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VOTER LINES AT BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR EARLY VOTING SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA
End of voterline at 1:30 PM. An official in the parking said it was about a 45 minute wait to vote
AUTUMN! IN NEW YORK! PHOTOS OF THE DAY
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CIDER PUMPKINS THE COLORS OF THE GREAT NORTHEAST AT WILKINS FRUIT FARM
HAY!
THE CORN MAIZE
CIDER DONUTS PIES PICNIC APPLE PICKING
TRACTORS OF THE PAST
AND YOU CAN VOTE AT THE LINCOLN DEPOT IN DOWNTOWN PEEKSKILL.
Sailboat tacking smart off the northwest wind 25 knot sustained wind off Peekskill Saturday.
Foilage palate on the mountains overlooking the Hudson, while the doughty sailboat continues on the Northwest wind.
THE SHELLEY MAYER –TRICIA NIXON FORUM LINK REPLAY REPLAY REPLAY– 37TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT RACE
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CLICK ON LNK TO SEE ALL THE ACTION
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EARLY VOTERS LINING UP!
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AND THE VOTERS KEPT ON COMING 20 VOTERS IN PEEKSKILL NEW YORK AT 3 PM TODAY ON THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING IN NEW YORK.
AT 2 PM BELOW THERE WAS THE SAME PATIENT WAITING BY THE PREVIOUS 20-SOMETHING WAITING
AN HOUR EARLIER AT 2 PM THE LINE WAS THERE.
SUNDAY: THE BIG STOP: THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS REMEMBRANCE AT JACOB PURDY HOUSEW
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THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS is THE BIG STOP.
THE BATTLE THAT AFTER THREE DAYS STOPPED THE ADVANCE OF THE BRITISH FORCES WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY PUSHED GEORGE WASHINGTON’S TROOPS OUT OF THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, OUT OF NEW YORK GORGE WASHING ENCAMPED AT PURDY HOUSE THEN LOCATED NEAR BATTLE HILL BUT ON LOWER GROUND.
THE TIME WHEN BRITISH TROOPS WERE MARCHING UP BATTLE HILL, MOSTLY GERMAN HESSIANS ALLIES OF THE BRITISH AND REGULAR BRITISH TROOPS. THE EFFORT WAS TO OVERWHELM THE RETREATING FORCES GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON WHO HAD CONSOLIATED ON THE HIGH GROUNDS ABOVE THE SMALL SETTLEMENT AT THE TIME OF WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK.
RESIDENTS AND COLONIAL SOLDERS WERE DUG IN ON THE TOP OF BATTLE HILL WITH CANNON AND THEIR LONG RIFLES ABOVE THE BRONX RIVER IN WHITE PLAINS
THE CHARGE UP THE HILL WAS MET WITH CANNON FIRE AND RIFLE SHOT. THE BRITISH ATTACK WAS STOPPED WITH DEVASTATING CASUALTIES AND SHIFTING ATTACKS ON MILLER HILL TO THE EAST WERE STYMIED. THE BRITISH CALLED OFF THE ATTACKS AND THE BIG STOP HAD BEEN MADE AFTER A STRING OF COLONIAL ARMY DEFEATS.
IT IS NOTWORTHY THAT IN THOSE DAYS IF YOU WERE WOUNDED YOU DIED. WOUNDS GOT INFECTED. YOU HAD TO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM ENOUGH TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR IT.
THIS WAS THE FIRST OF THOSE BATTLES THAT LEAD TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT HAS BEEN THE HOPE OF THE WORLD AGAINST DICTATORS, ARROGANT KINGS AND ENSLAVERS OF MANKIND FOR 249 YEARS.
SUNDAY AT PURDY HOUSE RECREATORS RECOGNIZE THE SACRIFICES AND LEGACY OF THAT BATTLE—THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS.
MS. LAURA ECKLEY APPOINTED NEW WHITE PLAINS LIBRARY DIRECTOR
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White Plains, NY. – October 24, 2024.
The Board of Trustees of the White Plains Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Eckley as the new Director of the White Plains Library following the retirement of Brian Kenney.
Mr. Kenney led the library for the last thirteen years and was responsible, in partnership with the Board, the City of White Plains and the Library Foundation for the transition to digital media, the creation of The Edge (teen library), the transformation of the first floor, the art gallery and auditorium.
Ms. Eckley was recommended unanimously to the Trustees by a Committee comprised of members of the Board of Trustees, Library staff and community members that conducted a nation-wide search.
She will begin her role as the Library Director on this Monday October 28, 2024.
Ms. Eckley brings 25 years of experience, most recently as the Director of the Larchmont Public Library and previously as Library Director of the Bronxville Public Library where she also served as the Director of Children’s Services.
Ms. Eckley received her MLIS from the Palmer School of Library and Information Sciences at Long Island University and holds a certificate from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design on the future of library design.
Ms. Eckley has stated, “I’m honored to join the exceptional staff of the White Plains Public Library. I look forward to working with their dedicated Board of Trustees and continuing to build on the Library’s tradition of providing exceptional library service to the White Plains community.”
Elaine Summers, the President of the Library Board of Trustees said, “The Board is so excited to have attracted such an experienced and energetic new Director.”
Tom Roach, White Plains Mayor stated, “I appreciate the work done by the Library Board of Trustees in finding such an eminently qualified candidate. Having met her, I believe she is the right person at the right time to lead the library into the future.”
OCTOBER 24 — STATISTICS ON CRIME IN WESTCHESTER UP OR DOWN CHECKED.
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER OCTOBER 24, 2024:
John,
Fact-checking some of Ms. Lindsay’s claims during the forum (Tuesday October 27):
She said if an illegal immigrant commits a crime in NY, we can’t do
anything about it. In fact, they are subject to the criminal justice
system, same as anyone else.
Ms. Lindsay also said if a young person is arrested and released
without cash bail, that means they avoid punishment. In fact, whether
they get out on cash or cashless bail, they still have to go to
trial, and if convicted (not everyone who is arrested is guilty of a
crime), they get punished.
Furthermore, she stated that the revised FBI crime statistics show
that crime is up. In fact, they show it has declined:
In addition, research shows cashless bail does not lead to an
increase in crime:
Cliff Blau
TONIGHT THURSDAY AT 8: “SPORTSCASTERS TO BE HEARD,” PETE ROSE, THE BASEBALL SEASON WRAP UP WITH JOHN VORPERIAN AND “BULL ALLEN”
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Mayor Joseph Delfino: A Visionary Leader
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The passing of Major Joe Delfino marks the end of an era. His recent death takes from all of us one the most memorable individuals in Westchester County and , of course, most notably White Plains. Affectionately known as “Mayor Joe,” he possessed unique strengths combining a visionary outlook, an ability to build bipartisan support for important initiatives, and a unique way to project strength of purpose while maintaining a friendly and open persona.
Is it no exaggeration to say that Mayor Joe is responsible for creating the vibrant modern day downtown White Plains. When he became Mayor, the center of the city opposite City Hall was the site of a sprawling, abandoned Macy’s store. The hulking building spanning a full city block, had for decades been the main driver in the downtown’s bustling retail community.
By the early 2000s, however, it was casting a pall over the entire area.
Mayor Joe knew something had to be done, but what? It was then that he saw developer Louis Cappelli demolish a former abandoned Macy’s in downtown New Rochelle and convert the site into a new shopping, entertainment and housing complex called New Roc City that opened in 1999.
Mayor Joe reached out to Cappelli and asked if he would tackle the White Plains site. Cappelli was intrigued but said he’d only take on the massive project if the Mayor and City Council clearly stipulated what they wanted to see on the site. He said he would then present a plan, and if the city leaders felt it would achieve their goals, he wanted an expedited approval process and a green light to get to work.
Mayor Joe led a visioning process and within a matter of months came up with the desired elements: movie theater, retail, supermarket, community theater, housing and parking. Cappelli’s team went to work and presented a plan for City Center that included all the elements. Mayor Joe liked it, worked with the Council members who then bought in as well, and within two-plus years, the heart of the downtown was transformed.
Mayor Joe didn’t stop there. Cappelli came to him with an even more ambitious project less than a block away, and once again Mayor Joe led the City Council to agree to revising the zoning to permit what became Renaissance Square.
By 2008 the new project had opened with a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and two 40-plus story residential towers with commanding views of the city, Long Island Sound and the Manhattan skyline.
These two projects set in motion the redevelopment of the entire downtown area which now includes numerous sparkling apartment towers, a revived Mamaroneck Avenue business district and even the proposed redevelopment of the Galleria Mall site.
It’s an almost unimaginable transformation, and all thanks to the vision, determination, drive and the unique abilities of Mayor Joe Delfino.
There will be many accolades for Mayor Joe, all well deserved. To his daughter Cindy, her husband Dave Birdsall and other members of the family, I wish to express deepest sympathy, and thanks for sharing Mayor Joe with all of the residents of White Plains and beyond.
–Geoffrey Thompson
OCTOBER 23 –MAYER -LINDSAY THE MAIN EVENT FOR 37TH NY SENATE DISTRICT QUESTIONS ISSUES REALITY QUESTIONED. PASSION! ROARING CROWD 12 ROUND THRILLER TO A SPLIT DECISION
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2024 By John F. Bailey, October 23, 2024:
The Westchester League of Women Voters Forum Main Ticket pitting 20 year County Albany political personality Senator Shelley Mayer against Republican Tricia Lindsay was a tense 12- question affair before 80 persons in the White Plains Library Studio.
The experience and record of Ms. Mayer was challenged by adrioity-landed questions about the past and future, past Albany policies by her Republican Challlenger, Ms. Tricia Lindsay, a civil rights lawyer, a nurse, teacher in Yonkers and New York City Schools and scientist and Mom.
Ms. Lindsay woke up the overflow crowd of 80 persons as the moderator called for opening statements.
Lindsay wasted no time with a flurry of punches in her speech:
“We have had enough of politicians giving us “outrageous inflation” bail reform that afflicts minority youth and encourages recidivism and crime and does not give judges discretion in retaining youth offenders.
Mayer had started the forum saying she was proud of her record and direct service to constituents, and always “being present and showing up.” She said she fought and achieved full funding of public schools for this year against the wishes of the Governor “and I have more to do.”
When Ms. Lindsay countered, you knew this was going to be no ordinary forum.
On CRIME: When asked if she believed crime statistics were accurate, Ms. Lindsay flatly disagreed saying the statistics were not believable based on her talks with police in her district. This was met with loud applause from the crowd, and the moderator asked the crowd not to applaud or react.
Lindsay said crime was up 25% since 2019. She noted that judges have been allowed “no discretion” in granting bail by Albany bail reforms letting young offenders loose to repeat crimes. She also questioned the statistics on car theft and carjacks that had been occurring in Mayer’s own district. Mayer said that her approach was to examine the circumstances and find local solutions.
Ms. Mayer refuted this crime wave allegation by citing County Executive George Latimer’s report last week.that crime was down 10% in Westchester, and said the legislature had amended the bail reform law three times.
ON COSTS OF POWER: Ms. Lindsay said one of reasons for the higher utility rates was New York has to import its electricity from out of state and New York has lost companies out of state, the combination resulting in higher rates. She said taxpayers “need a voice in Albany.”
Ms. Mayer told the audience she, Mayer was that voice.
Mayer criticized the formula the Public Service uses to set rates that allows the utilities to have a return on investment to stockholders. She said she is spearheading reform of the PSC formula that would put customers first and power companies second in rate setting. (This was news to this reporter.) Ms Mayer said discounts in electric rates were on the way with the announcement of last week’s legislation signing up the New York Power Authority to increase their green energy plants to fund discounts for customers in disadvantaged communities.
FLOODING: Mayer said the state had authorized 10.7 Million for flood control Ms. Lindsay rebutted this saying it wasn’t enough and made Westchester second to migrants. Lindsay noted that the state sent 2.9 billion to New York City to pay for the migrants issue, making “the taxpayer” wait for relief.
The Environment: Ms. Lindsay recognized the environment was an issue, but cautioned the problems needed study before pushing more financial burdens (taxes, rising costs) on the consumer.
Incumbent Mayer said the state had to act to make the green energy share of creating electricity more, citing the state persuading the New York Power Authority to invest in hydroelectric projects (which have, I want to point out by the way have been delayed).
Cannibis: Mayer and Lindsay agreed the cannabis legalization has been “a disaster”(Lindsay’s words) with illegal operations abounding. Mayer agreed the laws had to be rewritten and new rules written. Lindsay said the state has been “soft on enforcing the laws.”
Bail Reform Fixes: Lindsay said the bail law “should be repealed. It’s now a revolving door (putting youth offenders out on the street). She also said the age should be raised. “Youth have be shown they are accountable.”
Mayer said the bail law had had several reforms already and said that in 2019 poor people without money were sent to jail, while if you were white and moneyed their child offender was sent home. Mayer said a structure to define if a youth was bail eligible might be a solution.
Special Needs: Senator Mayer supported funding for autistic and mentally disabled children and English Language Learners whose numbers have grown over 4 years. Lindsay cited this this was a problem that would continue to raise school property taxes hurting the taxpayer.
Vaccines: Ms. Lindsay supported parents refusing to have their children not vaccinated by the school district as a parental right. Senator Mayer recalled the polio disease of the 1930s 40s and 50s, (which killed children and they spent the end of their lives in iron lungs), and how vaccines had to be administered to all children which eliminated the deadly disease.
At that point, a member of the audience, shouted out “You’re living in a bubble , Senator,” and discordant loud voices erupted in the packed studio halting the forum
Alan Cass the President of the Westchester League of Women Voters, strode to the front of the proceeding immediately as the voices rose.
He held up his hands and quietly asked for no more disruptions. He stilled the multitude. When hub bub resumed, he again strode to the front and asked for calm. There were no more interruptions. The event continued. (Very brave of him to do that, I thought.)
School Taxes: Ms. Lindsay pointed out that to fund the rising costs,of schools, tax increases were inevitable.
Senator Mayer said this was one of her jobs as a Senator to help persons to get the tax lowering benefits that exist for them on school taxes like the STAR program. Lindsay reminded the audience again of the state sending 5.1 Billion to the city of New York while giving only $2.9 Million to the county for flood control.
(Editor’s note: the state is short on revenues and this will create a problem in funding “promised” school aid in the next two years that the state budgeted but appears not to be there. at this time.)
Immigration: Senator Mayer said the migrants problem is a national problem that Washington has not been able to come to agreement on. Lindsay had no solution but did point out less money should go to employ immigrants and house them because the taxpayer pays
Affordable Housing: Senator Mayer supported continued subsidizing of developers to build affordable housing. Ms. Lindsay said areas should not be designated for development by the state, but instead “It should be left to local zoning laws.”
In closing Statements, Ms. Lindsay returned to the situation the state faces today. “Crime is on the rise. Inflation is out of control. Taxes are going to rise. We are left vulnerable because of the migrant situation.
Senator Mayer said: The stark difference between me and my opponent is I work for the people,my constituents, I try to find out the problems and try to fix it. I have the hope and confidence that we will.”
The Forum ended with Alan Cass, President of the Westchester League of Women Voters far left shaking Senator Mayer’s hand and Tricia Lindsay far right applauding.