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 THE WHISTLEBLOWER. From a WPCNR Correspondent. October 5, 2011:

WPCNR received a call from an expert fish hobbyist who keeps Japenese fighting fish in their home. The Betta fancier was distressed by a visit to Wal Mart in downtown White Plains over the weekend, noticing  Japanese Betta fish for sale there appeared to be in poor condition, in unsavory water, and notified Wal Mart officials at the store of the situation, in hopes the store could improve care of the fish they sell.

Photograph White Plains Wal Mart betta fish October 1, 2011.

The correspondent noticed the Wal Mart Bettas had split fins, floated listlessly at the bottom of their containers which were filled with cloudy water. The split-fin condition, our correspondent says, is a sign the fish are in poor health, and is concerned that Wal Mart is not providing or selling healthy betta fish. The correspondent felt that the fish were living creatures that deserved an effort by the store at keeping them in a healthy environment.

Here is our correspondent’s report after revisiting the store Monday of this week:

I have just arrived home from another expedition to Wal Mart, only to find my concerns multiplied.

Yesterday (10/2) I went in to the store and spoke with a manager named Beverly.  She was aware of my call to corporate and claimed that the problems with the live fish had been resolved.  When I stated that I had photos and that no changes had taken place, she hedged and stated, “Well, we thought it was the tanks…not the Bettas….we keep them in the water from the acquarium.” 

Her lack of knowledge was appalling. I simply stated to her, “Anyone can see those fish are sick and dying.  You don’t need to be an expert to know it.”  She promised me the fish would be tended to…but, as you can see from pictures I took tonight (Tuesday evening), that is simply not the case.

Wal Mart Betas, October 1

Healthy Betta in correspondent’s home fish tank (above) in 2.5 gallon tank, filtered water. Note flourishing tail plumes and animated observance of fish’s reflection inside of tank in contrast with the Wal Mart Bettas in top picture.

Wal Mart Bettas, photographed October 3 after numerous phone calls to Wal Mart attempt to improve the conditions.

I will call Corporate again tomorrow and get the name of whomever I speak with. I still have two voice mail messages from the local store (in response to my call to Corporate) on Friday.

I am also sending you some pics of what healthy Betta fish look like–they are often called “Japanese Fighting Fish” and you’ll probably recognize them right away.

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WPCNR BOOK CHAT. October 5, 2011:

If you stop by Starbucks at Renaissance Square in downtown White Plains, New York, USA,  the chatty, high energy morning manager, Theresa McCarty serves you with efficiency and a smile.

But, did you know she is “The Cook of Champions,” accomplished personal chef, having been Yankee Manager Joe Torre’s personal cook for Joe and his family for years?  Now, she’s also a published author having held a book signing this week for her new cook-philospher book, Step Up to the Plate: My Recipes for Life.

Theresa McCarty  Philosopher-Chef

Her new cookbook, Step Up to the Plate has a unique niche. In addition to Ms.McCarty’s insights as to how to make the most of yourself and be ready to seize opportunities she shares everyday and special day recipes she made for Joe Torre’s family and many Yankee greats you’ll recognize. 

What is significant and helpful about the easy-to-follow recipes for dishes (45 of them) she prepared in a special way for the Torres, they were prepared with special ingredients that help the body fight cancer with the same tasty result. As many know, Mr.Torre, having contracted prostate cancer and survived it, and together with Ms. McCarty and his nutritionist, the author prepared dishes he enjoyed prepared with powerful, documented cancer-fighting incredients and nutrients.  

She  gives you definitions of key cancer-fighting ingredients and weaves them into staple dishes  as well as appetizers, desserts, hors d’oeuvres.  Drop on by Starbuck’s any weekday morning in downtown White Plains New York USA and discuss her book with her and how they can help you prepare fare that is tasty, mainstream, hearty and helps your body strengthen itself against cancer.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. October 4, 2011:

The Council as expected extending the moratorium on decision-making involving development of recreation lands not owned by the city Monday evening, with Councilpersons emphasizing the moratorium does not in any way restrict the march to a decision on the French American School of New York project.

In the opening hearing on the FASNY project that proposes to build three schools, a gymnasium and performing arts facility on the former Ridgeway club property, 43 persons had signed up to speak. As it turned out the majority were in favor of the FASNY project with 20 speakers supporting FASNY, and  8 speaking opposing the project. A number of speakers whose names were called by Mayor Tom Roach had left the building.

Robert Stackpole, a Gedney resident and Terrence Guerriere, President of the Gedney Association lead off the Scoping action. Stackpole raised the issue that the French American School had not clarified in detail what they would do with the Gedney Preserve they propose to hand over to the city. Stackpole under SEQRA law any property where development is proposed has to make proposal in specifics for all the property, not just the area the developer wants to build on. For that reason alone, with no specific details on the preserve proposed, Stackpole said the process should start over. Stackpole also argued that the wetlands and the alleged “dam” at the lake inside the Ridgeway property that experience high water in recent weeks, had to be addressed (though a detailed presentation last week, noted the school plans to address stormwater and the lake with more remediation equipment than has ever been used or in use while the property was a golf course. 

Guerriere agreed on the segmentation charge, and followed up saying his organization had sent a letter to city hall asking for the cancellation of tonight’s hearing for that reason that the project was being sermented. The Mayor noted to Mr. Guerriere the letter had been received by e-mail by the Mayor at 3:40 Monday afternoon, not in time to be considered in depth. Guerriere asked that the people of Gedney Farms be considered, and demanded an examination of the noise the new school would cause as well as the traffic considerations.

The majority of FASNY supporters had children attending the French American School and spoke of positives the school presence at Ridgeway would bring. A realtor who lives in Larchmont on a boat, said she worked for FASNY and it is her experience that Larchmont has had a number of parents of FASNY students move into Larchmont as a result. FASNY ability to attract homebuyers to White Plains had been doubted by several of the anti-FASNY speakers.

At the close of the hearing a represnetative for FASNY rebutted the Stackpole segmentation argument saying that the school would provide specific details on the finished Draft Environmental Impact Statement and questions on parking, traffic, bussed students versus drop-off students, hours of operation, a host of issues would be answered in the process.

The meeting adjourned at 11 P.M., with the Common Council allowing the public to send in written comments to the City Clerk, 255 Main Street up until 5 P.M. November 4.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli. October 3, 2011:

Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli was joined by state and local officials from across the Hudson Valley on Monday to announce bipartisan legislation (A.8644) that will structurally reform the cost administration of New York State’s Medicaid system by incrementally transferring full responsibility for funding the $44 billion program to the State – gradually eliminating the local share traditionally paid by county governments.

“This is one of the most historic pieces of legislation to be introduced in decades,” said Stephen Acquario, president of the New York Association of Counties. “Counties have made a tremendous sacrifice over the last 50 years.”

“Westchester’s property owners face the highest real property tax rates in the country, with tax rates going higher every year,” Castelli said. “The burden of federally mandated services is already difficult enough for counties to bear. With the active assistance of the state in mandating almost every optional service that may become available under Medicaid, it is critical to note that New York is one of only a handful of states that requires local government pay any portion of Medicaid costs. If the state wishes to provide an optional service, it is time for the state to pay for that service.”    

The legislation has garnered widespread support from local officials across the New York State. It mirrors similar legislation (A.1334) Castelli had introduced after taking office in 2010, that required the State to immediately assume responsibility for funding Medicaid. 

The proposal initially freezes local Medicaid costs, providing $180 million in immediate local savings by eliminating the automatic three percent annual spending increase currently required by statute. Starting in the third quarter of 2012, the local share would then be reduced by five percent, providing counties with an additional $75 million – totaling $255 million in savings for county governments.

Between 2012 and 2019, local Medicaid costs will continue to be gradually reduced as the state assumes an increasing share of the burden. The end result would completely eliminate Medicaid costs from county budgets, providing municipal governments with the flexibility to substantially reduce local property taxes. 

In attendance with Castelli were State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R, C , I – Erie, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario), Roy McDonald (R, C – Saratoga), and David Carlucci (D, I – Clarkstown), as well as Assemblymembers Amy Paulin (D, I, WF – Scarsdale), Dr. Steve Katz (R, I – Mohegan Lake), Ellen Jaffee (D – Suffern) and local officials.

“Without comprehensive changes to the cost structure of Medicaid, county governments are going to be faced with extremely regrettable choices.  The tax cap will only work as intended to address the property tax burden in New York State if we provide the corresponding mandate relief on local budgets,” Paulin said. “This proposal will permit local governments to control taxes, while ensuring they are able to continue providing the essential services working families rely on.” 

Under New York’s current Medicaid structure, the program is funded by state and local governments, with matching funds provided by the federal government. Medicaid costs mandated by the state represent the largest item in nearly every county’s budget: on average, Medicaid accounts for 45 percent of an individual county’s local property tax levy.  In Westchester County, property owners pay the highest real estate taxes in the United States.

“This is a great step towards providing the unfunded mandate relief that our Counties so desperately need,” Katz said. “I fully support Assemblymembers Castelli and Paulin in this effort, and I am proud to stand here today with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue the fight to make New York more affordable.” 

Local Medicaid costs are expected to increase $2.6 billion by 2025 if nothing is done to provide county governments with some form of Medicaid mandate relief.

“Freezing local costs for next fiscal year by eliminating the automatic three percent increase in Medicaid will provide immediate relief to local governments struggling to make ends meet under the constraints of the new property tax cap,” Gallivan said. “This legislation implements responsible and realistic reforms that will ensure taxpayers won’t continue to bear the brunt of county governments’ ever increasing Medicaid burden.” 

Senator McDonald added, “Medicaid is the largest unfunded mandate imposed on local governments by the State. This has resulted in New Yorkers paying the highest local taxes in the nation. It is essential that we address the unsustainable local costs of Medicaid and implement responsible and realistic reforms to relieve the local mandate and tax burden.” 

The issue is too important, McDonald insisted, for dialogue among state representatives to be put off until the opening of the legislative session in January 2012:  “The session begins now.”

The new legislation takes advantage of the Medicaid spending cap provision enacted in this year’s State Budget prohibiting the State from increasing spending on Medicaid by more than the ten year rolling average of the medical component of the consumer price index. Absent future legislation stripping the spending cap of its teeth, Medicaid will cost taxpayers $10 billion less than if the program continued to be funded jointly with local governments. 

“The constraints of a hard spending cap will force additional reforms to Medicaid’s structure, and present a perfect opportunity to implement and expand upon the recommendations put forth by the Medicaid Redesign Team assembled by the Governor Cuomo in January,” Gallivan said.

The lawmakers were also insistent that this legislation in no way precludes the Legislature or Governor Cuomo from continuing to identify and eliminate burdensome unfunded or underfunded mandates aside from Medicaid. 

By calling for an initial spending freeze coupled with a multi-year transition of the local share of Medicaid costs, the legislation intentionally allows the Governor, the Legislature and the State Department of Health a reasonable period of time to prepare and adjust the program to ensure that New York State’s Medicaid program is compliant with the new healthcare provisions and state mandates contained in the federal Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010.

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. October 2, 2011 UPDATED OCTOBER 3, 2011 10:30 A.M.EDT UPDATED 3 P.M. E.D.T. UPDATED 8:30 P.M. E.D.T.:

On Friday, September 30th a 20 year partnership between Westchester County, WESTHELP and Greenburgh came to an end.

Last year the Westchester County Executive announced plans to close down WESTHELP–the transitional facility that served the homeless population. WESTHELP was located on a six acre county property adjacent to Westchester Community College.  The organization, which provides transitional services to the homeless, was started by Andrew Cuomo–when his father was Governor.

The Town of Greenburgh is now negotiating with FerncliffManor, a school for the developmentally disabled to occupy the building at a lease comparable to what WESTHELP was paying.

Westhelp had received significant notice from the county that they would be closing. The facility housed 108 families. I assume that the county is placing the former residents at other county shelters.

Donna Greene Deputy Communications Director of Westchester County said that the county closed the doors on September 16. They weren’t housing 108 families, as that was one of the issues associated with closing the facility (low occupancy).We froze any new placements effective June, 2011, and a number of families secured transitional or permanent housing since June. In the end,  we moved the remaining families into existing shelter capacity in White Plains or Mt. Vernon. As of September 16, there were just 5 families left. This included 2 that had been relocated at the shelter due to the storm issues from Mamaroneck.They (the 5)  were brought to The Coachman in White Plains

Ms. Greene also indicated Westhelp is no longer needed because homeless families have declined in the county:

We have seen significant declines in our DSS shelter population as a result of a multipronged approach, including use of shelter supplements and local rental assistance programs to prevent homelessness, decreased length of stays in shelters, and increased focus on rapid rehousing in either transitional and/or permanent housing.

Ms. Greene referred WPCNR to the County budget which contains this commentary:

The details: