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 iT’S THE  LATEST, IT’S THE GREATEST, IT’S THE LIBRARY From the White Plains Library Foundation. May 7, 2018:

Plenty of libraries offer coffee and snacks. But few public libraries have full-blown cafes, with extensive food and beverage selections. But the White Plains Public Library’s new café—a partnership between the Library and the Everyday Healthy Café—will offer exactly that.

The café is part of the final renovations to the Library’s first floor, which includes the Hub, a library for adults, the new Community Room for meetings and programs, and, of course, the Everyday Healthy Café. The café, which provides outdoor seating on Martine Avenue, also includes the popular Friends Bookstore, a selection of gently used books.

The grand opening for the Everyday Healthy Café, Hub, and Friends Bookstore will be Wednesday, May 9 at 11 a.m.

“When we were planning the Hub six years ago, we spoke with many community groups, and food and coffee always headed the list of requests for a renovated library,” said Library Director Brian Kenney. “We took under-utilized space, and through working with the team from the Everyday Healthy Café transformed it into an inviting and relaxing environment for Library visitors.”

The renovation of the Library’s first floor was a public/private partnership of the White Plains Library Foundation, the City of White Plains, and the State of New York.

“The Everyday Healthy Café is a community partnership expanding the first rate services at the White Plains Library, adding organic coffee and delicious food selections for the public to enjoy,” said Peter Herrero, President of New York Hospitality Group. “Our mission is to bring a five-star guest experience to all patrons visiting this magnificent City building while creating a harmonious atmosphere.”

The White Plains Library Foundation was established in 1995 to supplement the essential support the Library receives from the City of White Plains to strengthen its role as a vital community resource, available to everyone. The Foundation supports initiatives that promote literacy, educational achievement, cultural enrichment, career development, and lifelong learning for all ages. For more information, visit https://foundation.whiteplainslibrary.org/

The Everyday Healthy Café is part of Peter Herrero’s NY Hospitality Group, which includes Sam’s of Gedney Way, Caperberry Events, and The Great American BBQ Co. In addition to the location at the White Plains Library, there are two Everyday Healthy Cafes at the White Plains Hospital.

The White Plains Public Library is a dynamic, civic resource. Its mission is to enable all members of our community to engage in lifelong learning, find inspiration and build citizenship by providing: free and open access to recorded knowledge, personal guidance in its use, and diverse opportunities for cultural exchange and exploration of ideas.

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RIGHT NOW ON THE INTERNET AT YOUTUBE AND WHITE PLAINS WEEK DOT COM,

THE  SOLAR POWER STORY

ON

White Plains TV’s

PEOPLE TO BE HEARD 

The youtube link is

DAN WELSH

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

WESTCHESTER POWER

ON GROWTH OF SOLAR

STEADY ELECTRIC POWER RATES 

NEW GREEN RATES

ADVANTAGE OF THE “GREEN ENERGY” RATE CHOICE — SAVINGS STATISTICS

EFFECT OF INDIAN POINT CLOSURE ON ELECTRIC SUPPLY: HIS ANSWER WILL STUN YOU!

GROWTH OF SOLAR AHEAD VS. NATURAL GAS

ON WESTCHESTER’S MOST RELEVANT, TIMELY AND COMPREHENSIVE INTERVIEW PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY HAVE THEIR SAY

IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ANYTIME AT YOUTUBE WHITE PLAINS WEEK DOT COM AND

www.wpcommunitymedia.org

(Just scroll down to White Plains Week-People to be Heard on the “Program Wall”0

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER.  From the Westchester County Department of Communications. May 4, 2018:

County Executive George Latimer has written a letter to the President of Caspi Development urging him to rehire the seven dismissed Service Employees International Union 32BJ in a letter made public today. Here is the copy of that letter:

Steven J. Caspi, President Caspi Development Company 

120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 105 White Plains, New York 10605

Dear Mr. Caspi:

As County Executive of Westchester County, I am writing to express my concern regarding allegations that your new contractor may have violated County law in its handling of events at the office towers on 234-235 Main Street in White Plains.

On April 2, 2018, seven office cleaners at the office towers lost their jobs following the hiring of a new cleaning contractor, Integrated Building Management. Integrated Building Management allegedly did not inform the workers or their union, SEIU 32BJ, about the expiration of their contract.

I understand that contractors change due to the implicit nature of contracted work; but such changes are often detrimental to workers. Jurisdictions such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia have enacted displaced worker laws; Westchester County’s displaced worker law was signed into law nearly five years ago to similarly aid workers and their families.

Pursuant to Chapter 580 of the laws of Westchester County, the Displaced Service Employees Protection Law, “successor employers,” or employers that terminate a service contract and hire new service employees as its direct employees to perform services that are substantially similar within 90 days after a service contract is terminated or canceled, “…must retain each affected service employee at a covered location for sixty (60) days or until its service contract is terminated, whichever is earlier.”

Additionally pursuant to this law, “service employees who are discharged or otherwise not retained in violation of this Chapter may bring an action in Supreme Court against a successor employer for any violation of any obligation imposed by Section 580.02(2),” and “…against an awarding authority for any violation of any obligation imposed by Section 580.02(1).” If the court rules in favor of one such employee, this employee is entitled to back pay, costs of benefits, a reasonable attorneys’ fee, and any damages caused by the awarding authority’s failure to comply with its obligations.

In order to resolve this dispute to the benefit of all parties, I urge you to do the right thing by encouraging Integrated Business Management to hire the seven workers.

Sincerely,

George Latimer

Westchester County Executive

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WPCNR MAIN STREET White Plains NY USA:  From the Service Employees International Union 32BJ. (Edited) May 2, 2018:

After the SEIU 32BJ  rally outside the Caspi building at 120 Bloomingdale Road, a group of  Westchester County legislators and workers attempted to deliver a letter requesting 7 union members be rehired and a workers’ petition to Caspi representatives in the building.

At the request of Caspi, White Plains police denied the  entourage of delegation entry to the property. Even after the delegation was reduced to one legislator and one union rep and was allowed entry by police, Caspi’s representatives refused to accept the letter.

Four members of the County Board of Legislators were joined by representatives of the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body and members of 32BJ SEIU in a White Plains delegation Tuesday that sought to help a group of local building cleaners.

“Because I lost my job, my family is suffering,” said Amando Martinez, one of the seven workers who formerly worked at 235-245 Main Street. “I want to ask the employer to put their hands on their heart and think of the working people. All we want is to work.”

“The County Board of Legislators stands with the workers of Main Street,” Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin told a gathering of about two dozen workers and legislators before joining the delegation that attempted to enter 120 Bloomingdale. “I called Caspi Development several times to discuss the matter and received no answer. Violating the Westchester County Displaced Worker Act is totally unacceptable. We will stand with you until you get your jobs back.”

Community members were met with what the union representatives describe as “indifference” by building owners who have  been accused by the Service Employees International Union 32BJ  of breaking a Westchester County labor standards law.

The county legislators were among a dozen who  signed a letter calling on Capsi Development to see that the seven cleaners who were let go from their jobs at the Caspi building at 235-245 Main Street are brought back with full back pay.

The cleaners have filed a lawsuit in NY State Supreme Court and unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, and they are seeking a federal court injunction against the new cleaning contractor, Integrated Building Management.

 “I’m disappointed that the representatives of Caspi Development on site refused to allow a delegation to deliver our letter and a workers’ petition,” said a member of the delegation, County Board of Legislators Majority leader Catherine Parker. “What we at the Board of Legislators are looking for is that laws of Westchester County are followed, and that Caspi Development understands that they can be a friendly intermediary in that process.”

 “It seems like a pretty bad sign that the building owner is not willing to accept our request to do the right thing,” Ms. Parker concluded.

“By refusing to allow the delegation entry, refusing to take calls, refusing to accept a letter signed by over a dozen legislators,  Caspi Development is refusing to hear the community they serve,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of 32BJ SEIU. “Caspi Development and Integrated Building Management should put their energy into resolving this issue in the best interest of local workers, building tenants, and the local economy.”

“It’s ridiculous that the building owner and their contractor are treating these seven workers this way,” said Tom Carey, President of the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body. “We stand in solidarity with you totally.”

“On May Day, we’re committed to fight for these seven cleaners in the spirit of all the workers’ who’ve had to fight for their rights,” said Anthony Castiglione, a member of 32BJ SEIU and Vice President of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body. “We ask Caspi to do the right thing and ask their contractor to hire these workers, or to find a law-abiding contractor that will act responsibly.”