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 ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. September 10, 2018:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he was directing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate regulations to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons, a group of potent greenhouse gas pollutants used in a wide variety of applications.

The regulations would adopt the 2015 and 2016 changes to the Significant New Alternatives Policy that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is abandoning under the Trump administration.

“While the Trump administration denies climate change and rolls back efforts to protect our planet, New York is picking up the mantle of climate leadership and forging a path forward,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are taking action to begin the phase out of the use of hydrofluorocarbons, and

“I encourage other states to join with New York and California to combat dangerous HFCs. In New York we believe denial is not a life strategy, and we will continue to fight climate change to protect our economy, our planet and our future.”

The regulations would prohibit specific substances for use in new consumer products, new equipment and equipment that is retrofit after the compliance dates, including aerosol propellants, commercial and residential food refrigeration equipment, commercial air-conditioning equipment, light-duty vehicle air-conditioning and foam-blowing agents.

The phase out, which would be implemented from 2020-2024, is expected to reduce HFC emissions by more than 20 percent of projected levels by 2030. DEC will be seeking input on this proposal prior to proceeding with a formal rulemaking, with the intent of finalizing a rule in 2019.

The regulations advance Governor Cuomo’s directive in the 2018 State of the State address for DEC to work with other State agencies to reduce the emission of HFCs in New York. New York’s proposal will also help to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce the use of HFCs as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances.

With the finalization of this proposal, New York will join California and Canada in requiring the phase-out of these dangerous pollutants. The requirement to phase out HFCs in these substantial markets will help to drive industry to phase out these pollutants nationally and globally. In addition, U.S.-based businesses that produce the substitutes for HFCs will benefit from New York’s leadership in taking this action.

State funding is available to accelerate the reduction of the use of HFCs more quickly. The Environmental Protection Fund includes nearly $9 million through the Climate Smart Communities program for adaption and greenhouse gas mitigation projects, including grants for municipalities to reduce refrigerant leakage, replace or retrofit refrigeration, chillers or air-conditioning equipment (e.g., food-storage or ice-rink equipment) with low global-warming-potential refrigerants; install refrigerant leakage monitoring equipment; establish monitoring and repair plans; establish enhanced disposal programs to recover and recycle refrigerants; and adopt codes or standards to encourage the use of alternative refrigerants. An additional $1 million from the EPF will be available for other projects to address HFCs and other short-lived climate pollutants.

New York is also taking aggressive measures to help consumers access energy efficient appliances and other solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.  The State offers rebates for certain new appliance or equipment purchases, and consumers statewide can access energy efficiency programs through either NYSERDA or their local utility.

New York will announce this new step against HFCs at the Global Climate Action Summit being held on September 13-14 in San Francisco.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, “As the Trump administration continues to roll back our progress and deny the impact of climate change, New York is stepping up and continuing to ensure our environment is protected and safe. We are working to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons in products to reduce emissions and help to achieve our goals as part of the Paris Climate Agreement and to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Today’s announcement demonstrates New York’s leadership in reducing high-intensity pollutants like HFCs and methane that contribute to climate change. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is working with other states in the U.S. Climate Alliance to reduce emissions of these dangerous pollutants and safeguard our children’s future. DEC’s development of the proposed regulation serves to implement the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Challenge that New York and other Climate Alliance states announced in June 2018.”

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said,”Reducing harmful emissions is critical to safeguarding the health of all New Yorkers and protecting our precious natural resources. Governor Cuomo continues to demonstrate through his nation-leading clean energy policies and investments the critical leadership needed to advance solutions that address some of our most pressing environmental challenges and take head-on our fight on climate change.”

Protecting Our Environment

Governor Cuomo’s climate change policies are leading the nation toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Through nation-leading efforts like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, New York is aggressively cutting carbon dioxide, which is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. Governor Cuomo has also launched targeted initiatives to tackle other greenhouse gasses, launching the 25-point Methane Reduction Plan in 2017 to reduce emissions of the heat-trapping pollutant that is at least 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

After the federal government announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, New York joined with California and Washington State to form the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the goals of the agreement. The U.S. Climate Alliance has grown to include 17 governors representing nearly half U.S. gross domestic product.

New York has also established a Clean Energy Standard for half of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030, complementing Governor Cuomo’s ambitious Reforming the Energy Vision strategy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency.

The REV strategy is ensuring New York State reduces economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor’s $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.

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ALL WAS IN READINESS FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE NEW EASTBOUND SPAN OF THE NEW MARIO CUOMO BRIDGE TO OPEN SATURDAY.

A LOUD CRACK IN THE REMAINING TOWER OF THE OLD TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE (VISIBLE BACKGROUND, FAR LEFT), CAUSED TAPPAN ZEE CONSTRUCTORS TO DELAY THE OPENING, UNTIL OLD SUPER STRUCTURE COULD BE DECLARED NOT A THREAT TO COLLAPSE 

THE U.S. COAST GUARD HAS CLOSED THE EASTERN SHORE CHANNEL OF THE RIVER TO VESSEL TRAFFIC DUE TO THE POSSIBLE HAZARD TO SHIPPING AND RIVER VESSELS SAILING NORTH THROUGH THE EASTERN CHANNEL OF THE HUDSON BELOW.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications and WPCNR News Summary. September 9, 20118.

The Westchester County Executive George Latimer issued this statement on the New York State Thruway decision to close the new eastbound lanes of the Mario Cuomo new Tappan Zee Bridge Saturday evening:

“Westchester County Police became aware of the situation with the old Tappan Zee structure late Friday night.  The County immediately stepped into action, and the County Police Marine Unit was deployed to help  stop river traffic from going near the old structure.

(Editor’s Note: The U.S. Coast Guard closed the eastern half of the main federal navigation channel of the Hudson River on Friday after the structural issue was determined a risk for falling into the channel.)

We continue to work closely with State officials, and are in constant conversation with engineers on the scene.  The safety of Westchester County residents, and all travelers, is our top priority.

Any further inquiries should be directed to the New York State Thruway Authority.”

The situation as of this morning, according to news reports:

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WESTCHESTER’S WOMAN ABOUT MEDIA

 and

www.wpcommunitymedia.org

(Scroll down website Showwall to White Plains Week People to Be Heard, look for Mary)

“THE NEW 2019”

MARY PRENON

EVERYBODY KNOWS MARY:

REPORTER, DISK JOCKEY, IMAGE MAKER 

TELLS JOHN BAILEY TONIGHT

HOW SHE LOST 60 POUNDS

Mary has tried to lose weight for years. Tried every diet technique and miracle under the sun. Now she has found the answers herself to lose 60 pounds and keep the weight from coming back. She talks with John Bailey about her personal “epiphany” and guides you through the lobbying of the world’s most powerful lobbies in your head: Fat Cells International Gainsters, The Depression Relief Institute Incorporated, and  Amalgamated  Carbohydrates & Calories Coalition

Mary Covers Losing Weight Pitfalls and Secrets to Keep Losing Weight:

Handling Depression by Not Reaching for food

Eating Right

Conquering the “E-Word” (Exercise)

Her own Prenon’s Choice Recipes

Handling Self-Esteem

Commitment Concentration

THAT TOOK HER FROM THIS TO:

TO THE NEW MARY PRENON 2019

The Prenon Phenomenon 

Reveals Her Long Battle with Weight and How She Has Won it — and you can, too!

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Governor Cuomo’s Press Office. September 5, 2018 UPDATES 1:30 EDT September 8:

New Span of Bridge  openes Saturday, September  then closed after two hours when thruway engineers closed the new bridge due to fears that the remaining  superstructure of the old bridge was unstable and could collapse on the newly opened structure, the thruway announced Saturday.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced paving is complete on the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The eastbound span of the bridge is scheduled to open this Saturday, September 8, weather permitting, with four lanes of Westchester-bound traffic being shifted to the new span in an overnight operation beginning Friday. Lane striping work is scheduled to begin tonight.

“As we put the finishing touches on the second span of the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, we are yet another step closer to completing one of New York’s largest modern infrastructure projects to date,” Governor Cuomo said. “With another accomplishment on the second span now complete, we look forward to opening up the new span to eastbound traffic this weekend.”

Governor Cuomo toured the eastbound span earlier this week with New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll and New NY Bridge Project Director Jamey Barbas. They updated the Governor on finishing touches being made to the new span and the on-going dismantling of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Once the second span is open, eastbound motorists will have access to four general traffic lanes and emergency shoulders.

A dedicated bus lane will open this fall for eastbound traffic.

The fully completed project will include shoulders and dedicated bus lanes in each direction, and a bicycle and walking path. Newly released renderings of the path can be viewed; here.

Since last year’s initial traffic shift, where all New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) traffic was temporarily shifted from the Tappan Zee Bridge onto the new bridge’s westbound span, design-builder Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) has been dismantling the old bridge while also constructing the eastbound span.

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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. September 3, 2018. Reprinted from the CitizeNetReporter Archives:

It is Labor Day 2018.

Teachers throughout the state continue to be under fire for not teaching effectively. Teacher union leaders protest against calls for change and possible elimination of tenure. Yet the latest test scores of the new assessment tests have been delayed until late September. Good and late and of no use at all in helping articulate more effective curricula.

Yet corporate and bureaucratic advocates of the Common Core are not held accountable for the inexplicable test results of 2017 that still show 60% of New York State students are unable to read or write English effectively entering high school. It cannot be all the teachers’ faults. We only have those test results to go on because the 2018 results are not out yet

Perhaps it is the poor local grade by grade tests used in every school district in the state?

Don’t our state senators and assemblypersons and hands-on governor want to find out what the assessment problem is? No. They did not when they had the chance

Why is it our State Senators and Assemblypersons and the Governor opted out of finding out why Johnny and Jane can’t read after 8 years of elementary and middle School? That is irresponsible. Buck-passing. Kicking the can down the road. Ducking the responsibility for a State Education Department and a Board of Regents that demonstrate a nose-in-the-air distaste for facts, truth, and accountability.

Labor across the nation is fighting back against low pay enforced by union-busting state governments under the dole of corporate robber barons of today.

Public enmity against unions is popular, especially the practice of jacking pensions by getting more overtime in the years just before retirements. I say it’s time to look at the city leadership and the state leadership and hold them accountable. They are the leaders and they do not lead. (Let me, rephrase that, Mr. Cuomo leads more than any other elected official in the nation, but he has to lead more on this education and pension problem).

No politicians talk about the offensive practice  of decrying  union pensions, while accepting political jobs after a politician leaves office  or is defeated, that politicians and political parasites have to get waivers for to retain their pensions, and they are routinely able to acquire such waivers to get 6-figure jobs in the private or public sector and still collect their pension, and do very little for those taxpayer dollars.

How about stopping that very nice perk? Money for nothing. And politicians cry about labor contracts? Please.

Look back at the history of the labor movement, workers have always had to fight and die to make progress.

Because management is not fair, equitable, or humane. They don’t care about you as a person. They use you up. Use you. And when you get hurt. Too bad. And now our feckless Supreme Court has taken away the class action suit.

Business and government “internships” today are a nice word for slavery without whips.

Labor Day first made its appearance when low wages and long hours were protested against in the mid-nineteenth century during the American Industrial Revolution.

Management works for themselves, always.

Oregon instituted the first Labor Day in the 1870s, and New York in the 1880s.

The National Labor Day Holiday came about because of national outrage over two violent strikes that were ended by armed intervention by the military and private detectives, the notorious “Pinkertons.”

Let’s go back to the 1890s and learn what Labor Day is all about. It’s not about a day off. It is a memorial day. It’s not about “good job.”

The gay 90s were not so gay if you were a union worker.

They were a time when the so-called robber barons thought nothing of bringing out private security forces to shoot strikers. They  lowered wages with no mercy. It was all about them, their mansions, their fortunes, their tax-free profits. (No income tax before 1913, folks).

In the Homestead, Pennsylvania steel factory strike in 1892, Andrew Carnegie, the steel baron, wanted to lower wages to make the Homestead factory  more profitable. (Instead of pulling down statues, they should change the name of the Carnegie Institute. Mr. Carnegie was no saint.)

Steelworkers in Homestead Pennsylvania, made $10 a week, working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, as much as  84 hours a week.

Carnegie’s Deputy  Chairman Henry Frick wanted to pay them less, and attempted to bring in non-union laborers to replace them.

Two thousand union workers barricaded the plant.

Frick hired Pinkerton Detectives to disperse them. On June 29, 1892, “Pinkertons” killed 7 union workers with gunfire, and injured “countless” others and three Pinkertons were killed.

The Governor called in the National Guard to restore order. The armed intervention broke the Amalgamated Association union.

After this, according to “Steelworkers in America” by David Brody, wages of steelworkers at Homestead declined 20% from 1892 to 1907 and workshifts went up from 8 hours to 12 hours (96 hours a week). 

What a great fellow, Carnegie. What a humanitarian! That’s your robber baron. He’d fit right in with today’s Wolves of Wall Street, wouldn’t he? He’d be in the Trump cabinet.

This union-killing in Pennysylvania was followed by the 1894 Pullman Strike in Pullman Illinois.

George M. Pullman, the creator of the sleeper car, housed his workers in Pullman City, Illinois, and charged them rent. 

In the depression of the early 1890s, in 1893 wages at the Pullman Palace Factory fell  25%, but Pullman did not lower his rents to his workers.

The rent, if not met, was deducted from worker pay.Pullman was a garbage person.

A nice guy, George Pullman.  He could run a bank today, couldn’t he?

On May 11, 1894 workers with the American Railroad Union under the leadership of the great  Eugene V.  Debs, started a wildcat (unauthorized) strike in protest of Pullman’s policies.

On June 26, 1894, union members refused to service trains with Pullman Cars in their consist, to leave Chicago, delaying the U.S. Mail.

Twenty-four railroads in an organization called the General Managers Association announced that any switchman who refused to move rail cars would be fired.

Mr. Debs and his union stood their ground.

Debs said if any switchman was fired for not moving Pullman Cars, the union would walk off their jobs. On June 29, 50,000 union men quit.

Union supporters stopped trains on rails West of Chicago.

President Grover Cleveland was asked by the railroads to use federal troops to stop the strike.

Railroad management began characterizing the union as violent and lawless, calling Debs “a radical.”

When Debs went to Blue Island to ask railroad workers there to support the strike, rioting broke out, tracks were torn up. Railroad cars were burned.

The Attorney General of the United States Richard Olney, at the urging of the railroad owners, obtained an injunction July 2 that declared the strike illegal.

When Debs’ union members did not return to work, when they did not return to work—-

President Cleveland sent federal troops into Chicago.

Strikers stopped trains, destroyed switches and burned railroad cars.

Troops opened fire on strikers  attempting to stop a train traveling through downtown Chicago.

Debs and his union leaders were arrested for disrupting the delivery of mail.

Twenty-six civilians were killed.

Because the mail could not be delivered. Because the mail could not be delivered…how pathetic.

Debs, the union leader, stopped the strike.

Debs was sentenced to six months in jail and the union was disbanded. To my knowledge no federal troops who killed civilians were prosecuted.

A number of railroad workers were black listed and could not get a job on a railroad in the United States.

It was the first time federal troops were used to break up a strike.

Pullman workers were forced to sign a pledge they would never strike again.

The threat of the federal government stopping strikes lead to an end of strikes for at least 8 years.

President Cleveland, though, was facing reelection in 1894.

And, here’s how Labor Day became a national holiday.

Union leaders and citizens were alarmed at his handling of the strike.

As PBS put it in a documentary in 2001: “But now, protests against President Cleveland’s harsh methods made the appeasement of the nation’s workers a top political priority. In the immediate wake of the strike, legislation was rushed unanimously through both houses of Congress, and the bill arrived on President Cleveland’s desk just six days after his troops had broken the Pullman strike.

1894 was an election year.

President Cleveland seized the chance at conciliation, and Labor Day was born. William Jennings Bryant ran for the Democratic Party and the Populist Party in 1896, losing to  Republican William McKinley.

Then came a sea change in the great coal strike of 1902, when another “exemplary” capitalist J. P. Morgan fought the coal workers.

It happened in the coal fields of Easton, Pennsylvania, when the United Mine Workers headed by John Mitchell struck the coal operators  pushing for an 8-hour day.

The coal operators employed private police and the Pennsylvania National Guard to protect non-union workers.

President Theodore Roosevelt summoned the parties to the White House to bring settlement of the dispute by arbitration. After 6 months, the coal miners won a 9-hour day and a 10% increase in wages.

T.R.’s personal intervention lead to Selig Perlman, economist and labor historian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, saying “this was perhaps the first time in history a labor organization tied up for months a strategic industry without being condemned as a revolutionary menace.’

The 1902 leadership of Teddy Roosevelt resulted in elimination of private police forces long used  by management to combat workers, when Governor Samuel Pennypacker became Governor of Pennsylvania. He created the Pennsylvania State Police in 1903, the first in the nation to supplant the independent organizations hired by management that were little more than strong-arm men.

The lesson of Labor Day is to remember the bravery of the union leaders who put their members first, did not make deals, did not sell out their members,(and I might add, sucomb to politicians’ whining) and held out for the good against managements that were neither kind, humane, fair, or appreciative of their workers’ contribution to their corporate success.

Management never  is. They talk a good game but it’s all talk.

So American workers should remember the struggles and the leadership of Debs and Mitchell. And the strikers and civilians who were shot down in the street.

They introduced a new era of workers’ rights at the cost of their lives.

The battle against worker exploitation never ends.