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)

WP is the city businesses want — Mayor Tells Rotary Club. Says Projects Are Moving Ahead Gives Tantalizing Details, Whets Appetites.

Posted on March 25, 2014 by John Bailey

State of the City: Mayor Thomas Roach addressing the White Plains Rotary Club Tuesday.

WPCNR AT LARGE. By John F. Bailey. March 26,2014:

White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach attracted over 50 Rotarians and guests to Tuesday’s meeting of the White Plains Rotary Club at the Crowne Plaza. Using a mixture of folksy self-deprecating humor and very positive developments starting to unfold, entertained and informed painting a positive “State of the City.”

He closed his 30-minute talk saying the city’s new “AA-1 Stable” bond rating, showed that the city staying within Governor Cuomo’s tax cap and sticking to its money-saving endeavors has created an environment businesses were looking at seriously.

“White Plains is number one. There is not one developable or vacant property that is not being looked at,” he said. “We are the kind of environment businesses want.”

He talked in tantalizing candor on these city development issues:

BUS RAPID TRANSIT—Corridor direct to WHITE PLAINS TRAIN STATION.

He lead off with interesting developments coming out of his service on the Governor’s Mass Transit Task Force.

He said the force discovered the majority of commuters from Rockland County do not commute to New York City, but commute to Westchester. This convinced the Task Force that a rail link across the Tappan Zee Bridge and across Westchester County would not only not be used, but a rail link was cost-prohibitive.

Roach said that the Task Force determined that, to build commuter rail across Westchester County, a tunnel would have to be built under the Town of Greenburgh and would cost millions.

The Mayor commented that in order to commute by rail to Stamford, the Rockland resident now has to take a train south to 125^th Street and change trains to travel to Stamford. The Task Force, he said, saw that Bus Rapid Transit with modern buses, a station-based ticketing system with no fare box on the bus, and frequent buses was more practical and could be used in conjunction with the Westchester County Beeline System.

The plan: to skirt the Route 119 bottleneck into White Plains

Roach said that the Task Force recognized that running the Bus Rapid Transit system along the Route 119 Corridor had its problems. He said he advocated to the Task Force a traffic “Connector Corridor” to be built through the County Parking lot at the County Center (bypassing the rush hour traffic that bottlenecks Route 119) coming into White Plains perhaps under the tracks. He reported the Task Force was at this time positive about his suggested approach.

Roach said the city was in the first stages of beginning a feasibility and possibility study using the state $1 Million grant given the City of White Plains to study development around the White Plains Railroad Station. The study would gather ideas about what White Plains citizens want. He noted, too that White Plains is the number one destination out of New York City during rush hour.

New Tappan Zee Bridge will not solve the I-287 wall of traffic

Roach expressed concern that when the new Tappan Zee Bridge is built, unless the daily rush hour jams on I 287 eastbound in mornings and westbound evenings were addressed the new bridge would not be effective. “Traffic starts in White Plains (on I-287),” he said. He said the state is aware of this reality, but has not said how they plan to alleviate it. He points out that even with the 4 lanes eastbound from the new Tappan Zee Bridge, those 4 lanes still would have to hit the wall of traffic of the three lane eastbound I 287 and merge.

Site of the Grid Properties planned development (in process of being designed). Townhouses, the Mayor said are planned for the North side of Maple Avenue (foreground) and the retail mall would be the farside of the triangular property fronting West Post Road.

The Grid Properties Plan for the West Side on W. Post Road and Maple

The Mayor took on the mystery Grid Properties development currently being tweaked by the Grid organization.

The Mayor said at this point extensive retail would be built on the West Post Road side of the triangular former Sholz property, and would be relieved by a string of townhouses to front on Maple Avenue – no idea on how many, how the parking would be. The Mayor said his philosophy is to give the close-in neighborhoods adjacent new developments development “that would enhance them.”

Mark Weingarten, of DelBello, Donnellan, Weingarten, Wise & Wiederkehr speaking for Grid Properties, asked by WPCNR to confirm the commitment to townhouses on the site with the retail, gave this written statement:

Again, no final decisions have been made as of today. Our client has drawn up many different scenarios for review and analysis. When our client is ready to share its vision with the City and the public, we will inform you.

The White Plains Pavilion property looking West Northwest across Maple Avenue.. Crowne Plaza Hotel is at far right.

The White Plains Pavilion Project

The Mayor told Rotary, the owners of the Pavilion are requesting a zoning change for mixed use to redevelop the site. He noted the zoning change has not been approved by the Common Council yet.

However, the Mayor told Rotary about a design that would have a threshold reminiscent of Rome’s Spanish Steps leading up from the Crowne Plaza Hotel that from the sounds of it would be totally unique in the metropolitan area.

On the north side of the steps, Roach said would be a series retail and restaurants, perhaps at the top of the steps a hotel, and fronting on Maple Avenue would be residential buildings, he said would compliment the new apartments going up on DeKalb. The idea appeared created a buzz in the audience.

The Cambria Suites Hotel

Mayor Roach told Rotarians that the Cambria Suites hotel going up on Main Street, is scheduled to be finished in June, and would contain a Japanese Steak House and a Chipotle Grill in the hotel itself.

Winbrook Revitalization.

Mayor Roach said the city was close to holding a groundbreaking for the first building of the Winbrook Revitalization (which currently continues to be picketed by the Brotherhood of Operating Engineers, protesting the use of non-union labor being used by Jonathan Rose, the developer, work continues). Roach said the complex continues to be seen as a mixed use project with retail and businesses on the Lexington Avenue side, and the new residences being of mixed incomes.

French American School of New York

In the question and answer period that followed, the Mayor said the French American School of New York site plan for the former Ridgeway Country Club is being awaited by the city, and after it is received new public hearings on the site plan would begin again.

He did not mention any details of the 2014-15 city budget that is due the first week in April and was not asked about it.

NY Doctor Charged in $85 Million Medicare Fraud

Posted on March 25, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 25, 2014:

A criminal complaint was unsealed Tuesday morning in Brooklyn federal court charging Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed, 49, with health care fraud in connection with his submission of millions of dollars in false Medicare billings.

Seizure warrants seeking millions of dollars of the defendant’s alleged ill-gotten gains, including the contents of seven bank accounts, were also unsealed.

In addition, a civil forfeiture complaint was also filed today against the defendant’s residence located in Muttontown, New York, valued at approximately $4 million

Further, earlier today search warrants were executed at six locations in New York, Michigan, and Nevada.

The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; David O’Neil, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; and Thomas O’Donnell, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

As alleged in the complaint, Ahmed engaged in a scheme to submit claims to Medicare for surgical procedures that were not in fact performed.

The complaint cites multiple instances in which either patients told law enforcement officers that they never had the procedures that were billed, or hospital medical records did not contain any evidence that the procedures were actually performed. From January 2011 through mid-December 2013, Medicare was billed at least $85 million for surgical procedures by Ahmed, a sole practitioner.

“As alleged, Ahmed created phantom medical procedures to steal very real taxpayer money. The defendant sought to enrich himself and fund his lifestyle through billing Medicare for services he never performed,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We are committed to protecting these taxpayer-funded programs and prosecuting those who steal from them.”

“The Medicare system entrusts doctors to provide patients with the care and services they need,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General O’Neil. “The charges unsealed today allege that Dr. Ahmed billed millions of dollars to Medicare for surgical procedures that he did not actually perform. These charges are yet another example of the Department of Justice’s determination to hold accountable those who abuse the trust placed in them and steal from the system for personal gain.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Venizelos stated, “Fraudulently billing the government defrauds every American taxpayer. We will investigate cases of graft and greed to protect important programs for those who need them.”

“For a single physician, the alleged conduct in this case is among the most serious I’ve seen in my law enforcement career,” said SAC for HHS-OIG O’Donnell. “Being a Medicare provider is a privilege, not a right. When Dr. Ahmed allegedly billed Medicare for procedures he never performed, he violated the basic trust that taxpayers extend to health care providers.”

The investigation has been conducted by the FBI and HHS-OIG, brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, and supervised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Turner Buford of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant United States Attorneys William Campos and Erin Argo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,480 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4.8 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS- OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

The Defendant:
SYED IMRAN AHMED
Age: 49
Glen Head, New York

WPHS SENIOR NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST

Posted on March 25, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the White Plains City School District. March 25, 2014:

White Plains High School Senior Claire M. Nataro was been named a 2014 National Merit Scholarship Finalist. She is among the 15,000 Finalists nationwide, selected from 1.5 million entrants. and is now eligible to earn one of the 8,000 National Merit Scholarships.

A member of the Band and an All-County Musician, Nataro has participated in the New York State School Music Association Festival for the last six years. She is a private flute teacher and is also a member and current Captain of the school’s Swim Team. Honors she has received include the Yale Book Award, the AP Scholar Award, and National Honor Society recognition.

Selected as a Semifinalist was Max A. Golden, and the following were named Commended Students: Louisa C. Abbott, Shamus C. Cardon, Theodore M. Chomiak, Arielle K. Hazi, Sarah A. Lumelsky, Rachel Y. Okun, Vivekanand Tatineni and Samuel L. Woehr.

In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which provides recognition for outstanding Black American high school students, Ayan S. Waite was named a Winner and Najah A. Banks was named Outstanding Participant.

Five students were named National Hispanic Recognition Scholars: Brian Laplaca, Kiara R. Barone, David Laguna, Germain Meza and Amanda Soyk.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Program, which honors the nation’s academically talented high school seniors and encourages the pursuit of academic excellence.

Board of Legislators Review Parking Plan for Playland. Satellite Parking areas; Private Security Force introduced

Posted on March 25, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. March 25, 2014:

Members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) raised important questions today during a review of the Traffic and Parking Report for the revitalization of Playland at a meeting of the BOL Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing Committee (LPPH), chaired by Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem).

Executives from Sustainable Playland, Inc. (SPI) attended the BOL committee meeting and imparted further details of their Playland Improvement Plan (PIP), which included several major changes to the traffic flow and parking capacity at Playland made necessary with the opening of a new, 82,000 square-foot Field House planned for Westchester’s iconic 280-acre recreation area and amusement park.

“The goal here is to ensure, through a collaborative and open process, that Playland is a financial success for all the stakeholders, especially the county’s taxpayers,” said Harckham. “The proposed changes to the park need to be made in consideration of a number of questions and different factors. We’re on the right track toward getting the answers we need so the Committee’s analysis can go forward.”

During today’s presentation the legislators learned that some peak attendance dates at Playland would bring in more vehicular traffic than could be handled by the parking areas proposed in the PIP. Construction and planned use of the Field House and Playing Fields will take up some of the existing parking spaces. Also, a new traffic ingress to the part of the Playland property where the Field House will be situated is planned.

“Today, we were given a lot of new information about getting patrons in and out of Playland safely and comfortably, and the impact some of the changes will have on parking availability,” said BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “There are now more questions, however, about whether the effort to make Playland a popular year-round destination meshes with SPI’s desire to keep attendance at a certain limit. I am eager to receive more information about how this will be resolved.”

SPI announced today that satellite parking areas will be developed as well, to deal with parking overflow on busy days and nights at Playland.

Also, a private enforcement agency will be hired to keep patrons from parking on neighboring streets and walking over to Playland.

“It was good to have a discussion with SPI to address parking issues at Playland,” said BOL Chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers). “Parking remains one of the primary issues of concern for the Board of Legislators, as it is for the residents who live near the park. Legislator Harckham’s committee continues to work through the review process for SPI’s plans, and I’m confident that our oversight here at the Board of Legislators will make the Playland Improvement Plan the best it can be.”