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 POLICE GAZETTE. Special to WPCNR. November 12, 2009 UPDATED NOVEMBER 14, 2009 in italic type:  Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub resigned from his position Friday by submitting a letter of resignation to the law department according to The Journal News, which reports Straub is leaving effective today.  A call to city hall by WPCNR inquiring of the status of the Commissioner was not returned. However the Journal News report failed to indicate who was commanding the department.

Mayor Joseph Delfino told WPCNR Thursday evening that the resignation was  effective next Tuesday. It is unclear now whether the Common Council will terminate him as they had intended to do Monday evening. The council could not fire him Monday evening anyway because unanimous consent is needed to consider an ordinance, and that was not likely forthcoming since Mayor Joseph Delfino and Councilman Glen Hockley are supporters of Straub.

Council President  Benjamin Boykin told WPCNR Friday morning he would have no public comment on the Straub matter.

 No news release was issued by the city and no statement released on Straub’s departure, today though The Journal News quotes Mayor Delfino as saying

Dr. Frank Straub in his meeting with the Common Council October 27, that soured Straub’s relationship with the Council due to his ignoring five members of the council who asked he not allow 12 and 24 hour work schedules for police and fire to become perminent. Dr. Straub will no longer be running the Department of Public Safety as of the end of the workday Tuesday, according to the Mayor Thursday evening. It is unclear who is running the Department as of Saturday morning.

Mayor Joseph Delfino Thursday night in a telephone conservation with WPCNR at 7:30 this evening, reported that Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub told him late this afternoon he would resign officially November 17. Delfino said he has not received Straub’s letter of resignation yet, but expected it tomorrow (Friday). Straub had indicated at a police swearing in ceremony November 2, that he would be resigning at the end of the year.

“I intend to appoint an interim Commissioner to replace Dr. Straub who has done a terrific job,” Delfino told WPCNR. “I will be looking at persons with the Department of Public Safety for an interim replacement until the new administration takes over, and I will look nationally. I will be reaching out perhaps to Commissioner (of Public Safety, Westchester) Thomas Belfiore, whose contract is expiring with the county, or perhaps Commissioner David Chong (of Mount Vernon). The next two months in White Plains are the busiest months of the year.The city cannot afford to be without a Commissioner.”

Today, the Mayor said, Council President Benjamin Boykin in a letter this afternoon called for a Special Meeting to discuss the termination of Dr. Straub Monday evening at 6 P.M. It could not be determined if Dr. Straub’s sudden decision to resign early was directly caused by the calling of the meeting.

Mayor Delfino told WPCNR Dr. Straub was not under contract and that he was entitled to vacation pay and sick day pay only if he was terminated.

Asked if he felt the Termination Meeting called for Monday was an effort by the Common Council to nullify the 12 hour and 24-hour work shift  decision Straub made by refusing to terminate the 12 and 24 hour work shifts for police and fire, the Mayor said he did not know.

Councilpersons Benjamin Boykin, Rita Malmud, Dennis Power, and Glen Hockley have not responded to WPCNR calls asking about the strategy behind calling the termination meeting.

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WPCNR SOUTHEND TIMES. By John F. Bailey. November 12, 2009: Ridgeway Country Club is expected to be sold to a Harrison man in the ocean shipping business by  January 1, according to Nick Wolff, of Prudential Rand Realty, White Plains, this morning.

Mr. Wolff, the agent for the sale said the lawyers for the club and the potential buyer have entered final negotiations. Price has not been settled upon yet, but the buyer has assured the members of the club, he intends to keep the Country Club as a club, according to Mr.Wolff.  Wolff said that no zoning changes or variations need to be approved by the city because the use of the club will not change, at least for five years, which is one of the matters under negotiation, he said.

Ridgeway Country Club in the heart of Gedney Farms shown via sattelite.

Ridgeway Country Club has been seeking buyers for a year due to the declining revenues of the club. Wolff said the new owner hopes to make the club a semi-private club, add a 4-hole family golf course, and expand the club catering facilities. He is planning no other type of development of the club, Wolff said.  Wolff said the buyer comes from a shipping family based in Greece.

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Ninety-one years ago today, representatives of the allied powers and the German allies met in a railroad coach outside Paris and agreed to an armistice, ending World War I, the so-called “War to end all wars,” a war in which 10 million persons died.

Since that day, November 11 has been set aside as first Armistice Day, later changed to Veterans Day. White Plains CitizeNetReporter salutes and remembers and thanks our veterans on this day which recognizes how special they are. Two events celebrated America’s first veterans last month.

On October 22 (2001) at “Washington’s Headquarters,” in White Plains, the Jacob Purdy House, the White Plains Historical Society recognized America’s first veterans. These were the men of White Plains who defended Chatterton Hill and Miller Hill from the advancing British army under General Howe.

GUNSMOKE REMEMBERS THE FIRST VETERANS. The militia men and volunteers who defended White Plains at the Battle of White Plains in 1776 were commemorated October 21, 2001 with a volley of remembrance at Jacob Purdy House.WPCNR PHOTO

Eighty-three years ago today, representatives of the allied powers and the German allies met in a railroad coach outside Paris and agreed to an armistice, ending World War I, the so-called “War to end all wars,” a war in which 10 million persons died.

Since that day, November 11 has been set aside as first Armistice Day, later changed to Veterans Day. White Plains CitizeNetReporter salutes and remembers and thanks our veterans on this day which recognizes how special they are. Two events celebrated America’s first veterans last month.

On October 22, 2001 at “Washington’s Headquarters,” in White Plains, the Jacob Purdy House, the White Plains Historical Society recognized America’s first veterans. These were the men of White Plains who defended Chatterton Hill and Miller Hill from the advancing British army under General Howe.




GUNSMOKE REMEMBERS THE FIRST VETERANS. The militia men and volunteers who defended White Plains at the Battle of White Plains in 1776 were commemorated October 21, with a volley of remembrance at Jacob Purdy House.WPCNR PHOTO

An elite reenactment contingent of British troops gathered about the flagpole overlooking White Plains below. Old Glory was raised on the flagpole. A volley of gunfire from 18th Century muskets saluted the fallen from that long ago battle. The names of the residents of White Plains who died on those hills 225 years ago were solemnly read from a podium at the steps of the old red home.

The names of three White Plains citizens killed in the World Trade Center attack were added to this distinguished list of America’s first veterans, as Jack Harrington, President of the White Plains Historical Society oversaw the ceremonies.

It strikes WPCNR that these three 2001 citizens were much like those first veterans who defeneded White Plains in 1776. Those first veterans lay down their plows or crafts and took up arms when their town and country was threatened. Some citizens lost everything when British troops burned parts of White Plains after the battle.

We remember our fighting men and women on Veterans Day, because most of them were every day citizens called to duty who went out and did something they did not know they could do. Perform acts of heroism, bravery, losing their lives for the American way. Many were just kids themselves. For example, most B-17 pilots over Germany in World War II were in their early twenties.




NAMES OF AMERICA’S FIRST VETERANS ARE READ AT ENTRANCE TO JACOB PURDY HOUSE. Jack Harrington, President of White Plains Historical Society solemly conducts reading of the White Plains Honor Roll at Battle of White Plains ceremonies.WPCNR PHOTO

We can in no way, or through no motion picture know what any veteran experienced. The veterans who still are with us do not like to talk about their combat experiences. And they do not. One veteran of D-Day, asked what he thought of Saving Private Ryan and the realism of it, said the real D-Day was worse. However, veterans we have interviewed remark that they think of their combat experience every day. It is always with them.

It is inconceivable to me that I could ever be able to do what these men and women did. I would like to hope I could. However, the veterans have. They left ordinary lives as office workers, factory workers, farmers, accountants, and what have you and were able to go to war and “rise to the occasion,” or as they say today, “step it up to the next level.” The highest level.




MAYOR DELFINO UNVEILS HISTORICAL SIGNAGE AT BATTLE HILL. In another effort to commemorate America’s veterans, Mayor Joseph Delfino, working with New York State and local groups unveiled a series of permanent historical signs in Battle Hill-Whitney Park October 28 detailing the Battle Hill and Miller Hill battle grounds of the Battle of White Plains. It is the first effort to produce a heritage trail in the City of White Plains. Other markers of historically significant areas of the city are planned in the near future.WPCNR PHOTO

How should Armistice Day be observed? Well, a thought about the sacrifice of these veterans and those who died perhaps brings new vibrancy and dedication to the ideals for which they fought. A thought to what they considered important enough to leave a safe existence to fight for valiantly at great risk and high valour reinforces those sacred American standards: freedom, the pursuit of happiness, free speech, the big little things.

We should value the sacrifice of our local public defenders, the police, the firefighters, the enforcement officials who routinely do this to keep the fabric of American society safe. Thank you.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of the State Comptroller. November 10, 2009:  State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, in a statement last week and special budget report, not covered in depth in other media described the New York State three year budget out look in these terms:

“The state is facing a three-year budget gap of more than $27.5 billion. The state’s fiscal picture can’t be ignored any longer. New Yorkers understand you can’t spend more money than you make. The state needs to learn that lesson.

New York is on track to spend $4.1 billion more this year than it will take in. That is irresponsible and unacceptable. Taxpayers deserve better. The state has to stop treating New Yorkers like ATMs. The cash machine is empty.”

New York State, according to the Comptroller,  faces a cumulative General Fund gap of up to $27.5 billion through fiscal year 2011-12 even as the Governor and the Legislature confront a deficit in the state’s current budget that could exceed $4.1 billion, according to a spending and revenue report State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released today as part of the state’s “Quick Start” budget process.

DiNapoli’s Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements indicates New York’s three-year, cumulative General Fund gap through FY 2011-12 could approach $27.5 billion — which is $3.6 billion higher than the Governor’s estimate for the same period. Based on an analysis of the Enacted Budget and actual revenue and spending results through the first half of the fiscal year, DiNapoli projects the current year gap could reach $4.1 billion if present trends continue and spending is not aligned with revenue.

DiNapoli warned that while there are signs of economic recovery, revenue collections are still declining and may be slow to bounce back due to the state’s reliance on revenue related to employment and consumption, such as personal income and sales and use taxes, which account for 60 percent and 25 percent of New York’s tax base respectively.

Additionally, the state went into the recent recession with a structural budget problem due to years of over-reliance on temporary fixes, debt issuances and other gimmicks routinely used to finance recurring spending without regard to long-term implications. While payment delays and temporary loans may allow the state to manage its cash through the year, these are only temporary solutions that postpone the implementation of long-term solutions to the state’s worsening budget gap.

The DiNapoli report also found:

• More than $11 billion used to close the $17.9 billion fiscal year 2009-10 General Fund gap was either non-recurring “one-shot” or temporary revenue, including nearly $4.9 billion in federal stimulus funding (scheduled to end in FY 2010-11), $1.7 billion in non-recurring actions and $4.5 billion in temporary revenue actions (ranging in duration from three to five years);
  
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• While the budget included approximately $775 million in recurring revenue and $6 billion in recurring spending reductions, the greater dependence on temporary resources illustrates that the current budget did little to address the state’s long-term structural imbalance, and instead exacerbated the problem;
  
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• The state faces potentially significant cash flow shortfalls in the months of November and December, which will have to be addressed. Although the Governor has begun to take action to manage these shortfalls, it is unclear what further actions may be taken. For example, due to the state’s worsening cash flow situation, the Governor delayed much of the scheduled October and November School Property Tax Relief Program (STAR) payments to December. This increased the projected December STAR payment to $2.5 billion, exacerbating the cash flow challenge for that month. There is also a significant school aid payment of $1.6 billion due in December;
  
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• The Governor reversed his earlier decision and has decided not to prepay the state pension payment, costing the state an additional $30 million in interest;
  
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• Significant structural gaps are projected in each of the next three fiscal years. The Division of the Budget (DOB) is projecting that All Funds spending will approach $152 billion by FY 2012-13 while All Funds revenue will only be $132 billion. DOB projects that General Fund spending growth from FY 2009-10 through FY 2012-13 will be 37 percent, while General Fund receipts growth will be only 3.4 percent over the same period.

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 WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. November 10,2009: County Executive-Elect Rob Astorino announced this morning he is establishing a series of “subcommittees” by next Monday to analyze operations of all Westchester County Government Departments, possibly leading to a plan for downsizing within the next seven weeks.

County Executive-Elect Rob Astorino beginning his meeting with his new Transition Team at Westchester One Wednesday morning.

Astorino said he expected after the Subcommittee written reports were submitted, that decisions would then be made by him and his transition team as to how many executives, workers, and who would stay and who would go, and what departments might be contracted, meaning that county employees not under contract, or any job-security assurance can expect notice of their fate in mid-December. Astorino added he’d be being briefed by the HUD Adminstrator on the county housing obligation to build $60 Million of affordable housing Thursday.

These sub-committees  will submit written reports back to him by December 10, (after reviewing what the departments do, who is doing what in them) and recommend what departments would be cut back, consolidated, or remain as is in the new county administration. They would also be responsible for recruiting “top talent” to go to work for the new administration.

Astorino said that he and his team are working with the outgoing administration (describing them as “cooperative”), to determine who is under contract, where positions are protected and other factors that would affect downsizing decisions. Astorino said downsizing was an obvious mandate resulting from the voters’ overwhelming choice in last week’s election.”The people of Westchester voted for change last Tuesday, and it is our duty to deliver it.”

He said that administrators doing their jobs well and who believe in this philosophy may indeed remain in his administration.

Astorino said he would be establishing a website within the next week, for volunteers who wished to serve on these analytical subcommittees, as well as applying for positions.

The subcommittees, Astorino said which would be supervised by his transition team he announced today. He added that he expected to convene a task force on downsizing county government after he took office the first of the year.  He said he would be announcing major members of his new team before December 10^th, perhaps as early as next week.

Astorino ran the news conference today,convening his new Transition Team which would be conducting the analysis of County government via the subcommittees they will establish, and introduced the distinguished group to the media.

They are:

Kay Carsky, (far right) former member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators for 19 years, when she represented Yonkers.

Wiley Harrison, (Left) Chairperson of the Board of the Thomas H. Slater Center, President of Your Business LLC, a financial services firm, and who also serves as Treasurer of the Business Council of Westchester. He is seen with Robert Elliot, Mayor of Croton-on-Hudson from 1991 to 2005 and former President of the New York State Conference of Mayors and the Westchester Municipal Officials Association.

 Thomas F. Eagan (right) former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York from 1996 to 2007, who was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from 1985 to 1992, and Harry J. Wilson, (left)  recently Senior Advisor to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, where he was one of four leaders of the working team that arranged the restructurings of General Motors and Chrysler. Now described as a private investor, Wilson has worked at Silver Point Capital, The Blackstone Group and Goldman, Sachs.