Reverend Everett Parker, longtime White Plains resident, Staunch Defender of broadcast and cable freedom, Equality dies at 102

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Reverend Dr. Everett C. Parker

1913-2015
Rev. Dr. Everett C. Parker, longtime resident of White Plains,  passed away Thursday at the age of 102. He was the first director of Communications in 1957 for the newly-formed United Church of Christ, and instrumental in fighting for fairness and equality in radio and television.

For a complete and enlightening account of Dr. Parker’s achievements go to the New York Times account of his life at

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/19/us/everett-parker-obituary.html?_r=0

Reverend Parker worked with George Tomie to develop White Plains Cable TV in the late 1980s and later was appointed to the White Plains Cable TV Commission, holding many meetings in his home and very fond and admiring of  the local producers who create original programs for White Plains Television.

Reverend Parker, a friend remembers, was still driving to Fordham to teach when he was 91 years of age.He was a staunch supporter of locally produced television programs, produced by residents, free to broadcast what they wanted, and was stubborn on issues of competant and modern broadcast standards at the station.

In his position as First Director of Communications for the United Church of Christ, he founded the United Church of Christ, Office of Communication, Inc., a media reform and accountability ministry with a civil rights agenda, that worked to improve the coverage and employment of women and people of color in broadcasting and other media.

Dr. Parker was named one of the most influential men in broadcasting by the trade publication Broadcasting Magazine and is featured in Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Television.

“My heart is broken today. I had the chance to work with Everett at the start of my career and visit with him many times after that. Everett was such a strong leader: his standards were always high, he was always thinking three moves ahead and was prepared for any contingency,” said Cheryl Leanza, the current policy advisor for UCC OC Inc.

 

“We will always be grateful for Dr. Parker’s role in bringing community voices to federal agencies. Much of the successful activism today related to Internet openness and media consolidation traces back to Dr. Parker’s work in the 1950s and 1960s,” noted Earl Williams, chair of UCC OC Inc. Before the litigation brought by UCC OC Inc. against the Federal Communications Commission in a famous duo of cases known as UCC v. FCC, ordinary people had no right to file comments or register their views at the FCC. Mr. Williams explained, “the millions of people who asked the FCC to protect net neutrality last year can credit Dr. Parker and his work at UCC OC Inc. for their right to do so.”

Dr. Parker’s work and career are commemorated every year in the Annual Parker Lecture and Award Ceremony. The next lecture will be held in Washington DC on October 20, 2015 and will feature a lecture by danah boyd and will honor activists Joseph Torres and Wally Bowen. Tickets and information are available on the UCC OC Inc. web site at www.uccmediajustice.org.

Dr. Parker’s family has graciously asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to UCC OC Inc.
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WHITE PLAINS WEEK TONIGHT: THE DEBATE, THE PLAYLAND BONANZA SUMMER, NEW BRIDGES UPDATE, AND MORE. PLUS PEOPLE TO BE HEARD DOUBLEHEADER

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PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY, JIM BENEROFE ON

THE NEW AIRLINE TO BOSTON FROM WESTCHESTER AIRPORT

COUNTY DEFICIT BALOONS TO $25 MILLION FROM APRIL

PLAYLAND HAS BOOM SUMMER–ATTENDANCE UP, REVENUES UP

NEW NEW YORK BRIDGE IS BUILDING BOTH BRIDGES AT THE SAME TIME– INSTALLING PILINGS FOR WESTCHESTER ROCKLAND SHORES THE KEY FACTOR IN FINISHING THE BRIDGE ON TIME.

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TONIGHT ON FIOS CH. 45 AND IN WHITE PLAINS, CABLEVISION CH. 76 AT 7:30 PM

and on the internet at

www.whiteplainsweek.com

 

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Activist: Fly the MIA/POW Flag Again in Renaissance Square

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WPCNR LETTER TICKER. SEPTEMBER 17, 2015:

Dear Nadine Hunt-Robinson (Common Council Member)
 
I bring to your attention an issue that I would like you to personally take an action on. Immediately resolve in the City of White Plains. Respecting and honoring our nations POW/MIA fallen veterans and acknowledge their sacrifices to our county and freedoms.
 
September 18th Friday 2015 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day across America. In which America in every city municipality in our nation proudly flies the POW/MIA flag honoring our fallen POW/MIA veterans. Veterans “Missing In Action and our Prisoners of War”.
Unfortunately with the exception in the City of White Plains at Renaissance Plaza fountain for nearly a year the American flag and the POW/MIA flags have been removed from the city flagpole. I have exhausted my attempt to reach out to Mayor Roach and all other city council members to address this inexcusable disgrace bring awareness to it correct it.  My attempts have fallen on deaf ears and eyes for almost a year now with the city council.
 
Mayor Roach stated back in March 2015 the flagpole lines would be restored and the American flag and POW/MIA flag would be flying again. Please let me know what it will take to immediately repair the flagpole lines at Renaissance Plaza.
Surly this expense is minimal and if the city is short on public veteran funds I assure you I can raise the necessary funds within our veterans and neighborhood communities in one month.  In addition, I can provide the city council with an estimate or contractor to move on this issue ASAP.
 
I request by September 18th Friday that our nations American flag and the POW/MIA flag once again be flying in honor and recognition of National POW/MIA day at Renaissance Plaza.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Carl Albanese,
White Plains
 
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Playland is in the Money AGAIN after a great 2015 season–PARKING UP 26% ATTENDANCE UP 13.3% TO 530,000; REVENUE UP 30%, POOL/BEACH REV UP 15% GROSS REVENUE UP $1.2 MILLION(15%) Friends of Playland say

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WPCNR PLAYLAND GO ROUND. From Friends of Playland website. September 16, 2015:

The 2015 Playland numbers are in, and we have the reports. Please note: These are UN-ADJUSTED numbers and will go through more detailed processing over the next month or two as they sort out concessions agreements etc.
Suffice it to say though, that ALL numbers for Beach & Pool, Parking, Mini-Golf and the Amusement Park itself are UP SIGNIFICANTLY over the 2014 season (which was up significantly over the 2013 season).
Before anyone starts chiming in that “It was the weather” remember this: the weather LAST year was almost a carbon copy of this summer, excellent, not too hot, almost no rain. If the weather was the only factor driving up attendance and revenue, it would have been on a par with last year. Same great weather, ,significant increases in attendance and revenue.
CLEARLY the added marketing budget and the reduced price admission on T-W-Th were excellent moves by the Parks Dept. to bring in more customers – AND THEY WORKED.
Imagine how much better a season the Park could have had with just a few other minor changes that would have cost nothing and brought in more revenue (opening all the foods and games concession stands rather than letting 50% of them sit shuttered and boarded up all season would have helped tremendously also).
We won’t know for sure until the final numbers have shaken out more towards the end of the year, but all signs point to it being very likely that Playland not only covered its entire operating budget for 2015….it is safe to say it very likely MADE A PROFIT.
These numbers do not denote a “failing” Park –
Parking:
2014: $767,574
2015: $969,265 (UP $201,692)
Beach & Pool:
Attendance –
2014: 57,085
2015: 74,239 (UP 17,154)
Beach & Pool Gross Revenue:
2014: $319,100
2015: $368,384 (UP $49,284)
Mini Golf:
2014: $30,567
2015: $33,375 (UP $2,808)
AMUSEMENT PARK-
Attendance:
2014: 467,948
2015: 529,985 (UP 62,037)
Amusement Park Gross Revenue:
2014: $8,782,138.50
2015: $10,055,625 (UP $1,273,486.50)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The ‘Gross Revenue’ number for the Amusement Park does not yet accurately reflect what the final number will be, and that will likely decrease somewhat. This number is not factoring in the discounted pricing on T-W-Th nights. Those revenues were, for some reason, calculated on full admission pricing all the time.
With total revenue up $1,527,270, the numbers still indicate that even with that adjustment there is a good chance the Park may have turned a profit. These numbers have not factored in revenue from various concessions.
We are also not factoring in Debt Service for the simple reason that every Park in the County Parks system carries Debt Service and the only Park that it is ever applied to when discussing the budget, numbers, profits and losses is Playland.
The Debt Service is currently around or below $2.5 million, if we are recalling correctly what was said at an LPPH meeting last Spring.
WHY are we allowing the CE (County Executive) & the BOL to hand management of this public park over to a hedge fund for private management?
CLEARLY the County CAN run this park. They could do an even better job than they did this year if the CE’s office and the BOL would give the Parks Dept. the support that they need to do their jobs. Nobody knows how to run Playland better than the people actually doing it right now. What do we need Standard Amusements for?

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Beacon Air Inaugurates Convenient Flights to Boston From Westchester Airport

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Beacon’s first flight received a special salute from water canons atop the airport’s fire/rescue tankers as it taxied out for takeoff. It’s a tradition in aviation for an airline’s first flight to receive such a salute. Photo by Peter Katz, NTSB Reporter
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WPCNR FRIENDLY SKIES. Special to WPCNR from Peter Katz, NTSB REPORTER. September 15, 2015:

A new air service was launched today at Westchester County Airport. It offers travelers who can afford the $2,000 monthly fee unlimited flights between Westchester and Boston. Called Beacon, the service uses Beechcraft King Air B200 twin-engine turboprop airplanes which typically are configured to hold seven passengers. Three of Beacon’s four founders were involved in starting a similar operation in California called Surf Air.

The first flight departed Westchester at approximately 11:30 this morning from Landmark Aviation West, which is on the opposite side of the airport from the commercial passenger terminal.

Passengers flying Beacon will not have to pass through TSA screening each time they board, but will be prescreened by Beacon.

Beacon plans to market its service to corporations, law firms, and others who have personnel traveling frequently between the New York area and Boston.

Beacon’s CEO Wade Eyerly, who at one time worked for former Vice President Dick Cheney, said that they plan to expand service from Westchester to include Washington. They also offer seasonal service from Westchester to the Hamptons and Nantucket.

Beacon’s first flight received a special salute from water cannons atop the airport’s fire/rescue tankers as it taxied out for takeoff. It’s a tradition in aviation for an airline’s first flight to receive such a salute.

The water cannon salute also is given to retiring airline captains after they’ve landed on their final flight. Their web site address is flybeacon.com and additional information can be found there.

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CNA FORCED TO POSTPONE SUPERINTENT OF SCHOOLS, SCHOOL BOARD PROGRAM DUE TO CONFLICT WITH OTHER EVENTS.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From the Council of Neighborhood Associations. September 13, 2015:

Due to holidays and other events in September, WPCNA was not able to hold our regular monthly meeting on the usual second Tuesday.

We attempted to schedule it for Wednesday, September 16, but after sending out the notice with this date, several people contacted us to say they have to attend other event(s) that evening.  It seems there are a multitude of other events scheduled for September 16 that will keep many of our usual attendees from our meeting.

Rather than having the new superintendent, school board and PTA co-presidents address what looks like it would be a very small audience, the WPCNA Board of Directors has decided to regrettably cancel the September meeting.

We apologize for any inconvenience and we hope to re-schedule the Education Forum for a future meeting..

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WHITE PLAINS WEEK On 9/11–TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE PROGRESS VIEWED FROM 1,500 FEET; FASNY SUIT SIGNIFICANCE; THE CITY ELECTRICITY RATE INITIATIVE TONIGHT AT 7 FIOS 45 AND CABLEVISION 76 AND THE INTERNET AND ON THE INTERNET NOW

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IS THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE 50% “DONE”?YOU BE THE JUDGE: WHITE PLAINS WEEK FLIES YOU OVER IT FROM 1,500 FEET IN THE AIR–DRAMATIC, REVEALING DISTURBING PHOTOS RAISE EYEBROWS

PETER KATZ AND JIM BENEROFE ON 9/11’S EFFECT AFTER 14 YEARS.

FASNY GOES A FILING. THE NEWSBOYS POINT OUT THE SIGNIFICANT PRECEDENTS AT STAKE.

CABARET LICENSING TAKES OFF. AND LOOK WHO’S APPLYING.

MAYOR MOVES TO SAVE YOU MONEY ON ELECTRIC RATES BY BUYING IN BULK FROM INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS–IN SURPRISE LEGISLATION.

HOPE AND GOMEZ SWORN IN.

JOHN BAILEY GAVELS

IN 

AN ALL NEW WHITE PLAINS WEEK

TONIGHT

7:30

CHANNELS FIOS 45 AND  CABLEVISION 76

AND ON THE INTERNET AT

www.whiteplainsweek.com

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Emergency Medication Distribution Drill September 30 — 500 Volunteers Needed.

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WPCNR HEALTH ISSUES. From Westchester County District 5 Legislator Benjamin Boykin. September 10, 2015:

The Westchester County Health Department is seeking 500 volunteers to participate in an emergency preparedness drill on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center.

People of all ages, including parents with young children and people with disabilities, college students and faculty, community groups, seniors, members of faith-based communities, businesses and the public are encouraged to register in advance.No special training or experience is needed. Playing the part of residents, volunteers will walk through a simulated medication distribution exercise and learn which medication they would be given if they had been exposed to anthrax. No actual medicine will be handed out.

The purpose of the drill is to test the emergency response capabilities of the Westchester County Health Department, including the ability to dispense medication quickly and accurately to a large group of people. Holding the exercise is required by the state.

To join, go to http://www.health.ny.gov/Go2Clinic and click on Westchester to register. Don’t forget to print out the free parking pass. If you need help registering, call 914-995-7425. Walk-ins are also welcome. Everything you need to know to participate will be provided to you the day of the exercise.

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Taking Talk Where It’s Never Gone Before: Colbert Breaks Late Night Boredom Barrier. His Unpredictability Departs from Same Old Late Night. The New “Steverino?”

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WPCNR IN THE WEE HOURS. Television Review by John Bailey. September 9, 2015:

I do not watch late night talk show television. I cannot last past the monologues same boring little men doing set pieces but not getting to you. By not getting to you, I mean they do not make me laugh hard at all.

Take the silliness of Pinky Lee, the manic antics of Jerry Lewis, the droll innocence of Johnny “the One and Only,” the zaniness of Steve Allen on his old daytime and Westinghouse syndicated shows, and the technique of The Cookie Monster “I’m getting  laughs everytime I do this so I’m going to keep on doing it”( and keep shoving Oreo cookies in my face 5 or 6 times)  and even turning a guest he did not get into a guest through video tape— cleverly taking Donald Trump news clips and  getting more laughs simply playing them than if he had Mr. T as a guest, and dagnabbit—Steven Colbert kept me laughing until 12:35 P.M.

He had Jeb Bush laughing, too, and made the Jebber open up and appear easily the most human of any candidate running for President. Bush got campaign advice from Colbert who would be a great campaign consultant. Colbert’s advice to the Jebman:  “You see you almost had some claps there. You have to wait… let the claps build don’t cut them off.”  (An epithany seemed to cross Mr. Bush’s face his eyes opened wide and tucked that away.)

Bush looked dumbfounded with a look of sudden realization!

Colbert’s clever adlib,  unexpected style of interviewing which fans of the much-missed Colbert Report know well—is brutally effective at bringing out the humanity  (or lack of it) out of the images that show up on these shows we have been watching for 50 years now.

Why did I keep laughing?

Colbert showed you and anyone who watched last night that you will not know what’s coming next on his show. He has learned that the major flaw in talk shows is they have become monologue centered and fill out the time with polite interviews and lame bits.

Colbert is only going to get better. He was a little slow starting. He was silly, full of himself. But so lovable, not polished, exasperating and over the top with a humor seeking adlib missile ready to fire unexpectedly at any moment. Future guests take note!

Then came his being taken over by haunted objects on the set – a disembodied voice of ancient God forcing him to push hummus—a Monkey’s Paw that came alive to get him to a commercial break.

Enjoying Oreo cookies  excessively piling them into his mouth — while Donald Trump talked about Nabisco closing its Oreo plant in Chicago. The audience despite being VIPs was rolling with laughter. Tomorrow night – look for pie-in-the-face or a pie fight – it always works – seltzer bottles may be next.

Mr. Colbert is deranged and deranged is funny. Unstability is funny.

His interview with George Clooney was highlighted by a spoof movie clip starring Clooney called “Decision Strike” that bore  uncanny resemblance to the new movie commercials that just peppered this show.

From his bouncing Pinky Lee impish prancing on stage – his contrite homage to David Letterman (he didn’t need to do that, it just held things up) and his acknowledging his “nation” chanting “Steven, Steven,” Colbert seemed a bit overwhelmed then he remembered to be himself and the show started to roll.

With the CBS kingpin in the audience,  with a switch off button, a bit that was not very funny, he was understandably nervous. But Colbert just keeps throwing bits at you and when you start laughing at his flat out silliness, well you pack up your troubles and they just go out of your mind.

Can he sustain this five days a week? There’s so much to draw on  that no one does anymore– man on the street, visiting strange places like the Hollywood Ranch Market, he hasn’t even done Johnny Carson skits yet. Also, he announces his own show…

I believe the show will start smoother when it settles into a groove. And tomorrow night he has Scarlet Johanson on —  Jeb Bush and Scarlet Johanson back to back…well I may even watch tomorrow night.

If you are used to laughing politely at written monologues that invite polite laughter, Mr. Colbert is going to take getting used to.  His cameo bits with rival Jimmy Fallon were cute but contrived. Mr. Colbert is at his best when he is working “concept,” usually preposturous and no one  works a concept for laughs better.

He is best alone, He turns every guest into his foil. You see a guest more as they really are.

He and the audience were having so much fun,(bits just kept on going), that he hardly had time for Jeb Bush. Colbert kept adlibbing fiercely, rapid fire and kept the audience waiting with baited breath.

He is a little awkward in celebrity small talk and spoofed it beautifully with George Clooney saying to Clooney it was nice having him (Clooney) on when he did not have a project to plug.

But Jeb got across an image that he is the only nice guy running for President.  The magic of the Colbert interview. Through humor he reveals truths.

The result: an hour between 11:30 and 12:35 that actually produces hilarity. You don’t need “applause” or “laugh” signs.

We have not had that since Steve Allen and Johnny Carson. Mr. Colbert is taking talk back to the future.

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Voters to be Asked to Move Up Deadline for County Exec to Submit Capital Budget Next Year.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2015. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators (Edited) September 8, 2015:

Westchester Voters will be asked to decide by referendum whether the County Budget proposal should be presented October 15, instead of November 15, as it is required currently The effect forces the County Executive to give details on his capital budget before election day for voters to determine the administration true budget policy.

Tuesday, the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed just such a resolution to place a referendum item on the ballot for the 2015 general election which takes place on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

If passed by this year’s voters, the new policy would be in effect in the November 2016 election.

The proposal to be considered by all voters in this year’s general election would amend the Laws of Westchester County, commonly referred to as the County Charter, changing the date that the County Executive is required to submit the Capital Budget to the BOL from November 15th to October 15th each year.

The deadline to submit the annual Operating Budget would be moved up from November 15th to November 10th.  The purpose of the proposed changes is to provide more time for the BOL and the public to review the county budget before it is voted on.

The referendum is mandated in section 209.161 of the County Charter which states, “…that said law, which would diminish the powers of an elected official, shall not become effective until submitted at a general election and approved by a majority of votes cast on the question of the approval or disapproval of such law.”

Changing the dates that County Executive is required to submit the Capital and Operating Budgets is considered a diminution of his powers, triggering the need for a public referendum.

The proposed changes are based one of the recommendations from the Charter Revision Commission (CRC).  The CRC was established in 2011 to study, review and recommend changes to the Westchester County Charter and Administrative Code.

This was only the second review of the Charter since 1937 and the first in more than 25 years.  The CRC spent nearly two years on their review.  The current proposal is one of 16 recommendations made by the CRC.

The proposed referendum item was reviewed in the BOL’s Budget and Appropriations Committee which is Chaired by Legislator Sheila Marcotte (R) Eastchester and in the BOL’s Legislation Committee which is Chaired by Legislator Virginia Perez, (D) Yonkers.

Legislator Marcotte said, “This recommendation from the CRC is a prudent one.  Producing a sound and responsible budget is the most important job we undertake at the BOL.  I favor any measure which will increase transparency for the public and provide more time to the BOL to produce the best budget possible.”

Legislator Virginia Perez said, “It is a rare occasion when we seek to change our County Laws and any such consideration must be deliberative and measured.  I think it is wholly appropriate that the very document we are considering changes to, dictates that the final decision regarding these changes lies with the public.  I encourage every voter to learn about this proposal and to cast an educated vote in November.”

BOL chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D) Somers, applauded the work of the CRC and the BOL committees who are reviewing and implementing the CRC’s recommendations, “At the BOL, we have been reviewing, discussing and debating the many thoughtful and smart recommendations that came from the CRC.  Some deal with utilitarian issues like our budget calendar while others seek to address more esoteric and philosophical questions like ethics reform and whether Legislators should be voting on ethics waivers.  All of the proposals from the CRC have merit and serve the collective effort of making our County Charter the most effective and fair document possible to guide us as lawmakers in our current times.”

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