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.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2012. From the Republican Parties of Westchester and Rockland County. March 28, 2012:

 The Westchester and Rockland Republican Committees unanimously nominated Rye Town Supervisor and businessman Joe Carvin as their candidate in the 17^th congressional district at the convention held last night. Mr. Carvin will face 24-year career politician Nita Lowey in the newly-drawn district that encompasses parts of Westchester and all of Rockland County.

Mr. Carvin said, “I made the decision to get into this race because I could not stand idly by while I witnessed career politicians drive us to perilous debt levels that threaten our future as a nation. The voters of Westchester and Rockland will have a clear choice in this election between a political outsider (Mr. Carvin), who is laser-focused on addressing the considerable economic and fiscal challenges facing our nation, versus someone (Nita Lowey) who continues to kick the can down the road.”

Carvin continued, “Our nation cannot afford two more years of the same harmful policies if we are going to have any hope of getting the economy back on track and generate new jobs and economic growth. I am very much looking forward to having this dialogue with the voters over the next eight months.”

Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety said, “As a local town supervisor, Joe has earned enormous respect and popularity from people of all parties for his willingness to put what’s right ahead of political expediency. He will bring that same fresh approach to Washington, where party politics and special interests have for too long dominated the direction of our country. Joe is exactly what’s needed to shake things up in Congress.”

“These are serious times and we need serious leaders who have the expertise to fix the financial and economic problems facing our country right now,” said Rockland and New York State Vice Republican Chairman Vinny Reda. “We cannot continue sending the same people to Washington and expect a different result. Joe has the experience and courage to make the tough choices that will help our nation thrive again. I’m delighted that this district now encompasses all of Rockland and we’re proud to support him.”

Mr. Carvin, who announced his run for Congress on Monday, is an agricultural investor who has lived and worked on five continents. He speaks five languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Wolof) and holds a M.B.A. from New York University and a M.P.A. from Harvard University.

Mr. Carvin has refused to accept a salary as Rye Town Supervisor and he has reduced town spending by 25% under his tenure. He is currently working to dissolve the Town of Rye to reduce duplication of government services and help stop the dramatic rise of property taxes.  (Westchester County families pay the highest property taxes in America, according to the U.S. Census.) Town Supervisor Carvin was re-elected to his post last year with 62% of the vote in a Town that is overwhelmingly Democratic.

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Business Council of Westchester. March 27, 2012:

Upon news that the Senate and Assembly Majority Leaders have reached agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo on the 2012-13 budget, the Business Council of Westchester issued this statement:

“The budget agreement reached today by Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Skelos and
Speaker Silver will have positive implications for the Westchester business community.  With
2% or less growth in state spending, as well as a net reduction in All Funds spending for the
second year in a row, our leaders demonstrate they remain committed to fiscal responsibility.

The phased takeover of local government Medicaid administration expenses over the next
three years should result in direct savings to businesses and taxpayers. With this critical element
of mandate relief in place, the Business Council will work with the legislature and state
government to progress other priorities, including reform of the State Environmental Quality
Review (SEQR) process.

With the appointment of Lieutenant Governor Duffy as Chair of the Spending and Government 
Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, the Business Council will continue to forcefully advocate in
favor of structural and operational changes that will streamline the organizational structure of
state government, for creation of a shared services model that will help create savings for the
state, and development of metrics and targets to help improve performance and make
government more open, transparent and accountable.

These fiscal reform measures are only one piece of New York State’s recovery. It is our hope
that the launch of the New York Works Task Force, an initiative designed to develop a
coordinated capital infrastructure plan among agencies and authorities, will help refine the use of
resources and accelerate construction of critical infrastructure. $1.2 billion in new spending for
these projects will literally help pave the road to recovery.

Building on fiscal reform and progression of infrastructure projects including the Tappan Zee
Bridge, job creation is the core of our economic growth. The second round of funding to
implement regional strategic plans developed through the Regional Councils totals $150 million
in new capital funding. The Business Council will not only continue to serve on the Mid-Hudson
Regional Council, but collaborate with our partners to better prepare our constituents to apply
and compete for those funds, and ultimately create jobs in our region and county.

 The General Contractors Association of New York issued this statement on the budget agreement:

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Special to WPCNR from the University of Michigan. March 26, 2012:

America’s economy will continue its recovery this year and next as it adds nearly 5 million jobs and unemployment falls below 8 percent, say University of Michigan economists.

“The performance of the U.S. economy during much of 2011 did nothing to alter the perception that we were mired in a sluggish recovery,” said U-M economist Joan Crary. “Indeed, by late summer economists were considering the likelihood of a double-dip recession.

“The economy regained some momentum during the fall, however, with the closing quarter registering some of the best economic readings of the year. Although the economy is growing at a subpar rate to begin 2012, we expect the pace of economic activity to accelerate over the next two years as the economic headwinds that have plagued the recovery begin to abate.”

In their annual spring forecast update of the U.S. economy, Crary and colleagues Daniil Manaenkov and Matthew Hall say that employment rises at a moderate pace, consumer spending increases, the housing market picks up, vehicle sales improve and inflation remains in check in 2012 and 2013.

They predict that payroll employment will rise by 2.5 million jobs during 2012 and 2.3 million during 2013, an average of 200,000 jobs per month.

“An extrapolation of our forecast suggests that the cumulative job growth during the recovery will finally exceed the jobs lost during the recession in the second quarter of 2014, roughly six years after the previous peak in the first quarter of 2008,” Crary said.

Unemployment is expected to edge downward from the current rate of 8.3 percent to about 8 percent by the end of 2012 and to 7.7 percent a year later.

Crary and colleagues project economic output growth (as measured by real Gross Domestic Product) of 2.3 percent during this year and 2.6 percent during 2013—up from 1.6 percent last year.

They say that real nonresidential fixed investment was a major driver of growth in 2011 and continues to be over the forecast horizon, rising by $113 billion in 2012 and $116 billion in 2013.

“Investment is continuing to lead the country out of the recession as consumption growth remains sluggish and government purchases continue to be a drag on the economy,” Crary said. “Investment in nonresidential construction turned around in 2011. It then accelerates in 2012 and 2013, offsetting slower growth in the equipment and software sector, which remains strong but grows at a more sustainable pace.”

The U-M economists say that residential building is beginning to show signs of life, as well. Single-family housing starts—at an all-time low of 430,000 units last year—will increase by about 100,000 units this year and then reach about 730,000 units in 2013.

Existing single-family home sales are projected to rise by 300,000–400,000 units over the next two years, as housing prices stabilize.

Sales of light vehicles are another indicator of a steadily recovering economy, Crary and colleagues say. Sales totaled 12.7 million units in 2011, up from 11.6 million the year before and will rise to 14 million units this year and to 14.6 million units in 2013.

“Part of the strong showing early this year is related to abnormal weather this winter, with the rest coming from make-up purchases deferred due to Japan-related supply shortages and genuine pent-up demand,” Crary said.

“With the average age of a light vehicle approaching 11 years, many consumers will not be able to delay purchases much longer. While weather-related and “make-up” sales will diminish soon, the release of accumulated pent-up demand should keep pushing vehicle sales higher.”

According to the forecast, core inflation will edge upward to 2 percent this year and drop slightly to 1.8 percent in 2013; the price of oil will average about $102 per barrel this year and about $104 next year; and interest rates, while creeping upward, will remain historically low.

Conventional mortgage rates will average 4 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2013. The 3-month Treasury bill rate will closely follow the fed funds rate, remaining below 20 basis points through next year, while 10-year Treasury notes will rise from 2 percent now to 2.6 percent by the end of next year.

The U-M forecast is based on the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model of the U.S. Economy and compiled by the U-M Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics. For more information, visit www.umich.edu/~rsqe.

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. MARCH 25,2012:

The 49th Ebersole Rink Annual Ice Show wowed over 100 Parents, Friends, and Skating Enthusasts Saturday evening on a great night to skate. Rarely has the weather been so cooperative, delivering a crisp sheet of ice and even crisper skating by 18 solists and about 80 group performers from the Ebersole Rink Skating School.

The evening was highlighted by an advanced Finale Number peformed by the Advanced Figure Skating Program skaters shown below.

Mayor Thomas Roach, Rink Manager Matt Hansen, and Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, Wayne Bass opened the festivities with the Mayor saying what a wonderful skating program the Skating School runs and congratulated all the skaters on the culmination of their hard work.

The Advanced Figure Skaters Executing a perfect Pinwheel in the Show’s spectacular Finale.

Under the Bridge: Advanced Figure Skaters Impress the crowd with their synchronized finale farewell — easily the most spectacular final number seen in the last 15 years of these shows.

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR FROM The Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 23, 2012:

The FBI and local police are hunting a bank robber who may have struck four times this week: twice in New Jersey, and twice in New York City. The robber in all three robberies fits the same description and has the same appearance in bank security video as pictured above.

On March 19, 2012, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a lone unidentified Asian male walked into the Chase Bank located at 125 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, and stopped at the check-writing counter. The man looked around then proceeded to a teller counter, where he reached into his pocket with his right hand and gave a demand note to the teller without saying a word.

After being handed an undisclosed sum of cash, the robber took the envelope full of cash, put it into his pocket, and left the bank in an undetermined direction. The robber was described as an Asian male in his early to mid-20s, approximately 6’0”-6’2” in height, weighing 170 pounds, with dark hair, a thin build, clean shaven, wearing a black hat, pewter color framed Ray Ban sunglasses, black leather jacket, North Face backpack, medium wash colored jeans, and black and white shoes.

On March 21, 2012, a bank robbery attempt was made at the Chase Bank located at 109 Delancey Street, New York, New York, just before 3:00 p.m. A lone Asian male approached the teller counter, passed a demand note to the teller, but fled the bank before obtaining any property. Later that day, March 21, a lone Asian male entered Capitol One Bank located at 41-60 Main Street, New York, New York and passed a demand note to a teller. This time, the robber received an undisclosed sum of cash and fled the location. In both incidents, the robber was described as being an Asian male, age 30-35, 5’11”-6’ tall, and about 180 pounds. In both incidents, he was wearing a black coat, a black fedora hat, and black sunglasses.

Yesterday, March 22, 2012, the Chase Bank located at 460 Bergen Blvd, Palisades Park, New Jersey, was robbed at 2:37 p.m. by a man fitting a similar description as the bank robber on March 19. The man presented a note to the teller demanding money and received an undisclosed sum of cash. He then fled the bank on foot and dropped a large quantity of the stolen money. The dropped money was recovered and ultimately turned over to Bergen County CSI who processed the scene. The bank robber was described as an Asian male, approximately 5’10” tall with a slim build wearing a black fedora-style hat, black sunglasses, black leather jacket, and black trousers.

Again, that description is:

Race: Asian
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10”–6’2”
Weight: Approximately 170 pounds, slim build
Age: Early 20s to mid-30s
Hair: Dark, short, clean shaven face
Clothing: Black fedora hat, black leather jacket, black framed or pewter framed Ray Ban sunglasses, North Face Backpack, black and white shoes

Anyone with information about these or any other bank robberies should contact the FBI in New Jersey at 973-792-3000, or in New York at 212-384-1000. Citizens in New York can also contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public is encouraged to regularly visit bandittrackernortheast.com for additional information, updates, and photos.