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WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE FEB 18 REPORT WITH JOHN BAILEY ON www.wpcommunitymedia.org THIS WEEK:
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Con Ed NYSEG will Allow customers hit with soaring electric bills to “stretch out” payments they tell County Legislators
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WPCNR County Clarion Ledger. From County Legislator Catherine Parker. February 17, 2022:
With surging energy costs walloping rate payers this winter, Legislators met with local utilities Tuesday to seek answers and find solutions for local residents and businesses.
On Tuesday, the Board of Legislators’ Committee on Energy, Environment and Climate grilled representatives of Con Edison and New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) about their customer service response to spiking natural gas prices that have left many ratepayers gasping at unexpectedly large bills.
The stories we are hearing are gut-wrenching — seniors on fixed budgets, young families or lower income families for whom every penny counts, hit with enormous bills. Some of the worst stories involve customers using auto pay, who found their bank accounts overdrawn.
It is incumbent on the utilities, which have statutory monopolies for the delivery of power, to do more to better inform customers of looming increases, and to help customers in need such as:
- using paid advertising and other means of warning customers
- expanding consumer enrollment in level billing programs
- doing more to protect against energy price volatility in an era of climate change
While it was gratifying to hear a pledge from the utilities to allow customers to spread out the payments for their unexpectedly large bills up over several months, we also suggested a range of follow up items for the utilities to consider including:
- identifying individuals to act as customer service contacts for our residents in distress
- revisions to their auto pay process
- considering delaying roll outs of any rate increases during this period
We at the Board will be reaching out to the New York State Public Service Commission, which regulates the utilities, with these and other suggestions in the coming weeks on these matters.
You can watch a video of the committee meeting at: https://bit.ly/3LA7vK2
LEGISLADORES CONFRENTAN A UTILIDADES SOBRE PRECIO DE ENERGÍA
La Junta busca respuestas y soluciones de Con Ed y NYSEG sobre el aumento de las facturas de calefacción
Con los crecientes costos de la energía golpeando a los contribuyentes este invierno, los Legisladores se reunieron con las empresas de servicios públicos locales esta semana para buscar respuestas y encontrar soluciones para los residentes y las empresas locales.
El martes, el Comité de Energía, Medio Ambiente y Clima (Committee on Energy, Environment and Climate) de la Junta de Legisladores interrogó a los representantes de Con Edison y New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) sobre la respuesta de su servicio al cliente ante el aumento de los precios del gas natural que ha dejado a muchos contribuyentes boquiabiertos ante facturas inesperadamente elevadas.
Las historias que escuchamos son desgarradoras: personas mayores con presupuestos fijos, familias jóvenes o familias de bajos ingresos para quienes cada centavo cuenta, golpeados con facturas enormes. Algunas de las peores historias involucran a clientes que utilizan el pago automático y que descubrieron que sus cuentas bancarias estaban sobregiradas.
Corresponde a las empresas de servicios públicos, que tienen monopolios legales para el suministro de energía, hacer más para informar mejor a los clientes sobre los aumentos inminentes y ayudar a los clientes que lo necesitan, como:
- usar publicidad pagada y otros medios para advertir a los clientes
- ampliar la inscripción de consumidores en programas de facturación nivelada
- hacer más para protegerse contra la volatilidad de los precios de la energía en una era de cambio climático
Si bien fue gratificante escuchar el compromiso de las empresas de servicios públicos de permitir que los clientes distribuyan los pagos de sus facturas inesperadamente altas durante varios meses, también sugerimos una variedad de elementos de seguimiento para que las empresas de servicios públicos consideren, entre ellos:
- identificar a las personas para que actúen como contactos de servicio al cliente para nuestros residentes que se encuentren afligidos
- revisiones a su proceso de pago automático
- considerando retrasar la implementación de cualquier aumento de tarifas durante este período
En la Junta nos pondremos en contacto con la Comisión de Servicios Públicos del Estado de Nueva York (New York State Public Service Commission), que regula los servicios públicos, con estas y otras sugerencias en las próximas semanas sobre estos asuntos.
Puede ver un video de la reunión del comité en: https://bit.ly/3LA7vK2
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WESTCHESTER FORMS OPIOID RESPONSE AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION INITIATIVE with RISE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS LAST 2 YEARS TO EXPAND AVAILABILITY, ABILITY OF PUBLIC TO ADMINISTER OVERDOSE INTERVENTION TREATMENT, NARCAN. LOCKBOXES, FENTANYL TEST STRIPS
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) February 17, 2022 UPDATED WITH VIDEO CLIPS 11:40 A.M. :
In response to a rise in overdose deaths in Westchester County during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health, Health, Social Services, Public Safety, the Medical Examiner’s Office and the County Executive’s Office have partnered with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and local and federal law enforcement to launch the Opioid Response and Overdose Prevention Initiative (ORI). The ORI brings together key stakeholders from across Westchester County who work collaboratively to prevent overdose deaths, and save lives.
Westchester County has experienced an increase in overdoses at the local level, recording 119 overdose deaths in 2020, an increase of 28 over the previous year (2019). In addition, there have been many nonfatal overdoses in the County, which can cause serious physical and emotional impact on the individual and their loved ones.
According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021, accounting for the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year. Seventy-five percent of those overdose deaths were opioid-related, primarily involving fentanyl.
ORI partners meet regularly to address the following:
· Collaborate on public health and law enforcement data sharing.
· Identify which communities are most in need of overdose support services.
· Execute more effective education, training and distribution of Naloxone or “Narcan,” a vital tool for preventing fatalities in people at a high risk for drug overdoses.
· Conduct more thorough data collection, analysis and transparency relating to overdoses.
· Increase community education, outreach and support services to populations in need.
· Increase access to addiction, mental health, and co-occurring treatment, harm reduction and family support services, including substance use prevention services.
· Find and implement evidence-based treatment approaches for individuals with addiction who are also struggling with co-occurring mental health needs.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “ORI brings together the most important stakeholders, health professionals and community service providers to address a critical issue that we want to see come to a stop in Westchester County. We want every resident to know that if they are struggling, there are real support services in place to help them overcome their addiction. It is our hope that by working together, we will see fewer of these tragic, preventable deaths occurring in Westchester County.” The County Executive talked of a long-time friend whose son died of an opioid overdose, and the impact such a loss had on his friend’s family and any parent suffering such a shattering loss.
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah, describing the opioid crisis as an “All hands on deck situation,” said: “Preventing and combatting overdoses is a top priority for me that requires action from those in government and community partners. This initiative will allow us to more effectively collaborate, to create meaningful solutions that address all components of this crisis, and to develop enforcement strategies that target emerging threat areas and individuals, including medical professionals, who perpetuate the opioid crisis by supplying those suffering from substance use disorders, including minors, with harmful substances.”
The efforts of the ORI have already led to positive results. Westchester County has increased naloxone education, and equipped local law enforcement departments, emergency medical services and the general community with the potentially life-saving drug. Medication Assisted Treatment has also expanded to facilitate increased access to substance use disorder treatment. The entities participating in the ORI have the data sharing abilities to identify which communities are most in need of overdose support, and assist them with the services they need.
Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) Michael Orth of White Plains said: “Under the leadership and vision of County Executive Latimer and District Attorney Rocah, and the strong collaboration between County Departments, Westchester County has created a multi-faceted approach in responding to the Opioid and overdoes epidemic. Westchester’s ORI efforts have strengthened our ability to expand community education, outreach and support, and use of evidence-based substance use, mental health, and co-occurring treatment for individuals struggling with addition and their families.”
Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “Substance use disorder is a complex and often multifaceted disease that requires an all hands on deck approach to address. The ORI brings together individuals across disciplines to provide their unique expertise around prevention, response and treatment. Collaboration between public health and mental health professionals, law enforcement, first responders, the medical community and people who use drugs, gives us the ability to transform the way we understand the problem, as well as how we prevent and treat it.”
Dr. Amler in the news conference said efforts were focusing on training officers to administer narcan, a treatment that can be administered in the nose proven to stop most opioid doses in seconds. She also detailed the effort to put the narcan dispensers in “lock boxes” at locations and to facilitate use of the narcan opioid treatment, train the public in how to use them and the introduction of fentanyl “Test Strips” that will “pick up” and tell a person if the substance, pill comtains fentanyl.
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Thomas A. Gleason said: “Investigators assigned to the Real Time Crime Center continue to coordinate with the District Attorney’s Office and local police departments to collect timely and accurate data regarding overdoes. This data helps to inform appropriate law enforcement investigations and community outreach efforts. In addition, our Patrol officers have been trained to administer Narcan to persons suffering an overdose and have saved numerous lives in recent years as a result.”
1 NORTH BROADWAY, FORMER MERRILL LYNCH OFFICES AND 445 HAMILTON AVE SOLD FOR $105 MILLION, WESTFAIR COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS
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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. February 16, 2022:
Westfair Communications reported this afternoon, that two signature buildings on Main Street one JUST a short stroll from City Hall on Main Street. The buildings are: One North Broadway formerly the home of Merrill Lynch and 445 Hamilton Avenue, overlooking North Broadway.
Peter Katz writing on the Westfair Communications website , https://westfaironline.com/145490/breaking-news-white-plains-plaza-sells-for-105m/ reported “the Business Journal learned this afternoon from the real estate services firm Newmark,. The buyer is a privately-held New York-based investment firm, Argent Ventures.
For the details go to the website https://westfaironline.com/145490/breaking-news-white-plains-plaza-sells-for-105m/
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WESTCHESTER: LOWEST NEW COVID CASES IN COUNTY IN A WEEK SINCE DECEMBER 24.
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WPCNR CORONA VIRUS MONITOR. From the New York State Covid Tracker. Analysis by John F. Bailey February 14, 2022:
From Sunday through Saturday, February 6 to 12, Westchester averaged 172 new cases each day matching the average daily positives in the 6 weeks leading up to Christmas which started the explosive spread of covid that started averaging over 300 cases a day on December 31; went up to over 400 a day by December 11, and soared to 1,000 positives a day a week later ending December 18.
Then came the deluge. The new cases averaged 2,000 a day up to Christmas December 25.
In the last three weeks the staggering 68,078 cases we saw the first three weeks in January declined to 6,327 the third week in January; 3,423 the fourth week and in the first two weeks of February through February 12, the new cases have declined to 1,208 cases through Saturday.
This is a stunning turnaround.
It is attributed to the effectiveness of the vaccines preventing vaccinated people from getting sick due to the overwhelming spread the first 3 weeks in January. The state reports 90% of new cases were suffered by persons who have not been vaccinated. Hospitalizations from the disease were down to the mid-200s last week.
Last week with average tests conducted numbering 6,200 a day, the infection rate lowered to 1,208 new cases last week, 3.1% a day average infection rate of those tested.
The Mid-Hudson region consisting of Westchester, Rockland Putnam, Orange Ulster and Sullivan Counties reported a total 233 new cases for all 7 counties their lowest total since November 14, when the 7 counties reported 279 cases, and officials were feeling confident before Thanksgiving, but even then infections were showing regular signs of strengthening.
Now thanks to the vaccines and behavior, the covid is at lowtide. However, it is up to how we behave the next two weeks as to whether our behavior starts the covid tide coming back in.
NEW YORK BETS OVER ITS HEAD NOT UNDER IT: $2 BILLION IN ONLINE BETTING IN A MONTH–$70 MILLION IN TAX REVENUES. LEGISLATURE’S BET ON HUMAN FRAILTY PAYS OFF. ALL FOR EDUCATION. IF YOU HAD THE BENGALS YOU LOST! RAMS WERE FAVORED BY 4. (PROJECTS AT A TOTAL REVENUE ‘HANDLE’ OF $1 BILLION FOR THE YEAR ALL FOR NEW YORKERS)
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. FEBRUARY 14, 2022:
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the successful launch of mobile sports wagering in New York State, with nearly $2 billion in wagers taken during the first 30 days of operation.
This record-breaking success, more than any other state has ever reported, will generate more than $70 million in tax revenue for New York State, providing funds to be allocated toward programs that support education, youth sports, and more.
“Over the past month, we’ve seen how mobile sports wagering can be an economic engine for New York, driving significant funding to our schools, youth sports, and so much more,” Governor Hochul said. “As this new industry continues to grow, New York will make sure we have the resources and guidelines in place to make it a success for all.”
Mobile sports wagering began in New York State on January 8, 2022; since then, more than $1.98 billion in wagers has been taken in New York. The total Gross Gaming Revenue was over $138 million and, at a 51% tax rate for the State, these wagers brought more than $70.6 million in tax revenue. According to State law, tax revenue generated by the mobile sports wagering industry is required to go toward elementary and secondary education, grants for youth sports programming, property tax relief, and problem gambling prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Last year, Governor Hochul directed the New York State Gaming Commission to prepare for the launch of mobile sports wagering, which had previously been authorized by the legislature, by engaging licensed companies to complete the regulatory requirements needed to begin operations in New York State. This approach will keep New York bettors in New York, rather than having State residents travel to neighboring states to wager.
Gaming Commission Executive Director Robert Williams said, “With Governor Hochul kicking off mobile sports wagering on January 8th, there is no doubt there is strong interest in online sports betting in the Empire State, which has just set a national record for monthly tax revenue.”