WHITE PLAINS AND GREENBURGH WILL INITIATE FIRST “FRESH START” PROGRAM IN WESTCHESTER– FOR FIRST OFFENDERS, LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS ARRESTED

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROCAH LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION PROGRAM FOCUSED ON REHABILITATION INSTEAD OF INCARCERATION

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. from the Office of Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah September 28, 2021:-

– Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the launch of Fresh Start, an innovative program that gives second chances to certain first-time, low-level offenders arrested in Westchester County. This initiative takes a constructive, “Community First” approach to criminal justice reform focused on community-based social services instead of incarceration.

Launching as a pilot program in collaboration with Westchester County Executive George Latimer, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), the Greenburgh Police Department, the White Plains Police Department, and the Legal Aid Society of Westchester, Fresh Start offers a positive response to low-level offenses that enables the participant to be held accountable while avoiding prosecution, conviction, or confinement. With Fresh Start, a person arrested with an eligible charge will have the option of completing a community-based program instead of appearing in court and receiving a criminal record.

Fresh Start will commence as a pilot program for cases originating from the Greenburgh and White Plains Police Departments this fall, with the goal of expanding the program countywide in the future.

“For Westchester County, Fresh Start is an important first-step toward reducing recidivism, racial disparities and inequalities in the criminal justice system by reinventing, reforming and strengthening the traditional response to crime and conviction. By diverting cases outside the justice system, the District Attorney’s Office can increase public safety by reducing repeat offenders, while reducing its reliance on the traditional retributive responses like confinement, conviction, fines and fees, and warrants,” DA Rocah said. “Fresh Start offers eligible low-level offenders the chance to avoid the courtroom, criminal conviction, and the negative impacts that the system can have on their future and civic engagement.”

Eligible people who are arrested in Westchester County and charged with low-level offenses, such as Disorderly Conduct, Petit Larceny, Theft of Services, Trespassing, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis and more, can avoid appearing in court and a criminal conviction by completing a one-time social services counseling program led by the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health.

Upon completion, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office will decline prosecution of the offense. If the offender does not participate, fails to complete the program, or gets arrested again, they must appear in court as originally scheduled.

An evaluation of a similar program in New York City found a 75 percent reduction in future conviction, and improvements in 16 of 17 other measures of public safety. Participants were also found to be less likely to have a new violent felony re-arrest and had fewer new arrests than those in the comparison group. Further, the evaluation also found overwhelmingly positive perceptions of the program by participants, which may be connected to the program’s 98 percent successful completion rate.

“The biggest battle is the first battle, and that is believing in yourself. These offenders have committed minor crimes and we believe that with early intervention, we can get them on the right path so they never have to enter a courtroom,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “The Fresh Start Program allows offenders to take part in a community-based program and avoid a criminal conviction. It also aligns with our mission to make sure we are doing our part to ensure that young women and young men take personal responsibility for their actions, and learn how their behaviors impact others so they are better prepared to become a productive member of society. I want to thank District Attorney Mimi Rocah and the Department of Community Mental Health for spearheading this important initiative.”

“The program, developed by the District Attorney’s Office and DCMH, is intended to help individuals avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system by focusing on the personal impact of criminal justice involvement,” said DCMH Commissioner Michael Orth. “Eligible people are identified at the earliest point of contact with law enforcement, and provided an opportunity to avoid further involvement in the criminal justice system. By completing the three-hour program, offered as an extension of DCMH’s ‘Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities’ program, they will not be prosecuted, and the case will be closed.”

“We are excited to participate in this innovative initiative,” Greenburg Police Chief Christopher McNerney said. “We believe that early intervention, such as the Fresh START program, can keep individuals out of the criminal justice system while offering meaningful resources. We look forward to collaborating with our District Attorney’s Office to bring this program to the Town of Greenburgh.”  

“The White Plains Police Department is honored to partner with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the Greenburgh Police Department on a promising program to give first time offenders a second chance,” White Plains Police Chief Joseph Castelli said.

“The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County enthusiastically supports Fresh Start,” Executive Directory Clare Degnan said.  “LASW thanks District Attorney Roach for championing this pilot, Community Mental Health for their expertise, and the White Plains and Greenburgh Police Departments for their assistance. This program will allow participants to avoid the stigma of a criminal record. We look forward to working with all the stakeholders to provide the people of Westchester innovative and restorative justice alternatives.”

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JOHN BAILEY’S WHITE PLAINS ROUNDUP ON WVOX THIS MORNING ON THE DENNIS AND TONNY “GOOD MORNING WESTCHESTER” TODAY’S REPORT!

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JOHN BAILEY THE CITIZENETREPORTER, BROADCASTS WEEKLY AT 7:50 AM ON THE DENNIS AND TONNY “GOOD MORNING WESTCHESTER” PROGRAM ON WVOX 1460 AM AND WVOX.COM

“GOOD MORNING DENNIS AND TONNY FROM WHITE PLAINS NY USA WHERE IT’S 62 CLOUDY WPCNR DEGREES. LAST NIGHT AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMMON COUNCIL, WHITE PLAINS WAS PRESENTED WITH A $1.50  75% INCREASE IN PARKING ($3.50 FOR 2 HOURS) FOR THE CITY CENTER GARAGE TO AVOID KITE REALTY THE NEW OWNERS OF THE CITY CENTER DEFAULTING OCTOBER 15 ON WESTCHESTER COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY REVENUE BONDS.

“THE DEFAULT PROBLEM DEVELOPED DUE TO COVID—FROM JULY 2020 THROUGH JANUARY 2021 CITY CENTER GARAGE REVENUES DECLINED  33% FROM AMOUNTS COLLECTED PRE –PANDEMIC WHILE  OPERATING COSTS OF THE GARAGE DECLINED 5%, NET INCOME DECLINED 60%.

. THE CITY HAS KNOWN THIS SINCE MARCH 12 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS APPEARED IN PUBLIC.

IT RAISES THE QUESTION FOR WHITE PLAINS ABOUT HOW MUCH PARKING REVENUES IN THE REST OF WHITE PLAINS HAVE DECLINED AND HOW MUCH WHITE PLAINS HAS BEEN MADE WHOLE BY COVID AID.

 ANOTHER ISSUE WHITE PLAINS (AND OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES) FACES AS IT PREPARES THE 2022-23 BUDGET BEGINNING IN JULY IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL HAVE TO  RAISE PARKING FEES AT METERS AND CITY GARAGES IN THE REST OF THE CITY TO PREVENT GARAGE MIGRATION FROM THE CITY CENTER FACILITY TO THE LESS EXPENSIVE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES

REMEMBER FASNY?

THIS 11 YEAR STRUGGLE FOR THE FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEW YORK RIDGEWAY COUNTRY CLUB PROJECT STILL AWAITS REVIEW BY THE APPELLATE COURT IN BROOKLYN.

WELL ACCORDING TO DAN SEIDEL THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLANTIFF, THE GEDNEY FARMS NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CASE IS STILL NOT SCHEDULED. NO COURT DATE YET.

SEIDEL ALSO SAID THE PROJECT IS ESSENTIALLY DEAD BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO BUILD THE PROJECT,

BECAUSE TIME (10 YEARS GOING ON 11) HAS GONE BY HE BELIEVES A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SHOULD BE DONE.

HIS SUGGESTION IS FOR WHITE PLAINS TO BUY THE PROPERTY BACK FROM THE SCHOOL AND WHILE OPENING THE PROPERTY FOR HOUSING AND PUTTING IT BACK ON THE TAX ROLLS.

GRAFMAN MAKES A COMMON COUNCIL RACE

ALLAN GRAFMAN A PUBLIC RELATIONS MEDIA CONSULTANT IS NOW RUNNING FOR COMMON COUNCIL IN THE FALL REPRESENTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE COMMON SENSE PARTY.

I SHOULD BE INTERVIEWING HIM NEXT WEEK. HE IS RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENTS JOHN MARTIN,JUSTIN BRASCH, AND RICHARD PAYNE, A FIRST TIME CANDIDATE. MR. GRAFMAN WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE HIS CANDIDACY AND THE INCUMBENTS THEIR VISION AND MR. PAYNE’S WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE AT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM FOR COMMON COUNCIL CANDIDATES MONDAY OCTOBER 18, 7 PM VIA ZOOM (VIRTUALLY),

SCHULTI SHUNS FORM WITH LATIMER

IN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE, GEORGE LATIMER’S OPPONENT, CHRISTINE SCHULTI  DECLINED TO APPEAR AT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CANDIDATES FORUM IN OCTOBER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ANNOUNCED. THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS GAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR HER DECLINING TO APPEAR.

SCHOOL OPENING

WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS OPENED LAST WEEK WITH SOME CONFUSION ON THE SCHOOL BUSES  PARTICULARLY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JOSEPH RICCA SAID THAT IS BEING STRAIGHTENED OUT WITH THE BUS COMPANY. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JOSEPH RICCA SAID THAT IS BEING STRAIGHTENED OUT WITH THE BUS COMPANY.

PARENTS ASKED ABOUT A CAFETERIA INCIDENT INVOLVING AN ALTERCATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN STUDENTS AT LUNCH HOUR. PARENTS ASKED HIM ABOUT IT LAST FRIDAY ON DR. RICCA’S WEEKLY ZOOM REPORT, ASKED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEIR STUDENTS CAME HOME THURSDAY TALKING ABOUT IT. DR. RICCA SAID THE SCHOOL IS COUNSELING AND DEALING WITH THE PARTICIPANTS AND TALKING WITH THEIR PARENTS. HE SAID THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HE SAID HAD THEIR BEEN INJURIES, PARENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. HE SAID LAST WEEK WAS THE FIRST WEEK STUDENTS HAD SEEN EACH OTHER IN AN IN-SCHOOL SITUATION SINCE LAST SPRING AND THIS MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE THE ALTERCATION.

HE SAID THERE WAS ONE INFECTION OF COVID IN A CLASSROOM IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THAT CLASSROOM WAS NOW ON LEARNING REMOTE.  HE CALLED ON PARENTS NOT TO SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IF THEY APPEARED SICK IN ANY WAY.

WPCNR SUGGESTS SCHOOLS EVERYWHERE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE  SIMMERING TENSIONS THAT MAY BE LURKING AT THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS AND BE PREEMPTIVE WITH COUNCILING AND CALMING STUDENT FEELINGS ABOUT THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.

WHITE PLAINS MALL MAKEOVER INTO HAMILTION GREEN PRESENTED

LAST NIGHT RXR REALTY PRESENTED THEIR NEW PLAN FOR BUILDING HAMILTON GREEN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANNED TO REPLACE THE WHITE PLAINS MALL AND WAS READY TO START THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION.

RXR HAS SECURED AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE THE BALANCE OF THE PROPERTY FROM THE FORMER OWNER AND PRESENTED A DESIGN THAT EXPANDS THE OPENING SPACE AND ELIMINATES THE ABOVE GROUND PARKING STRUCTURE PREVIOUSLY PLANNED AND PUTS 4 STORIES OF IT UNDERGROUND.

RXR ASKED FOR A SITE PLAN EXTENSION AND THE ATTORNEY SAID IF APPROVED, THE PROJECT COULD START IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2022.

(CORRECTION: IN THE FIRST EDITION OF THIS TRANSCRIPT I REPORTED THE GARAGE INCREASE WAS APPROVED. IT WAS NOT BUT SHOULD BE ON NEXT MONDAY’S AGENDA.)

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Republican County Executive Candidate Christine Sculti Declines to Participate in LWVWP Candidates Form. LWV Cancels the Event

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2021. From the League of Women Voters White Plains. September 26, 2921:

The League of Women Voters of Westchester has announced that the planned Westchester County Executive Candidates Forum has been canceled because the Republican candidate declined to participate.

League policy requires that for a Candidates Forum to be held, there must be at least two participants.  LWVWP president, Stephen Cohen, said, “It is disappointing that the residents of White Plains and all of Westchester County will not be able to hear the candidates in the County Executive race discuss with each other their views on the issues of importance to Westchester.  League Candidates Forums are an opportunity to hear from the candidates in a calm, respectful, nonpartisan setting that encourages civil discourse. The Forums have even greater importance today when candidates’ options for making themselves known to their constituents are greatly curtailed.”

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WOMEN’S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT PASSES HOUSE! SENATE GETS IT NEXT

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Today, 218 members of the U.S. Congress voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. This is the first time in history, the House of Representatives has voted on proactive legislation to protect abortion rights.

The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) is federal legislation that works toward a future where all of us are free to make the personal decisions that shape our lives, our futures, and our families, without political interference.

The passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act is the first step in ensuring equal access to abortion care—everywhere and for everyone. The passage is essential for social and economic equality, reproductive autonomy, and the right to determine our own lives.

The bill passed 218-211 with Representative Henry Cuellar (D., Texas) joining Republicans in voting “no.”

What comes next?
The  WHPA now goes to the Senate. At this time, we do not have any details on when the bill will be introduced.

However, it is imperative that everyone urge their Senators to support the Women’s Health Protection Act!

We need everyone united to get the WHPA passed in the Senate. Our strength is in our numbers.
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WHITE PLAINS WEEK SEPT 24 REPORT 7:30 PM ON FIOS COUNTYWIDE CH 45 AND IN WP, OPTIMUM CH 76 AND ANYTIME ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS WITH FRIENDS
YES, VOTERS THERE WILL BE A REAL ELECTION! GRAFMAN PUTS HAT IN RING MAKING A RACE OF IT
MTA SHOCKS COMMUTERS — WEAR A MASK OR GET $50 FINE AND LOSE YOUR RIDE 3 MILLION RIDING-POSSIBLE 120,000 UNMASKED. MTA IS GOING TO STOP THAT COMPLETE MTA NEWS CONFERENCE
COVID FLATTENING OR STEADYING? 8 STRAIGHT WEEKS OF 1,000 NEW INFECTIONS A WEEK IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY- ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER 1,000 NEW CASES.
WVOX AUDIO OF RON BELMONT AND JOHN BAILEY CONVERSATION ON HARRISON SCHOOL OPENING, HARRISON COVID SITUATION AND WHO’S RENTING ALL THOSE NEW APARTMENTS IN HARRISON?
EXCERPT FROM PEOPLE TO BE HEARD WITH STEPHEN FERRI AND JOHN BAILEY ON THE NEW WPPAC SEASON –THEATRE IS BACK!
MISS LIBERTY IS CRYING
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MR. JONES WEEK IN WASHINGTON

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Versión en español a continuación 

Dear Neighbor, 

After spending an incredible few weeks in New York’s 17th Congressional District, meeting with constituents throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties, I’m back in Washington during a very busy week. As the first week back in session comes to a close, I want to give an update on what I’ve been working on.  

Standing with our Haitian-American Community

On Wednesday, I stood alongside my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to address the horrific treatment of Haitian migrants at our southern border. In NY-17, we have one of the largest Haitian-American communities in the nation, and I’ve been fighting to fix our deeply broken and unjust immigration and refugee systems. These systems rip families apart, terrorize immigrant communities, and deport folks who have called our nation home for decades to countries they have never known—like our neighbor from Rockland County, Paul Pierrilus.

In response to this week’s disturbing images of Haitian migrants being treated with cruelty, inhumanity, and indignity at the southern border, I joined my colleagues in calling for a thorough investigation into Border Patrol’s actions. I also reiterated my calls for the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian and civic crisis, specifically the fallout from a record-breaking earthquake and the assassination of the Haitian president in recent months, and return to America those individuals who have been unjustly deported. It’s long past time our immigration system centers the humanity and dignity of all, and that’s exactly what I’m fighting for. 

Providing Relief for Hurricane Ida and Afghan Refugees

On Tuesday, I was proud to help pass legislation to fund the government through December. This bill is important not only because it will keep our government open and operational, but also because it contains billions in critical emergency relief to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, as well as billions in funding to help support our Afghan refugees. Hurricane Ida was devastating to communities across our district. As we continue to recover, I’ll keep working to ensure that anyone impacted by this storm receives the relief they need and deserve. 

Addressing our Climate Crisis

On Thursday, the House voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes an amendment I introduced to address our climate crisis. This amendment would require the Department of Defense to commit to addressing the climate crisis by submitting a plan to Congress to reduce the Department’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with science-based targets. The Department of Defense is the single largest consumer of energy in the United States, the world’s largest institutional consumer of petroleum, and a source of devastating pollution at home and abroad. Addressing our climate crisis requires an all-of-government approach, which is why I introduced this amendment, and I’m thrilled that it passed in the House this week. 

Establishing an Afghan Special Envoy 

Along with my amendment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our military, the NDAA passed this week also includes another amendment I introduced to establish an Afghan Special Envoy position at the White House. This Special Envoy would oversee the evacuation of people in Afghanistan as well as connect them with groups in the United States that would help with their resettlement. As we continue to welcome Afghan refugees into our country, this Special Envoy will be critical in helping to support their safe and efficient resettlement. We have a moral obligation to provide safe refuge to those whose lives have been impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and my amendment will help ensure we meet that obligation. 

Protecting Reproductive Freedom

Today, the House voted to pass critical legislation in the fight for reproductive freedom: the Women’s Health Protection Act, which I’m proud to cosponsor. Reproductive rights are under assault in this country, with the Supreme Court working to strip the American people of the fundamental right to safe and legal abortion. Earlier this month, the Court silently allowed Texas’ draconian abortion ban, SB 8, to take effect, all but entirely banning abortions and paying anyone, including anti-abortion activists, to act as “bounty hunters” by suing people who help provide abortions. And in just a few weeks, the Court will hear arguments in a case where it may overturn Roe v. Wade nationally. 

But today, House Democrats are fighting back against this outright assault by voting to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade in all 50 states and guarantee the right to safe and legal abortion once and for all. Do you agree that we should protect reproductive freedom for all?

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As this busy week comes to a close, I’m as grateful and honored as ever to serve as your Representative in Congress. As always, my office is here to serve you. If you or your family need assistance with a federal agency or help related to COVID-19, please call my office at (914) 323-5550.   Sincerely,  Mondaire Jones Member of Congress 
To continue receiving updates like this, sign up for my e-Newsletter here . ImageImage                                                         Washington DC Office | 1017 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6506
White Plains District Office | 222 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 312 | White Plains, NY 10605
Phone: (914) 323-5550

Rockland Office Coming SoonImageEstimado Vecino,Después de pasar unas semanas increíbles en el Distrito 17 del Congreso de Nueva York, reuniéndome con constituyentes a través de los condados de Westchester y Rockland, estoy de regreso en Washington durante una semana muy ocupada. A medida que la primera semana de sesiones llega a su fin, quiero dar una actualización sobre lo que he estado trabajando.

Apoyando nuestra Comunidad Haitiano-estadounidense

El miércoles, estuve junto a mis colegas en el Caucus Afroamericano del Congreso para abordar el terrible trato a los migrantes haitianos en nuestra frontera sur. En NY-17, tenemos una de las comunidades haitiano-estadounidenses más grandes de la nación, y he estado luchando para arreglar nuestros sistemas de inmigración y refugiados profundamente quebrantados e injustos. Estos sistemas destrozan a las familias, aterrorizan a las comunidades de inmigrantes y deportan a las personas que han llamado hogar a nuestra nación durante décadas a países que nunca han conocido, como nuestro vecino del condado de Rockland, Paul Pierrilus.

En respuesta a las imágenes inquietantes de esta semana de migrantes haitianos tratados con crueldad, inhumanidad e indignidad en la frontera sur, me uní a mis colegas para pedir una investigación exhaustiva sobre las acciones de la Patrulla Fronteriza. También reiteré mis llamados para que la Administración Biden detenga de inmediato las deportaciones a Haití en medio de una crisis humanitaria y cívica en curso, específicamente las consecuencias de un terremoto récord y el asesinato del presidente haitiano en los últimos meses, y regrese a Estados Unidos aquellas personas que hayan sido deportadas injustamente. Ya es hora de que nuestro sistema de inmigración centre la humanidad y la dignidad de todos, y eso es exactamente por lo que estoy luchando.

Brindando ayuda a los Refugiados Afganos y al Huracán Ida

El martes, estuve orgulloso por ayudar a aprobar la legislación para financiar al gobierno hasta diciembre. Este proyecto de ley es importante no solo porque mantendrá a nuestro gobierno abierto y operativo, sino también porque contiene miles de millones en ayuda de emergencia crítica para ayudar en las secuelas del huracán Ida y otros desastres naturales, así como miles de millones en fondos para ayudar a apoyar a nuestros afganos refugiados. El huracán Ida fue devastador para las comunidades de nuestro distrito. Mientras seguimos recuperándonos, seguiré trabajando para asegurarme de que cualquier persona afectada por esta tormenta reciba el alivio que necesita y merece.

Combatiendo nuestra Crisis Climática

El jueves, la Cámara votó para aprobar la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional (NDAA) anual, que incluye una enmienda que presenté para abordar nuestra crisis climática. Esta enmienda requeriría que el Departamento de Defensa se comprometa a abordar la crisis climática mediante la presentación de un plan al Congreso para reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero del Departamento de acuerdo con los objetivos basados en la ciencia. El Departamento de Defensa es el mayor consumidor de energía en los Estados Unidos, el mayor consumidor institucional de petróleo del mundo y una fuente de contaminación devastadora en el país y en el extranjero. Abordar nuestra crisis climática requiere un enfoque de todo el gobierno, por lo que presenté esta enmienda, y estoy encantado de que se haya aprobado en la Cámara esta semana.

Estableciendo de un Enviado Especial Afgano

Junto con mi enmienda para reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en nuestro ejército, otra de mis enmiendas, que establecería un puesto de enviado especial afgano en la Casa Blanca, también se aprobó como parte del proyecto de ley más amplio de la NDAA. Este Enviado Especial supervisará la evacuación de personas en Afganistán y los conectaría con grupos en los Estados Unidos que ayudarían con su reasentamiento. Mientras seguimos dando la bienvenida a los refugiados afganos a nuestro país, este Enviado Especial será fundamental para ayudar a respaldar su reasentamiento seguro y eficiente. Es nuestra obligación moral brindar refugio seguro a aquellos cuyas vidas están en peligro por la actual crisis humanitaria en Afganistán y estoy orgulloso de que mi enmienda nos ayude a hacer precisamente eso.

Protección de la Libertad Reproductiva

Hoy, la Cámara aprobó una legislación fundamental en la lucha por la libertad reproductiva: la Ley de Protección de la Salud de la Mujer, que estoy orgulloso de copatrocinar. Los derechos reproductivos están siendo atacados en este país, con la Corte Suprema trabajando para despojar al pueblo estadounidense del derecho fundamental al aborto seguro y legal. A principios de este mes, la Corte permitió que entrara la draconiana prohibición del aborto en Texas, SB 8, que prohíbe por completo los abortos y paga a cualquiera, incluyendo los activistas antiaborto, para que actúen como “cazarrecompensas” al demandar a las personas que ayudan a proporcionar abortos. Y en unas pocas semanas, la Corte escuchará los argumentos en un caso en el que podría anular Roe v. Wade a nivel nacional.

Pero hoy, los demócratas de la Cámara de Representantes están luchando contra este ataque directo votando para aprobar la Ley de Protección de la Salud de la Mujer, que codificaría Roe v. Wade en los 50 estados y garantizaría el derecho al aborto seguro y legal de una vez por todas.Ya que esta semana ocupada llega a su fin, estoy tan agradecido y honrado como siempre de servir como su Representante en el Congreso.Sinceramente,
Mondaire Jones
Miembro del Congreso
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SPONSOR COMMON COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM

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The League of Women Voters of White Plains today announces that it will sponsor a virtual Candidates Forum for candidates in the election for seats on the White Plains Common Council.

The virtual Forum will be held Monday October 18, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The League will use the cloud-based video conferencing application Zoom. Participants will join from their chosen remote locations. Invitations to register for the Forum and submit questions for the candidates will be sent shortly.

The Forum will also be live streamed via YouTube and be available for subsequent viewing through Election Day Tuesday November 2. 

There are four candidates running for three seats on the White Plains Common Council. The candidates are, Justin Brasch (D), Allan Grafman (R, Common Sense), John Martin (D), and Richard Payne (D). Members serve at-large for four-year terms. They have all confirmed they will participate in the Forum.

League of Women Voters of White Plains president, Stephen Cohen, said, “This Candidates Forum is an important opportunity for residents of White Plains to hear where the candidates for Common Council stand on important issues in a calm, respectful, nonpartisan setting that encourages civil discourse. The Forums have even greater importance today when candidates’ options for making themselves known to their constituents is greatly curtailed. We are pleased that all four candidates in the race will be participating.”

Note that there is no challenger in the White Plains Mayoral race. League policy is that Candidates Forums are not held when a candidate is running unopposed. Therefore, LWVWP will not host a Candidates Forum for the mayoral election.

For information contact: LWVWP.CF@GMAIL.COM
Vote – Because Every Election Matters

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Congressman Jones Calls for Biden to Reverse Deportation of Haitians as US Haiti Envoy Resigns

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Today, Congressman Mondaire Jones (D-NY) released the following statement on the resignation of United States Special Envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Daniel Foote.

“The nation of Haiti is in the midst of once-in-a-generation civic and humanitarian crises, including the assassination of the Haitian president and ensuing constitutional crisis, a devastating earthquake, a deadly pandemic, and the lingering consequences of generations of colonial exploitation. That is why, for months, in public letters and in private conversations,

I have called on the Biden Administration to immediately halt all deportations to Haiti and return to America those individuals who have been unjustly deported there—like my constituent Paul Pierrilus, an upstanding member of our Rockland County community who had never even been to Haiti before the Biden Administration cruelly deported him there in February. 

Special Envoy Foote’s resignation is a stark acknowledgement of the deep injustice and inhumanity of the Biden Administration’s insistence on continuing deportations to Haiti. Deporting individuals to Haiti in its current state of civil unrest and natural disaster is a dark stain on our nation that undermines our moral authority at home and around the world.

After four years of xenophobic rhetoric and policy from the previous administration, the American people elected Joe Biden to return humanity, dignity, and respect for international law to our immigration system. So far, his administration has failed to do so, and individuals fleeing civil unrest and natural disaster are suffering the consequences. 

The American people – and the world – are watching. We are once again imploring President Biden to do the right thing by immediately halting all deportations to Haiti and returning to America those individuals who have been unjustly deported there. Lives, and our credibility as a nation, depend on it.”

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THE NEW MTA MASK POLICY: WEAR A MASK OR BE FINED $50 WITH A SUMMONS

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WPCNR THE RAILROAD NEWS. From the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 23, 2021:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is advising customers that beginning Thursday, September 23, MTA officers will be stepping up mask enforcement throughout the system and those who do not comply with mask requirements will be more likely to face a $50 fine. Mask-wearing is a federal requirement on trains, buses and paratransit vehicles.

Following Labor Day, the MTA began on a blitz of mask distribution, with MTA staff and police officers strategically stationed at subway and railroad hubs, and bus terminals, distributing tens of thousands of free masks to unmasked riders. This continues an approach established in September 2020, when the MTA implemented a $50 fine to help increase mask compliance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The goal of heightened enforcement is to increase mask usage across all agencies, and to return to 2020 and early 2021 compliance levels where nearly 100% of riders wore masks onboard subways, buses, commuter railroads and paratransit vehicles. 

Since the $50 fine was implemented on September 14, 2020, MTA police officers have had over 88,000 positive encounters with customers. This has included the distribution of more than 50,000 free masks overall, 25,000 in the two weeks since the blitz began on September 7.

“Promoting mask usage is an important component to protecting one another,” said Patrick Warren, MTA Chief Safety Officer. “To support the use of masks we have provided tens of millions of free masks to customers, complemented by a robust communication endeavor. These efforts have seen mask usage recently rise on buses and trains. This next phase of our blitz will reinforce that wearing a mask is not optional. Vaccinated or not, you must wear a mask when traveling on public transit.” 

“Our officers have surged into major hubs to remind riders to wear their mask, and have handed out 25,000 free masks in just two weeks,” said Joseph McGrann, Acting Chief of the MTA Police Department. “In the coming weeks officers will step up enforcement efforts on commuter rails and work with our partners at the NYPD for the subway and bus system. The message is clear, wear a mask. Riders who are still not getting this message will now see the cost associated with that thinking.” 

Since the mask blitz began at key transit hubs, mask usage has increased. Latest surveys show that mask compliance onboard buses is approximately 94%, 87% on subways, 92% on the LIRR and 95% on Metro-North.

To date the MTA has made 11.1 million masks available for customers. Through the Authority’s trailblazing Mask Force, which launched in July 2020, more than 800,000 free masks have been distributed to customers.

Free masks remain available for any customer that forgets a mask at subway station booths and onboard commuter railroad trains. Distribution efforts continue to be complemented with digital messaging and announcements in stations.

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