WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR STORMY WEATHER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. December 1, 2019:

Westchester County Executive George Latimer is urging County residents to take precautions for the weather event hitting our area today into tomorrow. 

“We are doing everything we can to prepare for the storm, and keep our residents safe,” he said. “I also urge our residents to take practical steps now to ensure that they are prepared to weather this storm, particularly if prolonged power outages occur.”

Under Latimer’s direction, County personnel are monitoring storm preparations and the County’s response and recovery.  The County will be ready to assist municipalities with resources if requested, he said.

“As much as possible, stay off the roads during and immediately after the storm to give cleanup crews time to respond,” he said. “Doing so will keep everyone safe, and help crews get the job done faster.” 

The County’s Department of Emergency Services and Health Department offer practical advice to help residents prepare for a major winter storm and stay safe both during and after. Please visit http://keepingsafe.westchestergov.com and www.westchestergov.com/health for more information.

**Winter Wonderland at Kensico Dam IS canceled for this evening.  Tickets already purchased for this evening are good for the duration of Winter Wonderland. For more information go to http://www.wwinterwonderland.com/ **

     Before the storm arrives:

• Have plenty of batteries on hand for flashlights and battery-powered radios. Keep them where you can find them easily if the power goes out at night.
• Keep cell phones and other important electronic devices fully charged.
• Turn the freezer and refrigerator to the highest setting. This will preserve food longer if the power goes out.
• Assemble a three-day supply of water and non-perishable foods, needed medications and extra clothing and blankets. Have a go-bag ready in case you must leave your home.

     During the storm:

• Remain indoors if possible.
• Stay off the roads.
• Do not walk or drive close to snow plows; it is difficult for plow operators to see you.
• Do not go near, or drive over, downed power lines.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using alternate heating sources like space heaters and wood burning stoves.
• Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding, on top of furniture or near water, and never cover your space heater.
• Never leave children or pets unattended near a space heater, fireplace or wood burning stove.

If the power goes out:

·         Call the local utility company to inform it of the power outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 1-800-75-CONED (752-6633) and NYSEG’s hotline service is 1-800-572-1131.

·         Leave a light on to let you know when power has been restored.

·         Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles, as candles are a fire hazard.

·         Limit opening refrigerator and freezer doors as much as possible. 

·         Do not operate electrical generators indoors, (this includes the garage) as it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use them outside in a well-ventilated area, far away and downwind from your home.

·         If you use a fireplace, wood stove or portable kerosene heater to stay warm, be sure to adequately ventilate to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide build up in your home. Never use a natural gas or propane stove to heat your home.

·         Never use the stove or gas range in your kitchen to heat your home.

After the storm:

·         Dress warmly in windproof clothing to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

·         Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to trap body heat. Remember gloves, scarves and a hat that covers the ears.

·         Shovel snow in moderation, particularly if you have any medical condition or you do not exercise regularly. Clear snow off the roof of your car to avoid creating a hazard for other drivers. Do not shovel snow from driveways and sidewalks into the street.

·         Never start or operate a snow blower or chain saw in your garage.

·         Clear the area around hydrants near your property, if possible.

·         Before driving, clear snow from vehicle windows and roofs.

·         Be on the lookout for falling ice and snow from roofs and gutters. When a lot of heavy snow and ice has accumulated on roofs, do not stand under structures that are not well-supported.

·         During a prolonged power outage, these foods are potentially hazardous if not stored below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and should be discarded: meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, hot dogs, eggs, cream, sour cream, yogurt, milk, custards, puddings, soft and shredded cheeses, cut fruit, cooked vegetables, pasta, casseroles, unbaked cookie and bread dough, gravy, creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce and garlic in oil. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

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WPCNR Thanksgiving Portfolio, all photos by WPCNR:

On this Thanksgiving, let us remember the band of hardy intrepid souls who crossed an ocean in a boat no  bigger than a large Chris Craft and settled in an unforgiving landscape and started a country in the cold landscape of New England.

They were immigrants.

They were helped by Indians who welcomed them, without whom they would not have survived. And, remember, those pilgrims were immigrants.

A salute to this brave band. A salute, too, to the indians who accepted them without visas, without jobs, with no background checks. No border wall. No fear on the part of the Indians and their humanitarian leader, Squanto

The pilgrims sailed into a bay, dropped anchor and just carved out a living after living in incredible conditions in a ship’s hold for weeks, crossing the storm-tossed North Atlantic. Here are some views of America’s hometown by the WPCNR Roving Photographer.

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Plymouth Rock Landing. Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Mayflower II. Plymouth Harbor.

Indian Statue of Squanto welcoming the Pilgrim Settlers. Plymouth.

Governor William Bradford Statue on the Shores of Plymouth Harbor

“Plymouth Rock,” The landing place of the pilgrims.

Settlers Home, left, circa 1690.

Church, Plymouth late 1700s. .

The Jury: Old Burial Ground, Plymouth. Last resting place of the pilgrims overlooking Plymouth Harbor. The sacrifices, bravery and perseverence of these persons stand as examples to Americans today. How are we doin’?

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor. November 27, 2019:

SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR–A TAX RATE DECREASE AND A TAX LEVY FREEZE IN 2020 BUDGET  (for both villages and unincorporated Greenburgh)

  Have a great Thanksgiving holiday. To start off the holiday season I thought you’d be interested in some news that might make you thankful– an amended 2020 budget for the town that includes a tax rate decrease and a tax levy freeze in the 2020 budget.

    Prior to the November election I announced that I would propose a budget that included a zero percent tax hike. When I proposed the 2020 budget I proposed a tax rate hike of zero percent. However, the tax levy did go up, creating some confusion.

 If the rate stays the same  and if the levy goes up, some residents could have experienced a slight tax hike. We would not know that definitely until March when the tax bills are prepared. 

Westchester County Executive has proposed a tax rate decrease. Most communities in Westchester are using new sales tax revenues to reduce the size of their tax hike and are not freezing tax levy’s or reducing tax rates.

    I feel that it is important for people to have confidence in the integrity of their elected officials. It seems like there was some confusion by what I meant by a zero percent tax hike. People expected a zero percent tax levy increase as well.

     I have asked the Comptroller to amend the 2020 proposed budget to include a tax rate DECREASE  ( Approximately a 3 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE A BUDGET AND ABOUT A 2 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE TAX RATE IN UNINCORPORATED B BUDGET). 

The tax levy will remain the same as in the 2019 budget and will enable us to keep the promises made prior to the election.     The tax levy is the aggregate amount for all property taxes by all property owners in a fiscal  year. 

The tax levy is determined by school budgets, voted independently, state aid and other revenues.Assessments change on a regular basis and are not set until March of each year for the town tax bills.
   I am sorry if there was confusion but concept of taxes based on rates and levy is difficult to understand and tends to be confusing. I trust this explanation meets everyone’s needs 

Tax levy: A budget $9,321,201

Tax levy B budget $59,201,693

The Town Board must approve the budget by December 20^th. This proposed modification will not impact any services. We will be in compliance with our fund balance policy.  I have discussed the amended budget with the Town Board and made an announcement of this change at our Town Board meeting on Wednesday. 

 PAUL FEINER

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Westchester County Department of Health Focuses on Prevention Dr. Sherlita Amler fills you in on the Vaping Epidemic

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER From the Westchester County DEpartment of Communications. November 21, 2019:

Westchester County Executive George Latimer, the Department of Health and several community partners launched a Vaping Prevention and Awareness Campaign today. The campaign includes a series of three public service announcements (PSAs), released in the days leading up to the Great American Smokeout, today. The videos were created to help inform Westchester County residents about the dangers of vaping

Carolyn D’Agostino tells how to Recognize Vaping Devices

Amy Brown, MD, MBe and Shetal Shah, MD. Expain the risks to children in teens and younger from trying Vaping and its potential for starting a lifelong addiction

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday in November. Today, we are facing a new challenge with vaping becoming more prevalent with our youth. This Public Awareness Campaign is designed to help educate our parents on the dangers and health risks associated with vaping, so they can hopefully stop the problem before it starts.”

Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD said: “Quitting vaping can be just as difficult as quitting smoking because nicotine in vapes and tobacco is highly addictive. Watch these videos, get the facts and if you smoke or vape, make a plan to quit.”

Help is available to you in Westchester County:

·         NY Smoke Free – 1-866-697-8487

·         Centers for Disease Control – 1-800-QUIT-NOW

·         American Cancer Society support groups – 1-800-277-2345

·         American Lung Association – find a clinic near you, call 1-800-LUNGUSA

The third Westchester County PSA focuses on The Health Risks of Vaping in Children. It features Amy Brown, MD, MBe and Shetal Shah, MD. Dr. Brown is an attending Pediatric Pulmonologist at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College. Dr. Shah is a neonatologist and researcher and a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at New York Medical College. 

The second PSA focuses on How to Recognize Vape Devices. It features Carolyn D’Agostino, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuser Counselor and Credentialed Prevention Professional who is a Student Assistance Counselor for Student Assistance Services, a not-for-profit agency whose focus is substance abuse prevention.

The First PSA focuses on How to Talk to Kids about Vaping. It features advice from Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health, and Daniel A. Cohen, MD, a pediatrician at WestMed in Purchase.

Dr. Amler is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College School of Medicine; and a Distinguished Lecturer at the College’s School of Public Health, as well as a Senior Fellow at its Center for Disaster Medicine. Dr. Cohen is Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

For more information, call the New York State Vaping Hotline at 1-888-364-3046.