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 RESTAURANT  ROW.From Cappelli Enterprises. April 23, 2011:

White Plains Mayor Tom Roach; members of the White Plains Common Council; officials from Westchester County Government; Serafina Co-Owners Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato; local businesspeople such as Louis Cappelli and Jacqueline Sanders, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester will ofdicially open Serafina’s debut in White Plains Tuesday with a  “Pasta-Cutting” official opening at the former site of Via Quadronno on Renaissance Square.

Seradina is  the popular pasta and pizza restaurant with locations in Manhattan, the Hamptons and Brazil.  The restaurant brings its Northern Italian cuisine to the heart of White Plains, where it is situated at the corner of Main Street and Renaissance Square – an ideal location for business and leisure lunches. At night, diners are encouraged to bring their bambini and family and take advantage of the restaurant’s “Welcome Home” philosophy. Famous thin-crust pizzas, handmade pastas and specialty entrees are among menu selections.
                       

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Department of Public Safety. April 19, 2011:

Commissioner David E. Chong announced today that motor vehicle accident reports filed by the White Plains Police Department are now available online directly from a link at the City of White Plains website. The White Plains Department of Public Safety recently signed an agreement with PoliceReports.US, which allows citizens to download a copy of their accident report online.

Motorists and insurance companies can now download and print a copy of their accident report 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of their home or business using a secure online portal. Accident reports can be purchased on line for $6.00 using most major credit cards.

Copies of accident reports are still available at the White Plains Department of Public Safety, 77 So. Lexington Ave, White Plains, NY for those without internet access. The White Plains Department of Public Safety went live with this new system on April 18, 2011.

To get a copy of accident reports online, customers need to go to click on the “Accident Reports” link located under “Online Services” or they can go directly to Police Reports.US at http://whiteplainsny.policereports.us/

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WPCNR BUMPER TO BUMPER. April 14, 2011 UPDATE FROM THE POLICE 10:40 P.M. E.D.T.:

 Three cars were involved in a collision on North Broadway at the intersection of Park Avenue this afternoon which closed the southbound lanes of Broadway for the better part of the rush hour. One vehicle rolled over, according to a WPCNR correspondent, and emergency workers had to cut the injured person out of the vechile. Our correspondent reports two persons were hospitalized. WPCNR awaits details.

Shortly after 10:30 P.M., White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong issued this statement on the accident to WPCNR:

This evening at 5:59 PM a call came over of a three vehicle accident with a woman pinned in a rollover. Police and Fire responded with seconds and found the collision had occurred in front of 52 North Broadway across from Good Counsel. 

Three vehicles were involved, with three drivers. One vehicle a SUV operated by a 57 year old female was rolled over on its side and the female was pinned in the vehicle. The fire department stabilized her, balanced the vehicle, and had to cut the windshield to get her out.

They did a terrific job having her out in minutes and she was brought to WP Hospital complaining about arm pain. A second female driver, 17 years of age was also taken to the hospital for observation. Both injuries at this time are reported to be not serious. The male driver of auto #3 did not request medical attention.

This accident is being investigated by our Traffic Division. 

The Accident Scene 6:45 P.M.

One of the vehicles involved– believed to be the vehicle that rolled over.

Vehicle being towed.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman Robert Castelli, 89th Assembly District. April 12, 2011:

In the wake of passing historic rent-control legislation, Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R,C-Goldens Bridge) today joined his senate and assembly colleagues at a press conference calling on the leadership of the Assembly Majority conference to bring the governor’s property tax cap bill to the floor of the Assembly for a vote.  Assemblyman Castelli noted that the governor’s bill, which was passed earlier this year in the Senate, would cap property tax increases at 2 percent. 

            “The Assembly Majority argued vigorously yesterday that rent control was needed in order to provide meaningful relief to renters during these difficult economic times.  While I agree, I find it unfair that this same body would not vote to provide similar relief to suburban homeowners, such as those in Westchester County,” Castelli said.  “Rising property taxes continue to drain the incomes of families and seniors, making owning a home in Westchester County extremely difficult for middle-class families.”

In fact, Westchester homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation, with the median property tax bill in Westchester County equaling $8,474 a year. 

Castelli’s call comes a day after the Assembly Minority attempted to bring the governor’s property tax bill to the Assembly floor through the amendment process.  While the amendment was defeated, Assemblyman Castelli is hopeful that by keeping pressure on the Assembly Majority conference, lawmakers will be able to send a property tax cap bill to the governor’s desk before the conclusion of this year’s legislative session.

            “A tax cap is needed and would represent the first step toward delivering lasting relief from some of the highest property taxes in the nation,” Castelli said.  “Once a tax cap is instituted, lawmakers can focus their energy on providing local governments and school districts with relief from the unfunded mandates that cause our region’s skyrocketing property taxes.”

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. April 9, 2011:

“We have heard of continued economic challenges from our County Executive,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) in his answer to County Executive Robert Astorino’s State of the County Speech Thursday evening.

“Westchester needs to know that the Legislature and the County Executive all want what, we believe, is best for Westchester.  We may have differing views on how to achieve the same goal. The Board of Legislators understands that we all want less expensive, more efficient government and the Legislature has delivered with the second-largest tax levy reduction in history, decreased spending and a reduction of the County workforce – while preserving investments in the essential services that make Westchester great.”

In a pre-taped video response, members of the Democratic Majority outlined how they’ve maintained their commitment towards working together to develop creative solutions that provide balance for the people who pay for the services, the people who receive the services and the people who deliver the services. Members of the Democratic Majority appreciated that the County Executive mentioned in his address the need for new innovation in our regional government, while maintaining the County’s commitment to providing essential services at the least cost.  

“The Legislature is committed to reducing the size and cost of county government, while finding more cost-effective ways to deliver vital services,” said Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah).  “Over the last two years, we’ve cut spending by more than $50 million and reduced the size of the county workforce by nearly 11%.  The 2011 budget, which we adopted in December, cuts taxes 2.2% — that’s more than twice the tax relief proposed by the County Executive — while at the same time restores unwise cuts to public safety, health and environmental protection.”

Mr. Astorino touched on areas of investment, where county tax dollars helped to spur economic growth.  “We must continue to develop long-term, targeted economic policies that stimulate local economies and reduce unemployment in the county,” said Vice-Chairman Lyndon D. Williams (D-Mount Vernon).  “In order to fuel economic growth and job creation, the Board committed $80 million in capital investments to public works and infrastructure projects. These investments coupled with commercial development will put people back to work while allowing for improvements to the physical infrastructure of Westchester County.”

Legislators are excited to hear that the County Executive will join with our Democratic Majority in an effort to call upon Albany to give much-needed mandate relief to localities.  “Westchester County has a legal obligation to pay for the programs mandated by the state and federal governments.  However, we also have a fiscal obligation on behalf of our taxpayers to speak out and challenge the many programs that are mandated that cover over 70% of our entire budget,” said Legislator Martin L. Rogowsky (D-Harrison).  

“Medicaid costs alone – some $210 million in the proposed 2011 budget – make up almost 40% of our entire county property tax.  I’m glad to hear that Mr. Astorino will join with the Legislature to speak out, challenge these mandates and bring property tax relief to the people of Westchester County.”

Members of the Legislature were encouraged to hear of Mr. Astorino’s ideas to attract and retain thriving businesses in Westchester. “Creating an atmosphere that attracts new business and allows existing ones to keep flourishing is a priority of ours. That’s why we’re happy to see the influx of several new and promising businesses into the county,” said Majority Whip Judith Myers (D-Larchmont).

“This is an exciting time for Westchester. Companies and major employers from the restaurant, retail, hospitality and technology industries are either coming to Westchester or deciding to stay here. Understanding how this keeps revenue flowing into the area and keeps many of our residents employed, the Board of Legislators will continue to seek ways to make the county a welcoming and viable community in which businesses can operate.”

Chairman Jenkins expressed the Legislature’s renewed commitment towards making measured change. “We need to continue to move together, so that residents and families can afford to stay here, we can continue to retain and attract businesses to help our County grow. We can accomplish this while not neglecting the core responsibility of elected government: providing for public health and safety, and providing essential services to our most vulnerable.”