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)

HUD VS. WESTCHESTER. County Says HUD BULLYING COUNTY

Posted on March 25, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Office of the County Executive. (EDITED) March 25, 2013:

The county position (with HUD) is that it is in full compliance – in fact ahead of schedule – with the (HUD-Westchester County) settlement requirements and that the most recent HUD letter received today is just one more example of the federal government trying to bully Westchester to do things that go far beyond the terms of the settlement and dismantle local zoning.

HUD’s latest action of unilaterally demanding that the county give up either its constitutionally protected rights or $7 million that it was promised two years ago – money that goes not only to build affordable housing but to communities not involved in the settlement and most in need – shows that HUD has no regard or respect for fairness, due process and the judges of the U.S. Second Circuit who are charged with resolving this dispute.

The statement from the County Executive’s office was also partly in reaction to County Legislator Catherine Borgia, Chair of the County Board of Legislators Government Operations Committee who issued this statement:

“It is truly unfortunate and disgraceful that Westchester County may lose over seven million dollars in federal funding, already promised to Westchester communities and not-for-profit organizations to support vital programs and capital projects. Losing this funding will hurt Westchester’s low-income and most vulnerable residents immediately, but, in the long-term, all of the county’s taxpayers will be impacted by this.

“We can’t have any more stalling, political posturing and finger-pointing. I call on County Executive Astorino to work collaboratively with the Board of Legislators and the federal government to remedy this perilous situation before more harm is done to Westchester.”

The county is a year ahead of schedule in meeting the key benchmark of having 300 affordable units with financing in place by the end of 2013. As of today, the county has 305 units.

In all matters, the county has complied with the dispute resolution process outlined in the settlement.

On the issue of source of income, the matter is now before the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, where the county is confident that the U.S. Magistrate’s ruling in its favor will be upheld.

On the zoning issue, the county has supplied volumes of data as well as a thorough legal analysis showing Westchester’s zoning is not exclusionary.

The county would not be ahead of schedule in developing affordable housing in the 31 eligible communities if the zoning in those communities was exclusionary. The impasse is over HUD’s refusal to accept the county’s well documented conclusions.

Gov, Legislature On Requiring Teacher Evals by June. Binding Arb a Tool

Posted on March 25, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Office. (EDITED) March 25, 2013:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today detailed an agreement to guarantee every school district has a permanent teacher and principal evaluation system in place by June 1^st.

· First, the legislation would make clear that all evaluation systems currently implemented will not sunset by remaining in effect unless there are agreed to changes by the district and local bargaining unit.

· Second, the legislation would give the four remaining school districts that have failed to implement an evaluation system—New York City, Pine Plains, Fallsburg and Hamburg—until May 29^th to reach an agreement on a system.

If a district does not have a plan approved by that date, a one-time binding arbitration process will commence and the state will impose a system on the district by June 1^st. State Education Commissioner John King will act as the arbitrator in this process and decide what evaluation system will be imposed.

· Third, to ensure ongoing compliance with the implementation of the evaluation system, school districts will continue to remain ineligible for annual state education aid increases if the district fails to implement their approved evaluation system.

“This agreement ensures that every school district in New York has a permanent teacher evaluation system” Governor Cuomo said. “By guaranteeing that all our public schools have strong evaluations in place, we are putting the needs of students first and transforming our public education system for future generations to come.”

Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Dean G. Skelos said, “This agreement is a reasonable compromise that builds on the legislation we passed to enhance accountability in schools and give our students the first-class education they deserve. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues in the Legislature to do more to improve education and help our kids compete and succeed.”

Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey D. Klein said, “Adopting this plan will be a great step forward for parents, teachers, and students. By doing so, we will prevent future cuts to education funding and ensure that every teacher is held to a fair and meaningful standard of excellence.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, “This agreement represents a significant step forward for our teachers, schools, and, most importantly, our students. This plan restores stability to education funding now and in the future, ensuring that our schools and educators have the resources they need. We welcome this agreement as part of the 2013-2014 budget and commend the Governor and our colleagues in the Legislature for their commitment to providing the necessary resources to keep New York a leader in education.”

Last year, Governor Cuomo established a new statewide evaluation system that is one of the strongest in the country. The system is based on multiple measures of performance including student achievement and rigorous classroom observations. The Governor signed a law last year requiring all school districts to implement an evaluation system based on the statewide system approved by the State Education Department or risk losing their increase in education aid—resulting in 99 percent compliance (687 out of 691 school districts implemented a system).

Today’s law will ensure one hundred percent compliance and will help improve education all across New York.

Don’t Want Uninvited Solicitors? Get Listed on WP s DON’T KNOCK. DON’T SELL LIST

Posted on March 25, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the City Clerk Office. March 25, 2013:

The City of White Plains has established a “Do Not Knock” Registry for City of White Plains residents only who do not wish solicitors, peddlers or hawkers to come to their homes for the purpose of selling. This includes anyone who would come a door for the purpose of “…requesting, either directly or indirectly, money, credit, funds, contributions, personal property or anything of value; taking or offering to take orders for goods, wares and merchandise, except milk or newspapers, or for services to be performed in the future, or for selling, making, manufacturing or repairing any articles or thing whatsoever for future delivery.”

The Do Not Knock Registry legislation was passed by the Common Council in December of last year. The City Clerk’s office was charged with implementing it. A listing of those registered will be provided to any peddlers or solicitors every quarter.

Any resident who wishes to be placed on the Do Not Knock Registry must fill out a registration form, which can be accessed via the city website, www.cityofwhiteplains.com. The completed form and one-time fee of $2.50 (unless sticker is damaged or lost) can be mailed to the City Clerk or submitted in person at the Clerk’s office. The resident will then be provided with a City of White Plains No Solicitation sticker, which is designed to be placed on a window or door near the entrance to the resident’s home or apartment.

Mayor Roach said, “We have all had the experience of trying to manage solicitors who come to our homes. This Registry is a quick and easy way for residents to ensure they do not receive unwanted knocks on their door. The sticker provides a clear but polite message to potential solicitors to go elsewhere.”

Please note: The Registry does not prohibit the distribution of leaflets, pamphlets or other literature, including commercial, political or religious material distributed in a lawful manner.

Cut to the Disabled in a Holding Pattern.

Posted on March 22, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. Special to the CitizeNetReporter. MARCH 22, 2013:

WPCNR received this update from the state capitol, from one of the local point-advocates for restoration of the $311 Million cut (6%) Governor Andrew Cuomo proposes for the Office for Persons With Developmental Disabilities. Our correspondent credits the disabled organization lobbying organization, New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies.

This is from our trade organization NYSACRA this afternoon.

State Budget Update – Leaders Announce Conceptual Agreement This Week

On Wednesday evening, State Legislative Leaders and the Governor announced a conceptual agreement on the 2013-14 State Budget. The framework, outlined by the State’s leaders, balances the State Budget, holds spending under 2 percent, contains key economic development initiatives and investments in education. Tax cuts for middle class families and small business and an increase in the minimum wage are highlights of the conceptual agreement. To read the Governor’s press release on the conceptual agreement, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/03212013cuomo-and-leg-leaders-outline-budget

Early in the process, the Governor and Legislative Leaders were committed to passing a State Budget offering a Thursday, March 21^st deadline. That self-imposed deadline has passed. While certain budget bills are in print and going through the 3-day aging process, not all components of the State Budget have been finalized. Negotiations on specific items, including the restoration of the 6% across the board cut to NYSACRA members and other not-for-profit developmental disabilities service providers remain at the forefront. Negotiations on this item are at the highest level and we understand key officials are attempting to identify funding mechanisms to implement a restoration.

The State Senate adjourned on Thursday morning and is scheduled to reconvene on Saturday afternoon, though many speculate Sunday is more likely. The State Assembly adjourned Thursday afternoon and members will reconvene at the Call of the Speaker. While some members left Albany to return to the respective districts, senior legislators remain at the State Capitol.

NYSACRA expects negotiations to continue throughout today and this evening and we will keep members updated on the progress to finalize the State Budget in Albany.