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WPCNR THE ARTIST.From Westchester Arts Council. February 20, 2014:

Some fifty business leaders gathered yesterday with Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett,  and President and CEO of Americans for the Arts Robert Lynch at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester hotel to promote what has become a national movement of partnerships between business and the arts. Leading this effort locally is ArtsWestchester, which over the next two years, in celebration of its milestone 50^th anniversary in 2015, plans to inspire 50 new partnerships with local companies that will bolster Westchester’s neighborhoods and business opportunities.

Lynch, whose Washington, DC-based organization has a membership of 10,000 arts agencies throughout the country, believes that the arts and business are a “mighty powerful pair.” A recent study, he reports, revealed that in this competitive market, creativity outweighed management capability and dedication as the most valuable leadership quality to the 1500 business leaders polled.

“The arts are one of the most important aspects of what we do in Westchester County, said Kevin J. Plunkett at the event. “It’s a team effort, a partnership effort… The real partnership has to be a tripartite partnership – ArtsWestchester, County Government and private business.”

Established in 1965, ArtsWestchester is New York State’s largest private, not-for-profit service organization. Throughout the years, it has had a robust history of diverse business partnerships with such corporations as IBM, PepsiCo, First Niagara, Con Edison, J.P. Morgan Chase, Maxx Properties, RPW Group and Entergy, and more recently with Aetna Foundation, Curtis Instruments, Westchester Medical Center, Regeneron and the Cross County Shopping Center. Many of these partnerships will be demonstrated at today’s breakfast as a way to inspire others.

“These partnerships not only support the arts,” says ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam, “but they have been shown to be good for business in that they promote innovative thinking and creativity in the workplace, strengthen community engagement and increase the vibrancy of places to live and work.”

Robert Lynch agrees, adding, “When the arts and businesses partner, everyone profits, and that’s the thing that savvy businesses across the country and savvy communities and community leaders have seen for a long, long time.”

ArtsWestchester offers a diverse menu of partnership opportunities throughout the year. They range from event sponsorship; to space rental; to advertising in its monthly publication, ArtsWNews; to volunteer opportunities and underwriting of educational programs. Partnership opportunities are also available with ArtsWestchester’s affiliate organizations, of which there are more than 150.

A list of ten (10) easy ways to partner with ArtsWestchester can be found at: www.artswestchester.org/artsandbusiness. 

To arrange a custom arts & business partnership with ArtsWestchester, interested parties should contact Debbie Scates, Manager of Partnership Marketing, at (914) 428-4220 or email dscates@artswestchester.org.

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As we observe the trainwreck of leadership in this country–from Obama, Boehner and Christie on down,  it is also fitting on “President’s Day,”  that we take a look at the greatest President of them all.

Thursday is George Washington’s Birthday again. The time when we remember the first leader and the best. It is instructive to look at our first leader, George Washington, the father of our nation.

The Jacob Purdy House, a National Historic Site, was built c. 1721, and served as Washington’s Headquarters both during the Battle of White Plains, on October 28, 1776 and again in 1778.(Photo, WPCNR NEWS ARCHIVE)

One cannot help be reminded of the snowy winter at Valley Forge, when the bedraggled, poorly equipped rebel army suffered but held together, and attacked the Hessians in Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, crossing the Delaware River at night. What kind of man was he that George Washington could inspire his troops against all odds?

Washington was a man of tremendous character.

Where did he get this character? He specialized in self-control at an early age. That congressmen, lobbyists, and pundits means mind-control, reason and responsibility.

Reenacters Marching to Raise Old Glory at Purdy House in Honor of George Washington’s Birthday. Photo, 2003 WPCNR News Archive.

According to The American President, Washington, at sixteen, had formed a code of conduct. He had written a book of etiquette with 110 “maxims” to guide his conduct in matters. In this etiquette book he had written,

Every action done in company ought to be done with a sign of respect to those who are not present. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop;…Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave…Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

The character sketch provided by the authors of The American President, indicates this personal “rulebook” was a book that Washington wrote over the years and referred to it often,

“for self-control, to avoid temptation, to elude greed, to control his temper. Reputation was everything to him. It had to do with his strength, his size, his courage, his horsemanship, his precise dress, his thorough mind, his manners, his compassion. He protected that reputation at any cost.”

Earning respect by example. Quelling rebellion with a few words.

Washington inspired by example. He lived with his troops. He shared hardships with them, and there was so much respect for him that he was able to talk them out of armed rebellion at the end of the American Revolution. Washington had been asked by the army to join them to overthrow the Continental Congress, and make himself King.

Washington had been asked by one of the officers of the rebels to join them, and he wrote them,

You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Banish these thoughts from your mind.

Hearing that the rebels who were planning insurrection against the new country due to not having been paid by the Continental Congress, Washington rode to Newburgh, New York, on March 15, 1783, to meet with the dissident insurgents. Washington spoke to the rebellious group, saying,

“Gentlemen, as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common Country; as I never left your side one moment, but when called from you on public duty; as I have been the constant companion and witness of your Distresses…it can scarcely be supposed …that I am indifferent to your interests. But…this dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it…has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts from the idea…I spurn it, as every Man who regards liberty…undoubtedly must.”

The would-be rebels fell silent, digesting what he had said. Then Washington withdrew a letter from Congress, but could not read the text, withdrawing some eyeglasses from his tunic, remarking,

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”

The men present were reported to have tears in their eyes at this gesture of Washington’s and abandoned their plot out of respect for their leader.

Washington retired from the military, surprising the entire new country. His action surprised King George III of England, who was astonished that Washington had refused to hold on to his military authority and use it for political or financial gain. The defeated King of England, remarked, “If true, then he is the greatest man in the world.”

Seeker of Diverse Views

As President, George Washington invented the Presidential Cabinet, whom he referred to as “the first Characters,” persons who possessed the best reputations in fields and areas of the jobs he was filling. Washington said on political appointments, “My political conduct and nominations must be exceedingly circumspect. No slip into partiality will pass unnoticed…”

Washington tolerated the relentless clashes between Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, but lectured them on the necessity for tolerance and moving beyond partisanship:

“I believe the view of both of you are pure, and well meant. Why then, when some of the best Citizens in the United States, Men…who have no sinister view to promote, are to be found, some on one side, some on the other…should either of you be so tenacious of your opinions as to make no allowances for those of the other? I have great esteem for you both, and ardently wish that some line could be marked out by which both of you could walk.”

The Constitution Should be Protected

Washington died in 1800, three years after leaving office in 1797. He was saluted on the floor of congress as being “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

He was the first and best.

Note: The American President By Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt (Riverhead Books. Penguin-Putnam, Inc.,1999) is the source for this information on George Washington.

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. February 15, 2014:

White Plains retail sales continued soft in January, $5,000 less than last year, putting $4,875,684 in the city exchequer.

Westchester County started the new fiscal year 2014, up 1.8%, $41.8 Million in sales tax receipts compared to $41.1 Million in January 2015. The County continued its retail winning streak, while White Plains continues to lag behind the county pace.

After 7 months reporting in fiscal year 2013-2014 White Plains has generated $30,526,470 in Sales Tax dollars. If the city continues to meet last year’s “sales tax handle” the next five months ($20.3 Million), the city will generate $50.9 Million in sales taxes which would on target to match the 2012-13.

 IN OTHER NEWS…

 New this year – Geoffrey Gloak, of the Department and Finance reports half of NY taxpayers can now prepare and e-file their income taxes for free!   New York Stated  developed a great new option for New Yorkers to file their state tax return at no cost.   Here’s a link to the News Release: http://www.tax.ny.gov/press/rel/2014/85percentefile012314.htm     

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WPCNR ENVIRONMENTALIST. Special to WPCNR from Linda Conte. February 13, 2014:

I have been robbed – robbed of my feeling and experience of our
Teatown (Reservation) area as a peaceful, beautiful, quiet place where nature and
people lived together in peace. A location eagerly sought, containing
old stone walls, huge trees and lots of good memories – the whole
Teatown area has been robbed.

On the way down Blinn Road about 6 p.m. last night, we were
reminded again of how precious and poignant it is, when we
followed, slowly and at a distance, three young deer, beautiful,
majestic and vulnerable, down the road, and watched how difficult it
was for them to find a place to get off the road, a place where they
could navigate the deep snow and icy conditions, to get into the
woods, supposedly to safety.
Shortly after we arrived home at about 9 p.m. everything changed.
Last night, thanks to Teatown “Nature Preserve”, there was secrecy,
trucks plowing through Teatown trails, and people in camouflage
uniforms and carrying rifles. Deer, baited during this difficult time
to find food, wandering into familiar land which recently had boasted
“deer snacks”, pristine areas familiar to the deer as resting places,
suddenly turned into deer-killing fields.
The police were called.
Later, a Teatown Lake Reservation administrator was out in the road
taking pictures of the cars passing in the street and threatening local
neighbors, Teatown members and supporters.
We don’t know how many deer lost their life last night. (The shooters
wouldn’t talk.) We don’t know how many young deer, lost and
orphaned last night, are suddenly alone during this monumental
storm.

We don’t know how much blood and gore is being covered by
the pure white snow today.
But we will NEVER FORGET!

Linda

Conte

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WPCNR’s The Daily Bailey. By John F. Bailey. February 12, 2014 From the WPCNR ARCHIVES.

Today marks the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, whose Presidential performance during the Civil War (1861-1865) was perhaps the most admirable of any American President.

He had to create things as he went, dealing with a complex political issue: slavery, while deciding to fight a war to preserve a divided nation.

How did Abraham Lincoln handle pressure and political opportunists? He did not have press agents and spinmasters and talk show hosts and superior punditry critiquing his every move and loading him up with advice.

Though he did have the “crusading editors” and “editorial boards” of his day. Let’s take a look at the Big Guy from Illinois

In the days of Lincoln, media coverage was simply print media. However, the amount of reporting on the burning issues of the day was far more detailed than today with dozens of newspapers presenting the chronicles of burning issues. For Lincoln’s presidency was the presidency of the nation’s greatest crisis in its eighty-five year history:

The Civil War.

It is interesting to note how President Lincoln conducted himself in dealing with America’s interests, its factions, pulling him to free the slaves.

When Lincoln was running for the Presidency in 1860 at the Republican Convention in riproaring Chicago, he was up against James Seward, a powerful New York politician. However, the western states at the time were highly distrustful of the New York political machine. (Has anything really changed? They are still distrustful today!)

Lincoln won over support by taking a position of what was good for the nation as a whole.

Taking a Position and Working To it

Lincoln first gave notice of his potential for the Presidency when he impressed Horace Greeley, influential editor of the New York Tribune with a fiery speech at the Cooper Union in February, 1860, delivering a sharp criticism of the South, hard on the heels of South Carolina’s secession from the Union. The speech included these words,

You say you will not abide the election of a Republican President. In that supposed event, you say, you will destroy the Union; and then, you say, the great crime of having destroyed it will be upon us! (The northern states) That is cool. A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, “Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!”

Greeley printed the speech in his Tribune the next day, scooping the other New York papers, by simply asking Lincoln for a copy of the speech. The subsequent printing in the popular Trib, sent Mr. Lincoln on his way. As William Harlan Hale’s biography of Mr. Greeley (Horace Greeley: Voice of the People)describes the scene at “The original Trib’s” offices, as remembered by Amos Cummings, a young proofreader:

Amos Cummings, then a young proofreader, remembered the lanky westerner appearing over his shoulder amid the noise of the pressroom late at midnight, drawing up a chair, adjusting his spectacles, and in the glare of the gaslight reading each galley (of the Cooper Union speech) with scrupulous care and then rechecking his corrections, oblivious to his surroundings.

A Comeback President

Lincoln had been a highly successful politician from Illinois in the 1830s and 1840s. He was three times elected to the state legislature, and The Kunhardts’ The American Presidency reports he was “a recognized expert at forming coalitions…he learned how to keep secrets, how to trade favors, how to use the press to his advantage. And he cultivated his relationship with the party hierarchy.”

Graff’s book writes that Lincoln was described as “ruthless,” that he “handled men remotely like pieces on a chessboard.” Humor and frankness were character traits.

Lincoln was elected a congressman, only to serve just one term.

Lincoln had been practicing corporate law privately and had lost interest in politics by 1854, until the repeal of The Missouri Compromise, which had restricted slavery to the southern states. Lincoln felt stirred to come back. He spoke out against the spread of slavery, running for the senate in 1858 against William Douglas, unsuccessfully.

Saving the Union His Mantra

As the furor over slavery and the South’s threats to secede grew, a crisis of spirit and purpose in this nation which makes today’s concerns about terrorism as a threat to America, pale in comparison, Lincoln realized that the Union was the larger issue.

He expressed this in response to Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, an influential figure at the Republican (Whig) Convention in Chicago in 1860. Greeley was the kingmaker at the 1860 Chicago convention who eventually swung the western states for Lincoln, giving the man from Illinois the nomination on the third ballot over William Seward, the candidate of the Thurlow Weed “New York Machine.”

Greeley then tried to influence the President-Elect to free the slaves. (Lincoln was being lobbied by the still-powerful Weed-Seward faction to compromise with the southern states on the issue of slavery).

Standing Tall Against Pressure.

Lincoln refused to free the slaves as one of the first acts of his presidency, standing firm to hold the union together, when he announced his attention not to do so, on his way to Washington after being elected. His words in this time of international tension, are worth remembering as America considers starting a war for the first time. Lincoln said:

I have often inquired of myself what great principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy (the Union, he means), so long together. It was not the mere matter of separation of the colonies from the motherland, but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence which gave liberty not alone to the single people of this country, but hope to all the world, for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights would be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance.

Seeing the Big Picture.

After Fort Sumter was fired upon, Lincoln was pressured harder to free the slaves. Still, Lincoln held firm. Mr. Greeley published a blistering open letter to the President, he called “The Letter of Twenty Millions,” meaning his readers (slightly exaggerated)in The New York Tribune.

Greeley’s letter took the President to task for not freeing the slaves now that the Civil War was on, writing, “all attempts to put down the rebellion and at the same time uphold its inciting cause are preposterous and futile.”

President Lincoln responded with an open letter which Greeley published in The Tribune. President Lincoln’s letter is instructive as to how a President moves in crisis, when a nation is ripped apart to calm and state his position. He begins with a conciliatory tone, calming Greeley’s bombast:

…If there be perceptible in it (Greeley’s letter) an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend whose heart I have always supposed to be right.

A. Lincoln 

(Editor’s Note:That is Presidential! It leaves no doubt as to who is in charge and who is responsible and why. How refreshing!)

Wearied by War

Horace Greeley described the toll the Civil War had taken on Mr. Lincoln, seeing him in person shortly before General Robert E. Lee surrendered. Greeley wrote:

Lincoln’s face had nothing in it of the sunny, gladsome countenance he first brought from Illinois. It is now a face haggard with care and seamed with thought and trouble…tempest-tossed and weatherbeaten, as if he were some tough old mariner who had for years been beating up against the wind and tide, unable to make his port or find safe anchorage…The sunset of life was plainly looking out of his kindly eyes.”