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Autumn Colors on Teatown Reservation.
Thompson’s Cider Mill
AUTUMN ROADS
BRAMSON SENDS IN THE GAME CHANGER: PRESIDENT CLINTON HEADLINES BRAMSON FUNDER AT HILTON THE 21ST
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2013. October 12:
The charisma of President Bill Clinton is being brought in by the Bramson campaign for County Executive Monday night October 21.
Bramson who has not fared well in fundraisers around White Plains compared to County Executive Incumbent, Robert P. Astorino, announced the special event to his list of supporters Friday evening.
This is a big ticket: Individuals are being asked to pay $100 a person. If you want a picture with President Clinton, you have to pay $2,500 to $10,000.
The event is at the Rye Town Hilton Monday evening, October 21.
The Rye Town Hilton had to be closed twice in April of this year due to a highly contagious norovirus traced to the kitchen by the County Department of Health that sickened several hundred persons at two different events within a month.. The unpleasantness was originally not reported by the County Department of Health, until a second outbreak necessitated a closing of the hotel for several days.
WHITE PLAINS WEEK ON NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH CARE– ALSO SEE GARY KLEIN JOHN SHEEHAN ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD ON WEB NOW AT www.whiteplainsweek.com
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THE REST OF THE STORY FROM
KATZ AND BAILEY
ON
WHITE PLAINS WEEK
AT
CLICK ON THE WHITE PLAINS WEEK ICON FOR OCTOBER 11 SHOW
CLICK ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD
ICONS
OR WATCH
THIS WEEK:
THE TERMINATION OF HART
HOW MAYA IS DOING.
SEE THE 3 STORY GLASS PALACE MALL ON THE SHOLZ PROPERTY:
BOULEVARD 22 CITY REFUSES TO TALK ABOUT.
THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE START IN NEW YORK
BUSINESSES LAGGING BEHIND IN GETTING UP TO SPEED
THE BIG 17 PROJECTS ABOUT TO GET WHITE PLAINS GOING AGAIN.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT POPULATION TIME BOMB: NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE NEEDED IN 5 YEARS
AND OUR NEW PRODUCTION
PEOPLE TO BE HEARD
also at the net on
The Gedney Association
John Sheehan and Gary Klein
Talk About the FASNY FINDING COMING UP
Local Businesses Warned, Don’t Wait to Last Month to Explore Employee Health Care Options Under Brave New Health Care,
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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Business Council of Westchester with reporting by WPCNR. October 12, 2013:
Individuals are jumping into Affordable Health Care and bravely exploring and signing up through the state’s new affordable health care portal: www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
Businesses, though are dragging their feet says the Director of the new State Marketplace.
According to Kelly Smith, (ABOVE) Director of Small Business Marketplace of the State Department of Health, more than 40,000 individual New York residents have registered online for Affordable Health Care in the first week alone (it began October 1).
She said they thought the state’s website would get about 3,000 hits per day on the site, but in reality were receiving 3,000 hits per second. She also said about 5,000 insurance brokers have already completed training to be certified by the state for the Exchange. Individuals may also call for a real live person to guide them through at
She told WPCNR small businesses appear to waiting until closer to the deadline (March 31, 2014) to adapt a health plan for their employees. So much so, she expects a siege of business inquiries at that time who have not done their homework on the state health care plan options, reserving decision on plan until the last minute.
Asked by WPCNR afterwards if small businesses across the state are ready to make a smooth transition to the Affordable Health Care System, Smith shook her head no, with no doubt, saying, she expected a rush of business inquiries from businesses who are delaying decision until it is closer to by the deadline to enroll their employees arrives March 31 (five months away).
She expects the rush she sees from businesses at the deadline may create another service crisis similar to last week’s when New York state had to quadrupel their website capacity on Sunday to handle the unexpected volume.
Smith’s presentation took the audience of about 50 persons (by WPCNR count) at the Crown Plaza Hotel in White Plains, through the impressive, overwhelming information available on new health care options on the state website, where individuals and businesses can explore options and sign up for affordable health care options:
Smith said most businesses appear to be waiting until their health care plans they have now renew to examine their options under the Affordable Health Care Act. She feels businesses have to familiarize now with options, and are not doing so. She said accountants who have to implement the nuts and bolts of enrollment and compliance are doing their homework and appear up-to-speed to execute enrollment and compliance.
Calling the first week of the new Exchange “an incredible ride,” John Ravitz, Executive Vice President of the Business Council said the BCW’s Navigator has received over 75 phone calls for appointments.
For businesses to schedule an appointment with the Business Council’s Navigator who can familiarize executives with what is required and when, and options and tax credits available, they may call John Ravitz at (914) 948-2110 ext 311.
In addition to Smith (right, above), the other panelists at the forum included Elisabeth Benjamin, (Center) Senior Vice President of the Community Service Society of New York; and Mike Bodack,(left) President of York International Agency who warned of the extra expenses businesses face from new reporting rules under the Affordable Health Care Act.
Benjamin took businessmen in attendance on a selling tour of the benefits of tax credits they receive under the Affordable Care Act. Above is an example she presented.
Bodack presented surveys showing that premium costs for New York health care plan providers and purchases are predicted to go up 12% next year. New York is the highest column (Above)
Keynote speaker Shannon Pettypiece,(above) national healthcare reporter for Bloomberg News, provided an overview of how New York and other states that are implementing their own health benefit exchanges are faring compared to those states that are letting the federal government set up their exchanges.
She said the states have done a better job of getting their websites up and running than the federal government. She also said the federal website was averaging about 2.8 million unique visits per hour, which ranks it among the nation’s busiest websites.
Among other topics discussed by the panel were: key mandates of importance to employees; timeline of when the mandates will start in 2014 and 2015; tax credits available to employers that offer health insurance to their employees; new programs that employees without health insurance will have to enter in 2014 and the Navigator Program that the Business Council started.
“The implementation of the new Health Benefit Exchange is one of the most important issues facing businesses today. This very timely and important forum featured an outstanding panel of experts who provided the information every business needs to know about the new law,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council.
Under requirements of the Affordable Care Act, states must set up a health insurance exchange where individuals and businesses can shop for qualified health plans in the private market.
The Business Council was recently selected by the Community Service Society of New York to serve as a “Navigator” to assist Westchester businesses in complying with the nation’s new healthcare policy. The October 10th Healthcare Forum was sponsored by Simone Healthcare Real Estate, Verizon, York International and Webster Bank.
A Kate to Kiss! “Jeannie to Dream of” Jeannie Shubitz Steps into Lead , Keeps WBT Kiss Me Kate Magic Soaring to the Tonysphere with Kate Hepburn Spirit — voice that wins any leading man.
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William Michals as Petruchio Tames Jeannie Shubitz, his new Leading Lady Kate!
WPCNR STAGE DOOR JOHNNY. Theatrical Review By John F. Bailey. October 11, 2013:
If it wasn’t for the substitution notice in the Kiss Me Kate program at the Westchester Broadway Theatre matinee Wednesday, you’d never know Jeannie Shubitz had only been doing this classic show a week.
You would not know this production was the first time she was performing the signature role of Kate in the Cole Porter musical that had to rush this “Jeannie” into the lead role giving her only three days to prepare!
That the director, James Brennan when his leading lady was unable to complete the run called for an “Allentown”—the legendary nickname for the character that took over the role in the musical “42nd Street” That was just a plot of a old musical. But it does not happen in real theatre, does it?
Well Jeannie Shubitz does it for real folks, and you Mr. and Mrs. And Ms. Westchester can see this comet of fire , poise and confidence and rootin’ tootin’ high falutin’ talent ignite the stage.
From the moment she walks into the joint (the stage) she has the walk, demeanor, the diva mystique, flashing sparks with the dynamic leading man, William Michals as her former husband Fred Graham/ Petrucio.
Michals is Broadway Gold – the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Emile de Becque in the Tony winning revival, South Pacific. The kid matches him measure for measure!
When Ms. Shubitz playing Lilli Vanesi practices bows with Michals before the chorus in rehearsal – the kid, and she is a kid, looks every bit, action, nuance and inflection a Broadway legend, playing the character based on the famous Lynn Fontaine of Lunt and Fontaine fame. The attitudes of those legends towards each other in a mid 1930s production inspired creation of Kiss Me Kate.
You feel the chemistry push back between Michals and Shubitz—the back and forth the clever dialogue of sparring actor and actress, and battling Shakespeare characters Kate and Petruchio that drive “musical” Taming of the Shrew performance the audience is watching. Ms. Shubitz works every comedy line sublimely with timing that is instinctive. She brings out a Michals’ Fred Graham, and dynamic Petruchio .
Michals rises to the Shubitz spirit– delivering a resonance and presence just as I saw Opening Night, but it really grew this afternoon. Shubitz makes a seamless, professional transition that saves the show and makes the whole production move with zip
zing and ginger just the way Cole would have liked it.
As WPCNR told you in my first review of this show, in which I remarked on the great chemistry between Mr. Michals and the first Kate, (Christianne Tisdale, whom we wish well) that chemistry is not only sustained but reaches its own unique intensity.
Shubitz brings fascinating personality to her Lilli Vanesi.
The repartee in the dressing room between Fred and Lilli arguing is sharper, more conversational like an old married couple (take it from me, I know). The kid can act as well and sing with the clarity, peal, shimmer, glimmer, and knockout punch that lifts every song she sings, I suspect just the way Cole Porter would like to hear it.
She delivers a dreamy, wistful sensitivity of memory Wunderbar her first big number with Mr. Michals whose lusty baritone compliments her delicate waltzy echoes of memory. Michals voice fits hers, complimenting her, seeming to pour his heart’s joy out. Shubitz and Michals, Michals and Shubitz set the tone of love beyond personality with this song. Subitz’s delicate hand gestures during give a detailed flourish that sell this sentimentality solidly and delivers the “our song” feeling and all couples have “their song.”
Shubitz after receiving flowers whom she thinks from Fred, turns So In Love into a cocktail od champagne, dreams, and devotion elevating and sweeping the range of the Cole Porter classic. Cole would have loved her version. He wrote songs that go up and down scale and are very hard to sing. You got to have range and heart to deliver a Cole Porter sound and make all hearts soar. Shubitz takes that song over All hearts soar, I know mine did.
On I Hate Men Subitz works the comedy number smoothly with great comic effect.
Never! Never! Never! Michals hurls and flips Shubitz and Shubitz gives it right back to him in hilarious fights and spats in the play within the musical.
Ms. Shubitz’s fight scenes with Michals are terrific, high energy, you feel her anger. You feel his anger. You feel his frustration. Most of all the banter asides that Petruchio (Michals) is whispering to Kate after she finds out onstage that flowers for her were for another actress, are so well delivered by both– you think Subitz and Michals had been doing the roles for years like Allen Lunt and Lynn Fontaine.
Hey — her “Never, Never, Never” tour de force on the Kiss Me Kate signature song, where she goes up and down the scale never pausing for breath (that you can see) is one of the comic and vocal highlights. (She is refusing Petruchio in most unladylike fashion.)
Shubitz brings a lot of Katherine Hepburnesque to her performance – just the personality Kate the Shrew needs – and her Lilli Vanessa is temperamental, emotional, proud.
Here’s the kick in the head: You would never know Ms.Shubitz has never done a fight scene before.
Her finale I am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple has a contriteness and beautiful tide of feeling that her voice-to-remember-once-you’ve-heard-it renders like a homily.
You cannot make this stuff up.
So Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. Westchester, you get three shows in one if you go to see Ms. Shubitz as Kate in Kiss Me Kate . You see Kiss Me Kate, you see Taming of the Shrew (the play being performed in Kiss Me Kate, and you see 42nd Street for real.
In 42nd Street, the Marge and Gower Champion musical produced by David Merrick in 1956, the musical plot goes like this: Broadway hopeful is asked to step in by desperate director with when the main actress breaks a leg. The ingénue has never played the role before. She goes on in three days.
The producer character asks the heroine whom he has nicknamed “Allentown” if she will take over the role, and asks, and I’m paraphrasing here, “Come on, Allentown. Will you do it?”
She says “I’ll do it!”
Jeannie Shubitz said, “I’ll do it.”
And boy does Jeannie Shubitz do it.
Ms. Shubitz is living proof of the magic of theater. It’s where dreams come true.
Ms. Shubitz writes her own dream through November 3 at WBT.
Need I say call the box office today at 914-592-2222 or go to www.BroadwayTheatre.com tell them the CitizeNetReporter sent you.
You’re gonna love this show, I guarantee it!
I guarantee you’ll love Ms. Shubitz, too!
And you knowsomething, part of the packed matinee audience were the Allentown Seniors, all the way from Pennsylvania. You cannot make this stuff up!
You can’t tell me the theatre isn’t magic.
Governor to PSC: Don’t Grant Con Edison Increase
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. October 9, 2013:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing Con Edison’s proposal to raise
utility rates in 2014.
“With the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy approaching and the recent power outage on the Metro-North’s New Haven line that inconvenienced tens of thousands of commuters, it’s clear that now is not the time for Con Edison to demand that its customers pay more,” Governor Cuomo said. “This year we strengthened the Public Service Commission in order to create a more aggressive watchdog entity that could hold utilities across New York accountable to ratepayers.”
The letter from
the Governor is below:
To the PSC Commissioners:
Since taking office, my administration has pushed to keep utility rates as low as possible while maintaining a highly reliable electric system. Superstorm Sandy, and more recently the disruption of service to Metro-North, reinforced the importance of a reliable electric system and the need to hold utilities accountable for their preparedness and response, especially when considering potential rate hikes. For the past several months, the Department of Public Service staff and other parties have been reviewing Con Edison’s request to increase electric delivery rates by 8 percent, gas delivery rates by 2.5 percent, and steam delivery rates by 2.3 percent.
Based on the submissions of staff and others, it is clear that such rate increases are not warranted, and I urge the Commission to reject the utility’s request to increase rates.
As you know, this year’s Enacted Budget included new provisions in the Public Service Law to strengthen the oversight and enforcement mechanisms of the Public Service Commission to ensure that major electric and gas utility companies are held accountable and responsive to regulators and customers. Giving real consideration to performance and service to ratepayers is consistent with our goal to make the Commission and Department effective regulators under our strengthened Public Service Law.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Con Edison customers already pay among the highest electricity rates in the nation, making it essential that the Commission scrutinize any request for further rate increases. New Yorkers need to get more value for the price they pay for utility service, and as part of this case the Commission and staff must also carefully evaluate proposed investments in the system to ensure such investments will benefit consumers. Given the historically low interest rates and the economic and income growth forecasts, such
investments can be made without the rate increase requested by the utility.
Maintaining stable rates and indeed, lowering rates whenever feasible, is
critical to supporting our economic recovery and creating jobs in the region.
I commend the staff at the Department of Public Service for their efforts to fully review and analyze Con Edison’s rate request and to find opportunities to stabilize rates for the businesses and residents of New York.
Third Quarter Home Sales Up 29% in Westchester, Putnam Rockland, Orange Counties
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WPCNR HOUSING NEWS. From the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors October 9, 2013:
Third quarter residential real estate closings soared by nearly 29% over last year’s counts in the four counties serviced by the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service, a subsidiary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. The Multiple Listing Service received postings of 4,579 completed sales of single family houses, condominiums, cooperatives, and 2-4 family dwellings.
The percentage increase was the greatest in Westchester County, at 31%, followed by Rockland (26%), Orange (24%) and Putnam (22%). In most cases the increases among the various property classes brought the sales counts to pre-recession levels.
In Westchester, for example, the 1,991 reported closings of single family houses during this third quarter were the most for any quarter since 2005.
In all of the counties except Rockland, sales of condominiums and cooperatives outpaced single family houses as a percentage increase over last year.
Even with the slower – but still healthy – sales counts of the first six months of the year, on a year to date basis through this third quarter, 2013 is running faster than last year by rates ranging from 24% in Westchester and Orange to 17% in Putnam and 16% in Rockland. Whereas there were 11,481 total sales in all categories in all of 2012, at the current rate of activity the region may cross the 14,000 sale threshold by the end of 2013.
The region is beginning to see modest price increases more often than not. In Westchester, the third quarter median sale price $652,050 – was 3.5% more than last year. The average (mean) sale price1 of $$862,356, however, was almost 8% higher and signaled the insertion of more high end properties into the sales mix.
More than 24% of Westchester’s houses sold for $1 million or more in the third quarter in comparison to a range of 16% to 22% throughout last year. Rockland County experienced the largest percentage price increase, 5.4%, in its single family median price, taking it to $410,000. Putnam posted the next largest increase, 5.0%, with a median price of $332,750. Putnam also posted a large 6.9% increase in condominium prices (but its data are subject to large percentage swings because its base counts are relatively small).
Only Orange County failed to post an increase in house prices; in fact, the median sale price of $240,000 was 2.0% lower than last year. However, Orange County provides the most affordable housing in the region and attracts buyers who are the most price sensitive, which gives lower price housing there a larger share of the market basket, at least for now. Note that Orange’s condominium sector, a lower priced alternative to single family houses, posted a 4.4% increase to $166,000 in its median price
All the faster paced activity has driven inventory to low but not market-killing amounts. New listings just haven’t been keeping pace with sales. In Westchester at the end of the quarter, inventory was down 11% from last year. Putnam and Rockland both posted 3% decreases. Orange County inventory was nearly unchanged with a slight half-percent increase.
The supporting framework for continued recovery in our region’s real estate market includes mortgage interest rates that have remained at relatively low levels. The average rate on a conventional 30-year mortgage was less than 4% during much of the period that generated the third quarter sales. Rates are now hovering around 4.6%-4.8%, still very attractive. Of course that could all change if the current political dysfunction in Washington causes a debt crisis. Actions of the Federal Reserve could also drive rates up, but for now the interest rates are stable and affordable.
Officer Involved in Chamberlain Death 23 Months Ago is Dismissed by White Plains Police
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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. OCTOBER 8, 2013:
The White Plains Department of Public Safety terminated the employment of Officer Steven Hart on September 19, the Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong announced Monday to The Journal News, after a departmental hearing.
Hart is one of three officers accused in a $21 million federal lawsuit brought by the family of Kenneth Chamberlain who was shot and killed in an early morning standoff with police in Chamberlain’s Winbrook apartment November 19,2011. Chamberlain, police said was about to stab a police officer as officers entered his apartment after breaking down the door. Chamberlain had previously threatened the officers.
Commissioner David Chong is quoted by reporter Richard Liebson as saying, “I thought the best thing moving forward, for the department and the community, was that he be separated from service.”
The federal law suit is still moving forward. Hart is reported in the Journal News report as seeking legal means to getting himself reinstated.
Hart was accused of addressing Chamberlain with a common racial slur during the attempts by police to remove him from the apartment. However, Hart’s lawyer, the paper reports, a forensic expert, hired by Hart’s legal team to analyze tapes of the verbal exhanges said that no racial slur was used.
Free Flu Shots at Westchester County Center Thursday
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WPCNR HEALTH HERALD. From the Westchester County Department of Health. October 8, 2013:
County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced that the Westchester County Department of Health will offer free flu shots to residents on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
“Flu shots are one of the best ways to stay healthy, and we hope residents will take advantage of this opportunity, and will encourage their family members and friends to get a flu shot, too,” Astorino said.
The county has 500 doses which can be given to adults and children ages 9 and up. Residents should register in advance for the flu clinic at www.health. ny.gov/Go2Clinic. Those without internet access can call (914) 995-7425, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“It’s important for everyone six months and older to get a flu shot every year,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “A flu shot now will provide protection throughout flu season, which can last well into the spring. It’s also equally important to wash your hands frequently, to avoid sick people and to stay home when you are sick.”
The flu shot is safe and provides protection against the three strains of the flu that are circulating this season.
To prevent spreading the flu, cough or sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often with soap and water. If you do get a respiratory infection, stay home until 24 hours after your fever subsides, to avoid spreading your germs. Clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones. Get plenty of rest, exercise and eat healthy food.
For more information, visit www.westchestergov.com/health, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wchealthdept, follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept or call us at (914) 813-5000.
County Introduces Complete Streets for bikers, pedestrians and cars to share road. Increases Safety for All Study Says
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. October 8, 2013:
Acknowledging that bicycling, walking and the use of public transportation are becoming become common alternatives to the use of motorized vehicles here in the county, the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) unanimously passed an Act today making it a County policy to consider “multi-use” features when constructing or renovating County roadways.
Referred to generally as a “Complete Streets” policy, the new Act, when signed into law by the County Executive, will codify the practices currently followed by the County Department of Public Works and Transportation, which are making room for and encouraging greater use of Westchester roadways and thoroughfares by bicyclists and pedestrians with the idea of reducing congestion and pollution caused by motor vehicles.
“The Complete Streets legislation brings together smart, health-conscious and environmentally-friendly solutions to lessen the traffic on our roadways,” said Legislator Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining), chair of the BOL Government Operations Committee and lead sponsor of the bill. “Readying our infrastructure—for today and tomorrow—should mean incorporating the best visionary ideas around to meet the changing needs of our population.”
Borgia added that New York State’s Complete Streets law went into effect in February 2012, and this new legislation expands the policy to County roadways in order to “enhance the safety of all segments of our population, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, children and emergency service providers.”
Typically, Complete Streets policies lead to changes in transportation planning, design and construction processes. Factors leading to the policy include a high proportion of workers commuting on foot or by bike, carpool or public transit; pedestrian injuries and fatalities on roadways; and a community interest in quality of life improvements.
“Our residents are striving to make their communities more walkable and bike friendly,” said BOL Majority Leader Pete Harckham (D-North Salem), a co-sponsor of the Act. “This law will assist in achieving those goals.” Harckham spearheaded the Complete Streets initiative for Westchester with former county legislator Martin Rogowsky in 2009.
Although some circumstances do not warrant Complete Streets designs, a number of studies have provided ample evidence that they can reduce infrastructure costs by 35-40% and reduce injury and crash risk for pedestrians by 28% and for bicyclists by 50%.
“This new policy will modify the traditional automobile-centered approach to community planning while creating jobs that will give a boost to Main Street as well,” said MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson), another co-sponsor of the Act.