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)

Governor Spitzer on the Recent Supreme Court Decision on Partial Birth Abortions

Posted on May 5, 2007 by John Bailey

WPCNR Eliot Spitzer’s Albany. By Governor Eliot Spitzer. May 5, 2007: Last month, a severe blow was dealt to reproductive rights in our country. In upholding the so-called “Partial-Birth Abortion Act” of 2003, the Supreme Court let the people of the United States know that we have come to a point where politics trumps science–that the dogma of recent political trends is more important than decades of precedent protecting the right to privacy, beginning with Roe v. Wade over 30 years ago.

This is a critical juncture for our nation. We must take action to protect the established, fundamental right of a woman to make her own choice and to determine her own course of action as regards her health. And New York, a state that has always been at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights, must now be a leader in reproductive rights and an example for the rest of our country.

That is why I announced last week that I will introduce the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act, a bill that will solidify the protections of Roe v. Wade into New York state law. We must change our out-of-date state laws to reflect the realities of the 21st century and ensure the protections that today’s New Yorkers hold as fundamental. This bill will ensure that New York‘s women have the same or stronger reproductive rights as those currently afforded them under Roe. Our bill will do the following:

Affirmatively state that a woman has a fundamental right to control her own reproductive health
Establish protections for the rights ensured by Roe: that a pregnant woman has the right to an abortion at any time when her life or health are in danger
Ensure the continuation of public funding for reproductive health services
Decriminalize abortion in New York
Solidify in New York law the existing federal right to contraception and remove the statute that makes it a crime to provide non-prescription contraception to minors

Passing this bill will not be easy. Starting today, we must work together to make every New Yorker aware of what’s at stake. Many legislators in Albany do not realize the importance of getting these protections established in New York law before our federal reproductive rights have a chance to be taken away. We must show them that these rights are fundamental to New Yorkers. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose–and I am confident that with your help, we will make sure that our reproductive rights are a solid part of New York law, no matter what happens in Washington.

County Schedules Flood, Storm Assistance Meetings this Week.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County. May 5, 2007: Local governments, schools and certain non-profits affected by the April 15 Nor’easter can learn more about how to apply for FEMA storm recovery aid at one of two special briefings organized by Westchester County.

Two briefings will be held on Thursday, May 10 in the Little Theater on the second floor of the Westchester County Center, 198 Central Avenue, White Plains. The public can attend one of two briefings: one at 9 am or a second at 1 p.m. During the meetings, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will discuss the application process, and allow participants to submit Requests for Public Assistance – the first step in receiving aid.

Public Assistance grants from the FEMA can be used to reimburse eligible emergency work such as overtime and debris removal, as well as, the repair of damaged public facilities not covered by insurance. Certain private non-profits that provide governmental services are also eligible. FEMA funds 75 percent of costs. Gov. Elliot Spitzer announced today that the state will pick up all of the 25 percent not reimbursed by the federal government.

“We all know that this storm was very costly, not just for local residents and business owners, but also for governments, schools and non profit organizations,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “It is very important that applicants for public assistance attend one of these meetings and learn about the process.”

Anthony W. Sutton, commissioner of the county’s Department of Emergency Services, said county officials have been reaching out to local governments, schools and non-profit organizations, to inform them about these meetings

“It is very important that local governments, schools and non-profit organizations learn about the program and apply for aid,” said Sutton. “This is money that can help repair public buildings and protect them from future flood damage.”

On Thursday, FEMA announced that public assistance was approved for 12 counties affected by the April 15 Nor’easter. They are: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester.
In addition, three new counties are eligible for Individual Assistance: Albany, Dutchess and the borough of Staten Island (Richmond County) in New York City.

The announcement came after President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for New York State on April 24. That declaration triggered disaster assistance for individuals in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Further information will also be posted on the county’s website at www.westchestergov.com.

For more information, visit www.fema.gov

3-4 Million Gallons of Raw Sewage Pumping Into Hudson…Boaters Take Note.

Posted on May 4, 2007 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. From County Department of Health. May 4, 2007: Westchester County has issued an alert to boaters and marinas on the Hudson River that a sewage break involving a major sewage line at Greystone Train Station in Yonkers has resulted in the discharge of untreated sewage into the river. Efforts are underway at this time to repair the broken line and expectations are that the discharge willbe stopped by early Saturday morning.

As a precaution, boaters and people who use the water for recreational purposes should avoid doing so this weekend. An advisory is being issued to marinas located on the Hudson River as well as County and local police departments.

It is estimated that the flow rate is approximately four million gallons per day and that this break may result in the release of two to three million gallons of sewage.

Rishawn Johnson Hoop Leader — Awarded 4 Year Div I Scholarship to Canisius

Posted on May 4, 2007 by John Bailey

WPCNR HIGHLIGHT REEL. May 4, 2007: Rishawn Johnson, the White Plains High center and big man extraordinaire signed a letter of intent to attend Canisius College in the MAC conference for a full 4-year basketball scholarship today. Mr. Johnson, with his parents and grandmother and teammates looking on is the third White Plains High basketball player to be awarded a four year Division Scholarship this year. The others are Liz Flooks and Kim Adams, who joined Mr. Johnson on his big day. The scholarship is the 12th full ride NCAAA Division I scholarship to be earned by White Plains athletes in five years.

Rishawn Johnson, hands over the pen to his Dad, Richard Johnson, reenacting Rishawn’s acceptance of the Canisius Scholarship. His Mom, Lisa, is at left. Mr. Johnson’s teammates and friends spoke eloquently of how hard he worked to improve his game and academics and his ability to comport himself and overcome adversity. It was a happy day. Rishawn’s Dad said he taught Rishawn how to play at the age of 5 and spent most of the last dozen years taking him everywhere to play and improve his game. Rishawn told WPCNR he plans to study computer engineering at Canisius — that he liked the fit on the campus — and that was why he chose the school.