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: 2

Hits: 213

Posted on September 11, 2018 by John Bailey

WPCNR MILESTONES. September 11, 2019:  Reprinted from September 17, 2001:

Editor’s Note: It happened at 8:40 A.M. this morning, 18 years ago. The shock of that day lingers always. White Plains like America struggled to pay tribute to the lives lost that day, the thousands who tried to save the Americans plunging to their deaths, the first rescuers trapped by collapsing buildings.

White Plains was no exception. A week afterwards, the city held a Candlelight Walk to remember the 3,000 lives lost. The injured, the forlorn at their loss.  I was there for that walk . This is my account of that walk.

White Plains held its remembrance of this horrible day when the World Trade Center was ruthlessly diabolically, destroyed, taking the lives of  over 3,000 people, with the toll still climbing daily for weeks as its spawn. The dead continue to mount as thosen taken ill by the toxic black smoke and debris leave us far too young, it seems, every day.

Eighteen  years  this coming week is the observance of the White Plains Candlelight Walk — an event organized to help the public of White Plains do something, come to grips with the Trade Center genocide.

The Candlelight Walk was a public outpouring of emotion that put into perspective how the events that took place 9/11/01 ripped us apart and brought all Americans of every race, religion, creed and origin together for a short time, a very short period of time — judging by the Presidential campaign of prejudice, class warfare and labeling now in full swing.

Republished From WPCNR of  September  17, 2001: 

They carried flags, “thank you signs,” and lit candles. They came from all races, ranks and religions to walk, remember and celebrate what it means to be an American and prayed for America’s future on the White Plains Candlelight Walk Sunday night…

Police estimated a crowd approaching 8,000 persons gathered at the White Plains Railroad Station who marched shoulder to shoulder, Black to White, Hispanic to Hassidim, Italian to Jew, Arab-to-Asian, Old-and-Young, American-to-American in a solemn, uplifting remembrance and commitment  to America’s future.

Candlelight March on Main

The White Plains Candlelight Walk staggered city officials with the streaming turnout filling the broad Main Street boulevard with ranks of 30 to 40 persons shoulder-to-shoulder all the way from the City Hall steps back  to Bank Street.

By 7:15 PM the parking lot below the clock tower at the railroad station was filled, and still they came. Every race, every creed. Neighbors greeting each other. Shaking hands. Some carried signs. Some carried flags. Some brought their own candles, but they came. They walked. Pushed strollers. Children did not cry or misbehave. Persons said “Excuse me,” and smiled at each other. They knew this was important.

WHITE PLAINS REMEMBERS:Crowds milling at White Plains Railroad Station at twilight, awaiting start of the  Candlelight Walk to Remember the victims of the Trade Center catastrophe. WPCNR PHOTO

A disciplined group

They lit each others’ candles. At 7:35 PM they began to walk slowly south on Bank Street filling the broad cross street with quiet, orderly, confident humanity. For such a large crowd, they were serious and stalwart.

Some carried signs reading “Thank You White Plains Bravest and Finest,” and “Thank you Fire and Police.” They sang impromptu versions of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” waving their flags. Their spirits were steady. Their pride high. No fear. Their love of country and fellow Americans was glowing.

The city stops for a remembrance

As dusk stole velvetly over the streets with an orange sun receding to the West, traffic on Hamilton Avenue stopped for this long freight train of White Plains citizens. They took 30 minutes to reach City Hall, and still, from this reporter’s vantage, reached back to Bank Street.

There was no honking of horns from stopped autombiles. No animosity. Motorists recognized something special: thousands of tentative, yet determined steps of America on the way back were being taken.

The City Clergy in a remarkable ceremony

At the City Hall steps, with Main Street jammed with humanity, a quiet, respectful crowd drew close to the old neo-classic columned brick façade. They waved flags, their candles in their hands glowed like they do at a Meadowlands concert.

MAYOR DELFINO OVERWHELMED: The Mayor (center) stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Councilpersons, city clergy, choir, and dignataries, saying “God will get us through,” at the conclusion of the historic and moving White Plains Candlelight Walk on the steps of old City Hall. WPCNR PHOTO

Mayor Joseph Delfino welcomed the multitudes thanking all for coming, thanking the White Plains firemen and policemen for their efforts the past week, but his remarks were hard to hear. Somehow you did not have to hear them. Everyone understood what he was saying. Everyone felt it, too. I did.

The Mayor was surrounded by a host of the White Plains clergy from many churches behind him. The men and women of the cloth had assembled at his call to present an ecumenical service of remembrance and prayer for the victims of the World Trade Center disaster. There was a chorale group and ensemble. But, I cannot tell you who they are at this point.

The message you heard even if you could not hear it

There were no news releases or media briefs at this gathering. No text of the Mayor’s remarks was handed out. He did not make many. It was not that kind of event. It was regretfully special. You did not need to know who was offering the prayers, rabbi or priest, minister or pastor.

The different prayers and appropriate hymns rose in the cool early autumn night echoing skyward, warming hearts, and somehow fit splendidly meaningfully together. The White Plains clergy, in this reporter’s opinion, should do this more often under pleasanter circumstances. It was very special and so right.

The impromptu public address system could not be heard clearly beyond 100 feet. However, the people of White Plains listened and soaked in the spirit of the sweetly sung entreaties to The Almighty, with no catcalls, no disrespect, dedication and silent endorsement of the message. Children did not cry.

A moving sequence

The most moving sequence of the service occurred when each Man and Woman of God voiced a prayerful sentiment and the ensemble sang “Lord, listen to your children preying.” It was a White Plains “Moment to Remember.”

The service concluded with the throng singing “We Shall Overcome.” After several moving choruses with the multitude of citizens swaying together, the final stanza which goes “We Shall Stand Together,” closed the old 60s protest song with a roll of applause and cheers.

The Mayor rallies the crowd

Mayor Delfino came to the podium. With clergy, councilpersons, and congresspersons to his right and left, spoke proudly and earnestly to the crowd:

“Never would I have believed that we’d have such a turnout. I am overwhelmed, this is truly the greatest community in America,” and went on to thank all the city’s clergy for coming together for the service, saying that “God would get us through.”

The Mayor said that there was a Remembrance Book in the City Hall rotunda, which would be placed in the White Plains Public Library for all to sign. The Mayor announced this because not all of the thousands could march into the rotunda to sign it that evening, which brought one of the few laughs of the night.

Everyone leaves with a sense of a job to be done

The remarkable evening of remembrance and renewal closed with a rousing singing of “God Bless America,” with outstanding voices from the steps of City Hall, helping the citizens out with the second and third verses.

The crowd slowly dispersed.

They returned to cars, parents pushing strollers, couples arms over shoulders. Old city and county political rivals often adversaries, shook hands on the City Hall steps.

Some young persons in their 20s stood in front of the fenced off E J Conroy Drive, and, impromptu, shouted “USA,USA!” Then they changed what they were chanting. They crossed their hearts and began to recite, in unison: “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,” getting every word right with dignity and dedication.

You should have been there, but you wished you never had to be.

EPILOGUE (Written in 2006): It is seven years since 9-11-01, and the sense of working together has left us.

Instead today we see a fractured politicized landscape in which our “leaders” have played upon our fears to restrict the very freedoms that created America and which we stand, or used to stand.

 Leaders play citizen group off citizen group, use minorities as scapegoats, and sanctimoniously proclaim their patriotism. Most distrubing of all, they pass the buck and refuse to take responsibility, and do not communicate and cover up.  It is sobering to see so many weak people elected to office and being selected to run for office, some without even the experience to execute the position.

The legacy of America is still there. Whether our “leaders” understand it, I am no longer confident.

The job is not to ask what can I get out of my country and government, but what I can do for my country and to improve the way I govern for  all not just the connected, the influential and the powerful, and the managerially challenged and whether it will benefit me the officeholder/seeker — and this goes from the Oval Office to every, Governor’s Office, Mayor’s Office, Assemblyperson’s office, State Senator’s office, County Legislator’s office.

Your job is not to turn Americans and races and groups against each other but to work for the good of all, please.

Comment (2009): The CitizeNetReporter wrote the above epilogue in 2006. It is sobering as we read today’s headlines on September 11, 2009, that it seems I could have written it today, based on events this week. We are still using rhetoric, not leadership, myth not fact, and playing one group off another, and raising fear after fear to win a point. One need only look at the last two weeks of health care debate to realize that.  Perhaps we should try and work together instead of working to obtain power and our point of view. Maybe someday. But perhaps never. The more the players at leadership in America change, the more they stay the same, it seems.

 Observation, 2018: Sadly the trends I noted in 2006 and 2009, have only taken on momentum.

We have a selfish, self-centered President, ripping persons apart.

Congress has failed to defend human rights and has chosen to let America’s reputation as the world’s safe haven to refugees for 210 years crash like the horrifying rubble of the collapsing trade center towers. The leaders have stood by, choosing to jail children, separate families, deny access and deport persons here who have long contributed to this country.

Fear of immigrants who built this land, is now rampant in the land.

Greed is in control. The government has passed tax changes, works for health reform that will only hurt millions. Regulations on the environment, consumer protection and selections of judges for courts are now offered to judges who would restrict the availability of the courts to citizens, and sell their souls for power.

America has elected leaders who do not tell the truth or horridly, respect it. Leaders  who will not fight for what is right and are without compassion.

The legacy if ever there was one of 9-11 has been tragically forgotten in the last 9 years. Americans are no longer together. No longer shoulder to shoulder. A false optimism of prosperity is touted.

This everyone for themself attitude needs to be turned around.

America has lost its way and is rolling down The Lost Highway. It knows not where it is going.

Fingerpointing and hatred are the tools of politics today.  Power is worshipped at all costs.

New leaders must lead with righteous dignity for liberty and justice for all, and respect for the truth,  not prosperity, power, privilege  rhetoric for the few.

Where are they now?

It is time.

Hits: 256

WPCNR REFUGEE REPORTER. From the Department of Homeland Security. September 10, 2019:

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is open for emergency visa appointments and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Ports of Entry are prepared, should Bahamians request to temporarily relocate to the United States.

All travelers applying for admission to the United States via air or sea must meet the following document requirements for admission to ensure a lawful and orderly arrival to the United States.

• Bahamians must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport or a Bahamian Travel Document listing nationality as Bahamian. All other travelers arriving from the Bahamas (U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and individuals of other nationalities) must possess a valid, unexpired government–issued passport.
• Bahamians arriving to the United States by vessel must be in possession of a valid passport AND valid travel visa.
• Detailed information on all visa application requirements and processes, as well as a step-by-step guide to visa applications for Bahamians, can be found at https://bs.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas.
• Bahamian citizens may apply for admission to the United States without a visa at one of the CBP Preclearance facilities located in Nassau or Freeport International Airports, IF they meet the following requirements:
  • Be traveling on a flight that CBP completes immigration and customs inspections in Nassau or Freeport. (*Note – Bahamians traveling on to another country and expecting to transit the United States on their return will need a visa);
  • Be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport or a Bahamian Travel Document listing nationality as Bahamian;
  • Have no criminal record nor any legal ineligibility or inadmissibility as defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (click here);
  • Be traveling for business or pleasure (tourism, visiting relatives, shopping, etc.) purposes for a short duration;
  • All persons 14 years of age and older must be in possession of a police certificate issued within the past six months;
  • Bahamians traveling through the United States to a third country must possess a valid visa for return travel through the U.S.

The bottom line is that all travelers must possess government-issued identity documents, such as passports. All travelers who arrive directly to a U.S. Port of Entry by air or sea must possess a U.S. visitor’s visa. Travelers who would otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program and who travel by air from a CBP Preclearance facility in Freeport or Nassau may not need a U.S. visitor’s visa.

Other details

CBP Port Directors may use discretion and will consider all exigent circumstances on a case by case basis, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.   

CBP recommends that all carriers coordinate evacuations with the Bahamian and U.S. government authorities so that CBP facilities are prepared to quickly and efficiently process arriving passengers. Carriers are also reminded of their Notice of Arrival requirements.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army continue to also work with local Florida governments to address any needs of evacuees who seek temporary relocation in the United States.

Hits: 96

JOHN BAILEY AND JIM BENEROFE ON

NOW ON YOUTUBE INSTANTLY AT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47SDYGNb150

NEW DEVELOPMENT ON 120 BLOOMINGDALE ROAD GETS UNDER WAY.

LIONSGATE STUDIOS PICKS YONKERS FOR NEW STUDIO

WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INTRODUCES NEW 2019-20 SEASON ITS SIXTEENTH YEAR.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE DECLARES SEPTEMBER SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH

AND WHITE PLAINS PREPARES TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF 9-11

Hits: 110

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. September 7, 2019 UPDATED. SECOND UPDATE 5:45 PM:

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, DESPITE NEWS12 REPORT THAT SERVICE HAS BEEN RESTORED, WINS RADIO AND WCBS RADIO ARE REPORTING ON THEIR WEBSITES, AN UNDETERMINED NUMBERS OF CUSTOMERS ARE WITHOUT INTERNET, DESPITE NEWS 12 REPORT THIS MORNING OF SERVICE OR SERVICES WERE RESTORED, WITH NO DETAILS.

WPCNR HAS LEARNED FROM PERSONS IN THE BRONX AND WESTCHESTER EXPERIENCED CELL PHONE LOSS TOO, IN ADDITION TO THE 911 SERVICE PROBLEM, THE TELEVISION OUTAGE AND APPARENTLY THE INTERNET. THE PROBLEM FIRST CAME TO ATTENTION WHEN CUSTOMERS CALLED POLICE STATIONS IN CONNECTICUT COMPLAINING THEY DID NOT HAVE TELEVISION SERVICE.

AT 11:15 Saturday morning on Channel 12,, Altice News12 announced that 911 service has been restored but did not state the reason for the outage. The 15-second announcement by Jackie Lucas was apparently the first mention  this morning on the 24-hour newschannel of the massive 911 outage across three states, 

New York Connecticut and New Jersey.  

APPARENTLY AS OF 6 PM COMPLETE RESTORATION HAS NOT 

HAPPENED. A RESIDENT OF YONKERS SAID WITHIN THE HOUR THEY NEITHER HAVE TELEVISION OR CELLPHONE SERVICE.

Friday evening, Altice Optimum 911 service went out to “multiple local police departments,” according to Westchester County.

White Plains Police Saturday morning confirmed to WPCNR that White Plains residents could call 911 in White Plains because it is currently working.

“The outage” affected 10,000 customers in Connecticut Altice Optimum televsion services, as well as as Altice Cablevision customers receiving Altice cable programming in White Plains, throughout Westchester, and Altice Customers in New Jersey.

Catherine Cioffi, Director of Communications for Westchester County told WPCNR Saturday morning that county 911 service never went down, but she could not speak for Altice as to whether all Altice 911 service has been restored to communities that lost 911.

Ms. Cioffi was asked by WPCNR if the county has learned the cause of the tri-state outage but the county has not responded as of 6 PM Saturday evening.

As of 11 A.M. Saturday morning, WPCNR had seen or heard no coverage reports or interviews on News 12 Altice Westchester on Altice Cablevision about the massive failure or what 911 services in communities have been restored to emergency services this morning and what communities have been restored.

Connecticut customers are outraged that their News12 services have not reported this Altice malfunction and resultant security failure of the 911 system not to mention how many 911 communities served by Altice are back in operation or the cause.

At 10:46 P.M. Friday night Westchester County announced:

“The County is aware of a large outage on Altice networks.

This outage is impacting emergency phone service at multiple local police departments in the County, along with many customers.  We are in communication with Altice, and are closely monitoring the situation. The County Police administrative lines are down but 9-1-1 is working.  If you need to call 9-1-1 you can call from your cellphone as your landline might have a dial-tone but might not be operational. We will continue to bring you updates as they come in.”

WPCNR also noted that Altice television service had also disappeared across the spectrum. Saturday morning as of 10:30 A.M., television service is restored on Altice in White Plains.