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)

Governor to PSC: Don’t Grant Con Edison Increase

Posted on October 8, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. October 9, 2013:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing Con Edison’s proposal to raise
utility rates in 2014.

“With the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy approaching and the recent power outage on the Metro-North’s New Haven line that inconvenienced tens of thousands of commuters, it’s clear that now is not the time for Con Edison to demand that its customers pay more,” Governor Cuomo said. “This year we strengthened the Public Service Commission in order to create a more aggressive watchdog entity that could hold utilities across New York accountable to ratepayers.”

The letter from
the Governor is below:

To the PSC Commissioners:

Since taking office, my administration has pushed to keep utility rates as low as possible while maintaining a highly reliable electric system. Superstorm Sandy, and more recently the disruption of service to Metro-North, reinforced the importance of a reliable electric system and the need to hold utilities accountable for their preparedness and response, especially when considering potential rate hikes. For the past several months, the Department of Public Service staff and other parties have been reviewing Con Edison’s request to increase electric delivery rates by 8 percent, gas delivery rates by 2.5 percent, and steam delivery rates by 2.3 percent.

Based on the submissions of staff and others, it is clear that such rate increases are not warranted, and I urge the Commission to reject the utility’s request to increase rates.

As you know, this year’s Enacted Budget included new provisions in the Public Service Law to strengthen the oversight and enforcement mechanisms of the Public Service Commission to ensure that major electric and gas utility companies are held accountable and responsive to regulators and customers. Giving real consideration to performance and service to ratepayers is consistent with our goal to make the Commission and Department effective regulators under our strengthened Public Service Law.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Con Edison customers already pay among the highest electricity rates in the nation, making it essential that the Commission scrutinize any request for further rate increases. New Yorkers need to get more value for the price they pay for utility service, and as part of this case the Commission and staff must also carefully evaluate proposed investments in the system to ensure such investments will benefit consumers. Given the historically low interest rates and the economic and income growth forecasts, such
investments can be made without the rate increase requested by the utility.

Maintaining stable rates and indeed, lowering rates whenever feasible, is
critical to supporting our economic recovery and creating jobs in the region.

I commend the staff at the Department of Public Service for their efforts to fully review and analyze Con Edison’s rate request and to find opportunities to stabilize rates for the businesses and residents of New York.

Third Quarter Home Sales Up 29% in Westchester, Putnam Rockland, Orange Counties

Posted on October 8, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR HOUSING NEWS. From the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors October 9, 2013:

Third quarter residential real estate closings soared by nearly 29% over last year’s counts in the four counties serviced by the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service, a subsidiary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. The Multiple Listing Service received postings of 4,579 completed sales of single family houses, condominiums, cooperatives, and 2-4 family dwellings.

The percentage increase was the greatest in Westchester County, at 31%, followed by Rockland (26%), Orange (24%) and Putnam (22%). In most cases the increases among the various property classes brought the sales counts to pre-recession levels.

In Westchester, for example, the 1,991 reported closings of single family houses during this third quarter were the most for any quarter since 2005.

In all of the counties except Rockland, sales of condominiums and cooperatives outpaced single family houses as a percentage increase over last year.

Even with the slower – but still healthy – sales counts of the first six months of the year, on a year to date basis through this third quarter, 2013 is running faster than last year by rates ranging from 24% in Westchester and Orange to 17% in Putnam and 16% in Rockland. Whereas there were 11,481 total sales in all categories in all of 2012, at the current rate of activity the region may cross the 14,000 sale threshold by the end of 2013.

The region is beginning to see modest price increases more often than not. In Westchester, the third quarter median sale price $652,050 – was 3.5% more than last year. The average (mean) sale price1 of $$862,356, however, was almost 8% higher and signaled the insertion of more high end properties into the sales mix.

More than 24% of Westchester’s houses sold for $1 million or more in the third quarter in comparison to a range of 16% to 22% throughout last year. Rockland County experienced the largest percentage price increase, 5.4%, in its single family median price, taking it to $410,000. Putnam posted the next largest increase, 5.0%, with a median price of $332,750. Putnam also posted a large 6.9% increase in condominium prices (but its data are subject to large percentage swings because its base counts are relatively small).

Only Orange County failed to post an increase in house prices; in fact, the median sale price of $240,000 was 2.0% lower than last year. However, Orange County provides the most affordable housing in the region and attracts buyers who are the most price sensitive, which gives lower price housing there a larger share of the market basket, at least for now. Note that Orange’s condominium sector, a lower priced alternative to single family houses, posted a 4.4% increase to $166,000 in its median price

All the faster paced activity has driven inventory to low but not market-killing amounts. New listings just haven’t been keeping pace with sales. In Westchester at the end of the quarter, inventory was down 11% from last year. Putnam and Rockland both posted 3% decreases. Orange County inventory was nearly unchanged with a slight half-percent increase.

The supporting framework for continued recovery in our region’s real estate market includes mortgage interest rates that have remained at relatively low levels. The average rate on a conventional 30-year mortgage was less than 4% during much of the period that generated the third quarter sales. Rates are now hovering around 4.6%-4.8%, still very attractive. Of course that could all change if the current political dysfunction in Washington causes a debt crisis. Actions of the Federal Reserve could also drive rates up, but for now the interest rates are stable and affordable.

Officer Involved in Chamberlain Death 23 Months Ago is Dismissed by White Plains Police

Posted on October 8, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. OCTOBER 8, 2013:

The White Plains Department of Public Safety terminated the employment of Officer Steven Hart on September 19, the Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong announced Monday to The Journal News, after a departmental hearing.

Hart is one of three officers accused in a $21 million federal lawsuit brought by the family of Kenneth Chamberlain who was shot and killed in an early morning standoff with police in Chamberlain’s Winbrook apartment November 19,2011. Chamberlain, police said was about to stab a police officer as officers entered his apartment after breaking down the door. Chamberlain had previously threatened the officers.

Commissioner David Chong is quoted by reporter Richard Liebson as saying, “I thought the best thing moving forward, for the department and the community, was that he be separated from service.”

The federal law suit is still moving forward. Hart is reported in the Journal News report as seeking legal means to getting himself reinstated.

Hart was accused of addressing Chamberlain with a common racial slur during the attempts by police to remove him from the apartment. However, Hart’s lawyer, the paper reports, a forensic expert, hired by Hart’s legal team to analyze tapes of the verbal exhanges said that no racial slur was used.

Free Flu Shots at Westchester County Center Thursday

Posted on October 7, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH HERALD. From the Westchester County Department of Health. October 8, 2013:

County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced that the Westchester County Department of Health will offer free flu shots to residents on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

“Flu shots are one of the best ways to stay healthy, and we hope residents will take advantage of this opportunity, and will encourage their family members and friends to get a flu shot, too,” Astorino said.

The county has 500 doses which can be given to adults and children ages 9 and up. Residents should register in advance for the flu clinic at www.health. ny.gov/Go2Clinic. Those without internet access can call (914) 995-7425, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“It’s important for everyone six months and older to get a flu shot every year,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “A flu shot now will provide protection throughout flu season, which can last well into the spring. It’s also equally important to wash your hands frequently, to avoid sick people and to stay home when you are sick.”

The flu shot is safe and provides protection against the three strains of the flu that are circulating this season.

To prevent spreading the flu, cough or sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often with soap and water. If you do get a respiratory infection, stay home until 24 hours after your fever subsides, to avoid spreading your germs. Clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones. Get plenty of rest, exercise and eat healthy food.

For more information, visit www.westchestergov.com/health, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wchealthdept, follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept or call us at (914) 813-5000.