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.

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 14,2012:

White Plains will vote on the 2012-13 School Budget of $188,822,000 Tuesday with polls opening at 12 noon and closing at P.M. at neighborhoold polling places. They will also vote on three candidates for three Board of Education seats: Peter Bassano, Jim Hricay, and new to the Board, Rose Lovitch (veteran PTA leader). The three are automatic winners because they have no opponents. The election also sees the end of the Donna McLaughlin era on the White Plains Board of Education. 

Donna McLaughlin, right, with former Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors, 2009. Ms. McLaughlin is stepping down from the Board in July,

McLaughlin has been a member of the Board for fifteen years, elected the first time in 1997,  and has decided to step down and not run again this year. She has been a staunch proponent of accountability in school academic programs, and  was the President of the Board when the Board refused to renew  12-year superintendent Saul Yanofsky’s contract in 2001. McLaughlin oversaw the selection of two more  White Plains Superintendents of Schools: She pushed for more accountability and longitudinal tracking of students’ progress but was consistently frustrated by data processing limitations which have only recently begun delivering more useful statistics on individual student achievement.

Over her 15-year term on the board the White Plains budget more than doubled,from $92,635,851 in 1997 to $185,536,466 today. In the last three years staff has been cut 10% and tax increases trimmed from an annual average of 7% to less than 3%, slowing the exponential compounding of the budget. This year’s budget increases  1.77%, while property taxes increase 3.3%.

Ms. McLaughlin will be honored in June by the White Plains Foundation for Education.

At stake in the budget vote is the new wrinkle in what happens if the budget is defeated. If ia resubmitted budget is not approved, the district will have to return to this year’s budget, requiring a $3.3 Million cut.

Hits: 0

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. From City Councilman David Buchwald. May 10, 2012:

In the latest edition of the Councilman David Buchwald Newsletter, the White Plains Councilman announced that the extensive details of legislation and matters the Common Council acts on during its monthly meeting, those “details,” not available to the public unless asked for previously and known by reporters as “the backup material,” will now be on the White Plains City website. Mr. Buchwald writes:

 Did you know that you can now view the same set of Common Council meeting backup materials that Council Members receive? Just go to the City website and you’ll see the voluminous set of documents (the past week, 637 pages) that accompany the Common Council agenda. Electronic copies of the backup materials have been sent to members of the press for some time and the materials were available in paper form in our City Clerk’s Office and the White Plains Public Library, but thanks to Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who sponsored legislation enhancing the Open Meetings Law, and Governor Cuomo, who signed the bill into law, members of the public now have online access to the detailed information behind our local legislature’s agenda. Initiatives like this both provide a healthier democracy and also save costs by making government spending decisions subject to more public scrutiny. And if you always wanted to know what a Common Council Member spends his/her time reading, or on what basis we make our decisions, now you can easily find out for yourself. Or, as always, you can contact me directly.

WPCNR Editor’s Note: To access the backup material on the home page of the city website, www.cityofwhiteplains.com and look for the tag, “Common Council Agenda Backup” in the upper left hand corner of the page, and there you go.

Hits: 0

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. May 4, 2011 UPDATED MAY 5,2012:

 The Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr., shooting of November 19 has been reviewed by a Grand Jury called by Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore. Thursday afternoon the Grand Jury voted not to indict the White Plains Police Officer who shot Mr. Chamberlain in Chamberlain’s Winbrook apartment early that morning.

Going forward the Chamberlain family attorneys promised to file an action with the U.S. Attorney to investigate the shooting death and promised a civil lawsuit against the City of White Plains.

Friday, Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, responding to a request by the Chamberlain attorney released a statement to The Journal News, that his office would review the “available evidence,” to “determine whether there were any violations of the federal criminal civil rights laws.”

The Journal  News also reported Saturday morning, citing a news story in the former Reporter Dispatch that “Mr. Chamberlain was acquitted of the November 14, 1970 murder of a motorist in a traffic accident and fatally shot him with the .38 caliber revolver that he (Chamberlain) carried as a correction officer. He was acquitted in 1973.”

Acccording to a document in the extensive evidence packet released by the White Plains Department of Public Safety to WPCNR Friday afternoon, the police dispatcher first dispatched a Transcare Ambulance to the Winbrook complex he received a Life Station Medical Alert. The document, for the first time reveals a glimpse of Mr. Chamberlain’s background with the police while living at Winbrook, and indicates why police officers were sent after the Transcare ambulance was dispatched. Police Officer V. Battaglia wrote in a written statement that–

“Initially, I dispatched Transcare Ambulance-1 to the scene with Car 11 (PO Love). I started to check computer history for Chamberlain and the location (135 South Lexington Avenue). This check showed that Chamberlain had numerous prior arrests including narcotics offenses, multiple disputes with other residents (of 135 South Lexington Avenue),and several emotionally disturbed person calls. Specifically, on 6-5-2011 officers were dispatched to the apartment for a welfare check on Chamberlain (Incident#11-21218). The call narrative indicated that there was an emotionally disturbed person at that location who was not making any sense.”

In separate statements issued Thursday afternoon, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said he would ask the Common Council to authorize a panel to review and recommend updating of police practices in dealing with the public to assure better outcomes in confrontatins between police and citizens in the future.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong promised to complete a separate internal review of police procedures. District Attorney DiFiore promised her own review of procedures of the White Plains Police Department.

Chong also released pages of evidence and audio tapes gathered in the investigation which indicated the deceased Chamberlain had made violent threats against the officers demanding him to come out of his apartment. Portions of audio were played on media reports last night.

Chamberlain was heard on News 12, saying on a tape recording, “The first one through that door I’m going to kill,” “OK somebody’s going to die tonight,” “I am protecting myself,” “Come on in. Shoot me if you want to,” and “They’re breaking my door down.”

The White Plains Police Benevolent Association issued a statement regretting Chamberlain’s death and respecting the Grand Jury decision, while criticising the district attorney’s release of evidence to the Chamberlain attorneys, writing:

“We would call upon the District Attorney to re-evaluate the decision to allow the Chamberlain Family Attorneys access to evidence, after those attorneys, in our opinion, repeatedly demonstrated an utter disregard for the truth and recklessly inflamed this tragic incident.”

Here are those statements of key officials on the matter:

Mayor Thomas Roach issued this statement Thursday at 3:02 PM to WPCNR on the Grand Jury decision not to indict the White Plains Policer who shot Mr. Chamberlain, Sr.:

“I would like to thank District Attorney Janet DiFiore and the Grand Jury for their hard work reviewing this tragic incident. I respect the process they followed and commend them on carrying out a thorough investigation, as I believe was owed to the late Mr. Chamberlain, his family, the police officers involved and our community.

Now that the process is concluded the Public Safety Department will be making copies of police investigative materials, including copies of video and audio recordings, available to members of the media.

While the work of the DA and Grand Jury has concluded, our work as a City and a community is far from over. A timely, professional, comprehensive and independent review of the policies and procedures of our Public Safety Department is essential.

Toward that end, Public Safety will be completing a full review of all aspects of the incident to determine whether protocols and procedures were followed, including the actions of all police personnel involved.

Additionally, I will be seeking authorization from the Common Council for funding to have a panel of experts conduct a thorough review of our policies and procedures and provide us with a report recommending improvements and “best practices.” This panel will be chaired by Dr. Maria R. Haberfeld, Professor and Chair of the Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an internationally recognized expert in police policy and procedure.

White Plains is a great city but more importantly, a great community. Working together, we will move forward and bring positive change from this tragedy.”

The Westchester District Attorney, Janet DiFore issued statement approximately 2:15, stating in part:

“The death of Kenneth Chamberlain,Sr., inside his apartment in connection with his encounter with White Plains police officers on November 19, 2011 was a tragedy on many levels. The grand jury heard all the evidence on the use of physical force and deadly physical force by the police in this encounter. The grand jury also heard the evidence of the threatened use of deadly physical force by Mr. Chamberlain during the encounter. As required by law, the grand jury was instructed on the defense of justification under Article 35 of the penal law as to the use of force and deadly physical force by the police. After due deliberation on the evidence presented in this matter the grand jury found that there was no reasonable cause to vote an indictment.”

The White Plains Police Benevolent Association earlier at 1:02 P.M. Thursday released this statement on the Grand Jury decision to not bring criminal charges against the White Plains Policeman:

“We (the WPBA)would like to say that we mourn the tragic death of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.

Every Police Officer’s worst nightmare is to be forced to take a life.

We would like to thank the Grand Jury for having the courage to objectively evaluate the evidence and reach the obvious conclusion that Officer Carelli’s actions were necessary and justified to save the life of Sgt. Martin.

While we are grateful to the District Attorney’s Office for their impartial investigation and their fair and complete presentation of the FACTS and EVIDENCE to the Grand Jury.

We would call upon the District Attorney to re-evaluate the decision to allow the Chamberlain Family Attorneys access to evidence, after those attorneys, in our opinion, repeatedly demonstrated an utter disregard for the truth and recklessly inflamed this tragic incident.

The PBA strongly believes that the intentional, irresponsible and unethical actions of the Chamberlain Family Attorneys put the lives of our Officers and our Community at risk. “

According to police reports, Chamberlain was shot after he reportedly threatened officers responding to medical Lifeline alert, by brandishing a knife at the officers in what police described as close quarters.

Hits: 0

WPCNR SOUTH END NEWS. May 1, 2011:

White Plains Superintendent of Schools Christopher P. Clouet will present the 2012-2013 proposed School Budget at the May meeting of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA).​

Dr. Clouet will be assisted by Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred W. Seiler. They will present the 2012-2103 Budget scheduled for adoption by the School Board April 30. An extended question and answer period will follow. The meeting will be held at Education House at 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains, NY at 7:30 pm tonight. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend and participate.​​

To preview the 2012-2013 School Budget, download it from the School District website: http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/cms/lib5/NY01000029/Centricity/Domain/56/budget/WP_City_School_District_2012-13Budget.pdf

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of  Communications. April 26, 2012:

County Executive Robert P. Astorino, in his third State of the County Address, said that his administration has made substantial progress in controlling taxes and spending and promoting economic development, while at the same time providing essential services to the almost 1 million people of the county. He also announced a new 7-year agreement with the Teamsters Union.

            “This is what governing should look like,” he said Wednesday night in his annual address to the Board of Legislators and the public, held at the County Courthouse in White Plains. “And when it does, you have government that is financially strong, operationally effective and passionately on the side of the people. That’s the kind of government I am committed to and that the residents of Westchester deserve.”

            Astorino used the occasion of the speech to announce that Teamsters Local 456 has become the first county government union to agree to contribute to the costs of their health care. Since taking office, Astorino has been appealing to all unions for health care contributions, saying taxpayers can no longer afford on their own to pay the entire $140 million annual costs of union health care.   

“Our Teamsters union has approved a new contract, which I hope will stand as a model for our seven other unions,” he said.

The seven-year contract provides a series of modest salary increases and freezes and – for the first time – includes a provision for the union members to contribute to the cost of their health care. The rank and file members of the union, which represents managers, overwhelmingly approved the contract Tuesday night. It now must be approved by the Board of Legislators.

“Once again I am asking our other employee unions and their leaders to please work with me to find savings to preserve jobs,” Astorino said. “Let’s save as many jobs as possible.”

The agreement with the Teamsters comes as Astorino reiterated his commitment to submit a budget for next year with a zero-percent tax levy increase. It will be the third such budget with no tax-levy increase that Astorino has proposed.

“It is well known to everyone in this room and watching at home that Westchester County has the highest property taxes in the United States. But a new fact is emerging,” he said. “County taxes are down. After two years in office, the county tax levy is down 2 percent. And my vow to keep taxes down has not changed.”

The greatest obstacle, he said, remains the unfunded mandates forced on the county by Albany.

This year, nine state mandates will consume 82 percent of Westchester County’s tax levy, Astorino said, adding: “We have no control over the bills Albany sends us and the state has no self control over the size of the bills it sends us. The result is a cost explosion that threatens to bankrupt us… Big bucks for state bureaucrats and pennies for our parks, our day care, our buses, our flood prevention, our public safety, our seniors and our veterans.”

These state mandates include the costs of employee pensions, Medicaid, services for pre-school children with disabilities, among many others. This year, Westchester’s expected pension bill is $79 million. Next year, it is projected to increase to $91 million and the year after that to $105 million.

“Where is the money going to come from? “ Astorino asked. “It is not going to come from raising property taxes under my watch.”

The pension reform enacted by Albany this year may give some help in the distant future with new employees, he said, but does nothing now. “The savings will take 30 years to fully kick in…Local communities and school districts here at home need help and they need it right now,” he said.

Astorino thanked Gov. Cuomo for his efforts to break the status quo in Albany. He said that his own number one legislative priority is to put together a statewide coalition of county executives, mayors, school boards and others “to build a united front to show Albany its days of running from accountability, hiding from economic reality and dividing constituents against one another must come to an end.”

While the county’s economy is improving, Astorino said revenues coming into county coffers will be flat and insufficient to offset the increased expenses. Therefore, the only way he will be able to balance the budget for next year will be by making further cuts in spending. Since taking office spending has been reduced 7 percent.

“We have made tremendous progress because we’re asking the right questions and treating tax dollars like our own,” he said. “But just cutting won’t get the job done.” Rather, there must be continued emphasis on efficiency and making sure the county delivers the most services for every dollar spent, he said.

–

For example, this year he cancelled a bus route in Rye that was costing the county $240,000 a year to service 30 passengers. It was replaced with a change in another route that improved services for some of the same riders.

“Savings are critical in order to keep fares down, maintain the fleet and meet growing ridership demands,” he said. “The long-term viability of our bus system depends on our ability to stretch every dollar as far as possible.”

In March, the Transport Workers Union and Liberty Lines, the private company that operates the county’s Bee-Line bus system, agreed to a new four-year contract that includes some union concessions on health care – such as increased worker contributions and different coverage options.

While stressing that he supports collective bargaining and is himself a dues-paying union member of AFTRA, Astorino renewed his call for all of the county government’s unions to make similar concessions to that of the transit workers and now the Teamsters local. The county’s seven other unions, including its largest – the Civil Service Employees Association – currently have expired contracts.

Despite the county’s financial challenges, Astorino pledged to continue to maintain the county’s safety net for its most needy. Currently, the budget for the Department of Social Services is about half a billion dollars.

“My support to the county’s safety net has not wavered since I took office,” he said, crediting the good work of the department’s employees for its accomplishments, including national recognition for its work with children in foster care.

Elder care is another area where Westchester County is a national leader, he said. Beyond the services provided by the Department of Senior Programs and Services, Astorino said. “My commitment to seniors begins with my commitment to all residents to keep their taxes from rising.”

Astorino opened his address recognizing the heroism of Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, formerly of Yonkers, who was killed last August in Afghanistan. He also pledged the help of the county’s new Veterans Coalition to provide resources to returning veterans about jobs, health care, mental health services and more. “We can never forget the debt we owe to our veterans,” he said.

In the course of the speech, Astorino paid special tribute to certain non government people for their efforts to make the county a better place: Noel D’Allaco, the founder of Operation Prom, which collects used prom dresses and distributes them to teens who might otherwise not be able to afford to attend their proms; and the volunteers, including Larry Wilson of the Turf and Landscape Association, who helped the county with the clean up of the Bronx River during River Rescue, and the more than 1,000 who helped with Pitch in for Parks.

Astorino also used the speech to outline the status of several key issues that affect county residents:

· Tappan Zee Bridge: “My position is very straight forward. The new bridge needs to be built as soon as possible and we need to do it right.” This means making sure that a mass transit component is included. He said he believed a Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, is the best answer.

· The environment: The county has so many environmental-related events going on in April that Astorino declared it “Earth Month.” This included Earth Day itself, the opening of a new Household Materials Recovery Facility in Valhalla and the completion of the final major stretch of the combined North and South County Trailways. “Good government and good stewardship of the environment go hand in hand, and I am committed to both,” he said.

· Economic Development: In March, Astorino called on private entities to submit proposals for development of 60 vacant acres on the north part of the Grasslands Reservation, possibly for use for bio-tech. A growing group of bio-tech companies have been making Westchester their home, and Astorino would like to see this developed further. “There is no reason why the North 60 can’t be the start of the next Silicon Valley or Research Triangle and the home of medical cures and technological breakthroughs,” he said. In addition, he renewed his call for the Board of Legislators to approve his more than $80 million in capital projects that he has sent to them, which would improve roads and bridges, create 550 construction jobs and boost the local economy. He also announced progress with the ongoing effort to streamline county regulations to make it easier for nonprofit agencies to apply for contracts. One of the biggest draws to Westchester continues to be its highly educated workforce, he said, which has also kept unemployment relatively low in the county.

· Housing Settlement: Despite Astorino’s opposition to the settlement negotiated by the previous administration, Westchester will continue to meet its obligations to help build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 communities over 7 years. Westchester is currently almost a year ahead of schedule in meeting the benchmarks included in the settlement. This progress has been made by working cooperatively with local communities. The county will continue to challenge efforts by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand the requirements beyond what is stated in the settlement.

Astorino said he will continue to be guided by the three principles he laid out upon taking office:

· Protect taxpayers

· Preserve essential services

· Promote economic growth

“For county government in 2012, our biggest accomplishment may be having the will to try to fix what’s broken,” he said. “Has every decision I’ve made been popular? No. Has every action succeeded? No. But in no case have we been afraid to confront problems as they exist.”

“We have everything it takes to make Westchester better today and even stronger tomorrow,” he said in conclusion.