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Associated Press, CNN and Fox News Call Biden the Winner of the 2020 Presidential Election
CHRIS BURDICK PREPARES TO ASSUME ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 93 DUTY IN ALBANY
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Chris Burdick, Assemblyman Elect NY Assembly District 93. November 7, 2020:
Wistful Thoughts About Leaving the Supervisor’s Post and What’s Next.
Many in the community have kindly expressed their regrets that I no longer will be Town Supervisor come January 1, when I become your Assemblymember, succeeding David Buchwald (very big shoes to fill).
I am flattered and humbled by the kind words regarding my tenure as Supervisor, and it has been my distinct honor to serve the community in this role.
From the time that I first ran for NYS Assembly, I assured the community that, if successful, the Town would be in good hands following my departure as Supervisor. I am very confident in that view.
We have a highly capable Town Board, superb department heads, and dedicated and hard-working employees who deliver a high level of services to the community. That will continue.
So what happens on January 1? The process is set by state law and our town code. The Town Board has three options following the vacancy in the office of Supervisor. The Board may:
1. appoint a successor to fill out my term (which expires on December 31, 2021);
2. call a special election; or
3. leave the post vacant. If the Board declines to appoint a successor or call a special election, then the Deputy Supervisor — pursuant to state law — takes on all of the authority of Supervisor, but does so while retaining the title of Deputy.
In any event, there will be an election in November 2021, as there normally would be, to determine who fills the position come January 1, 2022.
Our Town’s counsel, Eric Gordon, provides the attached memorandum (click link to read), which delves into further detail.
Between now and December 31, I will be working to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. The Town Board will be meeting in work session at a special meeting on November 24, during which I will discuss projects and initiatives underway and my thoughts on how to keep them moving forward. read more > -2- These include: a Phase III for sewers in Bedford; Bedford Village parking; implementation of the 2030 Climate Action Plan; Buxton Gorge Preserve; Capital Plans; Town budgets (keeping them under the Property Tax Cap while providing high quality services); implementation of plans and recommendations of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Committee (IDEAC) and the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee; and cell towers and wireless coverage to fill gaps in service/insufficient capacity. These are just some of the topics that initially come to mind. I expect it will take a couple of work sessions. I also should mention that while my successor will be handling storm-related power outages, potholes, speed humps and the myriad matters of a local nature, I will be on hand to field any concerns you have at the state level. I will also work closely with my successor and the Town Board to ensure their success and your confidence in the leadership of the Town.
I also wish to emphasize that I am not going away. Bedford is my home. I am not moving to Albany, but only will be commuting there when the legislature is in session and meeting in person (during the pandemic the legislature has been meeting virtually).
We have a wonderful town here in Bedford. I am absolutely confident that together we will ensure that Bedford’s future is brighter than ever.
CORONAVIRUS DOES NOT TAKE A HOLIDAY–PORT CHESTER OTHER HOT SPOTS GET NEW PROTOCOLS FROM GOVERNOR
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WPCNR SATURDAY CORONAVIRUS REPORT From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. November 7, 2020:
Uptick in cases in PORT CHESTER. The Department of Health is coordinating with the Westchester County Department of Health and Open Door Family Medical Center to provide rapid testing at a new site.
Rapid testing will be available at the Open Door medical clinic in Port Chester, NY on Saturday, November 7, from 9am – 2pm; Monday, November 9, from 10am – 6pm; and Tuesday, November 10, from 10am – 6pm. Residents must make an appointment—either online or by calling 914-995-7425.
Public health experts predicted that with the arrival of fall, we would see COVID infections rise—and that is indeed the case.
The challenge for our state, like all other states, is managing the increase.
Today, we announced modifications to our existing micro-cluster zones in response to the latest metrics.
Micro-cluster zone maps have changed in Brooklyn, Rockland County and Orange County in response to declining positivity rates.
The Yellow Zone in Far Rockaway has been removed.
However there is a new Yellow Zone in Westchester County. Micro-cluster zones in Queens – Kew Gardens/Forest Hills, Broome County, Steuben County and Chemung County remain unchanged.
Maps of each micro-cluster zone and further details are available here.
As we identify outbreaks, we will continue to take quick action to contain and eliminate them. As always—we need your help, too. Wear a mask. Get tested. Stop the spread.
Map of the Day: Brooklyn’s Red Zone has new boundaries, as does its surrounding Yellow Zone. All of NY’s micro-cluster maps are available here.
Here’s what else you need to know Saturday morning on COVID-18:
1. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 3.16 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.84 percent. Of the 160,705 tests reported yesterday, 3,209, or 1.99 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,321. Sadly we lost 18 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. SUNY colleges and universities will conduct exit testing for in-person students before sending them home for Thanksgiving.
Students who go home for Thanksgiving will then be required to stay home and switch to remote learning for the rest of the semester (instead of returning to campus for the short period between Thanksgiving break and the winter holidays). We are asking private colleges to consider adopting similar plans.
3. Buffalo Bills fans will have to wait to attend in-person games. Unfortunately, due to an uptick in COVID cases in Western New York, it would be dangerous to allow fans to attend games at Bills Stadium.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: To help handle the stress of the pandemic, a mother and daughter from Trumansburg started a daily tradition of visiting State Parks to hike and unwind in the great outdoors. The duo, Amy Dawson and daughter Elizabeth, went on 200 consecutive hikes before their streak ended this fall. The Dawsons logged 593.8 miles of trail while writing about their hiking journey. If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
SATURDAY WITH WPW BLACK COFFEE, BRUNCH, COCKTAILS WITH WHITE PLAINS WEEK’S ELECTION WEEK ROUNDUP INSTANTLY THE FRIDAY NOV 6 REPORT
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NEW TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR COMING TO NEW YORK FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK STATE
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Governor Cuomo Announces New Guidelines
Allowing Out-of-State Travelers to “Test Out” of
Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine
The new protocol is effective beginning, Wednesday, November 4.
- Travelers Must Get Tested Within Three Days Prior to Landing in New York, Quarantine for at Least Three Days Upon Arrival, and Get a Test on Day Four of Arrival
- If Travelers Receive a Negative Test On Day Four of Quarantine They May Exit Quarantine When They Receive Negative Result
- States that are Contiguous with New York Continue to Be Exempted from Quarantine Protocol — Essential Workers Also Continue to be Exempted
- Travelers Who Were Only Out of State for Less Than 24 Hours Do Not Need to Quarantine but Must Get a Test on Day Four of Arrival Back in NY
- All Travelers Covered by The Advisory Must Continue to Fill Out Traveler Health Form Upon Arrival Into New York State
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Essential workers will continue to be exempt as well. Click here for more details.
TONIGHT 7:30 THE WHITE PLAINS WEEK ELECTION WEEK PROGRAM ON CH. 45 FIOS, CH. 76 ALTICE OPTIMUM AND www.wpcommunity.org
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IMPACT OF GEORGIA U.S. SENATE SEAT RUNOFF ELECTIONS.
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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. Special to WPCNR from Dr. Steven White, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Syracuse Univeristy. November 6, 2020:
Editor’s Note: Dr. Steven White, an assistant professor of political science at Syracuse University who has studied Southern politics extensively. Dr. White specializes in American politics, American political development, race and politics.
Dr. White notes the impact of this possibility is crucial for many reasons, most notably Vice President Biden’s ability to fill a cabinet (should he win) with progressive choices who would not get confirmation with a Republican controlled Senate.
“If Democrats win the two Senate races in Georgia, their odds of being able to pass the legislation in their platform goes up dramatically.
That said, even then this would still be constrained by the pivotal votes of more conservative Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin.
If Democrats lose, though, their options are a lot more limited.
Not only would they need the support of more moderate Republican Senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, they would also have to deal with agenda control by the Republican majority.
Senator Mitch McConnell might simply try to keep bills from coming to a floor vote, even if there might very well be a bipartisan majority coalition in favor of them.
This also speaks to remarkable changes in the political environment of Georgia. Even in her loss to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton only lost Georgia by about 5 points (similar to Obama’s 2008 loss margin).
In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Stacey Abrams came within about a point and a half of defeating her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp.
If Biden ends up ahead—and if the state elects one and possibly two Democratic Senators—it would be an astonishing shift that brings to fruition the state’s gradual transition from being a red state to a purple one.”
HIGH NOON ELECTION UPDATE: BIDEN LEADS PENNSYLVANIA, GEORGIA, NEVADA, ARIZONA.
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Infection Rate for COVID in Non-Cluster Areas: 1.7%. In Clusters: 3.04%
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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. November 6, 2020:
Yesterday, there were more than 100,000 new COVID cases in the U.S. Every expert told us that come the fall, cases would go up. We expected this and can effectively deal with the outbreaks by our micro-cluster strategy. But one of our very best tools in this battle to prevent the spread of the virus is if each and every one of us wears a mask. Wearing a mask is about respect, it’s about community and it’s about love. And remember that mask wearing is mandatory on public transit.
It’s going to take the work of every New Yorker so we all need to Mask Up. We can’t let our guard down as we spend more time indoors. We can’t say just this one time I’ll skip the mask. We can stay the course New York. Together we can beat this virus.
Chart of the Day: Yesterday, New York State reported over 160,000 diagnostic tests. Here’s what else you need to know :
1. The positivity rate in the “micro-cluster” focus areas fell was 3.04 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.70 percent. Of the 161,019 tests reported yesterday, 2,997, or 1.86 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,277. Sadly we lost 24 New Yorkers.
2. The January 2021 Regents exams are canceled. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the New York State Education Department decided to cancel the examinations across the state to ensure the safety of both students and educators. The Education Department will also ask the Board of Regents to adopt emergency regulations and apply specific exemptions so not to negatively impact students. A decision on the June and August exams have not been decided yet.
3. We can’t underestimate the strain of COVID fatigue. Mental health is just as important as physical health. New Yorkers can call the State’s mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations & referrals to a provider or visit the Office of Mental Health for resources.
4. Download the COVID Alert NY app today. New York launched an Exposure Notification App so New Yorkers can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and receive exposure alert notifications without compromising privacy or personal information. Click here to download it directly to your iPhone. Click here to download it directly to your Android device.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
The Election Situation Thursday Night
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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. Special to WPCNR by Stephen Rolandi, Public Policy Analyst, November 5, 2020:
Editor’s Note: On Monday Stephen Rolandi analyzed the Presidential Election for WPCNR predicting a Joseph Biden victory. Here is Mr. Rolandi’s view of the results as of Thursday evening, which are solely his own opinion and do not reflect the views of his employers, Pace University and City University of New York.
Here’s how I see the remaining states:
Biden – 253
He likely wins PA + 20 – Biden down now by only 60,000 since Tuesday night when Trump had a lead of 600,000. There are more than enough votes in Philadelphia & Allegheny (Pitts.) counties for Biden to win here.
May win GA. + 16 – he’s down by only 3400 now (as of 8 PM). (Now 1,902 as of 10 P.M.)
Biden likely wins Nevada + 6 — he’s leading here with 13,000, with more ballots to count.
===============================================
Trump – 217
Probably wins NC + 15
Has a chance in AZ (+ 11) with 200,000 ballots left to count
So, by my math, Biden would have 295; Trump would have 243.
Trump needs to win PA & Georgia to win re-election – if he loses the vote count in these states, he has to go to court, and so far, I’m not impressed with his “arguments” — he needs someone with the stature of a James Baker to make the case publicly for him, and it’s not happening, as yet. I think the best Trump probably has is Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekolow. He needs a top-notch Law School Professor, like Alan Dershowitz. Trump is his own worst enemy.
State election laws govern here, unless Trump can somehow prove that his constitutional rights as a candidate have been violated. See Bush v. Gore (2000).
BOTTOM LINE:
Biden will likely be declared the winner by the networks (Friday or over the week-end). Trump’s only option then would be to go to court to overturn ballot results in PA. & Georgia, and perhaps Nevada or Arizona.