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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PETER KATZ   JOHN BAILEY   JIM BENEROFE

ON YOUTUBE AND WHITEPLAINSWEEK.COM

AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY WOOS AMAZON WITHOUT TALKING TO GOVERNOR CUOMO–VIDEO

LATIMER DEMANDS COUNTY EXECUTIVE ASTORINO SPEAK OUT FOR WESTCHESTER ON TRUMP TAX PLAN–VIDEO

STANDARD AMUSEMENTS HAS NOT COMMITTED TO PLAYLAND DEAL YET.

RED HOT SUMMER BUSINESS: WHITE PLAINS SALES TAX DOLLARS UP 21% IN ONE MONTH…JULY TO AUGUST

GOVERNOR CUOMO VIDEO OF PUERTO RICO DESTRUCTION–

REMEMBERING “HEF”

INTRODUCING THE LIBERTY APPLE

AT THOMPSON’S CIDER MILL

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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. September 30, 2017:

If I were President right now here is what I would do.

Tears are filling my eyes as I write this.

I’d fly down there and I’d be right there on the scene.

I would establish the San Juan White House Command Center with the Governor of Puerto Rico the brave Mayor Carmen Yulin’ Cruz out there getting herself wet, dirty sweaty. Working phones. Taking charge. You don’t tell Mayor Cruz “we’re doing a great job.”

His Twitter Account should be suspended.

This outrageous Trump “Big Lie” is a direct steal from Stalin’s Soviet Russia which when it failed to meet the objectives of 5 year plans, said they did or made excuses. Donnie is always making excuses. The dog ate his homework every night.

(Has Donald Trump ever done any real work in his life? No. It’s obvious. Because he can’t get any work done. When it’s there he doesn’t know how to do it. How has this guy ever built anything is beyond belief. Obviously other people made the decisions because he can’t He is making George W. Bush look very very good. (“We’re doing a great job” is Trump’s, “You’re doing a helluva job Brownie.” )

Mr.T, remember is the man who promised Americans “we’ve got your back.”

Turn around and you’ll find is not there.

Where are the Latino leaders nationally and the black leaders, and those evangelical “Christians” crying out about this deliberate “Latinocide” Trump is creating as I type each letter of this comment?

What would Jesus say about you?

You know where Jesus would be. He’d be right there.

Because Donald Trump isn’t.

He’s where he shouldn’t be all the time, and when he’s not he’s playing golf.

So if I were President right now this moment I’d do this:

1. Order military divisions down there using helicopters to airdrop water and rations all across the nation based on intelligence from Puerto Rican leaders. (This was recommended by the General who handled the Katrina recovery in New Orleans. That General told Trump that 4 days ago.)
2. I’d order prefabricated home modules from manufacturers to provide shelters to house those with no homes. That  might be hard to do, but you have to think that way.
3. I’d order cruise ships out from Florida to drop their cruises and rush those ships to house people and feed them. Now. Paying tourists will have to wait. I’d ask freighters to detour to San Juan to convey our Puerto Rican citizen refugees to Florida. (Probably the reason the Trump Administration doesn’t want to do this is they do not want 3 million more Latinos coming to the mainland – just speculating. God I hope that is not true, don’t you?)
4. I’d have the U.S. Navy bring in their Seabees to clear wreckage replace buildings, houses, put the Navy to work. And a few aircraft carriers  to survey the island target triage and replace priority sites.
5. I’d order all the power companies of  America to send emergency crews or use military experts at setting up instant bases with power in 24 hours, sector by sector. (I think they can do that. This is a time to show what America working together instead of against each other can do, because the Trump Administration isn’t going to do it.)
6. I’d bring in hospital ships and sanitation specialists  and public works professionals  and construction teams to repair the water treatment apparatus if repairable, pump out all that standing water. Purify and purify to prevent a cholera epidemic. (Even a dumb reporter like me can figure it out why can’t the Captains of Finance The Incompetent Team in the Trump Administration, figure it out?  Incompetence in politicians and managers has a very dear price.
7. I’d set up prefab buildings to replace schools businesses. Build new airport strips to bring service to all affected areas.
8. I’d be going to the businesses that serve America, the water companies, the food companies, to reroute everything they make and are shipping and get it straight to Puerto Rico. They should be doing that anyway!
9. I would tell  Puerto Rico all is “on the house,” that they would not have to worry about paying for it and their personal financial loses and employment would be restored and loses reimbursed.(Is Texas paying for their relief? Is Florida paying for their relief? How about an Executive order like this that helps people?
10. I would call an immediate session of congress and ask every member of congress to go back to their states and pull together resources from local businesses and organzations to aid in the on-going effort to house Puerto Rican refugees during the interim period and ship direct aid.

11. Do we even know what Puerto Rico needs after 8 days, besides everything? FEMA has fumbled again, fumbled 3 million lives away, unless the President wakes up and smells the rotting corpses. Assessment and priorities  immediately please!!!

12. I’d order all military medical resources available to go to Puerto Rico and replace and spell the Puerto Rican medical folks, electrify the hospitals and supply them with medications to combat the disease outbreaks to come. (Field hospitals spring to mind. If you can treat wounded soldiers as soon as they land, you can treat starving, heat stricken Puerto Ricans, innoculate them just as soon! Come on, Washington, do your job.)

I will add to this list. The blackout on Puerto Rico situational analysis is a disgrace.

But, the President will not get to this until he gets to Puerto Rico next week.

So in the meantime, it is up to those businesses which consider themselves so important to America to step up for the once Shining Star of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico. Now. Show us how important, powerful and humane you are. Now.

Show us how competent you are. Now

All right all you CEO’s, Gazillionaires, Hedge Funders, sneaker makers, chicken kings, sports club owners, communications giants now is the time for action. And especially Federal Express, all the airlines, food supply companies, Goldman-Sachs,   you have to save the Puerto Rican citizens…days away from cholera, dysentery, starvation.

What is the matter with the “President In Name Only” that he does not recognize the danger to 3 million people down there? How can he say he’s doing a great job down there.

He isn’t. He’s doing no job. He doesn’t know how to do a job.

He’s playing golf while Puerto Ricans die, starve, drink infected water, and God knows what.  But “Red Texas” got help, “Red Florida” got help. Latino Puerto Rico—8 days and no significant help.

Think about it: President Trump is playing golf while Puerto Rico has no food, no potable water, electricity.

He is playing golf while Puerto Rico has no food, no potable water, no electricity.

After President Trump’s ghastly comments to the Mayor of San Juan this morning, it is clear the President does not have the humanity and decency to be a good leader. He is a person who cares not a wit for anyone but himself.

But you already knew that.

He has no grip on reality.  If he had a shred of compassion in him he’d have been on the plane with Andrew Cuomo down there. But the Trumpster was not. He was fighting the NFL. He was talking tax plan.

It is time for Puerto Rico to plea for help from Germany, France, England to come to their rescue, the elitist, anti-Latino, whites’ rights Trump Tyrant won’t anytime soon. Maybe Cuba will help the Puerto Ricans, maybe Jamaica, how about the Bahamas, close by with room? Cuba could welcome Puerto Rican refugees to help clear their damage, since we do not know the extent of that. Canada always helps

Puerto Rico you have gotten a message from Mr. Trump: it’s every Puerto Rican for him or herself.

The only politician who has spoken out on this is Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mr. Cuomo should be appointed manager of the Puerto Rican recovery, he knows more about it than anybody.

I salute him and I am proud he went and no one else did.

I cannot get over it.

Donald Trump is playing golf while Puerto Ricans are suffering from no electricity, no homes, no water, no jobs, no food.

He could at least send them a few steaks or write them a check for a million.

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WPCNR QUILL AND EYESHADE. From the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance with WPCNR analysis. September 28, 2017:

The first two months of the White Plains Fiscal Year are up 7.1% in sales tax receipts, according to figures released by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, and 21% in August compared to July figures.

The August report shows White Plains receiving $4,702,800 in sales taxes in August compared to $3,888,289 in July.

Kevin Nunn, Executive Director of the White Plains Business Improvement District, theorized to WPCNR that part of the increase in the sales tax “handle,” (the largest month to month rise  since WPCNR has been tracking White Plains sales tax receipts activity) may be traced to commercial vacancy rates narrowing from 22% to 16.1% from July-August 2016 to July-August 2017, (bringing more potential customers to restaurants and malls).

WPCNR notes the $4.7 Million August figure is just shy of average December “handles” (usually the highest month of sales receipts)numbers.

Westchester County up 9% in August ’17 over August ’16, Sales Tax $$ Up $8.5 Million for First 7 Months of 2017 Fiscal Year. 6.1% Increase from July 17 to August 2017

Westchester County sales tax receipts rose 9% in August 2017 compared to August 2016, and was up 6.1% over July ’17 to August ’17 in sales tax receipts, $42,598,007 in August ’17, to $40,112,175 in July ’17.

As the August sales tax report, released September 19, the county has collected $335,973,435 in sales tax dollars in the first 7 months of the County fiscal year compared to $327,528,593 the first 7 months of 2016. This has put the county ahead in sales tax collections by $8,444,842, a 2.6% increase pace.

WPCNR observes that the $8.4 Million is halfway toward covering the $15 Million deficit the county planned to cover by leasing Westchester County Airport to a private operator, perhaps eliminating the need to lease the airport altogether, if the money keeps on coming in at the present pace

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2017. From the Latimer Campaign. September 27, 2017:

 On the steps of Westchester County Center, three major women’s organizations, WCLA PAC, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC, and NOW-Westchester announced their endorsement of George Latimer (D) for Westchester County Executive.

Joined by a cheering crowd of supporters and local leaders, Latimer made clear what was at stake in November’s elections.

“Make no mistake, Westchester is the front line of Donald Trump and Rob Astorino’s war on our values,” said Latimer.  “Women’s rights, from reproductive health care to equal pay, are under attack in Trump’s Washington, and we can’t afford any local leaders who don’t take human rights seriously.  I am honored to stand with WCLA, NIRH, and NOW, and their endorsements will help us guarantee that all Westchester women have equal economic opportunity and safe access to reproductive healthcare.”

“We’re proud to endorse George Latimer for County Executive. Rob Astorino showed us his true colors when he accepted donations from a man who joked about contraception. Astorino vetoed legislation to protect women’s access to health care; George will sign it. Rob Astorino stands with Donald Trump, a man who brags about sexual assault, coddles bigots, and suggests that the right to an abortion is a ‘straw man’ to distract from real issues; George Latimer fights for decency, justice and equal rights every single day.  We stand with George Latimer because we know he always stands with us,” said Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, Director of WCLA PAC.

“The National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC is proud to endorse George Latimer for Westchester County Executive. George has been a champion for the Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act. At a time when our fundamental rights are under attack at the federal level, Westchester needs and deserves a County Executive that won’t play political games with our access to reproductive healthcare,” said Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC

“Whether it’s access to reproductive health centers, affordable childcare, closing the gender pay gap, or immigration protection; Westchester women can’t afford the backwards views and policies of Rob Astorino. It’s time for a County Executive who prioritizes the needs of Westchester women,” said Elizabeth Galani Zimmerman, Co-Chair of NOW-Westchester.

Latimer will be running on the Democratic, Independent, Working Families, Womens Equality, and Reform Party lines in the November 7^th General Election.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. Special to WPCNR from the Service Employees International Union 32BJ September 25, 2017:

On Monday evening, before a packed gallery of immigrant rights supporters, the Westchester County Board of Legislators failed to override County Executive Rob Astorino’s veto of the Westchester Immigrant Protection Act by a single vote, in a vote of 11 to 6 (all Democratic Legislators voted for the override, as did two Republicans).

Despite passing the Board on August 7 with bipartisan support, the bill was vetoed by the county executive at the end of August, setting up Monday’s override attempt.

Last week Astorino also issued an executive order on undocumented immigrants that weakened a previous county directive and failed to extend the full protections of the Immigration Protection Act.

The Act would have clarified and regulated the separation of local law enforcement from federal immigration enforcement, protecting the civil rights of immigrants and improving the safety of all county residents.

Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, the lead sponsor of the bill, has promised to reintroduce the bill this week. The following comments demonstrate the  breadth of support for the act:

“We are disappointed but undeterred by the failure to override the county executive’s veto. With bullying threats, indiscriminate arrests,  and arbitrary travel bans coming from the White House, immigrants of all statuses are rightfully nervous about interacting with any government official.

In the face of this terrifying belligerence, Westchester needs the strong protections afforded by the Immigrant Protection Act. Over the coming months, we will be working hard for candidates we have endorsed who would respect this need in the future.

According to U.S. Census figures, over a quarter of the residents of Westchester County are foreign born. When County Executive Astorino issues an order that says  ‘we won’t ask about your status’ in one line and ‘we will turn over information to ICE in criminal investigations,’ in the next, it does not provide the assurances necessary to ensure that immigrants feel trust in their county officials.

Without that trust, crimes will go unreported and victims will suffer in silence. We will do all we can to make sure county residents’ needs are fully respected. The act did not pass today, but the community has not ended its fight.” — John Santos, Vice-President 32BJ SEIU Hudson Valley

“Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and the legislators who voted against the Immigrant Protection Act today sent a clear message to their constituents that they are more than willing to help carry out the Trump Administration’s discriminatory anti-immigrant agenda.

We worked hard with our members and legislators to draft a smart, bi-partisan bill that would protect all residents, and although it did not pass tonight, we will continue to stand up for the values that truly make America great: opportunity and justice for all.” –Charlotte Gossett Navarro, New York Immigration Coalition Senior Manager of Member Engagement in the Hudson Valley

“We remain resilient and persistent in light of the news regarding the Immigrant Protection Act.  Neighbors Link is committed to ensuring that immigrants and their families with deep roots in our communities should not live in fear of deportation.

We must continue our work to pass legislation that ends the practice of information sharing between the county department of corrections and federal civil immigration authorities when there is no ongoing criminal investigation.

We must protect all residents by striking a balance between county compliance with federal law and creating guidelines for such compliance.  This Act was designed to protect us all, to ensure public safety and protect the rights of all those who call Westchester County home.

We are committed to our unyielding conviction to celebrate and cultivate integration, diversity and inclusion — and passing strong legislation is a key step toward that vision.  We must all continue this work.” –Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director, Neighbors Link

“We should be concerned when government overreaches and erodes our constitutionally enshrined protections that ensure due process for all.  The County Executive Order denies immigrants in custody all constitutional protections under the New York State and United States Constitutions.  Under Astorino’s Executive Order, individuals do not have the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.  The name of any foreign born individual is reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement creating false equivalencies between civil and criminal justice systems. The Immigrant Protection Act strikes the right balance to accommodate the legitimate needs of law enforcement as balanced against the right of the individual. Tonight’s disappointing vote and The Executive Order as decreed by Mr. Astorino represents an overreach of power by the county and creates dangerous precedents for all the residents of Westchester.”  — Grace Heyman, Executive Director, Westchester Hispanic Coalition

“We are disappointed that the Legislators could not find the unity to put political and electoral considerations aside and reverse the veto in this important Protection Law. There is no time to wait or deny the importance of protecting our undocumented immigrant community. Our friends, neighbors and family, like all, are an active, dynamic and constructive part for our cities and towns. ” —Luis Yumbla, Hudson Valley Community Coalition, Acting Executive Director

Groups supporting the Westchester Immigrant Protection Act include 32BJ SEIU, Community Resource Center, Community Voices Heard, Hudson Valley Community Coalition, Hudson Valley Justice Center, Indivisible Westchester, Neighbors Link, New York Immigration Coalition, NYIC Westchester Steering Committee , Unite Here Local 100, Westchester Hispanic Coalition Yonkers Sanctuary Movement