WPCNR ADAM IN ALBANY. From Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. February 28, 2008: Assemblyman Adam Bradley’s (D-White Plains) legislation renaming the state’s spinal cord injury research fund and board to honor late actor and activist, Christopher Reeve, passed the Assembly today. The legislation also creates a check off box on personal income tax forms for individuals to donate to the fund, without reducing their amount of tax due. “Christopher Reeve was an instrumental figure in the establishment of the spinal cord injury trust fund. Despite his tragedy, he worked diligently to raise funds for research in hopes of finding a cure. Renaming the fund and board is an appropriate way to honor his tireless commitment to this cause,” Bradley said. The spinal cord injury research trust fund and the spinal cord injury research board, which dispenses the trust fund’s proceeds, were established in 1998 to help fund medical research for spinal cord injury treatment and cure. The fund has been extremely successful in making advances in the field of spinal cord injury research, and has also helped influence significant private donations by increasing awareness for the cause. After suffering a spinal cord injury himself, Christopher Reeve used his celebrity to help create both the fund and the board. Throughout his life, he inspired many, proving that you can make an incredible difference in society despite a debilitating injury, and Bradley’s measure honors his efforts. The fund currently relies on an annual allocation in the state budget from traffic infraction surcharges as its funding source. By allowing donations through personal income tax returns, thousands of New Yorkers have an opportunity to support spinal cord injury research, Bradley said. “Christopher Reeve lent his name to the extremely successful New Jersey American Paralysis Association, now called the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. But he was born in New York City, attended New York schools, and performed on and off Broadway,” Bradley said. “The name Christopher Reeve has become almost synonymous with this cause. Renaming the fund he was so vocal in organizing is a fitting tribute to Reeve’s unwavering belief that a cure for spinal paralysis will be found.”
Know Your History Mobile Exhibit Displays Black History at City Hall Friday.
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From The Mayor’s Office. February 28, 2008: Mayor Delfino and the Westchester Arts Council are proud to welcome American Legacy Magazine and the “Know Your History” mobile tour to White Plains on February 29th. American Legacy Magazine is the premier magazine of African-American history and culture. The mobile museum has traveled the country opening its doors to the public in the effort to enrich communities during Black History Month. The “Know Your History” mobile tour has visited, Baltimore, Charlotte, Mount Vernon, New York, Richmond and Washington, DC. White Plains is the last stop for the tour. Slave Quarters on the estate of President Andrew Jackson, 1830s,The Hermitage. It housed 10 persons.
“It is a great honor to have the American Legacy Mobile Tour visit the City of White Plains,” stated Mayor Delfino. “The purpose of Black History Month is to remember and acknowledge the important people and events who contributed to the history of our country. The ‘Know Your History’ mobile tour provides information in an accessible and creative manner. Please join us to learn about some of the key leaders of the United States.”
Mayor Delfino and the Westchester Arts Council are proud to welcome American Legacy Magazine and the “Know Your History” mobile tour to White Plains on February 29th. American Legacy Magazine is the premier magazine of African-American history and culture. The mobile museum has traveled the country opening its doors to the public in the effort to enrich communities during Black History Month. The “Know Your History” mobile tour has visited, Baltimore, Charlotte, Mount
Vernon, New York, Richmond and Washington, DC. White Plains is the last stop for the tour.
“It is a great honor to have the American Legacy Mobile Tour visit the City of White Plains,” stated Mayor Delfino. “The purpose of Black History Month is to remember and acknowledge the important people and events who contributed to the history of our country. The ‘Know Your History’ mobile tour provides information in an accessible and creative manner. Please join us to learn about some of the key leaders of the United States.”
The mobile museum features many exhibits such as; the past 13 years of American Legacy’s covers which highlight the depth and magnitude of African-American history and culture in America, a photo exhibit featuring famous African-American women, a “Black History Trivia Wheel,” and a genealogy kiosk.
“The Arts Council is proud to be a part of this project,” says Janet Langsam, Executive Director of the Westchester Arts Council. “It speaks to our mission to ensure the accessibility, availability and diversity of the arts in Westchester County.”
The Westchester Arts Council provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester. Grants help fund concerts, exhibitions and plays. The Arts Council bring artists into schools and community centers. The Live @ the Arts Exchange series showcases exceptional Westchester performers.
“People who have visited the museum — not only in Detroit, and Atlanta
and now here in White Plains — really find it fascinating,” said Rodney
Reynolds, American Legacy Magazine founder and publisher. “We are
bringing this great exhibition of history and art to the people of
Westchester.”
The exhibit is open from 10am to 5pm at the lot adjacent to City Hall
on 255 Main Street. Pedestrian access is available off of Main Street.
Municipal parking is available in the Hamilton/Main and City Center
garages.
Ryan Off to Washington to Lobby on Behalf of County.
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. February 28, 2008: Federal lobbying will be the order of the day when Chairman Bill Ryan attends the annual Legislative Conference of the National Association of Counties (NACo) beginning on March 1st. Ryan along with representatives from across the country will meet with federal officials to discuss issues confronting county government, including health care, transportation, public safety and housing, among other priorities.
Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, William Ryan. May, 2007.
During the conference, Ryan will meet as part of NACo’s 34-member Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Steering Committee to which he was recently reappointed. LUCC members, collectively, represent 130 million people living in the 100 largest counties in the
“As second vice president of the New York State Association of Counties, I recognize the tremendous importance of county government and the challenges we face in delivering needed high-quality services,” said Ryan, who was first appointed to the LUCC Steering Committee for 2006-2007.
Ryan will also be assuming another major responsibility as part of the NACo’s newly-formed County Hospital Task Force. He was appointed due to his involvement in saving the
“Pulling the medical center back from the brink of financial ruin, equipped me with first-hand knowledge on dealing with a health care facility in crisis,” Ryan said. “I am anxious to participate in the work of this important and timely hospital task force. I look forward to bringing valuable information home to
As a part of the 10-member task force, Ryan will help promote NACo’s focus on the health care crisis and its impact on metropolitan counties. Members will discuss and share best practices and lessons learned in county hospital operations, identify common issues and, where appropriate, submit recommendations to the NACo Health Steering Committee regarding legislation.
The National Association of Counties is the only national organization that represents county governments in the
The organization advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.
Unlicensed Contractor’s Van Seized by County in 1st Ever Impoundment.
WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Westchester County Department of Communications. February 28, 2008: The Westchester County Department of Public Safety arrested a Yorktown contractor this week and seized his van – the first such seizure conducted under a new
The new allows police to impound any vehicle or seize any equipment being used by contractors found to be operating in
“The seizure law is an important new tool in our effort to rid the county of unlicensed home improvement contractors,” said Gary Brown, directorof Consumer Protection. “This was the first-ever seizure in
The arrest Wednesday of Jason Grotsky, owner of the Door Doctor in
Grotsky was first charged on Feb. 20 when Detective Daniel Carfi of the Environmental Security Unit observed a commercial van on the
Grotsky, 36, of
On Feb. 26, ESU received a tip that the “Door Doctor” would be repairing a garage door the next day in
The investigators determined that Grotsky still did not have a Consumer Protection license, nor had he applied for one since his previous charge. He was again charged with Violating the Laws of Westchester and was additionally charged with operating an unregistered vehicle.
Grotsky’s 2003 Ford van was impounded under the seizure law, which was enacted by the Westchester County Board of Legislators on Nov. 27, 2007.
The law permits police officers or employees or agents of the Department of Consumer Protection
to seize and impound any vehicle, tool or other implement which is being used by a contractor operating in
Grotsky was released on $600 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Peekskill City Court on March 13. He also will receive hearing before the Department of Consumer Protection within five businesses days where he can contest the charges and the impoundment.