Hits: 131
WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE MARCH 6 PROGRAM. WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG. AND ON YOUTUBE AT
11 MORE CORONAVIRUS CASES IN STATE–33 IN ALL ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR CUOMO. 26 in Westchester County
Hits: 119
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. March 6, 2020:
uring a briefing on the novel coronavirus, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today confirmed 11 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 33 confirmed cases in New York State.
Of the new cases identified since yesterday, eight are located in Westchester County, two are located in Rockland County and one is located in New York City.
Of the 33 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
- Nassau County: 1
- Rockland County: 2
- New York City: 4
- Westchester County: 26
“While the overall risk level of the novel coronavirus in New York remains low, I want New Yorkers to know that I’m not urging calm. I’m urging reality. I’m urging a factual response as opposed to an emotional response,” Governor Cuomo said. “In New York we have the most sophisticated healthcare system on the globe, and we are continuing to prioritize testing, quarantine protocols and containment tracking to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Additionally, the Governor announced that a New York State interagency task force is continuing to coordinate with local governments and healthcare partners to monitor and respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Members of the task force include:
- Linda Lacewell, Department of Financial Services, Superintendent
- Dr. Howard Zucker, Department of Health, Commissioner
- Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor
- Beth Garvey, Special Counsel
- Gareth Rhodes, Department of Financial Services, Deputy Superintendent
- Simonida Subotic, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development
- Kelly Cummings, Director of State Operations and Infrastructure
- Michael Kopy, Director of Emergency Management
- Patrick Murphy, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Commissioner
- RoAnn Destito, Office of General Services, Commissioner
- Pat Foye, MTA, Chairman & CEO
- Rick Cotton, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Executive Director
- Dan Fuller, Deputy Secretary for Education
- Sandra Beattie, Division of Budget, Deputy Director
KRISTEN BROWDE CANDIDATE FOR ASSEMBLY INTERVIEWED SATURDAY NIGHT ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD,” AT 7 –ON FIOS COUNTYWIDE CH. 45 AND WP CABLEVISION CH. 76 AND INSTANTLY at
Hits: 0
http://wpcommunitymedia.org/white-plains-week–2/03042020-1083
Candidate for the 93rd Assembly Seat that David Buchwald is giving up to run for Congress. Ms. Browde is a candidate in the June 23 Democratic Primary election
Coronavirus Hot Line 211 for general inquiries: Young Israel of New Rochelle Quarantines Call 866-588-0195 for Recorded Info.Beeline Buses Sanitized.
Hits: 142
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. March 4, 2020:
In light of recent COVID-19 developments, Westchester County is taking steps to ensure all Bee-Line buses are sanitized daily.
For general inquiries from regarding COVID-19, the County is asking Westchester residents to dial 211.
Additionally, those in quarantine from Young Israel of New Rochelle should call 866- 588-0195 to talk to a health care professional or mental health professional, listen to recorded information/FAQ about symptoms, and information on what to do. Language translations are available.
Legal Aid Society attorney Appointed to City Court
Hits: 809
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. March 3, 2020:
The White Plains Common Council appointed Lynette Victoria Spaulding, a career lawyer with the Westchester Legal Aid Society to the City Cour Monday evening by unanimous vote. Mayor Tom Roach said she was selected from a slate of candidates recommended by a judge search committee.
Judge Spaulding graduated from Syracuse University School of Law with a JD in 1980. She started working at the Society right after graduating Law School and has been a lifelong employee at the Society ever since. She retired recently and last night was appointed to a 10-year term to the seat on the court left vacant after the death last summer of Elizabeth Shollenberger. An associate told WPCNR “she is very experienced.
Judge Spaulding will be assuming the bench March 19.
WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE CENSUS AWARENESS DAY APRIL 1
Hits: 159
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the White Plains City School District March 2, 2020:
The White Plains Public Schools will celebrate Census Awareness Day on March 31st at 10 A.M. with a districtwide kickoff at Post Road Elementary School.
Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ricca and White Plains Teachers Association President Kara Lyons will lead the initiative to urge everyone’s participation in this vital process. Dr. Ricca said, “The importance of the census cannot be overstated. Information gained has a direct impact onfederal school funding and on Congressional representation. Participating in the census is a way for parents and the entire school community to make their voices heard.”
The school district is partnering with the White Plains Teachers Association, the Administrators & Supervisors Association, the Civil Service Employees Association, New York State United Teachers, and American Federation of Teachers and the City of White Plains in this important effort. President Kara Lyons shared, “In White Plains, we always want the very best for our children. We need everyone to participate in the census. Data obtained particularly affects programs that improve the health and well-being of children.” Students will be involved in learning about the process and every child and family participating will receive a special surprise sponsored by the White Plains Teachers Association, NYSUT and AFT.
On April 1st the federal government will begin the process which occurs every ten years – to count everyone living in the United States and collect demographic data. All information obtained is confidential and cannot be disclosed. #BeCountedWP
Invited Guests:
State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins
State Senator Shelley Mayer
State Assemblyman David Buchwald
State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin
Westchester County Executive George Latimer
White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach
White Plains Youth Bureau Director. Frank Williams
White Plains Board of Education Members
SATURDAY COFFEE WITH JOHN BAILEY: INTRODUCING WHITE PLAINS WEEK ON WPCNR SEE THE FRIDAY FEB 28 PROGRAM ANYTIME
Hits: 365
https://youtu.be/SAFj3qEg8OA
TONIGHT AT 7: DAN SEIDEL ON THE FASNY APPEAL ON FIOS CH. 45, WP CABLEVISION, CH 76 & WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
Hits: 395
SO IN THE MONEY! WESTCHESTER SALES TAX REVENUES SKYROCKET 37% WHITE PLAN JAN SALES TAX $$ EXPLODE 12.8% AFTER 7 MONTHS.
Hits: 395
WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. Data New York State Department of Taxation & Finance, February 25, 2020:
Westchester County sales tax receipts increased 37% in January over the January of 2018. ($63,836,271 last month compared to 2018 $46,716,3810.
It was the first full month of the county’s 1% increase sales tax increase at the start of the county 2020 fiscal year. The 37% increase, if it is maintained the next 11 months on average would easily beat the 27% increase for the year prognosticated by the County Budget creators.
WPCNR asked the Department of Taxation & Finance if the euphoric result was based on unusual internet sales taking place just before Christmas and not reported until January.
WPCNR also asked if internet sales were up robustly throughout the metropolitan area and the state in January.
WPCNR also inquired if this was a single correction by the Department reflecting previous errors or miscalculations. WPCNR awaits the state, and perhaps the county explanation.
We await an explanation for this windfall.
If this county record is due to all internet action up close to Christmas, it is very good news for the county coffers and politicians looking to increase budget spending.
However, is extremely grim for cities and towns with empty retail storefronts, mall projects depending on in-person shopping, and casts a sense of apprehension about the high hopes for ballyhooed and wooed, mixed-use residential projections going up across the county, developers are trying to build.
The most increases in sales tax receipts the county has received in month-to- month over the last 25 years have been in the 5% with the largest swings being 10% range.
If this unprecedented spending continues at the 30% rate, the county would earn $850,000,000 in sales tax receipts, $748 Million is budgeted.
This one month explosion may slowdown considerably but Mr. and Mrs. White Plains and Westchester, if this windfall continues to hum, could easily expect a substantial tax cut in the 2021 budget. I suspect this is the internet last minute rush contributing to the record January. But someone in Albany should figure this out. Towns, cities, governments need to know.
WHITE PLAINS Comeback
White Plains had a great month, too, experiencing its second straight $5,000,000 sales tax receipts month. With $5,830,213 recorded in December, and $5,084,046 in January beating last January receipts ($4,576,957) or 12.8% is wonderfully ahead of White Plains last fiscal year after 7 months.
Through January fiscal 19-20, White Plains has increased sales tax revenues 9.1% $32,041,109 compared to $29,364,954 after 7 months of fiscal 18-19
Should White Plains earn the same tax receipts they did last year, the city will collect $20,778,513 and added to the $32,041,109 collected after the first 7 months, the city will finish with $52,819,622 in sales tax receipts, and perhaps even more. The city will love this because the sweat over the sales dollars is always a worry. We have barely made it the last few years. 2019-20 looks very as we turn the corner.
Is it the internet? Is it car sales? Is it more bar receipts?
The state needs to break down sales tax receipts and the distribution in much more detail and by demographic category by type of business. Cities can plan better and know when they are setting a development course that may or may not work because there is not information spelling out what is being bought in every city and where the growth in consumer tastes, methods of shopping, pace of shopping are going.
Right now cities and towns in Westchester and across the site are flying their budgets and planning through financial storms and fronts without instruments which can be readily developed on economic activity in much more detail, if the state wanted to do it.
Free Hepatitis A Shots Today at County Health Department
Hits: 425
The Westchester County Health Department will provide free preventive treatment for Hepatitis A Tuesday through Thursday in White Plains for anyone who ate or drank at Fin & Brew restaurant at Factoria in Peekskill on February 15, 16 or 19, or at a private party at The Space, an event space there, on February 15.
The preventive treatment is being offered because the Health Department learned that an employee with Hepatitis A at the event space at Factoria in Peekskill while infectious, so anyone who ate or drank at a private party thereon Saturday, February 15 may have been exposed. Because Fin & Brew shares an ice machine with the event space, patrons who ate or had drinks at the restaurant on Saturday, February 15, Sunday February 16 or Wednesday, February 19, also have potential exposure so are being offered preventive treatment in an abundance of caution. Patrons elsewhere in the complex are not at risk because the facilities are separate.
Preventive treatment is only effective if given within two weeks of the last day of exposure. Therefore, those who ate or drank on February 15 must receive preventive treatment by February 29. Those who consumed food or beverages on February 16 must receive treatment by March 1 and those who ate or drank there on February 19 must receive treatment by March 4
No one with a prior history of Hepatitis A vaccination or Hepatitis A infection needs to be treated.
The health department will offer free preventive treatment at the Health Department Clinic, 134 Court Street, White Plains, on the following dates and times. Although walk-ins are welcome, advance registration is highly recommended. To register, go towww.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60:
· Tuesday, February 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
· Wednesday, February 26, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
· Thursday, February 27, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
· For other times by appointment during clinic hours, call 914-995-7499
To provide consent, a parent/guardian must accompany anyone under 18 years of age. Restaurant patrons who were exposed also can seek preventive treatment from their own health care provider.