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 Monday. From the Westchester County Association January 22, 2018:

FED PAYS A CALL

AMAZON STILL HAS NY ON TOP 20 LIST FOR LOCATION OF HQ

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Brandon Eriq Vaughn Puryear,( center), on the dais, keynote Speaker at the 25th Anniversary Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast January 15.

WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. The 25th Anniversary White Plains Martin Luther King Jr Breakfast Keynote Speech by Brandon Eriq Vaughn Puryear delivered January 15, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel: 

Hello everyone and Happy New Year, my name is Brandon Eriq Vaughn Puryear. I use all four names because my mother blessed me with them. I am a poet, actor and comedian.

Not listed… Son, Brother, Best friend, Dog Father but most importantly…I am a young African American leader in my community.

But how would you know any of that? By the way I dress, my glasses? Or maybe my smile. If I wasn’t standing up here, you wouldn’t know.

The world passes us by and each day we come across another person. We say Hello and keep walking. We say how are you doing and never truly want to know. We know what’s going on in the world but we don’t notice each other.

Today I want you to start having new meanings to your hellos. When you say how are you, mean it and when you console with the words “I’m here for you” be there like you’d wish someone would be there for you.

I stand before you because of my support system. Because people took interest in how I was doing. I wasn’t always this person. This took time and guidance from the right people.

Guidance from people who always noticed me when I didn’t notice myself. So please remember to notice one another and to keep finding new meanings to our existence because we are here for a reason and we are here together.

Martin Luther King Jr once said, 

“ I say to you today, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

And without seeing JUST a man or woman’s skin tone or social status. Martin Luther King Jr chose that day, August 28th, 1963, to begin a new and to create new meanings to our existence.

He wanted us to know that every other person you may come across, is just like you and me. A human being, trying to get through life the best way we know how.

The best way, for me at least because I can’t speak for everyone, but the best way for me…is to be vulnerable. Vulnerable with my emotions, how I speak, how I portray myself… vulnerable: being who I am for as long as I can. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

It takes time.

Like most anything does but when we choose to love. To mean our “Hellos” and “How are you doings?” life gets a bit easy to swallow. It gets easier to cast away the demons that may follow us on a daily… like anxiety & depression. I’ve dealt with both and here is something that came out of that…

This is…

                      – Difference – 

 I was happy yesterday, so I should be happy today?

They tell me everyday is a new day, so why don’t people understand when I say…there’s a difference

 There’s a difference between my sadness today and my happiness of yesterday

 There’s a difference between me hoping things will get better tomorrow…and the day after that and the day after that and the day after that

 But deep down knowing, I’m dreading tomorrow…and the day after that and the day after that and the day after that

 Today may be a new day but it brings with it new emotions, and they just love to play

Not a day goes by that I’m not afraid, asking myself “what will I do today”

Before I ultimately make the sacrifice to stay in bed

Because sleeping all day seems to be the best way to handle these emotions at play

 They can’t play if I just lay still

 But today is a new day, enjoy the sunshine…

There’s a difference in the sunshine of today and the sunshine of yesterday

And that sun don’t seem to shine on a black and white pantomime

When everyday you feel trapped in a box or pushed down by the wind

Screaming at the top of your lungs and bursting at the seems to escape the skin your in but…no one can hear you

But…IT.WILL.GET.BETTER

They say

Those who go about their day basking in the sun’s rays

While people like me can’t even control their emotion of the week, sorry..the day, but heyyy it.will.get.better

I keep hearing that

But there’s a difference between it will get better and it’s been like this for years so when will this “it get better” thing kick in because I’m ready to kick it in. Leave behind me a broken down door of horrors and fears and let the mornings melody serenade my ears…I’m deaf

Deaf to the sounds of a good vibe, deaf to the sound of a friend consoling my wounded slef because as this anxiety kicks in, it makes me ask…who am I to be so, Self

 Who am I to take up somebody else’s time…on me

This anxiety makes me question my very being and why I’m, being

But there’s a difference between you and me…I’m actively working on me

You just see me, being sad and sometimes unhappy

Smiles one day and tears the next, asking what is wrong with me

But there’s a difference I know what’s wrong and you’re just judging me

Pushing me deeper and deeper into the abyss of unhappiness

Covered by a Cheshire Cat smile, while uttering the words “I’m fine”

 A daily line I force feed myself so I don’t get judge or impede on someone’s sunshiny rays of the day

But there’s a difference, because as I work so hard to hide the fact that I’m not ok. Hide from judgment and make it seem like my day is like your day, anxiety and his friend depression meet up and judge me like a stallion in the Kentucky derby…not fit to grace the winner circle…not fit to even run the race

Today is a new day but…there’s a difference  – (Brandonevp)

We must teach our youth that dark days will come and that even in our darkest days, there will always be a shining light. Because as the song goes “Trouble don’t last always”.

And when you wake each morning it’s a new day and we must make it count. We lived yesterday and there is nothing we can change about it.

But today we can start by Uplifting one another, supporting each other, spreading LOVE to each other and take notice of who you come in contact with.

Martin Luther King’s dream did not die with him. It is our job, No, our duty to make sure his dream never dies. To make sure we start anew. To make sure our lives have meaning. To make sure we celebrate our differences, not condemn them –

As a young black man in this world I had questions about who I am and who I should be. Where I’m going and where I came from. How I got here and how would I get to where I need to be.

As I got older I wondered why my blackness wasn’t enough for my white friends. Why the way I speak wasn’t black enough for my black friends. Why my posture and good manners made me a target for words I can’t repeat and gestures I dare not show.

As I got older, I stopped wondering. I realized I just had to be me.

There was no box I could fit in and no circle I couldn’t be a part of. I wrote “Difference” because I was going through depression and severe anxiety. I was a teenager. I wanted people to understand they were not alone. That these things can happen to anyone.

Our youth needs to know that you are there for us and are willing to listen. Whether they are going through depression, anxiety, homelessness, abuse, suicidal thoughts or any type or situation. Take our hand and lead us to this position where I stand in front of you today. Teach us to be leaders. We are strong but the parents know we are hard headed. But we are also the future. If you have us, if you notice us…you have the world.

And so I will leave you with this last poem called…

                       – Unclear –  

What am I doing here?

A question that I ask myself…still unclear

What am I doing here?

I have no right!!

I fear the end is near

 Dead end after dead end

When will it end?

I’m busy all the time

Reading lines and making rhymes

 Sharing my talents and breathing these words…I’m done

Is what I want to say…I’m done

No more games, no more fun

I’m completely done

Done with moving forward and looking back

 Back to small rooms, starvation and anxiety attacks

 Small rooms in my mind, getting smaller day by day

Starving my creativity, a voice I silenced…kept at bay

Giving me anxiety attacks, crippling and utterly dreadful they were…I thought I’d never survive

 Never survive like my daddy who left me behind

 Shot dead by a trigger that he pulled

Little did he know he shot me too

 Heartbroken, saddened and angry I was…still am, to be honest

I hated me and blamed the world

So I constantly asked myself…What am I doing here?

Here to be reminded of betrayal when I look in the mirror?

Here to be hated by myself when I wake in the morning?

Here to be broken over and over, year after year?…to no avail, I break down in tears

 At some point the tears stopped coming out

I realized my body and soul had enough 

They told me “boy suck it up”

No longer will I be the victim of circumstance

They said “you used to be strong”

I used to be a force to be wrecked with

But at that time I was the leaf in a hurricane

Letting people wash me away as I crumbled in defeat

My body and soul had enough

So I finally stood up!

Brandon was back and ready to be 

To be what he was meant to be

Yea it’s all bittersweet but can’t nobody be me like me!

The attitude, the anger, the laugh, the sass…it all came flowing back

I found who I was

I FOUND WHO I AM!!!

A fun loving, no care in the world, non filter having Buddhist…so I say to you…I’M HERE!!

To embody who I truly am

To be 100% me 100% of the time

No fear for what may happen…this anxiety is no longer my captain

So…WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!?!

To be me!

To uplift people with this shining personality

To bring life with my smile and joy with my laughter….I’m here…to be uniquely me

To change the world with my words and love whoever needs love in return

I am designed by the cosmos, birthed from a Queen and loved by a kingdom…

 WHAT AM I…doing here!?!?!

A question that I ask myself…

Is it still unclear?

Thank you for your love and time. It is truly an honor to stand up here in front of you all. Be blessed and please start to notice each other… Thank you

Thank you,

Brandon Eriq Vaughn Puryear

Actor/Poet/Comedian

Brandonevp

845-820-8404

Brandonevp@yahoo.com

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JOHN BAILEY AND PETER KATZ

INTERVIEW

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATORS

ON

HIS DUTIES

HIS MANAGEMENT STYLE

LEGISLATION THE BOARD WILL TAKE UP FIRST

HOW THE IMMIGRANT PROTECTION ACT CAN WORK FOR THE COUNTY AND THE GOVERNMENT

THE PLAYLAND SITUATION–HOW THE BOARD WILL REVIEW IT.

THE AIRPORT DEAL WHAT THE BOARD’S OBJECTIVES ARE

WHY THE BUDGET IS BEING AUDITED BY THE COMPTROLLER

AND MORE

AROUND THE WORLD  ANYTIME ON

www.wpcommunitymedia.org

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. JANUARY 17, 2018:

One of WPCNR’s readers has passed along this report about a scam involving an unexpected delivery that cost the victim $4,000.White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong released this statement to WPCNR:

“We have not had any reported incidents of this nature.  We do however ask everyone to be cognizant of who they give their credit card too.  Keep an eye on your bills and have the credit company or bank notify you of any large purchases or strange purchases on any of your credit or debit cards.”

Here is their report:

Here is our reader’s report, as told to them by the victim:

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey January 15, 2018:

President Donald Trump’s unfortunate gutter characterization of Haiti and El Salvador and nations in Africa last week was the “Talk of the Town” this morning at the 25th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Breakfast and “The Talk of the Nation.”

A raucous Martin Luther King breakfast  crowd, for the first time in this reporter’s memory, saw Westchester County’s Big Four Politicians raise their level of awareness and alarm at last week’s Presidential loss of dignity, taste and compassion spewed out of the White House.

The dignified top four, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, County Executive George Latimer, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and a concerned Mayor Tom Roach expressed their disgust and concern about the President Trump faux pas last week and the President’s waffling on the fate of the “Dreamers.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, showed a feisty side I have rarely seen,  leading off the Big Four Westchester County leaders described her shock saying if one of her children said what Mr. Trump said, “I’d have washed their mouth out with soap,”

“Instead of doing the budget (in Washington), we are hearing racist comments coming from the leader of this country,” Lowey said.

“What an embarrassment it is,  not just to our people here but to the entire world. Instead of a leader reaching out and bringing people together with love, concern, and focus–it is beyond me, beyond all of us– in this room to understand how you can be elected with that kind of racist comment.

I am going back (to Washington) first thing tomorrow morning. In congress we have put together a bipartisan plan to address DACA to make sure those youngsters..to think, we’ve  been having an argument for over six months whether the DACA young people can stay here. This is the height of hypocrisy. 

“Then we hear  from the president that those from Haiti and El Salvador who have temporary protected status may have to go home. This is not the United States of America.

“The optimist that I am, I am hoping the house and the senate can understand their responsibilities in making clear to this president that we can work together with love in our hearts and commitment in our hearts to assure that everyone in our great country has the opportunity to reach the stars.

“I’m hoping that the people who sat around that table and say they do not remember what the president said–they know what the president said. And they have to stand up, party or not the party for truth and for those who depend on the United States of America.”

Latimer: Westchester Gets It.

County Executive George Latimer said

“Westchester gets it. Aren’t we on the right path finally? This is a day where we take heart from what Dr. King’s life meant. He preached nonviolence but he did not preach timidity or avoiding issues head on. He gave us a roadmap and now we have to start down that road.

Latimer said eliminating gun shows on county property and the gun culture was a start. So was releasing held back contracts. “We have a long way to go in Washington…”

“The bottom line is here we’re here this morning because we recognize that the dream only matters if it’s put into action and even  after 50 years we’re still not there yet. So we will march together down the road, do the things we can do in county and city government and we will make sure the state government can do those things and ultimately  we get the national government we deserve and properly so..and then as martin luther king said at the end of his greatest speech free at last, free at last, christ almighty we’re free at last.”

“State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th Senate District) came out swinging and hit the Trump pitch out of the park and touched them all:

“We’re not just here for a breakfast we are here to continue the legacy of Dr. King. The legacy of love, compassion, the legacy of fighting injustice and continue to reach for the greatest among us and within ourselves so we can lift every tide so we can continue to move barriers and to make sure that the promise of America and the promise of every individual is realized.

Going Against an Opposite Reaction to President Obama

“We have had the good fortune for 35 years of having this day as our moral compass. Even if we forget, we could always come back to this point and remember where we came from and where it is we must go.

“We had the luxury the last 8 years. We wanted to believe we had come a very long way, because we had elected the first African-American president. So we are experiencing an equal and opposite reaction.

“But we are well trained.  We are well equipped. We have our marching orders, a lot of practice, a lot of repetition is in our dna. We know how to fight. We know how to stand. We know how to rise. We know how to speak truth to power, we know how to hope. 

We know how to make sure our country is our country and guess what– (gesturing to the faces of the guests) it looks like this and it will continue to look like this, brother and sister, hand in hand together making sure there’s a of the people the promise of god the promise of Martin Luther King demonstrated with his life is not in vain.

White Plains Mayor Tom Roach delivered the most passionate address i’ve heard him give since he has been in office:

Mr. Raoch began quoting Cory Booker’sTwitter feed on a Dr. King quote,

“You should not lead the people if you do not love the people. It sums up why Dr. Martin Luther King was so powerful.   We are in difficult times that you can’t even make up what you read. There’s so much ugliness. It’s disturbing.”

Roach said that he was 7  in 1968, and now looking back  he wondered how we would survive:

“I think our nation is resilient and we will get through this if we work together. Dr. king’s message, Letter from Birmingham Jail was not written to persuade (Governor) George Wallace and the KKK to get with it It was written to liberals who meant well, but who were saying (to King) slow down go easy let’s not go too fast. He said what do you mean go easy…how long do  i wait?”

“I think it is up to us to take this energy and fight for change.”

“So many people have worked so hard for so long to get the improvements that we’ve seen we have to remind you folks that things are better. It’s not for me to say there’s  a lot of work to do it’s right in front of you.

When Dr. King walked in Chicago, he received criticism from some liberal people saying ywe’re on your side but  bringing out all this hate an aninmosity when you march is a bad idea.

Dr. King said i’m not bringing it out I’m showing you what’s there. You don’t blame the doctor who is telling you you have cancer, …our president has done it, he is showing us what is there.

“I think we have to care for the people being impacted by these changes we are seeing. We have to fight to hold the ground where we can and we have to work.

“This is a democracy. It is not just a privilege; it is a responsibility. We have to vote, work for candidates and put people into office who see the values of our country in a positive way and think the country is more important than their personal issues.

Roach raising his voice, became emotional, saying:

“Democracy is a fragile glass. It did not exist before America was founded. youlook at the graves at  The First Presbyterian Church of those who died to establish this democracy

“It should put in us the energy to say  we’re’not going  to just say ‘here he goes again’ but we’re going to fight to see that this stops. Even the dignity of the presidential office is gone.

Roach said he disliked divisive campaigns, but saw the need of them in a campaign with this observation:

“What we have now is leadership that takes the devisiveness of his campaign and transfers it to the way he governs.

Roach wrapped up with two quotations from Abraham Lincoln at the close the civil war.