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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Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Director of Economic Development, Bridget Gibbons address the throng of small business owners and Chamber of Commerce executives at the Little Theater at the Westchester County Center Wednesday.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communicatins. October 11, 2018:

For the first time ever, Westchester County, through County Executive George Latimer, brought together business owners, Chambers of Commerce and local leaders from across the County for a conversation on how to find common solutions to common challenges. Over 160 people from all over the County, including all types of businesses, non-profit organizations and representatives from 25 different chambers and business groups gathered at the Little Theater in the County Center for this hybrid informational and networking event.

Latimer said: “I’ve always thought, and I think attendance at this event proves it, that the best effort we can do is put people with like minds and like interests in the same room together, let them meet each other, network together, share information together and out of that will come new and vibrant ideas that each of us can use individually.”

Prior to the event, a survey was sent out to all the local Chambers to share with their members so that the County Executive and the Office for Economic Development could learn more about the concerns and challenges facing small business owners in Westchester.

The Wednesday event included presentations and discussions, some based on those results, with Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons, Senior Business Development Director for Small Business from Empire State Development Ray Salaberrios and Assistant to the County Executive, Community Liaison Shari Rosen Ascher, who organized the event, to help attendees learn about resources and incentives available from the County and State.  Also included in the event was a “speed networking” segment, which tasked attendees with stepping out of their comfort zone, switching tables at the sound of a whistle and finding new people to chat with.

Gibbons said: “At the County’s Office of Economic Development, we really want to listen to local businesses and hear what they have to say – and find out how the County can help. Small businesses are the engine of Westchester’s economy and we must embrace them for us to succeed. The CE has a philosophy of openness and transparency, which is why we are hosting this meeting today, and it’s my job to make sure small businesses feel included, valued and listened to.”

Ascher said: “Our survey received an incredible number of responses, over 200, which allowed us to find common themes and concerns among Chambers of Commerce members. From that, we were able to develop an agenda to find ways to bring all stakeholders together and make this first of its kind event a success.”

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COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER GETTING HIS FLU SHOT LAST YEAR FROM DR. SHERLITA AMBLER. WPCNR Photo Archive

WPCNR FLU WATCH. From the Westchester County Department of Health. October 9, 2018:

County Executive George Latimer announced that the County Health Department will offer free flu vaccines for students at any college on Tuesday, October 23 at Westchester Community College and for residents age 3 and up at the County Clinic in White Plains on Tuesday, Oct. 30th.

Latimer said: “Don’t put off your flu shot any longer — make an appointment for one today. Flu can be miserable, and this vaccine will help keep you and your family healthy well into 2019.”

While the clinics are open to all, they are intended for people without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines. Register online for these flu vaccine clinics at www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60. Appointments are available as follows:

• College students, October 23, Westchester Community College Student Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Residents age 3 and up, October 30, County Clinic, 134 Court St., White Plains, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Flu shots are also available for a fee from many area pharmacists and medical offices.

The County Health Department plans to provide up to 1,700 flu vaccines this fall. It has focused its public vaccination efforts on people who lack the means to get vaccinated elsewhere by bringing flu shots to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Westchester. The County also will give free flu shots to any college student on Tuesday, October 23 at Westchester Community College.

“Everyone six months and older should get an annual flu shot,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “Flu can make otherwise healthy adults and children very ill and it can be deadly. When healthier people get an annual flu shot, they help protect the people around them, including infants too young to be vaccinated, seniors and people with chronic health conditions, who are more vulnerable to flu complications.”

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WPCNR STATE OF THE UNION. Special to WPCNR from the Service Employees Union Internation 32BJ. October 4, 2018:

Early this evening, hundreds of residential building workers held a vote to ratify an agreement with property owners and managers that will provide workers almost 11% in raises over four years, fully protect their health and retirement benefits, and maintain the current rules governing staffing. The contract, an agreement on wages, benefits, and basic rights on the job, was approved by a nearly unanimous vote.

It was reached on Friday, September 30, between the workers’ union, 32BJ SEIU, and the managers and owners’ organization, the Building and Realty Institute of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region (BRI).

The agreement covers 1,400 superintendents, porters, handy-people, door attendants and others who work at 500 properties across Westchester and Rockland counties.

“This agreement honors the valuable contributions of the hardworking men and women who keep our apartment buildings, co-ops and condos running,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of 32BJ SEIU.

“They dedicate themselves day in and day out to the support of 100,000 residents in the Hudson Valley, and keeping the buildings they live in clean and well-maintained. With this ratified contract, our members, our families, and these 100,000 residents are moving forward together.”

“As a father who knows the importance of the health benefits, I am extremely pleased with the agreement ratified today,” said John Ryan, a member of the bargaining committee and superintendent of a building complex in White Plains.

“Years ago, our health insurance helped my oldest son beat a chronic and debilitating childhood condition. Now, he drives a truck for a living right here in the Hudson Valley. I’m proud to be able to continue my job knowing our healthcare, wages, and staffing levels are secure.”

“This contract is a victory not only for these hardworking supers and porters, but for the entire Hudson Valley,” said New York State Senator Shelley Mayer, who spoke at the strike-authorization vote and a massive union rally in Scarsdale.

“These workers provide the skills and dedicated attention that keeps our buildings running. The staffing and benefits protections and the wage increase will help our communities as a whole, since everyone benefits from a strong, reliable, healthy and experienced workforce. I commend BRI for working constructively with 32BJ SEIU to find a fair and timely resolution of these issues.”

Negotiations between 32BJ SEIU and the BRI began on August 15. As contract expiration neared, 32BJ members gathered on September 13 at the Westchester County Center for a vote that authorized the bargaining committee to call a strike, if  necessary.

Workers then rallied to show their strength in Scarsdale on September 26 with community allies like Make the Road CT and Indivisible Westchester, as well as with the unions represented by the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body, and elected officials from the state legislature and the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

The tentative deal was struck on Friday, the last day of scheduled negotiations, thus eliminating the need for a strike, and tonight’s ratification vote was scheduled shortly thereafter.

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Con Ed Communications Improvements Expected by April 2019.

NYSEG Infrastructure upgrades by end of this year.

NYSEG Effort Not enough say Legislators Covill and Kaplowitz.

NY MUTUAL AID GROUP MULLS MUTUAL AID FIXES

WPCNR THE POWER STORY. By John F. Bailey. October 4, 2018:

Representatives of Con Edison and New York State Electric & Gas told the Westchester County Legislators Committee of the Whole Monday at the County Office the ways the two companies are gearing up to handle major storm damage to power supply to prevent the 10 Day outages that occurred during last spring March storms.

Con Edison announced they were committed to flying in 50 contract work crews in anticipation of major storms so restoration could restore faster, an increase of 100 lineworkers. Steven Parisi, the Con Ed spokesperson said Con Ed would also commit to a fleet of 50 more trucks ( whether by purchase, or refurbishing older trucks) for these workers to use, rather than waiting for trucks to drive from states and towns hundreds of miles away.

During last spring’s storms Con Edison had approximately 500 Con Ed workers and 1,500 contract workers from around the region and from Canada and southern states that took two weeks to restore all power.

Con Edision blamed communications chaos with towns and customers on defective software in its robocalls and communciations. Con Ed said it would have all this fixed, robocall chaos, confusion as to who was out of power and who was not by April of 2019.

They also promised continued tree trimming around power lines.

NYSEG, reported second to the committee on their efforts to prevent the widespread outages in the Westchester Towns of  Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem, Pound Ridge and Yorktown, and when asked if they were contracting to bring in more contract workers as Con Ed was doing.

Trish Nelson of NYSEG, said they were not at this time, because the state committee on Mutual Aid is currently discussing how New York power companies are going to address the need for changes mutual aid based on last year’s and this year’s storms.

Nelson said “NYMAG (New York Mutual Aid Group) is looking at allocation of mutual aid. There are just so many (limited) utility contractors. We need to create a balanced, ongoing procedure.”

Nelson said the committee would have a report later this month.  Any solutions or conclusions would require a vote of the power utilities in the group.

Nelson said adding 1,000 line workers (as Con Edison is saying it is doing) “is not cost effective. That remains the biggest issue.”

Kitley Covill, the County Legislator from Katonah, took sharp issue with that, saying in the close of her remarks, “It’s very hard to carry water for NYSEG. Verify then we’ll trust.”

Michael Kaplowitz, the County Legislator, sharply criticized what appeared to be an 846 decline in the number of NYSEG  employed lineworkers since 2005 (13 Years ago), from 2,565 lineworkers then to 1,719 now. Chuck Eaves said this was incorrect because NYSEG has contracted workers “bringing them up to the approximate 2,500 level.

NYSEG said they were installing an automated switching system that would allow them to bypass invidual outages and thus keeping more customers in power. They also said they are going to cut 10 foot right of ways on either side of their powerlines by either felling trees or cutting back limbs along the tracks of their above ground lines. They said there is much resistance to this in the more affluent residences in Westchester County.

NYSEG said they were upgrading connections and substations for Heritage Hills in Somers, a major outage during last springs storms.

Questions will be furnished by the legislators to both companies.

Con Edison reported 163 outages as a result of Tuesday evening dangerous weather that were still out this morning, after approximately 2,000 outages reported Tuesday evening.

The complete hearing of the Committee of the Whole, (though badly out synch–no fault of the county we are assured), may be viewed at this link:

http://westchestercountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=5145&Format=Agenda

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. Statement from the Gedney Association. October 3, 2018:

The Gedney Association announced Sunday that it intends to appeal the court decision dismissing its lawsuit challenging the approval of the French American School of New York (FASNY) plan for a regional school in the middle of Gedney Farms neighborhood.

The Association believes clear requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) were neglected and Judge Lefkowitz decision to be in conflict with her earlier findings.

The Judge mistakenly concluded that FASNY’s moratorium on any new development on the property satisfied laws governing segmentation which requires a development plan consider the entire property not only segments.   In fact, FASNY’s moratorium commitment related only to its plans and not to other developers.

The Gedney Association will also appeal the Judge’s dismissal of its lawsuit seeking enforcement of the private Deed Restriction prohibiting Institutional Use on the property.

The language of the Deed Restriction is perfectly clear: Institutional Use is prohibited.  Many home buyers in the surrounding neighborhood purchased their homes with the assurance of this long-standing covenant.

Despite the specific language in the Deed Restriction the Judge decided to define what an institution is.  As one incredulous member of the local press (WPCNR) stated Webster’s Dictionary defines an institution as a school.

Lastly, the Association finds the Judge’s statement implying that the Association is advocating a “slavish servitude” to the City’s Comprehensive Plan alarming.

This conflicts with established land use law in New York whereby governmental bodies must not only consider but, in fact, comply with its Comprehensive Plan in deciding land use matters.

Indeed, the City’s Comprehensive Plan was updated in recent years and clearly stipulated that the property in question should be developed at the lowest possible density given its environmental sensitivity.