JAN 22– ROSEDALE ASSOCIATION PROTESTS CANNIBIS DISPENSARY IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. January 22, 2025

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From:
Rosedale Residential Association, PO Box 199, White Plains, New York, 10605

To:

•    White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach

•    The Common Council of White Plains

•    Members of the White Plains Building Department

•    Residents of the Rosedale Neighborhood

Date: January 21, 2025

Subject: Community Concern Regarding Cannabis Dispensary at 1200 Mamaroneck Avenue

 

Dear Mayor Roach, Common Council Members, Building Department Officials, and Fellow Residents,

It has recently come to our attention that an Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License was issued to RSSQ Holding LLC on August 9, 2024 and a building permit was issued by the White Plains Department of Building to Mr. Ranjit Singh for the development of a cannabis dispensary at 1200 Mamaroneck Avenue, directly across from Lombardo’s Pizza, in the heart of the Rosedale neighborhood.

As a community, we are deeply concerned about this decision, which appears to have been made without any public notification, hearings, or community input. Despite the significant impact this business will have on our neighborhood, there has been no outreach or transparency from the City of White Plains.

We respectfully ask for clarification and answers to the following questions:

1.    Why was this decision made without any notification to residents, public hearings, or a vote?

2.    Why was a retail license approved in a neighborhood primarily zoned for single-family homes, schools, and places of worship?

3.    Given the existing five cannabis dispensaries in White Plains’ 9.77 square-mile area, why is a sixth deemed necessary, particularly in a residential area?

 

This location is in close proximity to several schools and childcare centers, including but not limited to:

•    Ridgeway Elementary

•    Leffell School

•    Ethical Culture Fieldston School

•    Windward School

•    Harrison High School

•    ENA Learning Center

•    Kids’ Base

•    Louis M. Klein Middle School

•    Stepinac High School

 

In addition, there are several places of worship nearby, including:

•    Young Israel of Harrison

•    Our Lady of Sorrows

•    Ridgeway Alliance Church

•    The Living Word Church

 

Furthermore, given that the Rosedale Residential Association (RRA) is a long-standing and active group that works closely with city officials on neighborhood matters, why was there no outreach to the RRA or the community from those involved in the decision-making process? This lack of communication feels dismissive of a community that values its collaboration with the city.

This decision appears to have been made surreptitiously and without consideration of its impact on the residents of Rosedale. The absence of communication from city officials or the mayor’s office is alarming.

The residents of White Plains are prepared to take the following steps:

1.    Notify the Parent-Teacher Associations of all schools within a two-mile radius to ensure parents are aware of this project and provide them with contact information for city officials.

2.    Circulate a petition—both online and door-to-door—to halt this development until proper community input is gathered.

3.    Contact local news outlets, including LoHud and News 12, to bring attention to this issue.

4.    Distribute flyers and utilize social media to inform the community about this decision.

The Rosedale Residential Association believes it is essential to give residents a voice in decisions that impact the character and safety of our neighborhood. A cannabis dispensary does not align with the original intent of this area, which has historically been a community of single-family homes, schools, and places of worship.

We respectfully request that this matter be revisited, and that city officials take immediate steps to communicate with the residents of Rosedale regarding this development. Additionally, we urge Mr. Singh to consider reimagining his intended business and engage in dialogue with the community to address concerns.

Contact Information for City Officials

We encourage all Rosedale neighbors to reach out with their concerns:

 

Mayor’s Office:

•    Thomas M. Roach, Mayor

•    Email: [email protected]

•    Phone: 914-422-1411

•    Address: Mayor’s Office, 255 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10601

 

White Plains Common Council

•    Email: [email protected]

•    Phone: 914-422-1200

•    Address: City Hall, 255 Main St., White Plains, NY 10601

 

Common Council Members and Staff:

•    Victoria Presser (Council President): [email protected] | 914-946-5608

•    Jeremiah Frei-Pearson: [email protected]

•    Justin C. Brasch: [email protected] | 212-267-2500

•    John M. Martin: [email protected] | 914-686-0239

•    Richard Payne: [email protected] | 914-490-3162

•    Jennifer Puja: [email protected] | 914-607-2041

•    Elizabeth Cleary (Legislative Aide): [email protected] | 914-422-5114

 

White Plains Building Department

•    Damon Amadio, P.E. (Commissioner): [email protected]

•    Kevin Hodapp, P.E. (Deputy Commissioner): [email protected]

•    Address: 70 Church St., White Plains, NY 10601

 

This letter will be sent via email, certified mail, and entered into the public record at the next Citizens to Be Heard hearing.

We look forward to your prompt response and action on this matter.

 

Sincerely,

Rosedale Residential Association
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JAN 21 — THE LAST WORD

 

 

MONDAY  WAS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY.

IT WAS ALSO INAUGURATION DAY WHEN DONALD J. TRUMP WAS SWORN IN AS THE 47TH PRESIDENT.

HE GAVE A 30-MINUTE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH WHICH WAS COMPELLING. TERSE. NO STUMBLING. HE HELD THE AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND. HE INSPIRED.

HE SAID HE HAD BEEN INSPIRED BY HIS NEAR-ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND SHOWED FEELINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MAIN MESSAGE WAS HE WAS GOING TO DO BETTER AND REPAIR AMERICA.

NO ONE FELL ASLEEP DURING THIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

I BELIEVE I HAVE NEVER HEARD A PRESIDENT GIVE SUCH A COMPELLING ADDRESS.

AFTER THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, THE NAVY GLEE CLUB, THE SOLEMN OATHS THE APPLAUSE AND 4 BENEDICTIONS….

A FIFTH  MINISTER APPEARED AT THE BACK OF THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA DRAWING “AHHS” OF SHOCK FROM THE GUESTS AND CONGRESS MEMBERS AS THEY RECOGNIZED HIM.

AS HE ALWAYS DOES ON HIS DAY  AS AN UNIVITED GUEST BUT ALWAYS WELCOME DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR AT THE BACK OF THE SILENT ROTUNDA HAD RETURNED TO REMIND US OF HIS LEGACY.

THIS YEAR HE WAS THE FINAL SPEAKER AT TODAY’S INAUGURATION, RETURNING TO THE WASHINGTON MALL TO ASK QUESTIONS AND INSPIRE THE NEW PRESIDENT.

WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT DR KING PLANNED  TO  SAY  TO THE NEWLY INAUGURATED PRESIDENT.

HERE A COMMENTATOR DESCRIBES THE MOMENT:

“ WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT YES, THIS IS A STUNNING MOMENT. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING IS APPROACHING THE PODIUM AND WAS SEEN WALKING UP THE  EMPTY WASHINGTON MALL WHERE HE SPOKE IN 1963. CAMERAS  ARE FOLLOWING  HIM UP THE CAPITOL STEPS.  THEY KNOW WHO HE IS. EVERYBODY KNOWS. SECURITY LETS HIM PASS. HE IS NOW WALKING SILENTLY RAMROD STRAIGHT AS WE ALL REMEMBER HIM. YOU COULD HEAR A PINDROP LADIES AND GENTLEMAN. HE IS WALKING ALONE THROUGH THE CENTER AISLE THE GUESTS ARE STARING….HE IS ABOUT TO SPEAK HE IS NOW STANDING IN FRONT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP. THE INAUGURAL GUESTS ARE NOW QUIET…HE HAS NO MICROPHONE…WAIT REVERND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING IS SPEAKING:

REVEREND KING IS ABOUT TO SPEAK::

“ MR. PRESIDENT, MR. VICE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, CONGRESS AND SENATORS I HAVE ACCEPTED THIS INVITATION TO SPEED YOU WITH URGENCY TO ADDRESS THE SURVIVAL OF THIS GREAT REPUBLIC.

TO REMIND YOU THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US FREE WILL AND THAT GOD  HAS ALSO GIVEN YOU THE ABILITY TO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG TRUTH FROM FALSEHOOD, AND WHAT  TO DO IN THE PEOPLE’S INTEREST.

THE ALMIGHTY HAS GIVEN YOU THE CAPACITY TO LOVE, COMPASSION,  ABILITY TO JUDGE FROM BIRTH EXTENDING TO THE BIRTH OF A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

YOU ALL HAVE IDEAS, PASSIONS, POLICIES THAT YOU BELIEVE ARE RIGHT AND NEEDED.

BUT I REMIND YOU THE ALMIGHTY DOES NOT GIVE GOD’S VOICE TO BE INTERPRETED BY FALSE PROPHETS, THE SELFISH, THE MEAN.

THE TEACHINGS OF  THE SAVIOR HAVE LONG BEEN IGNORED THE LAST 8 YEARS BY BOTH PARTIES MEETING IN THIS CHAMBER.

I HAVE BEEN SADENED BY WHAT I HAVE HEARD MANY A SENATOR, A CONGRESSMAN AND YES,  PRESIDENTS AND WOULD-BE PRESIDENTS HAVE  VOICED PROUDLY WITH ETERNAL SHAME THAT THE FALSE VOICES AND PROPHETS IN THE LAND  HAVE ENCOURAGED YOU TO ENDORSE.

NOW YOU MR. PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHEPARDING THIS COUNTRY.  MAY I SUGGEST  NOT WITH THE SWORD OF VENGENCE TO UPROOT AND TEAR APART AND DESTROY WHAT THIS NATION HAS STOOD FOR.

YOU STAND HOLDING A CHALLENGE OF A ORCHESTRATING A NEW LEGACY TO RAISE AMERICA  AND AMERICANS AGAIN TO BE RESPECTED BY THE WORLD’S PEOPLE.

NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE WON THE VOTING RACE.

BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE GIVING YOU A NEW CHALLENGE TO BUILD UP YOUR COUNTRY WITHOUT RANCOR OR REVENGE OR VINDICTIVE PUNISHING OF PERSONS WHO WANT A BETTER LIFE.

IT IS YOUR COUNTRY. IT IS YOUR JOB TO SUCCEED BECAUSE YOU MUST.

TO  SET AN EXAMPLE  BY YOUR ABILITIES TO JUDGE AS GOD WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES OF HOW YOU EXECUTE YOUR JOB. YOU ARE CHALLENGED TO CHANNEL YOUR TALENTS, SKILLS, ABILITIES TO BRING POSITIVE OUTCOMES WITHOUT HARM.

(MR. KING IS POINTING HIS FINGER NOW ) YOU ARE NOW ACCOUNTABLE AT A MOST CRITICAL TIME FOR MANKIND.

YOU WILL BE JUDGED SEVERELY  AT THE END OF YOUR TOUR OF DUTY.

NOT ON DOING WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO BUT WHETHER WHAT YOU DID ACTUALLY WORKED.

ALL WILL KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE DONE IT WELL WITH CARE AND THOUGHT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY CHOOSING THE COURSE THAT STRENGTHENS BINDS ACHIEVES GREATER GOOD FOR ALL AND NOT JUST A FEW.

YOU AS THE NEW LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES CLAIM TO WANT TO DO THE TASKS YOU FACE BY THE STRENGTH OF THOUGHT CREAVITY AND USING THE TALENT AND WISDOM AVAILABLE YOU CHOOSE, YOUR WAY.

WATCH LOOK AND LISTEN — SEE THE EFFECTS EARLY AND  EVALUATE  HONESTLY WHETHER YOUR POLICIES ARE ACHIEVING OR TEARING THIS REPUBLIC  AND THE WORLD MORE APART.

THE POWER YOU HAVE TODAY TO WIELD BECOMES WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE.

IT IS THE WAY AND THE INTENT YOU HAVE IN USING IT AND EXECUTING IT – YOU HAVE TO CALL THE RIGHT CALLS. 

ACHIEVE SITUATIONS THAT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITHOUT COMPOUNDING MISERY, HATE, AND CONTEMPT BY YOUR CITIZENS  AND OUR NEIGHBORS.

IF YOU MAKE THE WRONG CALLS WE WILL ALL KNOW .

GOD SPEAKING IN YOUR HEAD ALWAYS HAS THE LAST WORD.

ALL OF YOU IN THIS ROTUNDA TODAY KNOW WHAT THE ALMIGHTY GIVES YOU—THE RIGHT ANSWER.

YOU MAY USE THE ABILITIES YOU HAVE TO GROW, TO ENGAGE, NOT ENRAGE NOT HURT BUT IMPROVE OTHERS.

THE VOICE OF GOD IS NOT A VOICE YOU INTERPRET.  ALL OF YOU HERE KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BUT DO NOT WANT TO DO IT—THAT IS THE VOICE OF GOD.

IGNORE IT AT OUR NATION’S PERIL.

GOD SPEED AS YOU, SENATORS CONGRESS MEMBERS, ADMINISTRATION  AS YOU TAKE THE HELM ON YOUR PERILOUS VOYAGE.

MAY YOU  LOOK TO ALL YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS NURTURE OUR FREEDOMS, BUILD OUR COURAGE AND BUILD AMERICANS AND BUILD YOURSELVES LAWMAKERS, CABINET APPOINTEES YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.

AND BUILD YOURSELF MR. PRESIDENT.

GROW.

BE BETTER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN.

DOING GOOD ELIMINATES FEAR BUILDS STRENGTH  

NOW AFTER THIS DAY YOU AND THE CONGRESS AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION ARE ON WATCH

I HAVE A CONFIDENCE THAT AFTER THE CHALLENGES THE LAST 8 YEARS THAT YOU ALL WILL HAVE LEARNED TO JUDGE YOUR PERFORMANCES AND FINE TUNE THEM TO  MAKE YOUR PERFORMANCE SUCCESSFUL FOR THE PARTIES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY BOTH PARTIES DECISIONS.

GOD SPEAKING IN YOUR HEAD ALWAYS WHISPERS THE LAST WORD.

MAY ALL OF YOU HEARING MY VOICE TODAY  USE THE ABILITY TO GROW TO ENGAGE NOT ENRAGE, NOT HURT BUT GROW OTHERS

GOD’S VOICE  IS THERE TO GROW YOU DISSOLVE FEAR BUILD STRENGTH

GOD SPEED AS YOU TAKE  THE HELM FOR AMERICA FOR ITS  FREEDOMS, COURAGE AND BUILD AMERICANS AND BUILD MR. PRESIDENT. GROW.  GROW AMERICA AS IT HAS GROWN ITSELF.

OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY WE BCOME SILENT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MATTER.

THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

IN THE ALMIGHTY’S NAME I PRAY

YOU WILL BE SO.

AMEN…

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FEB 14–SPRING TRAINING SPECIAL AT WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH “JOHNNY V”–THE 1971 PITTSBURGH PIRATES MARK YOUR CALENDARS BASEBALL FANS

Baseball History: 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates with JOHN VORPERIAN

Friday, February 14
12:30pm – 1:30pm

September 1, 1971, the first time in MLB history that a team fielded a lineup of all African American and Afro Latino players.

A relevant sports history topic that did not get full coverage when the event occurred, the Pittsburgh Pirates fielded a line-up of all African-American and Afro-Latin ballplayers. John Vorperian  (WPTV’S Beyond The Game “Johnny V”) will give a talk on this momentous occurrence explaining the baseball angle as to why it happened, the omission of news reporting as well featuring the players themselves, including Roberto Clemente and Dock Ellis.

This program is made possible thanks to the support of the White Plains Library Foundation.

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JAN 20 –WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS STATEMENT ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

“Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose unshakable commitment to justice, equality and nonviolence changed the course of history. Dr. King’s vision of a world where character, not color, defines a person’s worth continues to guide us towards a more just society.

“For me, as Westchester County’s first Black County Executive, this day carries profound personal significance. Dr. King’s work paved the way for so many, including myself, to have the opportunity to serve in leadership positions. His fight for civil rights and equality laid the foundation for progress in every corner of this nation, including right here in Westchester County. Yet, we know his work is far from over. It is our collective responsibility to continue the march he started, to ensure that everyone in this nation and our County has access to opportunity and the dignity that comes with true equality.”

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