THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Cyclists-Pedestrians on the Cuomo Bridge Bikeway: WIDER PLEASE, HOURS FOR CYCLISTS/WALKERS, 2ND WALKWAY, “UNSAFE”

Posted on July 11, 2020 by John Bailey

**JOHN BAILEY, LOWER RIGHT ON THE WALKWAY. UPPER RIGHT ENTRANCE TO START OF THE WALKWAY (Blue path with center WHITE line)**. *WPCNR PHOTO*

WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. July 11, 2020:

As of Thursday 667 people responded to the survey monkey questionnaire about the shared bikeway/walkway on the Mario Cuomo bridge.

Almost 72% of the people who responded have used the walkway. Bicyclist only -37.08%; pedestrian only-42.50%. Both bicyclist and pedestrians: 20.42%.

We asked those responding to the survey if they witnessed accidents or other unpleasant interactions between bicyclists and pedestrians and 40.42% said yes. 59.58% said no.

We asked users if they would favor separate use times during part of each day for bicyclists only and pedestrians only (for example two hour time slots in the AM and two hour time slots in the PM) and 34.86% said yes. 65.14% said no.

Many people who contacted me by phone or in writing suggested that the Thruway Authority should widen the path or create a separate path on the other side of the bridge.

12.37% of those who responded saw service dogs on the walkway. In addition, many people sent me e mails about their experiences cycling or walking on the Mario Cuomo shared bikeway/path.

Most people who sent me written comments highlighting their experiences on the bridge mentioned that the shared path needs to be widened and is too narrow.

Some people highlighted their concerns – pedestrians or cyclists not staying in their lanes. WCBS TV interviewed a cyclist who was injured on the path -requiring surgery (link below).

Another concern from writers:

many cyclists/pedestrians not wearing masks on the shared path. Should NYS require all cyclists/pedestrians who use the path to wear masks?

I deleted names and e mail addresses from those who wrote to me.

I continue to believe that the NYS Thruway Authority should take action steps to make the path safer -and would support a wider shared path or a second path on the other side of the bridge.

We have already experienced some accidents. And unless something is done there will be others.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 93 RACE EXPECTED TO HAVE ALL ABSENTEES COUNTED BY MONDAY. SWITCH TO MACHINE COUNTING ACCELERATES COUNT.

Posted on July 11, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2020. By John F. Bailey. July 11, 2020: WPCNR has learned from a source close to the ongoing counting of an estimated 11,000 absentee ballots submitted for the New York Assembly District 93 Primary Election held June 23, covering White Plains, Harrison, the Castles and Bedford, that counting is expected to be completed Monday.

The counting has now taken 2 and a half days since beginning 11 AM Thursday.

Judging from the information WPCNR has received, they should be 50% done.

Originally WPCNR was told the ballots were being counted by hand, but after 5 hours of hand-counting Thursday, a person observing the counting said they switched to machine counting by agreement of all the candidates.

From our source, WPCNR was told some absentee ballots were disqualified due to voter error, such as voting for too many candidates, but they report the “overwhelming” majority were “allowed.”

No official announcements on the absentee ballot ongoing situation have been released to WPCNR knowledge by the Board of Elections or Westchester County Department of Communications.

They have not announced whether or not more counters were brought in by the Board, or whether they worked into the night, 24 hours a day, or are keeping a running tally. They had around 65,000 absentee votes to go over including in the 17th Congressional District, in addition to the reported 10,000 to 11,000 absentee votes in the 93rd Assembly District.

The winner of the 93rd will fill the New York Assembly seat, previously held by White Plains David Buchwald.

Going into the Absentee counting Thursday this was was the voting tally prior to absentee counting in the 93rd: Christopher Burdick of Bedford was ahead of Kristen Browde of New Castle by 200 votes and held a 400 vote lead over Jeremiah Frie-Pearson of White Plains.

In the Congressional District 17, Mondaire Jones had a 2 to 1 margin over Evelyn Farkas with a forecast minimum of 21,800 absentee ballots to be counted in that race. WPCNR reckoned that Ms. Farkas had to take 75% of the absentee ballots to overtake and defeat Mr. Jones.

RYE TOWN HILTON, WESTCHESTER’S LARGEST HOTEL ANNOUNCES CLOSING.ALL EMPLOYEES ON FURLOUGH SINCE MARCH WILL BE DISMISSED . THIRD CLOSURE OF “DESTINATION” HOTEL IN COUNTY SINCE MARCH

Posted on July 11, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Westchester Rye Town Hilton JULY 11, 2020:

Westchester County’s largest hotel announced to New York State it would be closing due to the coronavirus for good.

The Rye Town Hilton in Rye Brook, a site for weddings, business conferences and meetings became the second Rye Brook Hotel, (located just on the outskirts of White Plains), will be closing. Employees on furlough since March will be dismissed.

The venerable Hilton, in Rye Brook for 47 years, joined the Ritz-Carlton and the Arrowwood Doral became the third destination hotel to announce closure since March. It should be noted the Ritz-Carlton in White Plains said it would close for about a 10-month renovation into a Marriott hotel. The closure is another blow to the Westchester County budget and to Rye Brook.

For an interview with the Mayor of Rye Brook on the impact on that village conducted by Westchester Business Journal’s Peter Katz visit the Westchester Business Journal website at:

UPDATE: Westchester Hilton closing; Rye Brook awaiting plan for property

GOVERNOR SENDS CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT TO FLORIDA

Posted on July 11, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo July 11, 2020:

When New York was experiencing our worst days, we were moved by the generosity of states around the country. We promised we would pay that forward when other states were in need, and today we are doing just that. New York will deliver a shipment of the medication Remdesivir to Florida tomorrow as the state struggles with a surge of cases. Remdesivir is a drug that has shown promise in treating COVID patients. We are 50 states — but we are one country.

1. Today, malls in Phase 4 regions can open if they have advanced HVAC systems. HVAC systems will be required to include advanced filters that help filter out the COVID-19 virus. Other ventilation protocols include increased outdoor air, reduced circulation, longer system run times and frequent filter checks.

2. Starting July 20th, New York will allow visits to nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a limited basis. Visits will be allowed at facilities that have been free of new COVID cases for at least 28 days. Only two people are allowed to visit each resident and must undergo a temperature check, wear a mask and social distance while visiting.

3. Yesterday the State conducted 73,558 tests, of which 786, or 1.06% were positive. Total hospitalizations fell to 826. Sadly, we lost 8 New Yorkers to the virus.

4. The newly renovated West Games Area at Jones Beach is now open. As part of the NY Parks 2020 plan, the renovation features a new mini-golf course, refurbished and new court games, new benches, tables, fencing and lighting, and additional site improvements. There are also new and improved activity areas including new cornhole and pickleball courts and refurbished courts for shuffleboard and paddle tennis. Read more.

5. The Bronx Zoo is reopening July 20th. The zoo will be open to members only through July 23rd and will open to the general public on July 24th through advance tickets.

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo