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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. Special to WPCNR from Nancy King, County Roving Correspondent. November 21, 2011:

Members of the New York State Nurses Association and members of CSEA local 9201 staged a demonstration Monday on the grounds of the Westchester Medical Center.   Union leaders state that they are fed up with hospital CEO Michael Israel and claim that over the past several years, he has quietly cut many of the vital services that the hospital once provided.  These cuts have included the Taylor Care Facility that once housed long term and rehabilitative care.  Most recently, Israel and the board eliminated the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, a mobile mental health crisis unit that responded to the community with first responders. 

According to NYSNA President Sam Caquias, the Medical Center intends to lay off as many as 250 nurses and is intending to bring in nurses from private agencies to provide basic patient care.  These “traveling” nurses require no fringe benefits and work at a reduced pay rate.   The nursing staff is already countering that there are too few nurses on staff and that patient care is currently being compromised by a bare bones staff.

Also joining in today’s demonstration were members of CSEA local 9201.  These employees range from ancillary medical staff, facilities engineers and clerical help.   At stake for this local are approximately 350 jobs.  John Staino, President of Westchester County CSEA states that:

“We have top-heavy, over-paid administration making all of these decisions at WMC without any oversight or transparency. At one time, the elected county Board of Legislators had some oversight but we’re now faced with hospital board that seems made up largely by pre-selected insiders who rubber stamp everything that Michael Israel wants.”

Both unions are in the process of negotiating new contracts with the Westchester Medical Center.  Both unions have been asked to contribute heavily to their health and pension benefits.  Currently, both unions do not contribute to their health care benefits. 

 At the time of the demonstration which included two large blow up rats, both union officials claimed that Mr. Israel has claimed that there will be massive layoffs even if those budgetary concessions are made. 

Despite a large police presence from the Westchester County Police Department, demonstrators were orderly if not spirited as they marched around the large oval just outside the emergency room. 

No matter what, 2011 and 2012 will prove to be a difficult year for union members here in Westchester County.  Earlier this month, County Executive Rob Astorino laid out his prospective budget that includes the layoffs of 250 county union employees.  He as well as hospital administrators claim that even if concessions are made, layoffs are likely. 

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. November 19, 2011 (Updated 3:47 P.M. E.S.T.: 

 A Winbrook resident died after receiving two gunshot wounds fired by a White Plains Police officer responding with about 5 or 6 other officers to a call for help via a Lifeline service at 135 South Lexington Avenue  in White Plains Saturday morning.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong announced the shooting this morning at a news conference at police headquarters. A full investigation of the incident is now under way, the Commissioner said.

“Hearing screams inside,” the officers, Chong said, attempted to breach the locked metal door.

After police succeeded  in breaching the locked door,they discovered a second lock on the interior. The individual inside, identified as Kenneth Chamberlin, 68, (Chong said), swung a hatchet through the opening of the door at the police officers attempting to breach the second lock keeping the lock from opening. 

A police officer succeeded in taking the hatchet out of Mr. Chamberlin’s hand and police were able to breach the second lock.

Chamberlin, Chong said, in a sequence that took up “only a matter of seconds,” approached officers with a butcher knife in his hand, as they entered the apartment after breaching the second lock. 

Police, Chong said, discharged a Taser to attempt to calm the individual, but the taser had no effect on him.

A non-lethal bean bag shotgun discharge (discharging four bean bags at once), was next discharged by police to attempt to subdue Mr. Chamberlin still armed with the butcher knife but “it (the bean bag blast) had no effect,” Chong reported.

Despite this Mr.Chamerlin persisted, Chong said

Chamberlin closed in close proximity with a butcher knife to one of the police officers Chong said who discharged two rounds from his service revolver striking Mr. Chamberlin. Chong noted this was “very close quarters” in which the action was taking place.

(Editor’s note, added to first report of this incident after reviewing reporter notes: After Mr. Chamberlin was shot, while first aid was being attempted, Mr. Chamberlin attempted to slash his own throat with the butcher knife. Toxology reports will be checked after an autopsy by the medical examiner.)

Chamberlin was given first aid at the scene by EMS workers, Chong said, he was taken to White Plains Hospital where Chamberlin died at  7:09 A.M.

The police officer, an eight-year veteran of the White Plains Police Department is being treated for chest pains and trauma at White Plains Hospital, as are two other police officers who responded.

White Plains Housing Authority Executive Director Mack Carter (appearing at the news conference)which manages the 135 South Lexington Building told WPCNR,  federal law prohibits denying any potential tenant residency due to personal conditions. Carter did say the only condition in which the Housing Authority could deny residency to a potential tenant was if the applicant had a criminal record within the last five years.

Commissioner Chong said in the news conference that Mr. Chamberlin, the deceased, was “known to the police.” Mr. Chong declined to tell WPCNR what the police “knew” of the deceased.