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 MILESTONES. From Carl Albanese. August 22, 2011:

 

On May 25, 2011 Captain Thomas B. Brenner 87, of Winterville, North Carolina, died peacefully at home in the arms of his daughter Lisa; Captain Brenner had been battling an illness for several months and was looking forward to attending his 65^th Naval Academy reunion in June before he died unexpectedly.

 

 

Captain Brenner was preceded by death by his wife Jean Brenner in 2006 and his daughter Deborah Brenner in 1998. He is survived by his loving daughter Lisa Brenner, son-in-law Bruce Wilhelmsen, granddaughter Anna Wilhelmsen and grandson Jon Wilhelmsen, nieces Susan Bailey, Lisa Rice, Julie Gagne, dear family friend Clara Black.

 

Memorial services were held on May 30th at the home of his daughter Lisa Brenner and son in-law Bruce Wilheimsen. Internment will be held at the United States Naval Academy, Columbarium on August 29, 2011, where he will be laid next to his wife Jean, on what would have been their 62^nd wedding anniversary.

 

 

The family requests contributions may be sent to Spay Today Inc. www.spaytoday.net respectively.

(Family obituary excerpt)

 

Captain Brenner born on April 20,1924 in Kalamazoo Michigan where he grew up attended Kalamazoo Central High. In 1947 he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Along with distinguished classmates 39th U.S. President Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter, Vietnam POW Vice Presidential candidate Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, and Navy’s 1944 Heisman Trophy winner Donald Whitmire Rear Admiral Vietnam Veteran.

 

 

Before his retirement in 1975 U.S. Vietnam Veteran Naval Captain Brenner served our country honorably during the Vietnam Campaign 1969 – 1970 commanding the USS White Plains AFS-4. West Pacific – South China Sea Vietnam. Commissioning Captain of the USS White Plains 1967-1970. Served as Deputy Director for Intelligence, Commander-in-Chief Pacific, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Settled in Virgina Beach. VA where his family resided for 21 years.

 

History USS White Plains AFS-4 Ship

 

Under the Command and leadership The USS White Plains AFS-4, a Mars class combat stores ship, was commissioned on 23 November 1968. USS White Plains served her country for 26 years, 4 months and 25 days, until decommissioned on 17 April 1995. USS White Plains was built in San Diego by National Steel and Shipbuilding. After fit out and shake down training, she began a series of Western Pacific deployments that made up the bulk of her career.

 

Early deployments were bound for South China Sea Vietnam waters, later deployments supported U.S. Naval forces in the Persian Gulf. Surviving fires and typhoons, USS White Plains, “The Orient Express”, delivered the goods until her decommissioning in April 1995. The hulk of the USS White Plains was sunk as part of a multi-national fleet exercise off of Hawaii in 2002. In late 1980’s the USS White Plains was one of the very first U.S. Navy ships to have woman sailors aboard. By 1991 the ship had a compliment of female officers and senior and junior enlisted woman serving.

  

USS White Plains AFS-4 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Class: Mars-class combat stores ship

Named for: White Plains – The Battle Of White Plains NY 1776

Complement: 42 Officers and 445 Enlisted

Displacement: 17500 tons

Length: 581 feet

Beam: 79 feet

Flank Speed: 21 knots

Final Disposition: Sunk as target 2002

 

History of the Battle of White Plains – Naming of USS White Plains AFS-4.

 

The City of White Plains located in Westchester County New York is vibrantly rich in American revolutionary history playing a valuable role in the birth of our nation we have come to know as America, the United States. Our Founding Father, General George Washington First President of these United States commanded the Continental Army American Revolutionary War. (Commander-in-Chief) The renowned “Battle of White Plains” fought on October 28, 1776 around the high grounds of Chatterton Hill pursed by Red-Coat General William Howe marched his army of British Red-Coats into Westchester County, hoping to cut off Washington’s escape route.

 

On October 23, Washington established military operations at the Elijah Miller House, with a stay at the historical preserved Purdy House in White Plains NY. Developing his fortifications of troops on the high banks and rough terrain rising above the swamps of the Bronx River above Chatterton Hill. Washington unfortunately defeated forced to retreat further north eventually crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey escaping General Howe and the British. The Battle of White Plains remains today as one of the corner stones of American Revolutionary History in the birth of our new nation America.

(wikipedia research)

 

In honor and memory of the Battle of White Plains 1776 the USS White Plains AFS-4 was named after General George Washington’s famous revolutionary battle in the Village of White Plains. 

 

In Memory Shipmates

 

Capt Brenner was the epitome of the classic sea captain.  He looked the part (ruggedly handsome), spoke with authority, was wise in his judgment, and even-handed in dealing with subordinates. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. I remember a small plaque he had in his in port cabin inscribed with a quote by a Greek philosopher “A collision at sea can ruin your whole day.”  Indeed.

 

It was a great pleasure to have served with Capt Brenner on the commissioning crew.

Bruce Hopkins, Cdr, Supply Corps, USN Ret. USS AFS-4

 

I remember him as an officer that you could be proud to serve with.  He brought calmness to the deck whenever he appeared.  Later I came to know of his good sense of humor from emails he sent to many of the crew.  He will be missed.  I’m sure the golden gates were opened wide for a man such as he. And he was from Michigan!

Gary Hintz, Michigan USN Ret. BM3, USS AFS-4 1967-68

 

One of my memories of Capt. Brenner is that when the White Plaines was anchored out in San Diego Harbor, He would give us lowly seaman a ride back to the ship in his gig.

Al Ballok USN Ret. USS AFS-4

 

I can say that I served with pride under Captain Brenner.  I was assigned to the White Plains while it was still in San Diego under going final outfitting.  I was with the ship when she went through sea trials, commissioning, and her first tour to West Pac and Viet Nam.  I do not believe I could have had the fortune of serving under a better Captain than Captain Brenner.  He commanded respect from his men not through the orders he gave but through the presence and dignity he brought through his position of leadership.  I was a fortunate sailor to have had him as Captain of my ship.

Joseph Fleming Plank Owner USN Ret. USS-AFS-4

 

In honor, respect and memory we pay tribute to U.S. Naval Captain Thomas B. Brenner, first commander of the USS White Plains AFS-4 Vietnam Veteran. I deeply thank Captain Brenner for serving our nation. Placing himself in harms way, defending and protecting our American democracy across the blue-waters of the South China Sea and the Pacific. I thank the many sailors who also served under the command and leadership of Captain Brenner.

 

It is with great honor we pay our respects and offer our deepest condolences to the Brenner family, relatives and friends in this time of sorrow and loss.  Many prayers thoughts and love for the Brenner family. Captain Thomas B. Brenner will forever be honored and remembered as an American Veteran who served his country proudly.

 

 

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From www.wppublicsafety.com . August 22, 2011:

On 8/3/11, the White Plains Police Department arrested four (4) individuals and charged them with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd, Auto Stripping 3rd, Conspiracy 5th and Possession of Burglars Tools.

Oscar A. Rizik (DOB 11/6/89) Bronx, NY
Jose M. Bermudez (DOB 9/17/87) Bronx, NY
Edwin D. Nunez (DOB 10/15/89) Bronx, NY
Ramon A. Abreu (DOB 10/8/90) Wallkill, NY

The four individuals were observed removing lug nuts, four tires and rims from a 2007 Dodge Charger, which was parked in a residential parking structure. At the time of their arrest, they were operating a tan colored 2004 Jeep Liberty. Located inside the suspects vehicle were: car jack, lug nut wrench, white gloves and a cinder block. Nunez and Abreu have no criminal history, while Rizik and Bermudez have limited criminal histories for unrelated offenses.

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. August 19, 2011:

A federal grand jury in Brooklyn has returned an indictment charging the defendant Edul Ahmad with participating in a mortgage fraud scheme in which he and others fraudulently obtained more than $50 million in loans.

The indictment alleges the defendant conspired to defraud financial institutions, including Bank of New York, JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, N.A., Countrywide Financial, Flushing Savings Bank, Fremont Investment and Loan, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., IndyMac Bank, One West Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo & Company, and wholesale mortgage lenders, including New Century Mortgage Corporation and Ocwen Financial Corporation.

Ahmad is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and 10 counts of bank fraud.¹

The indictment was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; and Jon T. Rymer, Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The defendant’s arraignment was scheduled late Friday before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.

As detailed in the indictment, from 1995 to 2009, Ahmad was a licensed real estate broker in the state of New York and also acted as a loan officer. As part of the alleged scheme, the defendant submitted false loan applications and supporting documents to make borrowers of mortgage loans appear to be more creditworthy than they actually were. The defendant did that in order to profit from real estate commissions and loan fees generated by the transactions.

Additionally, at the closings, Ahmad prepared and submitted documents that falsely misrepresented whether the borrowers actually made any payments to the sellers and understated the amounts of Ahmad’s real estate commissions and loan fees. In doing so, Ahmad prevented the financial institutions from discovering that his fees exceeded those permitted by the institutions. Many of the homes involved were ultimately lost in foreclosures because the borrowers could not afford to make their mortgage payments.

“Mortgage loans allow millions of Americans to turn the dream of home ownership into reality,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “The system must be based on the accuracy of its information and the integrity of its members. The defendant allegedly brought neither to the table, abusing the trust of the financial institutions who relied upon him. We will vigorously prosecute licensed professionals who abuse their positions and harm our communities by undermining financial and real estate markets through mortgage fraud.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Fedarcyk stated, “By repeatedly filing false mortgage applications, Ahmad allegedly committed serial bank fraud. Such falsehoods are not merely lies, they were the modus operandi in essentially stealing almost $50 million. The FBI remains committed to investigating mortgage fraud.”

FDIC Inspector General Rymer stated, “The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (OIG), is pleased to join our law enforcement colleagues in announcing the indictment of Mr. Ahmad for his alleged role in this multi-million dollar bank fraud. It is especially important to investigate and prosecute cases where trusted professionals abuse their positions to undermine the integrity of the financial services industry. We are committed to preventing such threats to the safety and soundness of FDIC-insured banks throughout the country.”

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the proceeds of the defendant’s bank and wire fraud activity, including a criminal forfeiture money judgment and money traceable to the offenses of conviction.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Solomon.

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. August 19, 2011:

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that attorney JASON GOLDFARB was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to three years in prison for his participation in an insider trading scheme in which he gave material, nonpublic information (“Inside Information“) that had been misappropriated from the law firm of Ropes & Gray to ZVI GOFFER for the purpose of securities trading. GOLDFARB pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of securities fraud on April 21, 2011. U.S. District Judge RICHARD J. SULLIVAN imposed today’s sentence.

According to the charging documents and court proceedings in this case:

In 2007 and 2008, ARTHUR CUTILLO and BRIEN SANTARLAS, who were working as attorneys at Ropes & Gray, provided GOLDFARB with Inside Information about several mergers and acquisitions of public companies for which Ropes & Gray was providing legal services. GOLDFARB, in turn, delivered the Inside Information to GOFFER, a former hedge fund manager. GOFFER then executed securities transactions based on the Inside Information and passed it to other people who also used it to execute securities transactions.

The Inside Information included information regarding the potential acquisition of 3Com Corporation (“3Com“) and the potential acquisition of Axcan Pharma, Inc. (“Axcan“). In exchange for providing GOFFER the Inside Information, GOLDFARB, CUTILLO, and SANTARLAS received cash payments.

 

* * *

In addition to the prison term, Judge SULLIVAN sentenced GOLDFARB, 33, of New York, New York, to three years of supervised release. GOLDFARB was ordered to pay a $32,500 fine and a $200 special assessment fee. Judge SULLIVAN also imposed an order of forfeiture for $1,103,131, representing the amount of foreseeable proceeds obtained as a result of the securities fraud offenses.

GOLDFARB’s co-defendant CUTILLO and co-conspirator SANTARLAS previously pled guilty to conspiracy and securities fraud charges in connection with this scheme. Co-defendant ZVI GOFFER was convicted after a one month jury trial of conspiracy and securities fraud charges in connection with this scheme.

CUTILLO was sentenced to 30 months in prison; ZVI GOFFER’s sentencing is scheduled for September 21, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.; and SANTARLAS’s sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2011, at 2:30 p.m.

Mr. BHARARA praised the investigative work of the FBI. He also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance with the investigation.

This case was brought in coordination with President BARACK OBAMA’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, on which Mr. BHARARA serves as a co-chair of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group. President OBAMA established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys ANDREW FISH, REED BRODSKY, and RICHARD TARLOWE are in charge of the prosecution.

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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. AUGUST 18, 2011:

It’s Bumber Cars every morning and afternoon!

One of the great things of being a media mogul with a strangle hold on local journalism is getting aggravated at things that annoy you.

Your crusading “award-winning-recognized-statewide-by-the-New York-Assembly-for-my-expertise-and-public service”correspondent is now dropping off and picking up a commuter to New York City every morning and afternoon.

The Chaos Hour  (6 to 7 PM) at the Little Station of Horrors–August, 2007– when WPCNR first pointed it out. It is far worse now.

I have to tell you, no matter what hour you pick up or drop off your commuterrette or commuter by car between 6:30 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. to 7 P.M.,  you are in for a bizzarre, unsupervised traffic pattern with drivers trying to pick up commuters, squeezing by an endless line of taxis (perhaps we sold a little too many medallions folks?), trying to queue up for a train discharge among the parking places, and then dodging the quadruple merge of vehicles from the garage, the drop-off lane, the taxi lane and the pickup-ees lanes dodging cutoffs and getting like jammed up.

Does anyone agree with me that the traffic commission and the police and the parking department have to look at this situation before the fall begins? Get rid of the parking meters in that plaza. Get the taxi pick-up father away from the closest curb nearer the station, that makes no sense. Put the cabs on the other side of the station — just a few examples of how to make it better.

CitizeNetReporter needs your input. If you think the present flow between 6:30 and 9:30 A.M. is o.k. the way it is now…vote NO in the poll at the right. If you think it needs police presence to ease flow of traffic or complete redesign, vote “Yes.”

What do you think Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains?

I run this survey now, before the vacationers come back in September. Because the aggressive, disorganized pattern that now exists is highly aggravating in my opinion.

Of course had the council let Mr. Cappelli analyze the plaza four years ago, you might have a solution to this by now, but no. They did not.

Now we are stuck with the Metro North plaza mess. But for once, maybe the traffic commission could look at a real issue traffic issue.