Santa’s Express Rides Again

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From The White Plains Department of Public Safety. December 16, 2010:



Today, the White Plains Firefighter’s Santa’s Express did their annual pilgrimage around the City of White Plains.  Coordinated by Deputy Fire Chief Richard Houlihan, and supported by the PFFA, They brought joy, laughter, and tears of happiness to the many lives they touched.  Santa and his helpers, all White Plains Fire Fighters along with a few close volunteers, brought toys and gifts to the Children of the John Coleman School, they visited veterans and senior citizens and hospitals as they spread happiness throughout the City. 





Public Safety Commissioner David Chong (center, above photo, wearing badge) commented “this is the very fabric that makes our Department great, the individuals who take time during this busy holiday season to spread a little joy and happiness, I am so proud of them and this 30 year old tradition, I would also like to give a special thank you to all the corporate sponsors who donated toys and gifts to keep this wonderful tradition going strong, you made many hearts happy.”

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She Could Have Sang All Night and We Still Wanted to Hear Her Sing Some More.

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WPCNR ON THE TOWN. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2010:


 


“Something’s Coming and it’s going to be big” Sutton Foster sang those lines to open her show  Sunday night and Sutton Foster was big!  Faster than a spotlight the audience lit up– face to face with the Broadway star of our time.


 



She’s the Top!


 


Sutton Foster, Broadway’s “Go-to” Leading lady playing the Irvington Town Hall Theater Sunday evening. She brought down the house! Photo by Peter Katz


 


Sutton Foster, the Broadway Baby who never says good night, played the Irvington Town Hall Theater Sunday night with her elegant accompanist, Michael Rafter.  The duo left the audience of young Broadway babies to be and lovers of musical theatre on their feet standing, roaring, clapping for more as the Tony Award winner drove up from her home in New York City and put on a show. She delivered three encores after her 80-minute, nonstop performance. And you know what, she didn’t seem to want to stop.


 


What a show! Personable,slickly timed, organized she made the performance still seem adlib and casual (extremely hard to do). Ms. Foster ignites instant rapport with her fans with humor, pace, ease, drama, emotions, genuiness and, of coure, the voice to remember. It must be extremely hard to deliver a performance that seems so casual and natural with a pace that is just right!


 


The packed theater audience saw the statuesque star of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek the Musical, and (soon to be Reno Sweeney in the revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes! ), Ms. Foster –  booked through an absolute programming stroke of genius by Westco Productions Susan Katz— deliver the greatest audience reaction stage hands at Irvington Town Hall can ever remember, topping the Westco 2010 season with a show no one wanted to end.


 


That’s how good she was.


 


Even the old theatre seemed to enjoy the unique pefection of performer, voice, repertoire and rapport.


 



 


Sutton Foster signing autograph after autograph and having her picture taken with over 150 fans who stayed after the show. The Westco “Meet and Greet the Star” tradition is a unique feature of Westco concerts.


 


Sunday night Ms. Foster showed range, drama, actressing – the total package with one extra spicy ingredient – “niceness” – to everybody.


 


She delivered with the articulation and just-right nuances we rarely hear on the stage, up close and personal. This young lady needs no microphones, ladies and gentlemen. She takes you back to the days when singers had to reach the balcony without technology.


 


Her opening medley of Something’s Coming,(from West Side Story) and NYC (from Annie) had the audience from the first two words. She never let them go.


 


Her cabaret performance has been described as “bedazzling,” and she herself as a talent of the first order and the “go-to-girl” when Broadway producers are searching for a lead. You could see and hear why into the night. Every song commanded your attention because Sutton Foster sings that way.


 


From her comic performance of Air Conditioner— (“if you have an air conditioner, you’re the man for me”) showcasing Ms. Foster’s acting muse hilariously — an appropriate song for a cold night – to her fabulous riveting seductive “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie – her unique enticing Up on the Roof,  and her “bring down the house” number Show-off from The Drowsy Chaperone — everything she did was beyond good.


 


My personal favorite was  her first encore.


 


The way Ms. Foster and her partner in patter on the piano, Michael Rafter, sketched Once Upon a Time, a ballad she handled so wistfully, so longingly with the piano embodying the feel of the memories was haunting. I have not heard this classic “music to make you misty” done this well since the Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon Trio rendering in the 1950s. Foster and Rafter play together a duet of voice and piano.


 


I would strongly urge you to see her in Anything Goes! when it opens. Cole Porter would have loved Ms. Foster for that role, which has not had a talent like Ms. Foster do it since Ethel Merman created the role.


 


As Cole would say,


 


“She’s the Top!”


 


 


 



 


Sutton Foster with Susan Katz, Westco Producer after the show.


 


Susan and Peter Katz, the producers of Westco Productions who staged the show were ecstatic about Ms. Foster’s appearance and the reaction of the audience. It was, they both agreed one of the greatest and best-received evenings Westco has ever brough to Westchester. Both complimented Ms. Foster’s professionalism, personality, easygoing, easy-to-work-with style, and were impressed with her meticulous preparation for the performance Sunday afternoon.


 



 


Jason Summers Making His Cabaret Debut.


 


Jason Summers, well-known director for Westco Productions (who originally got his start acting in Westco chidrens’ productions) made his own cabaret debut opening for Ms. Foster and delivered a performance that got stronger and stronger, showing an ability to deliver a punchline,  showing manic humor in “I’m Catholic,” a satiric song romp that got the audience laughing, and that he set up beautifully. He gathered momentum and confidence,  touched memories and hearts with his “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet” and finished with a big Broadway windup of “This is the Moment” that the audience just loved.  


 


 


Next big Westco Night will be May 1 when Westco presents the legend, Ben Vereen, at Irvington Town Hall Theater at 7:30 P.M. Theatregoers have the opportunuity to meet Mr. Vereen at a dessert reception after the show for the benefit of supporting Westco’s shows and programs for disabled children. Contact Westco at (914) 761-7463, or go to www.westcoproductions.org


 


 

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Legislators Challenge Astorino to Call for Mandate Relief

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From the County Board of Legislators. December 14,2010:


Today, Westchester County Board of Legislators Democratic Majority call on County Executive Robert Astorino to join with them to work with our partners in Albany and Washington to provide mandate relief for Westchester taxpayers. Legislators have long complained that much of the county budget and programs are not determined in Westchester County, but in Washington, in Albany and courtrooms. These expenses restrict local government ability to create its own programs or to cut taxes.


State mandated programs are the largest cost centers for Westchester County government, consuming the entire local county property levy.   According to the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), just 9 state mandates consume 90% of the county property tax levy across the entire state.   


 


 Unfunded mandates are impositions on local governments and school districts, not only because they force mandates without helping to pay the cost but because, oftentimes, this forces local governments to raise school or property taxes.  “Now, more than ever, New York and our property taxpayers cannot afford to pay for the hundreds of millions of dollars in costs caused by state mandates,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers).  “Westchester County taxes are the highest in the nation, by far, and more than double the national average. Those taxes make it harder for businesses to create jobs here, and they drive residents to move away in search of opportunity.”  

These mandated programs include:



  • Medicaid
  • Child Welfare
  • Temporary Assistance/Safety Net
  • Indigent Defense
  • Early Intervention
  • Preschool Special Education
  • Probation
  • Youth Detention
  • Pensions 


Local county officials have little control on how these programs operate.  The state dictates how these programs and services operate and can restrict local officials from applying operating efficiencies and other innovations that could help control costs.  “Counties need the authority to manage state programs locally to root out waste, fraud and abuse, and run programs more efficiently,” said Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah).  “They’ve put a lot of the burden on the local property taxpayer.  We should be able to control the programs if we’re going to fund them.”



The largest unfunded mandate is Medicaid. This $45 billion program is the most expensive in the nation and close to ten percent of the costs are believed to come from Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse. This amounts to nearly $5 billion in excessive taxation on New Yorkers.


 


“These mandates cover over 70% of the Westchester County operating budget,” said Legislator Martin Rogowsky (D-Harrison).  “Medicaid costs alone – approximately $210 million in the recently approved FY 2011 county budget – make up over 40% of our residents’ property tax bill.”  


 


Medicaid, a federal program to provide health insurance for the poor, is jointly funded by Washington and the states and has become the poster child for unfunded mandates.  Unlike many states, New York requires local governments to shoulder a substantial share of the state portion of Medicaid costs.  To make the budget situation worse, Washington gives states a great deal of latitude in determining what services to provide under Medicaid. Albany has been very generous, making New York‘s program the most expensive in the country.


 


Even more frustrating for county officials is the continuing practice by state legislators of reducing funding commitment to counties in order to deal with the state’s own fiscal mismanagement, while still dictating the same level of services to be provided by county governments. 


 


 “Such reductions on reimbursements choke county budgets, and leave little resources public safety, youth programs, parks initiatives and highway maintenance,” said Chairman Jenkins.


 


  “A great start would be for the State to reimburse the County for Early Intervention services at the level set by law – 50%.  Paying the County what it is due by law would reduce Westchester County‘s cost by at least $35 million dollars.  This alone would allow us to provide an 7% reduction on the tax levy for Westchester taxpayers.  We call for the County Executive to join with  us for the people of Westchester. New York State must reform these programs that directly impact Westchester’s property taxes.”

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City Sales Tax $$ up 8% in November. County Up 4.8%

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. December13,2010:


 


Figures just in from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance tell a positive economic start for the city of White Plains in the key holiday shopping season.


 


November city sales tax revenue rose 7.8% (less than the proportionate increase in city sales tax of 12%), but still the first time since 2008-2009 the city has topped $4 million in sales tax receipts in November ($4,003,728 this year compared to last November receipts of $3,712,175).


 


The city has generated $20,615,401 sales tax the first five months of fiscal year 2010-11, compared with $18,591,570 the first five months of 2009-10, a year to year increase of 10.9% slightly less than the 12-1/2% proportonate gain the sales tax increased overall when tax was increased 1/4% to 2-1/2% that took affect last June 1.


 


If the city maintains the 11% pace of gain in sales tax receipts the city should approximate $48 Million in sales tax receipts for 2010-11.


 


Countywide, Westchester enjoyed a 4.8% increase in sales tax receipts, $33,056,729 compared with $31,525,664 in 2009. The county is on target to top budgeted sales tax receipts for the year. The county continues on pace to generate $437 Million in sales taxes by the end of is current 2010 fiscal year, giving tghe county about $6 million more than for forecast for 2010 when county prognosticators predicted the county would genrate $432 Million in salestax.

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No More Comment from French American School at this Time.

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WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. By John F. Bailey. December 12, 2010:


Geof Thompson, spokesperson for the French American School of New York responded to WPCNR e-mail queries on the announcement Friday evening that the Larchmont-based school had signed a contract to purchase the Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains for $11 Million.



WPCNR asked if the school planned to cease golf operations in 2011  or continue the golf club activities, and also asked if the school would seek rezoning of the property (for use as a school which according to official city sources speaking on condition of anonymity they need to acquire a Special Permit from the city to do so), and whether the purchase is contingent on the city rezoning the property.

 

Thompson declined to comment on those questions, sending WPCNR the following statement:

 

The news release has the information I can release at this time. Obviously, moving forward, we will be providing more detail as the plan is prepared. The purchase contract was signed just this week and we wanted to make the community aware of that as the first step.”

 

The French American School of New York plans to consolidate three schools they now run in the county in “retrofitted” buildings on the property. It is a tax-exempt organization, according to the Guidestar charities reporting website.


 


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County Legislators Give County Executive Back a Budget-Cut $28.5M

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the County Board of Legislators. (Edited)December 11, 2011:


The County Board of Legislators approved a 2011 County budget Friday that delivers a 2% tax reduction for County taxpayers by a vote of 16-1.  the budget reduces spending by $28.5 million dollars (from 2010 budget), reduced the County workforce by 10%, restored critical services for most in need, provides transitional timetables as the County continues to recalibrate agencies and an alternative to the County Executive’s budget proposal.


Last month, Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino presented his first County budget, which included severe budget cuts to the social safety net and funding for vital services for Westchester’s working families.


It remains to be seen whether Executive Astorino will veto the Board’s restorations to his original budget.


 


 


“Westchester County’s budget is balanced and on time, and it will lower the county tax levy. This budget right-sizes government, and not capsizes it,” County Board of Legislators Chairman Kenneth W. Jenkins (D-Yonkers) said. “This year, the County has to make exceedingly difficult decisions…the Democratic Majority has presented a budget that will preserve the most critical County services without raising taxes.”


 


 


Highlights of Legislature’s FY 2011 Presented Budget


 


·   Tax Reduction of 2% to the county tax levy vs. County Executive’s proposed -1%


 


·   Total spending $1.79B =       $28.5M from 2010 budget


 


·   Reduces County workforce by 10% (funded through grants, additional revenue & corresponding deletions)


 


·   Eliminates County Executive’s proposed one-shot to bond tax certioraris = cash vs. credit for operating costs (maintains fiscally responsible fund balance)


 


·   Fairly restores balances and protects public safety, health and essential services


 


·   Identified opportunities for shared services between Dept of Emergency Services & Dept of Public Safety; will continue stakeholder inclusion of merger discussion


 


·   Provides six-months transitional funding for community mental health clinics, pending contracts that must be in place per Section 41.07 of the NYS Mental Hygiene Law


 


·   Restores funding of community health centers & child care services


 


·   Reinstates County’s contract of the Section 8 program

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French American School of NY to Buy Ridgeway CC for $11M. City Out $388Gs?

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 WPCNR SOUTH END NEWS. By John F. Bailey. December 10, 2010 UPDATED 12:30 P.M. E.S.T.:


The French-American School of New York and Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains announced Friday that they have signed a contract for the school to purchase the 128-acre club. The school plans to bring its 825 students, currently housed in three separate buildings to the Ridgeway site, to be achieved by “retrofitting” the current buildings.


Mayor Adam Bradley of White Plains told WPCNR Saturday morning the school would have to comply with city zoning laws,building codes, but did not know at this time whether the French American School has tax-exempt status.


Reliable city sources contacted by WPCNR Saturday morning said that as part of any plan to change the use of the site (currently zoned residential), the French American School would have to receive a Special Permit, and would be subject to environmental laws including the 100 foot buffer requirement adjacent to wetlands passed last Monday night by the Common Council. One source said the school would have to prepare a new  wetlands analysis, including steep slopes, to determine locations and scope of any new construction.


According to Guidestar, the organization that reviews and lists financial data for tax-exempt organizatons and charities, the French American School of New York is classified as an A70 IRS Code organization, exempt from taxes as an “Arts, Culture and Humanities” organization, meaning it is not required to pay property taxes to the City of White Plains, though it my choose to do so.



Aerial View of Ridgeway Golf Club. Contract signing by French American School of New York to buy the club was announced Friday evening.  The Common Council declined a guaranteed $8.9 Million purchase of the club last month.


The French Americn School of New York Director of Communications did not return a WPCNR call made Wednesday afternoon to confirm the negotiations Thursday or Friday. Forty-eight hours later a news release was distributed by the French American School of New York at 6 P.M. Friday confirming the contract signing. 


The purchase announcement comes significantly before a citizen movement to rezone Ridgeway, Fenway Golf Club and Westchester Hills Golf Clubs as permanent “recreational use,” has been taken up by the White Plains Common Council.


The timing of the contract signing is significant because it is possible that any council movement to enact such a restriction of golf club properties to remain recreational in perpetuity might be considered interference with a contract (the new Ridgeway contract).


WPCNR had picked up rumors had circulated earlier in the week that two Asians from New Jersey were the winners of the club and would continue to operate the club as a golf course. Later in the week, WPCNR was told by a knowledgeable realtor that  “a private school in Mamaroneck was the winner.”


When contacted by WPCNR the French American School of New York did not respond. At 6 PM Friday evening, a news release was sent out to major media, including WPCNR.


Off the Tax Roll?


The purchase by a school appears to take the Ridgeway Country Club off the tax roll of the city, if the school has tax-empt status, but WPCNR will have to confirm that with the city assessor.


However, Guidestar the organization that furnishes financial and tax reports on tax-exempt charities reports the school as a charity assigned IRS Category A70,”Arts, Culture & Humanities.”


The Ridgeway Country Club, a private enterprise, has been paying approximately $388,000 a year in property taxes to the city, the assessor, Lloyd Tasch has previously stated. The loss to the school district in taxes when the property becomes owned by the French American School of New York if they are indeed tax exempt, would be approximately $1.6 Million. Any property tax losses would be reflected in 2012-2013, WPCNR believes, but this too awaits confirmation with the city assessor.


Council Declined Guaranteed Bid.


Also, previously, one month ago the Common Council declined a opportunity to bid to purchase the club for $8.9 Million, which was “guaranteed” to be accepted by the club, citing a study that disputed revenue potentials of a city purchase and operation of the club as a public facility.


The news release did not say whether the school planned to continue to operate the facility as a golf course in the coming year, or any timetable for the move. The Journal News reports the school plans not to operate the gold course.


According to the news release, the purchase price is $11 million.


The news release notes: “The school will propose retrofitting the existing club buildings and adding new facilities that will allow it to consolidate many of its operations in White Plains over a period of several years.  


“A significant amount of the property is to be preserved as permanent open space. The club, which has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a various other club-related facilities, had put the property up for sale earlier this year.  It currently has about 100 members.  The golf course opened in 1923.  The property became Ridgeway Country Club in 1952. The French-American School was founded in 1980 to provide a bilingual, bicultural French and American education to an American, French and international student population from nursery school through 12th grade.  


“Today (according to the release) 825 students attend its Pre-School in Scarsdale, its Lower School in Larchmont and its Upper School in Mamaroneck.

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Walmart Robbery Suspects Arrested

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the White Plains Department of Public Safety. UPDATED 4:40 P.M. E.S.T. December 10, 2010:


 


Commissioner David E. Chong and the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety announce the arrests of four subjects in the ongoing investigation of the armed Walmart robbery that occurred at approximately 0248 hours on Monday November 29th, 2010. 


 


The two armed suspects entered Walmart during an employee break dressed head to toe in tyvex suits, with gloves and masks.  They proceeded to a backroom with a manager and tied the manager up with plastic zip ties and emptied a safe containing approximately $230,000 in cash.  The subjects then fled in a waiting SUV. No injuries occurred during this robbery.


 


Detectives working in three teams, round the clock, supervised by Det. Lieutenant Eric Fischer, Det. Sgt. Dennis Doherty, Det. Sgt. Patrick Oggeri and lead Detectives, Rick Lee, Patrick Kirby, Bryan Hembury, Edward Rutledge, and Timothy Byrne quickly noticed distinct similairities to the Robbery of the Old Navy store located at 100 Main Street in White Plains that occurred on September 7th 2010. The amount reported stolen in this robbery was over $30,000.  Both robberies were committed after heavy holiday shopping weekends.


 


Throughout this investigation, the White Plains Detectives were assisted with the full cooperation and coordination of Walmart Security Director Anthony Williams and Old Navy Security Director John Dursten, both of whom provided Detectives with valuable leads in the investigation.  Multiple video surveillance systems from within the stores and in and around the City of White Plains also provided the Department with leads.


 


In all, four suspects were identified and arrested in the past 24 hours. They are as follows,


Christopher Fountain, 28 years of age, of 8 Custis Ave. North White Plains NY.


 


Phillip Fountain, 20 years of age, of 558 S. 7th Ave. Mount Vernon, NY


 


Autumn Jordan, 22 years of age, homeless.


 


Tyrone Cramer, 36 years of age, of 1170 E. 229th Street, Apt. 4H Bronx, NY


 


Each of these Defendants are charged with Robbery in the 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree. Both Felony charges.


 


Additionally, Christopher Fountain and Autumn Jorden will be charged with Robbery in the 1st degree for the Old Navy Robbery on September 7th 2010.


 


During the course of the investigation, leads were developed in cooperation with the Clarkstown Police in Rockland County NY about a robbery that occurred in the Victoria’s Secret Store located in the Palisades Mall on June 7th 2010. Working with Clarkstown Detectives Robert Shine and Lorraine McGrath, WPPD Detectives were able to positively identify Christopher Fountain as the subject wanted in connection with that armed robbery as well.  He is expected to be charged later in Rockland County for that robbery.


 


Multiple Search Warrants have been executed on the subject’s homes, automobiles, and a storage container/locker.  Bags of cash have been recovered but not yet counted, two vehicles have been siezed and multiple other items of evidentiary value recovered.


 


White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong commended the actions of his Detectives and the cooperation and coordination with both Walmart Security and Old Navy Security. He also credited the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the Westchester County Intelligence center and the Clarkstown NY Police Department with assistance in this investigation. “This was a full court press by our Detectives, and our law enforcement and private security partners worked seamlessly to bring these individuals to justice”.


 


The investigation is ongoing and active.


 


 


 


 

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It’s Official: Castelli Wins Full 2-Year Assembly Term by 112 Votes

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2010. December 10, 2010 UPDATED WITH STATEMENT FROM ROBERT CASTELLI:


The recanvass of Westchester County voting machines in the 89th Assembly district confirmed today, as reported first by WPCNR two days ago, confirmed Robert Castelli of Lewisboro the winner of the Assembly seat (formerly held by Adam Bradley) the winner by 112 votes of 42,414 votes cast, 21,263 votes for Mr. Castelli to 21,151 for White Plains’ Tom Roach. 


In court Friday, New York State Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler denied a motion by Castelli’s opponent to block certification of the race and order a manual hand recount of all ballots in the 89th Assembly District. Justice Adler also ordered the Westchester County Board of Elections to certify the race with Castelli as the winner.


According to the official statement of votes cast in Westchester County at the General Election of November 2nd 2010, for the office of Member of the Assembly 89th District that appeared in the Westchester County Board of Elections Statement of Canvass that was transmitted to the New York State Board of Elections, the final results are as follows:


Thomas M. Roach, Dem.     received:     19,100

Robert J. Castelli, Rep.    received:    18,851

Thomas M. Roach, Ind.    received:       995

Robert J. Castelli, Con.    received:    2,347

Thomas M. Roach, Wor.    received:    1,056

Robert J. Castelli, Tax.    received:         65


TOTAL:    42,414


Thomas Roach, the Common Council President in White Plains, conceded today.


Mr. Castelli’s office issued the following statement:



“I expected this to be a hard race, and went into it without any illusions,” Castelli said. “We needed to fight for every single vote, and we did, and the end result was a victory. I congratulate my opponent on a hard fought race and the civil discourse and debate that was the hallmark of our race, and look forwards to working with him once again for the betterment of the people of White Plains and the 89th Assembly District,” Castelli said. “I also look forward over the next two years to working with my friends across the aisle to achieve meaningful reforms in State Government, and in some small way, to restore the tarnished reputation of those who hold public office in Albany.”


 

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Deeply Dissappointed in Verdict: Bradley. Cites Grounds for Appeal

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From Mayor Adam Bradley of White Plains. December 9, 2010:



Mayor Adam Bradley Chairing the Common Council meeting Monday evening.


Mayor Adam Bradley issued a statement to the media this afternoon on today’s verdict from Judge Susan Capeci in Westchester County Family Court finding him guilty on charges of Contempt, Attempted Assault 3rd, and three charges of harassment,  2nd Degree for the February 28 alleged hand-slamming incident and harrassment stemming from the March 5 to April 2nd period when he was under restraining orders from the Judge.


Here is the Mayor’s statement, issued Thursday at 4:33 P.M.:


Today’s verdict is deeply disappointing, and one with which I disagree.



From the beginning, I have been unequivocal in stating that the charges against me were false and unfounded, and that I did not in any way mistreat my wife. I still believe that the truth will ultimately come out in the judicial process, and it is for this reason that I will appeal.



The legal basis for this appeal is strong and compelling, including but by no means limited to the following:



·     Relevant and germane evidence from doctors and counselors that corroborate my testimony and show my wife’s testimony was untrue were not allowed into evidence or even considered in camera.



·     Numerous relevant and material witnesses, including friends and neighbors of my wife, as well as our former au pair, who would have directly refuted allegations against me yet who were prohibited from testifying or were severely restricted in what they could say.



·     Notes and testimony from CPS workers who visited our home and interviewed my daughter in the aftermath that portray a very different picture and were not considered in these proceedings.



This trial represents a deprivation of due process. It is my strong belief that when these and other facts that were ignored in this court are considered during the appellate process, this decision today will be rightly overturned and justice will ultimately prevail. Most importantly, the truth will come out.



In the meantime I want to very clearly reiterate that, as I have done every day since I took office, I will continue to work as Mayor for the people of White Plains. My commitment to this city and my devotion to my duties as Mayor remain steadfast.



The people of White Plains, and most importantly my children, have the right to know the truth of this matter. My two precious daughters, whom I love more than anything, are my greatest responsibility. I am innocent and I do not want them to have to live with a legacy of lies.



To the many friends and residents in White Plains and beyond who have offered their prayers, love and support for my children and me during this ordeal, I offer my deepest heartfelt thanks.  



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