WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR MILESTONES. February 10, 2021:

Saul Yanofsky, a former long- time superintendent of schools in White Plains, NY, who implemented an ambitious reorganization of its elementary schools, unexpectedly died on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, surrounded by his family.

He was 79. Yanofsky had a long and impactful career in public education reform, beginning with his job in Philadelphia as the Director of Research and Planning at the Pennsylvania Advancement School, from 1968-1972. The following year, Saul was one of a remarkable team of scholars and school reformers assembled to staff the new National Institute of Education in Washington, D.C.

As deputy director of the programs conducting research on school policy and organization, he guided studies resulting in significant new insights into schools’ use of research findings to raise student performance, as well as on teacher quality, school desegregation, higher education policy, legal studies and school organization and leadership.

In 1982, Yanofsky moved to White Plains, where as superintendent he acted on his commitment to educational reform and equity by implementing a nationally recognized model of school choice and racial balance.

He led the district through a challenging transition as the demographics in White Plains shifted; Yanofsky’s aim was to ensure equitable outcomes for students of color.

His plan allowed parents to choose the school their children would attend but also established guidelines so that each grade would be racially integrated.

His work there became a much-invoked example for other districts, while he became a role model for other superintendents, some of whom grew to be not just colleagues, but his dear friends.

( WPCNR wrote in 2001, when Mr. Yanofsky left the district as Superintendent:

“Dean of School District Leaders is Pacesetter for Westchester County School Districts.

Yanofsky is looked to by Westchester School Superintendents as the lead negotiator and pacesetter in education issues. They have looked to Yanofsky for leadership in matters of teacher contract negotiations, school standards, and district management issues. As White Plains District goes, so goes the county, has been the impression.

Dr. Yanofsky has been a very vocal critic of the way in which the Department of Education operates in administering its state standard tests, and has been the lead Westchester spokesman in Albany on that issue.

He has also upgraded and adjusted White Plains school curricula to produce test scores that have improved on state mandated tests since they were instituted four years ago.“

After he left White Plains in 2002, Yanofsky was appointed as an Assistant Dean at Westchester Community College, where he created a program to identify, inspire and train the next generation of public school teachers.

Saul was born in Brookline, MA, on March 20, 1941, to Esther (Silberberg) and Clarence Yanofsky. He graduated with honors from Amherst College in 1962 and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity; his fraternity brothers are among his lifelong friends.

He earned a doctorate degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1968. From his youth in Brookline, MA, through his years at Amherst College, his long career in education, and his post-retirement years, Saul had a gift for collecting friends and admirers.

Throughout his life, his combination of kindness, empathy, insight, and sense of humor drew people to him. He was a truly fine human being who made a real difference in thousands of lives.

While his passion for education ran deep, so did his passion for politics — and he was thrilled with the outcome of the 2020 elections. But nothing could surpass his love of family.

He and his wife Nancy met in Hebrew school at the age of 10 and began dating at the age of 16, the beginning of a lifelong partnership between two strong-willed people with a zest for social involvement, a love of adventure, and a gift for drawing friends into their orbit.

They passed their enthusiasms and idealism along to their three children and their spouses, Carole (David Anderson), David (Julianne Ugo), and Jon (Margaret Crisostomo), who survive him, along with his six beloved grandchildren – Julia, Zachary, Giovanna, Luca, Stella and Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to El Centro Hispano in White Plains, where a scholarship has been established in his name, and/or to the Friends of White Plains Youth Bureau. A virtual memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for Sunday, February 14. Contact the Riverside Memorial Chapel www.dignitymemorial.com

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JOHN BAILEY

The Old CitizeNetReporter at the WVOX mircrophone

Appears weekly on WVOX at 7:50 AM with the White Plains Report a feature of the nicest people on the radio, Dennis Nardone and Tonny on Good Morning Westchester at WVOX 1460 AM AND WVOX.COM. Here is a transcript of today’s report.

“Good morning from White Plains NY USA.

February is fitness month through February 28, featuring special offers from 18 diverse fitness spas in White Plains. To learn all about the sweet 18  go to wpbid.com, to find a list of the great deals.

Take advantage of everything from virtual workouts, free trial classes, new member deals and workout bundles to get your body in beach shape.

Next month will be beauty month and all you ladies and hipsters of an interesting age will be eligible for special offers from White Plains beauty salons, nail artists, stylists and trainers and well we’ll keep you posted at wpbid.com

You know Dennis, Everybody says it is the internet sales causing us to be down combined with covid but the internet has been killing street retail in Westchester for three years.

Since 2018 Westchester  County internet sales  (Electronic and mail order businesses) have soared from $175 million to $475 million – that’s 270%, folks.

In the last 8 years internet electronic and mail order sales have gone  from $100 million just to  under $500 million, 500%.

What Westchester County Businesses are being affected most?

Department stores  and clothing stores lagged behind electronic shopping and mail order for 8 years not just the year 2020.

Department store growth has been stagnant. It is no wonder Sears and now Macy’s are leaving White Plains.  Department Stores have not grown their market share in 7 years. They have been at a steady $600 million for 7 of the last 8 years and the bottom dropped out in 2020.

Department Stores  dropped sharply to $200 milliion in 2020. Electronic sales and mail order business has devoured  the market going from $400 million in 2013-14  eight years ago to $1.3 billion through 2020 325% GROWTH in 8 years.

How about Westchester restaurants and bars? They were going great  in 2019  when Westchester restaurants peaked at $40 billion and starting in March 2020 they have plummeted 40% to $25 billion.

Grocery stores have remained steady.

Can the White Plains Common Council count on a big comeback in the spring sales tax receipts? what do you think? they need to start thinking of solutions for various deficits they have now.

Brittany Brandwein of the White Plains Bid told me yesterday that restaurants with safe social distancing, table spacing and cleaning procedures, gloved and masked servers are doing ok. Larger  restaurants in town need to do better.

The city ended the first six months of 20-21 fiscal year down $5,063,506 . It was the sixth consecutive month of declining sales tax revenues for white plains. 

We look forward to the January sales tax receipts coming out February 19. The city expressed concern at last week’s council meeting about our revenues. They have tough choices to make, bet the spring will come back as strong as last spring and they are still down $5 million. If sales tax dollars continue down is they will have a bigger deficit by June 30, requiring cuts and perhaps a tax increase.

So long for now.

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WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO MONDAY COVID REPORT. February 9, 2021:

 The state’s effort to vaccinate health care workers has been underway for the last eight weeks. So we are now starting to shift doses not used to date to prioritize New Yorkers with qualifying comorbidities and pre-existing conditions.

These New Yorkers will be able to make appointments at state-run mass vaccination sites beginning Sunday, February 14, with vaccinations beginning next Monday, February 15. Local health departments will determine how, where and when to schedule appointments in their jurisdictions, and those appointments will begin as early as February 15.

New Yorkers will have to provide documentation as required by the facility where they are getting vaccinated—the exact form of documentation will be up to local governments, but may be either a doctor’s letter, medical information evidencing comorbidity, or a certification.

 Federal supply of the vaccine remains extremely limited, and I urge all New Yorkers to be patient. We can only administer as many doses as we receive and we’re continuing to fight for more every day. 

Photo of the Day: Helen, pictured above, became the 10,000th person to be vaccinated at the Roc Dome Arena vaccination site in Henrietta, NY, this morning. Here’s what else you need to know tonight: 

1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 7,716. Of the 197,183 tests reported yesterday, 8,448, or 4.28 percent, were positive. There were 1,454 patients in the ICU yesterday, down 5 from the previous day. Of the, 961 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 114 New Yorkers to the virus.

 2. Monday we launched NY PopsUp, an initiative to accelerate the revival of culture and the arts: the creative soul of New York. As we approach 2 million New Yorkers vaccinated, we’re bringing back the arts with over 300+ arts events across the state. Arts industry workers have been devastated by the pandemic, with many out of work since March. This initiative will marshal the return of the arts with safe, in-person events and online shows—coming to your neighborhood soon! 

3. If you’ve gotten your first dose, make sure not to skip your second dose. Second doses are crucial to building full protection to the virus, as Dr. Anthony Fauci emphasized yesterday. Remember: both currently authorized COVID vaccines require two doses. 

4. Indoor dining in New York State will reopen at reduced capacity Friday, February 12, two days before Valentine’s Day. Strict health guidelines are in place, including a 25 percent occupancy cap. We know the restaurant industry is struggling due to the pandemic, and we remind New Yorkers that takeout and delivery continue to be great ways to support your favorite dining establishments. 

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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WPCNR MAYOR TOM ROACH COVID-19 REPORT. FEBRUARY 9, 2021:

The data is continuing to show a decline in active COVID cases in White Plains. There are currently an estimated 490 active cases in our City, down 96 from our call last week. At White Plains Hospital, the number of COVID patients has  remained steady.

 The reduction in new cases that we are now seeing is good news, but we are not out of the woods. Please do not let down your guard! Wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequently washing or sanitizing your hands continue to be effective safety measures, and remain our best means of preventing the spread of this virus until the vast majority of the population is vaccinated.  Keep wearing your masks whenever you are out!   

 The state will be adding individuals with certain comorbidities to the list of those eligible to receive a vaccine effective February 14. You will be required to provide proof that you have a qualifying condition and appointments can be made through the NYS website. For further information please see the City of White Plains website. Although you may be eligible for the vaccine the demand far exceeds supply and as a result appointments remain difficult to secure. Eligible residents should continue to check the state website or call the state Hotline to check for new openings.  You can also sign up for alerts about vaccine eligibility from the Westchester County Department of Health. Go to cityofwhiteplains.com to find out more.

Calvary Baptist Church at 188 Orawaupum Street in White Plains will be offering Free Covid-19 and Antibody testing on Monday February 15th and Tuesday, February 16th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. Walk in’s are welcome, but you can also pre-register. Go to cityofwhiteplains.com for more information.

 Our next call is on Tuesday, February 16^th. Until then remember, we’re standing together by staying apart.

SPANISH:

Las estadísticas continúan mostrando que los casos activos de COVID en White Plains están disminuyendo. Actualmente hay un estimado de 490 casos activos en nuestra ciudad, 96 menos que cuando lo llamamos la semana pasada. En el hospital de White Plains, el número de pacientes con COVID se ha mantenido estable.

La disminución de casos nuevos es una buena noticia, pero aun no podemos cantar victoria. ¡No baje la guardia! El uso de una mascarilla, el distanciamiento social y lavarse o desinfectarse las manos frecuentemente siguen siendo medidas de seguridad eficaces para prevenir la propagación de este virus, hasta que la gran mayoría de la población esté vacunada. ¡Sigue usando tu mascarilla cuando salgas!

 El estado agregará personas con ciertas condiciones a la lista de personas que cumplen con los requisitos para recibir una vacuna a partir del 14 de febrero. Se le pedirá que proporcione prueba de que tiene una enfermedad que califica. Podrá  programar citas a través del sitio web del Estado de Nueva York. Para obtener más información, consulte el sitio web de la ciudad de White Plains. Aunque puede ser que cumpla los requisitos para la vacuna, la demanda supera con creces la cantidad de vacunas disponibles y por eso es muy difícil conseguir cita. Siga visitando el sitio web del estado o llame a la línea directa del estado para verificar si hay nuevas vacantes. También puede inscribirse para recibir las alertas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Westchester. Vaya a cityofwhiteplains.com para obtener más información.

 La Iglesia Bautista Calvary localizada en 188 de la calle Orawaupum en White Plains ofrecerá pruebas de Covid-19 y anticuerpos el lunes 15 de febrero y el martes 16 de febrero, de 9:00 a.m a  5:00 pm. No necesita cita previa.  Vaya a cityofwhiteplains.com para obtener más información.

 Nuestra próxima llamada es el martes 16 de febrero. Hasta entonces y recuerde que  estamos más juntos manteniéndonos más separado

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WPCNR COVID-19 GEORGE LATIMER REPORT. By John F. Bailey. February 8, 2021:

News on covid growth is Westchester County continues positive

Westchester County Executive George Latimer reported a continued decline in active coronavirus cases in the county today, noting active cases number 8,416 in the county as of today, down from 10,278 a week ago, 11,494 two weeks ago, and 11,300, three weeks ago. This a cumulative decline of  3,000 les actives, indicating the spread of infections is declining steadily from its peak in January, he said.

He said 38, 678 vaccinations have been administered at the two County locations , where the Westchester County Center facility is vaccinating 1,100 a day. County deaths from Covid are 1,976.

Hospitalizations from Covid have declined to 491 as of Saturday, down 517 and 564 over three days, a decline of 10%.

Mr. Latimer said that the long lines at the Westchester County Center encountered Sunday were caused by persons arriving way ahead of their vaccination time due to the forecast of snow, which started at 9 AM Sunday. The County Executive warned persons with appointments not to arrive early for their appointments. He assured that if you have a vaccination appointment that you will get your shot when you are scheduled, and you will not be taken early. “This is not a first-come, first-served situation.”

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins (above) reported that three Temporary Vaccine Centers have been opened by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, based on concerns of state representatives from Mount Vernon, Peekskill and Yonkers, to administer vaccinations to residents living in densely populated public housing, over-65. The locations have not been disclosed and Mr. Jenkins said the persons getting the shots are being determined by public housing authorities.

Yonkers has been averaging over 1,000 new active cases a week for weeks. Yonkers is leading the county in infections as of Friday with  2,312 new infections the last two weeks.  Mount Vernon is a averaging  350 a week, and Peekskill, 122 a week.