Keith Baker, Rita Santos and Lynn Storey and Gary Stukes of previous years for their cooperation and significant expansions of the program content to include video, sound clips and expansion of story coverage on a timely, underpressure atmosphere, always courteous professional and dedicated.

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NEWS FROM THE NORTH

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Bedford. January 22, 2022:

Dear Bedford residents,

Positive COVID-19 cases have been coming down in the past few days but we need to see the data for another week or two to know if the trend will continue. While Omicron symptoms seem to be less severe, especially for those who are already vaccinated, we are still mindful that the ease with which it can spread can be problematic when our goal is to keep things open. Careful mask wearing and social distancing are still best practices. And when it is 10 degrees outside, the mask isn’t so bad. 

Make sure you take advantage of the free COVID test kits available from the federal government. One order per address.If you know someone who is not computer literate, offer to order for them. The tests are expected to be delivered in a few weeks.

Given the extreme cold weather and Omicron it has been an isolating January for many. If you or someone you know is having a hard time coping, NY Project Hope has an emotional support hotline 844-863-9314.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and residents of all ages are welcome to make Valentine’s Day cards for seniors.
 If you are feeling very generous, consider adding a “favor ticket” to the card with an offer to do something nice for them.

Below you can read about recent town news and local events. Please feel free to reach out to me with concerns or questions.

Be well,Ellen Bedford Town Supervisor
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