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.
WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2019.By John F. Bailey, February 1, 2019:
WPCNR NEWS has learned the Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee will submit three women as the Committee choices for District Leaders’ approval to run for three open Common Council Seats at a district committee meeting on February 13.
They are:
Incumbent Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson, an environmental lawyer who was appointed to the Council by Mayor Roach in 2014 when Benjamin Boykin was elected to the County Legislature. In a special election, She won the right to serve the rest of Mr. Boykin’s term in a special election in 2014. In 2015 she won election to her present now expiring. She will be seeking reelection for the first time after being in the seat for 4-1/2 years-
Victoria Presser, former Chair of the Nominating Committee was one of several contenders for the Nominating Committee’s favor. Presser is a public relations professional.
Jennifer Puja is the third candidate selected to he presented to the district leader membership. She is currently Labor Council Director of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Party, ALF-CIO. She has been employed there for 10 years, rising to her current position.
A fourth contender who was not chosen, Kat Brezler started a telephone campaign this week to gather support to primary the other three candidates, if they are accepted by the full complement of District leaders. She was a former second grade teacher.and a leader of the opt-out of state assessments movement. She already has a campaign website, www.katbrezler.com
The date for the primaries in New York State by Governor Cuomo, but it is speculated it will be June 25.
SETH SOLOWAY, DIRECTOR OF PURCHASE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (left) IS WELCOMED BY JOHN BAILEY TO THE WPTV CONTROL BOOTH AT HIS APPEARANCE ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD, WHICH AIRS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 ON WHITE PLAINS T V. CH 45 FIOS AND CH 76 ALTICE. AND MAY BE SEEN ANYTIME AT WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG and YOU TUBE and www.whiteplainsweek.comPhoto by Diana Das
Mr. Soloway on
The formula he has used to attract new patrons to unique new performances for changing tastes
The problems the arts face in Westchester
The need for arts in Westchester
How arts reach out to enthrall and educate people of all ages and change attitudes.
His changing model for carrying the Purchase Center for the Performing Arts to deal with the changing demographics of the Westchester audience
SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 ON CH. 45 FIOS AND CH.76 ALTICE AND WORLDWIDE ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
(SCROLL DOWN THE PROGRAM WALL TO “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”)
AT 4 A.M. TEMPERATURE WAS 3 DEGREES IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA
AT 8 A.M. IT HAD GONE UP 1 DEGREE TO 4 DEGREES . HOWEVER WIND CHILL HAD NOT SET IN YET–THOUGH BY 10 :30 AM THE 10 MPH RATCHETED UP THE AIRFREEZE!THE AIRFREEZE ROLLED IN FROM THE MIDDLEWEST AFTER AN INSTANT WHITEOUT BLIZZARD STARTED AT 3 PM THURSDAY (RIGHT WHEN NEWS 12’S MR. ACCURACY–WEATHER WIZARD STEVE TEELING PREDICTED TUESDAY EVENING. )IT LASTED ABOUT AN HOUR AND COATED ROADS AND BLINDED MOTORISTS WITH STRONG CROSSWIND BLOWING OF SNOW. THE WHITE PLAINS DPW HIT THE STREETS AND MADE SHORTWORK OF THE FLASH COATING OF SNOW.8 AM THURSDAY MORNING THE INSTANT WHITEOUT OF WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON COVERED WHITE PLAINS THIS MORNING.
A Photograph of Ms. Lecuona on the WPTV program, People to Be Heard when she ran for Mayor IN 2016
WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2019. Statement from Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona. January 29, 2019 (Edited):
From White Plains Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona January 28, 2019
Dear White Plains Democratic voters and dear Democratic District Leaders,
As you know, elections for local officials are almost here and the Parties’ City Committees are now going through the endorsement process, this time for three seats on the White Plains Common Council, among others.
One of those seats I have been proudly holding, with passion and with great dedication for more than 11 years.
The purpose of this letter is to officially announce that I am not seeking the endorsement of the White Plains Democratic City Committee for Common Council or pursuing re-election.
I strongly believe in term limits, partially because I believe that our democracy works best when more people are given the opportunity to hold power, rather than when power is held by a small number of people for a long time.
I am positive that there are other candidates who will fight for our City’s best interests and they are just waiting to be given the opportunity to do so.”
Dennis Krolian, who is also up for relection this year told WPCNR at the Common Council meeting Monday night he had also announced to the Democratic City Committee Nominating Committe, he would not seek reelection.
Krolian told WPCNR had served long enough on the Council and felt it was time to for him to depart. “I’m done,” he said.
WPCNR INSIDE THE WORK SESSION.By John F. Bailey. January 28, 2019:
Damon Amadio, City Building Commissioner, on the Mayor Roach’s request, updated the Common Council on the status of the city environmental consultant report on the 52 North Broadway (Good Counsel former property) made public last week. He said the report had been forwarded to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation for their comments, which may take at least 30 days or more to receive. Mayor Roach told the council the public hearing on 52 North Broadway would be moved over to March, to receive the DEC reaction to the report. The developer had hoped to have the city close the hearing Monday and requested that two weeks ago.
The Mayor assured the council that the City report on the contaminated site on the property would be explained to them in a future meeting by the consultant, and that the DEC would also be requested to appear before the Council and explain its findings.
Mayor Roach announcing that nothing had to be done to authorize televising Citizens To Be Heard except just “do it.”
WPCNR INSIDE THE WORKSESSION.By John F. Bailey. January 28, 2019:
Mayor Tom Roach and the Common Council agreed to televise all Citizens to Be Heard segments at future monthly Common Council meetings.
The Mayor said there were no state laws requiring a vote to televise public comment periods, and since there was no mention of Citizens to Be Heard in the City Charter, the council could just do it. The Mayor issued a set of Guidelines that would be followed during the televised sessions which he said were very similar to the way the CTBH session is now.
The Mayor expanded on the bringing cameras into City Hall by announcing work sessions like this evening’s session would be moved into the large Common Council chamber and also televised with microphones for each of the Common Council members. He said the setup would be similar to the Planning Board set up. It was also suggested by several councilmen that the Zoning Board of Appeals also be televised.
WPCNR will publish the guidelines prior to next Monday’s first televised live Citizens To Be Heard
ROBERT WEISZ, OF THE RPW Group, presenting his joint venture with the NRP Group., The Flats at Westchester. The 3 building 303 unit, rental complex is planned to be completed by the fall of 2021. NRP will manage the complex. The view is how the buildings would appear to a motorist travelsing up the 1133 entrance drive
WPCNR INSIDE THE WORKSESSION.By John F. Bailey. January 28, 2019:
Robert Weisz the head of RPW Group, announced a new expansion of his 1133 Westcxhester Avenue office complex Monday evening, introducing “The Flats” aimed at the upper scale rental markets consisting of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with no studios. Price points had not been set. The national builder of rental housing NRP was to be the builder and manager of the project. Ten percent of the 303 units were to be set aside for affordable housing under White Plains practice.
The apartment complex was to be built fronting across from the 1133 Office building, a overlooking the Maple Moor Golf Course. Weisz said the buildings would not be visible from the Havilands Manor neighborhood.
Solar panels would be built on the roofs of the buildings which were to be served a pool, health club and upscale amenities. It was hoped that renters would find employment perhaps across the parking lot at 1133 Westchester. The buildings would be located and visible to the left of the sweeping curving entrance ramp from Westchester Avenue that now leads up to the 1133 complex.
Weisz said that the partners had already worked matters out with Con Edison in terms of natural gas needs, but said if Con Ed decided to withdraw the availability of natural gas, the developers would find another fuel source.
Weisz ruled out the hotel complex that was approved by the White Plains Common Council ten years ago, saying his company was not comfortable with hotel construction.
The location: An overview of how the apartments (in orange) will locate on the 1133 site. To the lower left of the overview is the German School. To the upper right is the Maple Moor Golf Course, The road running left to right in the upper lefthand corner is Westchester Avenue, withe the 1133 entrance drive traversing from Westchester Avenue up the site.
WPCNR HEAT. By John F. Bailey. January 26, 2019: Mack Carter, Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority, has issued an exclusive statement to WPCNR on the News 12 television report aired Wednesday evening interviewing tenants of 86 Dekalb Avenue, White Plains, a Housing Authority Building. News 12 had reported residents as being without heat for 3 weeks. WPCNR asked Mr. Carter Thursday to clarify the situation at DeKalb.
Saturday afternoon, Mr. Carter issued the following letter to WPCNR. In it, Mr. Carter says the building has not been without heat at anytime since this heating season began. He says only one heat complaint has been filed and that was last Monday evening (when the temperature in White Plains was 4 degrees F. The complainant’s apartment rooms temperatures were 70 in the living room and 73 in the bedroom.
“We were not aware of any instance in which apartment temperatures dropped below code minimums,” Mr. Carter’s letter states.
Mr. Carter writes in the letter that the “two computerized boilers may have been under strain while trying to balance outside/inside temperatures.”
He reports “The management has been working this week with several HVAC and plumbing contractors in an effort to improve the performance of the two boilers.”
SCHUYLER-DEKALB APARTMENTS 86 DEKALB AVENUE WHITE PLAINS. MACK CARTER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CLARIFIES THE APARTMENT HEATING SITUATION THERE.
The City of White Plains Department of Building code requires that “Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormoitory or guestroom on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the periodfrom September 15th to May 31st to maintain a temperature of not less than 68 degrees Farenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
The County of Westchester Code requires heat as follows:
The season begins Oct. 1 and ends May 31. However, whenever temperatures fall below 55 degrees Farenheit, the inside temperature should be 68 degrees between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M. If it’s not, then you should call your building superintendent.
NO RESIDENTS OF DEKALB WENT TO COUNTY FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING.
WPCNR asked Catherine Cioffi, Westchester County Director of Communications whether any 86 Dekalb residents had come to Westchester County for temporary shelter because of the alleged low temperatures at 86 Dekalb. Ms. Cioffi consulted Kevin McGuire Director of the county Department of Social Services, and he reported none. Here are Mr. McGuire’s answers to WPCNR questions;
I checked with my staff. We have had no persons coming to us from this address for assistance. Let me see if I can answer the questions below:
1. Does the County have a shelter where residents could go or capacity for all the residents? Residents are free to come and apply for services at any office of the Offices of the Westchester County Department of Social Services.
2. Would the County shelter the heatless in hotels for the time being? No. Generally, relocation in such instances are usually handled by the landlord. People may also be temporarily helped out by the American Red Cross.
3. Does the county have any information on heat restoration to 86 DeKalb? No, that is a question best directed to the City of White Plains government.
DELEVOPER TO ASK COUNCIL FEB 4 TO CLOSE 52NORTH BROADWAY HEARING. COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHETHER PARTIAL MITIGATION OF CONTAMINATED DIRT IS ENOUGH
4 NEW METRONORTH STATIONS IN THE BRONX ON THE NEW HAVEN LINE–OPENING UP THE BOOMING BRONX
CON ED MORATORIUM ON GAS CONNECTIONS ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS, IN THESE COMMUNITIES: COUNTY EXEC LATIMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY19TH YEAR ON AIR EVERY WEEK WITH THE TALK OF WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA
ON WHITE PLAINS TODAY ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD, THE COUNTY’S MOST RELEVANT INTERVIEW PROGRAM,
THE MAYOR DISCUSSES PROGRESS OF THE CITY’S NEW DEVELOPMENTS, WHAT’S NEXT AT THE WHITE PLAINS RAILROAD STATION PARCELS, RED LIGHT CAMERA PLANS THIS YEAR, THE FASNY AFFECT ON FUTURE WHITE PLAINS APPEAL, THE NEW BUDGET DIRECTOR AND MORE.
John Bailey interviews White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach on the progress of the downtown projects, and his plans for the future in a rebroadcast of last week’s INTERVIEW.
