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.

Hits: 115

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications, October 8, 2019 5:21 PM:

COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER STATEMENT ON GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE VANDALISM

“On the eve of Yom Kippur, the highest of holy days in the Jewish faith, anti-Semitic materials were discovered today at the Garden of Remembrance in downtown White Plains. We are enraged by this act and heartbroken that individuals would target members of our community on the most solemn day in their tradition.  County Police are actively investigating and reviewing video of the area; we seek to find and punish those who did this act.  We as a County, people of all faiths, stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters today and always.”

Hits: 112

WPCNR LABOR LEGACY. From the Service Employees International Union 32BJ:

After working over a year without a contract, the building service workers at 1160 Midland Avenue (Yonkers) have had enough.

The dragged-out negotiations have cost the workers their health insurance, forcing them to take to the streets yesterday to demand that the building management and their cleaning contractor finalize an agreement with the workers’ union, 32BJ SEIU.

“These workers have patiently tried to see negotiations through to the end, but management has stalled so long it has finally cost the workers their health insurance,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of 32BJ and head of the union in the Hudson Valley.

“The workers need their healthcare—Michael Flarida, the building superintendent, suffers Type 2 diabetes and has now been saddled with a $1,500 bill for his medication. Union members and our community allies are rallying to support the workers in their demand for a fair contract now.”

### 

Hits: 983

WPCNR MILESTONES. From Mrs. Keenan’s Obituary. October 3, 2019:

Mary Ann Keenan, a fifty-seven-year White Plains resident and a fixture in local and New York State politics for decades, passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2019. She was 91 years old.

Born on May 21, 1928, in Evanston, Illinois to John Lizars and Agnes (née Mahony) Lizars, Mary Ann Lizars graduated from Harvard University (Radcliffe College) in 1949. She married William Keenan in 1950 and was an avid member of the League of Women Voters in Wallingford, CT prior to her arrival in White Plains.

In 1974, with two children in college and three in high school, Mrs. Keenan was elected to the White Plains Common Council, where she served with passion for the next twenty-six years. What endeared her to her constituents was not how long she served but how fiercely principled she was during her tenure.

A former chair of the White Plains Democratic City Committee, she was willing to speak truth to power, even when that truth upset her own party.

She endeavored to clarify what was best for the residents of White Plains and then advocate for that, regardless of party platform. When developers tried to take advantage, she was a spotlight.

When public employees asked for too much, she could say no. She was unusually practical and fair. She was always ethical.

The only time she became defensive was when someone derided the role of government. She vehemently believed that government served a vital role and that elected officials had a sacred duty to see that the government they were chosen to lead was not hobbled by self-seekers or incompetence.

Mrs. Keenan loved to travel off the beaten path, and when she left White Plains, there were no boundaries. She walked the world to find its beauty and magnificence, from Cape Cod to Patagonia, stopping in almost every national park. Locally she was frequently found at Tod’s Point in Greenwich or wending through the sculpture garden at Purchase.

Mrs. Keenan is survived by her five children: Christopher LeeKeenan, Gregory Keenan, Leslie Keenan, Geoffrey Keenan, and Dr. Joel Keenan; their spouses and partners: Debbie LeeKeenan, Patricia Keenan, John Sullivan, Oxana Keenan, and Heidi Jordan; her brother, John Lizars; and her thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 2nd from 2-4pm, location to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU –

Hits: 143

WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From the Robert Martin Company. October 2, 2019:

The Robert Martin Company LLC, a fully integrated real estate company with over 6 million square feet of properties, has announced it is expanding into serving the needs of the life sciences/health tech industry.

Leading the effort will be Laurence Gottlieb, who was named Managing Director, Life Sciences and Health Technologies. Gottlieb is the former President and CEO of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) and former head of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development.

While with county government, Gottlieb developed the “NY BioHud Valley,” a first-of-its-kind initiative to brand the region as a leader in biotechnology research and development – a movement he would eventually lead during his tenure at HVEDC. As head of economic development for Westchester County, he led the marketing effort that branded Westchester County as “New York’s Intellectual Capital,” a distinct identity still employed by the region to this day. 

“The seeds that were planted with the launch of the NY BioHud Valley initiative are now baring fruit throughout Westchester, if not the whole Hudson Valley – from the expanding incubator space at New York Medical College to the explosive growth of companies such as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Acorda Therapeutics,” stated Gottlieb. “Now is the right time to fuse together Robert Martin Company’s significant real estate development and management experience with a high-growth industry seeking locations for expansion beyond the early stage incubators spread throughout the tristate region. I’m truly honored to lead this effort for such a legendary company.”  

RMC’s life sciences and health tech initiative will eventually embrace numerous components including RMC-owned properties networked together throughout the region, high-level educational offerings and eventually, an investment fund. 

RMC CEO Tim Jones said, “Larry is a highly-respected economic development and community partner in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. Using the expertise he has developed over many years, he has built a strong base for biotech and health tech development in the region upon which so much activity is happening. We are thrilled to provide him with the company’s extensive resources to take this job-generating industry to the next level.” 

Gottlieb noted that there are more than 80 biotech and health tech companies in the Hudson Valley region with increasing number of start-up firms and incubators.

Westchester is home to two of the nation’s largest biotech firms — Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Acorda Therapeutics — as well as two top medical academic research facilities such as New York Medical College and the Burke Neurological Institute.

In addition, there are plans to develop a biotech mixed-use campus on the North 60 property adjacent to the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. “There are tremendous growth opportunities for life sciences and health tech in Westchester County and Robert Martin Company is ideally positioned with its extensive portfolio of office/flex space,” he said.

Hits: 144