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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PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY AND JIM BENEROFE ON

The Snowden Interview

The City Within A City ot the WP Pavilion

MEMORIAL PARKING TICKET POLICY

Charles Morgan Contemplates a Primary

and

ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

“WHERE PEOPLE WITH SOMETHING TO SAY 

HAVE THEIR SAY”

VERONICA RAPHAEL

THE FORECLOSURE FIGHTER

WESTCHESTER RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES

NICOLE BURTON

HOUSING EXPERT

ON

ARE WESTCHESTER BANKS HELPING EASE THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS OR NOT?

THE FORECLOSURE SITUATION AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

THE FORECLOSURE SPIRAL

HOW FLORECLOSURE SPIRALS ARE AFFECTING REAL ESTATE

SEE BOTH PROGRAMS

NOW

DOWLOAD THEM AT

www.whiteplainsweek.com

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WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. By John F. Bailey. May 30, 2014:

The Common Council is in the process of scheduling the high-interest, sensitive public hearing on the French American School of New York specific site plan and request for Special Permit that shows exactly how they would build their new private school consolidated campus with an entrance to the former Ridgeway Country Club property on North Street.

The hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 7 , the night of the scheduled July regular Common Council meeting, and right after the July 4 Weekend.

The same tentative hearing will also take up the matter of closing Hathaway Lane (which presently bisects the FASNY property.)

In a perhaps-related development, WPCNR has learned the French American School has purchased a large home (557 North Street) shown above immediately adjoining the south portion of the old Ridgeway Fairway that abuts the West side of North Street, partially visible at the right of this photo.

Speculation is the school is assuming the White Plains Board of Education would not approve moving the entrance of the high school (shown above) to “line up” with the proposed new entrance to FASNY from the West side of North Street. It shows that acquisition of the house would allow an entrance from North Street without having to acquire Board of Education approval to move the high school entrance.

A spokesperson for the French American School, Geof Thompson, told WPCNR the school has been in talks to acquire the property, but  could not confirm the sale. WPCNR has been told FASNY is paying $1.25 Million for the property. Thompson said the possible entrance from North Street would cut across the front yard of the house shown above (from the YWCA property) onto the former fairways above and curve down around the pond (show below).

It is expected this may be detailed in the long-awaited site plan drawn up on the basis of Common Council approval of the new campus project with the proviso entrance be from North Street which they did in December.

WPCNR is awaiting confirmation from FASNY on the home purchase and their plan for it.

The Public Hearing meeting scheduling is on the current Common Council agenda for Monday evening issued today.

Meanwhile, (as first reported two weeks ago on WHITE PLAINS WEEK),  Gedney Association has been joined by 7 other White Plains South End neighborhood associations (North Street, Havilands Manor, Rosedale, Wyndham Close,Club Pointe, Glenbrooke and Maplemoor Pond), in scheduling a public meeting June 4 at 7 PM in the White Plains High School auditorium to discuss

“White Plains at the Crossroads: Can our Neighborhoods be Saved?”

The meeting will include a presentation of the FASNY project, the effect of the new site plan on The Conservancy aspect of the project, and real alternatives to the FASNY PROJECT.

The agenda will also address the Urstadt Biddle Pavilion “City Within a City” project they plan to replace the White Plains Pavilion (that zoning request is being referred out to city departments in this Monday’s Common Council agenda.)

The expansion of the White Plains Transit Center to include Bus Rapid Transit will be discussed.

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WPCNR THE FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. May 30, 2014:

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today the indictment of Juvencio Martinez-Martinez on hostage taking and alien smuggling charges. Martinez-Martinez was previously arrested in the Southern District of Texas and ordered removed to White Plains, New York.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “As alleged, Juvencio Martinez-Martinez preyed on and held hostage an individual desperate to enter the United States from Mexico to join her family, threatening dire consequences if ransom was not paid. The woman he smuggled and held is safe, and Martinez-Martinez is now in federal custody facing federal charges.”

Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos stated, “As alleged, Martinez-Martinez valued currency over human life when he abducted the victim who was attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. While he may have viewed this as an opportunity to make easy money, Martinez-Martinez did not anticipate the swift, coordinated law enforcement response committed to seeing the victim safely rescued. The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who seek to turn a profit by victimizing the innocent.”

According to allegations made in the indictment and other publicly filed documents:

Martinez-Martinez and others held an individual hostage in Weslaco, Texas, after they smuggled her across the border. While waiting for the victim’s mother, who lives in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York, to send them money in order to secure her release, they threatened to continue to hold the victim hostage and harm her.

During one conversation with the victim’s mother, the hostage takers threatened to cut the victim into pieces and send the pieces to the victim’s mother in Fallsburg, New York. Martinez-Martinez was apprehended at a business in Weslaco, Texas, shortly after he obtained an additional $1,500 from the victim’s mother. Law enforcement officers then discovered additional individuals at a building Martinez-Martinez controlled.

Martinez-Martinez, 20, of Weslaco, Texas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI, Fallsburg (New York) Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Customs and Border Protection.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Collins, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (Edited). May 29, 2014:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an Unemployment Strikeforce, a new campaign to target areas of the State with the highest unemployment rates and boost employment.
The initiative will first be piloted in Bronx County, which has the highest unemployment rate in the state, according to state and federal data. After that, the Strikeforce will direct similar resources to the three other target counties.

In partnership with New York State, Empire State Development, the State Department of Labor and other partners, the campaign will be strategically focused in Bronx County, Jefferson County, Lewis County and Kings County respectively through the end of 2014.

“The Unemployment Strikeforce is the latest in a series of efforts this administration has undertaken to tackle unemployment in communities where it is most pervasive,” Governor Cuomo said. “This new initiative brings together major players from both the public and private sectors in order to assist New Yorkers in areas with the highest unemployment rates overcome barriers to finding work. This Strikeforce will go a long way toward connecting hard-working New Yorkers with job opportunities in their communities.”

Since Governor Cuomo took office, he has worked to streamline economic development, job training and job placement. The New York State unemployment rate has dropped from 8.2 percent to 6.7 percent, the New York State economy has created more than 440,400 private sector jobs and New York is one of only 17 states to have regained all of the private sector jobs lost during the recession.

New Skills at Work

Equipping New York trainers and workers with the skills that employers are demanding is a key priority of Strikeforce. JPMorgan Chase’s New Skills at Work Initiative was designed to address this issue in communities across the country, and the firm announced today it will invest $20 million in New York over the next five years. A critical component of this initiative includes sector-based, employer-driven training to give more New Yorkers the skills they need to get back to work.

“Although there is a significant number of Americans looking for work, we hear from clients every day about the challenges they face finding workers with the right skills for jobs that are open right now,” said Priscilla Almodovar, head of Chase’s Community Development Banking. “That’s why we’re working with community leaders across New York – technical training programs, community colleges, policymakers and employers – to help address these issues.”

In the Bronx, this investment will be aimed at connecting individuals to jobs and training in six high-demand sectors: Healthcare, Information Technology, Office and Administration, Transportation and Warehousing, Sales, and Hospitality.

Dedicated Strike Force staff will work closely with local elected officials and community-based organizations in the Bronx to connect jobseekers with local business opportunities.

“Often the most expensive part of doing business is job training,” said State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera. “These partnerships will help businesses by reducing or eliminating that expense and help jobseekers by giving them an entry into a career. The Bronx is just the start and the place we know this type of program will have the biggest impact.”

“New York State’s economy has been revitalized under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, thanks to strategic partnerships, smart investments, and innovative initiatives like the Unemployment Strikeforce,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “This campaign will help job seekers tap into many opportunities and connect New Yorkers with companies that are looking to hire in their area.”

Hostos Community President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, said: “It is an honor to be part of the first-ever statewide jobs initiative in the Bronx being launched by Governor Cuomo. I commend him for making the Bronx a central part of this effort. Hostos remains committed to working with community-based partners, employers, state and city agencies to connect students and job seekers with jobs, and provide the education and training needed for them to be ready for the workforce.”

“Montefiore is proud to work with Governor Cuomo and our partners – JPMorgan, Phipps and Hostos – to develop a healthcare workforce pipeline for Bronx youth,” said Steven M. Safyer, President and CEO, Montefiore Health System. “With a workforce 23,000 strong, Montefiore is the largest employer in the Bronx. Our collective efforts will both ensure a promising future for Bronx youth and a workforce that will advance Montefiore’s excellence in patient care.”

“Phipps Neighborhoods is delighted that Montefiore Medical Center and Hostos Community College have partnered with us to offer the Career Network: Healthcare, which is helping young people in the Bronx pursue a career in a growing industry that leads to financial independence,” said Dianne Morales, executive director and CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods. “Each partner brings their expertise and deep commitment to this initiative, and key support from JPMorgan Chase helps make this work possible.”

Anyone looking for a job should visit their nearest Department of Labor Career Center, which can be found here: www.labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator.