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 MILESTONES. From Mrs. Keenan’s Obituary. October 3, 2019:

Mary Ann Keenan, a fifty-seven-year White Plains resident and a fixture in local and New York State politics for decades, passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2019. She was 91 years old.

Born on May 21, 1928, in Evanston, Illinois to John Lizars and Agnes (née Mahony) Lizars, Mary Ann Lizars graduated from Harvard University (Radcliffe College) in 1949. She married William Keenan in 1950 and was an avid member of the League of Women Voters in Wallingford, CT prior to her arrival in White Plains.

In 1974, with two children in college and three in high school, Mrs. Keenan was elected to the White Plains Common Council, where she served with passion for the next twenty-six years. What endeared her to her constituents was not how long she served but how fiercely principled she was during her tenure.

A former chair of the White Plains Democratic City Committee, she was willing to speak truth to power, even when that truth upset her own party.

She endeavored to clarify what was best for the residents of White Plains and then advocate for that, regardless of party platform. When developers tried to take advantage, she was a spotlight.

When public employees asked for too much, she could say no. She was unusually practical and fair. She was always ethical.

The only time she became defensive was when someone derided the role of government. She vehemently believed that government served a vital role and that elected officials had a sacred duty to see that the government they were chosen to lead was not hobbled by self-seekers or incompetence.

Mrs. Keenan loved to travel off the beaten path, and when she left White Plains, there were no boundaries. She walked the world to find its beauty and magnificence, from Cape Cod to Patagonia, stopping in almost every national park. Locally she was frequently found at Tod’s Point in Greenwich or wending through the sculpture garden at Purchase.

Mrs. Keenan is survived by her five children: Christopher LeeKeenan, Gregory Keenan, Leslie Keenan, Geoffrey Keenan, and Dr. Joel Keenan; their spouses and partners: Debbie LeeKeenan, Patricia Keenan, John Sullivan, Oxana Keenan, and Heidi Jordan; her brother, John Lizars; and her thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 2nd from 2-4pm, location to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU –

https://action.aclu.org/give/aclu-new-york-tribute-gift-form.

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WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From the Robert Martin Company. October 2, 2019:

The Robert Martin Company LLC, a fully integrated real estate company with over 6 million square feet of properties, has announced it is expanding into serving the needs of the life sciences/health tech industry.

Leading the effort will be Laurence Gottlieb, who was named Managing Director, Life Sciences and Health Technologies. Gottlieb is the former President and CEO of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) and former head of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development.

While with county government, Gottlieb developed the “NY BioHud Valley,” a first-of-its-kind initiative to brand the region as a leader in biotechnology research and development – a movement he would eventually lead during his tenure at HVEDC. As head of economic development for Westchester County, he led the marketing effort that branded Westchester County as “New York’s Intellectual Capital,” a distinct identity still employed by the region to this day. 

“The seeds that were planted with the launch of the NY BioHud Valley initiative are now baring fruit throughout Westchester, if not the whole Hudson Valley – from the expanding incubator space at New York Medical College to the explosive growth of companies such as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Acorda Therapeutics,” stated Gottlieb. “Now is the right time to fuse together Robert Martin Company’s significant real estate development and management experience with a high-growth industry seeking locations for expansion beyond the early stage incubators spread throughout the tristate region. I’m truly honored to lead this effort for such a legendary company.”  

RMC’s life sciences and health tech initiative will eventually embrace numerous components including RMC-owned properties networked together throughout the region, high-level educational offerings and eventually, an investment fund. 

RMC CEO Tim Jones said, “Larry is a highly-respected economic development and community partner in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. Using the expertise he has developed over many years, he has built a strong base for biotech and health tech development in the region upon which so much activity is happening. We are thrilled to provide him with the company’s extensive resources to take this job-generating industry to the next level.” 

Gottlieb noted that there are more than 80 biotech and health tech companies in the Hudson Valley region with increasing number of start-up firms and incubators.

Westchester is home to two of the nation’s largest biotech firms — Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Acorda Therapeutics — as well as two top medical academic research facilities such as New York Medical College and the Burke Neurological Institute.

In addition, there are plans to develop a biotech mixed-use campus on the North 60 property adjacent to the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. “There are tremendous growth opportunities for life sciences and health tech in Westchester County and Robert Martin Company is ideally positioned with its extensive portfolio of office/flex space,” he said.

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A reminder that the League of Women Voters of White Plains will host a Candidates Forum for the candidates for three seats on the White Plains Common Council. The Forum will be held on Wednesday October 16 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Church Street School at 295 Church Street, White Plains. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M. As always, audience questions must be submitted in advance, they will not be taken from the floor during the Forum. We will solicit questions via email and they may also be submitted in writing at the event.  The Forum will be recorded for subsequent viewing. It is not certain if it will also be streamed live. For additional information on the Forum contact us at lwvwp.candidatesforum@gmail.com.

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Early Voting in New York is Here! Can’t get to the polls on Election Day? No problem.  This year you can vote from Saturday October 26 through Sunday November 3 Early Voting for White Plains Residents will be at Westchester County Board Elections; 25 Quarropas St. White Plains The Board of Elections polling place will be open for Early Voting on: Saturday, October 26, Sunday October 27, 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. Monday, October 28 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tuesday, October 29 12 P.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday, October 30 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Thursday, October 31 12 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, November 1, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Saturday, November 2, Sunday November 3 12 P.M. to 5 P.M.  On Election Day, Tuesday November 5, you must vote at your regular polling place when polls will be open 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you take advantage of Early Voting you may not vote on Election Day For more information Westchester County Board of Elections (914) 995-5700 citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com LWVNY Early Voting website www.nyearlyvoting.org All the election information you need vote411.org  Stay up-to-date on Early Voting as it is rolled out lwvw.org Click here to download a PDF version of this message Vote – Because Every Election Matters

EARLY VOTING CENTERS AROUND WESTCHESTER COUNTY:

EARLY VOTING POLL SITES

• Cyrus Russell Community House (LEWISBORO & POUND RIDGE)
  • 779 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes
    • Public Transportation: No
  • All voters registered in LEWISBORO, and POUND RIDGE can vote here
• Dobbs Ferry Village Hall (GREENBURGH)
  • 112 Main St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Street and “Pay and Display” lots
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in GREENBURGH can vote here.

• Eastchester Public Library (Eastchester, Scarsdale VOTERS)
  • 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester, NY 10709 (
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in EASTCHESTER, and SCARSDALE  can vote here
• Greenburgh Town Hall (GREENBURGH VOTERS)
  • 177 Hillside Ave., White Plaines, NY 10607
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in GREENBURGH can vote here.
• Grinton I. Will Library (YONKERS VOTERS)
  • 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, NY 10710
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered YONKERS can vote here
• Harrison Veterans Memorial Building (HARRISON, MAMARONECK, RYE TOWN AND RYE CITY VOTERS)
  • 210 Halstead Ave., Harrison, NY 10528
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Street
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered HARRISON, MAMARONECK, RYE TOWN, and RYE CITY can vote here

• Jefferson Village Community House (YORKTOWN VOTERS)
  • 3480 Hill Blvd., Yorktown HTS, NY 15098
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in YORKTOWN can vote here
• Mamaroneck Town Center (RYE CITY VOTERS)
  • 740 W Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, NY 10543
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in RYE CITY can voter here
• Mt. Kisco Town Hall (MT KISCO, BEDFORD, NEW CASTLE VOTERS)
  • 104 Main St., Mount Kisco, NY 10549
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in MT KISCO, BEDFORD, and NEW CASTLE can vote here
• Mt. Pleasant Community Center (MT PLEASANT, NORTH CASTLE VOTERS)
  • 125 Lozza Dr., Valhalla, NY 10595
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in MT PLEASANT, and NORTH CASTLE can vote here
• Mt. Vernon City Hall (MOUNT VERNON VOTERS)
  • 1 Roosevelt SQ, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in MT VERNON can vote here
• New Rochelle City Hall (NEW ROCHELLE AND PELHAM VOTERS)
  • 515 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free and Street
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in NEW ROCHELLE, and PELHAM can vote here 
• Ossining Recreation Center (OSSINING VOTERS)
  • 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus 
  • All voters registered in OSSINING can vote here
• Peekskill City Hall (PEEKSKILL AND CORTLANDT VOTERS)
  • 840 Main St. Peekskill, NY 10566
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free and Street
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus 
  • All voters registered in PEEKSKILL, and CORTLANDT can vote here
• Riverfront Yonkers Public Library (YONKERS VOTERS)
  • 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Buena Vista Garage
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus 
  • All voters registered in YONKERS can vote here
• Somers Town House (SOMERS AND NORTH SALEM VOTERS)
  • 335 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: No
  • All voters registered in SOMERS, and NORTH SALEM can vote here
• Westchester County Board of Elections (WHITE PLAINS VOTERS)
  • 25 Quarropas St., White Plains, NY 10607
    • Handicap accessible: Yes
    • Parking: Yes, Free
    • Public Transportation: Yes, Bee-Line Bus
  • All voters registered in WHITE PLAINS can vote here

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WPCNR TRAFFICA . From the Mayor’s Office. September 26, 2019:

Phase II of the City of White Plains Red Light Safety Camera program will launch on or about October 1st.

This final phase will include the installation of nine additional cameras at seven intersections, bringing the total number of intersections to 12, the amount authorized by New York State. 

Cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. This is a public safety program, and the city’s goal is to deter red light runners and improper turns on red and prevent collisions resulting from these violations.

Traffic safety cameras will begin operating at the following locations starting on or about October 1^st:

SB South Lexington Ave @ Maple Ave

EB Main St @ Bank St

WB Martine Ave @ Mamaroneck Ave

Traffic safety cameras will begin operating at these remaining locations later in the fall:

WB Hamilton Ave @ Cottage Pl

NB Mamaroneck Ave @ Ridgeway

NB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave

NB North St @ Bryant Ave

SB Tarrytown Rd @ Central Ave

EB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave

Cameras will operate 24-hours/day and capture images of every vehicle running a red light at the designated intersections. Warning signs alerting drivers to the intersection safety cameras have been installed. Violators will receive a Notice of Liability (NOL) in the mail, which includes instructions on how to access the still images and video of the violation.

The NOL carries a fine of $50.00 but does not result in any points being added to your license. The NOL is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. This program is administered by Verra Mobility, with each violation reviewed and approved by the White Plains Department of Public Safety prior to being issued. 

Phase I of this program included the installation of traffic safety cameras at the following intersections (6 cameras at 5 intersections) in July of 2018:

SB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave

EB Main St @ Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

NB Bank St @ Hamilton Ave

WB Hamilton Ave @ Bank St

WB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave

SB North Broadway @ Hamilton Ave

In the program’s first year of operation (8/1/18 – 7/31/19), intersections with red light cameras saw a 15% reduction in injury crashes and a 26% reduction in angle, left turn opposing, and pedestrian crashes (combined). 

Those types of crashes are the types targeted by this program.  Total crashes were reduced by 18%. Recently released data analysis from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that red light running is up nationwide.

In its report the AAA Foundation also cited the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which “found that when properly implemented, red light cameras reduced the fatal red light running crash rate of large cities by 21% and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14%.” For more information, click here.

The city received state authorization to establish a red light camera program in August 2015. The authorization was for a modest program with cameras permitted at “up to 12 intersections” in the city.

For comparison purposes, this amount of authorized intersections is on par with New Rochelle (authorized in 2014).

The Cities of Mt. Vernon and Albany have state authorization for cameras at up to 20 intersections. Yonkers is authorized to place cameras at up to 25 intersections. The City Rochester – at up to 50 locations, Nassau and Suffolk Counties – at up to 100 locations each, and New York City – at up to 150 locations.

Each of these red light camera programs is authorized for a 5 year period by the State Legislature, including the White Plains program, and must be renewed by the State Legislature. The city will continue to closely monitor program and accident data in order to determine