Origins of Thanksgiving

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WPCNR GUEST EDITORIAL. By Carl Albanese. November 27, 2008:

On our great American Holiday, a holiday of thought derived from the historical American colonies four hundred years ago in 1620 a historical voyage took place across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World we call America.

These brave Pilgrims in search of a new land, opportunity and freedom settled in what is now known to be the state of Massachusetts 1620. A harsh and bitter winter followed, deprived of food and sustainable resources, many died, many suffered, many believed in their dreams. Half of the new settlers children and families died from disease, hungry, cold from the harsh new land we know as America. Native Americans, the Iroquois Indians, shared their wisdom kindness and humanity and taught these new Americans the seeds of farming planting crops and renewable sustainable food sources.


So it comes to be our great American holiday is born to be in the autumn of 1621 bountiful food harvested, starvation and survival less no more. The early settlers having much to be thankful for and the very first feast of gratefulness is honored and appreciated shared in gratitude with 90 Iroquois Native American Indians and their Chief. On this special day in American history and harmony the
very first celebration of Thanksgiving is born.

Years following our early settlers continued this yearly celebration of thankfulness in appreciation and honor for all they had to be thankful for. A place to live, food to eat, friends in harmony and a time of sharing the most basic needs of friendship, family friends and food for all to remember and be thankful for. Upon the United States of Independence our country being born, many more lives lost, suffering and war our nations commander and chief George Washington declares November 26th as our nations Thanksgiving Day. Our nation’s commander and chief in 1863 after another incomprehensible loss of life and blood shed in the civil war, Abraham Lincoln appealed to all Americans to set aside the last Thursday in November as a day of Thanksgiving.

On November 1, 1782 the official Thanksgiving Proclamation for a general Thanksgiving Day is ordered and received to the Continental Congress. An American holiday is born of thanks for our new nation of freedoms, independence, equality and appreciation for all we as Americans can be thankful for.

Let us not forget those that gave it all to us, the dream, the inspiration, the suffering, the wars, that made us what we are today as a great nation of people. The land we call America. Remember the homeless the less fortunate, those whom have less, give a little share a little, make the world a better place and be grateful for what we all have on Thanksgiving Day. Help one another, extend a hand, care and thank those and never forget always remember we are a country off freedom and greatness by those who guarantee and protect that freedom. Our Veterans.

On Thanksgiving Day I honor and thank all our Veterans for all we have to be
thankful for.


Carl Albanese
White Plains, NY


Thanksgiving Proclamation
State of New Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782:
Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the
Twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental
Congress, be forthwith printed…
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. in COMMITTEE of SAFETY, EXETER, November 1, 1782.

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Mumbai Attacks Leave 101 Dead, 287 Injured as of Midday in India

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WPCNR GLOBAL  BRIEF. November 27, 2008: As of 10:30 A.M. in Mumbai, India,  12:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, CNN reports 101 killed and 287 wounded in coordinated attacks by teams of terrorist gunman armed with automatic weapons and grenades at two Mumbai hotels, a hospital, train station and a restaurant. Hostages have been reported freed at the Taj Majal Hotel, a second hostage situation was ongoing at a second hotel. WPCNR suggests the CNN website which has an affiliate operation in India and has been providing the most up-to-date coverage of the vicious attacks reported to be the work of Indian Muslim extremist organizations.

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WP SEWER TAX COULD RISE 50% in COUNTY’S BIGGEST CAPITAL PROJECT EVER.

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WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT By John F. Bailey. November 26, 2008: The $234.7 Million sewer project announced in postcard mailers to residents in the Mamaroneck Valley Sewer District throughout White Plains this week, could cost White Plains residents $150 more a year in sewer bills by 2014, based on preliminary estimates the county has run on the cost of the federally mandated project to upgrade the Mamaroneck Valley Plant (on Mamaroneck Harbor), and the New Rochelle plant.



GREETINGS FROM THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY SEWER BOYS.


The postcard from Commissioner Tom Lauro announcing $234.7 Million sewer plant rehab project — the largest county capital project in history — according to the County Legislature Press Office. Very preliminary estimates indicate White Plains residents in the Mamaroneck Valley Sewer District would see bills escalate $75 to $150 and up by 2014,  or sooner if the county does not get a bailout.


In 2008 the median White Plains home ($700,000) assessed at $18,475 a year paid $323 in sewer taxes. If the preliminary figures hold, sewer taxes for Mr. and Mrs. White Plains will go  up related to the project funding beginning in 2011 out to 2014, or perhaps all at once depending on how the project is financed by the County. 



2008, the Mamaroneck Valley Sewer District residents in White Plains paid a total of $3.3 Million to the county, Bronx Valley District residents in White Plains, paid $3.4 Million according to the White Plains Finance Department. Gina Cuneo Harwood told WPCNR Tuesday evening the way the sewer tax is figured is this: The county gives White Plains the sewer levy, and White Plains calculates the per $1,000 of assessed value tax rate, to figure the rate Mr. and Mrs. White Plains pay for sewer services.


The county will address the project  Monday in a public hearing  on the budget at the Michaelian Building at 3:30 P.M.


County Legislator Tom Abinanti, chair of the Health Committee for the county, stressed to WPCNR that the full impact of any sewer district increase affecting White Plains, Blind Brook, New Rochelle and Port Chester would not hit until 2014, that these were estimates he has  only at this time. (The County Department of Communications has yet to provide as requested by WPCNR, the actual figures previously presented which would give more detail).


 Mr. Abinanti supplied preliminary figures he has from correspondence. Abinanti made clear that the county is seeking other sources of funding for the $234.7 Million project, appealing to Senator Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton for federal aid, and that it is not altogether certain the residents in the four sewer districts, would have to pay for it.


At this time, residents of New Rochelle, White Plains, Port Chester, and Blind Brook are “on the hook,” for that increase, the County Legislator press office told WPCNR Tuesday.


The Legislative Press Office told WPCNR the fines associated with the county not complying with the federal order were $195,000 civil penalties and responsibility for funding $780,000 other environmental projects as selected by the Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State.

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Stepinac Grad Brian Vega, Westchester Broadway Theatre Honoree

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Pia Haas, Westchester Broadway Theatre. November  26, 2008: On Wednesday December 3rd,  Westchester Broadway Theatre  will present this year’s Bob Fitzsimmons Award of $1000 to Brian Vega at the Press opening of WBT’S holiday show, “A WONDERFUL LIFE.” 




 Brian Vega of Stepinac 08, now attending Susquehanna University.


 In recent years Frank Portanova, Vice Principal of Stepinac High School has been extremely helpful and cooperative, making some financial donations to the fund to help ensure the life of the scholarship. He also is responsible for selecting the student winner for this highly competitive award. The annual scholarship in Mr. Fitzsimmons’ name is WBT’s collective way of keeping alive the memory of our its dear friend and former promotion director, Bob Fitzsimmons, a graduate of Stepinac High School in White Plains.






Mr. Vega in Singin’ In the Rain at Archbishop Stepinac High’s production last spring.


Brian Vega is currently a freshman at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Last Spring he played the lead role of Don Lockwood in ARCHBISHOP STEPINAC HIGH SCHOOL‘S production of  SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. Brian was fortunate to be a part of Stepinac’s Drama Club for his four years there and had parts in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS; INHERIT THE WIND; JEKYLL & HYDE; THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE; THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE; and THE CRUCIBLE.  Other theatrical experiences include OLIVER TWIST;  OVER THE RAINBOW; THE GLASS SLIPPER and YANKEE DOODLE DANDY at SACRED HEART SCHOOL in  Hartsdale.


The $1,000 Scholarship is given annually to a college-bound senior who has excelled in the theatre arts programs while attending Stepinac High School. The prestigious Arts Scholarship is named after Bob Fitzsimmons, a graduate of Stepinac High School, who died suddenly at the age of 37 in March of 1992. He was the Public Relations Director of the Westchester Broadway Theatre, as well as a gifted actor, producer, writer and a director of shows at WBT and at numerous theatres throughout the County. 


The scholarship was established in his name by the owners of Westchester Broadway Theatre, Bill Stutler and Bob Funking, the entire employee staff of WBT, and the many friends and relatives of Bob Fitzsimmons. Under the auspices of WBT, Allan Gruet, (former WBT Public Relations Director, who replaced Bobby Fitzsimmons) and George Puello spearheaded two fundraisers.


The first & most successful fundraiser was held at WBT, the second was held at Stepinac High School. Mr. Puello was responsible for directing & producing the entertainment portion of both events, while Mr. Gruet handled the ticketing for the fundraisers & the continuing administration of the self-sustaining scholarship. Over the years, along with the assistance of producer Bob Funking,  Gruet has continued to manage the scholarship, making it possible to present the award consistently each year.

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Longview Garage Opens — First Step in Post Road Upgrade

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WPCNR THE PARKING NEWS. November 26, 2008, UPDATED 2 PM E.S.T.: White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino and White Plains Hospital Center President Jon Schandler officially opened the $19 Million Longview Municipal Parking Garage, at a ribbon cutting ceremony, today. The garage holds 758 spaces of which 324 on the upper levels have been leased to the Hospital and will be open to parking for employees of the hospital Monday morning. 


 


It features chemical reductive energy efficient lighting,  roomy parking spaces with wide car clearances, among other amenities, and parkers pay using the central “Moroni Money Machines,” familiar to White Plains residents, eliminating pay-as-you-exit booths currently used by the hospital at the Davis Avenue garage.


 


The new garage will be open to the public Friday, according to Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti.  The ribbon cutting marks the culmination of a 10 year process to construct the 758 space parking garage and provide critically needed parking to White Plains Hospital and area businesses and residents. 


 



 


Mayor Delfino, left, with Commissioner of Parking, Al Moroni, center and CEO of White Plains Hospital Center, Jon Schandler, right. at this morning’s opening. The Mayor called the new garage “The First Step” in the hospital’s planned $100 Million “Renaissance.” 


 


The Mayor told WPCNR that the garage opening was the first step in the city’s planned upgrade of East Post Road, which he said would possibly mean a redevelopment of a portion of the Sholz Buick property at Post and Lexington Avenues. The Mayor said he did not know the details but Sholz was looking for a developer for a portion of their property on the open car display lot. Sholz, the Mayor said, would possibly continue his car dealer on another portion of the site.


 


 





She’s Open! The Stakeholders officially open the Longview Cromwell Garage Wednesday morning: Front: L to R, Paul Weissman, Chair of the Board, White Plains Hospital Center. Jon Schandler, Chief Executive Officer, Mayor Joseph Delfino, Councilpersons Rita Malmux and Thomas Roach. Standing on steps, Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti, builder of the garage, and Commissioner of Parking, Albert Moroni.



The garage will also be used by visitors to the Kensington Assisted Living Facility, to be built on the adjacent site to the garage. The White Plains Hospital Center $100 Million expansion plan  shows the Kensington preliminary design above (the building to the right next to the Longview Garage that opened today.


The White Plains Kensington  project currently awaits Housing and Urban Development Funding for that $30 Million project, in addition to over $900,000 in tax relief from the county and the city, without which the project, they indicated could not be built.


The Post Road Upgrade Possibilities.


Melissa Lopez, officer in charge of economic development for White Plains, told WPCNR that the city is willing to work with property owners of buildings on the side of Post Road opposite the possible towards improvement of their storefronts, but stopped short of saying the city would provide city dollars for the improvements.  The Mayor said the buildings fronting the street on Post Road involved five separate owners, and therefore it remained to be seen how any development could occur on that sector without the owners agreeing on  their property.


The Mayor said Winbrook, the public housing complex was there to stay and would not be touched, though the White Plains Housing Authority is entertaining a gradual rebuild of each building with Housing and Urban Development department funding, the details of which have yet to be finalized.


Moving Forward 


Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office,  told WPCNR last July that the delay in the start of the White Plains Kensington assisted living project scheduled for groundbreaking this month, now delayed indefinitely, due to the Fountain Properties application with HUD to pay for the construction (due to the financial market malaise), would not begin possibly costing the city money until April 2009 when the first payment on the $19 Million bond for construction of the Longview Municipal Garage in the final stages of completion is due.


Lopez said last July,  it is expected Kensington will begin making the payments in April, 2009, on the garage debt service and that the city will not have to pay the debt service and principle.

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Legislators on County Rec & Parks and Public Works Budgets

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. November 24, 2008: The Board of Legislators has released their analysis of two more key department budgets for 2009. Their comments:

 


Parks, Recreation & Conservation



The Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation maintains the county’s 50 parks and open space network of over 18,000 acres at an annual average cost of about $37 per resident. Though the department’s proposed 2009 operating budget of $55.26 million represents an increase over its 2008 budget of $53.49 million, the proposed 2009 tax levy of $17.9 million is less than the 2008 tax levy of $19.4 million. The department proposes a staff of 335 in 2009, one less than in 2008.



The proposed levy reduction is largely due to the introduction in 2009 of a new “Pay-One-Price” admission policy. Under the new policy, which will apply to the amusement area at Playland, revenues will cover all costs associated with the amusement park’s operation. The amusement park operation will no longer be subsidized by county taxpayers.



County Legislator José Alvarado, Budget & Appropriations Committee Chair, commented that


“the new admission policy addresses a longtime County Board request to reduce the amount of tax levy dollars needed to support Playland


County Legislator Ken Jenkins, Chair of the Government Operations Committee, noted that the County Board’s getting behind the Rye Playland Master Plan’s proposal which included removing third party concessions from running the rides and having the county purchase the rides instead has proven to be a prudent investment. He said he was also pleased with the overall results of a recently released safety audit by an independent consultant that indicated significant progress in instituting additional safety measures.  


“With rising attendance, an improved safety record and a restructured admission policy that will make the amusement park self-sufficient, county taxpayers are able to save about $3 million while continuing to enjoy this historic park and local treasure,” said Jenkins.



Jenkins said that Westchester’s parks, golf courses, hiking and biking trails and other recreational opportunities are an integral part of the county’s superior quality of life that attracts so many families to move to the area.  “Our investments in the Parks Department are quality of life investments that help to make this beautiful county the unique place it is,” said Jenkins.



Public Works Department


 The Public Works Department maintains and provides engineering services for repairs and rehabilitation of county roads, bridges and structures.  The department’s 2009 proposed operating budget of $85.36 million requests a tax levy of $6.55 million, approximately $1 million less than the


2008 levy.  Salaries and maintaining the court system each account for about 23% of the budget. 



As utility costs for all facilities account for about 29% of expenses, the department’s focus has been on conserving energy in recent years. Initiatives include energy audits, installing solar panels, lowering building thermostats during the winter and raising them during the summer, installing fluorescent bulbs, removing approximately 6,700 excess light bulbs, retrofitting several vans and trucks to use filtered vegetable oil as fuel; and, installing emission control devices on vehicles with diesel engines. About 45% of the current vehicle fleet is hybrid—the remaining non-hybrid vehicles will be replaced with hybrids as fund permit. The Commissioner said that the White Plains central heating plant and the Peekskill District Office Building will be added to the B5 biodiesel heating oil program. 



”This will be a challenging year as we move forward with capital projects,” said County Legislator Ken Jenkins Chairman of the Government Operations Committee which oversees the Public Works Department.  “We will continue to do what’s necessary to ensure the safety of the people using our roads, bridges and facilities in Westchester but will also be respecting economic realities which mean fewer contracts will be issued and fewer capital projects undertaken.”


 For more details on county department budgets, please visit the County Board’s Web site at www.westchesterlegislators.com.


 

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White Plains, 3 Towns, on Hook for $234.7 Million in N Cleanup

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WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. By John F. Bailey. November 24, 2008 UPDATED 10:40 P.M.: White Plains Residents in the Mamaroneck Valley Sewer District in Westchester ( approximately east of Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, according to White Plains Commissioner of Public Works )  may be facing an unspecified increase in their sewer taxes, in addition to  a Westchester County property tax hike.


Those residents  affected by the surprise sewer project, are  receiving a public notice from Commissioner Tom Lauro of the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities, informing them that Westchester County is being mandated by the state and federal government  (with no financial aid for the repairs from either state or Washington) to execute $235.7 Million in sewer repairs to eliminate discharging nitrogen into Long Island Sound. 


The Board of Legislators set a public hearing on floating a bond for that amount  for Monday, December 8 at 10:30 A.M.


Senator Charles Schumer speaking in Purchase, New York, Monday morning said this was one infrastructure project that County Executive Andrew Spano said the county might receive infrastructure aid on as part of the Obama Administration “stimulus” package.


 


This additional burden on the taxpayer is brought about by the county agreeing  to fulfill an agreement between the state of New York and the Federal Government executed in 1998. The County Board of Legislators was scheduled to conduct consideration of bonding for those improvements Monday afternoon.


White Plains Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti, queried about this by WPCNR Monday evening was unaware of the mandate. According to the public notice, the sewers in the Blind Brook Sewer District, the Mamaroneck Valley, New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts are affected.


White Plains officials were unaware of this mandate when asked about it Monday evening. White Plains residents served by the Mamaroneck Valley Sewer District may be expected to pay for any debt service incurred by the county to execute these repairs.


Monday evening the Board of Legislators issued this curt summary of the scheduled hearing:


 


The following public hearings have been set for Monday, December 8, 2008 at 10:30 AM:


 



  • BNR Consent Order

Proposed Consent Order with New York State concerning nitrogen reduction of sewage drained into the Long Island Sound, in ultimate compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. The legislation includes a bond act in the amount of approximately $235 million to fund the design and construction of improvements needed to upgrade the New Rochelle and Mamaroneck Sewage Treatment Plants.  The agreement must be approved by the end of the year in order for the county to avoid having to pay heavy fines imposed by the state. (16-1; No: Maisano)


It is interesting to note this mandate was not mentioned in today’s report issued out of the County  Legislature Budget and Appropriations Committee detailing the 2009  County Department of Public Works budget.


The complete consent order may be read at http://meetings.westchesterlegislators.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Download=Attachments&AttachmentID=1905&agencyname=westchestercounty

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County Approves 6 Year CSEA Contract.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. November 24, 2008: The Westchester County Board of Legislators today approved a contract between the Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA) and the county that covers a six-year period beginning January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2011. CSEA employees will receive a 3% per annum retroactive increase for 2006, 2007 and 2008.  There will be an increase of 3.25%, effective January 1, 2009; 4%, effective January 1, 1010; and 4%, effective January 1, 2011.


County Board Chair Bill Ryan (D-I-WF, White Plains) commented on the correlation between the quality of the county’s workforce and Westchester’s ranking as one of the most outstanding among the nation’s 3,000 counties.



“We appreciate the tremendous job our employees do handling all the county’s many functions,” said Ryan. “From taking care of our parks and recreation facilities, to caring for our county’s most vulnerable citizens, to ensuring the safety and security of our residents, county employees know their jobs and do them well and are the reason why the county runs as smoothly and as efficiently as it does.”   



“I am happy to see the contract finally get resolved, it’s been a long — too long— time coming,”  said County Legislator José Alvarado, Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee.  “I know we all appreciate the efforts of our workforce and we’re anxious to see that they finally get the cost of living increases they have earned.”   



Alvarado pointed out some cost saving measures that helped to offset the cost of the contract, particularly with regard to generic prescriptions and the requirement that new employees and their spouses complete a “Health Risk Assessment Survey.” By the terms of the contract, the failure of an employee and spouse  to complete the survey and hear out the suggestions of a health coach will mean they are not in compliance. An employee or spouse not in compliance will be required to contribute 20% of the cost of the plan until they are in compliance.



“Our employees have been patient and we appreciate that,” said County Legislator Ken Jenkins, Chair of the Government Operations Committee which has oversight responsibility for labor matters.  “I believe this is a fair agreement that balances our employees’ needs with the need of county government and taxpayers to control costs, especially in healthcare expenditures.”

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Schumer Details Obama Administration Stimulus Package to WCA

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. November 24, 2008: Senator Charles Schumer today described the stimulus package that congress will be working to deliver when the Obama Adminstration assumes power January 20,  and how it will work its way into Westchester County in an address to the Westchester County Association today at a meeting of the Westchester County Association.



Senator Schumer at Mastercard Headquarters in Purchase Monday morning, addressing the Westchester County Association.


He said the package would affect the county in five ways:  providing sharply increased federal funding for infrastructure particularly for flood remediation for the Bronx River Parkway, the Sprain Parkway and the Sound Shore (that is mandated for the Blind Brook, Mamaroneck Valley, New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts according to the County Department of Environmental Facilities.


He promised there would be millions in additional loans for small businesses through the Small Business Administration for the county; sharply increased reimbursement for Medicaid for New York State; increased funding for the Federal Housing Administration that will be used to refinance homeowners facing possible foreclosure, and millions more in community development grants that can be used to rehabilitate homes foreclosed and shore up their values to stimulate the economy. He also promised funding and incentives for  “green jobs” that would benefit the county.


Details in a later report.

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County Starts Toy Drive for Foster Kids — Drop Off Locations Announced.

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        WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Department of Social Services. November 24, 2008: When you open your gifts on the holidays, wouldn’t it be nice to know that someone less fortunate was sharing in your holiday cheer? There’s one easy way to make that happen: buy a gift for a foster child.
       


 


        
         Gifts are being sought for more than 900 kids in private foster homes and residential facilities. The youngsters are all receiving assistance through the Department of Social Services and are some of the county’s neediest children.


       “The economy may be looking bleak this year, but more than 900 children in Foster Care in Westchester are counting on us to make their holidays a little brighter and we just can’t let them down,’’ said Barbara Sabater of the Department of Social Services.
        Unwrapped gifts for a child or a young adult from birth to age 21 can be brought to six locations throughout the county. Children with specific gift requests can also be “sponsored.”  A holiday collection bin is located on the first floor of the County Office Building at 148 Martine Avenue in White Plains. Please bring your new unwrapped gift items and place them in the bin or bring them to the Department of Social Services receptionists at the following locations:               



  • 112 East Post Road, White Plains, 5th Floor

  •   85 Court Street, White Plains

  •  131 Warburton Ave., Yonkers

  •  750 Washington Avenue, Peekskill

  • 100 East 1st Avenue, Mount Vernon

  •  One Stop Employment Center- 120 Bloomingdale Rd., White Plains

    If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Sabater, Program Administrator, Department of Social Services, (914) 995-5545 or e-mail     bms7@westchestergov.com.

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