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PETER, JOHN AND JIM
ON
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WPCNR 1600 DAILY. FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. APRIL 7, 2017:
AFTERNOON:
President Trump Proclaims April 7, 2017, as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
Read More
Vice President Mike Pence to Travel to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and Hawaii.
Read More
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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. April 6, 2017:
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr., District Attorney for the County of Westchester, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ten individuals with participating in a conspiracy to commit robberies, including at least nine robberies and attempted robberies that occurred in Westchester County and the Bronx, New York.
The indictment also charges certain defendants with carrying, brandishing, and discharging firearms in connection with the robbery conspiracy, as well as other theft-related offenses.
Seven of the defendants charged were taken into custody today. Three defendants, JASON AUZA, GUILLERMO FERNANDEZ and KASEAN GALLOWAY, were already in state custody on other charges. All of the defendants arrested today will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court this afternoon.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, the ten defendants charged today went on a brazen crime spree across Westchester and the Bronx, robbing and attempting to rob at least nine businesses and drug dealers, often armed with guns. We are grateful to all of our law enforcement partners for their work in bringing the dangerous alleged crimes by this determined crew to an end.”
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, JR. said: “I applaud the outstanding police work that enabled us to apprehend these dangerous criminals. This inter-agency collaboration is critical to our efforts to bring down these gangs who have been terrorizing our citizens over the past two years.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. said: “As we allege, robberies and burglaries were the profit making ways of the 10 members of a loosely organized criminal charged group today. Sometimes armed, sometimes not, this crew varied their targets from commercial establishments to drug dealers. Getting criminal groups off our streets is the mission of the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and I’m proud to say today’s arrest meets that mission. I commend the FBI agents and the task force detectives and officers on their hard work and collaboration in bringing this investigation towards prosecution.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment and other publicly filed documents[1]:
From at least 2012 to in or about December 2016 ALEX AYALA, a/k/a “Al Bundy,” JASON AUZA, DENNIS BROWN, a/k/a “Bundles,” NELSON CARTAGENA, ANDRE EMILIEN, a/k/a “Dre,” ELBIO ESPAILLAT, a/k/a “LB,” GUILLERMO FERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” KESEAN GALLOWAY, a/k/a “K,” JOHN NASSAR, a/k/a “Mush,” a/k/a “Big Johnny,” and PAUL VALLARO, were members of a loosely organized criminal crew based primarily in Westchester County, New York (the “Crew”).
Members of the Crew worked together to enrich themselves and their fellow Crew members through thefts, burglaries, and robberies, both armed and unarmed. From 2015 to December 2016, members of the Crew burglarized over 50 commercial establishments in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Fairfield (CT) Counties. With respect to robberies, members of the Crew targeted both commercial establishments and drug dealers.
Additionally, members of the Crew worked together to sell drugs, including drugs stolen from drug dealers during robberies and other thefts, and shared in the profits from those sales.
* * *
Count One of the Indictment charges AYALA, AUZA, BROWN, CARTAGENA, EMILIEN, ESPAILLAT, FERNANDEZ, GALLOWAY, and VALLARO with conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies. Count Two charges FERNANDEZ and NASSAR with robbing a pizzeria employee at gunpoint in the vicinity of Morsmere Avenue in Yonkers on October 5, 2012. Count three charges AYALA, AUZA, CARTAGENA, FERNANDEZ, GALLOWAY, and VALLARO with using and carrying firearms, some of which were brandished and discharged, during and in relation to the robbery conspiracy charged in Count One. Court Four charges FERNANDEZ and NASSAR with using, carrying and brandishing firearms during and in relation to the robbery charged in Count Two. Count Five charges CARTAGENA with transporting over $25,000 in stolen goods across state lines in connection with a commercial burglary in Connecticut on December 2, 2016. Count Six charges GALLOWAY with committing a carjacking in Yonkers on February 21, 2016.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of agents and investigators from the FBI, the United States Probation Office, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the New York City Police Department, the City of Yonkers Police Department, the City of Peekskill Police Department, and the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Mr. Kim also thanked the following law enforcement agencies for their assistance: the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Bedford Police Department, the Irvington Police Department, the Greenburgh Police Department, the Yorktown Police Department, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Village of Pleasantville Police Department, the Clarkstown Police Department, Town of Kent Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Ridgefield (CT) Police Department, and the Danbury (CT) Police Department.
The case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Martin and Scott Hartman, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Abinanti, of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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The Common Council Dais setup on stage at the White Plains Performing Arts Center awaited its Councilpersons slightly before 6 PM Wednesday evening for their apparently final hearing before a vote on the French American School of New York which could be held after 10 days, the final chance to comment on the controversial school proposal to build a school campus complex on the Ridgeway Avenue side of the former Ridgeway Country Club. The process of approval or denial has lasted six years.
UPDATED: PETER KATZ HAS PUT TOGETHER A VIDEO REPORT OF SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S MEETING WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE AT THIS LINK: https://youtu.be/j61B6ew_H6Q
WHITE PLAINS TELEVISION ANNOUNCED THURSDAY MORNING THEY EXPECTED TO HAVE A 5 HOUR TAPE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS WEBSITE AND ON www.wpcommunitymedia.org FRIDAY MORNING
Citizens to be heard on the FASNY issue filed in about 5:40 PM having had to sign up to speak. It was said some 60 persons had signed up to speak, and 3 hours later after the public started speaking, it was still going on.
Mayor Thomas Roach (to right of yellow City of White Plains flag) opened the Hearing on schedule at 6, reading the ground rules for speakers.
The French American School of New York was first up, present two school administrators who extolled the reputation and philosophy of the school, and presented a video. Michael Zarin, attorney for the school throughout the six years of this review, presented how the project had change. He also showed excerpts from the original 6-1 decision that the effects of the French American School campus could be mitigated, where the city in its decision allowed that the parcel A was not environmentally sensitive, which has been the basis apparently for the FASNY contention that the Parcel A was not environmentally sensitive and should be approved for construction of their alternate site plan
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. April 5, 2017, UPDATED APRIL 6, 2017:
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today set in motion a lawsuit to stop or delay the closure of Indian Point, arguing that Governor Cuomo’s secret deal with Entergy and Riverkeeper to close the nuclear power plant cannot move forward because the state did not complete a full environmental review prior to the agreement to shut the facility, as required by state law.
PETER KATZ OF WHITE PLAINS WEEK PERSONALLY COVERED THE NEWS CONFERENCE AND HAS POSTED THIS REPORT ON YOUTUBE–GO TO THIS LINK FOR PETER’S REPORT
Allowing the state to move forward on its plan to close Indian Point without first conducting a full environmental analysis that is subject to public review undermines the basic environmental protections in our laws. Among the unanswered questions that should have been discussed in public before the secret deal was inked are:
The Westchester County Board of Legislators needs to approve the lawsuit by its May 8th meeting so the county can file the lawsuit in Westchester County Supreme Court.
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The School Board’s Choice for Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Joseph Ricca Superintendent of the Elmsford School District
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John Bailey. April 5, 2017:
The White Plains City School District announced today they have have offered the vacant Superintendent of Schools position to the Superintendent of the Elmsford Union Free School District, Dr. Joseph Ricca.
Clerk to the Board of Education, described Dr. Ricca as very experienced(he has been with the Elmsford School District for four years, and that Dr. Ricca is “very excited” coming to White Plains. His contract is under negotiation, Schoenfeld said.
The school district release said Dr. Ricca is the finalist for the position:
“The White Plains Board of Education has announced that Dr. Joseph L. Ricca is the finalist in its search for a new Superintendent of Schools. If a site visit and contract formalities proceed as anticipated, Dr. Ricca will be appointed Superintendent in May to succeed Acting Superintendent Dr. Howard W. Smith on July 1, 2017.
Rosemarie Eller, Board President, said “We believe that Dr. Ricca’s experience, record of success and enthusiasm qualify him to provide outstanding leadership for the district.”
Dr. Ricca has eight years’ experience as a Superintendent – the last four in the Elmsford Union Free School District, and prior to that, in East Hanover, New Jersey. He also has experience as a teacher and principal. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Seton Hall University, two Masters’ Degrees – from Harvard University and Caldwell College, and an Educational Doctorate from Walden University. He also did advanced studies at Oxford University in England.
Applications were received from 40 candidates in 10 states and after initial interviews with top candidates, the Board narrowed the list and expanded the interview team. It included representativesfrom staff associations, parents and the community. Mrs. Eller said, “We wanted to include as many people as possible in the final interviews but were aware that we had to maintain confidentiality, or we would lose impressive candidates.”
Dr. Ricca expects to visit the district several times in the coming months.
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WPCNR LETTER TICKER. From Local 32BJ Service Employees International Union, Hartford, Connecticut. April 5, 2017:
The following statement can be attributed to Hector Figueroa President of 32BJ SEIU in response to the federal government efforts to detain undocumented immigrants:
“Arresting undocumented immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes not only undermines much needed trust between immigrant communities and the police, but it will also potentially end a practice that has been proven to help make our country safer for all. Once again, the Trump administration is creating a dangerous environment where people are not going to feel safe, no matter their status.”
With more than 163,000 members, including 4,000 in the Hudson Valley, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
SPANISH:
“El arresto de inmigrantes indocumentados víctimas de violencia doméstica, agresión sexual y otros crímenes no sólo socava la confianza necesaria entre las comunidades de inmigrantes y la policía, sino que también podría poner fin a una práctica que ha demostrado ser efectiva en ayudar a nuestro país a ser más seguro para todos. La administración Trump está creando un ambiente peligroso donde la gente no se va a sentir segura, no importa su estatus.”
Con más de 163,000 miembros, incluyendo 4,000 en el Hudson Valley, 32BJ SEIU es el sindicato mas grande de trabajadores del servicio de propiedad en el país.
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Gedney Association. April 5, 2017:
FYI…..below is letter that was delivered today to Mayor Roach and Common Council members.
April 5, 2017
Mayor Thomas Roach & Members of the Common Council
City Hall
250 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10601
Dear Mayor Roach & Members of the Common Council:
The undersigned neighborhood associations represent thousands of residents in the City of White Plains who oppose The French American School of New York’s (FASNY) latest proposal for a regional school complex on the former Ridgeway Country Club property.
In 2015, FASNY lost a key vote by the Common Council, effectively killing the project. FASNY filed a lawsuit against the City. Despite a consensus view that the City was on strong legal ground the Common Council on a 4-3 vote entered into an agreement whereby FASNY would put on hold its litigation if the City would review a new proposal which eliminated the pre-school and lower school from the proposed complex.
In reality, FASNY’s plan for 640 students plus teachers and other staff is Phase I of the earlier plan with the exception that the so-called Conservancy would be significantly reduced in size and development plans for the remaining acreage are curiously absent. Interestingly, the School has increased the student population of the middle school and high school from 478 in May of 2014 to 640, a 33.9% increase. This of course does not include teachers, administrators, staff and delivery people.
One of the most unusual elements of the new application was the request that the Common Council remove the section of the property on which they wish to build from the City’s list of environmentally sensitive sites, which would be unprecedented in the City. The entire former Ridgeway Country Club has, for many years been recognized as an environmentally sensitive property. In 2013, the Common Council went out of its way to state that the entire property was an environmentally sensitive site due to its importance to area storm water management. The property is a key part of the Mamaroneck River system and has acted as an integral part of the storm water flood retention system. In response to FASNY’s effort to change the property’s designation the City commissioned two new consultant reports confirming that the parcel is environmentally sensitive. Also, the City’s Commissioner of Planning submitted a letter supporting the parcel’s designation as an environmentally sensitive site. A few weeks ago the Common Council resoundingly voted that the property is indeed an environmentally sensitive site.
The FASNY request to change the designation of the site was an obvious and transparent effort to circumvent the environmental laws of White Plains which require a super-majority vote for any development on an environmentally sensitive site (ESS).
The other significant and frankly unbelievable change in the new FASNY plan is that it proposes to use Ridgeway as the main entrance for the School. FASNY’s proposal is in direct conflict with the Common Council’s emphatic decision in 2013 that Ridgeway could not be used for numerous reasons of which the most important concerned safety issues. It is estimated that the FASNY complex would generate over 1,000 vehicular trips on Ridgeway in the morning and afternoon peak periods. FASNY recognizes that this increase would result in a Level of Service classification of “D” which the City’s own internal analysis found unsatisfactory for residential neighborhoods. Since 2013, Ridgeway has experienced significant traffic increases during weekday rush hours with traffic often backing up from Mamaroneck Avenue to the former golf club.
Simply put, the two-lane, narrow Ridgeway cannot safely accommodate FASNY’s dramatic increase in projected traffic. Ridgeway is essentially lined with single-family homes along its frontage from Old Mamaroneck Road to North Street. Numerous local streets intersect with it, many of which have limited sightlines. It serves as a key access road to the White Plains High School from neighborhoods all over the City. Most importantly, Ridgeway Elementary School is situated on Ridgeway at the intersection of Mamaroneck Avenue which is already difficult for drivers and children on foot to navigate. Should the FASNY complex be built gridlock will result encouraging drivers to enter the local narrow streets intensifying the danger to pedestrians and bicyclists. Lastly, traffic levels of this magnitude will delay emergency vehicles presenting unacceptable risks to the both residents and others requiring immediate response.
FASNY has been relentlessly hostile toward those who reasonably oppose their complex. They have undertaken a well-financed, slick public relations campaign to demonize and marginalize any opponents. Incredibly, FASNY attack(s) the homeowners who pay the City’s real estate taxes, whereas FASNY which will place major demands on City services is tax exempt. FASNY has no one to blame but itself. It purchased the property without normal contingencies, virtually unheard of among non-profits.
FASNY’s plan continues to be inconsistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and presents the affected neighborhoods in the south end with unacceptable levels of traffic that will adversely impact the health, safety and welfare of residents especially children.
The Gedney Association North Street Area Civic Association
Rosedale Residential Association Haviland Manor Neighborhood Assn.
Fisher Hill Association Carhart Neighborhood Association
Club Pointe Homeowners Assn. Maplemoor Pond Association
Glenbrooke Homeowners Assn. Stewart/Ross Neighborhood Association
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Health.April 4, 2017:
Residents in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, Larchmont and the Town and Village of Mamaroneck may have experienced low or no water pressure this morning. The issue has now been resolved and the water remains safe to use. The issue began at approximately 6:00 a.m. and water pressure should be fully restored to all residents by 10:30 a.m. Residents in these areas may experience discolored/brown water due to the disturbance. The water is safe to use and anyone with discolored water should run the faucet until it becomes clear before use.
Editor’s Note: White Plains Department of Public Works Reports the city was unaffected by the water problem which apparently according to reports was with a key valve in the New York City Water System.
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