THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

County Announces “Opportunity Zones” includes White Plains New York USA

Posted on June 26, 2019 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. June 26, 2019:

Westchester County is on the verge of a potential major real estate and business boom thanks to Opportunity Zones. This federal tax program is projected to spur economic development in the County’s distressed census tracts by offering tax breaks on capital gains to developers who invest and hold assets for at least five years.

There are 12 zones designated in 8 different municipalities in the County. The municipalities are Cortlandt, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Port Chester, White Plains and Yonkers.

The Opportunity Zones incentive is a new community investment tool, established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide.

Opportunity Zones provide tax incentives for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into dedicated Opportunity Funds. With such valuable benefits at stake, property values are rising as investors and developers scope out these nominated areas’ potential.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “My Administration is focused on advancing Westchester’s economy – and to do that best we must take full advantage of all potential avenues afforded to us. The Opportunity Zone program is a perfect example of one of these avenues. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure they have every chance to succeed.”

Since the Zones were released in 2017, the commercial real estate community has been all abuzz looking for investments in the County.

Vince Ferrandino, Principal of Ferrandino & Associates Inc., a planning consulting firm based in Elmsford, has been retained by the County to work with local municipalities to help make these new opportunities work best for them. His firm is also charged with connecting them with eager investors.

“Right now there is incredible opportunity and municipalities can really make this work for them,” said Ferrandino.

For investors who stand to gain in tax breaks, Ferrandino recommends working with a realtor or service that can help identify properties that might not yet be on the market.

“The tax benefits are tremendous, and so many investors are going to want to take advantage of realtors and services – while also lifting up a community in need,” said Ferrandino. He continued, “Ultimately, those who leverage all information have a wider range of properties to consider.”

While office space is always in demand due to the County’s close proximity to New York City, Ferrandino said municipalities also need to focus in on their needs, not just let the developers decide. He recommends forming local committees, holding meetings and surveying the public about what is really needed in the community and then preparing a plan.

“These areas are generally under invested – the developers and the municipalities need to come together and settle on a plan that is best for the community. The municipalities need to be proactive with this anticipated development coming their way,” said Ferrandino.

Bridging the gap between municipalities and developers, Ferrandino said his firm is committed to doing what is best for the community: “Let’s get into the details, beyond just reading the law – we want to show how the County can assist when you, a developer or a municipality, want to help get both sides to achieve what they are looking for.”

Meals on Wheels Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Posted on June 25, 2019 by John Bailey

**New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald presents a proclamation honoring Meals on Wheels of White Plains to Executive Director Susanna Sussman at the organization’s 40**^th anniversary party at the Woman’s Club of White Plains.

Meals on Wheels of White Plains celebrated its 40^th anniversary at the Woman’s Club of White Plains honoring the volunteers and donors who have supported the organization for four decades.

“There is nothing that can match the incredible dedication of our volunteers,” said Susanna Sussman, Executive Director. “They come week after week, year after year to deliver fresh meals to White Plains residents who are unable to shop and cook for themselves.”

Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver hot and cold meals to about 70 clients daily. The meals are individualized to follow prescribed diets.

On hand at the event were many volunteers, some of whom have been helping for over thirty years. Also on hand were a number of donors. “Our donors keep us going,” said board president Paul Schwarz. “Individual contributions, from $5 to $5,000, provide well over 50% of our annual operating budget.”

Meals on Wheels was honored at the event by New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald, as well as by the Westchester County Board of Legislators and White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, who declared Sunday Meals on Wheels day in the city.

Meals on Wheels of White Plains was founded by a small group of citizens, with leadership and inspiration from then County Legislator Carolyn Whittle, who then stayed on MOWWP’s board of directors for its first 20 years. Now living in California and unable to attend, Ms. Whittle sent a message to today’s volunteers, thanking them for helping to carry on the work she had started in 1979.

Looking forward to coming years, Meals on Wheels of White Plains is always happy to welcome new volunteers and new contributors, who can both get more information at 946-6878. As well, anyone needing Meals on Wheels services or information about signing up a client should call that number.

Selection of New City Court Judge Coming in July. Mayor’s Selection Committee Delilberating

Posted on June 25, 2019 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. June 25, 2019:

John Callahan, City Corporation Counsel adised a Special Meeting of the Common Council on the progress of the selection process of a new City Court Judge to replace a retired judge.

Callahan said the city had received 28 applications for the position and that the Mayor’s Selection Committee had interviewed, he believed most of the 28. Now he described the Selection Committee as in the process of evaluating the candidates and discussing pros and cons among members of the committee.

WPCNR asked Mr. Callahan when a selection would be announced, and he said sometime in July. At which time the Common Council would hold a vote whether or not to appoint the nominee.

143 YEARS AGO TODAY. CUSTER SOUGHT GLORY

Posted on June 25, 2019 by John Bailey

WPCNR MILESTONES. By John F. Bailey. June 25, 2018 Reprinted from the WPCNR archive: One hundred forty-three years ago today in the
midsummer sweltering heat of the Dakota Badlands,
Major General George Armstrong Custer and 600 Cavalrymen of the U.S.
Seventh Cavalry were converging to attack a contingent of 2,000 Sioux
and Cheyenne Indians encamped on the Little Big Horn River.

Custer’s troops were in the lead.

S

Sighting the Enemy Custer, whose strength as a commander was
willingness to engage the enemy by surprise has long been criticized by
historians and military experts for disobeying the command of his
superior General Alfred H. Terry, (commander of the Little Big Horn
campaign), who warned Custer to wait until Terry’s forces arrived to join him before Custer launched any attack.

At about 5 PM this afternoon today it was the waning afternoon, 143
years ago, 1876. 225 troopers, Custer, and Mark Kellogg, the Associated
Press correspondent (one of the first “embedded correspondents”) lay
dead strewn across the ridges of the Little Big Horn Valley.

The Indians had so much respect for Reporter Kellogg’s talent, they left
his body alone. To the Sioux, Mr. Kellogg was known as “The Man who
could make paper talk.”

Mr. Kellogg’s foolscap (copy paper) littered the horror of the battlefield.
Kellog was given a mule to ride by General Terry, and rode into battle
with Custer.

That afternoon, 143 years ago today, the superior Indian force had dealt
the American military its most infamous defeat to date, which would be
chronicled again and again.

Custer’s accomplishments as a military commander though have
suffered as a result of this alleged rash and ill-advised attack.

However, the battle is instructive for all who command, (no matter what position of command they hold), to pay attention to their scouting
reports, and above all conduct scouting forays, and to ignore whatever
personal gains might be achieved by a personally attractive course of
action (if you are successful).

Allegedly, Custer had seen a possible victory lead by himself over the
Sioux as a stepping stone to national office.

Instead, he died in action — one of the few U.S. Army Generals to do so.

Few know today, as the statue of General Custer in his hometown of
Monroe, Michigan, says how Custer was instrumental in forcing General Robert E. Lee to surrender by blocking Lee’s retreat at Appomattox in
1865.

Custer’s defeat may have been inevitable but the actions of Major
Reno’s premature breaking off his initial attack on the Indian
encampment, a disastrous premature, cut-and-run retreat, did not help
Custer’s chances.

Reno’s retreat allowed the counterattacking indians to turn all their force on Custer’s force, getting behind him, surrounding Custer and his
command and killing them all within an hour.

Custer’s glory achieved through his death is a sobering reminder every
year for those who ignore facts confronting them, and underestimate
adversaries, and discount adverse conditions.

We should not forget though that Custer was attempting to achieve his
mission. No one can say what really motivated him 143 years ago today
in the early afternoon when he launched his attack.

Second-guessing is the sport of the armchair historians and military
strategists who have the evidence of the result.

Blame is easily distributed. That is the loneliness of command. Combat.
Decisions. Risks. Surprise. They are the stuff that leaders have to deal
with.

On this day, we should look back and remember the courage it took to
engage.

Remember the bravery the Seventh Calvary displayed in defeat (despite
Indian reports of many committing suicide).

Soldiers today demonstrate this courage every day.

We need to admire that courage. I cannot fathom what it takes to be able to be courageous like this. Leading is not for everyone.