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 CAMPAIGN 2015. By Ayana Meade. Special to WPCNR. (Part II of a 2-Part article.) October 24, 2015:

On October 7, 2015, the candidates for the upcoming White Plains Common Council election, incumbents Nadine Hunt-Robinson, Dennis Krolian and Milagros Lecuona and challenger Annemarie Encarnacao as well as candidate for County Legislator Ben Boykin met at the Woman’s Club of White Plains for a question and answer session on the pertinent issues.

Questions were submitted by the moderators as well as from the attendees.  At the end of the meeting, questions were taken from the floor directly. An audience of sixty five residents attended the event including Councilman John Fitzpatrick.

Biggest Accomplishment

The incumbents were initially asked what they felt was their biggest accomplishment in the past year.

Ms. Hunt-Robinson and Mr. Krolian felt that finally voting on the FASNY issue was the one while Ms. Lecuona and Mr. Boykin felt passing a budget had been theirs.

 Mr. Boykin cautioned that this will also be a big issue in the upcoming year on the county level. Because extensive budget cuts are threatened, it will be a challenge to save money while preserving services.

Transparency

Amongst the issues discussed, the question of transparency in government and requests for information from officials was raised several times.

The candidates all stated that if asked they would be more than happy to turn over whatever information was in their power to do so but pointed out that even they are not able to access everything.

Reviving Retail and Commercial Real Estate

Ms. Encarnacao stressed the importance of making White Plains attractive to residential buyers and businesses.

She pointed out several issues that make White Plains less desirable – the homeless on the streets, the aggressive parking policy of the city, safety concerns and the many empty storefronts in downtown White Plains.  She reminded the council that the needs of the residential community need to be addressed, not just the needs of corporations.

Strategic Plan

All the candidates agreed there needs to be a revisiting of the strategic/comprehensive plan for the city to make White Plains a more desirable place to live and work going forward.

Homeless Issues

The issue of the homeless is of great concern to many residents.

People from homeless shelters are bussed into White Plains (as well as Yonkers and New Rochelle) during the day.  In addition there are several homeless shelters in White Plains. A new shelter ‘’Open Arms” has just opened but only accepts people with no medical problems and they can only stay for 45 days. A member of the audience stated that budget cuts in past years have reduced the available services for the homeless and so there are fewer options for them.

Parking and traffic control are also major concerns.

Citizens are concerned with the aggressive parking tickets being issued by the City of White Plains, not only for overtime notices but for parking over the line or parking too far from the curb. Exorbitant fines accompany these tickets and discourage people from shopping downtown.

Ms. Encarnacao suggested a residential parking pass for all White Plains residents that would allow them to park downtown for a specified period of time.  Ms. Hunt-Robinson reminded everyone that the city does have a permit which allows parking in certain garages during specified hours in the evening and on weekends.

Red Light Cameras

A question was asked regarding the impending installation of red light cameras at various intersections. (No timetable for installation has been set.)

Mr. Krolian stated that the intent of the cameras is safety, not revenues. Ms. Encarnacao stated that if you aren’t running a red light, you have nothing to be worried about.

The council members stated that there would be adequate investigation into where the appropriate place for the cameras would be.  Some attendees questioned why traffic lights are not synchronized.  Ms. Hunt Robinson explained that while synchronization cuts down on exhaust fumes, it may encourage speeding.

Veterans Park

Questions were also asked regarding more open space and plans for a Veterans Park (in Battle Hill– an issue talked about for the last seventeen years).

Ms. Lecuona mentioned her experience in urban planning and stated she had drawn up a plan for a Veterans Park on Tarrytown Road on a tract of land designated for this seventeen years ago.  Mr. Krolian pointed out that the new transportation hub would likely include this area and so plans for the park would need to be incorporated into that.

One Arm Garbage Trucks

Finally a question was asked regarding the new mechanized garbage/recycling trucks.  It is difficult for many disabled and elderly to put the new containers to the curb.

Council members said this issue is being looked into but in the interim suggested getting help from a neighbor or family member and referred the individual to Aging in Place.

The election will be held on November 3, 2015. The three incumbents from the Common Council and Republican candidate are competing for three seats.  Mr. Boykin is running unopposed for County Legislator.

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Rendering of “The Hub”, the cafe addition to the first floor of the White Plains Library, the construction will be funded in part by a $1 Million anonymous gift announced Thursday by the White Plains Library Foundation. Photo, Courtesy White Plains Library

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From the White Plains Library Foundation. October 22, 2015:

A gift of one million dollars to the White Plains Library Foundation will enable the White Plains Public Library to complete renovations of its first floor and construct The Hub, its new library for adults. The Hub—sure to be a popular destination in downtown White Plains–will provide a new, attractive venue for learning and relaxation, with room for reading, studying, and collaboration, access to improved technology, new community meeting areas, and a Café & Friends’ Bookstore.

“This tremendously generous gift underscores how much the White Plains community values its Library,” said White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach. “The City is proud to work with the Library Foundation to revitalize our 45-year-old Library building and ensure that it will provide excellent services for all our residents, for years to come. I commend the extraordinary leadership of our anonymous friends, and thank our community for bringing this project closer to a reality.”

The gift from anonymous donors, along with funds from the City of White Plains and an additional $500,000 being raised by the Foundation, will provide the funding to complete the renovation of the Library’s first floor, including the creation of The Hub. The first phase of construction, also a partnership between the City and the Foundation, saw the creation of The Edge, the Library’s award-winning library for teens.

“This gift inspires all of us to step up and help close the gap,” said Diane Tabakman, president of the White Plains Library Foundation.  “Join us in creating a transformed Library for our community by contributing generously to the Campaign for The Hub.”

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County Legislators Benjamin Boykin and Alfreda Williams prepare for Community Forum last week. Jim Kenny, Executive Director of White Plains Television adjusts the Microphones.Photo by Ayana Meade

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2015. By Ayana A. Meade.Special to WPCNR. October 21, 2015 (Part I of a Two Part Exclusive Report)

In preparation for the upcoming elections on Nov 3^rd, candidates running for Westchester County Legislature and Common Council participated in a Candidates Forum at the White Plains Public Library on Wednesday October 14^th.

The forum provided an opportunity for candidates to address questions about issues facing White Plains, and for them to educate constituents about their positions. The purpose of the forum was to provide voters with the information needed to make more informed choices on election day.  The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters of White Plains and co-sponsored by the White Plains Public Library, The White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations and the White Plains/Greenburgh NAACP.

Addressing a room of approximately 75 residents, the forum lasted about two hours, with candidates addressing questions that ranged from environmental issues, to housing and development.

County Legislator candidates Benjamin Boykin and Alfreda Williams (representing districts 1 and 8 respectively—both Democrats and running for re-election, uncontested) spoke during the first hour, followed by the four Common Council candidates running in a contested election for three Common Council seats: AnneMarie Encarnacao, Nadine Hunt-Robinson, Dennis Krolian, Milagros Lecuona, with Ms. Encarnacao being the only Republican candidate running as a challenger against three incumbent Democrats. (The Council Candidates comments will be covered in Part II of this exclusive coverage.)

The format allowed for candidates to make opening statements, respond to a league question, a question from each of the co-sponsors, and then to questions submitted by the audience that were pre-selected by the league board. The forum was moderated by Carolyn Stevens, Scarsdale League member and the first Vice President of the County League of Women Voters.

County Legislator Boykin, who in his opening statement declared that his key issue was to create good paying jobs and improve our regional economy, cited that he brings a unique set of skills to the County Legislature, including financial business executive experience, education leadership, and a long record of public service in White Plains.

Legislator Williams who previously worked in town government for 14 years, as Greenburgh Town Clerk, cited her experience in seeing numerous pieces of legislation pass through the legislative process.  Her key focus as a legislator is helping to improve the quality of life of all the citizens of White Plains, touting her track record on environmental issues.

The Pipeline

Both candidates were asked to address questions on a wide range of topics: when asked to state their positions on the Algonquin Pipeline, Williams answered an emphatic “I’m against it,” citing its proximity to the City of Peekskill, school districts, residential housing, and Indian Point, as her primary concerns.  Adding that, the democratic members of the Board of Legislators sent a request to the Federal Government in order to eliminate and put a freeze on issuing environmental permits for the pipeline, and have also submitted a petition to the EPA to appeal the decision to issue those permits.

Boykin affirmed Williams’ opposition to the pipeline, adding that the Board of Legislators passed a resolution 15-1, stating additional research needs to be performed.  In addition, the democratic members of the legislators requested that additional insurance be provided for the project.

Plastic bags and Styrofoam Ban

When asked what the status was of the bill authored by Legislator Catherine Parker, that would limit the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers by retailers, Boykin responded that he was in support of it, but admitted that progress was “slow,” citing setbacks due to a ruling by a NYC judge that it was inappropriate to ban city businesses from using Styrofoam containers.  Boykin says they’re working toward developing one comprehensive proposal that the entire County can agree on.

Storm Drains

The candidates were asked to discuss their position on allowing the adding of storm drains to carry off excess water to Mamaroneck River, and what they would advise communities facing a similar situation?

Boykin said that having additional storm drains was a requirement under state law., and that the Reconnaissance Plans that the County approved last year are in place for communities to deal with flooding and solving flooding issues. Adding that, under those Reconnaissance Plans not only do they have to look at how it will affect White Plains, but how it will affect Scarsdale, and Mamaroneck, for example.  Once the impact to all potential communities has been assessed, the County decides whether not to provide the 50% funding that is under the Reconnaissance Plans.

Williams added that officials are looking at re-instituting storm drains for the Bronx River as well as Saw Mill and Mamaroneck areas, where so much flooding exists.  Adding that the storm gauges are no longer working or are no longer in existence, making it difficult to prepare for potential flooding.   In response, officials need to look at the possibility of dredging for instance along the Bronx River which is silted over in many instances—using all of these combined solutions to eliminate flooding in the county.

Gun Show Ban

When asked to state their position on allowing gun shows at the County Center, Williams replied that she is co-sponsoring legislation to eliminate gun shows at County owned properties that will be presented at an upcoming Board of Legislators—Legislator Boykin is co-sponsoring the legislation.

While neither candidate stated they were against the possession of guns outright, they both agreed that hosting gun shows on County owned property that was funded by tax payers was not the appropriate place, especially in light of recent gun tragedies.

Curtailing Voter Registration Availability

Candidates were asked to comment on the current County Executive’s repeal of Andy Spano’s executive order to provide voter registration forms at all County Offices.

Boykin responded, “I don’t know why that happened because we need to be as transparent as possible, and we need to get as many people to vote as possible.”  Adding that, it’s important to have the voter registration forms available in as many places as possible, including online access.

During their closing remarks both candidates echoed that voting is a terribly important responsibility of citizenship that everyone should be involved in, and urged residents to head to the polls on November 3^rd.

(Reporting on the issues White Plains Common Council Candidates commented on will appear in Part II of this exclusive report)

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WPCNR PLAYLAND-GO-ROUND. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. October 19, 2015:

Westchester County and Standard Amusements have agreed to a five-month extension of the option agreement for Standard Amusements to invest $25 million in Playland and start taking over management of the iconic park in Rye next year.

The extension, which has the support of County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, and Nicholas Singer, a partner in Standard Amusements, extends the option period from Oct. 16, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Standard Amusements will pay the county $25,000 for the extension.

“If Standard Amusements wasn’t interested in investing in Playland, we wouldn’t have asked for the extension,” said Singer. “To date we have committed $1.4 million to the revitalization effort and based on our review, which began in July, it’s likely that our investment would exceed $25 million. We simply need more time to conduct the due diligence necessary to ensure that our development and completion of the project will be successful.”

Astorino said the extension was reasonable and understandable. Part of the need for the extension was to give Standard Amusements more time to understand the integration of its investment with the ongoing capital projects that the county will continue to undertake to fulfill its responsibilities as the owner of the park.

“One of the strengths of this deal is that it is a public-private partnership, but that also adds a layer of complexity that requires adequate time to be managed successfully,” Astorino said. “The goal is to save Playland for future generations and the extension means everyone remains focused on the goal.”

Kaplowitz added: “The Board of Legislators’ approval of the Playland management agreement required some very detailed explanations of how capital improvements would be made at the park and who would be responsible for them.  I consider this request for an extension of the co-management period to be an indication that those complex issues are being addressed. After years of working on a plan that will literally save Playland, I think the addition of a few months to the transition process is reasonable and in fact prudent.”

Playland will be open on schedule in the spring for the 2016 season.

The extension now gives Standard Amusements until the end of March to decide whether to go forward with the management agreement negotiated with the county earlier this year.

Under the terms of the agreement, approved 17-0 by the Board of Legislators in June, New York-based Standard Amusements will pay the county $2,250,000 up front, $500,000 of which the county has already received in a non-refundable payment; invest $22,750,000 million of its money within five years into refurbishing the park; and make annual payments to the county starting at $300,000 and escalating 2% a year. The county will also receive 7.5% of profits once Standard Amusements has recouped its initial investment.

Under the agreement, Standard Amusements will manage the amusement park, parking lot, beach, pool area and boardwalk. Outside the agreement are the Children’s Museum, Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Edith Read Sanctuary and the Ice Casino, which is run by American Skating Centers Entertainment through a separate asset management agreement with the county.

Access to the boardwalk and property that surround the amusement park will continue to be free of charge and open to the public.