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)

Dem Party Challenges Arndt Petition to Keep Him off Republican Primary Ballot

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2011. Special to WPCNR July 30, 2011:

Elizabeth Shollenberger, head of the White Plains Demorcratic Party has filed a show cause order challenging the validity of the petitions filed by James Arndt, nominated by the Republican Party to run against Democrat John Martin, for the unexpired term of Mayor Thomas Roach’s former council seat.

The action, according to court papers challenges Arndt’s petitions to appear on the Republican Primary ballot September 13. A succesful challenge would have the effect of allowing Martin, the Democrat to run unchallenged for Roach’s unexpired term.

The action was filed this week and the parties are scheudled to appear in New York Supreme Court Monday morning at 9:30 A.M. before Judge Sam Walker.

DEP LIFTS ALL RECREATION RESTRICTIONS ON BEACHES, LOCAL WATERS

Posted on July 29, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR WATER WATCH. From the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. July 29, 2011:

The New York City Health Department Thursday evening lifted the beach pollution advisory for Sea Gate in Brooklyn as well as the beach closure notices for South Beach, Midland Beach and Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island.

The Thursday evening announcement brings to a close the massive raw sewage pollution of the Hudson River north to Ossining and south to the environs of New York Harbor after 8 Days. The raw sewage had to be pumped untreated into the Hudson River due to a fire at the 135th Street and 12th Avenue sewage treatment plant, and the lack of backup systems at the plant to continue the treatment process.

The most recent water quality sampling indicates that bacteria levels found at these locations and in New York Harbor has returned to acceptable levels.

Additionally, the Health Department has determined that recreational activities may resume in the Hudson River, the East River from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to Verrazano Bridge, the Harlem River and the Kill Van Kull to the Goethals Bridge.

These waterways are now fit for recreational activities that entail possible direct contact with water.

Consuming fish caught from these areas is again permissible, provided that individuals follow the New York State guidelines for consumption of fish caught in New York City waterways. That information can be found at http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/outdoors/fish/docs/down_state_advisories.pdf.

Warning signs at beaches and kayak launches will be removed as a result.

Specific beach information continues to be available to the public through website postings at the City’s beach website www.nyc.gov/health/beach, at www.nyc.gov under NYC Right to Know, and at www.nyc.gov/health, the City Information Hotline 311, and those who have signed up to Notify NYC will receive up to date status information relating to public beaches via Twitter, RSS, email and SMS.

Castelli Attends Mid-Hudson Regional Council Introduction. Councils to Decide $$

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR ECONOMIC ENGINE. From the Office of 89th District Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli. July 28, 2011 (EDITED):

Robert Castelli joined Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy yesterday and other local officials, business leaders, and community members to launch the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council at SUNY New Paltz.

The Council, originally proposed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and adopted in the 2011 Executive Budget passed by the legislature, will redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide, according to the Governor.

“This is an important step in revitalizing New York,” Castelli said. “Under the leadership of the Governor, we stopped the ship of State from sinking this year. We are on the upward swing, and this will be an important shot in the arm to continue that by virtue of spurring our economic development. We want to be once again known as the Empire State, where people wish to come and do business.”

The Mid-Hudson Regional Council will be led by Dennis Murray, President of Marist College, and Dr. Leonard S. Schleifer, President & CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., who will both serve as Regional Co-Chairs. The Regional Council will coordinate the economic development of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. A complete list of members of the Mid-Hudson Regional Council is included below.

Regional Co-Chairs

Dennis Murray, President of Marist College

Leonard S. Schleifer, MD, PhD, President & CEO, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

General Members

Teri Ward, President & CEO, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce

Carol Fitzgerald, President & CEO, Life Medical Technologies Inc.

Ned Sullivan, President, Scenic Hudson, Inc.

James Bernardo, President & CEO, Candela Systems Corporation

Payal Malhotra, Vice President of Marketing, Café Spice GCT, Inc.

Mary Rodrigues, Owner, A.J. Rodrigues Group Inc.

Tom Endres, President & COO, Continental Organics

Wiley C. Harrison, Founder & President of Business of Your Business, LLC

Paul Ryan, President, Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body

Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, SUNY Rockland Community College

Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress

Aleida Frederico, Chair of the Board, Commerce Bank

James Taylor, III, CEO, Taylor BioMass, LLC

Ken Kleinpeter, Director of Farm and Facilities, Glynwood Farm

Robin L. Douglas, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce Westchester &

Rockland Counties

Vincent Cozzolino, President & CEO, The Solar Energy Consortium

Marsha Gordon, President & CEO, Westchester Business Council

Al Samuels, President & CEO, Rockland Business Association

Maureen Halahan, President & CEO, Orange County Partnership

Elected Officials

Westchester County Executive

Rockland County Executive

Orange County Executive

Dutchess County Executive

Putnam County Executive

Ulster County Executive

Chairman of Sullivan County Legislature

Mayor of the City of Yonkers

Town of Ramapo Supervisor

Town of Monroe Supervisor

Here is how the Council will work:

“By using a regional approach to economic development, businesses and communities in the Hudson Valley will have the ability to deal with the specific economic challenges they face,” Governor Cuomo said. “For too long, economic development efforts have not met the individual needs of New York‘s diverse regions and today we have chartered a new path to create jobs and revitalize this state’s economy. This announcement demonstrates that the Mid-Hudson region and all of New York is once again open for business.”

According to the Governor, the Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in the State’s approach to economic development, from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes regions’ unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

Currently, New York State’s economic development efforts are managed through dozens of separate State and local agencies. The Regional Councils will now bring together stakeholders in every region of the state to serve as a coordinated point of contact for economic development.

Each Regional Council will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and will be led by two Regional Co-Chairs from the business and academic community. Additional membership is comprised of local leaders from business, academia, labor, agriculture, nonprofits, and community-based organizations.

Each Regional Council will develop a plan for the development of their region. The State will work with the Regional Councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.

Governor Cuomo has already made historic changes to the State’s economic development grant application process to support the Regional Councils. Through a new Consolidated Funding Application that combines resources from dozens of existing programs, the Regional Councils can now apply for $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy.

Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy added, “These councils are a groundbreaking economic development strategy that represent a major step toward new job creation and business investment in New York. The Regional Councils take a local approach to economic growth and put our state on the path to future prosperity. Governor Cuomo has said many times that his top priority is jobs, jobs, jobs, and today’s launch of the Mid-Hudson’s Regional Council shows that New York is indeed open for business.”

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams noted, “The days when New York is known for the worst business climate in the nation are coming to a rapid end. These Regional Councils will create a more efficient business model that empowers individual regions to determine what is best for their own communities and incentivizes new economic development through competition. I look forward to working with every region to maximize their potential and bring investment and jobs to New York State.”

Dennis Murray, President of Marist College and Co-Chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Council, observed, “The Regional Councils will finally enable efficient communication and collaboration between the business and government leaders of New York State. I thank Governor Cuomo for developing this groundbreaking approach to development. This strategy will allow for our local expertise within the Mid-Hudson region to build a powerful economic force of pooled knowledge, experience, and assets to rebuild our local economy from the bottom up. Furthermore, by identifying and overcoming the barriers that hurt local businesses, we can finally bring new jobs to New York and make the most of what this great state has to offer.”

Leonard S. Schleifer, MD, PhD, President & CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Co-Chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Council, explained, “The cooperative effort that will be led by our Regional Council will enable the public and private sectors to help foster economic growth in the Mid-Hudson region and will make full use of all that we have to offer to facilitate local business development. Through our Regional Council, we can ensure that our local economic potential translates into jobs and opportunities now and into the future. I thank Governor Cuomo for the opportunity to contribute to the economic health of my community and that of the entire state”

Neil Connelly Takes the Gavel

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN. From The Rotary Club July 28, 2011:

Neil Connelly was installed July 12 as the 2011-12 president of the Rotary Club of White Plains. He will serve as president until June 30, 2012. He succeeded Paul Katz, senior partner with MetLife in White Plains.

Neil attended local schools including the Virginia Road School, St. John the Evangelist Grammar School and Stepinac High School. He was graduated from the University of Notre Dame and received his law degree from the New England School of Law in Boston. Neil’s law office, located at 99 Church Street in White Plains, concentrates primarily in construction and surety litigation. Neil and his wife, Susan, live in Hartsdale with their three children – Matthew, Kathryn and Christopher.

The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered in 1919. The Club has over 100 active members and is one of the largest Rotary Clubs in New York State. The Club meets over lunch every Tuesday at 12:15pm at the Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Street, White Plains. The Club sponsors various fund raisers throughout the year to support international programs such as eradicating polio, scholarships for students from local high schools, and many community projects. To learn more about the White Plains Rotary and their programs, please visit their website, www.roatrywp.org.