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 FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. February 10, 2012:

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Janice K. Fedarcyk, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Wilbert L. Plummer, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Joseph A. D’Amico, the Superintendent of the New York State Police, Ramon Bethencourt, the Chief of the Middletown Police Department, Frank Phillips, the Orange County District Attorney, and Carl E. DuBois, the Orange County Sheriff, today announced federal narcotics charges against 33 members of a drug trafficking ring operating in and around Middletown, New York. The ring was led by QUIANE WILLIAMS, CURTIS MACK, and STEPHONE HERRING, who were, along with many other defendants charged today, members of the Bloods, a nationwide gang. WILLIAMS and another defendant, JOSHUA MARTIN, are also charged with firearms-related offenses.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:

“Drug dealing and gang violence shatter the quality of life in a neighborhood—residents are hesitant to leave their homes, children are afraid to play in the streets, and every corner has the potential for lethal violence. We refuse to stand by and let these purveyors of poison destroy our communities, and today’s charges are the latest manifestation of our commitment to rid our street of these dangerous influences. I commend the dedication and teamwork of our federal and state law enforcement partners in our ongoing effort to clean up the Southern District.”

 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk stated: “Today’s arrests are the result of the kind of teamwork that has proven essential in making real headway against gangs in the Hudson Valley. The 9 Trey Bloods and their drug trafficking have been a detriment to the quality of life in Middletown. The work of the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and our partners will continue in earnest, with the goal being the safety and security of all of our communities.”

DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Wilbert L. Plummer stated: “DEA works with our law enforcement counterparts to identify and arrest those distributing illegal drugs throughout our communities. Our goal is to keep our streets safe from drug abuse and the violence associated. The 9 Trey gang has been taken down and will no longer be distributing heroin and crack in the Middletown area. I would like to acknowledge the work of all the law enforcement entities that participated in this investigation.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico stated: “The problems associated with the proliferation of illicit drugs in our communities is compounded by the levels of gun- and drug-related violence that are committed by gang members looking to control the narcotics trade. These criminals have no regard for the safety of the community. This case, investigated with our law enforcement partners over a period of several years, has resulted in the arrest of a large number of violent offenders within these gangs. This case will significantly impact the ability of organized gangs to profit from the sale of narcotics in the Orange County area, and will keep them out of our communities for the foreseeable future.”

Middletown Police Chief Ramon Bethencourt stated: “As a result of this investigation, numerous individuals have been arrested and charged with serious offenses which serve to diminish the quality of life for the Middletown community. Both Mayor Joseph DeStefano and I are hopeful and confident that this investigation will lead to a reduction in crime and make Middletown a better, safer place to live.”

Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips stated: “This operation is another example of the successful partnership forged between federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as that between the Orange County DA and U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. The gang members arrested today use violence to terrorize the community while engaged in the drug trade. New York State ‘drug law reform’ has essentially eliminated the ability of police and prosecutors to dismantle these criminal enterprises, and the federal commitment has helped tremendously to reduce the level of drug gang violence. We are fortunate to have a U.S. Attorney who is as committed to cleaning up the streets of Orange County as he is to cleaning up Wall Street.”

Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois stated: “My office remains committed to partnering with the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, with an emphasis on the Sheriff’s Office Gang Intelligence Unit, which is one of the largest repositories of gang intelligence files in the region. Compiling and sharing this information with other law enforcement agencies, especially the FBI, is a critical component in past, present, and future enforcement efforts.”

The following allegations are based on the indictment that was unsealed today in White Plains federal court:

WILLIAMS, MACK, HERRING, and a number of their associates were members of a sub-group of the Bloods, known as “9 Trey.”

From January 2010 through February 2010, WILLIAMS, MACK, and HERRING coordinated the drug-trafficking activities of the ring, which was known as the “Middletown Organization.” They obtained heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana from a variety of suppliers, including WILFREDO GONZALES, MICHAEL GILES, ANTHONY WEBB, KEVIN WILLIAMS, and RASUN KING. After obtaining the drugs, WILLIAMS, MACK, and HERRING supplied the drugs to 21 associates who were part of the Organization’s distribution network. Members of the distribution network also obtained narcotics from HENRY BRINSON, MAURICE COLON, and HECTOR BATISTA. Associates who were members of the distribution network include: JEREMY SCOTT ALLEN, CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, VICTOR BURNS, LOREN DWYER, TAYSHAWN FIELDS, RAVEN FUENTES, MATTHEW GARCIA, VICTOR GONZALEZ, ZAKIYYAH HOULKER, BRUCE JACKSON, JEROME JACKSON, DUANE KIRBY, LUIS LIMA, JOSHUA MARTIN, DANIEL MISCHIYEV, KENNETH ORTIZ, JACQUELINE RICCI, JORGE SERRANO, JEFFREY SPANGENBURG, CLAUDIS WILSON, and MICHAEL WRIGHT.

Members of the Middletown Organization periodically moved the locations at which they stored and distributed drugs in order, among other reasons, to avoid detection by law enforcement. Members of the Middletown Organization engaged in a violent assault outside a diner in Middletown that resulted in the violent stabbing by MACK of RASUN KING, a defendant, multiple times. They also maintained firearms in order to protect the operation’s narcotics and drug proceeds. QUIANE WILLIAMS, who was previously convicted of a felony, is charged with possessing ammunition, specifically two boxes of Lawman 9 mm Luger ammunition. MARTIN, who was also previously convicted of a felony, is charged with possessing a firearm, specifically a .38 caliber Amadeo Rossi revolver.

* * *

Beginning this morning, federal and local law enforcement officers have been making arrests and conducting searches in connection with the Indictment and investigation, primarily in Middletown, New York. Twenty-six of the defendants have been arrested, and seven remain at large. In affecting today’s arrests, law enforcement authorities seized two firearms—a .22 caliber Junior Colt semi-automatic handgun and a .22 caliber H&R revolver, over 100 rounds of ammunition—including .22 caliber rounds, 9 mm rounds, shotgun rounds, and a magazine as well as $6,840 in cash.

The arrested defendants are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in White Plains federal court before a magistrate judge. All of the defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute one kilogram and more of heroin, 280 grams and more of crack cocaine, and cocaine and marijuana. If convicted, all of the defendants face a maximum sentence of life and mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. On the firearms charges, QUIANE WILLIAMS and JOSHUA MARTIN each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force—which consists of members from the FBI, DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration Customs Enforcement, United States Marshals Service; New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; Bureau of Prisons, New York State Police Troop F; New York State Police CNET; City of Newburgh Police Department; City of Middletown Police Department; City of Poughkeepsie Police Department; Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office; Beacon Police Department; Village of Monticello Police Department; Port Jervis Police Department; Town of Wallkill Police Department; and Orange, Dutchess, and Sullivan County District Attorney’s Offices. Mr. Bharara added that the investigation is continuing.

This case is being handled by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marcia Cohen and Rebecca Mermelstein are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. February 8, 2012:

White Plains Police are seeking information from the public on the identity of a the driver of a dark Toyota sedan that  struck a White Plains man shortly before dawn this morning.

SITE OF HIT & RUN Wednesday morning. Victim was discovered opposite County Optical and Laundromat.

The victim was discovered  by an approaching car, that had to swerve to avoid the victim who was lying face down bleeding in the middle lane of Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. He was lying just past the intersection of West Post Road on MLK, in front of an laundromat a few minutes past 6 A.M. . Two motorists stopped to help when they spotted the victim and reported the downed man. The victim was conscious when he was discovered.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong reports to WPCNR:

The case is being investigated as a hit and run.  The victim is a White Plains resident, 28 years of age, he was taken to Westchester Medical Center as a precaution but his injuries are non-life threatening. Detectives are looking for an auto described as a dark colored Toyota which fled northbound on MLK.  We will be checking area video to see if we can locate this auto. 

Persons who have information that may lead to the apprehension of the hit-and-run driver may call 914-422-6111. Your identity will remain anonymous.

A previous investigation by White Plains police into a hit and run on Post Road was successful in finding the car and driver of that incident, using video tape of the accident. Commissioner Chong urges the driver to contact police on this incident and turn themselves in.

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WPCNR BLACK COFFEE. News & Comment by Nancy King, WPCNR Westchester Roving Correspondent, February 7, 2012:

In the last two years, the County of Westchester and the Westchester Medical Center have been quietly shedding jobs and programs in what is believed to be cost-cutting measures and closing budget gaps.

Nancy King

The County Executive ran in 2009 on a platform that while these cuts would be painful, they were indeed necessary. And so in this period of the Great Recession he did indeed begin to whittle away jobs, services and programs. Most Westchester originally agreed with the County Executive until those who least expected it found themselves in these difficult financial times, needing those very services.

Let’s take a birdseye look at the County services  after 25 Months of Robert Astorino governance:

To save money, inmate health care once provided in conjunction with the Westchester Medical Center and their staff, has been outsourced to a Tennessee based company that specialized in caring for the incarcerated. After much debate between the County and the WMC it was agreed that Ward 29 would no longer receive these inmates. 

It is believed that they are transported to Mt. Vernon Hospital when they need care. You’ve lost some of the staff that cared for these people and the mileage and Correction Officer overtime used during transport also adds up.  So you’ve got to wonder just how those savings are working.

During the budget hearings, residents had three separate opportunities to speak out concerning the cuts that were planned for 2012.  Suddenly,  Westchesterites weren’t too happy about having the number of swimming pools reduced, or their fireworks display threatened.  Still others came out to voice their concern about elimination of Bee-Line bus routes, Day Care Subsidies, and mental health services. They also came out to protest the elimination of  jobs. 

Though the number of jobs to be eliminated originally floated between 150 to 300 employees, it was reduced to around 45 jobs.  Again the County Executive has told residents and employees of the county that they would have to learn to do more with less. Through some last minute negotiations, the County Board of Legislators was able to restore many of the programs and all but those 45 positions that were still eliminated.

Meanwhile up at Grasslands

As the county was eliminating programs that care for chronically needy and the new recession needy, Westchester Medical Center , a public benefits corporation, once a safety net hospital for those in need was also quietly closing their budget gap.  In just a few short years, CEO Michael Israel and his nearly 3 dozen Vice Presidents have closed down the laundry building and have outsourced them.

Patient transport, housekeeping, food service have all been replaced with a private vendor.  This past summer, CPAP, the community based crisis team was eliminated.  This past summer  saw  the  end of the aids treatment program.  This outreach program visited and treated those patients who were housebound.  Union officials believe that the program has been taken over by Medical Research Associates in affiliation with New York Medical College (where Israel is a board member). While it seemed   medical students would be providing those services, no one was able to confirm whether that was happening.

Last month, patients and staff were informed that the Behavioral Health Center would be outsourced to  Liberty  Healthcare Corporation—a  private Philadelphia company  that specializes in monitoring mental health patients.  Liberty has informed those staff members being replaced they are encouraged to apply for their old jobs even if their new salaries will only be between  $12.00 and $15.00 dollars an hour before payroll deductions for health insurance.

Who is Liberty Healthcare Corporation? One only has to Google Liberty Health Care Corp to come up with 66 pages of violations  against the company where allegations run from sex offenders in treatment having sexual relations with staff  to a situation where two patients under Liberty  care actually stole a helicopter.  So what kind of bargain are we getting here? 

Both the County Executive and the CEO of the  Westchester  Medical Center, justify privatization in their respective departments by saying that we need to keep tightening up those belts.  Workers are continuing to lose their jobs, cash strapped residents are losing social services and we seem to be stuck going in a circle.

The saddest part though is that both of these gentlemen, while cutting jobs, programs and outsourcing programs to private vendors in the name of saving money, continue to hire individuals to work in their executive offices.   Both of them maintain that it takes high priced talent to run government and corporations.  It is just sad that those who may not possess their definition of  talent  are left  without a net.

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WPCNR Common Council Chronicle  Examiner. By John F. Bailey. February 7,2012:

 

The Common Council approved a $432,516.82 property tax certiorari refund to AT&T Corporation covering the last four tax years of (07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 11-12) Monday evening. The settlement reduced the assessment of AT& T properties at 360,  400 and 440 Hamilton Avenue $762,900. Those three properties are three of the choice Class A business addresses in the Central Business District.

 

The additional cost of the city settlement to the City School District will be approximately $1.7 Million out of the district coffers.

 

Owner of Soundview Manor making her plea for Bread and Breakfast rezoning Monday evening. The hearing may be seen at http://whiteplainsny.swagit.com/player.php?refid=02062012-151

 

The public hearing on the fate of Soundview Manor as a possible recognized bed and breakfast was opened. Extensive comments were heard pro and con on whether a zoning amendment designating “bed and breakfast” as a “permitted principal use” in the R1-30 neighborhoods: Soundview, North Street and Oak Ridge. The Mayor closed the hearing, and a revised amendment by the owner was submitted for the Common Council consideration. What course lies ahead is unclear at the present time.

 

In other council action—

 

 

*** The Council approved issuing $162,000 of bonds to finance in part the design of a new first floor for the White Plains Library, which is also accepting approximately $65,000 in citizen contributions through the White Plains Library Foundation. That project is expected to be completed within 5 years and cost  in the neighborhood of $5 Million. The floor project will include development of The Edge, an interactive, new media area to cater to youth.

 

*** A total of $131,500 was voted to be diverted from the city water fund to puchase .8 of an acre of woodlands off Chadwick Road to add it as an open space buffer to the city watershed. Mayor Thomas Roach said “anytime you can add space to an existing open space parcel, it enhanced the value of that open space.” He cited the vast open space adjacent the property already preserved. Council President Benjamin Boykin said, defending the swift, secret decision to buy the property three weeks ago in acquiring the property, that “land cannot be negotiated for on the internet or in public. It has to be private.” 

 

*** The council accepted $6,000 from Hudson Grille as a contribution towards acquiring a bomb-sniffing dog for the City Department of Public Safety. Mayor Roach said the dog is coming from Austria and the acquisition is proceeding.

 

Bed & Breakfasts Up in the Air

 

*** The owner of Soundview Manor appeared at a public hearing on the owner’s request for a zoning change that in effect would allow Bed & Breakfast operations as an accepted use in the R1-30 residential zones in the southend of town. The hearing heard a series of pro and con speakers after a lengthy presentation by the owner, which may be seen on the city website.  

 

Three  residents supported the city granting the dispensation, including the activist-lawyer, Dan Seidel, who urged the city to work with the owner to preserve the property by giving her the right to run a bed and breakfast there, as did Carl Albanese, long an advocate for the owner’s quest to have official city approval of a B & B there.  

 

Three property owners living across the street opposed it, due to its bringing transients to the area.  Two residents living in neighborhoods that would be affected opposed it—saying a Special Permit should be sought for such a use, instead of a zoning change now.

 

One resident, Joel Rudikoff of the Oak Ridge neighborhood, pointed out that the request as proposed opened the city up for a proliferation of bed and breakfasts.

 

The owner of Soundview Manor presented a revised copy of an amendment to the zoning she wanted the Common Council to consider.

 

The amendment up for discussion at the hearing, according to the backup material supplied with the Council agenda, proposes conditions that only the Soundview Manor property at this time fills:

 

“An owner-occupied residence recognized as a historic site by inclusion on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, sharing a common boundary with a neighboring property that is non-residential, used or to be used for providing overnight accommodations, with or without a morning meal, to not more than ten roomers and containing not more than five bedrooms for such roomers”

 

According to the backup material, the Soundview Manor applicant’s Amendment defines the Bed and Breakfast be  a “Permitted Principal Use” and that it “shall be deemed to include permission to hold special events typically held at such historic sites, such as celebrate national, state or local holidays, life cycle events or religious observances, including, but not limited to, social gatherings and business meetings.”

 

The Planning Department also notes, “The Applicant’s Amendment further provides that such special events “for interior use, such will be limited to not more than 75 guests;  for exterior use, including the grounds, not more than 150 guests. Parking must be provided onsite or by pre-arrangement with nearby institutional or municipal users with available parking lots.”

 

The Mayor closed the hearing. A WPCNR query to City Corporation Counsel, John Callahan, as to the next step, has yet to be returned as of this report.

 

***  Three public hearings for renewals of cabaret licenses  were scheduled next month for three cabarets, the Black Bear, Wicked Wolf and Hudson Grille. Councilpersons Milagros Lecuona remarked as an aside that the Building Department has found all three cabarets have been found to exceed city-enforced decibel levels in  their establishments and that unless they complied with keeping their noise levels below 85 decibels, the building department would commence enforcement proceedings.

 

*** Three grants for the Youth Bureau were accepted bringing in $126,000 in funds for the youth bureau. Councilman Benjamin Boykin lauded the Youth Bureau fund-raising efforts at securing the grants.  One of them from the Student Assistance Services Corporation, furnishes $36,677 to provide a Middle School Prevention Coordinator as part of the White Plains Cares Coalition.

 

*** The Metropolitan (planned for the intersection of Maple and DeKalb Avenues) site plan was extended another year

 

*** Recreation fees were accepted for the 2012 season with some slight increases, as well as Youth Bureau fees for summer and after school programs. Councilman Benjamin Boykin made it a point that the youth bureau would work with any parent(s) who could not afford to continue to sending their children to the programs.

 

*** Jill Iannetta was appointed member of the Budget and Management Advisory Committee, replacing Saul Yanofsky who resigned from the committee. Chair of the Committee, Beth Smayda described Ms. Iannetta as a persone with extensive experience in fixed income asset management.

 

*** Reckson-S.L.Green was recognized by the Mayor for having one of its properties it had improved, 360 Hamilton Avenue selected one of 10 buildings in New York State as being a state-of-the-art green building with 20% savings on energy and water consumption. (This was one of the AT & T properties receiving part of the assessment reduction and certiorari refund reported at the top of this story.)

 

 

*** Carol Van Scoyoc, Deputy Corporation Counsel (right, above) for the city was recognized by Mayor Thomas Roach (left) with a proclamation declaring February 6 Carol Van Scoyoc Day in the city for her 27 years in public service, for the last 17 years with the city of White Plains, and prior to that ten with Westchester County. The Proclamation came after she was honored by the New York State Bar Association with the Association “Excellence in Public Service” Award. Ms. Van Scoyoc said she was honored by the award and said she was going to continue her career with the city indefinitely.

 

*** Benjamin Van Doren of White Plains High School (right, above) was honored by the city as a Finalist in the National Intel Scholarship competition. According to the Mayor (left, above), he is the only student of 14 Westchester semi-finalists to be chosen to go on to the finals.

 

 

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Ol’ Never Miss

 

 

Ode to Eli Manning and the Giants of the Universe

 

By “Bull” Allen

 

Confetti burst from stands  after  desperate hands of the lame Gronkowski

Fell short of  tumbling pigskin batted to turf by the Giant end zone Posse.

Manning the younger took his place with Giant leaders of yore,

With Danowski, Calligaro, Conerly, Tittle, and Sims who came before.

 

Shock of “aw shucks” hair, cool eyes of a Starr, a Luckman, a Baugh,

Eli the younger of the throwing Mannings, Archie and Peyton exceeded their awe.

Engineer of the Impossible Drive of Giants 08, authored another drive to remember

To his quiet legend of never missing when the game is running out

 

Six Times before he had brought  victory against odds.

Six times the Captain of Fate had defied logic and expert prods.

In a game seemed destined to fall into the evil Patriot lands

 New England with genius coach driving for clinch, Las Vegas clapping hands .

 

Denied by officials reluctant to throw interference flags killing 3 Big Blue drives–

Brady given a touchdown when officials overlooked a blatant holding;

Outplayed by Glamour Boy Brady in the third stanza with Big Blue out of extra lives,

A two-hand drop  by Patriot Welker on way to the TD clincher with 5 to play

Gave Ol’ Never Miss another impossible chance to save the day. 

 

With Patriots coming on  all sides on his favorite down Old Eli Eye Shifty

Spied fleet Wolverine,  fearless, peerless,

Marvelous Manningham double-covered down sideline on the fly

From his 12,  Pats coming in, Eli launched a Louisiana floating spiral to the 50,

Mario, 2 Patriots in panic on his back, pulled her in–dragin’ two shoes in play by a sigh.

 

Burly Patriot scoundrel– mastermind  of tainted Super Bowl crowns dirty,

Challenged the valiant Manningham play. Mario had turned things topsy turvy.

In disarray, Pats watched Burly Bradshaw (Jim Brown for a night) rumble to the 11.

 

Two throws to Manningham of 16 and 2; A Manning strike to Nicks

For 14 to the 18–down to the 7 on Bradshaw cruise rode the 11 in white.

With Eli bleeding clock, Pats had run out of Belichick  tricks.

When once victory seemed certain, anxiety froze Pats’ faces in fright.

 

Bruising Bradshaw powered untouched to TD triggering Thunder.

Darling of sportswriters and broadcasters, the annointed Brady

“Greatest QB of all Time” made his final play.

Vaunted rush by Pierre-Paul and terrible Tuck defense swarming  dread

Found reliable Branch dropping one. Another wing  flew through desperate Hernandez hands and the Patriots was dead.

 

One last Brady prayer floated to the white gang in the Giant end zone,

New England hopes fell with the ball to turf and Brady was, forgotten alone a loser.

Ol’ Never Miss the sharp-shoota delivered one  pass for forever, the winning drive

Inspiring teammates to make the impossible plays to keep the game alive.

 

Manning is the greatest Giant quarterback of them all.

A great person. A quiet “I’ll do it,” Guy who does the toughest job of them all..

Not colorful. Not funny. Not snappy with a phrase. He just makes da Plays.

Throws strikes through  defenders to receivers who give themselves up.

 

He’s the  leader that inspires defense and offense.  Never shows up a teammate

Never whines. Throwback to the no facemask days of

Bobby Lane, Otto Graham. Unitas. He stands tall today

 

He’s the gracious quarterback the press hated, who plays for  the brilliant Coughlin,

The Coach the press did not want. He is grace, good manners, and Captain of Fate

Giant fans will remember  Coughlin years and the fastest gun in NFL-in.

They’ll call him  Ol’ Never Miss, the Giant Greatest of the Great