WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. December 11, 2021. (Edited):
On Monday, the Board of Legislators voted unanimously to approve operating, capital and special district budgets for 2022 of $2,200,000 that strengthen the County’s finances, provide historic levels of support for human services in Westchester County, and expand the County’s investment in infrastructure improvements for the 21st century. The new budget is 190 Million dollars more than the $2,009,999,999 budget this year.
Among the highlights are:
· $7 million cut in County property tax levy
· No one-shot revenues for continuing operations
· No borrowing to fund pension obligations or operating expenses
· No use of reserve funds,( using covid aid to replace funds taken from the reserve to make up 2021 budget shortfall.)
· $10.2 million increase in funding for childcare
· $10 million from American Rescue Plan funds for Small Landlord Rehabilitation Assistance Program
· More than $1 million to address food insecurity
· Increases of as much as 16% for not-for-profit service partners
· $600K in new funding for Youth Bureaus
· Addition of Health Department personnel
· Funding to support new telemedicine programs
· Funding for new public safety initiatives
· $50 million for land acquisition and infrastructure improvements to support affordable housing, largest single-year commitment in County history
· Funding for flood mitigation, including $11 million added by Board of Legislators for flooding along Mamaroneck Avenue from the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers
· $35 million to continue process of converting bus fleet from fossil fuel to hybrid and electric vehicles and install EV charging capacity at County’s bus garages
· More than $57 million to modernize waste water treatment facilities including more than $22 million in additional odor control at the Yonkers facility
Board Chair Ben Boykin (D-White Plains, Scarsdale, West Harrison), said, “We have brought this County a long way from where it was four years ago. Then we faced low and dwindling general reserve funds, a string of budgets that relied on unsustainable one-shot revenues, decaying infrastructure whose repair had been deferred, a County government whose ability to respond to residents’ needs had been crippled by cuts, and that was before the challenges of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we’ve restored the County’s financial health and we are expanding our investment in Westchester’s future — not just by investing in our roads, bridges, parks, and transportation, but most importantly by investing in our people. These budgets put people first.”
WPCNR THE SUNDAY BAILEY .By John F. Bailey. December 12, 2021:
On the week when the “Winter Surge” or “The Fourth Wave” hit the New York Metropolitan area we all need that Old Christmas Magic more than ever this year.
The Waitresses sang in the song back in the 1980s, and this is just part of “Christmas Magic”—it all has to do with you.
I admit I have not been looking forward to this Christmas Season, but Brenda Starr who lives with me, being a redhead, well Christmas is her favorite holiday and works very hard at creating Christmas magic.
The magic starts by pushing me to go out and get a Christmas Tree every year. This year she pushed me early out in the 30 degrees last weekend. Years ago I took my son and tried to get him to pick out the tree. I would tell him what to look for: A tree which looks good on all sides no matter from which way you look at it. Know the height of tree that fits comfortably with scant inches of the ceiling of the room you’ll display it in.
The top of the tree shape is key: it needs a symmetrical ascension of branches extending higher and arched more to a single high trunk extension. This kind of top delivers the look to put small delicate bulbs, and decorations in ascending steps to the highest part of the tree where you place a star or spire on the top single trunk.
Well I set out to Amodio’s last week, and the courteous lads serving the Christma Tree selection showed me the six footers priced at $99. The first one was too wide at the bottom. The next too thin in a triangle with not good wide, slender shape.
Then the lad spun out THE TREE. In 50 years of selecting Christmas Trees, I know THE TREE I will get the moment I see it. It just introduces itself!
The process of tree selection starts the Christmas Magic
So I tote it home in the trunk of the car. And convey it to the porch. Put it in water and wait to the time when Brenda Starr says it is the day to put it up.
We use the same Christmas tree stand we have used for fifty years. Always trouble screwing in the bolts that hold our tree. I guide the tree into the stand while Brenda Starr ducks under the spread boughs of the tree to tighten or loosen the screws of the stand as need be and tells me from under the tree which direction to slant it to get it straight. She looks at the tree determines if it is straight then turns it to the best side.
Then the lights go on. The tree seems to wait expectantly.
This year, Ms. Starr in one of her few mistakes this year, could not find the Christmas Tree lights. So instead of criticizing her I said, “We must have thrown out the candle lights and the candy cane lights from last year, I’ll go to the True Value and get mew ones. Let me call.”
I call and I drive on down to the store that has everything. I’ve been going there since 1976 when a bif friendly man I believe his name was Al ran the store. The new owner said we only have a few lights left. I drive on down, picked up two sets. Returned home and Ms. Starr affixed the lights with me holding the lights. As she strung them from top of the tree to about midway., we both realized there were not enough lights to cover the tree.
But there was another problem, Ms. Starr did not like the second set of lights because the colors were wrong, orange and piurple, “not Christmas colors.” I did something most uncharacteristic, “I said you’re right. I like them because they were flashing and but purple is not a Christmas color, let me go back and exchange them for another set of the ones on the tree.”
She was stunned. You see what I mean by Christmas Magic? The tree the atmosphere, the decorating was altering my behavior. So back to True Value, I make the exchange and even saved money.
When I returned, Ms. Starr, said “Look.”
She had opened a box of what she thought were decorations for the tree and found the electric lights from last year. “I’m sorry.”
I did something even rarer in the face of the discovery, I laughed, “I knew this would happen, but I can string those other lights on the pine trees off the porch.”
On with the new second set of lights she liked!
Together, we put bulbs collected over 50 years. The pictures of my daughter the skater 25 years ago, reindeer, train bulbs, glass icicles, glass stars. The tree seemed to give off vibes of warmth even seemed to be preening and the fresh sap got on our fingers. After an hour the tree is filled.
I then went out and decorated the pinetrees outside the house, not much but it just made the trees seem so much taller standing proud and seemed to enjoy the lights being looped on to the branches. When I plugged in the long extension chord the house did not catch fire or bulbs cause a short circuit.
The finding of the lights after I had gotten new ones, was I felt another mysterious arrival of that old Christmas Magic.
What is the Christmas Magic?
It is the magic we cast ourselves, continuing the same traditions and doing the things together that bring us close, when we decorated trees with our parents or helped Mom bake and the mellowness and teary sentimentality we feel towards family who have drifted apart, for each other frayed by the strains of any relationship.
Those Christmas visits at Grandma’s house on Sunnyside Avenue, playing in freezing temperations at the Manville Road Circle in Old Pleasantville.
It all comes back. That’s Christmas Magic.
We need it more than ever this year.
Back in the 1980s, The Waitresses put out a perfect song that expresses Christmas Magic, called “Christmas Wrappings” that you can hear by doing a search on the internet. Here are the lyrics
Christmas Wrappings
Bah, humbug!” No, that’s too strong
‘Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year’s been a busy blur
Don’t think I have the energy
To add to my already mad rush
Just ’cause it’s ’tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from
Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of ’81 passed along those lines.
So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.
Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!
Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would’ve been good to go for lunch,
Couldn’t agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we’d keep in touch.
Didn’t, of course, ’til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.
Now the calendar’s just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight’s the night, but I’ve set my mind
Not to do too much about it.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do’s
A few cards a few calls
‘Cause it’s r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It’s Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.
Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn’t go,
Forget it, it’s cold, it’s getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.
A&P has provided me
With the world’s smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?
So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I’ve been chasing all year!
WPCNR FBI WIRE. From The Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 11, 2021:
Richard “Rob” Walker, the former Chief Deputy County Executive under former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice December 7. The Court also ordered Walker to pay $5,000 in forfeiture, imposed a $5,500 fine and perform 2,000 hours of community service as part of his sentence. Walker pleaded guilty to the charge in May 2019.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“While occupying an important position of public trust, Walker accepted illicit payments from a contractor, encouraged the contractor to commit perjury before a federal grand jury, and lied to the FBI to cover up his crimes,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will prosecute corrupt officials like Walker who seek to obstruct justice and abuse the public trust.” Mr. Peace also expressed his thanks to Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation for its help during the investigation.
“Public officials have a great responsibility to uphold the public’s trust and make legal and ethical decisions that serve to benefit their communities. Rob Walker did just the opposite when he accepted illicit payments from a contractor working for Nassau County and later attempted to cover his tracks and change his story once he realized the FBI was onto him. As we’ve said in the past, there’s no way to undo what’s already been done—a lesson that’s surely been reinforced today,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
In 2014, Walker, who was then the Chief Deputy Nassau County Executive, accepted a $5,000 cash payment from a contractor who was performing work pursuant to a contract for Nassau County. In 2017, Walker learned that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI had opened a grand jury investigation of potential corruption in Nassau County government, including the circumstances surrounding the $5,000 payment made by the contractor to the defendant.
Walker spoke to the contractor on several occasions and attempted to persuade him to conceal the existence of the $5,000 payment from the grand jury, or to provide a false explanation to the grand jury concerning the transaction, for example, saying it was repayment of a loan.
Walker arranged to meet the contractor in a park in Hicksville, New York, and at that meeting, gave the contractor an envelope containing $5,000 in an effort to make it appear as if the payment Walker accepted “never happened.” Later, when he was interviewed by the FBI concerning the payment, Walker denied ever having received any cash payments from the contractor.
As recounted in consensually recorded conversations, Walker repeatedly claimed that the payment did not have to be disclosed to the grand jury if he returned it to the contractor. On one occasion, Walker said, “you [the contractor] only borrowed it and I gave it back to you…there was never a quid pro quo,” and if he returned the money, “it doesn’t exist…wouldn’t you rather it not existing?”
In another recorded conversation, Walker untruthfully stated, “[j]ust be honest. I borrowed the money from you. I gave it back to you…My mother-in-law was sick…it’s over.” During the exchange, which was recorded by law enforcement, Walker stated, “it [the money] doesn’t exist. That’s it.” When the contractor asked if he is “not saying a word [to the grand jury]?” Walker confirmed, “[n]ope, doesn’t exist.”
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell and Catherine M. Mirabile are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
RICHARD WALKER (also known as “Rob Walker”) Age: 43 Hicksville, New York
WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 7, 2021:
ON DECEMBER 7, , in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Bruce Snipas, the owner and pharmacist-in-charge of B&E Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“B&E”) in Rego Park, New York, with conspiracy to make false statements in health care matters, making false statements in health care matters and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. Snipas was arrested and arraigned the afternoon of December 7 before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy. The defendant was released on a $150,000 bond.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, the defendant, a pharmacist and health care professional, engaged in a fraudulent scheme to take advantage of the Medicaid program and profit by accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office is committed to protecting the integrity of government programs, including health insurance programs like Medicaid that benefit the district’s most vulnerable residents.” United States Attorney Peace also thanked the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General.
“Snipas, as alleged, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks while helping a health care company cover up their processing of fraudulent claims totaling more than $30 million. The FBI will continue our efforts to protect government-sponsored programs that exist to serve the interests of those within our community who need them most and private insurance programs that are adversely affected by this type of fraud,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
As alleged in the indictment, from approximately April 2015 to February 2018, Snipas conspired with a Florida-based health care company (the “Health Care Company”) to conceal the Health Care Company’s involvement in processing over $30 million in fraudulently obtained prescription claims by B&E from various health care programs, including New York Medicaid. Snipas repeatedly made false claims to Federal and State regulators and pharmacy boards concealing the Health Care Company’s involvement in the operations of B&E. In exchange for assisting the Health Care Company in processing the prescriptions through B&E, Snipas received approximately $650,000 in kickbacks from the Health Care Company.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being handled by the Office’ Health Care Fraud Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin E. Argo and Brian Morris are in charge of the prosecution.
JOHN BAILEY THE CITIZENETREPORTER AND THE NEWS FOR 2O YEARS THE NEWS IN WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USATONIGHT DAN SEIDEL ON THE CASE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE CRUSADER FOR TRUTH JUSTICE AND AMERICAN WAY ON THE FASNY EXITAND “THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING CONTRACT IN THE NIGHTIME“SUSAN FOX ON WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL IN COVID: WHAT’S AHEADCOUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ON THE COUNTY FACES COVID’S 4TH WAVE–HIS MUST SEE COVID COMMENTARYCOVID TODAYHOW ARE PHARMACIES DOING GETTING OUT THE VACCINES
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. December 10, 2021:
In a meeting last night, the Gedney Association voted unanimously to withdraw Issue 1 of their appeal suit awaiting a schedule date with the Appellate Division of the Second Department.
The reason: the former Ridgeway Country Club was confirmed sold after examination of the as yet unrecorded contract between the French American School of New York and Farrell Building Company of Bridgehampton, New York dated November 29, signed by both parties, selling the former club to Farr.el for $16.5 Million
Tonight on White Plains Week at 7:30 on FIOS channel 45 and Optimum ch. 76 (in White Plains, you can hear and seeMr. Seidel explaining why the 1st issue–failure to execute a thorough environmental review was moot, leading to the end of the French American School of New York to agree to eliminating continuing to litigate the “environmental issue.”
The Number 2 contention of the suit whether a restriction of a restrictive mandate prohibiting building an “institution” on the property may still be litigated on the highly sensitive matter of whether a mandate attached to the property must have eternal priority over future development abilities to develop their property. A ruling striking down a mandate because it prohibits desired plans for a property would create a legal precedent that would have wide ranging impact in the state.
It is not known whether the No 2, restrict mandate challenge by the French American City and the City of White Plains will still be pursued.
This morning Mr. Seidel confirmed the vote on the withdrawal of the No. 1 Issue–the environmental issue:
“Unanimous consent!!! Action #1 is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m preparing the papers for signtaure and then to the Court. Not a word from Claudia Jaffe. that’s ok – she doesn’t need me or us.- she has an issue ripe for being a “framed issue”. I’ll send an email to the Court in a few advising them the Stip is coming. WP CITIZENS PREVAIL OVER WRONGHEADED CITY MOVE…AGAIN!“
State to Reassess Measure on Jan. 15, 2022UPDATED WITH EDITOR’S NOTES AND COUNTY VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES 4:20 PM
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. This a major action to address the winter surge comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide to be in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement. Local Health Departments will enforce the new mask mandate to head off the rapid spread due to holiday social carelessness.
“I have warned for weeks that additional steps could be necessary, and now we are at that point based upon three metrics: Increasing cases, reduced hospital capacity, and insufficient vaccination rates in certain areas,”Governor Hochul added.
Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43% and hospitalizations have increased by 29%. While the percentage of New Yorkers fully vaccinated continues to increase—gaining 2% from Thanksgiving weekend to now—the uptick is not fast enough to completely curb the spread of the virus, particularly among communities with low vaccination coverage.
(Editor’s Note: Today the White Plains Covid Tracker reported Westchester new positive cases on Wednesday, December 7 as 366 unfortunate individuals testing positive for covid, 3.7% of 9,954 tested Wednesday bringing the total of new cases of covid to 2,344 new cases in one week from December 1 to December 7, compared to 1008 for the first six days of the week. Note That is a 43% increase in new cases in a week, the same as the increase in state infection average WEEK case rate, 43%.
Hospitalizations were stated by the county in the County Executive’s Covid briefing Monday as 84 in the county. two weeks ago on November 15, there were 170 new positives. Those new positives infected 2 persons each (366 divided by 170 positives on Novemver 17. . If the 366 positives only created 84 hospitalizations (if the 84 figure is recent and not lagging behind for cosmetic, more palatable numbers, then the Westchester hospitalization rate of new infections two weeks ago (170) December 7 is 23%, behind of the state wide 7 day average of of 29% in hospitalizations. Westchester is doing better than the rest of the state, but not by much.
Reacting to Governor Hochul’s NEW MASKING OF NEW YORK, County Executive George Latimer wrote:
“We recognize Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in announcing a statewide mask mandate. This pandemic has reached crisis proportions in parts of the state, and we can’t be sure that it won’t rise to equal status in the rest of the state. The Governor does not make these decisions lightly, and I respect and appreciate her steady hand in these difficult times. Westchester County will do our professional best to enforce this mask provision. At this point, this is the best move to protect the health of New Yorkers, and to protect the health of the New York State economy. It is far less restrictive than a shutdown of our businesses; it is an action that shows leadership and restraint.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer issued a news release today, saying:
“We want Westchester County to emerge on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, and getting your vaccine or booster is more important now than ever with the Omicron Variant making its way into our region. One thing that we do know is that the vaccinations are working, and it is the best way to help prevent the spread of this disease.
We know that nearly all of Westchester County’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, and we appreciate everyone doing their part to keep our communities healthy and safe. But – if you have not yet gotten the vaccine or your booster, please make an appointment to do so. Help us turn the corner on this deadly disease.”
Westchester County is hosting multiple COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinics at locations throughout the County. Visit the County Health Department Website to schedule an appointment today.
The Department of Health is holding vaccine booster clinics for eligible individuals by appointment only, at 134 Court Street in White Plains. Schedule a Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson Booster shot HERE.
The New York State Vaccination Clinic for anyone ages five and up has moved from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Appointments are required. Make an appointment HERE.
The State Department of Health has produced nation-leading studies, published in the CDC’s MMWR and the New England Journal of Medicine, which demonstrate the COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness – particularly in preventing severe disease. The Department continues to urge eligible New Yorkers of all ages to get fully vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible.
This determination is based on the State’s weekly seven-day case rate as well as increasing hospitalizations. The new business and venue requirements extend to both patrons and staff. This measure is effective Dec. 13, 2021 until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions. The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations.
“As Governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy. The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season. We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet,” Governor Hochul said. “I want to thank the more than 80 percent of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated. If others will follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary.”
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “Community spread requires a community-minded solution, as the Omicron variant emerges and the overwhelmingly dominant Delta variant continues to circulate. We have the tools we need to protect against the virus – and now we must ensure we use them. There are tools each individual can use, and there are actions we can take as government. Getting vaccinated protects you, and wearing a mask is how we will better protect each other. Both vaccination and mask-wearing are needed to slow this COVID-19 winter surge.”
A violation of any provision of this measure is subject to all civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation. Local health departments are being asked to enforce these requirements.
Business/Venue Proof of Full-Course Vaccination Requirement
Businesses and venues who implement a proof of vaccination requirement can accept Excelsior Pass, Excelsior Pass Plus, SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State, or a CDC Vaccination Card. In accordance with CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated, full-course vaccination is defined as 14 days past an individual’s last vaccination dose in their initial vaccine series (14 days past the second shot of a two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine; 14 days past the one-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine). The State also accepts WHO-approved vaccines for these purposes. Parents and guardians can retrieve and store an Excelsior Pass and/or Excelsior Pass Plus for children or minors under legal guardianship.
Business/Venue Mask-Wearing Requirement
Businesses and venues that implement a mask requirement must ensure all patrons two years and older wear a mask at all times while indoors.
Continued Masking Requirements
Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Further, the State’s masking requirements continue to be in effect for pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines.
New York State and the State’s Department of Health continue to strongly recommend mask-wearing in all public indoor settings as an added layer of protection, even when not required. Children 2 – 5 who remain ineligible for vaccination must wear a proper-fitting mask.
COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are free and widely available statewide. New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. To schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, New Yorkers can visit the Am-I-Eligible site. New Yorkers can also contact their health care provider, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health centers, or pharmacies.
New Yorkers can retrieve their Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus here. Businesses and venues can download the Excelsior Pass Scanner app—free for any business nationwide and available in more than ten languages—here.
Photograph of first page of the elusive contract between French American School of New York and Farrell Building Company of Bridgehampton New York. Below is a partial copy of the Schedule A detailing the Parcels of Land sold (all making up the former country club were sold), and belowBelow is the Westchester County Recording & Endorsement Page. Again, the contract is not recorded officially after having been signed on the last day remaining on the Appellate Court of Appeals schedule to inform the court of any reasons why the argument of the case before the Appellate Court could be heard the
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL.By John F. Bailey. December 9, 2021:
White Plains CitizeNetReporter has obtained a “not-as-yet recorded” copy of contract disclosing the sale of the Ridgeway Country Club announced November 29 by the French American School public relations agency to the media, before the court was notified of the sale.
With this confirmation of a tangible in writing contact, it paves the way for Dan Seidel, attorney for the Gedney Association to withdrawn as Plaintiff/Appellant in the suit, not withdrawing as attorney, because the sale of the property renders the “Environmental Challenge” to the City of White Plains approval defunct.
For a week now, the contract has been requested by counsel representing the Gedney Association vs. French American School of New York and City of White Plains. Apparently the contract was under discussion for three months back to July 30, one of dates of an agreement in the document.
There was no record of the contract on file in the County Clerk’s office as of Tuesday of Farrell Building Company owning the property.
There was no effort to find the contract in the Clerk’s Office to see if it was in the “pile,” (the size of which was undetermined) of “to be recorded” documents yet to be filed according to a person who contacted the County Clerk’s office asking for verification the $16.5 Million Farrell-FASNY contract shown above were “in-house.” That request was yesterday.
WPCNR reckons the contract above may have been sitting in the County Clerk office for 11 days, if filed November 29, the date of the contract
The wayward deed has been received just in the nick of time to allow Mr. Seidel the confidence the property has been sold, clearing the way for him to withdraw as plaintiff/appellant and file a “Stip of Withdrawal” with the court, requesting approval for him to withdraw from the Environment Issue on the grounds that the “Environmental Issue” is now moot.
It is moot because the school project is defunct, as FASNY has sold the property, which the contract proves.
We believe Mr. Seidel’s request to withdraw has been agreed to by all parties in the suit to drop the Environmental Issue in the appeal.
The Gedney Association is holding a meeting to decide whether to go ahead with arguing the deed restriction applying to the property.
Previously in 2018, the Gedney Association wrote their membership on the merits and legality of the deed restriction, and I quote:
Development of institutional use on the golf course is prohibited pursuant to a chain of farsighted Deed Restrictions formulated years ago to protect the residential values and character of the Gedney Farms neighborhood. These private restrictions are legal and especially understandable in that the former golf course threads through the neighborhood backing up to numerous homes as opposed to merely adjoining the neighborhood. Importantly, the Deed Restrictions don’t prohibit reasonable use of the acreage (ie. residential use), but only institutional use, which includes hospitals as well as FASNY.
Our ongoing litigation on the FASNY matter comprises both an appeal of the recent FASNY approval by the Common Council and enforcement of the Deed Restrictions. They are separate and distinct issues. The Common Council has no authority over private Deed Restrictions.
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MS. HARTE AND MS. SAMWICK SHOW YOU HOW THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF DOROT CAN HELP FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WITH THE COMPASSION, EXPERTISE AND TRAINING OF A DOROT VOLUNTEER
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SEE IT ANYTIME BY GOING TO WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG. SCROLL DOWN THE “PROGRAM WALL” TO “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” CLICK AND WATCH
New STEAM Center, Finance Center, Leonardo Adult Patient Simulator, 3D Anatomage Table Continue Stepinac’s Leadership in Secondary Education
Continuing its leadership in secondary education to provide students with the skills they will need to become globally competitive at college and in their future careers, Stepinac High School will celebrate its latest Real-World advanced learning technologies including a new STEAM Center, Finance Center with Bloomberg terminals, Leonardo Patient Simulator, 3D Anatomage Table and two more learning spaces modeled after Columbia University’s Classrooms.
Fr. Thomas Collins (Class of ’79), Stepinac president, who will preside over the dedication ceremony; members of the administration and faculty; civic and community leaders including White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach and students who will demonstrate how they are using the advanced learning technologies, members of the Stepinac distinguished Stepinac alumni and students who will using the sophisticated and engaging learning tools, typically found at college, to enhance their understanding of and successfully undertake real-world applications in engineering, architecture and bio science, among others.
WHEN: 10 AM, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10
WHERE: Stepinac High School, 950 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY
