Hits: 0

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2017. June 8, 2017:

The gathering of signatures for contenders for Mayor and the Common Council began last weekend with the leader of the Democratic City Committee sending a letter to registered Democrats (who are eligible to vote in the September primary where incumbent Mayor Tom Roach, incumbent Councilmen John Martin and James Kirkpatrick and nominated Justin Brasch are being contested by Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona and democratic challengers Michael Kraver, Alan Goldman, and Saad Sidicci.

The Democratic City Committee Chair letter urged  Democrats to stick together and accused Mr. Goldman of being anti-immigrant, and criticised his Republican background.

Milagros Lecuona responded to the Chairman’s letter, calling on Mayor Roach to ask the Chairman to resign for his alleging Mr. Goldman was against immigrants.

Last night in the early evening, Mayor Roach contacted Democrats with a 45 second, recorded RoboCall message from what appeared to be a private company number (888-414-7752–not the city number 422 exchange)

The Mayor’s message said this:

“Hello, this is Tom Roach with a message about the petitioning process in my election campaign. This message is paid for by Friends of Tom Roach.

I’m pleased to have been endorsed by the White Plains City Democratic Committee, but I do have an opponent. So, I’m asking my supporters to be careful and only sign the petitions for Mayor and City Council that include me and my running mates.

We’re headed in the right direction. Let’s keep White Plains a progressive leader in our region. Thank you for your support.”

This morning in response to the Mayor’s apparent lack of response to her call for the Chairman’s resignation,  Ms. Lecuona circulated a news release accusing  the Mayor of “talking the talk” on immigration support, but not “walking the walk.”

Here is a copy of that news release:

“On Thursday, June 1, 2017, Common Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona issued a statement condemning the White Plains Democratic City Committee Chairman Tim James for an email he sent to the City Committee entitled “Sticking Together”. In the email, the Democratic chairman Tim James falsely claimed that Common Council Candidate Alan Goldman was anti-immigrant.  In her previous statement, Councilwoman Lecuona called on Mayor Roach to put politics aside and to stand with her in calling Tim James to resign from his position as Chairman of the White Plains Democratic City Committee. Mayor Roach has not responded.

“I asked the Mayor to put politics aside, and to stand with me in asking Tim James to resign,” said Lecuona. “What Tim said was callous, offensive, and completely out of line. Mayor Roach has not responded. In his silence, Mayor Roach has sent a loud and clear message that he will talk the talk on standing with immigrants, but clearly he won’t walk the walk.”

Lecuona continued, “I am an immigrant who had to watch the heartbreak of her own child go through the deportation process. What Tim said goes far past politics, and it is time that the Mayor stops doing the political thing and does the right thing.”

The letter from the White Plains Democratic City Committee Chair that began the petitioning campaign, distributed June 1:

The same day the Chairman sent out the above letter, Ms. Lecuona distributed this news release protesting the Chairman’s comments is as follows:

“On Thursday, June 1, 2017, White Plains Democratic City Committee Chairman sent an email to all Committee People with the subject line “Sticking Together,” calling for “unity” against Democratic City Councilwoman and Mayoral Candidate Milagros Lecuona, and her slate for White Plains Common Council. Committee Chairman Tim James callously described local businessman Alan Goldman as opportunistic and anti-immigrant.

“As an immigrant and a member of the Hispanic community, I found this email disturbing. Tim James has never had to live through the heartbreak of watching his own child suffer through the deportation process. I have.”

“I am absolutely disgusted that Tim James would ever insinuate that a close friend of mine is anti-immigrant, much less that I would run with someone who harbors any anti-immigrant sentiments,” said Lecuona. “Alan Goldman is an exceptional human being and is running because he wants to see bold change in our City. The fact that the Chairman would ever stoop this low and attack a Democratic candidate just speaks to the need for change.”

Councilwoman Lecuona continued, “I’m calling on Mayor Roach to put politics aside and to stand with me in asking Tim James to resign. What he said was callous, offensive and unacceptable.”

Lecuona is an immigrant from Spain who moved her family to White Plains in 1987 to pursue their American dream. A trained architect and urban planner for the last 35 years she has served on the White Plains Common Council for the past 9 years. During her time in office Lecuona has taken on powerful interests on behalf of the people of White Plains.  Entering public service was a natural progression given her lifelong community involvement.  She has been the recipient of multiple recognitions and awards.

Hits: 134

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. June 7, 2017:

Joined by leaders in health, mental health, law enforcement, business and community organizations, County Executive Robert P. Astorino Wednesday kicked-off a new program that mobilizes an array of available resources and expertise to combat the growing opioid and heroin epidemic that affects communities, large-and-small, throughout Westchester.

The county has experienced a 200 percent increase in opioid fatalities from 2010 – 2015.

Project WORTHY — Westchester Opioid Response Teams Helping You is the latest extension of the county’s Safer Communities initiative, whose hallmark is to build comprehensive and practical solutions to difficult problems by integrating expertise and resources from across the county.

Project WORTHY’s response teams are made up of health and mental health experts and providers, law enforcement professionals, parents, teachers, coaches, clergy, business executives and youth. Their role is to provide expertise in their respective fields in response to specific calls for help, and to conduct informational forums at schools, churches, temples, mosques, municipal meetings, civic associations, businesses and other groups.

“Westchester County, like communities all across the country, is facing a lethal enemy that grows deadlier by the day,” said Astorino. “Whether you live in a city, town, village or hamlet, in the northernmost stretches of the county, the Sound Shore or along the Hudson River, the opioid epidemic affects all of us. The work ahead will be tough, because the enemy is strong. But working together, we can and will make a difference. Opioid addiction can be stopped. We will continue to fight, and Project WORTHY can make us more effective.”

Leadership for Project WORTHY is provided by Dr. Mark Herceg, Commissioner of the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health, Dr. Sherlita Amler, Commissioner of the Westchester Department of Health, and George Longworth, Commissioner of the Westchester Department of Public Safety – all of whom spoke about their experiences with the epidemic in their given fields. The program operates from four foundational blocks: education, integration, prevention and action – and marshals the resources necessary for each of those areas.

The County Executive first announced the program in his 2017 State of the County Address in April, and formally kicked-off the program at the Westchester County Center in White Plains today where he was joined by hundreds of stakeholders, Project WORTHY’s leadership team and keynote speaker Dennis Romero, regional administrator with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The kick-off event included an overview of the issue, insight into how each area is attacking the problem, and discussions on how best to bring together working solutions. The County Executive also aired a seven minute video with testimonials from people whose lives have been devastated or severely impacted by opioids and prescription painkillers.

Barbara, a 47-year-old housepainter from Montrose, shared her story of getting hooked on drugs because of chronic back pain. She discussed how it nearly took her life, and how it was only after getting arrested and going through a court diversion program that she was able to get the proper treatment.

“It was the court-system that put the thumb down on me so that I could be accountable,” she said.

Watch the video here.

Romero, the keynote, spoke of the changing face of addiction and the most common ways that people start using – and eventually get addicted – to opioids, painkillers and heroin. Usage among women is up 100 percent, he said, and addicts are typically young working white men who are “hiding in plain sight.”

The best ways to attack the problem is locally with integrated efforts, he noted, praising Project WORTHY as a model on how best to approach this epidemic.

“The face of addiction is indeed changing in the United States,” Romero said. “What was once viewed as an urban problem now stretches across communities large and small, rich and poor; this crisis does not discriminate. What we’re also seeing, however, is the importance integration plays in prevention and treatment programs. Westchester County’s Project WORTHY understands that it is necessary to bring together expertise across various disciplines. There is no other way to beat this epidemic than by working together.”

Police Commissioner Longworth shared law enforcement’s efforts to crack down on the crisis, notably the county’s participation in joint federal and local task forces to take down organized gangs and drugs rings; its stepped up investigations into doctors and people purporting to be doctors who knowingly overprescribe opioids; and working with local police to increase arrests of those supplying the drugs.

“This is an issue of significant size and scope for law enforcement,” said Longworth. “It is not just an urban issue, nor is it limited to any one age group or socio-economic group.  This problem hits home everywhere, whether home is a larger city or a small town, whether it’s a working-class community or a wealthy community. No one is immune. What is obvious, though, to law enforcement is that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem.  The integration across disciplines that we are speaking about today is critical to our success.  It will take all of us — government, health care professionals, mental health professionals, community groups, clergy and other organizations — to fight this battle together if we are to prevail.”

Dr. Amler, Westchester County’s Health Commissioner, explained a multi-layered approach that includes training first responders and family members to administer Narcan to overdose victims; providing more prescription medication drop-boxes for old and unneeded medicines; and educating physicians on the need to consider alternatives to prescribing opioids to alleviate the pain of surgery, sports injuries and more.

“Underlying prevention, integration, and education is action,” Amler said. “There is no room on the sidelines in the fight against opiate addiction. That’s why we’re all here today. We need your help. It isn’t enough to save a life. We need the help of our partners to change the lives of the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters with opiate addictions.”

Community Mental Health Commissioner Herceg addressed the role that common mental health problems and psychological issues play in addiction.

“The reality is that many people who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction are dealing with other psychological issues,” he said. “Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are all common mental health problems among people with addictions. If we don’t address the entire picture and work to address the underlying cause and ensure that the person is fully treated, along with their family, then we will never fix this in a comprehensive manner. This is why I am grateful for the leadership of our County Executive for bringing us together, to make sure we work as a unit to get it right: For every one of every demographic and age.”

During breakout sessions, professionals from education, public safety, corrections, health care community groups, non-profits and related service providers discussed challenges they each face, and potential solutions to those problems. View the Project Worthy booklet here.

The Project WORTHY team is available to visit local schools, houses of worship and community organizations. To learn more, contact 914-995-5220 or email projectWORTHY@westchestergov.com.

Hits: 3607

White Plains Hospital cancer survivors reunite with Sandy Aurfiero, NP (far left) and Sara Sadan, MD, Director, Breast and Women’s Medical Oncology (center) during the White Plains Hospital Cancer Survivors celebration on June 4th at the Crowne Plaza hotel below.
All Photos, Courtesy White Plains Hospital, by John Vecchiolla with exception of the photo below.

The crowd of well-wishers, doctors and 200 White Plains Hospital- treated cancer survivors were in attendance. Photo by an attendee.

WPCNR HEALTH NEWS. From White Plains Hospital. June 6, 2017:

White Plains Hospital honored cancer survivors treated in the Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care at its annual Cancer Survivors Day brunch on Sunday June 4^th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Now in its 30^th year, the event celebrates the courage and determination displayed by cancer survivors throughout the community. It also acknowledges the fight for the cure that doctors and the entire multidisciplinary team engage in every day.

Susan Fox, White Plains Hospital President & CEO; Nicholas Signorelli, Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker; Una Hopkins, DNP, Administrative Director, Cancer Program at White Plains Hospital

The 2017 guest of honor and keynote speaker was Nicholas Signorelli of Mount Vernon who was acknowledged for his strength and courage throughout his cancer experience, as well as his longtime support of the White Plains Hospital Cancer Program.

Mr. Signorelli was joined by approximately 300 fellow cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians, nurses and other clinicians in the Hospital’s Cancer Program, which treats thousands of patients every year.

Oncologic Surgeon and Chairman of the Hospital’s Cancer Committee, Dr. Mark Gordon; Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Smith; the Hospital’s President and C.E.O. Susan Fox; and Mayor of White Plains Tom Roach addressed the group and joined in the celebration, along with dozens of members of the Hospital’s interdisciplinary cancer care team.

: Laurence Smith, Chairman, White Plains Hospital Board of Directors; Susan Fox, President & CEO of White Plains Hospital; White Plains Hospital Physician Anthony Loiacano, MD; White Plains Mayor Tom Roach; Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker, Nicholas Signorelli;White Plains Hospital Physician Carol Lederman, MD; Una Hopkins, DNP, Administrative Director, Cancer Program at White Plains Hospital; Mark Gordon, MD, Surgical Director of the Cancer Program at White Plains Hospital

“This is a day when we can step away from our professional roles and simply enjoy the company of our survivors,” said Dr. Gordon. “It gives us the opportunity to celebrate special milestones with survivors and their loved ones. It also inspires us to further our efforts in finding increasingly effective treatments so that the number of survivors can grow even larger.”

Former White Plains Hospital patients and cancer survivors join White Plains Mayor Tom Roach (also a White Plains Hospital cancer survivor) at the hospital’s annual Cancer Survivors Celebration Sunday.

In addition to a festive brunch, the survivors and their caregivers were offered the opportunity to experience massage therapy and healing touch by trained members of the Hospital’s holistic care team. They also learned about the scope of complementary care programs and services provided by the Cancer Program.

In 2016, the Hospital opened its new Center for Cancer Care, an expanded facility that provides comprehensive and coordinated cancer care in partnership with the Montefiore Health System.

You can view the WHITE PLAINS TV “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” VIDEO TOUR OF THE CENTER FOR CANCER, WITH DR. UNA HOPKINS and PEOPLE TO BE HEARD’S JOHN BAILEY, VIDEO-TAPED IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR ON YOUTUBE AT

The new Center is double the square footage of the original Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center, which opened in 1999.  It encompasses the renovated Dickstein pavilion, an additional six-story outpatient physician oncology pavilion, two infusion centers, and ample space for complementary therapies and amenities designed for optimal patient comfort and an enhanced patient and family experience.  The Center for Cancer Care also offers a multitude of clinical trials and groundbreaking research opportunities for patients, many in collaboration with the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care.

According to the NYS Cancer Registry, more than 100,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with cancer every year. The American Cancer Society estimates that there were nearly 14.5 million cancer survivors in the United States in 2014, up from 9.8 million in 2001 and 3 million in 1971.

Hits: 151

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. June 3, 2017:

City Court Judge Elizabeth Shollenberger

The Chief of Administrative Judge of the Courts for New York State, has reassigned all cases previously assigned to new White Plains City Court Judge in an Administrative Order issued May 2. The order appears below:

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me, effective immediately, I hereby direct that 1) all judicial matters currently pending before the Hon. Elizabeth Shollenberger, City Court Judge of the City of White Plains, shall be reassigned to such other judge or judges as the Hon. Michael V. Coccoma, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts Outside the City of New York, or his designee shall direct; and (2) no additional judicial matters shall be assigned to Judge Shollenberger until further order of the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge.”

Leonard K. Marks

Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts

Lucien Chalfen, spokesperson for Chief  Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, Janet DiFiore, confirmed Ms. Shollenberger’s removal from the cases to WPCNR Thursday, telling WPCNR, Ms. Shollenberger has been told to remain at home until she is able to return to her duties. Chalfen said she has not been removed from the court and is still a judge on the City Court. He said no date has been set for her return. It is WPCNR’s information that the reason for the order concerns a personal health issue.

Shollenberger was appointed Judge to fill the vacancy left by the Barbara Leek retirement by the White Plains Common Council in December. A long time Chair of the White Plains City Democratic Committee and Treasurer for Mayor Thomas Roach’s Campaign, Shollenberger joined the court in January.

Hits: 85

(Editor’s Note: if you had troubles receiving clear crisp reception of White Plains Week–light floating bars floated ghostlike across the screen, during its cablecast Friday evening on Altice-Cablevision Channel 76 in White Plains, you can see this must-see program on the internet on YouTube, www.whiteplainsweek.com  and www.wpcommunitymedia.org. The “ghost bars” continue to affect Altice-Cablevision cablecasts today.

THE WHITE PLAINS NEWS NO OTHER MEDIA TELLS YOU

WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE JUNE 2 SHOW

JOHN BAILEY

PETER KATZ

ON

THE CITY BUDGET PASSES, 5-2

THE WHITE PLAINS DEVELOPMENT PLAN: WHY THE MAYOR THINKS IT WILL WORK — THE STRATEGY

THE STRENGTH OF THE BUDGET.

THE CITY RAISES PAY OF COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS THE UNIONS

THE SHOLLENBERGER SHOCKER

THE SALES TAX TAKE DECLINES FROM 4 YEARS AGO

PLUS ANOTHER EDITION OF TRUMP THE PRESIDENT– PETER KATZ’S WEEKLY REPORT ON THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY