Hits: 110
PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY, JIM BENEROFE ON
THE NEW AIRLINE TO BOSTON FROM WESTCHESTER AIRPORT
COUNTY DEFICIT BALOONS TO $25 MILLION FROM APRIL
PLAYLAND HAS BOOM SUMMER–ATTENDANCE UP, REVENUES UP
NEW NEW YORK BRIDGE IS BUILDING BOTH BRIDGES AT THE SAME TIME– INSTALLING PILINGS FOR WESTCHESTER ROCKLAND SHORES THE KEY FACTOR IN FINISHING THE BRIDGE ON TIME.
TONIGHT ON FIOS CH. 45 AND IN WHITE PLAINS, CABLEVISION CH. 76 AT 7:30 PM
and on the internet at
www.whiteplainsweek.com
Hits: 157
WPCNR LETTER TICKER. SEPTEMBER 17, 2015:
Hits: 102
WPCNR PLAYLAND GO ROUND. From Friends of Playland website. September 16, 2015:
Hits: 118
Beacon’s first flight received a special salute from water canons atop the airport’s fire/rescue tankers as it taxied out for takeoff. It’s a tradition in aviation for an airline’s first flight to receive such a salute. Photo by Peter Katz, NTSB Reporter
.
WPCNR FRIENDLY SKIES. Special to WPCNR from Peter Katz, NTSB REPORTER. September 15, 2015:
A new air service was launched today at Westchester County Airport. It offers travelers who can afford the $2,000 monthly fee unlimited flights between Westchester and Boston. Called Beacon, the service uses Beechcraft King Air B200 twin-engine turboprop airplanes which typically are configured to hold seven passengers. Three of Beacon’s four founders were involved in starting a similar operation in California called Surf Air.
The first flight departed Westchester at approximately 11:30 this morning from Landmark Aviation West, which is on the opposite side of the airport from the commercial passenger terminal.
Passengers flying Beacon will not have to pass through TSA screening each time they board, but will be prescreened by Beacon.
Beacon plans to market its service to corporations, law firms, and others who have personnel traveling frequently between the New York area and Boston.
Beacon’s CEO Wade Eyerly, who at one time worked for former Vice President Dick Cheney, said that they plan to expand service from Westchester to include Washington. They also offer seasonal service from Westchester to the Hamptons and Nantucket.
Beacon’s first flight received a special salute from water cannons atop the airport’s fire/rescue tankers as it taxied out for takeoff. It’s a tradition in aviation for an airline’s first flight to receive such a salute.
The water cannon salute also is given to retiring airline captains after they’ve landed on their final flight. Their web site address is flybeacon.com and additional information can be found there.
Hits: 112
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From the Council of Neighborhood Associations. September 13, 2015:
Due to holidays and other events in September, WPCNA was not able to hold our regular monthly meeting on the usual second Tuesday.
We attempted to schedule it for Wednesday, September 16, but after sending out the notice with this date, several people contacted us to say they have to attend other event(s) that evening. It seems there are a multitude of other events scheduled for September 16 that will keep many of our usual attendees from our meeting.
Rather than having the new superintendent, school board and PTA co-presidents address what looks like it would be a very small audience, the WPCNA Board of Directors has decided to regrettably cancel the September meeting.
We apologize for any inconvenience and we hope to re-schedule the Education Forum for a future meeting..
Hits: 0
KATZ BAILEY AND BENEROFE ARE ON IT:
IS THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE 50% “DONE”?YOU BE THE JUDGE: WHITE PLAINS WEEK FLIES YOU OVER IT FROM 1,500 FEET IN THE AIR–DRAMATIC, REVEALING DISTURBING PHOTOS RAISE EYEBROWS
PETER KATZ AND JIM BENEROFE ON 9/11’S EFFECT AFTER 14 YEARS.
FASNY GOES A FILING. THE NEWSBOYS POINT OUT THE SIGNIFICANT PRECEDENTS AT STAKE.
CABARET LICENSING TAKES OFF. AND LOOK WHO’S APPLYING.
MAYOR MOVES TO SAVE YOU MONEY ON ELECTRIC RATES BY BUYING IN BULK FROM INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS–IN SURPRISE LEGISLATION.
HOPE AND GOMEZ SWORN IN.
JOHN BAILEY GAVELS
IN
AN ALL NEW WHITE PLAINS WEEK
TONIGHT
7:30
CHANNELS FIOS 45 AND CABLEVISION 76
AND ON THE INTERNET AT
www.whiteplainsweek.com
Hits: 98
WPCNR HEALTH ISSUES. From Westchester County District 5 Legislator Benjamin Boykin. September 10, 2015:
The Westchester County Health Department is seeking 500 volunteers to participate in an emergency preparedness drill on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center.
People of all ages, including parents with young children and people with disabilities, college students and faculty, community groups, seniors, members of faith-based communities, businesses and the public are encouraged to register in advance.No special training or experience is needed. Playing the part of residents, volunteers will walk through a simulated medication distribution exercise and learn which medication they would be given if they had been exposed to anthrax. No actual medicine will be handed out.
The purpose of the drill is to test the emergency response capabilities of the Westchester County Health Department, including the ability to dispense medication quickly and accurately to a large group of people. Holding the exercise is required by the state.
To join, go to http://www.health.ny.gov/Go2Clinic and click on Westchester to register. Don’t forget to print out the free parking pass. If you need help registering, call 914-995-7425. Walk-ins are also welcome. Everything you need to know to participate will be provided to you the day of the exercise.
Hits: 108
WPCNR IN THE WEE HOURS. Television Review by John Bailey. September 9, 2015:
I do not watch late night talk show television. I cannot last past the monologues same boring little men doing set pieces but not getting to you. By not getting to you, I mean they do not make me laugh hard at all.
Take the silliness of Pinky Lee, the manic antics of Jerry Lewis, the droll innocence of Johnny “the One and Only,” the zaniness of Steve Allen on his old daytime and Westinghouse syndicated shows, and the technique of The Cookie Monster “I’m getting laughs everytime I do this so I’m going to keep on doing it”( and keep shoving Oreo cookies in my face 5 or 6 times) and even turning a guest he did not get into a guest through video tape— cleverly taking Donald Trump news clips and getting more laughs simply playing them than if he had Mr. T as a guest, and dagnabbit—Steven Colbert kept me laughing until 12:35 P.M.
He had Jeb Bush laughing, too, and made the Jebber open up and appear easily the most human of any candidate running for President. Bush got campaign advice from Colbert who would be a great campaign consultant. Colbert’s advice to the Jebman: “You see you almost had some claps there. You have to wait… let the claps build don’t cut them off.” (An epithany seemed to cross Mr. Bush’s face his eyes opened wide and tucked that away.)
Bush looked dumbfounded with a look of sudden realization!
Colbert’s clever adlib, unexpected style of interviewing which fans of the much-missed Colbert Report know well—is brutally effective at bringing out the humanity (or lack of it) out of the images that show up on these shows we have been watching for 50 years now.
Why did I keep laughing?
Colbert showed you and anyone who watched last night that you will not know what’s coming next on his show. He has learned that the major flaw in talk shows is they have become monologue centered and fill out the time with polite interviews and lame bits.
Colbert is only going to get better. He was a little slow starting. He was silly, full of himself. But so lovable, not polished, exasperating and over the top with a humor seeking adlib missile ready to fire unexpectedly at any moment. Future guests take note!
Then came his being taken over by haunted objects on the set – a disembodied voice of ancient God forcing him to push hummus—a Monkey’s Paw that came alive to get him to a commercial break.
Enjoying Oreo cookies excessively piling them into his mouth — while Donald Trump talked about Nabisco closing its Oreo plant in Chicago. The audience despite being VIPs was rolling with laughter. Tomorrow night – look for pie-in-the-face or a pie fight – it always works – seltzer bottles may be next.
Mr. Colbert is deranged and deranged is funny. Unstability is funny.
His interview with George Clooney was highlighted by a spoof movie clip starring Clooney called “Decision Strike” that bore uncanny resemblance to the new movie commercials that just peppered this show.
From his bouncing Pinky Lee impish prancing on stage – his contrite homage to David Letterman (he didn’t need to do that, it just held things up) and his acknowledging his “nation” chanting “Steven, Steven,” Colbert seemed a bit overwhelmed then he remembered to be himself and the show started to roll.
With the CBS kingpin in the audience, with a switch off button, a bit that was not very funny, he was understandably nervous. But Colbert just keeps throwing bits at you and when you start laughing at his flat out silliness, well you pack up your troubles and they just go out of your mind.
Can he sustain this five days a week? There’s so much to draw on that no one does anymore– man on the street, visiting strange places like the Hollywood Ranch Market, he hasn’t even done Johnny Carson skits yet. Also, he announces his own show…
I believe the show will start smoother when it settles into a groove. And tomorrow night he has Scarlet Johanson on — Jeb Bush and Scarlet Johanson back to back…well I may even watch tomorrow night.
If you are used to laughing politely at written monologues that invite polite laughter, Mr. Colbert is going to take getting used to. His cameo bits with rival Jimmy Fallon were cute but contrived. Mr. Colbert is at his best when he is working “concept,” usually preposturous and no one works a concept for laughs better.
He is best alone, He turns every guest into his foil. You see a guest more as they really are.
He and the audience were having so much fun,(bits just kept on going), that he hardly had time for Jeb Bush. Colbert kept adlibbing fiercely, rapid fire and kept the audience waiting with baited breath.
He is a little awkward in celebrity small talk and spoofed it beautifully with George Clooney saying to Clooney it was nice having him (Clooney) on when he did not have a project to plug.
But Jeb got across an image that he is the only nice guy running for President. The magic of the Colbert interview. Through humor he reveals truths.
The result: an hour between 11:30 and 12:35 that actually produces hilarity. You don’t need “applause” or “laugh” signs.
We have not had that since Steve Allen and Johnny Carson. Mr. Colbert is taking talk back to the future.
Hits: 87
WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2015. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators (Edited) September 8, 2015:
Westchester Voters will be asked to decide by referendum whether the County Budget proposal should be presented October 15, instead of November 15, as it is required currently The effect forces the County Executive to give details on his capital budget before election day for voters to determine the administration true budget policy.
Tuesday, the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed just such a resolution to place a referendum item on the ballot for the 2015 general election which takes place on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.
If passed by this year’s voters, the new policy would be in effect in the November 2016 election.
The proposal to be considered by all voters in this year’s general election would amend the Laws of Westchester County, commonly referred to as the County Charter, changing the date that the County Executive is required to submit the Capital Budget to the BOL from November 15th to October 15th each year.
The deadline to submit the annual Operating Budget would be moved up from November 15th to November 10th. The purpose of the proposed changes is to provide more time for the BOL and the public to review the county budget before it is voted on.
The referendum is mandated in section 209.161 of the County Charter which states, “…that said law, which would diminish the powers of an elected official, shall not become effective until submitted at a general election and approved by a majority of votes cast on the question of the approval or disapproval of such law.”
Changing the dates that County Executive is required to submit the Capital and Operating Budgets is considered a diminution of his powers, triggering the need for a public referendum.
The proposed changes are based one of the recommendations from the Charter Revision Commission (CRC). The CRC was established in 2011 to study, review and recommend changes to the Westchester County Charter and Administrative Code.
This was only the second review of the Charter since 1937 and the first in more than 25 years. The CRC spent nearly two years on their review. The current proposal is one of 16 recommendations made by the CRC.
The proposed referendum item was reviewed in the BOL’s Budget and Appropriations Committee which is Chaired by Legislator Sheila Marcotte (R) Eastchester and in the BOL’s Legislation Committee which is Chaired by Legislator Virginia Perez, (D) Yonkers.
Legislator Marcotte said, “This recommendation from the CRC is a prudent one. Producing a sound and responsible budget is the most important job we undertake at the BOL. I favor any measure which will increase transparency for the public and provide more time to the BOL to produce the best budget possible.”
Legislator Virginia Perez said, “It is a rare occasion when we seek to change our County Laws and any such consideration must be deliberative and measured. I think it is wholly appropriate that the very document we are considering changes to, dictates that the final decision regarding these changes lies with the public. I encourage every voter to learn about this proposal and to cast an educated vote in November.”
BOL chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D) Somers, applauded the work of the CRC and the BOL committees who are reviewing and implementing the CRC’s recommendations, “At the BOL, we have been reviewing, discussing and debating the many thoughtful and smart recommendations that came from the CRC. Some deal with utilitarian issues like our budget calendar while others seek to address more esoteric and philosophical questions like ethics reform and whether Legislators should be voting on ethics waivers. All of the proposals from the CRC have merit and serve the collective effort of making our County Charter the most effective and fair document possible to guide us as lawmakers in our current times.”
Hits: 109
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From the French-American School of New York. September 3, 2015:
The French-American School of New York (FASNY) today filed an almost 90-page petition in State Supreme Court asking the Court to annul the August 5, 2015 vote of the White Plains Common Council that blocked FASNY’s ability to build its new school on a portion of the former Ridgeway Country Club.
Filed by Michael Zarin of the White Plains law firm Zarin & Steinmetz, who has represented the school throughout its more than four years of review before the City, the suit describes the Council’s action as “illegal, irrational, baseless and arbitrary.”
FASNY’s case is unusual because, unlike most parties who challenge governmental actions, FASNY is embracing the administrative record in its suit. FASNY’s petition notes that, in December 2013, the Common Council, by a 6-1 vote, adopted Findings pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
The Findings determined that the school’s impacts could be mitigated or “cushioned” as the law requires based upon conditions, including, in particular, the partial discontinuance of a limited portion of a local street, Hathaway Lane.
On August 5, 2015, the Council voted 4-3 to authorize the discontinuance, but the Common Council has taken the position that a “supermajority” is needed for this action, such that the 3 votes in opposition resulted in its denial.
As the petition states, “the Court cannot allow the Common Council to subject an educational use, like FASNY’s School, to a Catch-22 situation, wherein, on one hand, the Council requires by a 6-1 vote a mitigation measure (i.e., the partial discontinuance of Hathaway Lane), yet, on the other, rejects the proposal based on compliance with this mitigation measure.”
The lawsuit notes that the principle basis cited by the three Council members who voted against the school’s proposal was that the partial discontinuance of Hathaway Lane “mandated by the Council would lead to a five-second increase in emergency response times.”
FASNY’s petition explains, however, that the City’s own Commissioner of Public Safety, David Chong, confirmed that this five-second increase was not significant because emergency response times would still be more than two minutes below the thresholds established by the National Fire Protection Association.
The petition characterizes the Council’s action as “a classic example” of why the State Court of Appeals has held that courts are “thrust into the role of protecting educational institutions from community hostility.”
The petition asks the Court to order the Council to approve the Special Permit and Site Plan applications.
The Common Council’s vote on FASNY’s petition to discontinue a portion of Hathaway Lane was inextricably linked to its review of FASNY’s Special Permit/Site Plan Application, so that the Council’s action on the petition resulted in the constructive denial of the School’s Application in its entirety.
The Common Council’s failure to vote on FASNY’s Special Permit/Site Plan Application also resulted in the denial of the Application by operation of law. The White Plains Zoning Ordinance establishes that if the approving agency does not act within 90 days of its receipt of a completed application, its failure to act constitutes disapproval.
Commenting on the case, Zarin said: “We are optimistic that the Court will recognize the Council’s extensive administrative record which was compiled over four years of review, establishing the merit of FASNY’s application, and affirm the majority vote by the Council in favor of the school.”
Andrea Colombel, Chairperson of the FASNY Board of Trustees, said: “We regret that we are faced with this unfortunate situation, but we have a strong case with solid legal arguments. The school has met every condition imposed by the Common Council, as was recognized by the majority of the Council members, and we are confident that after careful review of all of the proceedings by the Court, our plan will be approved.”
The review of the French-American School’s plan lasted more than four years. The school bought the moribund 130-acre country club in January 2011 and that spring proposed a plan to build a school that would ultimately accommodate its Nursery through 12th grade students. FASNY, founded in Larchmont in 1980, currently operates in rented facilities at four Westchester locations.
FASNY’s plan includes the site for the school at the eastern end of the property where the clubhouse and club facilities were located while the balance of the site would become the 78-acre, publically accessible Greens-to-Green Conservancy. The Conservancy would restore the former golf course to a natural state and be owned and operated by FASNY. It would feature a network of walking and bicycle paths open to the public year-round.