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Sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind around 15 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy
Overnight low:
20°F
Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
“To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on.” “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.”
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by Gaston Veuvenot Leroux
First Presented at the Paris Salon, 1888
WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT by William Shakespeare. March 14, 2021 UPDATED 5 PM E.D.T.:
(Editor’s Note: The following is a continuing commentary from our pundit of the past, that exemplary and wise beyond his years, William Shakespeare, creator of 36 plays in I believe 52 years of his life, that have sustained their relevance to mankind for over 400 years since he wrote them (without a word processor or typewriter.
Never has there been a time more appropriate to brush up your Shakespeare!
At the close of the quotes, there is a feature from Ohio State News about a play their theater presented in 2020 about the first African-American to play the Othello role on the stage.
The plays are still performed today because they speak timeless truths about power, behavior, the flaws of the mind, and our capacity for destroying each other and the ones we love.
Yesterday, the bard enlightened us about the struggle for power and means for obtaining it through quotes from his gripping drama Julius Caesar.
Today the bard’s words concern the ways in which good men or “honourable” men like Brutus and Othello are time and again induced to commit acts and endorse actions that are not in the best interests of the state but ultimately to promote their own interests they are convinced are in best interests of the state, but in reality benefit themselves in the future, or at worst avenge wrong done against themselves.
To set the background of the Bard’s Othello, the title character is a heroic Moor commander of the Venetian Army who is revered by his men for his valor and leadership against the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, a Venetian colony. Being a Moor, he is hated for the color of his skin and his success.
The tale was adopted by Shakespeare from the combination of Italian stories and the Arabian Nights. Othello never lived, but there were Moors that did fight for Venice.
After the Turk fleet is destroyed by a storm, Iago, a lieutenant in the army and Rodrigo a rejected suitor of Desdemona the Venetian beauty who eloped with Othello are enraged at Othello’s success.
Iago plots to convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio, Othello’s must trusted officer. When Iago’s plot is successful, Othello, his honor inflamed is jealous and makes a perplexed Desdemona heartbroken because she does not know the source of Othello’s rage.
The play ends in tragedy, but explores the insidious nature of putting one’s personal gain and hurt feelings ahead of the good of the people.
Now when you read these quotations from Othello, you may see some little relevance in the behavior of today or a lot—the call for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign by State Senators, State Assemblypersons, Senators, Congresspersons, a who’s who in politics.
The quotes give you all you need to know about why we are seeing this today and their motivations.
Joan of Arc comes to mind.
She was burned at the stake as a heretic by the French church, after defeating the English because she would not reject her belief that God told her to take command.
Herewith the comments of Mr. Shakespeare
“O beware, my lord, of jealousy;It is the green-ey’d monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss,Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger: But O, what damned minutes tells he o’erWho dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!”
“Men in rage strike those that wish them best.”
“The robb’d that smiles, steals something from the thief; He robs Himself that spends a bootless grief.”
“Reputation is an idle and false imposition; oft got without merit,And lost without deserving” IAGO, Act II, scene iii
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing;‘twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.” – Othello
“How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever healBut by degrees?
“Men should be what they seem.” Othello
“And his unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love.” –Desdemona
“So will I turn her virtue into pitch And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all.” –Iago
“Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ.”
“I pray you, in your letters, When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme…”
“To mourn a mischief that is past and gone Is the next way to draw new mischief on.”
“When devils do the worst sins, they first put on the pretence of Goodness and innocence, as I am doing now.”– Iago
IRA ALDRIGE: a portrait of the first Black Actor to ever play Othello on stage in 1833. He was a New York actor who went to London and won the role.
From Ohio State University News by OSU News Contributor Josh Friesen:
James Earl Jones. Laurence Fishburne. Chiwetel Ejiofor. Mekhi Phifer. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare’s most famed and widely depicted characters for years.
But paving the way for those acting legends nearly 200 years ago was Ira Aldridge, the first black actor to breathe life into the Othello role.
Aldridge began acting in New York City as a teenager in the early 1800s. He sailed to England when he was 17 in 1824 to pursue a career in theater, and in 1833, he took the stage as Othello. “Red Velvet” chronicles how Aldridge came into the breakthrough role and its impacts.
The Department of Theatre presented the play “Red Velvet,” a biodrama retelling the story about how Aldridge broke barriers and opened the door to fellow African American performers. The production is guest directed by actor, director and screenwriter Ted Lange and was performed Feb. 6-15, 2020 at the Drake Performance and Event Center’s Roy Bowen Theatre.
“This play shows you this extraordinary actor who copes with all of the racism of not only the English audiences, but the English actors,” Lange said. “You see the obstacles he had to overcome just to be an actor on the stage.”
Aldridge began acting in New York City as a teenager in the early 1800s. He sailed to England when he was 17 in 1824 to pursue a career in theater, and in 1833, he took the stage as Othello. “Red Velvet” chronicles how Aldridge came into the breakthrough role and its impacts.
(Ohio State News)
The play starred theatre major Sterling Wesley as Aldridge; theatre and English major Ashley Bice as Aldridge’s wife, Margaret; and communication and theatre major Betsy Huggins as Aldridge’s onstage colleague, Ellen Tree. The story documents Aldridge, an American who performed “Othello” in England, both early in his career and later toward the end of his life.
“What drew me [to the role] most was what he did for African Americans — being the first black man to play Othello,” Wesley said, adding that Othello, a black character, would typically be portrayed by white actors in blackface. “Everyone used him as a stepping stone, and he opened up careers for many African Americans to also take on this role. He was a trendsetter.”
(For the Columbus Dispatch review of Red Velvet go to
“Beware the ides of March.” “Et tu, Brute?
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general, emperor of the Roman Empire
100 B.C. to 45 B.C.
WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By William Shakespeare. March 13, 2021:
(Editor’s Note:
The character of our State Senators, Assemblypersons, congress members and Senators is revealing what they really are like in ways they are unaware.
The positions our leaders or would-be leaders of the state are taking in the wake of the unsubstantiated, not formally charged allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo are so painfully familiar to those familiar with the greatest playwright of all time. William Shakespeare. His voice of the past describes exactly what we are seeing going on today in two plays about power plays.
Our guest columnist is the bard:
William Shakespeare wrote two plays Julius Caesar and Othello, portraying the demise of two powerful men, leaders, who were destroyed by persons they once ruled and were revered by– the jealousy of their once colleagues too timid to rule but jealous of their leader’s ability to rule because they wanted his power.
Just to set the scene for you, Julius Caesar was a military leader who conquered much of the Roman Empire territory. Romans revered him and he became emperor.
This angered the Roman Senate and resulted in a power backlash ending in Caesar’s assassination by his friend, Brutus on the floor of the Roman Senate on March 15, 45 B.C., 2065 years ago this coming Monday. Shakespeare wrote his play about the event before 1599 A.D. It is timely to read it.
Brutus was used by the conspiring Roman Senate, as Brutus was Caesar’s friend, and he was persuaded to kill Caesar because Caesar was accused of being ambitious by members of the Senate and Brutus became convinced assassinating Caesar was for the good of Rome. How familiar? The headline of this article is most appropriate:
“Beware the ides of March,” is a prophecy a soothsayer said to Caesar just about now before the day Caesar was stabbed and killed. Ides for those unfamiliar with latin stands for 15.
“Et tu, Brute?” was Shakespeare’s quote of Julius Caesar, after Brutus stabbed him. Let’s go to the power-play play of all time: Julius Caesar and the words of our guest and commentator creator of this very-difficult-to-see play from the past where words describe the ambitions and arguments we hear today. The play is very difficult to read or see, as is Othello; It is obvious our “lawmakers” are unfamiliar with either play, or perhaps read the lessons all too well.)
Mark Antony: At Caesar’s funeral:
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him;
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones,
(For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all;
Honourable men)
Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral…
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man…
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason…Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.”
Random truisms in Julius Caesar:
“In the end, it is impossible to become what others believe you are.”
“ The greatest enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look.”
“As a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men’s minds more seriously than what they see.”
“Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true.”
“All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures.”
“I love the name of honor, more than I fear death.”
“What we wish, we readily believe, and what we ourselves think, we imagine others think so.”
CONGRESSMAN MONDAIRE JONES EXPLAINS AID TO WESTCHESTER FROM RESCUE PLAN
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(far right) is joined by White Plains Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca (left) and Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Benjamin Boykin, hold a news conference early Friday afternoon. Photos Special to WPCNR by John Vorperian
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From Congressman Mondaire Jones. March 12, 2021: Friday afternoon, Congressman Mondaire Jones (D-NY) hosted a press conference to highlight how the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden yesterday signed into law, will impact Westchester and Rockland Counties.
The American Rescue Plan will deliver more than $23 billion to New York State, including more than $400 million in funding to Westchester and Rockland Counties and the cities and municipalities within them. The bill also provides more than $560 million in funding for the counties’ school districts, including approximately $380 million for the East Ramapo Public Schools.
Rep. Jones’ full remarks are below as prepared and video of the event can be found here.
Good afternoon. I am thrilled to be with you all today to celebrate the passage of a transformative piece of legislation – the American Rescue Plan.
At the start of this pandemic, Westchester and Rockland Counties were hit the fastest and the hardest. And for nearly a year, COVID-19 has robbed our communities of lives and livelihoods. But after a hard year, today, our communities are finally getting the relief they deserve.
The American Rescue Plan is the most transformative piece of economic legislation for working people and families in modern American history. I was proud to fight to get this bill passed in the United States Congress. Now that it’s been signed into law, we can finally crush the COVID-19 virus, deliver much-needed financial relief for working families and small businesses, and begin the process of Building Back Better from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
It will invest $71 billion in vaccinations and testing, separate and apart from $25 billion to address health disparities and protect vulnerable populations; $128B to safely reopening K-12 schools, including well over $400 million for K-12 schools in NY-17; and getting direct cash relief to the American people, including $1,400 checks for 85% of American households and an expanded, refundable child tax credit that will literally cut child poverty in half.
And that’s just the beginning, this bill also provides relief for restaurants and small businesses, expands health care coverage to as many as four and a half million more Americans, and strengthens protections for our essential workers.
Perhaps most importantly, the American Rescue Plan will deliver more than $23 billion in direct aid to New York State and municipalities like Westchester and Rockland. The Westchester County government, for example, will receive $187 million. The Rockland County government will receive $63 million. Right here in White Plains, the City of White Plains will receive $22 million in direct aid. In Rockland, the Town of Ramapo will receive $15 million in direct aid. You get the idea.
I said from the beginning that I would deliver results for the great people of Westchester and Rockland Counties, and that is exactly what I’m doing. I meant it when I said that help is on the way. The American Rescue Plan is transformative, and it gets us on the path to Build Back Better. And make no mistake, I’m going to continue fighting for a federal $15 minimum wage and student relief.
In the meantime, though, I am thrilled that relief is finally on its way to the American people. And now I’m excited to hear from leaders from across our district about what that relief will mean for them.
BLACK COFFEE WITH WHITE PLAINS WEEK 8:30 AM :MARCH 12 PROGRAM FIOS CH. 45, OPTIMUM CH 76 (WP) & WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG OR INSTANTLY BY CLICKING THE WHITE ARROW ON THE LINK BELOW
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THE CITIZENETREPORTER
AND THE NEWS
ON CALL FOR A NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
CALIFORNIA STYLE COMES TO WHITE PLAINS NY USA AT THE NEW GALLERIA IN PROGRESS
ROOFBREAKINNG FOR SOLAR PANELS MAYOR ROACH’S GREEN INITIATIVE CONTINUES
COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER TAKES HIS SHOT
WHERE THE MOST COVID CASES ARE THE LAST TWO WEEKS
THE 400 NEW INFECTIONS A WEEK ACCELERATE IS IT OK?
Westchester’s “Percolating” Incubator Ready to Start “Brewing” Start-ups in digital health, fintech (financial technology), advanced manufacturing and clean energy –APPS PLEASE BY MARCH 30 — PREPARE FOR “PITCH DAY”
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Element 46 Seeking Applicants for Third Cohort
Startup incubator to focus on digital health, fintech, advanced manufacturing and clean energy ventures in 2021
White Plains, New York (March 11, 2021) – Element 46, Westchester County’s premiere incubator program, is recruiting scalable startups ready to take their venture to the next level this spring.
For the first time since launching, the program will focus on supporting businesses in key sectors, including digital health, fintech (financial technology), advanced manufacturing and clean energy in its next cohort.
“Westchester County has an established position of excellence in many of these industries and we are excited to grow this community through our next Element 46 cohort,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “We have the infrastructure and assets these startups rely on to succeed and look forward to the continued growth of these, and other, sectors.”
Through the Element 46 program, startups are matched with hand-picked mentors who are leaders in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing or other key areas. Participants also gain access to a group of dedicated professional service providers, including accountants and IP attorneys, who provide pro bono services to cohort members. This spring, the program will also include its first ever “Pitch Day”, enabling participants to present their businesses to investors from across the tri-state region.
“The Element 46 experience is tailored to supporting scalable startups,” said Deborah Novick, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Westchester County Office of Economic Development. “We provide entrepreneurs with education, mentorship and the critical networking they need, to help them deepen their connections to the County and build a strong foundation upon which to grow their business.”
Startups can apply to the third cohort of Element 46 by visiting Element46.org/Apply before March 30, 2021. Priority will be given to applicants working in digital health, fintech (financial technology), advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Revenue-generating startups outside of these priority sectors are also welcome to apply.
“Westchester startups benefit from a strong and well-connected entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Westchester County Office of Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons. “We look forward to welcoming a new group of startups into the Element 46 program and watching them grow and scale in the months and years to come.”
To learn more about Element 46 or apply to the next cohort, visit: Element46.org/Apply.
About Element 46
Element 46 incubator provides training, mentoring and free workspace, to enable startups to develop their businesses within a network of peers. Entrepreneurs are embedded in an existing start-up community within Westchester. To learn more, visit Element46.org.
SATURDAY AT 7 FIOS CH.45 COUNTYWIDE; OPTIMUM CH. 76 IN WP: WHITE PLAINS SPRING REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”
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PRESIDENT
HUDSON GATEWAY ASSOCIATION OR REALTORS
A 20 YEAR REAL ESTATE PRO
ON THE WHITE PLAINS -WESTCHESTER RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET
HOW TO SELL, HOW TO BUY,
WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT WHAT’S MOVING HOW TO MOVE IT
MUST SEE TV
“PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”
YOU MAY ALSO VIEW THIS KEY INTERVIEW
ON www.wpcommunitymedia.org
9 Solar Installations on City Owned Properties Introduced. Mayor Tom Roach’s “Green Agenda” Continues–to Triple Solar Energy Supply in City by Fall. Million a Year in Rent Paid to the City.
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one of 9 city-owned properties where Distributed Solar Development, the city contractor for the project, will install canopy solar installations like the project in Baltimore’s IKEA parking lot (below) (Above photo by WPCNR)
where DSD recently installed canopies where solar panels could be installed to catch the rays. (From DSD website)
WPCNR THE POWER STORY. From the Mayor’s Office. March 11, 2021:
The City of White Plains and its selected developer, Distributed Solar Development (DSD), have broken ground on a nine-project, 6.8 megawatt community solar portfolio in the City that will triple the amount of solar energy produced in Westchester County.
The nine solar projects include a mix of canopy, rooftop, and ground mount installations at four parking garages, the Ebersole Ice Rink, Gedney Way Recycling Facility, Gillie Park, Water Department, and the Sanitation Complex. Systems at the Recycling Facility and Shapham Place parking garage will also include energy storage as part of the installations.
“White Plains has been a leader in New York when it comes to renewable energy. We have wanted to undertake a large-scale solar project using a city-owned portfolio of sites for years, but the low price of energy produced by NYPA and purchased by the City made such a project difficult to justify economically. Now, with NYPA’s consultation, we have been able to achieve our goal. This project is a win – for our residents, the City, and the environment,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.
“DSD’s ability to own and maintain the system enables White Plains institutions and residents to save money on energy and contribute to positive environmental outcomes. Over the 20-year term the City anticipates collecting more than $20 million in rent from hosting these installations.”
“Our work in Westchester County is a great demonstration of how local municipalities can achieve greater sustainability, secure important budget relief during the pandemic and provide meaningful benefits to the local community,” said David Eisenbud, Senior Origination Director at DSD. “Our expertise in canopy installations was a perfect fit for this partnership, and the City of White Plains will continue to be a forerunner in solar adoption because of this transformational initiative.”
When complete, the White Plains community solar portfolio will be the largest municipal renewable energy deployment in the County, producing enough energy to power more than 700 homes annually, or equivalent to removing over 1,300 cars from the road. Construction on the portfolio is expected to conclude before the fall of this year.
The New York Power Authority (NYPA), with its administrative offices in White Plains, is acting as an energy advisor on the project to ensure it is well structured and provides White Plains with the greatest possible energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
The Department of Public Works, in conjunction with NYPA, prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP) for leasing municipal property for solar development at various city locations and solicited more than 100 qualified developers.
Eight competitive proposals were received. After a thorough evaluation of the proposals and an interview process, the city chose Schenectady-based DSD and entered into a multi-year agreement to establish a Community Solar program in conjunction with Con Edison.
The projects also will help realize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal of installing 6,000 megawatts of solar by 2025 as called for in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
As Westchester County’s largest municipal project, the White Plains portfolio of projects also will serve as an example for other communities that may be interested in actively pursuing clean energy initiatives that allow all resident households to receive a benefit.
White Plains has a strong track record when it comes to renewable energy leadership.
In 2014, it was one of the first municipalities to adopt the New York State Unified Solar Permit, which expedited residential solar permitting.
In 2017, White Plains was designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).
DSD has partnered with Community Solar Platform to manage registration for residential and commercial customers interested in taking advantage of the renewable energy produced.
Governor Cuomo Nightly Coronavirus Update
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Our vaccination sites across the state are working diligently to administer the vaccine as fast as supply allows and we’re continuing to make progress in our vaccination efforts.
In the past seven days, more than 1.12 million doses have been administered and as of this morning, New Yorkers who are 60 and up can schedule an appointment. As our vaccination efforts continue, we cannot afford to loosen up our vigilance against this virus. New Yorkers should remain careful and patient as we stay laser-focused on getting more shots in arms.
Photo of the Day: Tap dancers performed at the Queens Museum as part of a NY Pops Up show on Saturday (Photo by Don Pollard) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,798. Of the 205,616 tests reported yesterday, 6,489, or 3.16 percent, were positive. There were 999 patients in ICU yesterday, down 12 from the previous day. Of them, 686 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 58 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 19.9 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 143,592 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 5,941,072 total doses with 9.8 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Indoor dining in New York City can expand to 50 percent capacity beginning on March 19. Currently, New York City and New Jersey restaurants are operating at 35 percent capacity. This decision is made in partnership with Governor Murphy and will coincide with New Jersey expanding indoor dining to 50 percent on March 19. Other New York restaurants outside of New York City will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning March 19.
4. To date, New York has conducted over 40 million COVID tests. In just five days, New York has conducted an additional one million COVID tests. Getting tested for COVID regularly is a great way to ensure your health and the health of those around you. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID or believe you may have been exposed to the virus, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing site.
Mondaire Jones Pleads with Governor Cuomo to Open Mass Vaccination Site in Rockland County State’s Highest pct of Covid Cases in State (12% of population)
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Today, Congressman Mondaire Jones (D-NY), sent a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker reiterating a months-long request to open a state-run mass vaccination site in Rockland County, one of the counties hardest hit by COVID-19 in the state.
Since the pandemic began, Rockland has recorded more than 39,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and as of March 4, 2021, 689 Rocklanders have died due to the pandemic. Over 12% of county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the highest positivity rate of any county in all of New York State.
“As Governor Cuomo opens more mass vaccination sites across the state, it is unacceptable that Rockland County is being left behind,” said Congressman Mondaire Jones. “Rockland has had the highest per-capita rate of COVID-19 in the state, and it must be prioritized for vaccine distribution. We need to be making it easier, not harder, to get vaccinated, and that starts by opening a mass site in Rockland. If Governor Cuomo is to get serious about vaccinating every New Yorker, he will do so.”