HERE LIES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: BORN JULY 4, 1776. DIED JULY 5, 2025 BY ITS OWN HANDS IN 6 MONTHS

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Here Lies the United States of America: Born July 4, 1776. Died July 4, 2025. Aged 248 Years. RIP WE remember you and thank you for your service while it lasted.

 

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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT By John F. Bailey. July 4, 2025:

I DID NOT GO  to the fireworks in White Plains New York USA.

There should be no fireworks anywhere in America today.

Because there is little to celebrate about America anymore.

What Americans used to  celebrate on July 4 in the past no longer exists.

It is a memory, a once shining hope  the world always looked to for inspiration.

That America is forever gone.

I miss it so.

We may never see that respect and admiration from the world again.

Our reputation for standing up for the good, the decent, and the just has been smeared and shattered  by persons  who should have known better.

America to the rescue no more. I was always proud of that.

Unselfish acceptance of persons in trouble coming to our shores to start a new life: the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, Latinos, Africans, Asians, Muslims– has been callously, proudly, viciously attacked by our “leaders” in congress.

Both houses of congress and a mean-spirited selfish man have aroused hatred of the different, the oppressed, the  persecuted, and the poor, in citizens who should know better.

There but for the grace of God go you and I, Mr. and Mrs. And Ms. America.

We collectively bear full responsibility for the death of the America Dream, by not paying attention, by  buying into a line and a hate.

How quickly America’s heart hardened to stone.

Cruelty rationalized. Hate defended. Discrimination championed. Truth attacked.

That was never the American Way.

6 months  is all it has taken.

A year of a media circus campaign followed by the nomination of “An American Strongman,” a  man of the people champion who spoke of “Making America Great Again.”

The media carried and publicized dutifully the ranting of this man.  Because he was good copy.  “Everything is copy,” it has once been said. But no judgment was used. Nothing was censored. The media were putty in this man’s hands. Criticism was labled as fake news.

The man who condoned  and  popularized hatred of his opponents, who  courted the cooperation of an enemy of America to influence his election, and who  reveled in his denigration of women and the weak was elevated to an exulted level. Too many of us bought the easy answers.

His opponent in the election underestimated him. She failed to grasp the visceral violence he aroused in voters—voters who  only saw the promise of  their personal getting even with their perceived tormentors and disregarding the premise of this very mastermind.

Half of the voters in the country ate his message up.

That horrendous campaign has been followed up with a march on American values that, like those before him and his henchmen: Mongols, Huns, Cossacks,  Barbarians  and Nazis rampaged across Europe with sword and violence.

The weapons today are  microphones, videos, propaganda, slogans and big lies that play as convenient truths, executive orders laying waste to reason and morality in this nation, forsaking our friends of the past and uplifting the evil leaders of the world. And initiatives ineptly executed, inappropriate, and bungled because of the inability to manage and think.

I and you have seen 180 days of dismantling rights taken for granted by Americans. Courts ruled by idealogues full of their bluster. Justices making rights-robbing decisions virtually one jaw dropper a week.

Ludircrous Leaders in cabinet positions opposed to the missions of their agencies.

How great are we now?

The promise of America has been forever broken.

How great are we now?

It is embarrassing  to be an American  for what this neo-Nazi government  has done in just 6 months.

As  fireworks explosions are prepared to celebrate a government that now rips children away from families at the border . Adequate records not even being kept. Are photographs being taken of the children already in custody with their parents? Who knows? Reporters have not even documented the process of what happens in the separations.

We now have masked police.

Now America, look at you: America has “Children Concentration Camps.”

Look at you America, you now are going to test children’s DNA with the parents who brought them to make sure they are not “Fake children.” The birthright guarantee is going to be revoked. But will it be retroactive?

America did not used to be afraid of children.

But hate was always under the surface that the premise of America had to always fight.

Hate is always poised to raise its horror,  its ugliness, its indifference to the suffering of others. But it is not indifference. The haters love hurting people they consider inferior. It makes them feel good.

Slavery, the segregation of the South and the North (remember redlining?). Other than the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, and the Cavalry revenge massacres at Wounded Knee and the Washita River, and Andrew Jackson’s Trail of Tears (the Cherokee Indian death march), and the burning of Atlanta, and Bloody Kansas, we have forgotten our humanity  conveniently  in favor of the easy emotion: hate and destruction of lives because it makes us feel so good.

Look at you, America: Religious freedom for all. No more.  Muslims are being ostracized by travel bans.

In fact the clergy, the Christians in America, I call you out: What would Jesus say about your failure to take in strangers or your condoning  (as a matter of faith for crying out loud!) administration policies that hurt, displace, deny aid, and safety. There is nothing Christian about that.

Look at you, America, how what you have built in 248 years has been ripped away in 4 feckless days by both houses of congress resulting in a vote that what featured only one Democrat in the House speaking for 8 hours. Where was every Democrat poised to vote against the bill not follow up and delay for days the vote. I guess they all wanted to head off on vacation.

Look at those fireworks, and this year they will represent an America flaming apart in the night falling.

Look at what it takes to be an American of the past now.

You are a drifter still believing in freedom and truth, justice and the American Way in your heart, mourning what America once was and is no more.

I remember not the country whose leadership has betrayed its country’s promise this week with little effort to stop it. This was America’s Last Stand, and no congressman or senator fought to the last man or woman. Seven New York Republicans voted against their own state. Gutless.

Remember their names: Rep. LaLota, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s. They could have saved us but did not.

America has died in one week.

Its leadership has betrayed its war dead and veterans who fought for truth, justice and the American Way  and the Pursuit of Happiness.

America, Look at you and remember what you once meant to millions.

The Stars and Stripes are no longer forever.

Old Glory is tattered, the white and red stripes  wrinkled, ripped, furling asunder in the cruel winds of hate, in total disunity, no longer a whole flag. A hydra of hate, no longer proud.

The white stars falling out of the blue background lose their unity. Scatter to the four winds.

Lay a wreath on the flag.

Cancel the fireworks celebrations everywhere.

There is nothing to celebrate  this July 4.

But for those of us old Americans, who remember what America used to stand for, our work is just beginning.

We are the last Americans at the barricades like the first Americans at Bunker Hill in Boston.

Even those of us who may just now are beginning to realize how they have been taken in by slogan, lies and hate and are beginning to feel uneasy.

I want you with us.

We the Americans left have a lot of work to do to make America the Greatest again, all over again.

Give us time, old friends.

You and I have to knit that Grand Old Flag back together again.

Stitch by stitch.

Vote by Vote.

Heart by Heart.

Lincoln by Lincoln.

Every member of congress knows what they did last week.

We all know what happened this week, the U.S. Congress of 2025 has transformed into the American Reichstag  emulating the German Reichstag of 1933 and turned over absolute power to Adolf Hitler  in a bill that none have a clue of how its policies will be carried out, when they will be inacted, ignoring warnings of impact on citizens.

We know too what our job is.

Work will be hard.

We are on the barricades now

We have to work and  take  care of our little space and if all the citizens in every little town, big town, city, rich state, poor state, agriculture state turn their eyes inward to work for the good in our towns and thwart the the strategies that wreak our communities and restore the takeaways just approved with blessings by the representatives who have betrayed their oaths that’s our mission now.

Are you with me?

Lafayette, we are here.

 

 

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TONIGHT: 7:30 EDT WHITE PLAINS WEEK FIREWORKS THE JULY 4 EDITION–FIOS 45, OPTIMUM 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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THE POWER RATE HEARINGS THIS WEEK– CHRIS BURDICK AND THE PIRATES

COVID CASES ON A SLIDE. 70% DOWN FROM LAST JUNE. JULY INCREASE SHOULD NOT BE AS LARGE AS  2024

GOVERNOR HOCHUL TELLS IT THE WAY THE MONEY IS AFTER THE BIG BILL IS SIGNED. PAYS OFF 7 BILLION IN STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND DEBT TO MEET THE DAMAGE. 

COUNTY ON TRACK FOR 1.4 BILLION SURPLUS. THE TIME IS NOW FOR COUNTY TO COME TO THE RESCUE TO DEFUNDED HEALTH, EDUCATION AND OVERWHELMED NON PROFITS WHO AID HUNGRY HOMELESS, SCHOOLS.

 

REMEMBERING AMERICA WHEN WE WERE THE WORLD’S DEFENDER 108 YEARS AGO TODAY

COUNTY EXECUTIVE  JENKINS ANNOUNCES COUNTY HAS PREVAILED

IN ARBITRATION HEARING OVER STANDARD AMUSEMENTS

 

ART POWER AT THE WHITNEY! SHOWING TRUTH TO POWER

 

AMY SHERALD TO THE RESCUE–THE MOST POWERFUL INSPIRATIONAL PORTRAIT ART YOU WILL EVER SEE AT THE ONE THE ONLY WHITNEY IN NY

WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK

ON THE ONE AND ONLY WHITE PLAINS WEEK

HIS 25TH YEAR REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

 

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It’s Sunny. It’s 73 WABC DEEEEEGREES! DAN INGRAM IS ON MUSICRADIO WABC.TURN IT UP.THE INTREPID AMERICAN GRILLMAN RETURNS ON A PERFECT 4TH!

 

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STOVETOP STARTER MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE OF  RAINY 2025 Using the New York Times started Saturday twilight Grill in record time. Superior burning newsprint!

WPCNR GRILLMAN GAZETTE. By The Grillin Gourmet. ReInternetted from The CitizeNetReporter Archives of the Ancient Past. April , 2018:

No matter whether you’re a New York Liberal, a Michigan Wolverine, A Trump supporter, or California free spirit, there’s still one phenomenon the country still believes in the American grill.

Thanks to the chimney charcoal starter and its glowing orange coals, the backyard American barbeque DNA macho in the amateur chef was inordinately delayed by the coldest WETTEST spring in memory.

But today its 73 degrees in White Plains New York USA, Dan Ingram is telling you to “Roll Your Bod,” and the grill is  READY!

Steak was raised outside, it was born to be cooked outside, and the barbequed steak puts the Cartier- priced steakhouse in its place!

In this griller’s opinion, outdoor grilling proves once again to be the equal and superior to the overpriced artificial-tasting steak. Sleek decor and atmosphere cannot duplicate backyard origins. The economy may be whatever you think it is, your home equity quiting, but  take heart even the hobo can grill! It’s part of American DNA. It’s Democracy! WHEN THEY BAN OUTDOOR GRILLING THAT’S WHEN THEY GET IN DEEP TROUBLE.

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To do real steak right , you have to do it outside on charcoal.

The instinct of generations of the American backyard barbeque tradition passed up from  the cave, enjoyed at Valley Forge. Lewis and Clark bit into venison discovering the Northwest.

Cowboys sunk teeth into rare beef around chuck wagons on the prairie and up from the Southland , barbeque inbred and passed on from American father to American son – cutting across nationality and station – gives you real steak – not $100 technology  enhanced cuts. Flaming charcoal makes steak a living thing in your mouth!

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I thought America can pull itself out of this. As long as the American grilling tradition is handed down, the pioneer “can-do” spirit lives! Look at those glowing babies romancing, enhancing that steak. It makes your mouth water!  

“HOT CHA CHA CHA” as Jimmy Durante would say!

Why go out for dinner when you can tap your inner griller and say I can cook steak better? I can do this. The difference is the air, the smoke, the way marinade just drips down into the coals and gets into the meat. It’s chemistry,  Americans!

What is it about the American Grillman that’s so special that his or hers backyard cuts beat the insider  professionals’ inflation-friendly ostentatious steaks?

It’s the unique chemistry of being American and believing in the charcoal flames.

On Memorial Day weekend, it’s a must. On Independence Day Weekend, it’s not July 4 unless you’re grillin’. On Labor Day, if you’re not workin’, you’re grillin’.

There’s just something about the searing intensity of glowing charcoal combining mystically with the testosterone and instinctual synergy between red meat and the dedicated outdoor griller –  it beats in taste, juiciness and texture the contrived technology of the most expensive restaurant equipment.

No matter how tasty the megabuck meat is in the swank sticker shock steak palaces of the swells, there’s always that artificial packaged taste that betrays the indoor steak. The butteryness. The soft crust of the black topped surface of the indoor steak just does not have the nubile grizzled roughhewn flamed  reluctant yield of the outdoor one-on-one grilled steak that fights your bicuspids with spirit as you crush it!

The Chimney Starter the Secret.

Pour in a helping of those ultimate black beauties, Kingsford charcoal briquettes into the chimney top.

Fifteen minutes before the wife has the sides ready, take a wooden match to the apertures in the base of the starter and light up the edges of the newsprint. Within 10-15 minutes you’ve got coals a firey orange red. You’re ready to outcook the pros.

After the Griller’s wife has marinated the meat –  the bone trimmed Porterhouse is sizzzzzzzlllllllllling in the caressing deep searing heat of glowing orange briquettes – 4  minutes a side in 400 degree heat and deft turning and surgical “rareness checks” – the seasoned grillistabalero  simply has a feel for the meat – passed genetically down from generations of American grillers.

The combination of cauldron, flavored steel grill rods and perfect flames creates the grillmark “brand” lets you know just by looking at the cut, you’re going to get the natural taste of the backyard steak –  No one can do a great cut like you can!

As any redblooded American Grillman will tell you when doing a steak – you can’t deliver a steak by manual or instructions.

You have to feel the meat,man!  Feel it cook. You just know it’s time. Hearty smoke promises juicy meat that melts in your mouth creates an experience only the grillman or GrillGal knows.

Every cut is not the same.

Each deserves a surgeon’s attention to cooking timing and detail. Surgical checks are necessary.

The American Grillman becomes one with the meat.

With eye and knowledge of the hue of red – you just  know  by instinct when she’s done. Cooking is slowed down by moving the meats to the side off the heat to keep the American beauties warm

With the wife’s deft presentation, sweet potato fries, corn pudding, fresh beans and mushrooms the Grillman’s natural art creates the taste of the Fourth of July

Get those grills handy and ready to fire up to get that taste of American Independence once again.

When you’re over the grill, you’re King of the Hill.

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Gentlemen Start your fires!

 

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JULY 3: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES TAX BILL. SENDS IT TO WHITE HOUSE FOR SIGNING. ALL 7 NEW YORK HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR IT.

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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL ON THE FINAL PASSAGE OF TRUMP’S BIG TAX BILL IN THE HOUSE

“Today’s vote makes it official: all seven New York Republicans in Congress voted to rip health care away from 1.5 million New Yorkers and jeopardize SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million more. They had two chances to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for the people they serve. They failed both times, gambling with their constituents’ lives to pay for billionaire tax breaks.

“To the 48,000 New Yorkers set to lose their coverage in Rep. LaLota’s district, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s: your members of Congress may have given up on you, but I never will.

“As Governor, your family’s health and well-being is my top priority. And I will keep fighting every single day to shield you from the cruelty and chaos coming out of Washington.”

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JULY 4 — SATURDAY AT 7: SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS DR. JOSEPH RICCA REPORTS ON THE 2045-25 SCHOOL YEAR ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” CH 45 FIOS WP OPTIMUM CH 76 AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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DR. JOSEPH RICCA WHITE PLAINS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ON

HOW SUCCESSFUL THE SCHOOL YEAR 2024-25 WAS HIGHLIGHTS AND ISSUES

THE NEW TECHNOLOGY BUILDING BREAKS GROUND WHAT’S AHEAD, HOW TO CONSIDER YOUR CHILD FOR A TECH COURSE

WHAT’S AHEAD IN 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR: CELLPHONE SECURITY, AUTHORITIES IN THE SCHOOLS POLICY

ARE PARENTS CONCERNED THE WAY SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS

DO IN-SCHOOL SCHOOL TESTS SHOW PROGRESS IN ENGLISH AND MATH SKILLS GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT

THE SUCCESS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM

HOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PLANNING FOR CUTS IN FEDERAL AND STATE AID IF THEY COME

AND MORE

INTERVIEWED BY JOHN BAILEY

 

 

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JUNE 30—-NEW YORK PAYS OFF UNEMPLOYMENT DEBT

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND LABOR LEADERS ANNOUNCE NEW YORK STATE PAYS OFF MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR 

Governor and New York State Legislature Paid Off Trust Fund Loan in FY 2026 Budget, Bringing the Fund to Solvency, Increasing Benefits for Unemployed New Yorkers and Cutting Costs to Businesses

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today rallied with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO to announce New York State has paid off the nearly $7 billion federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund loan  a move that will bring the fund to solvency, increase benefits for unemployed New Yorkers and cut costs to businesses. The Governor announced this action back in May as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget.

“By paying off this unprecedented Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt, we are delivering long-overdue relief to New York’s workers and businesses,” Governor Hochul said. “This is about doing what’s right — raising benefits for unemployed New Yorkers who need support, cutting costs for businesses that are driving our economy forward, and putting money back into New Yorkers’ pockets. I’m proud to stand with our labor partners in making this progress possible.”

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Paying off New York’s Unemployment Insurance debt is a major victory for our entire economy. Our nearly three million small businesses are New York’s true economic engine. As federal leaders imposed damaging tariffs and trade wars, we lifted a heavy burden off small businesses while strengthening the safety net for working people. I thank Governor Hochul and Speaker Heastie for their partnership on this issue that will help our businesses thrive and support workers across all regions of our state.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “By paying off the Unemployment Trust Fund debt we’re securing relief to our local businesses – especially our small businesses – and ensuring that the UI benefits can keep up with inflation,” said Speaker Carl Heastie. “The Assembly Majority and especially Assembly Labor Chair Harry Bronson fought hard for this inclusion in the budget as we understand the vital support this provides to businesses and hardworking families as they get back on their feet.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the UI Trust Fund had a positive balance of nearly $2.5 billion. However, due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the balance was paid out to New Yorkers, requiring the State to borrow from the federal government to continue paying eligible claims. Paying off the debt and making the fund solvent allows the state to increase the maximum UI benefit rate so that it better aligns with other states and changes the taxable wage base to help build up reserves and stabilize the UI Trust Fund for the future. The maximum weekly benefit to unemployed workers, which has been frozen because of the debt, will increase from $504 to $869 in October.

By paying off the debt, the State is also putting money back in the pockets of business owners, whose contribution rates had continued to climb while the debt was paid down. Employers are projected to save an average of $100 per employee in 2026 and $250 in 2027. Additionally, the taxable wage base will increase in 2026, strengthening the trust fund over time and helping to maintain affordable tax rates for New York’s employers in the long term.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Paying off New York’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt is a win for workers and businesses. It will put more money in the pockets of unemployed New Yorkers at a time when they need it most and will also cut costs for our businesses. I thank Governor Hochul for stabilizing this critical safety net for our workforce and making the state more affordable for all.”

For more information on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, please visit the New York State Department of Labor’s webpage.

Hotel and Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko said, “Today, I’m proud to stand with our members in celebrating a victory that will provide real, immediate relief for hardworking New Yorkers and their families. Paying off the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt will be a lifeline for workers who are laid off or lose their jobs. This policy, along with reducing the benefits delay for striking workers fighting for a fair contract to the lowest in the nation, is crucial as we officially mark one year until the expiration of our industry-wide contract. We thank Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie for delivering this critical win for working families.”

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JULY 2— FIREWORKS NYSEG FILES FOR 24% INCREASE IN ELECTRIC, 35% FOR GAS

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For Immediate Release

July 2, 2025                                                                                                         

Statement of Assemblymember Chris Burdick

Regarding NYSEG Rate Increase Filing 

“On Monday, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) filed for a 23.7% rate hike on its residential customers’ average monthly electric bill and a 33.5% hike on the average monthly gas bill. This request is shocking, unconscionable, and I call upon the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject it in its entirety.

At a time when New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, NYSEG’s request to hike its delivery rates demonstrates its complete disconnect from the plight of ratepayers.

Already overburdened and reeling from NYSEG’s existing rates, constituents frequently contact me about the sharp increases in their bills.

Senior citizens are being forced to choose between paying their rent and paying their utilities. In contrast to the breathtaking proposed increases, seniors on Social Security received a meager 1.5% cost-of-living increase in their monthly payment.

Given my intense concern over the potential impact of this rate case on my constituents, and just as I did in the ongoing Con Edison rate cases, I will become a party (an “intervenor”) in the NYSEG rate cases.

As an intervenor, I will have the ability to obtain detailed filings, submit questions (interrogatories) to which NYSEG is required to reply, submit evidence and testimony, and participate in confidential settlement discussions.

If they have not already done so, I encourage my constituents whose electricity or gas is delivered by NYSEG to complete our online utility feedback form at bit.ly/UtilityFeedback2025, which has been created for residents of the 92nd, 93rd, and 95th Assembly Districts. This feedback will be incorporated into the testimony I submit in the NYSEG rate cases.”

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JULY 2—PLAYLAND ARBITRATION PANEL RULES IN COUNTY’S FAVOR. STANDARD AMUSEMENTS WRONG IN NOT GIVING COUNTY CHANCE TO “CURE”

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PLAYLAND CAROUSEL THRILLING CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS STATEMENT ON ARBITRATION PANEL’S RULING REGARDING PLAYLAND

Read the Full Ruling Here.

“The Arbitration Panel’s ruling regarding Playland is a significant victory for the people of Westchester County. The Panel affirmed what we’ve said from day one — Standard Amusements had no right to try to tear up a 30-year agreement without giving the County the contractually required opportunity to cure. Their attempted termination was not just wrong — it was legally baseless.

“This ruling exposes Standard’s effort for what it was: an irresponsible attempt to walk away from their obligations and shift blame onto the County. They ignored the clear language in the contract and their rush to terminate was a direct threat to Playland’s future and to the significant public investment made to restore and preserve our beloved park.

“Today, we move forward, as we have done since Standard walked away.  We continue to work on our $150-million-dollar investment by repairing rides, opening concession stands and serving up summer memories and fun.  We are moving forward on the damages claim, and we won’t stop until we have a settlement that works for the people on Westchester County.

“While I am County Executive, Westchester County will never be bullied, pushed around or manipulated— especially over a public asset that exists for the joy of children. Here in Westchester we always defend the taxpayers of this County with everything we’ve got.”

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JULY 1 — COUNTY LEGISLATURE APPROVES AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JOB TRAINING AND 24 COMMUNITIES INCLUDING WHITE PLAINS WILL RECEIVEELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS FOR PEEKSKILL,

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WESTCHESTER WATCH: LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Board Advances Affordable Housing, Job Training, Clean Transportation

WHITE PLAINS, NY— The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved several significant measures on Monday night that will strengthen workforce development programs, create affordable housing for vulnerable youth and low-income families and expand the County’s clean energy infrastructure.

Chairman Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “Last night’s actions reflect our dedication to addressing the real challenges facing Westchester families. By creating stable housing for our most vulnerable residents, expanding workforce opportunities, and advancing clean energy solutions, we’re laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth that benefits all our communities.”

Creating New Housing Options for Low Income Families and Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care

The Board approved the purchase of property in Peekskill to create 22 affordable housing units, with 10 specifically designated as supportive housing for young adults aged 18-25 who have aged out of foster care. This $3.4 million investment will support Children’s Village development of the project. Once complete, the property will provide critical housing stability for vulnerable youth transitioning to independence, while serving low-income families earning up to 60% of the area median income for the next 50 years. The remaining 12 units will offer affordable rental options for working families struggling with housing costs in Westchester County.

Legislator Colin D. Smith (D- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown) said, “Children’s Village, an organization based in Dobbs Ferry that supports children and young adults in foster care and the juvenile system, plans to purchase the long-vacant Workers Comp building at 41 North Division Street in downtown Peekskill. The redevelopment of this building — empty for over a decade — is now underway, with discussions focused on how to best use the ground floor and basement. Westchester County has committed $6.4 million to help buy the building and turn it into affordable housing for two key groups: young adults aged 18–25 transitioning out of foster care, and working families struggling with the county’s rising housing costs. For the lower level, potential ideas include a business incubator, a children’s museum, or a health and wellness center — I fully support any use of the space that contributes to the physical, mental, or emotional well-being of our youth. I look forward to partnering with Children’s Village to bring this important project to life for Peekskill and its residents.”

Extending Job Training Partnership Through 2030

The Board secured residents’ continued access to vital federal job training programs by extending the Westchester-Putnam Local Workforce Development Area partnership through June 2030. The collaboration provides unemployed adults with job training and placement services to develop in-demand skills and secure employment opportunities. The program also offers career counseling and paid internships to out-of-school youth ages 16-24, supporting their successful transition into the workforce. This five-year extension reinforces the county’s commitment to empowering residents with the tools and resources needed to build sustainable careers and strengthen our local economy.

Launching Electric Vehicle Charging Program Across 24 Communities

The Board authorized a comprehensive $10 million program that will reimburse municipalities up to 50% of the costs to install EV charging stations at 79 locations across 24 communities including White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Peekskill. This initiative will dramatically expand the County’s EV charging capacity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and improve air quality for residents’ health and well-being. The program brings clean transportation options closer to home for residents across the County.

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WHITE PLAINS CITY SERVICES BULLETIN THIS WEEK GARBAGE, PAPER, RECYCLING DAYS

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In observance of Independence Day, all City offices including the Gedney Recycling Yard, will be closed on Friday, July 4, and there will be no garbage pick-up. There will be no paper recycling this week. Paper recycling will resume on Wednesday, July 9.

If you live on a Monday-Thursday garbage collection route, your trash will be picked up on Wednesday. If you live on a Tuesday-Friday garbage collection route, your trash will be picked up on Thursday. Mixed recycling will be picked up as usual. Once again, there will be no paper pick up this week.

Best wishes for an enjoyable Independence Day holiday, thank you for helping to keep our city clean!

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