Macy, Annie’s ‘Sandy’ performs the ribbon-chewing opening PET FOOD PANTRY

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Susan Katz’s PET FOOD PANTRY OPENS


 HELPS NEEDY FEED THEIR PETS


 



 


White Plains Susan Katz officially opened her newest public service venture with the appearance of Macy, the well-known canine actress, seen frequently in productions of “Annie” around the metropolitan area.


 


Macy, rescued from an Oklahoma animal shelter by Bill Berloni Theatrical Animals, just days away from her demise opened Ms. Katz’s pantry to help needy persons feed their dogs,cats,and other pets rather than give them up.





 



 


“The Food Selection for your pet,” barks Macy “is fit for a Star.” Persons interested in applying to receive pet food from the Pantry may call(914)907-3487



Ms. Katz said she founded the Pet Food Pantry because she was touched by the stories of persons, hurt by the recession giving up their pets because they could not feed them. She thanked Chester Day the Kensico Cemetary for finding her space at the American Legion Hall in Valhalla, and the Legion for accepting them. To date, open only six months,  the Pet Food Pantry is serving over 50 families regularly supplying pet food without charge to them once a month.Applicants have to prove their need for help to the Pantry.


 



County Legislator Bill Burton arrived because he was affected by pets abandoned in the Hurricane Katrina disaster, and fully supported Mrs.Katz’s idea that has now become a reality. Burton brought a proclamation from State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins saluting the Pet Food Pantry 

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County to Vote Hearing Date for Children’s Museum at Playland. Rush to Lock-In?

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WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators (Edited with background by WPCNR’s John Bailey) May 19,2011:


A proposed lease agreement for the Westchester Children’s Museum with the County for site control of the 22,000 square-foot Playland bathhouse space, a historic landmark, has moved through the Board’s Committee on Public Works, Parks Labor & Transportation, the Board of Legislators announced Thursday


The historic Bathhouse, located at Playland’s boardwalk, has been currently undergoing repair and renovation to its exterior for three years at a cost originally financed for $8.8 Million in May, 2008.


A vote to set the public hearing on the lease will be on the agenda during the next Board meeting on Monday, May 23rd. 




The move to set a date on a hearing on the merits of giving the childrens museum group exclusive control of the interior of the bathouse is interesting. The childrens museum has just one of 11 proposals for a reinvention of Playland being considered by the county and a citizens’ group evaluating what should be done to “reinvent” Playland and turn it into a money-making operation. The Bathouse and Boardwalk and Ice Casino are an integral part of the complex.




According the County Board News Release Thursday: “At a time when budget cuts and the erosion of quality after-school youth programs are causing more people to seek out community-based alternative services within Westchester County, the Children’s Museum will be a vibrant, interactive cultural institution for children and families and a dynamic resource for schools,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers).


The news release continued:


“Families throughout the region will find the Children’s Museum a highly worthwhile educational experience,” said Legislator Bill Ryan (D-White Plains), Chairman of the Board’s Committee on Public Works, Parks Labor & Transportation.    “This is a very positive step being taken by the Board. The Children’s Museum will be a quality addition to Playland Park.”



The bathhouse was set aside exclusively for the children’s museum, if the museum raises money to rebuild the interior and operate it.  So far, the children’s museum’s board has raised $8 million and is working towards raising a total of $14 million.  They have already spent $1.5 million on building designs. The Museum has, also, started educational programs with community groups. Chairman Jenkins added that the museum project would be a welcoming environment for special-needs children and a means to build tourism for the county.


 “The Children’s Museum represents a community-wide investment in our children without spending any taxpayer’s money,” said Legislator Judith Myers (D-Larchmont).  “Over 870,000 children under 11 years of age live within a 15-mile driving radius of our future site at Playland Park in Rye. Yet, Westchester has relatively few cultural resources designed specifically for children.  The Children’s Museum on the boardwalk would be a welcomed addition to the outdoor cafes, historic ‘Kiddyland’ for the very young, an Ice Casino for year-round skating, and a music tower for summer concerts.”


Voting for public hearing to lock-in childrens museum?


WPCNR notes apparently to the contrary, that the cost of renovating the exterior of the bathhouse is being paid for by $8.8 Million in county taxpayers’ dollars (approved in May 2008), and construction has been moving on at a slow pace  for  three years. The county appears to be subsidizing this project, while possibly compromising the appeal of the site to serious developers. The childrens museum by Jenkins statement, has not even raised its estimated operating expenses yet in three years.


WPCNR  notes that a proposal for a childrens’ museum was one of the many private proposals from developers submitted to the county in response to a Request for Proposals in February.


The county’s apparent urge to set a public hearing at this time on the childrens’ museum concept, and go for a lease agreement would seem to mean that no matter what proposal for the “new Playland” the Astorino administration and a citizens’ group reviewing the proposals decides upon — a developer/operator other than the children’s museum, for instance — that developer will have to incorporate the children’s museum into their plan.


Hotels, marinas, and other uses for example would be deprived of prime space on on that boardwalk by the children’s museum guaranteed occupancy.


To date, the children’s museum group has not to this reporter’s knowledge given detailed plans on what would be in the museum, or whether the Playland pool at the Bathhouse would continue to be operated.


 


 

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County Considers Bio-tech/Hotel/Children’s Safe Choices Museum for Grasslands

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. (Edited) May 19, 2011:


Plans for a new bio-technological business park and education center adjacent to the Westchester Medical Center in the Grasslands section of Mount Pleasant took a big step forward this week when the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) began addressing legislation that would authorize the Astorino Administration to enter discussions regarding a long-term lease agreement on 60 acres of County owned property for the development.


The proposal was presented by developer John Ferari, who is well known for spearheading the creation of the Maria Ferari Children’s Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY


     Mr. Ferari’s plan includes six new green buildings (totaling two million square feet) dedicated to bio-tech research spread across a campus, with a hotel, restaurants, shops and a centerpiece Children’s Living Science Center that will stress safe lifestyle choices.


Almost all of the funding for the project will be privately raised. In his presentation to the BOL committee members, Ferari estimated that the project would create 3500 construction jobs and, when completed, 2500 permanent full-time jobs. The project would also generate an estimated $6 million in property tax revenue for the Town of Mount Pleasant and Westchester County.


    


     Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and Legislator John Nonna (D-Mount Pleasant) co-sponsored the Memorandum of Legislation discussed at a meeting of the BOL’s Housing, Planning & Operations Committee.


     The entire project will encompass 80 acres, which will include 20 acres already owned by Mr. Ferari.


     “The spectacular vision Mr. Ferari has for this parcel of property brings together important needs such as job creation and economic development, support for medical research and green building practices, along with promoting awareness for healthy lifestyles,” said Chairman Jenkins. “It is also perfect opportunity to create a positive collaboration between two branches of County government to benefit the residents of Westchester for many years to come.”


     In his presentation, Ferari said the bio-tech park and education center was similar to the vision he had 16 years ago when he and his wife Brenda first began planning the Maria Ferari Children’s Hospital. Over $40 million was raised from over 25,000 private donors to make the children’s hospital a reality.      


     “This is an idea, I think, that we should given strong consideration and support to, given the need in Westchester to move forward economically,” said Legislator Nonna.


     The BOL’s Housing, Planning & Operations Committee members emphasized that their discussion of what should be done at the Grasslands campus centers on a collaboration that is important to the Town of Mount Pleasant and Westchester County. The Committee plans to continue public discussion to shape this legislation. Once adopted by the BOL, this legislation would authorize the Astorino Administration to develop the details of the lease of the county-owned land before sending the final contract back to the BOL for approval, said Jenkins.

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Astorino Casts Veto of County Board Registration Plan

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. May 19, 2011:


County Executive Robert P. Astorino today vetoed the redistricting plan for county legislative districts approved last week by the Board of Legislators.


 


“There are many reasons for my disapproval and veto of this local law,” said Astorino, “which vary from the flawed, closed-door, and rushed process to the unfortunate and unnecessary division of municipalities.”


He added, “The non-partisan League of Women Voters of Westchester in its statement at the public hearing was very clear in sharing some of these same concerns. It labeled the process ‘extremely messy’ with ‘aspects of it…questionable.’  The League also called for more transparency.”


 


Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins released the following statement today in response to County Executive Robert P. Astorino’s veto of the legislative re-districting plan approved by the Board last week:


“The re-districting plan approved by the Board of Legislators was the result of a careful and thoughtful process that included full bi-partisan participation, open deliberations and well-publicized opportunities for comments and objections from county residents.”



 



The redistricting plan was approved 12-5 along party lines by the Democratic-controlled board on May 9.


The county executive said the board’s rushed process called into question the ability of the public to have real input.


“Your Honorable Board held the first meeting (at least the first meeting known to the public and the administration) on April 18,” Astorino said in his veto message. “Within 20 days, your Honorable Board voted on this local law, which will affect the county for the next 10 years. Such quick action calls into question the ability for true public input. Note, too, that this 20-day period was in the midst of important religious holidays and spring break, further diluting the availability for full public participation.”


 


Astorino said there is no legal requirement for the board to adopt a redistricting plan this year based on Census 2010; rather, it could have deliberated longer and adopted a plan for the 2013 election cycle. Taking more time over this important issue would have given the board a chance to focus on the new Census data, which was only released in April.


Aside from the process, the county executive complained of what he called “wholesale and unnecessary changes”  made to some legislative districts, including the splitting of the City of Peekskill “for no rational reason” into two districts and the Town of Harrison into three.


“It will create confusion among voters and elected officials as to who speaks for these communities on the Board of Legislators,” he said.


 


Jenkins disagreed, saying in his written statement on the veto —


 


“In the end, the Board of Legislators adopted new district maps that are fair and hard to fault. The fact that the re-districting was completed extremely close to the existing lines, with necessary changes the result of population shifts, was clearly understood by most Westchester residents, since less than a handful voiced an opinion otherwise. As for the League of Women Voters’ request that the new district lines be drawn from scratch, it was generally acknowledged by the legislators as being too costly and time-consuming to do so.


“Because of his regrettable abhorrence for any achievements emanating from the Board, including our landmark 2.2% reduction in the tax levy this year, the County Executive’s veto of the re-districting plan does not surprise me or my colleagues. Our overriding his veto should not surprise him either. His decision should not get in the way of the important work that is in front of us.


“I want to recognize the hard work that the Board’s re-districting consultant, Dr. Andrew Beveridge, and Legislation Committee Chairman John Nonna contributed to this formidable task. These two individuals bent over backwards to accommodate all requests, inquiries and suggestions during the re-districting process. Chairman Nonna presided over open discussions about re-drawn district lines the minute new mapping first started, with legislators from both parties and two representatives from the League of Women Voters seated around the table reviewing changes district by district. He is to be commended in this regard.”

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FBI CHARGES 6 in Yonkers $410,000 Bank Robbery

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. (FBI WIRE) May 18, 2011:


The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced Wednesday that LINTON WILLIAMS, LINROY BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, LEROY SCOTT, RAMSEY ACEVEDO, and JOHN SANTOS were indicted in connection with the December 17, 2010 robbery of a Chase Bank in Yonkers, New York. WILLIAMS, BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, and LEROY SCOTT were each arrested in March 2011 and detained without bail. SANTOS and ACEVEDO were arrested in May 2011 and also detained without bail.


According to the indictments filed in White Plains federal court, previously filed complaints, and information revealed during court proceedings:


On December 17, 2010, WILLIAMS, BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, LEROY SCOTT, and ACEVEDO, drove to the vicinity of the Chase Bank, located at 2195 Central Park Avenue in Yonkers, New York (the bank). At approximately 6:00 p.m., BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, and LEROY SCOTT, each of whom was carrying what appeared to be a weapon, entered the bank. BLAKE then told a bank employee to get the key to the vault, jumped over the teller counter, and followed two bank employees into the vault area.


Once the vault was unlocked, BLAKE opened a bag and directed the two bank employees to put the money—which totaled $410,100—into his bag. BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, and LEROY SCOTT then fled the Chase Bank and traveled to an apartment located on Morris Avenue in Bronx, New York, where all of the co-conspirators gathered to divide the proceeds. Later that evening, SANTOS aided the participants in the bank robbery by destroying evidence and storing the robbery proceeds.


The six men are charged in two separate indictments—U.S. v. Williams et al., and U.S. v. Ramsey Acevedo. WILLIAMS, BLAKE, LEON SCOTT, LEROY SCOTT, and ACEVEDO are each charged with one count conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of armed bank robbery, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. SANTOS is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the bank robbery, and faces a maximum penalty of not more than one half the maximum term of imprisonment for the punishment of the principals.


Mr. BHARARA praised the efforts and assistance of the FBI, the Yonkers Police Department, and the Westchester County Police Department.


This case is being handled by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney KATHRYN MARTIN is in charge of the prosecution.

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Commissioner David Chong on the Car Break-in Arrests

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. Statement from Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong. May 17, 2011:


Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong adds this information to the news of the arrests of three White Plains youths (all 17 years of age) Sunday morning in possession of stolen electronic devices that they admitted taking from unlocked cars.  Chong gave WPCNR this statement:


“The City and surrounding communities have experienced a rash of car break-in larcenies in the past few weeks.  Only two days ago Mount Pleasant Police reported approximately 40 cars had been broken into overnight. 


The White Plains Police Department quickly identified a pattern through our COMPSTAT process and through the good efforts of the command staff all the way down to the officers who carried out this decoy operation and put together a plan of apprehension. 


We shifted officers from both our Narcotics Unit and Neighborhood Conditions Unit and placed people and decoy vehicles through-out the city where these larcenies were being committed. 


This weekend, our efforts paid off as a group of teenagers spotted one of our decoy cars in the south end of the City and went to open its doors.  Undercover units stopped the youths and recovered numerous stolen items strewn around their car.  The youths made admissions to numerous break-ins and were subsequently charged.  The case is still active as we try to identify all the stolen property recovered and the victims.  Additional charges may also be added.

I must remind those who have criminal intent that our Police Decoy and Plainclothes operations are continuing through-out the City.  We are also working closely with our surrounding police jurisdictions.

I ask all residents to use good common security sense and protect your valuables by removing them from plain sight and locking and securing your cars and home doors and windows. These are opportunist thieves, if it isn’t locked down or out of plain sight they will take anything of value. 


High on their list is electronic equipment, car GPS devices, lap-top computer’s, electronics, I-pods and pocketbooks left in plain sight or unsecured in automobiles. Just because your car is in your driveway, you should still lock the doors and close the windows.



Don’t be an easy target, just take a few moments and secure your valuables away. 

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Realtors: Time for tax credits for 1st Time Home Buyers to Stimulate Market

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WPCNR THE HOME NEWS. From Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors (EDITED) May 9, 2011:


Westchester Putnam Realtors today called for Albany to create real estate stimulus measures, a New York version of 2010’s federal first-time homebuyers’ tax credit and homebuyers pretax savings accounts for the purchase of a first home. 


“We need to focus on the first-time buyers,” said John Kope, President.  “If they (1st time homebuyers) can’t make it in the market, there’s no trade-up for anyone else, and the whole real estate market will stagnate.”


The association plans to lobby for the measures May 24, as well as a 2% property tax cap on Albany Day when a contingent of members visits the state capitol to lobby legisla tors on the real estate issues.


The Association opposes so-called transaction taxes such as new or increased mortgage recording fees and transfer taxes.  “These types of taxes are insidious.  They raise the average closing costs out of sight,” said Kope.  The REALTORS ® will also vigorously oppose any attempt by the State Legislator to reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction on State income taxes. 


The “Albany Day” gives members of WPAR, along with other local Associations and the New York State Association of REALTORS ® (NYSAR) an opportunity to meet face-to-face with their local Assembly members and state senators to discuss the most important issues facing the real estate community as well home buyers and sellers.


The Association also will lobby for property tax relief.  Because New Yorkers and Westchester residents in particular have been burdened with some of the highest taxes in the nation, WPAR supports the Governor Cuomo-proposed two percent cap on property taxes.  “Skyrocketing taxes in our area have continued to plague potential buyers, keeping so many of them still out of reach of home ownership,” said REALTOR ® John Kope, WPAR’s Legislative Chairman. 

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Hey, Mom!

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Hey Mom, bring me two waters so I’m set?


Where’s my under armor? And my visor?


Are my tights washed? My skates are dull.


Hey Mom, can you call the advisor?


 


Hey Mom,  I wasn’t yelling at you.


I didn’t mean to! You were yelling at me!


You never let me do anything my friends do


Hey Mom, would you chill, lighten up, just do!


 


Hey Mom, I don’t like the way this looks for the prom —


I don’t like the color, how could you think this was me?


I just can’t wear this, it’s this, it’s that it’s…Oh, Mom!?!


 


Hey Mom, I’ve been studying all morning getting knowledge.


Can’t I go out, I’ll be back by ten.


But, I know the material, gone over it again and again.


Oh, Mom – I hate my life! I can hardly wait until college.


 


Hey Mom – But I did call and let you know


Don’t you understand, I couldn’t call at that time.


No, you can’t not let me go – it’s a great band


Oh, Mom – I hate you! You never understand!


 


Hey, Mom, please don’t embarrass me at the game


By screaming so loud, it’s just so tacky


But, hey mom, I like that you’re over there in the stand


Watching me play, you know that don’t you Mom, you understand.


 


Hey Mom, can you get me to the rink


At 5 – I know you have to take off from work early?


Thanks, Mom, I’m so sorry but the team has a special thing


I have to be there, thanks Mom – I love you—dearly.


 


Hey, Mom, please when you pick me up at the dorm


Don’t come inside. Just wait outside, call me on the cell


I’ll be right down — it’s the norm.


Don’t ring the bell.


 


Hey, Mom, I’ve read the classifieds


There are no jobs, I can’t make all those calls.


Well, OK, I guess  I can send that resume you made for me (sigh).


OK, I’m lost, where’s the post office, down Lexington to what?


 


Hey Mom, well I’m bringing my friends by,


Don’t let Dad embarrass me with his jokes, OK?


I’ll just die if he’s silly again — you won’t let him do that?


You’ll talk to him about that?


 


All right, Mom I’ll take that extra course.


But I’ve just been going to school for months it never ends!


Can’t I have a little vacation, I don’t know what’s worse


Can’t I spend a little time with my friends?


 


Mom, I know where the interview is.


I’ll send that thank you note.


I’ve been doing this 4 years on my own! What do you think college is?


I know the subways. I’ll be careful, I know the route.


 


You do like him Mom?


Oh, I hoped you would.


Yes, I really do


I am so glad you do too!


 


Hey Mom, can you take care of the kids this weekend?


We’re going to Vermont with a friend.


And Mom, the cats get kibble in morning and meat at night,


We love you mom, sorry for the short notice, talk to you tonight.


 


Hey Mom, I’m sorry I can’t see you Mother’s Day.


Are you all right, what will you be doing today?


Going to the club – great – you know we love you in every way?


Though we may not show it you’re always with us


even when you’re away.



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Tennis Courts Open for Season in WP

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WPCNR SPORTS. May 5, 2011:


The City of White Plains Recreation and Parks Departments, Gillie and Delfino tennis courts are now open for the 2011 season. Gillie and Delfino tennis courts feature supervised Har-Tru surfaces. Both Gillie and Delfino tennis court are lighted and are available for day and evening use. Gillie tennis courts are located in Gillie Park, 85 Gedney Way.

Delfino tennis courts are situated at Delfino Park , 110 Lake Street White Plains. To take part in any tennis activities offered by the City of White Plains Recreation and Parks Department you are required to have a current recreation ID.

For specific hours of operation for Gillie and Delfino tennis courts please contact the White Plains Recreation and Parks Department at 914-422-1398 and 422-1348.

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Unsolved Mystery at White Plains Library

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WPCNR AT THE LIBRARY, May 5, 2011:


 


White Plains Public Library has teamed up with the Mystery Writers of America – New York Chapter to present a special Author Event on Wednesday, May 18 at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY – 7:00-8:30 P.M.  Admission is free.


 


Meet the authors as they discuss books notable for their examination of deception and betrayal as seen through the distorted lens of romantic attraction, how what should be the loftiest of our emotions can turn into base motiva­tion and primitive behavior and how they create page-turning fiction.


 


The panel of mystery authors will be moderated by Chris Knopf, Elysiana; and features Evelyn David, Murder Drops the Ball; Michael Balkind, Dead Ball; Steve Liskow, Who Wrote the Book of Death and Maggie Barbieri, Third Degree.


 


Trenchcoats and fedoras optional attire.


 



 

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