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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WHITE PLAINS WEEK ON

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Democratic Legislators Caucus AND Reporting by John Bailey. June 29, 2017:

After yesterday’s public hearing on ride-sharing, Democrats announced they will take the lead in coordinating discussion and action steps on the important continuing public safety & economic issue of allowing ride-sharing in Westchester County.

“While we have always been advocates for safe ride-sharing, we are excited to form a team that will help ensure a smooth roll-out in Westchester County,” said Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “This task force will closely observe public safety, economic, customer service, and traffic congestion concerns and make sure Westchester is utilizing best practices. We look forward to productive conversations with Uber & Lyft in the coming months.”

Editor’s Note: WPCNR asked a press spokesman for the Democratic caucus how many drivers Uber already has based in Westchester. Joseph Sgammato  told WPCNR Uber has some 2,000 drivers based in Yonkers alone.  He said did not have the figures for ride-sharing drivers presently based throughout the entire county  Sgammato said persons can only order a ride-sharing driver through the app (on their smart phone), giving their location through GPS. The company then sends back to their smarphone a picture of the car, its license-plate number and a picture of the driver.

Asked if Westchester drivers who are already authorized by ride-sharing companies, (ready now to pick up calls in the County) have indicated they would pay the $90 fee for fingerprinting through the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission, Sgammato said Uber got a mixed reaction from drivers as to whether they would submit fingerprints through the commission, some drivers saying they would, others saying they felt the application process and records checking with Uber was thorough. Sgammato described the reaction from Uber drivers as a “mixed”.

Asked if the companies had provided statistics on the number of incidents involving Uber drivers in the last year in the area, Sgammato described the number of incidents as just “a handful.”

Asked if the Democrats were seeking to obtain some sort of revenue from the ride-sharing companies to replace the $1 Million the county has collected from ride-sharing companies caught operating previously unauthorized to operate in the county, Sgammato said the Democrats could not. That would have to be done by the state, Sgammato said.

Asked if the state was planning to amend the law to require ride-sharing companies to pay fees to operate, Sgammato said he was not aware of any movement to do so.

The news release continued, “We welcome the opportunity to continue a dialogue with members of the legislature. We thank Majority Leader Borgia and Legislator Ben Boykin for their efforts on this front,” added Josh Gold, New York Public Policy Director, Uber.

The task force will monitor the ride-share operations over the first six months and come up with financial solutions and safety recommendations for the Board of Legislators and County Executive to consider. Due to current New York State law, Westchester will stand to lose over $1M in revenue on June 29^th regardless of what action was taken by the County. For Westchester to enact any of these recommendations, changes to state law must be made. Creating this task-force will increase the Board’s ability to raise the issues that may need adjustment.

“We applaud Majority Leader Borgia and Legislator Ben Boykin for their leadership on ridesharing and look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to ensure a positive experience for Lyft passengers and riders,” said Adrian Durbin, Director of Communications, Lyft.

“Since the State Legislature passed a law in April permitting ride-sharing in New York, I have been looking forward to the benefits that companies like Uber and Lyft bring to our communities.  Across the country, ride-sharing has proven to be a significant driver of economic opportunity, a safe and affordable transportation option, and a means of reducing traffic and pollution,” said Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains), Chair of the Board’s Committee on Public Safety & Social Services. “While I welcome ride-share apps in our communities, it will be on us as legislators to stay vigilant and work with Uber, Lyft, and New York State for the best safety options and financial arrangements for ride-sharing in Westchester.”

The City of White Plains has not issued a statement though asked by WPCNR, as to how ride-sharing drivers are expected to operate in White Plains going forward. The County has decided to allow Uber and Lyft to operate in Westchester and accept ride calls from within the County and has declared they are legal to operate throughout the county.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. (Edited with additional reporting by The CitizeNetReporter) Photo, Courtesy Westchester County Department of Communications. June 27, 2017 UPDATED, June 28, 2017 with Uber and Lyft application website addresses:

Joined by executives from Lyft and Uber, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced an innovative solution to allow ride-sharing companies to operate in Westchester while increasing rider safety by creating a voluntary pool of fingerprinted drivers from which companies like Lyft, Uber and others could hire.

A spokesman told WPCNR that Uber and Lyft had not guaranteed they would hire only fingerprint-checked drivers, or require present Uber and Lyft drivers to be fingerprinted.

A Lyft email received last week by WPCNR last week shows that Lyft does do extensive criminal background checks on Lyft potential drivers before hiring them.

The press release continues:

“New state regulations, which go into effect on Thursday, contain a major flaw that put the safety of Westchester residents at risk because they do not require ride-sharing drivers outside of New York City to be fingerprinted.

Working with Lyft and Uber, Astorino developed a plan that will enable Westchester residents to know whether their ridesharing driver’s background screening includes a fingerprint check.

“Our goal was to find the right balance between safety and convenience,” said Astorino. “Ride-sharing companies provide the public with an important transportation option. But if that convenient ride is not safe, it’s not really an option at all.”

The new program, the first of its kind in the country, is called “Thumbs Up.”

Participating drivers whose fingerprints show they have no criminal record will be issued a “Thumbs Up” decal by the county to be posted on their windshield to alert customers that their driver has undergone this critical level of screening.

Gerald McKinstry, press spokesperson for Mr. Astorino told WPCNR that a potential Uber or Lyft driver had to be hired first by Uber or Lyft, then apply for the fingerprinting process. Asked how one applies to Uber or Lyft to be a driver, McKinstry said you would have  to contact Uber for how one does that.

Editor’s Note,June 28: In a Lyft email received by WPCNR last week, the company explains how you apply to be a Lyft driver for the first time, and notes the apparently thorough effort Lyft makes to screen drivers and new potential drivers. That link to this information is

https://www.lyft.com/drive-with-lyft?ref=EMAIL500&utm_source=xbaemail&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=59_390042_

On the Uber website, there is an application on how to become an Uber driver (you simply copy the following and place it in your browser) at

https://www.uber.com/a/carousel-vs-1?var=uni2&exp=70612_t1&city_name=national&utm_source=Bing_Brand&utm_campaign=search-bing-brand_1_-99_us-nationaltier1_d_txt_acq_cpc_en-us_%2Buber%20%2Bbecome%20%2Bdriver_kwd-35394648041_%7Bcreative%7D_4372379289_b_c_track-jan21generalupdate_restructure&cid=112583973&adg_id=4372379289&fi_id=%7Bfeeditemid%7D&match=b&net=o&dev=c&dev_m=%7Bdevicemodel%7D&cre=%7Bcreative%7D&kwid=kwd-35394648041&kw=%2Buber%20%2Bbecome%20%2Bdriver&placement=%7Bplacement%7D&tar=%7Btarget%7D&gclid=CJnmzIXJ4NQCFZMSNwoduS0GPA&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CLW-0oXJ4NQCFc8JNwodx9IM1Q

WPCNR asked if a potential Uber customer wanted a “Fingerprint Cleared” driver, could get such a driver, McKinstry said Uber and Lyft were “working on that.”

He said the program has just been hammered out within the last 24 hours. Asked if this had anything to do with Senator George Latimer’s press release earlier this week criticising the county position, McKinstry said no, that the county was aware of the worldwide popularity of ride-sharing services and wanted assurances that Westchester residents using a ride-sharing service could be assured they were riding with confidence in the driver they received.

According to the County news release on the news conference,

“While no screening can be 100 percent foolproof, law enforcement officials say fingerprinting provides the best safeguards. Not only does fingerprinting offer access to the best data bases of criminal activity, but those data bases are constantly being updated. This means law enforcement can be alerted to criminal activity that occurs after a driver is hired, not just before.”

“Ride sharing is not supposed to be hitchhiking with an app,” said Astorino. “The public has the right to know that the driver picking them up has been fully screened for a criminal record. The ‘Thumbs Up’ sticker in the windshield will tell riders that their driver has gone through the most complete background check. That’s a level of protection Westchester riders deserve.”

       Lyft and Uber said they will encourage their drivers (already on staff) in Westchester to participate in the program and thanked County Executive Astorino and his team for bringing ride-sharing to Westchester.

“The agreement with County Executive Astorino and the Westchester County Legislature ensures that residents and visitors will have access to safe, affordable transportation options,” said Sarfraz Maredia, General Manager, Uber Tri-State. “By working with Uber to bring the benefits of ridesharing to Westchester, County leaders recognize the importance of technology and innovation in their community.”

Airport Options to be Encouraged

In addition to supporting the “Thumbs Up” program, Lyft and Uber said they would make their technology available to the county to help with traffic management and would work with the county on potential revenue opportunities at county facilities, such as the Westchester County Airport.

Here’s how the “Thumbs Up” program works:

Starting today, interested (Uber/Lyft and would-be Uber/Lyft) drivers can go to the county’s Taxi and Limousine Commission to be finger-printed for $90.

Within 48-72 hours, the results of the background check will be returned and entered into a database of fingerprinted drivers. Drivers who pass the check will be issued a “Thumbs Up” certificate and decal for their window.

Starting in August, drivers can go to Morpho Trust, a New York State authorized fingerprinting service, and have a report run for $102. The results will be sent to the TLC. The county will receive a $15 administration fee for each check it administers.

The efforts to balance safety and convenience also have the bi-partisan support of Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz.

“I appreciate the County Executive’s compromise to create a pool of properly vetted rideshare drivers in Westchester County,” said Kaplowitz. “New York State has passed a terribly flawed TNC bill that compromises the safety of Westchester County residents and puts the County Legislature in an untenable situation. It is also clear that the residents of Westchester County want to have Uber and Lyft operating in Westchester and the County Executive’s plan to place decals on the cars of drivers who have submitted to and passed criminal background checks with fingerprinting is in my opinion the best scenario that could be reached with Uber and Lyft at this time.”

For years, companies such as Uber and Lyft have lobbied the state to allow for ride-sharing throughout New York. The state’s new ride-sharing law stipulates that the Department of Motor Vehicles has oversight over ride-sharing services, as opposed to local governments, which have oversight over taxicabs and limousines.

Under the law, Westchester County can opt out of the state law at any time. To help ensure the smooth operation of the law, Lyft and Uber have agreed to work with the county and participate in regular oversight meetings.

The county is also going to continue to work with the taxi and limousine companies already licensed in Westchester to ease their regulatory burdens so there is a level playing field for all types of for-hire transportation.  The county has also asked Uber and Lyft to develop the technology to put the “Thumbs Up” certification into their app, so that riders will know ahead of time if they’ve been fingerprinted.

Edward Stoppelmann, president of Red Oak Transportation, said his company and others will work with the county on this effort to ensure safety remains paramount in the industry.

“The Livery Industry Council of Westchester, which represents the for-hire companies in the County, will continue working with the County Executive and TLC leadership to ensure that public safety remains its top priority,” said Stoppelmann. “TLC licensed drivers have always been subject to mandatory fingerprinting and drug testing, and are an integral part of the ground transportation system here in Westchester serving our residents, corporate citizens, and visitors.”

Editor’s Note June 28: Uber and Lyft are now legal ride options beginning June 29 (tomorrow-not July 1) according to state law, and the County press release. White Plains taxi regulations  previously banned Uber/Lyft pickups in White Plains. WPCNR has asked the White Plains Mayor’s Office if this policy is now definitely obsolete. (No statement from the Mayor’s office as of 4 PM today.)

Press spokesperson Gerald McKinstry told  WPCNR that Uber Lyft operations are now legal throughout the county based on the new state law. He also said that the county still could opt out of the state law at a future date because counties with a population of over 100,000 (not 500,000 as previously reported) have that right to opt-out under the law.

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. JUNE 27, 2017:

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WHITE PLAINS, NY – A gem is defined as a semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved. 

Sixty-eight human versions of a gem took part in the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester annual end of year celebration for Girls Empowered through Meaningful Support (GEMS), on Thursday, June 8.

GEMS, a free program established over 40 years ago, strives to assist African-American and Latina girls in the White Plains community in becoming self-reliant, competent, caring and healthy. It does so by providing relevant engaging activities in the areas of cultural awareness, health and wellness, college and careers, and self-esteem. 

The Gems Program has three components for three distinct age groups: Little Sisters and Big Sisters (grades 1-5); Faize (grades 6-8); and Strivers (9-12 grades).

This year’s ceremony included a video presentation that illustrated all of the activities the girls participated in during the school year.  Some of the activities were coding of aerial drones and a create an app competition. 

A representative from each grade level had the opportunity to talk about some of these activities.  There was even a demonstration of a drone to the delight of the audience of family members and friends.

Co-Directors, Candida Poinsette and Rhonda Brooks looked on with all the pride a parent might have. 

“Each year brings new experiences to prepare them for the future,” said Ms. Poinsette, “It’s our great pleasure to have helped pave the way of opportunity and growth for these young ladies.”

YWCA CEO, Maria Imperial, was so impressed with how the young ladies presented themselves.  In her remarks, she said,

“I am so proud of our Girls Empowered through Meaningful Support girls – they are all women warriors.  The YWCA since our earliest days has been guided by a commitment to young women.  Our mission and vision for social change brings together younger and older women to share ideas, deliberate, advocate and ultimately to celebrate and support each other.  Strong alone, fearless together.”

A highlight of the evening was Keynote Speaker, Brittany “Bre” Scullark, a fashion model and actress.  She urged the girls to stay strong and to be true to themselves.

GEMS receives financial support from the New York State Office of Children & Family Services through the Westchester County Youth Bureau, the St. Faith’s House Foundation, the Jandon Foundation, individual and other corporate supporters.

Registration is limited to girls attending White Plains Public Schools. Enrollment is for the academic year and past participants are given priority registration status. For more information visit www.ywcawpcw.org.