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)

Benjamin Boykin Sworn In as District 5 County Legislator

Posted on January 6, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. January 6, 2014:

Ben Boykin, a former White Plains Common Councilman and a business executive with a strong record in community service, was sworn in officially tonight as a member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL). He will be representing the county’s 5^th Legislative District, which includes Scarsdale, most of White Plains and a portion of Harrison. The district was previously represented by Bill Ryan, now retired.

“I am looking forward to working with the sixteen other County legislators to hold down property taxes and create new job opportunities for the residents of Westchester,” said Boykin. “Government, at all levels, has to take a proactive approach in increasing economic growth and ensuring a level of prosperity for future generations. That’s no small task, but I think working together we can achieve success.”

Boykin noted that many Westchester residents are still in need of help and support from County government programs, and pledged to preserve child care subsidies for working mothers while also maintaining services for seniors and at-risk youths.

First elected to the White Plains Common Council in 2000, Boykin served as president on three separate occasions (2002-3, 2009-9 and 2010-11). He was a member of the White Plains School Board from 1992 to 1999 as well.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Boykin is a Certified Public Account and former Assistant Treasurer at Nabisco, where he helped the international conglomerate maintain its investment-grade credit rating. Presently, he runs his own financial consulting business, Ben Boykin & Associates, in White Plains.

Sunrise Rises Again at the Zoning Board of Appeals–WednesDAY!

Posted on January 6, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. From the Carhart Association. January 6, 2014:

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear an appeal Wednesday January 8th at 7PM by Sunrise of an interpretation made by Commissioner of Building Amadio on August 14thn(2013) that an “alcoholism facility” does not meet the criteria of a “community residence”.

Should the ZBA over-turn this decision, then Sunrise would need to submit a new Application and begin the process all over again to tae the Nathan Miller Nursing Home on DeKalb Avenue and turn it into an alcohol-drug rehab facility.

Should the ZBA uphold Amadio’s decision, then Sunrise would almost definitely go back to federal court and re-file their discrimination against the disabled lawsuit against White Plains.

Slippin’ and a Slidin’ Floods White Plains Hospital ER–Got Salt?

Posted on January 6, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From White Plains Hospital Medical Center. January 6, 2013:

The combination of snow, rain and plummeting temperatures can create a nightmarish scenario for anyone walking, even if it is just a few feet. A simple walk to your car or along a sidewalk where there is “Black Ice” can result in serious problems including sprains, fractures, and brain injury.

White Plains Hospital, for example, experienced a roughly 50 percent spike in Emergency Room visits on Sunday that can be attributed to the yo-yo-like temperatures. In one hour, in particular, 41 patients were registered for treatment in the ER.

Because temperatures are expected to free-fall today, Hospital staff members are expecting another busy evening. (As of 4 P.M. the temperature in White Plains was at 40 degrees and falling.)

In adults ages 65 and older these types of injuries can be serious: One out of three adults falls each year and they are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control. There were 2.3 million nonfatal injuries in 2010 that resulted in more than 662,000 hospitalizations and cost $30 billion in treatment. Common injuries include fractures of the hip, spine, arm, leg, ankle and hand while more serious spills can even cause traumatic brain injuries.

Cold Air Precautions

Posted on January 6, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From the Westchester County Department of Health. January 6, 2013:

With dangerously cold temperatures forecast until Wednesday morning, the Westchester County Department of Health reminds residents to take precautions against hypothermia and frostbite and to take care when heating their homes using alternate heating sources.

“If you have an elderly or ailing neighbor who lives alone, please check on them when the weather is so cold,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “With the weather so cold, people should be very cautious when traveling outdoors. Wear lots of layers, do not leave skin exposed and limit your time outside.”

If a safe temperature cannot be maintained inside your home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. Libraries, municipal buildings and malls are good places to warm up and the Department of Social Services can provide emergency shelter around the clock at 995-2099.

“Low temperatures can be life-threatening, especially for seniors, infants and people who are at increased risk for hypothermia,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. “I urge residents, especially those households with seniors or infants to keep their thermostats set at no less than 68 degrees during the daytime to avoid accidental hypothermia.”

Seniors and infants less than one year of age should never sleep in a cold room and should be dressed warmly to maintain body heat.

Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include stumbling, mumbling, fumbling and grumbling, shivering, slurred speech and confusion. Infants with hypothermia may appear sluggish, with very low energy and bright red, cold skin. If you think that someone is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite, call a medical provider immediately. Frostbite is another cold weather concern and is especially dangerous because it often happens with little warning. Numbness can occur so quickly that the individual, unaware of being frostbitten, may remain outside, increasing the chance of permanent damage. Older people, and those with diabetes, are especially vulnerable to frostbite due to impaired circulation.

Tips to prevent frostbite and hypothermia:

Start with synthetic or silk thermal underwear to wick moisture away.
Add fleece or wool sweaters or sweatshirts to trap heat and keep cold out.
Top it off with a waterproof or water-repellent jacket and pants.
Add gloves, scarf, a hat that covers the ears and sturdy shoes or boots with good traction.
Go indoors when you begin to feel cold.

Heating your home with a generator, space heater or stove can pose risks. Never use a generator inside your house or in partly enclosed areas such as garages, basements, porches, crawlspaces, sheds, carports or breezeways, even if your windows are open. Generators should only be operated outdoors, away from open windows. Using a generator indoors can kill you in minutes. Carbon monoxide in the generator’s fumes can build up and cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. Also remember that barbeque grills and camp stoves produce carbon monoxide and should only be used outdoors. Ovens also produce carbon monoxide and should never be used to heat your home.

Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using space heaters and wood burning stoves.
Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use – don’t substitute.
Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater.
Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
Never leave children or pets unattended near a space heater, fireplace or wood burning stove.

If you lose power, call your utility company. Con Edison can be reached at 1-800-75-CONED; NYS Electric and Gas can be reached at 1-800-572-1131 for electrical outages and 1-800- 572-1121 for gas.

For more information on cold weather safety, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health. You can also follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/wchealthdept.