THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

Locations Will Offer Assistance to New Yorkers Impacted by Remnants of Hurricane Ida Who are Eligible for Individual Assistance Program

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Federal Emergency Management Agency today announced the openings of several Disaster Recovery Centers that will provide information, assistance and help for New Yorkers who were impacted by the storms and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to answer questions and provide information on the types of federal help available to homeowners, renters and business owners as a result of the major disaster declarations stemming from the hurricane.

The Boroughs of the Bronx, Queens, Kings, Richmond and Westchester County were designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration for the Remnants of Hurricane Ida.

“New Yorkers who were impacted by last week’s devastating floods and storm damage can now receive in-person, one-on-one assistance with professionals equipped to assist in the recovery process,” Governor Hochul said. “I thank our partners in the federal government for working quickly to establish these necessary facilities as we continue to get New Yorkers the help they need.”

The following Disaster Recovery Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice:

Medgar Evers College – 231 Crown Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225

Queens College, Student Union – 152-45 Melbourne Ave, Flushing, NY 11367

Hostos Community College – 450 Grand Concourse, E. Building C, Bronx, NY 10451

Grinton I. Will Library – 1500 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710

Mamaroneck Village Court Clerk – 169 Mount Pleasant Ave, Mamaroneck, NY 10543

College of Staten Island, Gymnasium Building R1 – 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314 

The locations in Yonkers, Mamaroneck and Staten Island will operate in mobile centers before moving into their fixed locations. Additional DRC sites will be announced at a later date.

Impacted NYC residents may also call 311 or visit NYC.gov/IDA to access available City services.

State agency personnel will be stationed within the DRCs to connect impacted citizens with state programs or services that may be available to assist them in their recovery.

Survivors with internet or phone service may register with FEMA using the FEMA App, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Individuals who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. These toll-free telephone numbers are operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Operators are multilingual and those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. If you need accommodations for language or a disability, let the operator know.

With current connectivity issues, the recovery center also offers a place for survivors to register for assistance in person and get one-on-one help from recovery specialists.

For additional online resources, as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, visit www.disasterassistance.gov and click “information.”

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. September 9, 2021:

Westchester County will unveil a new 9/11 memorial dedicated to the first responders who lost their lives to 9/11 related illnesses Friday. The unveiling of the Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial is a fulfilled promise made by County Executive George Latimer to honor those we have lost due to 9/11 related illnesses:

·         Firefighter – Gary S Allo – White Plains Fire Department

·         Police Officer – Christopher M Barry – NYPD

·         Sergeant – Patrick J Boyle – NYPD

·         Sergeant – Patrick T Coyne – NYPD

·         Battalion – Chief Kevin R Byrnes – FDNY

·         John M Cozza – Construction Industry

·         Emergency Medical Technician – Luis De Pena, Jr – FDNY

·         Police Officer Kenneth X Domenech – NYPD

·         Police Officer Nicholas G Finelli – NYPD

·         Lieutenant – Clark W Douglass – White Plains Fire Department

·         Firefighter – Daniel R Foley – FDNY

·         Detective – Mark S Gado – New Rochelle Police Department

·         Richard A Grace – Construction Industry

·         Commissioner Peter S Guyett – Yonkers Fire Department

·         Firefighter – Herbert D Harriott – Rye Fire Department

·         Police Officer – Joseph F Heid – NYPD

·         Detective – Michael A Houlahan – NYPD

·         John A Lo Bianco – Construction Industry

·         Police Officer – Anthony Maggiore – Yonkers Police Department

·         Executive Director – Stephan Hittmann – FDNY

·         Fire Fighter – Gary S Martin – White Plains Fire Department

·         Lieutenant – Roy D McLaughlin – Yonkers Police Department

·         Firefighter – Robert A Mentrasti – Fairview Fire Department

·         Detective – James W Monahan – NYPD

·         Police Officer – Walter L Mallinson – Harrison Police Department

·         Lieutenant – John W Moran – FDNY

·         Firefighter – Kevin J Nolan – FDNY

·         Police Officer – Kathleen O’Connor Funigello – New Rochelle Police Department

·         Firefighter – John V Peteani Jr – Yonkers Fire Department

·         Firefighter – Michael R O’Hanlon – FDNY

·         Firefighter – Eduardo A Rivera – Yonkers Fire Department

·         Detective – Joseph E Seabrook – NYPD

·         Captain – Robert J Spatta – Croton on the Hudson Fire Department

·         Deputy Chief – Frank G Strollo – New Rochelle Fire Department

·         Captain – Ronald G Peifer SR – FDNY

·         Captain – Dennis P Tortorella – Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department

·         Firefighter – Neill S Tyndal JR – Yonkers Fire Department

·         Detective – Charles J Wassil JR – Peekskill Police Department

·         Lieutenant – Marden C Wolf – White Plains Fire Department

·         James P Sullivan – New York City Transit Authority

·         Sergeant – Peter C Woods – NYPD, Hartsdale Fire Commissioner & Co-Chair Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial

Friday, September 10

2pm

The Rising Memorial

Kensico Dam Plaza

Valhalla, NY 10595

The unveiling on Friday, September 10 will be a private event for family and friends of those lost before the public unveiling on Saturday, September 11 at the County’s memorial at 3:30pm.

Latimer said: “This memorial is the culmination of a promise this County government made to the families and loved ones of these true Westchester heroes. We will not ever take for granted the actions of these individuals and hope that each person who visits this memorial understands their lasting impact.”

The new memorial, which overlooks The Rising memorial at the Kensico Dam Plaza, is made up of granite stones set on a stone veneer wall. Each stone is etched with the names of the Westchester first responders lost to 9/11 related illnesses.  The Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial is designed to complement the stonework of the Dam and surround The Rising as an eternal watch.

The total length of each wall is 20’ and will hold up to 4 4’ long memorial stones each, for a total of 8 memorial stones. A light – which will be known as the Eternal Light – is centered between the two walls and directly across the entrance to the original memorial, The Rising.  This light will be on 24/7 to signify the light shone on the County by those this memorial intends to honor.

Construction of this solemn memorial was done by R. Pugni and Sons, Inc.  The design of the memorial was completed by a combination of the County’s dedicated Department of Planning. Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation and a committee made up of loved ones of those lost to 9/11 related illnesses. The committee, was co-chaired by New York City Police Officer Matthew J. McCauley and NYPD Sargent Peter Woods who lost his battle to a 9/11 related illness earlier this year.

McCauley said: “On the eve of the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks we are reminded of the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost that day, including those from Westchester County who are memorialized at “The Rising.”  Unfortunately, the toll of those lost continues to increase due to 9/11 related illnesses that have claimed so many of our 9/11 First Responders.  Again, Westchester County has seen far too many lost to 9/11 illnesses.  As the Co-Chair of a Committee made up widows, children, other family members, friends and first responders themselves, we applaud Westchester County Executive George Latimer and his team for supporting our vision and desire to have a memorial for those 9/11 First Responders that worked or resided in county, who have died of illnesses they developed as a result of their heroic actions in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.  This permanent memorial alongside “The Rising” will ensure that the sacrifice of all lost that day and thereafter is never forgotten.” 

The committee, who the County owes a debt of gratitude to for their dedicated work, is made up of:

·         Peter Woods, Co-Chair

·         Matthew McCauley, Co-Chair

·         Georgia Asciutto

·         Valerie Sullivan

·         Anne Byrnes

·         Margaret O’Hanlon

·         Chelsea Wilson

·         Patricia Mallinson

·         Ellen Peifer

·         Sabrina Douglass

·         Chief Andrew Sandor, New Rochelle Fire Department

·         Firefighter Robert Barbella, White Plains Fire Department

·         Carol Ann Gleason

·         Andrew Mentrasti

·         Sara Trujillo

·         Kevin McGuire

·         Firefighter Sandra Bessels, Harrison Fire Department

·         Firefighter Robert Curtin, Mount Vernon Fire Department

This committee, through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, met regularly to plan this new memorial. The work done by them, to honor their loved ones, will be forever cherished by the people of Westchester County.

Following this private unveiling for families, Latimer and first responders from the region, will fully unveil the memorial to the public during the County’s 9/11 ceremony the following day at 3:30p.m.