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. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

Snow Ending Approximately 1 PM. 9 INCHES AS OF 11:30 A.M.

Posted on February 9, 2017 by John Bailey

Today

Snow, mainly before 1pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Areas of blowing snow. Steady temperature around 26. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 23 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Tonight

Areas of blowing snow before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Blustery, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. West wind 10 to 14 mph.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 30 by 4am. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. South wind around 8 mph.

County Legislature Democrats Introduce Immigrant Protection Act

Posted on February 9, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. February 9, 2017:

Members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Democratic Caucus introduced an Act Wednesday, aimed to alleviate many of the concerns surrounding inhumane treatment of their immigrant brothers and sisters and the fear working with local law enforcement often instills in them.

The bill, titled the “Immigrant Protection Act”, codifies existing County policy while also drawing from model ordinances put forth by the New York Attorney General’s office with the intent to ensure all Westchester County residents are protected.

“In light of recent events both nationally and locally, existing County policy needs to be made law. Too often our immigrant neighbors are fearful of what may happen to them or their family if they reach out to police to report a crime. Additionally, what the Trump Administration has done through its Executive Order and rumored potential next Executive Orders calls for action to be taken locally – and fast.

What this bill does is say that we as Westchester County taxpayers will not use our resources to assist the Federal Government in tearing apart the fabric of our communities,” said Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) and author of the bill.

Reports have been heard all across the nation of increased scrutiny of immigrants. From international airports to stores in Columbia County, NY, hard-working people are being questioned about their immigration status based on where they are from or where people think they are from, what they look like, and what they sound like.

“Not only will this bill restrict the County in assisting in any type of un-American ‘round-up’ of immigrants, it will also prevent the County from participating in any type of registry based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or national origin,” said Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “We are a Nation, a State, and certainly County of immigrants. As a resident of this region, I can not stand by idly as I watch what makes Westchester truly great be undermined by short-sighted and bigoted policies.”

“Westchester County is home to all of us. Not just those with the right skin color, or the right sounding name, or the right zip code. All of us,” added Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “It is our job to make sure that all of our residents feel safe. This means working to erase fear of cooperation if an immigrant is a victim of or witness to a crime, this means working against any attempt to ‘keep tabs on’ on any particular group, and this meaning working to guarantee that all people are treated fairly in our justice system,” concluded Jenkins.

Vice President Defends His Deciding Vote to Confirm DeVos as Education Secretary.

Posted on February 8, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE HOUSE WIRE. From the White House Letter from Michael Pence, Vice President of the United States. February 8, 2017:

Friends,

Today (Tuesday, February 7), I cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education: Betsy DeVos.

The vote the President asked me to cast wasn’t just for Betsy – it was also for America’s future.

Our nation’s success depends on the education of our students. In Betsy DeVos, we have one of America’s foremost advocates for educational opportunity and excellence.

For nearly three decades she has devoted her time, her talent, and her treasure to ensure that every child in America has the best shot at a better life. Countless students have benefitted from her efforts to promote an educational marketplace defined by innovation, opportunity, and real, meaningful choice.

The President and I agree that our children’s futures should not be determined by their zip code. Students should not be trapped in a system that puts the status quo ahead of a child’s success.

Betsy DeVos will have great impact as Secretary of Education. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a public school, a private school, a parochial school, a charter school, or any other kind of school – she will help ensure that every student has access to a good school.

We are grateful to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and all the Republican Senators who stood with us on this important vote.

The President is fully committed to this mission. Today’s vote was the first of its kind in our nation’s history, but the real history will be made through our unwavering dedication to America’s children – and to America’s future.

Thank you for all your help and support.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Pence
Vice President of the United States

Senator Gillebrand Takes a Stand Against Attorney General Nominee Sessions.

Posted on February 8, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR WASHINGTON WIRE. From the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillebrand. February 8, 2017:

ON SENATE FLOOR, GILLIBRAND URGES COLLEAGUES TO OPPOSE SESSIONS NOMINATION FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Gillibrand: We need an Attorney General who will fight every day for equal justice and equal protection under our laws; Senator Sessions has no record of doing that

**WATCH Senator Gillibrand’s Speech on the Senate Floor HERE**

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke on the Senate floor this morning to urge her colleagues to oppose the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions for U.S. Attorney General.

Below are Senator Gillibrand’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. President, I rise today to oppose the nomination of Senator Sessions for Attorney General.

And I’d like to preface my remarks with just a statement in recognition of the outpouring I’ve received from my state, from constituents.

I have letters, I have postcards sent – some with the Statue of Liberty – I have letters from every corner of my state, passionately writing about their views on President Trump’s nominations, particularly Senator Sessions.

I’d like to read one letter because I think it really summarizes the views of so many New Yorkers.

This constituent writes,

“As your constituent and as a Reform Jew, I strongly urge you to oppose the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.

“As the top law enforcement official in the country, the Attorney General has substantial power over the administration of key legislation that advances the fundamental rights of all people, regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin. Senator Sessions’s firmly established record of opposition to the protection and the advancement of voting rights, LGBTQ equality, women’s rights, immigration reform, and religious freedom suggest that he would not fulfill the Department of Justice’s mandate to provide equal protection under the law for all people.”

The letter goes on to talk about his votes, particularly against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, when it was added as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act.

He also talks about voting against the Violence Against Women Act.

“In the words of Leviticus 19:18, love thy neighbor as yourself. Guide us to stand up against bias, prejudice, and discrimination. We cannot place the responsibility of leading the Department of Justice, the federal agency directly responsible for ensuring equal protection, in the hands of someone whose record demonstrates insufficient commitment to key civil rights protections.

“I urge you to oppose Senator Sessions.”

Our country, Mr. President, desperately needs an Attorney General who will reject discrimination in all forms.

We need an Attorney General who will defend our civil rights and human rights – with no exceptions.

We need an Attorney General who will not be afraid to challenge the President if an order is illegal or unconstitutional.

Senator Sessions has not made it clear that he would use his power as Attorney General to stand up for the voiceless and the oppressed, or to stand up to the President when he’s wrong.

Already, in just a few weeks of this new administration, President Trump has begun to test the strength and limits of our Constitution.

He has challenged the separation of powers. He has lashed out against the free press. He has singled out individual religions – and even individual judges.

Now more than ever, we need an Attorney General whose commitment to defending our Constitution goes far beyond his commitment to any one particular President or one particular party.

Would Senator Sessions challenge the President when he needs to be challenged?

During the presidential campaign, when the tape was revealed of then-Candidate Trump bragging about groping a woman against her will, Senator Sessions said he thought it was a “stretch” to call it sexual assault.

He said, “I don’t characterize that as sexual assault.”

We need an Attorney General who knows very clearly what sexual assault is – and who cares enough to prosecute it.

Senator Sessions has voted to make our gun background checks system even weaker, and voted against limits on high-capacity magazines, and he opposed legislation to make interstate gun trafficking a federal crime.

We need an Attorney General who will stand up for victims of gun violence and their families.

Throughout his career in the Senate, Senator Sessions has voted against or spoken out against important legislation, so important to my constituents – the Violence Against Women Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Voting Rights Act.

These are important pieces of legislation that protect individuals from discrimination.

We need an Attorney General who will defend the rights of women, who will defend the rights of our communities of color, who will defend the rights of the LGBT community, who will defend the rights of Muslim Americans and all minorities.

We need an Attorney General who will fight every day for equal justice and equal protection under our laws.

Senator Sessions has no record of doing that, and I have no reason to believe that he will do that as Attorney General

So I oppose Senator Sessions’s nomination as Attorney General, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Right Here on the White Plains Performing Arts Center Stage Saturday at 8: Linda Eder–Broadway’s “Lucy” of Jekyll & Hyde–in Benefit Performance one Night Onlyu

Posted on February 7, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From White Plains Performing Arts Center. February 7, 2017:

A fundraiser this Saturday night for WPPAC showcasing one of the greatest voices of our time

Linda Eder’s diverse repertoire spans Broadway, Standards, Pop, Country and Jazz. As the tragic character “Lucy” in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde, from composer Frank Wildhorn, Eder blew the roof off of New York’s Plymouth Theatre each night as she belted out signature songs “Someone Like You” and “A New Life”. Her Broadway debut, for which she was rewarded with a Drama Desk nomination, sent her already rapidly rising star blazing across the sky, securing her spot as one of America’s most beloved singers and dynamic live performers.

“What do we mean when we use the word perfection? The question arises every time I watch the pop singer Linda Eder….” Stephen Holden, The New York Times

Born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Brainerd, Minnesota, Eder began her career singing in her home state and eventually landed a gig at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City. But it was her appearances on the 1987 season of Star Search, where she won for an unprecedented 12 weeks, that attracted the attention of audiences and record companies alike.

Eder launched her recording career in 1991 with her self-titled debut album and soon established a vital niche as America’s most popular and acclaimed new interpreter of pop standards and theatrical songs with 15 solo albums and 12 musical recordings. Those albums highlight Eder’s abundant vocal gifts as well as her skill for delivering dramatic, emotionally resonant interpretations of familiar songs while making them her own. She followed up with The Other Side of Me, a country pop blend of contemporary music – including a song written by Linda. And, in June 2010, Linda and Clay Aiken covered Roy Orbison’s “Crying” as a duet on Clay’s new album Tried & True.

The concert stage remains the mainstay of Eder’s career. She has performed for sold-out crowds in venues across the country and throughout Europe. She has been featured on numerous PBS television concert specials including Clay Aiken’s Tried & True; Hallelujah Broadway; Linda Eder: The PBS Concert; Best of Broadway: Broadway’s Leading Ladies; Best of Broadway: Love Songs; Jim Brickman plays The Disney Songbook; and more.

Eder has performed at many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Town Hall, The Kennedy Center, Davies Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Wolftrap and the Ravinia Festival. Always touring in good company, her collaborations include the late Oscar-winning composer and pianist Marvin Hamlisch, Tony-winner Michael Feinstein and Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

All proceeds to benefit the White Plains Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization. Contact WPPAC at 914-328-1600, Ext. 13.

New York State Senate: No Need to Background Check Uber Lyft Drivers.

Posted on February 7, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. February 7, 2017:

The New York State Senate voted yesterday to approve Uber and Lyft to provide their essentially “gypsy cab” services statewide, with a 2.2% tax on each ride and Uber subject to regulation by the Department of Motor Vehicles There is one item that troubles me.

Taxi organizations point out that no fingerprint background checks are required to be a Uber-Lyft driver.

Depending on how thorough Uber is in vetting their drivers, you are at the mercy of the driver’s honesty or lack thereof (as with any corporate or business application).

The law the NY Senate passed,55-5, does not require fingerprint background checks of drivers.

I referee high school soccer and softball as a New York State approved official in both sports. I had to undergo fingerprint background checks for both sports before I could referee an inning or a minute of a high school sport.

Consider that the persons who use Uber and Lyft are very trustful and naive. You do not know who is driving a Uber cab. You do not know if they are former sex offenders, muggers, drug dealers, or mentally disturbed, and you do not know if they have been convicted of a crime, because there are no fingerprint background checks.

I have never taken a ride in a Uber cab or a Lyft cab for that reason.

The New York Senate Republicans who voted this bill, obviously are not aware that the new President is concerned about vetting immigrants coming into this country and has concerns about personal safety of Americans.

Calling up one of these “gypsy cabs,” is like hitch-hiking, you never know how good these drivers are, what they’ve been doing before they come and pick you up. Have they been drinking?Do they have a DWI conviction, is their drivers’ license valid, suspended, whatever? I assume Uber checks those. They better.

So far I know of no crimes committed by Uber or Lyft drivers against passengers. Obviously if a person is registered with Uber and a person they are riding is a victim of a crime, they’d be questioned. But, if the victim is dead. Well, no witness.

If referees in high school sports have to undergon fingerprint background checks. Persons who drive the public should, too.

As I recall the “gypsy cab” era in New York City, which is essentially what Uber/Lyft are, some of the gypsy cabs were unsafe, some of the drivers were not safe and the city cracked down on them for that reason.

So the Assembly when they undertake this bill must make applicants and present Uber and Lyft drivers subject to fingerprint background checks retroactively, too. The first person killed by an Uber or Lyft driver due to an traffic accident, a crime committed by a Uber/Lyft driver or their accomplice will result in lawsuit against the state you would not believe.

Could we have some common sense in the New York State Senate, please, and the assembly? Fingerprint background checks, please. What were they thinking of?

Mayor Thomas Roach Issues Statement on Immigration Issue.

Posted on February 6, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From the Mayor’s Office. February 6,2017:

The city website posted the following statement (dated January 28) from Mayor Tom Roach on the ongoing immigration issue and the city position:

The City of White Plains is a diverse, vibrant and welcoming community. As Mayor, protecting the rights of all those who live, work, and visit here is paramount.

In White Plains we recognize that immigration is part of our national story. It was an immigrant, Alexander Hamilton, whose command of artillery held off British and Hessian troops during the Battle of White Plains, allowing General Washington to preserve his army, and ultimately, our nation. The contributions of immigrants to our city and our nation have continued to this day.

The recent executive order issued by President Trump regarding “sanctuary cities” is of great concern. There is no clear definition of what constitutes a “sanctuary city” and therefore we do not adopt that term in White Plains. We believe it is more helpful to discuss our actual policies:

– Our police officers have not and will not inquire regarding an individual’s immigration status.

– We believe enforcement of federal immigration law lies with federal enforcement agencies not local police forces and we proceed accordingly.

– We adhere to the practices outlined by Attorney General Schneiderman in his recently issued guidance to local governments. We were pleased to have been consulted during the drafting of those guidelines.

Our practices represent proper community policing, focused on building and maintaining trust and cooperation between the police and the community. Studies have demonstrated that these policies reduce crime and create a safer environment for all.

All of our policies are in compliance with the law and the Constitution and we are prepared to defend them in a court of law if necessary. We are proud of our policies and will continue to protect the rights of all those within our borders.

Fire Dept Leaders to Address CNA on Staff Shortages

Posted on February 4, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR CNA NEWS. From the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations. February 4, 2017:

February Monthly Meeting: A Burning Issue — Fire Department Staffing Shortfall

The February Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane, White Plains, NY. Our guests will be representatives of the White Plains Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 274 who will talk about “How the Shortfall in Fire Department Staffing Impacts the Neighborhoods.”

Department of Homeland Security Spells Out Latest Immigration Restrictions as of 6:30 PM Friday

Posted on February 4, 2017 by John Bailey

WPCNR HOMELAND SECURITY NEWS. From the Department of Homeland Security. February 4, 2017;

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would like to clarify the classes of aliens affected by the 90-day temporary pause on travel, with case-by-base exceptions and waivers, as outlined in the President’s Executive Order entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”

To ensure that the U.S. government can conduct a thorough analysis of the national security risks faced by our immigration system, the Executive Order imposes a 90-day pause on the entry into the United States of nationals from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen. This pause does not apply to Lawful Permanent Residents, dual citizens with passports from a country other than the seven listed, or those traveling on diplomatic, NATO or UN visas. Special Immigrant Visa holders who are nationals of these seven countries may board U.S.-bound planes, and apply for and receive a national interest exception to the pause upon arrival.

Importantly, these seven countries are the only countries to which the pause on entry applies. No other countries face such treatment. Nor have any other countries been identified as warranting future inclusion at this time, contrary to false reports.

As directed by the Executive Order, DHS is working with the Department of State and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a country-by-country review of the information provided by countries in order for their nationals to apply for myriad visas, immigration benefits, or otherwise seek admission into the United States. This review is needed to ensure that individuals seeking to enter the U.S. are who they claim to be and do not pose a security or public-safety threat.

The results of this review will be provided to the President within 30 days of the Executive Order’s signing. This review, conducted in consultation with our interagency partners, will determine which countries do not provide adequate information on their nationals seeking immigration benefits or admission into the United States. Principally, the goal is to ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward the United States and its founding principles.

Based on that report, the State Department will ask any foreign governments who were determined to not be supplying adequate information on their nationals to begin providing such information within 60 days.

In order to protect Americans, and to advance the national interest, the United States must ensure that we have adequate information about individuals seeking to enter this country to ensure that they do not bear malicious intent toward the United States and its people.

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