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WPCNR HEARTLINE. From the Food Bank of Westcherster. December 15, 2014:

For some people in Westchester, the holiday season puts an added focus on hunger.

“Although Westchester is the most affluent suburban county in the state of New York, more than 200,000 residents are food insecure and at risk of hunger,” says Ellen Lynch, Executive Director of the Food Bank for Westchester. “A third are children, nearly a quarter are senior citizens. Many miss one to three meals per week. The fact that individuals and families go hungry in Westchester is real, and the holiday season intensifies the problem.”

Last year alone the Food Bank for Westchester distributed 7.2 million pounds of food, yet many residents are unaware that hunger is a problem in the county, Lynch points out, and they don’t realize how far a financial contribution to the Food Bank goes. “Because we purchase food at discounted rates in truckload quantities, every dollar donated enables us to buy $4 worth of food. That is why financial support is especially meaningful.”

Lynch says the holiday season poses specific challenges for those confronted with going hungry. “At this time of year, those who are less fortunate, particularly in a wealthy area like Westchester, can feel very isolated and a lack of food becomes exceptionally painful. We recognize this and make a distinct effort to ensure that people have sufficient food.” She adds, “A fully tax-deductible donation that goes so far is a wonderful way to give back to your community during this special time of year.”

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Food Bank for Westchester simply go to www.foodbankforwestchester.org

Here are some additional options for donating to the Food Bank for Westchester: 

Matching gifts – Check with your employer to see if your donation can be matched.

Automatic monthly giving – make your New Year’s resolution to help others easy to keep – set a regular donation of $50 or $100 to be applied against your credit card – it’s likely you won’t even notice it and it can make a world of difference to a mom with hungry children.

Stock transfers – A year-end gift of stock or securities can significantly reduce your personal income taxes while providing meaningful support for hunger relief.

Review your long-term financial goals – Create a lasting legacy by including the Food Bank for Westchester in your will or estate plans.

Consult with a legal, tax and/or financial advisor before making any gift that has tax implications. Contact Pat Reino, at (914) 923-1100 or e-mail

patricia.reino@foodbankforwestchester.org for additional information on giving opportunities for the Food Bank for Westchester.

A

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 14, 2014:

There has been an increase in bank robberies in New York City over the past week of this holiday season. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York City Police Department are asking for the public’s help locating the following suspects. Below are details from several armed bank robberies that are believed to be unrelated.

Tuesday December 9, 2014

At 4:55 p.m., on Tuesday December 9, 2014, a lone male entered the Chase Bank at 74-07 Eliot Avenue, Queens, New York. The suspect produced a withdrawal slip with a note which read something to the effect of: “I HAVE A GUN. I WANT 100s 50s 20s”. The suspect then brandished a black handle of a firearm in his jacket pocket. The teller passed cash through the teller tray. The suspect then fled the bank on foot, walking around the bank through the drive through area and heading north on 74th Street.

The suspect is believed to be connected to several other unsolved bank robberies beginning in 2012.

The suspect was described as male, approximately 5’ 9’’ tall, chubby build, possibility Dominican, and in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a gray skull cap, mirrored sunglasses, black and white fringed scarf, gray windbreaker, black shirt, carrying a clear umbrella and a black handled pistol.

Tuesday December 9, 2014

On Tuesday December 9, 2014, at 11:30 a.m., a lone male entered the HSBC Bank at 145 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York. The suspect approached the victim teller, displayed a demand note and brandished a handgun, pointing it at the teller. The suspect fled northbound on Fifth Avenue after robbing the bank.

The suspect is described as a white male and approximately 5’10”. He was last seen wearing a brown flat cap or newsboy cap with earflaps, a winter scarf around his face, a navy blue or black overcoat and dark gloves. He was carrying a black semi-auto handgun.

Saturday December 6, 2014

At a few minutes before 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014, a lone male entered the Alma Bank 213-11 Northern Boulevard in Queens. He approached a banker sitting in a cubicle with several customers, pointed a gun at her face, and grabbed her by the back of the neck, pushing her head down towards the teller window.

One of the tellers saw what was happening and immediately began pushing cash through the teller tray. The suspect stuffed the cash into his coat pockets, dropping bills on the counter and floor and leaving a trail as he exited the branch. The suspect fled west out of the bank, up 213th Street and into the passenger side of a waiting black or dark colored car. The car headed in an unknown direction on 43rd Avenue.

The suspect is described as 5’9’’ to 6’ tall, fit, wearing a black leather jacket, black hoodie, black mask, thick black gloves, black pants, and black shoes. He carried a silver and black semi-auto handgun with a black grip.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 212-384-1000 or the NYPD at 800-577-TIPS. Tipsters may remain anonymous. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

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THE TWO AND ONLY

SEE IT NOW ON

www.whiteplansweek.com

PETER KATZ  

THE ANCHOR FOR ALL SEASONS

JOHN BAILEY

THE CitizeNetReporter

DELIVER HOLIDAY CHEER

ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK

THE ORACLES OF WHITE PLAINS

ON

 THE FASNY SHOWDOWN

SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL NOT FILE A SUIT TO OVERTURN A POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE FASNY PROJECT.

THE STATE LEGISLATORS WANT A RAISE? ARE YOU KIDDING?

THE GREAT TAPPAN ZEE TOLL MYSTERY: WHAT MYSTERY?THE LONGER STATE WAITS TO TAKE THE $4 BILLION LOAN  OR USE THE $5.2 BILLION FRENCH BANK PENALTY PAYMENT, THE HIGHER THE TOLL GETS.

THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OKS ASTORINO BUDGET DECRIES BORROWING TO BALANCE BUDGET BUT DOES IT ANYWAY.

“SCROOGEY” CITY ADMINISTRATION RULES OUT FREE PARKING ON STREET METERS 3rd STRAIGHT YEAR.

EMBATTLED, UNPOPULAR, POLARIZING STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER HEADS TO WASHINGTON IN LINE FOR SECRETARY OF EDUCATION JOB, TIMES SAYS. 

FORMER STATE SENATOR NICK SPANO SEEKS TO RALLY PARENTS OF THE DISABLED TO STOP DOWNSIZING FUNDING AND SERVICES

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. December 11, 2014:

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that a total of 5 individuals have pled guilty as a result of a multi-agency, multi jurisdictional takedown of a major narcotics trafficking ring that operated in the Hudson Valley and New York City.

“Law enforcement from all levels, federal, state and local, collaborated in a multi-jurisdictional effort that stretched from New York City to the HudsonValley. This coordinated effort resulted in the takedown of a major narcotics trafficking operation resulting in long prison sentences for its leaders. Our efforts were a model of collaborative law enforcement and its results,” said Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore.

Between November 25^th, 2014 and December 11^th, 2014:

• Juan Nieto (DOB 3/21/83) of 452 Olmstead Avenue and 2310 Holland Avenue, Bronx, New York;
• Jason “J-Hova” Nieto (DOB 11/30/84) of 104 Patmor Avenue, Yonkers, New York;
• Louis Crespo, (DOB 2/6/83) of 12 New Place, Yonkers, New York;
• Michael “EZ” Figueroa (DOB 5/5/85) of 2323 Walton Avenue, Bronx, New York;
• Braulio Rosa (DOB 4/15/81) of Easton, Pennsylvania,

all plead guilty to:

• one count of Attempted Conspiracy in the 2nd Degree, a class “C” Felony,

Juan Nieto, Michael Figueroa, Braulio Rosa and Louis Crespo also pled guilty to:

• one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class “B” Felony,

Jason Nieto also pled guilty to:

• one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class “B” Felony.

Sentencings will be on January 27^th, 2015.

On May 8, 2014, over 250 investigators, police officers and special agents from the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, New York State Police, Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force, ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, Yonkers Police, Village of Ardsley Police, NYPD and the DEA were involved in the arrests.

The arrests were the result of a nine month long investigation that involved electronic surveillance, undercover buys, pole cameras and GPS devices attached to some of the subjects’ vehicles that culminated in the execution of 11 search warrants issued in New York State Supreme Court and approximately 20 federal search warrants.

As a result of the search warrants or throughout the investigation, police seized approximately $1.5 million in cash (drug proceeds), 6.5 kilograms of cocaine, over 40 pounds of marijuana, 10 guns and several vehicles.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Luzio, Chief of the Narcotics Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Craig Cecchini of the Narcotics Bureau are prosecuting the case.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By County Legislator Benjamin Boykin. December 10, 2014:

The Westchester County Budget for 2015 was passed on December 9, 2014 by a vote of 10-7.  I voted against this “structurally imbalanced” budget because it contains too much borrowing and one-shot revenues to pay for current operating expenses. The approved budget includes.

• $15 million of pension fund borrowing
• $5 million borrowing for tax certs (certioraris), which was reduced from $8 million in the County Executive’s originally proposed budget
• $40 million borrowing in bond anticipation notes (which has never been done before)
• $90 million in tax anticipation notes to cover cash shortfalls (cash crunch)
• $6.1 million of E911 fund balance to pay for operating expenses in the general fund (one-shot revenue)

All of this borrowing will hamstring future county administrations and legislators from any flexibility in operating budgets because of the onerous interest costs associated with the excessive borrowing.  I see that this will cause real problems for our safety net spending in the short-term, and it will end up costing all of our taxpayers more money when the County needs to spend more on bonding for badly needed infrastructure improvements.

Over the last five years, approximately $100 million has been borrowed to pay for ongoing operating expenses, which were detailed in the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) report to the Board of Legislators’ Budget & Appropriations Committee.

The good news in this bad “borrowing from tomorrow” budget is that additional funds for social services that support the neediest in our County were included by the Board of Legislators.  Working with my Democratic colleagues and members of the Republican Caucus, additional funds were added for child care and other social services.

Among other things, the funding we added to the 2015 Budget will provide the opportunity for individuals to have quality child care while being able to hold a job.  By being employed, families will avoid having to rely on public assistance and enable them to be productive residents in our communities.  My Democratic colleagues and I have made sure that our additional spending was fully funded.

Funds have been added to the operating and capital budgets to invest in and protect our infrastructure.  We have to make sure that our roads, bridges, buildings and equipment are structurally sound and useable.  It is time that we create jobs for Westchester residents by implementing the nearly $1 billion in backlogged capital projects approved by the Board of Legislators.

I believe that protecting all our residents, including those who rely on safety net programs, should be our first priority.  As always, I am fighting to keep our taxes low, reduce costs, and improve efficiencies to enhance our quality of life.

This budget is a threat to the long-term well-being of our residents and our county’s fiscal health.  The borrowing will undoubtedly place a future burden on taxpayers.  We are paying millions of dollars in interest on borrowed operational spending.  This will end up costing all of us a lot more in the years ahead.