THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR FASNY-GO-ROUND. by John F. Bailey. April 25, 2015:

Over 100 persons from eight neighborhood associations staged a protest asking the Common Council of White Plains to deny the special permit the French American School of New York seeks to build a consolidated campus on the former Ridgeway Country Club.

The French American School of New York issued this statement to WPCNR in response:

“For more than four years the plan to create our School and the publicly-accessible Greens to Green open space Conservancy at the former Ridgeway Country Club has undergone the most intensive and exhaustive study and review of any development in White Plains history. The City’s elected officials, commissioners and departments, an array of expert consultants for both the School and the City, School staff, students and families and many White Plains residents have invested hundreds, if not thousands, of hours in this extended approval process.

The multiple public hearings have been closed and the thorough environmental studies dealing with every aspect of the plan have been officially adopted as SEQRA Findings by a 6 to 1 vote of the Common Council in December 2013. The School project is clearly better as a result of the input and careful planning that has transpired.  Currently, all involved are awaiting the final Site Plan and Special Permit vote by the Common Council.

Despite this lengthy and costly review, some area neighbors remain adamantly opposed to the School, as they have been from the start. Unsatisfied with the extensive revisions and improvements, traffic control measures, mandatory busing, reductions in the number of students, and the numerous other mitigation measures — many of which have resulted from their public input — they continue to try to defeat the planned School and Conservancy. Their attempt to legally challenge the approval process was dismissed by the New York State Supreme Court. Yet they continue to protest and oppose, often loudly.

It is worth noting that many of the neighbors and residents from across White Plains strongly support the School and Conservancy plan. Our supporters welcome 78 acres of public open space, with over 3 miles of walking trails and biking lanes, open daily from dawn to dusk, and at no cost to taxpayers. They also realize that FASNY will add to the educational, economic and environmental welfare of White Plains.

All of us at the French-American School of New York are eager to become active members of the White Plains community, as we have been in the other communities in Westchester County where we have had campuses throughout our 35-year history.

Geoff Thompson,  spokesman for the school said the school had no date yet from the city when the council would take up the matter again. (It currently awaits a Findings Statement from the Council, which will come when the Council feels all questions raised by envronmental review have been answered to the Common Council satisfaction.

Thompson said to his knowledge the school is not considering putting the property on the market at this time. Asked what progress the school had made in financing the project, Thompson said he would have to check with the French American School.

Ron Rhodes a resident of Gedney Farms who has published and written the city many times raising issues he feels the city has not examined closely enough, told WPCNR  he feels that the city is ignoring a covenant that went with the sale of the Ridgeway Country Club. That covenant dates back to 1925 the land was obtained. Rhodes said court decisions have upheld that covenants of the past are enforceable. The covenant Rhodes referred to stated that the land could only be used as a golf course.

John Sheehan, organizer of the protest said he was pleased with the turnout, and the number counted by a protester placed it at 150. Sheehan said he was planning another protest.

The demonstration was made on the sidewalk in front of White Plains High School. The group marched two or three abreast down to the YWCA and back to the entrance to the high school.

Sheehan said there were residents from the north end of town who marched and that participation was not limited to Ridgeway vicinity residents.

This reporter was told  that the prospect of closing Hathaway Land has faded and the city is working with FASNY on a reworking of the North Street entrance.

I was also told that persons attempting to sell their house in the vicinity of the threatended street have had buyers look at the home, liked it very much, but said they would not buy until they knew what was happening with the FASNY project.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Department of Communications, Westchester County. April 22, 2015:

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino Wednesday delivered an optimistic and strong message in his annual State of the County address, stating that Westchester was “growing smarter, safer and stronger each day.”  Despite the increasing costs of Albany’s unfunded mandates and the automatic escalation of labor costs, Astorino said an increase to the county property tax levy was out of the question.

“It’s a pledge (not raising the tax levy) I have kept for five years and I am making it again tonight, because county government has to be on the side of every young person, couple, senior and business in Westchester that is struggling to make ends meet so they can stay here,” said Astorino.

To help hold the line on taxes, Astorino has held the line on spending.  This year’s county budget is less than the budget he inherited in 2010. Among the cost saving measures instituted to lower costs were actions to competitively bid inmate healthcare services, successfully transfer operation of county mental health clinics to not-for-profits and getting seven of eight government unions to agree to chip in for their health care.  These actions save the county $10 million per year.

The new $25 million Playland agreement with New York-based Standard Amusements will also save taxpayers money, as well as secure the long-term future of Playland. Standard Amusements will invest $23 million in capital improvements perhaps as soon as later this year, introduce new rides and attractions and make an up-front $2.25 million payment to the county and pay an annual fee of $300,000, that escalates each year.

In addition to the Playland agreement, Astorino highlighted other positive news in the past year:

• The county’s Patriot Housing Initiative has found homes for 265 veterans (since 2013).
• The Industrial Development Agency (IDA) assisted on 16 economic development projects that generated more than $400 million in private investment, along with 3,400 permanent and construction jobs.
• The Local Development Corporation (LDC) assisted on a number of projects in the non-profit sector that generated $129 million and accounted for 1,600 jobs.
• Capital projects investments are close to surpassing the $1 billion mark (since 2010) and help create over 2,000 construction jobs per year while providing needed rehabilitation to our roads, bridges, sewers and parks.
• As part of Astorino’s Safer Communities initiative, more than 350 volunteers were trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and another 400 service providers and advocates were trained as “community champions” with the mission of being a go-to local resource in terms of awareness and education when it comes to suicide prevention.
• The administering of Narcan was credited with saving 12 lives from heroin overdose in the past year. Police officers who went through the county Department of Health’s Narcan program administered the antidote.

Astorino hailed a recent Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision which said actions by HUD to financially penalize the county were indeed subject to judicial review, as a “major victory against an aggressive and overreaching federal government,” and a win for local zoning and home rule.  The county remains on schedule in fulfilling the terms of the 2009 federal housing settlement agreement with currently 223 units occupied and 454 units with financing in place.

Among the new initiatives unveiled by Astorino was the new Westchester Economic Development office that will open a Manhattan office at 125 Park Avenue, directly across from Grand Central Station.  The office will be functional and open for business starting in May. The purpose for the office is to aggressively promote Westchester’s many assets, offerings and competitive advantages to companies and entrepreneurs looking to leave New York State.  Astorino said, “Our message is simple. To those companies in New York City looking to Fairfield County or Jersey City, or perhaps the Carolinas, Florida or Texas, before you decide to leave New York State, you need to take a look at Westchester.”

The county’s new fatherhood initiative is designed to celebrate the critical role of the father, provide key tools and support, and help those in at-risk situations navigate and overcome potential barriers they may have to becoming effectively involved dads.  Former New York Knicks all-star Allan Houston was in attendance and his foundation will partner with the county in the initiative.  “Over the course of the past 50 years, the critically important role of the father in the family has been diminished,” said Astorino. “A good and present dad is good for moms and good for kids. And if the county can be a catalyst for strengthening families, then this may be the most important role the county ever plays.”

Astorino announced a new Safer Communities initiative with the development of a new mobile phone application called the Westchester Safety App. Expected to be available later this summer, the app will offer real-time traffic, weather and storm reports, and disaster preparedness tips via smart phones. It is being developed by Interlecta, a Westchester-based IT company, in conjunction with the county’s Department of Public Safety. The download of the app will be free, and there is no cost to taxpayers.

And coming in May, the county’s “A Job’s Waiting for You Training” program gets under way and matches long-term unemployed workers with hard to fill jobs in health care such as MRI technicians through a training program that, upon successful completion, guarantees the trainee a job. The goal is to place 500 individuals in four years and ultimately expand the program beyond the health care field.

Astorino concluded his speech by saying, “Westchester is a place we love, where we raise our families, run our businesses and call home. Our past is a source of pride, our future is bright and together we will continue to make Westchester smarter, safer and stronger.”