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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COUNTIES DEVASTATED BY ANOTHER BIG STORM; 154,000 WITHOUT POWER AS of 1:30 PM

WPCNR THE POWER STORY. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, May 16, 2018 1:30 PM EDT.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today toured storm damage in Putnam County and delivered a recovery update in response to several severe thunderstorms that occurred throughout Tuesday. At the height of the storm, over 200,000 utility customers were without power, mainly in the Mid-Hudson Region.

The severe weather felled trees and power lines, damaged vehicles and homes, and resulted in at least twofatalities. As part of the recovery effort, the Governor has deployed 125 members of the New York National Guard and to further assist communities with recovery efforts. Currently, thousands of state and local personnel are on site in the affected areas with pre-deployed equipment to clear transportation corridors of debris and assess damage throughout the affected areas.

“As these extreme weather events continue, New York is committed to stepping up our preparedness and ensuring that all impacted New Yorkers receive the assistance they need to recover and clean up after the storm,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re on the ground and are working tirelessly to restore power and help the affected communities recover as quickly as possible.”

New York National Guard

The National Guard deployment began this morning with 125 members out of Camp Smith in Westchester County. They will be assisting state, county and local personnel with efforts ranging from debris clearance to traffic control.

State Agency Response Efforts

Currently, state officials from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Police, and Department of Public Service, have been deployed to the region to assist with recovery operations. 33large generators from the state’s ten regional stockpiles have been sent to Dutchess, Orange and Westchester Counties to support traffic operations and power generation at key facilities in the region, as well as ten pallets of bottled water to Putnam County. Additionally, 125 members of the National Guard and 25 personnel from the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Office of Emergency Management are currently assisting localities with damage assessments and emergency operations support. A mobile command center is also en route that will be staffed by Department of Financial Services personnel to assist Putnam Valley residents with insurance claims.

Department of Transportation

558 DOT personnel are available for storm response in the Mid-Hudson Region and an additional 424 staff available for storm response in Sullivan County. In addition, the Department has deployed more than 120 maintenance staff and supervisors from the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley, Central New York and the Southern Tier to help the region dig out from the storm, including four tree crews, 14 brush/chipper crews, and four traffic signal crews that have been deployed to the region to assist in recovery efforts.

The following assets are prepared for deployment as needed: 386 large dump trucks, 102 larger loaders, 27 excavators, 23 chippers, 11 traffic signal trucks, 8 graders, 7 water tanker trucks, 5 vacuum trucks, 4 bucket trucks, one bulldozer, and one water pump.

In addition, the Department has Variable Message Signs up on state roads in the affected regions warning motorists of road severe weather conditions. Motorists are also reminded to check 511NY by calling 511 or by accessing www.511ny.org before traveling. The free service allows users to check road conditions and transit information.

Motorists are reminded that State Law mandates that if an intersection is “blacked out” and the traffic signal is not operational, the intersection is automatically a “four way” stop. In the event of closed or blocked roadways due to flooding, downed power lines or debris, motorists are advised to exercise caution and obey all traffic signs or barricades in place, regardless of whether a roadway looks clear.

Mobile users can download the updated, free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app now features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.

New York State Thruway Authority

Currently, New York State Thruway Authority maintenance crews are in the process of removing trees and debris from the shoulders of the Thruway system in the Hudson Valley region. The Thruway Authority stands at the ready to assist as called upon.

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway, here. For real-time updates, motorists can follow @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter or visit www.thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

New York State Department of Public Service

New York’s utilities have added 650 line, tree, and service workers to their existing base of 4,300 workers for restoration efforts. Crews are being moved to the areas that have had the greatest storm damage, including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Westchester counties. Department staff will continue to monitor the utilities’ efforts during the storm restoration period.

The Department of Public Service has extended Call Center Helpline hours starting today, Wednesday, May 16, until 7:30 p.m., to assist consumers in their storm restoration efforts. The Department of Public Service Call Center Helpline can be reached by calling 1-800-342-3377.

Currently there are over 154,000 customers without power from the storm.

Department of Environmental Conservation

DEC has assets pre-positioned to deploy to storm-ravaged communities in the Hudson Valley, including certified chainsaw operators, sawyers and sled teams, pole saws, generators, and light stands. DEC staff, including Forest

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WPCNR THE POWER STORY. From Con Edison May 16, 2018: The angry towering clouds with Frankenstein lightning and cross winds up to 40 miles an hour has left 3,172 Con Edison customers powerless from Yonkers to Yorktown, Bedford to New Rochelle. White Plains currently has 133 customers out. Con Ed’s storm center says restoration is expected by 11 AM, as of 8:30 this morning.

The damage:

Bedford–285 out

Cortlandt-70

Croton-on-Hudson: 51

Eastchester: 89

Harrison: 68

Mamaroneck: 134

Mount Kisco: 94

Mount Vernon: 40

New Castle: 343

New Rochelle: 184

Ossining: 34

Peekskill: 34

Pelham Manor: 26

Rye City: 73

Yonkers: 939

Yorktown: 182

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From County Legislator Benjamin Boykin. May 15, 2018:

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Phone scams have grown increasingly sophisticated in recent years, and unfortunately using caller ID to screen calls is no longer always a reliable defense. Legislators have recently been contacted by residents who have been the targets of scammers using phony caller-identification information to make scam calls appear as if they’re coming from a legitimate source — say a local power company or other utility. According to an advisory from Con Edison, one prevalent scam involves callers who: Pretend to be from Con Edison. They may even manipulate your caller ID to display Con Edison’s name. Threaten to turn off your power or gas within an hour. Demand immediate payment—often by prepaid debit card. The New York State Attorney General’s office has several tipsto help you avoid falling prey to a phone scammer: Think of the Telephone as a One Way Street Never give out personal information over the phone unless YOU made the call to a phone number you know to be legitimate. If you receive a call soliciting personal information, just hang up the phone, no matter what the caller ID says. Beware If a Caller Asks to Keep a Conversation a Secret A legitimate caller will never request that a conversation remain a secret, and you should immediately be suspicious. Whether the caller claims to be from the government, a bank, or a family member, requests for confidentiality should raise a red flag. Just Say No! You don’t have to be polite when you receive unsolicited phone calls. The safest thing to do is to say “no” and hang up. Legitimate callers will typically also provide requests in writing. It is better to be guarded than to fall victim. Also, if you have been or suspect you have been the victim of a scam, contact local police. And it’s not just individuals who are targeted by scammers, small businesses have also be victimized.  So be aware. Please forward this e-news to family and friends who may be intere

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“HEY MOM!”

Hey Mom– Bring me two waters so I’m set?

Where’s my underarmor? And my visor?

Are my tights washed? My skates are dull.

Hey Mom, can you call the advisor?

Hey Mom,  I wasn’t yelling at you.

I didn’t mean to! You were yelling at me!

You never let me do anything my friends do

Hey Mom, would you chill, lighten up, just do!

Hey Mom, I don’t like the way this looks for the prom –

I don’t like the color, how could you think this was me?

I just can’t wear this, it’s this, it’s that it’s…Oh, Mom!?! 

Hey Mom, I’ve been studying all morning getting knowledge.

Can’t I go out, I’ll be back by ten?

But, I know the material, gone over it again and again.

Oh, Mom – I hate my life! I can hardly wait until college.

Hey Mom – But I did call and let you know

Don’t you understand, I couldn’t call at that time.

No, you can’t not let me go – it’s a great band

Oh, Mom – I hate you! You never understand!

Hey, Mom, please don’t embarrass me at the game

By screaming so loud, it’s just so tacky

But, hey mom, I like that you’re over there in the stand

Watching me play, you know that don’t you Mom, you understand?

Hey Mom, can you get me to the rink

At 5 – I know you have to take off from work early?

Thanks, Mom, I’m so sorry but the team has a special thing

I have to be there, thanks Mom – I love you—really.

Hey, Mom, please when you pick me up at the dorm

Don’t come inside. Just wait outside, call me on the cell

I’ll be right down — it’s the norm.

Don’t ring the bell!

Hey, Mom, I’ve read the classifieds

There are no jobs, I can’t make all those calls.

Well, OK, I guess  I can send that resume you made for me (sigh).

OK, I’m lost, where’s the post office, down Lexington to what?

Hey Mom, well I’m bringing my friends by,

Don’t let Dad embarrass me with his jokes, OK?

I’ll just die if he’s silly again — you won’t let him do that?

You’ll talk to him about that?

All right, Mom I’ll take that extra course.

But I’ve just been going to school for months it never ends!

Can’t I have a little vacation, I don’t know what’s worse

Can’t I spend a little time with my friends?

You do like him Mom?

Oh, I hoped you would.

Yes, I really do

I am so glad you do too!

Hey Mom, can you take care of the kids this weekend?

We’re going to Vermont with a friend.

And Mom, the cats get kibble in morning and meat at night,

We love you mom, sorry for the short notice, talk to you tonight.

Hey Mom, I’m sorry I can’t see you Mother’s Day.

Are you all right, what will you be doing today?

Going to a play – great – you know we love you in every way?

Though we may not show it you’re always with us

even when you’re away.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From the Service Employees International Union 32BJ. UPDATED By WPCNR 12:33 PM EDT May 10, 2018:

The legal battle to win back employment for seven displaced White Plains cleaners took an unexpected turn on Tuesday night when county legislators accompanied workers back to their promised jobs.

On Friday afternoon, May 4, the workers’ union 32BJ SEIU received a letter from the legal representative of the contractor, Integrated Building Management / Greenway Maintenance, offering the seven cleaners their former jobs back, despite having been told a month ago that they were unwelcome because of their union affiliation.

(Editor’s note: the offer of jobs back came after the President of Caspi Development received a letter from County Executive George Latimer, asking the President of Caspi “to do the right thing” and hire the SEIU 32Bj dismissed workers back.)

But when the cleaners reported for work on Tuesday afternoon (May 8) at the building at 235-245 Main Street, accompanied by County Legislators Catherine Parker and Nancy Barr, the company told the workers that only four would be offered employment.

Legislator Catherine Parker, left, and Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, second from left above at the first SEIU protest  over the firings, May 1.

Legislator Shimsky,  in a telephone interview this morning with WPCNR said: “It’s absolutely terrible, forcing the workers to give up their union salary and benefits because they need their jobs. Hopefully the lawsuit(s) will go forward. The arrogance of companies and lack of respect for the law. It is certainly illegal and a violation of county law. 

Now company leaders think that because the President (Trump) can get away with ignoring the law, they can get away with it with the rest of us.”

Frank Soults, spokesperson for SEIU 32BJ in a statement to WPCNR confirmed,

“The workers don’t have to resign from the union, per se, and yes, they took the work because they need to have jobs. We expect to be able to negotiate with the new contractor as the law (County Displaced Workers Act) provides, but they’ve refused to set a time to discuss anything.”

Soults explained the current situation to WPCNR, continuing in a statement”

• The three not re-hired are still hoping to get back their jobs. They are in the same boat they’ve been in since April 2.
• The owner has made no statement.
• We’re exploring the legal options to respond to this but I don’t have any response to report out publicly  yet. I’ll let you know when I can!

Shimksy told WPCNR, the county could not sue Caspi or IBM/Greenway as the county because the law specifically provides only a private right to sue to enforce the law.

The workers were also hired at minimum wage instead of the contractual union rate, and offered none of their previous benefits. At the site, the company’s representative refused to set a date to discuss the matter further with the union.

“Integrated Building Management continues to flout the Westchester Displaced Worker Act by unlawfully limiting the rehiring to only four employees. It’s a huge disappointment,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of  32BJ SEIU.

“We received a written offer of reinstatement on Friday afternoon, met with the workers on Monday, and attempted to return to work on Tuesday, only to receive this new rebuff. This appears to be a continued effort on the part of IBM/Greenway to evade their legal responsibility.

We continue to hope that contractor and the building owner, Caspi Development, will realize their moral and legal obligations. Until then, we continue to pursue our legal challenge through the National Labor Relations Board, which is investigating the matter, and the State Supreme Court, where we have lodged a lawsuit for violation of the Westchester Displaced Worker Act.”