WHITE PLAINS DPW-ON TOP OF FIRST FEBRUARY SNOWFALL…SNOW ENDING NOONISH

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The National Weather Service as of 8 A.M notes: There will be Snow, mainly before 11am. High near 36. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Friday night:
Clear, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light after midnight.
Side roads have been groomed as of 8 AM  by the White Plains DPW “Hope Crew” and school is open.
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OPIOID ABUSE INCREASE CALLS FOR TIGHTER REGULATION OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PAINKILLERS, SENATOR GILLEBRAND REPORTS. ASKS FOR GUIDELINES.

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WPCNR CAPITOL HILL. FROM THE OFFICE OF NY SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND. FEBRUARY 5, 2016:

  U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue guidelines for doctors prescribing opioids for acute pain.

Currently, the CDC is only focused on guidelines for opioids prescribed to treat chronic pain. However, many individuals become addicted to opioids after taking prescriptions for acute pain. Acute pain includes pain following a broken bone, wisdom tooth extraction, or other surgeries, whereas chronic pain is long-term pain often from chronic conditions. 


“For many people, difficulties with opioid addiction began after receiving a prescription for acute pain. Many people with acute pain haven’t had previous opioid exposure and may be at heightened risk for addiction, and opioids prescribed for acute pain frequently end up being inappropriately given or sold to other individuals for recreational use. By updating the prescribing guidelines for acute pain, we can minimize the initial exposure to opioid medications and further limit the number of opioid prescriptions,” the Senators said.

 

Senators Gillibrand and Capito have continued to push for reforms to combat opioid abuse. They are cosponsors of numerous bills that would address opioid use, including legislation that would provide resources for states and local communities to address addiction with prevention and treatment programs.
The full text of the letter is below:
The Honorable Debra Houry

Director, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road

Atlanta, GA 30329

 

Dear Dr. Houry,

 

We write to encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue prescribing guidelines for opioids in the case of managing acute pain, including pain following an injury, such as a broken bone, or a medical procedure, such as a wisdom tooth extraction, and to include adolescents and children in these guidelines. We also request that CDC investigate the effects of opioid prescriptions for acute versus chronic pain on opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction.

 

We applaud the efforts of the CDC in updating opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic pain. It is widely known that at least part of the opioid epidemic can be attributed to an overabundance of opioid prescriptions written by providers, and substantial research exists linking the use of opioids for chronic pain and opioid addiction. As there are now more than 2 million Americans suffering from an opioid use disorder, it is critical for prescribers to thoughtfully and responsibly prescribe these powerful narcotics.

 

However, not all individuals with opioid use disorders have chronic pain. For many, their difficulties with opioid addiction began after receiving an opioid prescription for acute pain. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that 64% of surveyed dentists preferred prescribing hydrocodone with acetaminophen after a third molar extraction—a procedure commonly completed on teenagers and young adults—for an average of 20 pills per prescription. These researchers recognized that a 20-pill prescription may be more than necessary, and that writing prescriptions for larger numbers of pills, when only a few pills will suffice, may cause patients to misuse the remaining pills.  One example of misuse is diverting or giving away pills to another person. Indeed, countless studies have shown that at least some teenagers divert these excess pills to their friends. Moreover, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that adolescents who abuse opioids are more likely to receive these medications from a friend or family member.

 

Another recent study utilizing data from NIDA found that teenagers who received an opioid prescription by Grade 12 were 33% more likely to abuse opioids after high school. Perhaps most striking, these researchers found the risk for opioid abuse was even higher among teenagers who reported little to no previous use of illicit substances. For these teenagers, this opioid prescription may be their first introduction to addictive substances. That it is prescribed by a physician may create the notion that the substance is “safe,” leading to misuse of the substance.

 

Overprescribing of opioids for acute pain is therefore potentially problematic in two ways. First, individuals with acute pain, particularly those who have not had previous exposure to any illicit substances, may be at heightened risk to abuse or become addicted to these substances in the future. This trend may be particularly relevant for younger patients. Second, as the research has shown, these prescriptions contribute to the available supply of opioids and are frequently and inappropriately diverted to others. More research on opioid prescriptions for acute pain and its relation to illicit opioid use would further illuminate these potential paths to addiction.

 

Prevention of overprescribing or inappropriate prescribing of opioids is a key component to combating the opioid epidemic. By updating the prescribing guidelines for acute pain, including those prescribed to adolescents and children, we can minimize the initial exposure to opioid medications and further limit the number of opioid prescriptions, which can have positive downstream effects on combatting opioid abuse.  Furthermore, investigating the link between opioid prescriptions for acute pain and opioid abuse would better inform efforts to reduce opioid use disorders.

 

Thank you in advance for your attention and cooperation with our request. We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kirsten Gillibrand

United States Senator

 

 

Shelley Moore Capito

United States Senator

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Gedney Association Says City Corporation Counsel Urges Appeal Judge Lefkowitz Ruling that Council Must Vote on FASNY

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WPCNR LETTER TICKER. JANUARY 28, 2016:

The following correspondence with the Mayor of White Plains has been shared with WPCNR by the Gedney Association:

January 28, 2016

Honorable Mayor Thomas Roach
255 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601

Dear Mayor Roach,

There are disturbing rumors coming out of City Hall that your Corporation Counsel is urging the Common Council to “appeal” Judge Lefkowitz’s order to vote on the FASNY application for a Special Permit and Site Plan.  The obvious question is: “Why?”  FASNY has asked for a decision.

Those opposing the FASNY plan also agree that the Common Council needs to vote on it.  In fact, last August in tabling the application you and your colleagues essentially said the same, indicating that the road closure was an integral component to it.  So what is triggering this very unusual idea to challenge a Judge’s order?  What is the compelling reason not to comply with the Judge’s order?  What is the City’s interest in appealing her order?

Mr. Mayor, I and others fear we are entering a very serious and dangerous period in this long FASNY process.  We know that powerful outside interests have attempted to influence the outcome of this decision for a long time. It has already taken almost five years.

Let’s move this issue out of the shadows and vote.  The residents and voters are entitled to have their Common Council complete the process as the Judge has so directed and vote.  Doing otherwise will not pass the smell test and raise very serious questions about the real motivations of those arguing for such a position and will permanently damage the reputation of the Mayor and Common Council.

Very truly yours,

John E. Sheehan, President
The Gedney Association

 

 

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HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGNS IN WHITE PLAINS

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Hillary Clinton leaving this morning’s fundraiser in White Plains. The news media was denied admittance to the event, and reporters and photographers were kept far back from Mrs. Clinton’s arrival/departure location at 1133 Westchester Avenue. Details to follow later today. Photo exclusively
for WPCNR by Peter Katz.

 

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2016. Special to WPCNR by Peter Katz. January 28, 2016:

Hillary Clinton emphasized the differences between herself and her chief rival for the Democrat Party’s Presidential nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders, during a fund raising event in White Plains on Thursday morning.

She said that his plan for free college for anyone who wants it is not realistic, and he doesn’t explain how it will be paid for. Mrs. Clinton also criticized his plan to scrap Obamacare and move everyone onto Medicare, suggesting that Sanders put forward the idea without thinking it through and understanding the financial implications of such a move.

She noted that she was very familiar with the complications involved in attempting to restructure healthcare in the U.S., having led an effort for healthcare reform while she was First Lady. Mrs. Clinton thanked those in attendance for their support, both monetary and philosophical.

She explained that her recent campaigning in Iowa has given her the opportunity for an even deeper understanding of the needs of the American people, especially the middle class which has lost ground while the extremely wealthy continue to expand their holdings.

The former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State addressed an enthusiastic gathering of about 500 who had paid from $250 to $2,700 per ticket for breakfast and the chance to hear her speak, and perhaps shake her hand and pose with her for a photo.

The event was staged by the group Westchester for Hillary in an office building owned by the development company RPW Group at 1133 Westchester Avenue. The building’s atrium was transformed into a venue complete with dining tables and a stage.

Reporters and photographers were not allowed inside to cover Mrs. Clinton’s speech. However, one of the attendees initiated a live video feed of her speech using a cell phone application, allowing the few journalists who were aware of the feed to monitor what she was telling the gathering.  In addition, an elected official who was attending the event subsequently shared with the news media a photo he had taken inside.

The event was scheduled to take place from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Mrs. Clinton’s motorcade of three vehicles arrived at about 8:50 am. Instead of being directed to the circular driveway in front of the main entrance, Mrs. Clinton was taken to a rear entrance, out of sight of the television cameras which were waiting in the front.  She stayed longer than expected, not leaving until shortly before 11 am.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey introduced Mrs. Clinton. Among the other Democratic officeholders who attended were County Board of Legislators Chairman Mike Kaplowitz, Assemblyman David Buchwald, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Branson,  White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, and State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

 

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White Plains Announces Schedule of Public Meetings for Citizens to Give Their Ideas on How Transit Center Should be Adopted.

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WPCNR TRANSITCENTER TRANSFORMATION Times. From the Mayor’s Office. January 27, 2016:

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DO you live around or have strong feelings on how the area around the White Plains Train Station should be developed? Then you should attend the meetings noticed below on the City of White Plains website inviting public comment on how the Transit Center should change.
The city wrote:
Public Engagement Meetings

The City of White Plains is committed to working with residents, transit users, businesses, and community groups throughout the planning process of the Downtown White Plains Transit District Study.
Three public engagement meetings will be held where the public can learn more about the study and provide feedback:
Meeting
 Date
 Time
 Location
 Snow Date
Meeting #1
Thursday, February 11, 2016
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
White Plains Public Library
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Meeting #2
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
White Plains Public Library
Meeting #3
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
TBD
Public Engagement Meetings #1 and #2 will be held at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, 2nd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. The library has an underground public parking garage and is also located near many public transportation options. The library is also fully accessible.

Public Engagement Meeting #3 location TBD.

This page will be updated periodically to provide electronic materials from the Public Engagement Meetings.

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Not All in Gedney Farms Oppose FASNY Project, Writer Says

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WPCNR LETTER TICKER. JANUARY  25, 2016:

To the Editor
As a White Plains resident of Gedney Farms, I have naturally been following your reporting on the French-American School and, more importantly, the potential for a White Plains city nature park, which will be a key feature of more than half of the land FASNY has purchased. I believe there are a few issues that deserve clarification.
I often read that the plan has been opposed by residents led by the Gedney Association, which is true but could inaccurately lead readers to believe that most Gedney Farms residents oppose the plan. In fact, there is a very small vocal minority that has been unwilling to reconsider its early opposition to the original proposal, even though the current FASNY plan addresses all of their early objections.
The current plan dramatically reduces the original traffic concerns, and in fact, will create far less traffic in and around Gedney Farms than 85 new homes on the site, which is the only realistic alternative to FASNY. Further, this small group of residents has been claiming that the school will lower the City’s tax base, which is misleading, and lower nearby property values, which is patently untrue. Any taxes levied on new homeowners will be spent to provide them with City services. There will be no net-gain for the City. Furthermore, it is likely that the influx of new public school students will necessitate City funding (and possible Citywide tax increases) for new school construction and additional teachers. The argument against FASNY because the school will not pay taxes is simply unfounded.  Quite the opposite, FASNY’s gift of a public nature park at no cost to city taxpayers is unprecedented.
With respect to property values, 85 new homes will create additional supply, which will naturally lower the value of surrounding property. In other cities, homes abutting parks, nature preserves or private schools tend to be valued higher. I cannot imagine why White Plains would be an exception. The school’s plan, including the nature park, will increase — not decrease — nearby property values.
Concerns about student safety are also unfounded. While one could point to some of the very earliest FASNY plans as warranting discussion about student safety, the current plan opens several car-free paths to students who wish to walk or bike to the High School from Gedney Farms and neighborhoods to the south and west. FASNY’s plan makes it far safer than walking on Ridgeway or Bryant — today’s only choices. The housing alternative cannot possibly be argued as safer: walking through a new housing development where 85 households will be funneling out in their cars at exactly the same time students will be sharing the road on foot.
My family and I live in Gedney Farms, and we stand with the majority of our neighbors — and the vast majority of residents across all of White Plains — strongly in favor of the FASNY plan. The benefits of an esteemed educational institution, particularly when coupled with the facilities and nature park it is offering at no cost to the City, is the clear best choice for White Plains. The Common Council’s duty is to vote for plans that are in the best interests of the majority of White Plains residents. Anything but a unanimous “yes” vote for FASNY would be unconscionable.
Respectfully yours,
David Kohl
21 Dupont Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
+1 914-686-0406
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14 Inches and Slightly Higher Drifts. Roads in WP Conditions Unknown.

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Snowy Morning: The Official WPCNR SNOWOMETER (a yardstick) calculates 13 to 14 inches of snow fell at WPCNR HQ.2016124snowy 033

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Sun has melted light snow covering on the roads in the WPCNR Falling Zone. There is no information on the city website on the conditions of White Plains roads and there has not been any updates on the city website throughout the storm event. And this reporter received no phone updates.The assumption is that the Department of Public Works under new Commissioner Richard Hope has carried on the tradition of keeping White Plains functioning within hours of a snowfall’s end.

 

 

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PAUL FEINER, GREENBURGH SUPERVISOR: HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS DUMPING BIG PILES OF SNOW IN FRONT OF HOMES! WHY?

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. BY GREENBURGH TOWN SUPERVISOR PAUL FEINER. JANUARY 24, 2016:
(EDITOR’S NOTE: THE ONLY PUBLIC OFFICIALS THIS MEDIA RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM IN YESTERDAY’S SNOW EVENT WAS GREENBURGH’S PAUL FEINER AND THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. NOW MR. FEINER NOTES ONE OF THE BIG HABITS THAT ALL HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS SEEM TO HAVE. NOW THE FEINER REPORT:)
EVERYONE IN THE COUNTRY HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT AFTER A SNOW STORM –HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS DUMPING BIG PILES OF SNOW IN FRONT OF HOMES

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Every elected official and Public Works Commissioner in the United States receives the same complaint after a snow storm. Big piles of snow right in front of driveways just after the driveway was cleared. It’s frustrating. Aggravating. I went on google last night trying to find another approach and was unsuccessful. Over the years I have spoken with numerous public works commissioners and officials from around the region and no one has come up with another way of clearing the roads.

Here are a few story links and a story that appeared on CBS Philadelphia.
PAUL FEINER

http://wivb.com/2015/02/28/shoveling-tip-to-stop-snow-from-blocking-driveway/

 

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – So, when that next snowfall hits the region in the coming weeks, how can you prevent that municipal snow plow from ruining the work you just did clearing out your driveway access to the street?

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than shoveling out the driveway and clearing a nice apron area to the street to pull out… And then, along comes the snow plow and pushes a big pile of snow right back in front of the driveway.

“A lot of people don’t realize it that the snow plows we use are just the big dump trucks,” says Don Cannon, Lower Merion Township’s director of public works. “They’re not like the plows in the parking lot where they can articulate the plow back and forth and move the snow one way or the other. What we say is that snow is loaded on the front of that plow and it just continually comes off — driver’s side to passenger’s side — or left to right towards the gutter line.”

But Cannon says there is a way to avoid having the municipal plow block your driveway.

“If you shovel out a space — looking at your house to the right side of your driveway — that would allow for the amount of snow that’s on that plow to be, say, discharged in that area before it goes past your driveway that’s that much less snow that goes in front of your driveway when the plow comes down.”

Cannon insists many plow drivers are sensitive to the work suburban residents do to dig out.

Why do they plow snow in front of my driveway? Bay Village, Ohio

Snow plow operators do not place snow in driveways on purpose. There is no practical way for the snow plow operator to cut off the windrow of snow when crossing a driveway. This problem is especially acute in cul-de-sacs because of the space. One thing you can do to reduce the amount of snow that is plowed in front of your driveway is to place as much of the snow as possible to the right side of your drive as you face the street.

——————————————————————————–

TopQ: Why did the City block my driveway or bury my sidewalk when they plowed my street?

City of Lafayette – Frequently Asked Questions
Problems may arise for residents when snow piles up on sidewalks and driveways are blocked because of snowplow activities. We try very hard to plow so as not to block driveways, but this is not always possible. The most efficient method to plow snow is to push it to the side of the road. Plowing to the center of the road would leave your driveway open, but it would not provide enough room for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to operate.

Wicomico County Department of Public Works, Roads Division

1. Why do the plows block my driveway with snow?

The primary goal of plowing is to remove snow from streets so that the road is open to vehicular traffic. Plowing pushes snow to the side from the middle of the street naturally, and, unfortunately, this results in snow piling up in front of driveways. Snowplows typically push snow to the right of the travel lane and the driver has no control over this. Also, the driver cannot stop or raise the plow at each driveway as this would leave a pile of snow in the roadway. Residents are advised to wait until the plow has been through their road prior to cleaning their driveway and mailbox area. If drifting or more snow occurs the plows may have to make multiple passes on a road at a later time to keep the road clear. If possible, plow drivers will try to prevent excessive blockages at driveways but at times this is not possible. Please remember that the clearing of driveway and mailbox areas is the responsibility of the resident.

****************************************
http://northiowatoday.com/2013/03/20/listening-post-city-plows-snow-into-womans-driveway-city-refuses-to-help/

 

 

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – So, when that next snowfall hits the region in the coming weeks, how can you prevent that municipal snow plow from ruining the work you just did clearing out your driveway access to the street?

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than shoveling out the driveway and clearing a nice apron area to the street to pull out… And then, along comes the snow plow and pushes a big pile of snow right back in front of the driveway.

“A lot of people don’t realize it that the snow plows we use are just the big dump trucks,” says Don Cannon, Lower Merion Township’s director of public works. “They’re not like the plows in the parking lot where they can articulate the plow back and forth and move the snow one way or the other. What we say is that snow is loaded on the front of that plow and it just continually comes off — driver’s side to passenger’s side — or left to right towards the gutter line.”

But Cannon says there is a way to avoid having the municipal plow block your driveway.

“If you shovel out a space — looking at your house to the right side of your driveway — that would allow for the amount of snow that’s on that plow to be, say, discharged in that area before it goes past your driveway that’s that much less snow that goes in front of your driveway when the plow comes down.”

Cannon insists many plow drivers are sensitive to the work suburban residents do to dig out.

Why do they plow snow in front of my driveway? Bay Village, Ohio

Snow plow operators do not place snow in driveways on purpose. There is no practical way for the snow plow operator to cut off the windrow of snow when crossing a driveway. This problem is especially acute in cul-de-sacs because of the space. One thing you can do to reduce the amount of snow that is plowed in front of your driveway is to place as much of the snow as possible to the right side of your drive as you face the street.

http://northiowatoday.com/2013/03/20/listening-post-city-plows-snow-into-womans-driveway-city-refuses-to-help
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COUNTY BUSES RUNNING, AIRPORT OPEN

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS. JANUARY 24, 2016:

AS OF THIS MORNING, WESTCHESTER COUNTY REPORTS:

Bee-Line buses and Paratransit vehicles are running on or close to schedule.

Route 8 is operating on the standard snow detour.

Route 25 detoured in both directions. Eastbound – from Kimball Ave – remain on Kimball Ave, left turn on McLean Ave to regular route. Westbound – from McLean Ave – remain on McLean Ave, right turn on Kimball Ave to regular route.

The Westchester County Airport is open and operating normally.  Passengers should check with their carrier for more specific flight information.

Further information can be obtained by clicking on our web page at

www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.

 

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SNOW AT MIDNIGHT: 14 INCHES–VERY LIGHT SNOW CONTINUING

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SNOWY EVENING: WHITE PLAINS NY USA AT MIDNIGHT. In the WPCNR “SNOW ZONE THE WPCNR METEROROLIST USING A YARDSTICK MEASURED 13 TO 14 INCHES OF SNOW ON FLAT GROUND WITH NO TREE OVERHAND. DRIFTS MAY BE HIGHER. AS OF 4:30 PM THIS AFTERNOON, SNOWFALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES. AT MIDNIGHT SNOW HAD TAPERED OFF TO VERY SMALL LIGHTLY DRIFTING FLAKES. IT’S A 2-SHOVELINGS SNOWFALL.

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