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 QUILL & EYESHADE. From the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. September 15, 2011:

The State reported that Westchester County Sales Tax Collections from the beginning of the fiscal year in January  were slightly ahead after seventh months, at $292,547,552  through August, $5,861,023 ahead of last August pace. This works out to a 2% growth in sales tax over the year as the county prepares to go into its budget season.

Sales figures for White Plains were not immediately available today from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the office of Assemblyman Robert Castelli September 15, 2011:

 Robert Castelli joined Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in announcing that OrthoNet of White Plains is launching a $4.5 million expansion project which will create over 150 new jobs in Westchester. OrthoNet Holdings is a national leader in orthopedic specialty benefit management.

“I am thrilled at the decision by OrthoNet to expand their operations here in White Plains,” Castelli said. “This $4.5 million dollar project will create more than 150 new jobs, and is an excellent example of how government and industry is working together to restore the business-friendly environment of the Empire State.”

OrthoNet Holdings, Inc., a national leader in orthopedic specialty benefit management, and will invest up to $4.5 million to expand its national headquarters in White Plains, retaining 350 jobs and creating a projected 155 new jobs to boost the Hudson Valley economy.

Supported by an incentive package including up to $3 million in Excelsior Tax Credits from ESD and $31,000 in sales tax exemptions from the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (WIDA), OrthoNet will be able to significantly expand its presence as a key economic and employment resource for the local community, while meeting its mission of providing services that promote high-quality, cost effective health care.

“We are excited about keeping and expanding our business in Westchester,” said OrthoNet’s President and CEO Dr. Roger Shedlin. “This means our excellent local workforce will not face relocation or disruption. The support from ESD and WIDA will help enable our continued growth, and job creation, here in New York.”

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said, “From day one I have made economic growth a cornerstone of my administration. Attracting and retaining business in Westchester is how to put people to work and strengthen the economy. Partnering with OrthoNet not only maintained jobs but created new ones. I would also like to thank Empire State Development (ESD) for collaborating with my IDA team to make this possible.”

OrthoNet is the nation’s largest provider of musculoskeletal benefit management services. For over sixteen years the Company has called Westchester home, successfully growing a  business that works with most major health plans, providing a wide array of programs related to orthopedics, rehabilitation and related clinical services throughout the United States and its Territories. These initiatives create efficiencies that keep treatments affordable, while promoting improved clinical outcomes and greater patient access to the most appropriate care, the company says.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “As OrthoNet grows so will employment opportunities for Hudson Valley residents. Over the next five years, their aggressive agenda for corporate expansion has the potential for significant job creation and economic activity to support the local community. I want to thank our local partners, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and his strong team for their outstanding efforts in helping keep these jobs in the Hudson Valley.”

“I applaud OrthoNet for their decision and thank Governor Cuomo and County Executive Astorino for their proactive work on this issue,” Castelli said. “Our office remains committed to creating jobs by pursuing pro-business policies with both the Governor and our County Executive.”

This morning, Castelli met with the Governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council at SUNY Purchase, where he continued to advocate for job creation by adopting a pro-business approach to governing.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, White Plains Schools. September 13,  2011:

The Eighth Annual Summer Field Experience academic symposia at White Plains High

 School, by students of Proyecto BBRAVO, begin next week, with sessions on September 20^th, (6 P.M.), October 6^th, (8:30 A.M.), October 12^th  (6 P.M.), and October 14^th (8:30 A.M.).  This program is a dual celebration of the students’ experiences and Latino Heritage Month.  The events are held in the school’s Library/Media Center. 

Participating students are:  Bianca Acuna, Maria Bautista, Claudia Benitez, Sara Espinoza, Maria Camila Gomez, Emily Huapaya, Ricardo Martinez and Lilibeth Ramos.  

Proyecto BBRAVO (translated stands for Bilingual/Bicultural, Supporting, Ascending toward Virtues and Opportunities) is a multi-faceted program for Latino students that culminates with a summer field experience component.

Eight students participated this year, at various sites including El Museo del Barrio, New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s Multicultural Office of International Affairs, White Plains Hospital, the Edelman Company, Latina Magazine, Bikkal & Associates, Hudson Peconic, and the Westchester County Legislature.    

            In order to be selected for the program, students must write an essay in Spanish, stating their interest, and then be interviewed by a panel comprised teachers, Guidance Counselors, representatives from different site partners, and the Director/Advisor of Proyecto BBRAVO, teacher Alberto Minotta. 

Following acceptance the students must fulfill a minimum of 200 hours at the site, write a research paper, keep a journal BLOG in Spanish, and present an academic symposium before the White Plains High School community on their experiences.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the White Plains Department of Public Safety. September 12, 2011:

2nd Shooting Suspect Turns Self In 

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong announced Monday that Dominique Hospie, (above) the young man wanted as a possible suspect in the Lake Street shooting of a 16 year old September 2, turned himself in to White Plains police Friday. The Commissioner’s statement:

“On September 9th at approximately 5PM, Dominique Hospie DOB 12/23/92 wanted in connection with the September 2nd shooting on Lake Street in White Plains surrendered to White Plains detectives in the company of his attorney.

Mr. Hospie was charged with Assault first degree, Criminal Use of a Firearm 2nd Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, all felonies.

I believe that Mr. Hospie felt the pressure and our pursuit of him was relentless.  For him to turn himself in was for the best.

The victim is recovering from his wounds. Commissioner Chong’s comment on what caused the dispute was, “no details, just dumb.”

One Suspect Charged

The other suspect arrested in the shooting, was  Juan Jose Gell ,18, of 120 #10C Lake Street, White Plains. He was charged with Assault 1st, a Class B Felony, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony; and Criminal Use of a Firearm in the 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony.

Commissioner Chong after the shooting said that the first aid administered to the victim, saved the sixteen year old boy’s life. Here is a recap of WPCNR’S previous report 9 days ago.:

“In every story there are many times unsung heroes.  As tragic and unusual as the shooting of  the teenager was on Friday, I can report that the victim is expected to survive. His condition has been upgraded from critical to serious and he has been stabilized. 

As you know, less than 24 hours later we captured and charged one suspect. This is directly the result of a community who cares and will not tolerate these crimes.

During the incident, a few eyewitnesses have told me that Police Officer Michael Dawson of our Emergency Services Unit performed life saving techniques that probably contributed to the victim’s survival. 

Officer Dawson, a trained Paramedic with numerous years of experience in the ambulance services before he became a White Plains Officer, recognized the gravity of the wound and large blood loss and his training kicked in as he applied a tourniquet. 

This was no easy task because at the time the perimeter had not been secured or cleared of the possible gunmen. His brave actions will be recognized but I just wanted the White Plains residents to know the quality of professionals we have enlisted in both our Police and Fire Bureaus.  

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WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. September 11, 2011.

Remarks of White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety, David Chong at the Sunday afternoon opening of the New York Remembers exhibit presenting artifacts and history of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack ten years ago today. Commissioner Chong was one of the NYPD officers who was involved in the midst of the horror of that day ten years ago.

“Governor Coumo,  Mayor Roach, Elected and distinguished officials, men and women of Public Safety and honored guests.  I am honored and humbled to be here representing our brave first responders. 

The first responders on September 11th 2001, our current first responders and maybe a few who are thinking of public service for our future?  I’m honored to be able say a few words about September 11, 2001, on this the tenth memorial of that tragic day. 

People have often said, every generation has had a life changing experience or so called, day of infamy.  Our generation’s day of infamy was September 11th, 2001.

 So many words and tears of sorrow have been shed since that day and will be continued to be rightfully shed for generations to come. 

Certainly we will never forget our loved ones who died ten years ago, our family, colleagues, friends, and neighbors, and we cannot and will not forget all of our loved ones who have died since.

Dying from sicknesses attributed to working at ground zero, from broken hearts, and dying in our military, some far away from home, defending us, the greatest nation in the world. 

We did not pick this fight, but as Americans and as New Yorkers, the terrorists, the ones who did pick the fight, now know that we have overwhelmingly won the fight, and will continue to win the fight as long as you threaten us.

So for all of you honored people present, I wish today,  instead of speaking on our sorrow,  I wish to speak of our heroism and of the American spirit. 

On that darkest day of my life, being a member of the NYPD and spending time in both towers as they burnt,  I witnessed amazing feats of heroism.  Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS, all ran towards the flaming towers in order to do the best they could, to get people out of the buildings.

343 FDNY, 23 NYPD, 60 PAPD, and 1 EMS technician paid the ultimate sacrifice.  Then there are so many of us that continue to pay the price with nightmares and medical conditions.  Speaking to anyone of us ten years later, and to our current Public Safety personnel, not one of us would do anything less today.

Besides witnessing the bravery and sacrifice by first responders and emergency personnel, I will never forget the heroism by everyday folk,

Americans and New Yorkers, men and women of all ages, and ethnicities, who could have panicked and ran for their very lives, but instead stood in the face of the unknown, shoulder to shoulder with us first responders, all the while knowing of the dangers around them, and in typical New Yorker and American grit, helped us and each other assisting with the injured and dying, the weak and disabled.

I saw with my own eyes, New York’s first responders and New York’s people work together as I had never witnessed before.  All in the face of personal danger and death. 

In those finest hours and in the finest tradition as caring Americans, we sent a message that day to terrorists around the world, “you can kick us and you may even hurt us,  but in the end, we, Americans, New Yorkers, will get up and make you pay dearly.  Then we will brush ourselves off and grow even stronger. 

We have shown this ten years later, as we memorialize that day of infamy,  we will never forget.

 Today on September 11th 2011, ten years later, I can stand here as a proud survivor and public servant and say,

New York has recovered, lower Manhattan is more vibrant than ever,  The Freedom tower will be bigger than ever.  America has recovered, the pentagon is rebuilt.

Most importantly, the terrorist networks are on the run, the demon responsible has been brought to justice by the best military force in the world.

And the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of our first responder today, do so willing, and are better prepared than ever.

There is a saying among us September 11th 2001 first responders,  the saying is that “we lost close to 3000 people that day, but we saved over well over 100,000.”

We came together, strangers became heroes and we proved that we are, by far, the greatest nation in the world.  I promise, as the greatest nation we will never forget.  First Responders and military personnel,  we salute you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you, Governor Cuomo, for choosing White Plains and honoring our city, all of our first responders, and all New Yorkers with these very poignant exhibits.

God bless you all, God bless New York and God Bless the United States of America