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.
Leroy Dixon , Appointed new Principal of Eastview School
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. Special to WPCNR from the White Plains City School District. June 15, 2021:
The White Plains Board of Education appointed Assistant Principal Leroy Dixon to the position of Principal at the Eastview Middle School at last night’s Board of Education meeting. He replaces Daisy Rodrigues Roncagliolo who resigned to take a position in another district. Sixty candidates applied for the position and Mr. Dixon was the unanimous choice of the advisory interviewing committee.
Mr. Dixon has been with the school district for 17 years, beginning as a House Administrator at the High School in 2004. Two years later he moved up to Assistant Principal there, where he remained for six years. In 2012 he was appointed Assistant Principal at Eastview.
Mr. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science Degree from Iona College and a Professional Diploma from Mercy College. He began his educational career as a Social Studies Teacher.
Superintendent of School Dr. Joseph L. Ricca said, “Mr. Dixon has all the tools required to continue the excellent work being done at Eastview,” and he looks forward to working with him.
Mr. Dixon expressed his thanks to the Board and community for their confidence and said he appreciates this wonderful opportunity. He will assume his new position on July 1st.
“GOOD MORNING FROM WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA WHERE IT IS 66 PARTLY SUNNY WPCNR DEGREES.
DENNIS “DION” NARDONE: THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS MOVING INTO THE FORTUNOFF SPACE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?
JOHN: I DO NOT THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. I THINK THE TRAFFIC GOING INTO THAT MALL IS ONLY GOING TO BE AGGRAVATED EXPONENTIALLY BY THE DMV TRAFFIC GOING INTO THAT PAID PARKING GARAGE. THERE IS EXTENSIVE DROP OFF/ PICK UP TIE-UP TRAFFIC OUTSIDE WHOLE FOODS AND THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY ON BLOOMINGDALE ROAD THAT WILL HANG UP TRAFFIC.
I DO NOT THINK IT IS A GOOD LOCATION AT ALL. THE DMV DOES NOT ENHANCE THE GLAMOUR OF THE WESTCHESTER. IT IS NO LONGER CENTRAL TO THE DOWNTOWN OR A CONVENIENT BUS ROUTE. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO IT. THIS WAS ALL CAUSED BY A UNION PROTESTING THE PREVIOUS PROPOSED LOCATION ON WATER STREET BECAUSE THE NEW CLEANING CONTRACTOR FIRED UNION WORKERS AND THE DMV CHANGED ITS MIND TO MOVE THERE UNDER POLITICAL PRESSURE—THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES BY SHORT-THINKING POLITICIANS AND OWNERS WENT INTO EFFECT AND THE DMV HAS STAYED IN THE WHITE PLAINS MALL DELAYING BY THREE YEARS I THINK NOW THE START OF JEWEL OF THE WHITE PLAINS MALL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TRANSIT DISTRICT.
DENNIS: WHAT ABOUT THE WHITE PLAINS HOTEL.
JOHN: YOU MEAN THE HOTEL REPLACING THE RITZ? THAT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS, THE NEW OWNERS HAVE COMPLETELY CHANGED THE LOOK, IT IS UP SCALE, WELCOMING WITH GREAT ORIGINAL ART CONSIDERABLY BRIGHTENING UP THE BROWN ELEGANCE INTERIOR OF THE OLD RITZ AND THEY HAVE A COZY NEW COCKTAIL LOUNGE THAT IS SWANK, COSMOPOLOLITAN. IT SHOULD BE VERY POPULAR WITH THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELER AND THE DATING CROWD.
THIS WEEK, DENNIS I INTERVIEWED DR. JOSEPH RICCA WHITE PLAINS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ON THE CLOSE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FRIDAY. HE TOLD ME PARENTS ARE VOLUNTEERING THEIR CHILDREN TO ATTEND SUMMER SCHOOL IN ADDITION TO THOSE THE SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRING TO GO. HE SAID GRADUATION FOR WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2021 WILL BE HELD OUTDOORS AT LOUCKS FIELD WEDNESDAY JUNE 23RD AND THE HIGHLANDS GRADUATION TUESDAY OCT 22ND PARENTS HAVE TO HAVE PROOF OF VACCINATION TO ATTEND. THEY WILL BE SOCIALLY DISTANCED.
HE SAID THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL USE THEIR COVID AID TO MAKE HEAT AND VENTILATION IMPROVEMENTS AT ALL ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THE HIGH SCHOOL. THEY WILL AIR CONDITION ALL BUILDINGS INSTALL AIR FILTRATION AND AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS A FANTASTIC IMPROVEMENT. HE SAID THERE AT THIS TIME WILL BE NO REMOTE LEARNING IN THE FALL, AND IF THERE IS A NEW OUTBREAK OF COVID, THE DISTRICT WILL SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF REMOTE LEARNING WHICH WILL NOT BE AS IT WAS THIS YEAR WHEN A TEACHER HAD TO TEACH A CLASS IN FRONT OF HER AND OBSERVE STUDENTS AT HOME ON HIS OR HER COMPUTER. THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID THIS REMOTE LEARNING WAS NOT ADEQUATELY EFFECTIVE.
HE SAID GLASS BARRIERS WOULD BE COMNG DOWN IN SCHOOLS, STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO WEAR MASKS IN THE SCHOOLS AT THIS TIME AND NEXT FALL UNLESS LATER EVENTS AND DECISIONS ALLOW THE MASKING RULE TO BE RELAXED.
DR. RICCA SAID IN THE FUTURE THE DISTRICT IS GOING TO ADD MORE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE DISTRICT.
TECHNOLOGY OF WHITE BOARDS WILL BE PHASED OUT IN FAVOR OF TELEVISION SCREENS.
HE REPORTS EVERY STUDENT IN THE WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS IS EQUIPPED WITH AN I-PAD AND BROADBAND…HE SAID THAT IF A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND, THE DISTRICT WILL PAY THE COST TO EQUIP THAT FAMILY’S HOME WITH BROADBAND.
THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO DO A LEARNING LOSS SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE ACADEMIC PROGRESS LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC. HE SAID ENROLLMENT WAS SLIGHTLY DOWN AND EMPHASIS IN THE FUTURE WOULD BE REPAIR OF EXISTING WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS AS SCHOOL DISTRICT DEBT IS PAID DOWN BUT NO NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IS IN SIGHT.
YOU CAN HEAR THAT COMPLETE INTERVIEW THURSDAY NIGHT ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” ON CH 45 FIOS AND CH 76 OPTIMUM.
(SCRIPT PLANNED TO BE BROADCAST THAT WAS NOT AIRED:)
THERE IS A STORM BREWING OVER 701 WESTHESTER OFFICE CAMPUS OFFICE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED. THE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBRHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WANTS A MEETING WITH THE COMMON COUNCIL BUT SO FAR THE MAYOR AND THE COMMON COUNCIL HAVE NOT AGREED TO IT. THAT MATTER WAS MOVED TO JULY FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
THE CITY IS GOING TO REVISE ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BUT IT WILL TAKE 5 YEARS TO DO IT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A CONSULTANT MAINLY THROUGH ELECTRONIC INTERFACING AS OUR TRANSIT DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WAS CONDUCTED. PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THAT.
WHITE PLAINS DEMITASSE PLAYERS’ FIRST FILM, “AN EXISTENTIAL DATE” PREMIERED AT THE WOLF AND WARRIOR RESTAURANT LAST NIGHT, FEATURING ROBERT ANSBRO, LEFT AS JONATHAN AND DONNA L. WHITE AS”FREDA” –RICHARD CIRULLI’S FIRST SCREENPLAY.
THERE WAS A MOVIE PREMIER LAST NIGHT IN WHITE PLAINS AT THE WOLF AND WARRIOR RESTAURANT OF TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE ONLY MOVIE SHOT IN WHITE PLAINS DURING THE PANDEMIC. IT IS THE DEMITASSE PLAYERS PRODUCTION OF “AN EXISTENTIAL DATE” WRITTEN BY FORMER ECONOMICS PROFESSOR RICHARD CIRULLI
THE FILM WAS WELL RECEIVED BY W & W FIRST NIGHTERS LAST NIGHT. IT STARRED LOCAL ACTORS DONNA L. WHITE AND ROBERT ANSBRO WHO NAILED AN INTRIGUING EXISTENTIAL COMEDY PROVIDING SOME INTELLECTUAL HUMOR IN A TIME WHEN EXISTENCE DAY TO DAY IS BEING REEVALUATED AND REVALUED EVERY DAY. THE ENDS WITH A TWIST WORTHY OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK.
IT IS FUNNY WITH HANG-ON-EVERY-WORD CHARM CREATING STIMULATING, SOPHISTICATED INTIMACY – SENDING UP PHILOSOPHY OF EXISTENTIALISM THROUGH VERBAL VOLLIES OF MS. WHITE AND MR. ANSBRO MENTALLY TOPPING ONE ANOTHER WITH BRAINY BANTER , SCINTILLATING ZINGERS EXPOSING REAL EMOTIONS THEY PUT OUT THERE AND EMBRACE THEIR “EXISTENCE.”
MS. WHITE AFTER APPEARING IN THE ONLY MOVIE PRODUCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC IN WHITE PLAINS MOVES INTO “THE BIG DREAM” BY ROLLIN JEWETT NEXT WEEK AT THE NEW YORK URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL SHE’LL FIT SMOOTHLY PLAYING A THERAPIST—GIRL FRIEND OF A SHOW BIZ PERSONALITY .
ACCORDING TO BROADWAY WORLD “THE BIG DREAM” IS ONE OF THE FIRST PLAYS TO BE STAGED IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN AT THE URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL ONE NIGHT ONLY AT THE ABRONS ART CENTER 466 GRAND STREET ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE , NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7 PM FREE. BROADWAYWORLD SAYS:
“STAGED IMMERSIVELY, WITH CHARACTERS TAKEN FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS ITSELF, “THE BIG DREAM” TELLS THE TALE OF JACK, AN ARROGANT STAGE-PIG WHO RECOUNTS HIS JOURNEY OF HOW HE HOOFED AND WHORED HIS WAY ON STAGE AND ON FILM. WITH ONLY THE GOADING OF AN ENIGMATIC THERAPIST (PLAYED BY MS. WHITE) TO KEEP HIM ON TRACK, JACK GOES IN AND OUT OF REALITY TRYING TO FIND WHO HE REALLY IS … IF HE REALLY IS.” MS. WHITE WILL CERTAINLY FIT RIGHT INTO TO THE THERAPIST JARGON BASED ON HER TURN IN LAST NIGHT’S PREMIER OF “AN EXISTENTIAL DATE”
MR. ANSBRO AS JONATHAN , IS POMPOUS, PONTIFICATING PUNCTILIOUS, A SUPERIOR INTELLECTUALIST CONFIDENT OF HIS CODE OF EXISTENCE SEDUCED BY MS. WHITE’S SEEING THROUGH HIS CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED FAÇADES HE TRULY BELIEVES. SHE CHALLENGES HIM TO LIVE IN THEM .
MR. ANSBRO DISARMED BY ONE OF MS. WHITE’S “DENEUVEIAN ” CLOSE UPS.
MR. ANSBRO BRINGS OFF THE SUPERIORITY OF SELF-SATISFACTION AND MS. WHITE SHATTERS HIS SUPERCILIOUS OLYMPUS PERCH WITH HER DISARMING CANDOR. THE FILM IS RAPID-FIRE CONTEXTUALLY MEANDERING REPARTEE–AN EVER-INTENSE SEDUCTIVE REPOST-FILLED DENOUEMENT MOVED BY QUICK CUTS, CLOSEUPS, AND FLATTERING LINGERINGS CHOREOGRAPHED BY VIDEO EDITOR CHRIS CASABURI.
THE EDITING, AS SOCRATES WOULD SAY, MOVES THE DIALECTIC INTENSELY AS THE PRECISELY DELIVERED DIALOGUE IS PACED BY CUT-BY-CUT BY THE ACTORS—ORCHESTRATED WITH A TITILLATING “BED” OF ORIGINAL GUITAR BY DREW CAICO TO ITS IRONIC BLOCKBUSTER ENDING. INTENSELY EXISTENTIAL.
MR. ANSBRO IS A SHEET METAL WORKER WITH LOCAL 28 IN NEW YORK CITY BY DAY AND ACTOR BY NIGHT WILL NEXT BE SEEN IN “HEY DAD” BY CAROL MARKS AN ORIGINAL ONE ACT NEW WORK AT THE AERIE 20/20 FESTIVAL ABOUT A SON AND HIS FIREMAN DAD. SEPTEMBER 10, 17 AND 22ND IN GARRISON AT THE PHILIPSBURG DEPOT THEATRE. FOLLOW UP WITH THE AERIE 20/20 FESTIVAL FOR MORE. THIS IS JOHN BAILEY ON LOCATION SAYING SEE YOU AT THE WOLF & WARRIORWHERE “AN ESSENTIAL DATE” WAS FILMED ON AN I-PHONE 11 IN TWO DAYS.
RICHARD CIRULLI, SCREENWRITER LEFT HE WROTE THE SCRIPT WITH JERRY MORANO A MEMBER OF THE DEMITASSE PLAYERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.THE GROUP IS SERIOUSLY SEEKING TO GROW THEIR REPERTOIRE, FILM AND PLAYS AND PUBLICATIONS WITH AID FROM COUNTY AND STATE SOURCES.
WPCNR WESTCHESTER LAW JOURNAL.Special to WPCNR from the City of Mount Vernon. June 15, 2021:
The City of Mount Vernon has announced that the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester (YSOW) will be the lead agency in a new partnership with the 9th Judicial District and Mount Vernon City Court.
The Emerging Adult Justice Part of the Mount Vernon City Court is a new initiative established in the Ninth Judicial District.
The mission of the Mount Vernon Emerging Adult Justice Part or “Emerging Adult Court” is to provide meaningful opportunities for resolving criminal cases by pursuing alternatives to conventional prosecution, sentencing and incarceration for young people between the ages of 18-25.
Headed by Executive Director Joanne Dunn, YSOW will serve as the lead agency providing the coordination of services and case management for all involved within this critical project. The objective will be connecting young adults with services, resources, and opportunities through a collaborative effort involving public and private stakeholders to place emerging adults on the path of success and self-autonomy in becoming productive members of society.
To learn more, you can hear Ms. Dunn on a recent edition of White Plains Television’s “People to Be Heard” where Ms. Dunn explains how handling of young adult offenders will be improved through alternative case management of offenders up to age 25.
Since assuming the role of Executive Director of the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester in 2020, Joanne Dunn has sought to engage in conversations on the various aspects of criminal justice in an effort to effect change, particularly around alternatives to youth incarceration. “What we know here at the shelter is that young people are far better than the worst thing that they’ve done. We focus on their dreams, their aspirations, and their ambitions…to become successful members of their communities. And after 40 years of successfully providing meaningful opportunities for young people to turn their life around, I am grateful to the City of Mount Vernon to allow us to take the lead here,” said Ms. Dunn.
The kickoff of The Emerging Adult Justice Part of the Mount Vernon City Court will be on June 17 at 12pm on the steps of City Hall. It is a free event and all are welcome to attend.
For more information about the Youth Shelter visit www.ysow.org
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the availability of $105 million in critical arts and cultural funding through the New York State Council on the Arts, including a program to reinvigorate near-term live performances that opens for applications Wednesday. The grants will aid in the arts sector’s multi-year recovery from COVID-19 and spur the revitalization of New York’s creative economy, which fosters $123 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 500,000 jobs statewide.
“We must build New York back better than it was before, and part of that process will be strengthening and reinvigorating our state’s creative economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will pay dividends through the economic activity generated by our creative ecosystem, which will continue to flourish and inspire us as we work together to make New York stronger than ever.”
There will be four rounds of funding, with $20 million already committed to multi-year awards in the first round. Each round is designed to address the most urgent needs of organizations and artists within New York’s nonprofit creative sector.
Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants ($10 million): Support will directly address the area of the arts sector hardest hit by COVID-19, and reinvigorate near term, in-person performance opportunities. This funding will prioritize the recovery of New York’s unparalleled performance organizations, venues, artists, and groups. This $10 million opportunity offers both direct support from NYSCA and regrant support through NYSCA’s Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants program. Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 will be available for eligible performing arts organizations for planned performance programming in 2021. Support provided through the Community Regrants Program, which will focus on reviving performance on a very local level, will be administered by NYSCA partners statewide. The goal of this regrant support is to reach small, local organizations that do not receive direct grants from NYSCA. Round 1 guidelines and portal for direct NYSCA Rapid Live Performance Grants will open on June 16. Application portal will close July 1.
Expanded Access to Funding ($15 million): Support will expand NYSCA’s current network of valued regrant partners to reach New York’s vast and diverse community of artists and organizations. Funding will be distributed through NYSCA Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants. Increased support at the local level will ensure more communities, organizations, and individuals will have access to NYSCA funding. Round 2 guidelines will be posted June 16, 2021. Application portal will open on July 19and close August 2.
Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery ($40 million): Support will broaden individual artist assistance and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Round 3 guidelines will be posted on June 16. Application portal will open July 19and close September.
Capital Funding for the Arts ($20 million): Support will assist organizations in making improvements to address health and safety issues in their spaces and venues among other needs. Any New York State nonprofit arts and culture organization is encouraged to apply. Round 4 guidelines and application portal will open in September.
MID-HUDSON REGION, MADE UP OF WESTCHESTER, DUTCHESS, ORANGE, PUTNAM, ROCKLAND, SULLIVAN AND ULSTER COUNTIES VACCINATION PROGRESS ASOF FRIDAY, JUNE 11- INDICATES FULL VACCINATION BY FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER. (MID HUDSON LINE IS 5TH FROM TOP OF CHART)THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY VACCINE PROGRESS REPORTED THROUGH FRIDAY.
WPCNR VACCINATION REPORT. From the NYS Vaccination Tracker. Analysis by WPCNR June 12, 2021:
As of Friday morning, the Mid-Hudson region, vaccinating residents with second shots to complete their Covid vaccination sequence at the rate of 46,857 second shots a week over 7 counties (Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster) , is approximately 4 months from reaching fully vaccinated status APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 4 well into the school year.
At the present rate of administering of second shots in the 7 county region (including Westchester County), which is 8,245 a day across the seven counties, 46,857 second shots a week, it will be 21 weeks before the 1,020,644 awaiting second doses are completed. Twenty-one weeks from today is the first week in November.
The good news is that over the 7 counties, more persons are coming in for first vaccinations (26, 367 had first shots last week across the Mid-Hudson Region)
Westchester County currently has as of Friday morning, 531,587 or 54% of its 967,612 residents vaccinated, again depending on how many children under 12 are in the county not being vaccinated, and 603, 127 persons with one vaccine dose. Assuming a second dose rate of 15,000 second doses a day this would mean Westchester should have its population fully vaccinated by mid-July(40 Days).
The figure also means that Westchester appears to have grown in population to over a million persons and perhaps approach 1.5 Million if you go by the number of persons in the vaccination progression.
WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE.From the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney. June 12, 2021:
A former federal judge will assist the Westchester District Attorney’s Office (WDAO) in its review of two previous police-involved shootings in Westchester that led to the deaths of county residents Danroy Henry and Kenneth Chamberlain, as well as the subsequent handling of these matters by the WDAO, DA Miriam E. Rocah announced Thursday..
Danroy Henry, Jr., known as DJ, was killed on October 17, 2010 when officers shot at Henry’s moving vehicle. He was 20 years old and a student at Pace University.
Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr., a 68-year-old former U.S. Marine who suffered from mental illness, was shot and killed in his home on November 19, 2011, following a confrontation with White Plains police after they responded to an accidental medical alert. At points during the confrontation, Mr. Chamberlain possessed a knife.
In the months following these two incidents, the Henry and Chamberlain shootings were reviewed by WDAO prosecutors who ultimately presented evidence and witnesses to grand juries, whose role was to determine whether that evidence was sufficient to support the criminal charges that prosecutors presented. In both cases, no indictment was returned by the grand juries and the proceedings were automatically sealed by the court.
The current reviews will be conducted internally by designated Assistant District Attorneys and investigators who have been selected for this task by DA Rocah, with the assistance of a team of pro bono attorneys led by John Gleeson, a Debevoise & Plimpton LLP partner who previously served as a U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of New York and who was also a federal prosecutor.
The pro bono team includes Debevoise & Plimpton LLP counsel Douglas S. Zolkind, a former federal public corruption prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and associates from the firm. Judge Gleeson and Mr. Zolkind have been sworn in as Special Assistant District Attorneys for purposes of the review.
“For the families of Kenneth Chamberlain and DJ Henry, the pain of their loss has not gone away over the past 10 years, nor have the questions they have about why their loved ones were killed,” DA Rocah said. “The Chamberlain and Henry families and many members of the Westchester community have asked me to review the circumstances of the shootings, the investigation and charging decisions by the DA’s Office, and the grand juries’ decision not to return indictments in either case. Today, I am announcing that I will do exactly that.
“Some may ask, why look backwards? The reason is simple: Today, we have appropriately higher expectations have for scrutiny of police encounters with mentally ill and unarmed people and for prosecutors’ responses to such incidents,” DA Rocah added. “The Henry and Chamberlain families and our community have felt strongly that further independent review is needed to heal the open wounds from these shootings. It is in that spirit that this review will be undertaken.
“I want to be very clear: While I have chosen to conduct this review, I am in no way pre-judging the outcome. At this point, I cannot say whether any further action should be taken,” DA Rocah said. “I can say that further action beyond the review will only be taken if the facts and law warrant it. I will make the final determination on what, if any, additional steps are appropriate.”
“Because the District Attorney’s Office played a central role in the original investigation and presentation to the grand juries, I believe that having Judge Gleeson participate in the review and make recommendations to me is the best way to proceed,” DA Rocah said. “Judge Gleeson’s record as a federal judge has earned him widely-held respect and a reputation for fairness and integrity, which I saw firsthand when I served as a law clerk for him many years ago. I am so pleased that he agreed to take on this important task.”
JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK SINCE 2001 A.D.PLANNING COMMISSIONER CHRISTOPHER GOMEZ AND MAYOR ROACH ON THE “PROCESS” LAUNCHES NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS701 WESTCHESTER AVENUE HEARINGCOUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ON THE WATERFRONT PARKCOUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ON THE NEW FAMILY COURTWATERFRONT PARK IN YONKERS
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. Special to WPCNR from Berkeley College. (Edited) June 10, 2021:
Berkeley College, a leading provider of career-focused education since 1931, will consolidate its White Plains, NY campus with its New York City campus by the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Berkeley College has been educating students in New York City since 1936 and in Westchester County since 1945.
Berkeley College is re-envisioning its New York City campus, with facilities in Midtown Manhattan at 3 East 43rd Street and 12 East 41st Street. Plans are underway to consolidate all classrooms, offices, and operations into the 41st Street building over the next 12 months.
The White Plains campus is currently running all classes online this semester as it has done the past three semesters and all of their fall classes are listed as online. Continuing students will be offered the option to complete their studies at the New York City campus, online, or at any of Berkeley College’s New Jersey campuses. Alternative arrangements will be made for the handful of students currently in campus housing.
“The challenges brought on by the pandemic and other factors were the impetus for the consolidation of the campus with our New York City campus,” said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College. “We are grateful for the support so many of the governing officials, business leaders and community organizations have shown us over the years,” said Smith. “Berkeley College remains committed to serving the residents and businesses of Westchester County through our New York City campus.”
Smith said throughout the country, declining enrollments and an increasing reliance on changing instructional modalities, including remote and hybrid approaches, have reduced the need for physical classrooms and offices. “One centralized campus in Midtown Manhattan will best position the College to serve our students,” he said.
In addition to transferring students and personnel, the College will be working with federal and state regulators, along with its accrediting agencies, during this transition.
VIEW OF SITE OF NEW WATERFRONT PARK OFF LUDLOW AVENUE IN DEEP DOWNTOWN YONKERS. (Google satellite)ZOOMING IN FROM SPACE ON THE LUDLOW PARK SITE ANNOUNCED TODAY BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER(BELOW). PARK WILL BEGIN AT GREEN SPACE JUST ABOVE THE WESTCHESTER COOUNTY WASTEWATER PLANT, AND EXTEND NORTHWARD ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER SHORELINE, REPLACING THE COUNTY BUS SCHOOL BUS PROPERTY (at top of picture)AND ENDNG AT THE DOMINO SUGAR PLANT .Hudson River access is estimated by WPCNR to be approximately 2,000 feet based on the distance from Federal Street (gate of Domino Sugar) to the entrance to the Westchester County Wastewater plant ( 1 Fernbrook Street)NOAA NAVIGATION CHART OF THE SHORES OF THE HUDSON INDICATE 5 FEET OF DEPTH AT LOW TIDE JUST AT THE SHORES OF THE PARK SITE INCREASING TO A DEPTH OF 35 FEET VERY QUICKLY INDICATING ROOM FOR BOATING FACILITIES, HOWEVER ACCESS TO THE WATER FROM IMMEDIATE SHORELINE WOULD MEAN BUILDING UP FILL FOR A BEACH ENTRY LEADING INTO THE WATER
https://youtu.be/aVLTE_MnmgE
WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER UNDER 82 DEGREES AND SUNNY SKIES THIS MORNING ANNOUNCES THE NEW PARK, ENVISIONED TO TAKE UP 2,000 FEET OF WATERFRONT ON THE HUDSON ADJACENT THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY WASTEWATER FACILITY (VIDEO, WPCNR NEWS)
https://youtu.be/cVYfcJ6PejM
YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO ON HOW THE PARK CAME TO BE
https://youtu.be/WYlUPSjj9h4
COUNTY LEGISLATOR JOSE ALVARADO: WHAT’S AHEAD IN CONSTRUCTING THE NEW WATERFRONT PARK
https://youtu.be/jKX09EbPdDw
YONKERS CITY COUNCIL MAJORITY LEADER CORAZON PINEDA ISAAC SPEAKS ON THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER.By John F. Bailey. June 9, 2021:
Plans for what could be a Westchester Riviera or a ” Playland West”were announced by County Executive George Latimer this morning, delaring Westchester County would fund $10 Million of a $20 Million Hudson-side park that would run about a 1/3 of a mile on a 9 acre stretch of Hudson River shoreline between overgrown county owned property just above the Yonkers Westchester Wastewater Treatment plant and run north to the Domino Sugar Plant from 1 Fernbrook Street where the wastewater plant is to 1 Federal Street (the entrance to Domino).
The park is to be created, Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers said by Yonkers acquiring the All County Bus complex that currently is adjacent the County-owned land shown in Mr. Alvarado’s video above. The extent of the bus mustering lot takes up a rough 90% of the planned site. Across the street from the park is a visual arts production studio and other industrial and office businesses. It is a heavily industrialized area, similar to Westmoreland Avenue in White Plains.
THE ALL COUNTY BUS property on Fernbrook Street.
If the park is turned into all waterfront, as County Legislator Jose Alvarado envisions in his segment, (previously above the 9 acre new water front would by 1/3 of a mile, compared to the “Bronx Riviera,” Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay which is 1.1 miles long or 28 acres long. The beach or waterfront, this reporter believes would match the Playland Beach, and the Mamaroneck Beach Harbor Park and the City of Rye Beach just south of Playland Beach, (but that is just my eyeball estimate).
Mayor Spano told WPCNR people swim in the Hudson now at this general location and the water was safe to swim. A person familiar with the plant operation said the discharge from the plant of treated wastewater is released in the middle of the Hudson River which makes the purity of the water at the shores less a threat from the discharged plant-treated water.
Mayor Spano said there is currently a concept design for the park, which WPCNR has requested. Mayor Spano said this would be a Yonkers-created project which would be created by the City of Yonker, but cautioned the concept is very fluent at this time and will be further developed by the city of Yonkers.
There was no timetable announced for when the project would acquire the property, the bus staging lot. The Majority Leader of the Yonkers City Council Corazon Pineda Isaac said the openair spacious recreation area would revitalize the single homes in the neighborhood surrounding the new park all of which would be in walking distance.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS.From White Plains City School District Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Ricca. June 8, 2021:
At this morning’s Special White Plains City School District (WPCSD) Reopening Committee Meeting, the Committee approved the following modification of the WPCSD’s Reopening Plan to include the modifications promulgated by the New York State Department of Health (Master Guidance attached), in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations for outdoor mask/facial covering requirements:
Beginning Thursday, June 10, 2021, while strongly encouraged, masks/facial coverings will no longer be required outdoors on WPCSD grounds for all members of the WPCSD community (children & adults) (this modification covers ALL outdoor activities as described in the NYSDoH guidelines).
This modification does not change any other aspect/requirement of the health/safety standards in the WPCSD Reopening Plan.
