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.

Hits: 0

WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL by The Wedding Jeannie. October 6, 2007: Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of the white wedding dress only began in 1840’s England during the reign of Queen Victory.  Before her wedding to Prince Albert, women wore gowns in different colors, and it was only after the Queen had been wed in white, that the trend began in full swing.  While white was always a popular color to demonstrate purity and innocence, the white wedding gown was a tradition that escaped many until Victoria set the stage with it (and in the US white only began to signify purity after WWII).  Ironically, by the late 1800’s, much was written about how a brides’ gown had always been white, furthering the myth that this had been an age old tradition.  And as with most popular trends, this was one that began only with the very wealthy.  It was difficult to keep white clean or get it clean, so only women with disposable income could justify the expensive of having a white dress that would probably never be worn again. 

Jeannie Uyanik, Planner to the World

The Wedding Jeannie

$10,000 to $15,000 a dress.

 

Plus ce que change, plus ce que reste la meme – a famous saying indicating that the more that changes, the more remains the same – and that is certainly true of trends in wedding dresses starting with those that can afford them!  The average cost of purchasing a wedding dress in the city is roughly $4,500.  We know that for many brides, this can be representative of half their entire wedding budget.  It’s difficult to justify the cost of a small car for a gown that you will wear once.  But we see brides in the tri-state area spending closer to $10,000-$15,000 on their wedding day attire frequently. 

 

Bridal fashion can be all over the spectrum.  Brides go strapless, go short, go ornate, go plain, and go wild.  But one thing remains consistently important: comfort.  Regardless of what your personal style is, you need to be extremely comfortable in your gown.  If you aren’t, you’re setting yourself up for a fidgety wedding day (and you don’t want that showing up in the video or pictures).

 

Many designers keep this in mind when creating their latest designs.  Something as simple as choosing an empire waist or a cap sleeve can add that element of comfort while reflecting your personal style.  Speaking of style, it’s usually a good idea to somewhat define what your style is.  Are you traditional and love the idea of wearing a big beautiful ball gown?  Are you a glamorous bride that wants to bring in a bit of old Hollywood into the wedding?  Are you simple and want something more dainty and casual?  These days, there aren’t many rules on wedding fashion.  The dress is a place where you can really express yourself and have some fun doing it!  But a word to the wise, don’t pick something too trendy that will leave you saying, “Now why did I pick this dress again?”

 

Bridesmaids’ Styles Today.

 

And as for the dreaded bridesmaid dress!  The days of poofy sleeves and super matchy-match dresses are over.  The trend for the last several years for bridesmaids is the idea of the ‘re-wear’.  Obviously it’s an honor to be in someone’s wedding, but it’s and even bigger honor when a bridesmaid gets to wear a dress that she loves and that she wants to wear again!  Over the years, some designers have really perfected it! 

 

For example, Ariane Goldman Finkel owner of Twobirds Bridesmaid came up with a bridesmaid dress that can be worn ten different ways.  With this concept, Ariane “marries the bride’s vision with the bridesmaid’s happiness.”  There are other companies that will have similar options.  Amsale’s bridesmaid division allows the bride to choose a fabric and then gives bridesmaids the freedom to choose the design of the dress (with the bride’s approval, of course!)  The hope is that in the end, everyone is happy and feels good in the dress!

 

Grooming the Groom

 

Last but certainly not least, the groom’s attire.  Often the male formalwear is forgotten about until the last minute.  It’s clearly an easier task to cross off your list than getting wedding dress but it shouldn’t be overlooked!  Most people think of the traditional black tux when it comes to the groom and groomsmen. 

 

But more and more, we find that people are going in the suit direction- even for really nice affairs.  When there’s a tie involved, it gives the men a chance to play with color a bit more and it turns into a great gift for the groomsmen. 

 

But for true black tie affairs, I do still see the traditional tuxedo.  What’s interesting is that more and more grooms are going in the direction of buying a tuxedo rather than renting.  If you have access to a good outlet and don’t mind a day of shopping, grooms can often find amazing deals.  And unlike a wedding dress, you can wear your tux over and over again! 

 

Setting the Dress Code

 

The most common question that we get about wedding attire is how to let people know it’s a formal event.  For the record, according to proper etiquette, in the same vein that you would not tell your guests what to wear to a dinner at your home, you are not allowed to instruct guests who to dress at your wedding.  But that caveat generally falls on deaf ears!  So how do you tell people that you want them in tuxes – our favorite is a small note saying “black tie invited” at the bottom right hand corner of the invitation.  It’s a bit less harsh than just “black tie” and certainly more direction than nothing at all. 

 

Whatever you do, the attire that the bride and groom select for the wedding sets the basic tone of the event, so remember that in your selection process and use it to your advantage in setting the stage for a magnificent day.  Attire is part of the décor (next week’s topic) and if you have 6 women running around in the same dress, that’s a color scheme and should be included in the design of the day! 

 

 

Note: Got a question or a comment for the Wedding Jeannie? Ms. Uyanik will answer your questions. Simply e-mail her at weddinggenie@candgweddings.com

Hits: 0

WPCNR BUMPER TO BUMPER. By John F. Bailey. October 5, 2007: The Governor’s Office Press liaison on the alien-licensing initiative said today that the New York State Drivers License (even those issued to illegal aliens) would remain valid and acceptable government-issued photo I.D.s at airports throughout the country at least until 2013 when the REAL ID Act goes into effect.  The Department of Homeland Security has not verified this, nor has the Transportation Security Agency at this time.

Jennifer Givner, press spokesperson for the Governor on the licensing initiative told WPCNR the program would be administered most likely by existing Department of Motor Vehicles personnel whose training has just begun. Training is expected to be completed in eight weeks when the program begins in December. Passports and identification documents would be validated by these in-training DMV personnel, who would use scanning equipment to verify the validity of foreign passports presented to the DMV for identification purposes.

Givner indicated the United States Department of Homeland Security  and Transportation Security Administration have not been deeply involved in the development of the Governor’s program, and apparently have not officially approved it, nor does the state need the agencies’ approvals to implement the license policy.

WPCNR asked if these non-citizens whom the governor wants to license would invalidate the New York State Drivers License as a government issued, photograph means of identification at airports, Givner said absolutely not.

Aliens Licenses Good to Go at Airports.

Givner said that does not change (even though possible illegal aliens could be issued New York Driver’s Licenses):  

“ The REAL ID Act doesn’t go into effect until 2013. Yes, you can use it at an airport (as means of acceptable government-issued photo i.d.), It doesn’t change anything. People are trying to scare you when they say that. This becomes an issue, the entire issue of the driver’s license and state-issued driver’s license, when the REAL ID Act goes into effect. But again, it is not until 2013, more importantly the federal government hasn’t promulgated the regulations yet. People don’t know what to do. States don’t know how to prepare for it and how to insure their licenses will comply. That’s why some states have opted out of it. We (in New York State) are taking the approach to wait and see what the federal government wants to do.  You see how ridiculous that is, right?”

Different Requirements

WPCNR pointed out that the REAL ID Act as presently constituted would require all states issuing a driver’s  license to issue licenses only to citizens or those supplying a Social Security exemption letter.

“That’s one of the many, many features that they (the REAL ID ACT)  have, the requirements we anticipate, but no one is going to comply with that. Everyone is going to have to have two forms of identification – state-issued and a federal I.D. one. But we don’t know. There’s time before this occurs.  Right now you can use your New York Driver’s License to get into federal buildings, you can use it to  get on a plane.”

I asked if the United States Department of  Homeland Security has approved the Governor’s program. Givner said she would get that answer.

Givner filled WPCNR in on the details of the Governor’s program to make New York State Driver’s Licenses available “without regard to immigration status” in an effort to make the state’s roads safer. According to the Governor’s official press announcement  of the program, “tens of thousands of undocumented, unlicensed and uninsured drivers are currently on New York’s roads, contributing to increased accidents and hit-and-runs as well as higher auto insurance rates.”

No Consultation. No Review by  Washington

The press officer, confirmed that the program was not developed in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.

She said the Department of Homeland Security would not be reviewing the Department of Motor Vehicle personnel after they have been trained to conduct validation procedures on documents submitted by non-citizens the governor wishes to license. The press officer also stated that even after the licenses began to be issued to possible non-citizens and immigrants here illegally, that the license would still be acceptable photo, government issued Identification at airports.

Training of DMV personnel just begun. Ready in December.

 The training of DMV personnel to review documents immigrants and unlicensed individuals submit for licenses has just recently begun, the spokesperson said, and did not have a timetable when she expected the training of DMV personnel to be completed. The program is expected, she said to be conducted with existing personnel. The spokesperson said the process of validating documents submitted would rely heavily on electronic scanning of  immigrants’ passports. She said 110 to 120 countries now issue passports with scan barcodes on them. Passports without barcode-issuing countries she said would be collected and held pending validation by the DMV.

The spokesperson said the United States Department of Homeland Security has not issued REAL ID Act standards for driver’s licenses that New York State would react to them when the standards were issued.

No Social Security Number Required

Currently the proposed new Governor’s licensing policy will not require a social security number or a document from the Social Security Administration stating the person is ineligible to receive a social security number. On REAL ID Act standards one of these two documents must be supplied in order for a state to issue a driver’s license beginning January 31, 2009. According to the REAL ID Act, to receive a driver’s license,  acceptable identification to the Federal Government at ports of entry air and land, you must have a social security number or a letter stating you are ineligible for a Social Number.

2 PHASE ROLL OUT of Governor’s Plan

The program is scheduled to begin in two phases, Ms. Givner said:

 “The policy is not going to change that dramatically. Currently at the DMV, you and I have to in applying for  a license, show  (documents totaling) 6 points  that prove who you are and when you were born. They can include anything from a utility bill to a birth certificate to a number of different official documents that all have a point value. You have to have 6 points. Every document is assigned a different value.  This initiative is being rolled out in two phases: to allow the DMV to have a seamless implementation schedule. We don’t want to disrupt services for the people who are going to be in our offices throughout the state every day.  We also want to assure that we’re doing it diligently and make sure everything is up and running as we proceed.”

Approximately 10,000 people, whose license expired in last two years, she reports will be mailed letters first inviting them to apply for new licenses. Then  150,000 drivers who had licenses expire more than 2 years ago. These are drivers already in the system and were not allowed to renew their licenses because of rules implemented by the Pataki administration.

Second Phase – For All New Applicants

“Phase 2,” Givner explained, “ is when we expand this initiative to all of the new applicants, individuals who have never had a license before. They can come to the DMV. They will have to show identification proving who they are and they will have to obtain the 6 points that you and I, or any other individual regardless of citizenship status.”

WPCNR asked what were the point values of the documents.

Ms.  Givner said the DMV was not releasing that information yet and that there were 14 such identification documents , some of them new, which could be used to prove identification. She declined to say what those 14 documents were to prevent a stampede to the DMV.

 She said the reason for withholding the point values was “we don’t want people showing up at DMV tomorrow with these new documents that we’re not accepting yet. It makes sense right?  We put them out there (now), people come in the next day,  saying look I have this. We’re trying to keep this a smooth process. We don’t want to confuse our customers. It (the list of documents) will be published as we get closer to the launch date.”

Not an overnight idea.

Givner said the plan has been well thought out: “This is not something that happened overnight. Not something dreamt up over a weekend. This is something the governor talked about during the campaign, he talked about expanding access to licenses for all individuals and for the last nine months we’ve been here in office we have been working with the DMV and other agencies and the offices through out the state.”

WPCNR  asked what agencies were involved in formulating the policy? She said Boards of Elections, for example, and various offices throughout the state. (“This a process where you have to include all the stakeholders, a lot of  people are going to be affected”)

Department of Homeland Security Involvement Not Clear

I asked if the state had worked with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Ms. Givner said, “To say specifically, I can’t say that. Part of what we’ve done by implementing this is we’ve taken  New York’s license, which is really one of the most secure in the nation already and we are implementing additional security safeguards to insure this is going to be the most secure license in the nation.”

New Technology for DMV: Passport Scanners

“We’re going to be incorporating new technology to (1),  validate and authenticate documents as they come. Say, I’m Jennifer, I’m from Portugal. I’ve never had a driver’s license before. Regardless of my status, whatever it is, I have my foreign passport from Portugal and a number of other documents to show who I am. I give them all my documents.”

“What DMV is going to do is that they’re going to have a central location where they accept these  documents and go through a process of validating them. Part of the DMV validation technology is scanning passports, so my passport and about 110 to 120 countries around the world that are scannable that have bar codes on them which we’ll have technology to be able to read and validate right there on the spot. Part of this process is to make sure each individual is who they say they are. “

DMV Responsible for Validation – Using Existing Personnel.

 I asked what about passports not scannable: “Documents that we can’t scan and verify right there on the spot we’ll take in and we’ll go through a process. We’re going to have a specially trained unit charged with validating these documents.”

Asked  where that personnel would be hired from, Givner said she did not know right now but “it may not be that we’re hiring additional individuals. Remember, we can use existing (human) resources as well and train them in this area.”

I asked what happens to passports not scannable. “It’s not confiscation. It doesn’t mean that it’s illegal. There are some that are not scannable. But, we will take that document and take possession of it in order to verify it. It goes through our channels to properly verify it. We’ll tell the individuals. If you need the passport tomorrow, they’re not want to give it up to us, right. We’re going to be working with individuals as they come in to say, we’re not going to able to validate this right here, we’re going to have to take possession of this, and it will be however long, a few weeks until you’re able to get this back, and these other documents. We’re going to take all those documents in order to prove who those people are.”

Photo Comparison Technology.

 Givner said they will weed out persons who have had bogus social security numbers in the past: “We’re also incorporating what’s called Photo Comparison Technology. When someone comes in who used a fake social security number, and they’re already in the system, for example, what the photo technology does is once they take my photo, they’re going to compare that against all of the other individuals already in the DMV database.

“If they get a hit, that I’m already in the system, that’s going to shoot up a red flag and put a halt on that application right away.  We go through the proper authorities to investigate to see what happened there. The goal here is, one license per one individual, not one individual who has several names. It’s really common sense. We can prove who you are we know where you are.”

Residency Requirement Needs to Be Legislated.

Givner said that the third component of the issuance of licenses is to institute you have to be a resident of the state to obtain a driver’s license.

Presently this is not required, she said. “Third component which is down the road, which requires legislative approval, is a residency requirement. Part of what we have to do is to introduce legislation and have it passed by the legislature which will require individuals seeking a New York State license to be actual residents of New York State. That’s the next step in the process.”

She said they did not expect this  residency requirement to be passed by early spring. “You’ve never had to be a resident of New York to get a license.That requirement has never been in existence. We’re working to make that happen.”

Under present law, Givner said you can come in from a state, take up residence in New York and receive a New York driver’s license if you turn in your out of state license.

$1.4 Million cost Paid for By Revenues. 

Givner said the cost to implement this is $1.4 Million, which she said would be offset by an expected $7.3 Million in extra revenue (from the issuing of licenses).

Asked how long it will take to train the DMV personnel to administer the document checking, Givner said, “ The training is already starting. The DMV is already working with county clerks throughout the state.  On the intense training, we’re working on getting the schedules out there.”

She said the personnel have to be trained before the system is up and running before December (8 weeks from today). Asked how long the training had been going on, she said the program had just been rolled out two weeks ago (September 21).

No TSA or DHS Review of Procedures Expected at this time.

Once DMV personnel are trained, I asked Givner if they would be checked out by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.

 Givner said the state was “not required to, this is an internal policy change that we are making within the Department of Motor Vehicles. It ‘s not a law. It does not require legislative approval. It is an internal  policy change in order to allow and expand driver’s license access to all individuals.”

I asked if the DMV and the state was going to keep the Department of Homeland Security  in Washington, informed on this. She assured WPCNR “we have a close working relationship obviously talking to them every day.”

I asked what they were talking to them about, and Ms. Givner replied “I’m not going to go into details about it but we work very closely with them through our state office of emergency management, we have a military and naval affairs department, the state department, obviously, the state police. Every day we’re speaking to the federal government about various issues, any new sort of awareness, etc.”

I asked though, you didn’t really discuss this program with them specifically, is that correct?”

Givner responded, “The Department of Motor Vehicles is not in the business of verifying individual citizenship status. They are in the business of doing two things, certifying that an individual has met the requirements and standards in order to operate a motor vehicle in New York State; secondly, to prove identification  to prove who you are and validate that. They have not in the business or have they ever been in the business of proving citizenship or proving one’s legal status in this country.”

Diffuses Controversy.

Unasked, Ms.Givner warmed to her subject, addressing the controversy over giving licenses to persons without social security numbers:

“Individuals have been getting licenses without social security numbers for years, aside from the window where Governor Pataki passed his regulation. If you go to the Social Security Administration and obtain a letter of ineligibility, you are allowed to obtain a license in New York.

For example, someone comes in a work visa, working for a bank for a temporary period of time. They obviously have a need to drive while they here. Nothing wrong with that. What they do is they can apply for a license and they don’t have a social security number. What they present is the Social Security Administrations Letter of Ineligibility.”

Waives Letter of Ineligibility Requirement.

I asked then why in the Governor’s press release, the governor is changing the policy allowing applicants to simply check a box that they are ineligible for Social Security, Givner said, “This is a change in policy.”

Enhanced Driver’s License Progress

WPCNR asked if the DMV was working with the Department of Homeland Security to create an Enhanced Drivers License similar to the one that the State of Washington is going to put into effect in January.  Givner asked if this was to comply with the REAL ID Act, and said,

“The federal government has failed to promulgate the specific rules for the REAL ID Act, therefore no state in the country right now actually has identification that complies because no one knows what the regulations are going to be. They’re working on them that’s what they tell all of us.”

Asked if the DHS was working now with the DMV, Givner said, “We are awaiting the rules to be published. When we have specifics, we can work with them to address it. Before this initiative was announced,  the New York State License did not comply with what we anticipate will be the regulations. Every other state, individuals will have to also get the federal approved, you’ll have two different licenses,  two different forms of identification. Several states have already opted out.”

New License in the future?

Does this mean down the road mean that New York State will have to change, reissue all its licenses, WPCNR asked. Givner said,  “We will look into  it once the standards are actually promulgated and determine which direction to go in.”

I asked if it was correct that this entire process has been executed by New York State on their own with New York State agencies and not with Washington?  Givner stated:

“We are a sovereign state, sir, every state has the authority through its department of motor vehicles, I think you’re confusing this and sort of looking at this in an idealistic way, every state is not talking to the Department of Homeland Security on a daily basis. New Jersey just put photos on their licenses. New York State’s licensing is regarded as one of the most secure in the nation. What we’re doing and the way we’re moving forward cautiously, carefully and diligently is to make sure it remains one of the most secure licenses.  If an individual comes here they have to prove who they are. It has never been in the business of proving one’s legal status here.”

License Will Still Be Valid as photo-id. At Airports for New Yorkers

I pointed out that the REAL ID Act as presently constituted would require all states issuing a driver’s  license to issue licenses only to citizens or those supplying a Social Security exemption letter.

“That’s one of the many, many features that they have, the requirements we anticipate, but no one is going to comply with that. Every one is going to have to have two forms of identification – state-issued and a federal I.D. one. But we don’t know. There’s time before this occurs.  Right now you can use your New York Driver’s License to get into federal buildings, you can use it to  get on the plane.”

I asked if the DHS has approved this program. Givner said she would get that answer.

Hits: 0

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE NIGHT. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. October 3, 2007: White Plains experienced the “Lights of Louis”  tonight — what may  be one of the  the first lightings of the Ritz Carlton Tower 1 beacon that tastefully lit up the downtown Wednesday evening in hues of blue, then red, green, blue in alternating combinations. The WPCNR Roving Photographer captured the first lighting of the landmark new tower that like the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Ancient Egypt serves as a beacon for miles around.

“The Louis Lights”

From City Center and Mitchell Place. A Companion beacon will Shine in the opposite direction on Tower 2 of the Ritz-Carlton Westchester.

Hits: 0

WPCNR BUMPER TO BUMPER. By John F. Bailey. October 3, 2007: WPCNR has learned the Department of Motor Vehicles will  appear to be solely responsible for acceptance and verification of documents presented by immigrants seeking licenses (if Governor Spitzer’s policy goes into effect in December), according to a New York State Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. The spokesperson said her department NY Homeland Security would not be involved in the vetting of documents–that responsibility of acceptance and verification was solely up to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

On another aspect of the licensing initiative,  a spokesperson at the United States Department of Homeland Security, in Washington, told WPCNR the super security agency  is working with New York on developing an enhanced New York State Driver’s License that will enable New York residents whether legal or not, to comply with REAL ID Act requirements due to go into affect  January 31, 2009.

WPCNR is awaiting comment from the Department of Motor Vehicles for clarification on both security issues. Earlier today, the Governer’s Press Office would not comment when asked if the Governor’s new licensing of immigrants policy had been developed with Department of Homeland Security input and approval.

 

 However, their spokesperson could not confirm whether New York had discussed Governor Spitzer’s proposed licensing of immigrants policy with the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier today, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Press Office had no comment when asked if the Governor’s policy had been developed with the Department of Homeland Security input, guidance and expertise.

Linda Keehner, spokesperson for the Washington, D.C.-based  Department of Homeland Security told WPCNR,

 “It (identification) is a topic that is extremely important to us at the department. We have been working with multiple states,  you’ve probably seen our press releases  (that) Washington State, Arizona and Vermont, we’ve all moved forward to work on secure documentation that will be REAL ID ACT compliant and also Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant. We’re actually in the process of working with the State of New York on secure identification in the form of driver’s licenses. So anyone that would have that card would need to have the proper documentation and the certain eligibility requirements for that.”

A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Homeland Security, a New York Department of State office, reporting to the Governor, and not affiliated with the Washington Department of Homeland Security, said she was not aware the Washington DHS was working with the state on such a license.

Keehner, speaking to WPCNR from Washington, said DHS is working with states to create what WPCNR is dubbing “The Super License.” 

 Keehner said “Even though the states have the right to issue their drivers’ licenses, we are working with open arms with any state on WHTI-compliant drivers licenses so they (residents) can easily go back and forth let’s say on northern border to Canada or the United States, going back and forth, while at the same time working on REAL  ID Act compliance which they will have to deal with very shortly.”

 WPCNR asked, what does the Department of Homeland Security feel about the proposed N.Y. Policy, and the possibility of forged documents?

Keehner said, “One of our major initiatives is to make sure of secure documentation, making sure the documents cannot be forged and that identify theft is not a factor. We are working actually with the state of New York on secure driver’s licenses. Though I’m not able to speak to how a state will choose to designate whether or not a driver is eligible to drive on the road, we are concerned about secure documentation.”

I asked, what would make a driver’s license secure in the DHS’s eyes?

Ms. Keehner reffered WPCNR to news releases on the Arizona and Vermont programs for WHIT-compliant driver’s licenses issued last fall.

The Arizona and Vermont Super License

According to the agreement reached between the Department of Homeland Security and Arizona and Vermont, the three states are partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a super drivers license that “will meet WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)requirements, provide Arizona/Vermont employers with a secure document that can be used in validating a person’s legal status and align to satisfy future requirements of REAL ID.”

The super drivers license “will serve as another alternative available to U.S. citizens to satisfy Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements. DHS announced in June that U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI compliant document or government-issued photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, such as a driver’s license and birth certificate, beginning on January 31, 2008 for admissibility into the U.S. The department intends to end the routine practice of accepting oral declarations alone at land and sea ports of entry, and also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.”

The release describes the  new Arizona license being developed as “technologically enhanced….(that) will provide its residents who voluntarily apply and qualify, with a document that is acceptable for use at U.S., land and sea ports. The enhanced driver’s license will be slightly more expensive than a standard Arizona state driver’s license and will require proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.” The state of Arizona will also issue an “Arizona Card” for use in the “work eligibility process.”

The “REAL ID” requirements that the Arizona, Washington State and Vermont programs are intended to meet “are intended to strengthen the underlying document through physical security features and a secure issuance process. Arizona’s new state driver’s license is poised to be one of the nation’s first to comply with REAL ID requirements.”

Working With New York

I asked Keehner, to your knowledge, has New York State gone over the details of what they want to do (in issuing licenses to drivers who can prove residency),with the DHS?

Keehner said, “We are in constant communication on this. Nothing has been finalized. But, we are working with them to try and see how we can potentially move forward in that effort.”

In the effort to license people who live in New York State? I asked

“Correct, that is REAL ID ACT,  and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant.”

New York State Department of Homeland Security Take 

WPCNR contacted the press office for the State of New York Department of Homeland Security (not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security),  since David Balboni the head of New York Department of Homeland Security  had been quoted in the press as being supportive of the Governor’s suggested driver’s license policy for immigrants.

Amy Bonanno, of the New York State Department of Homeland Security Communications office said that she could not speak for Mr. Balboni, since information had to come from the Governor’s Press Office. Asked about the Department of Homeland Security statement that they were working with New York State to develop WHTI-compliant and a new enhanced driver’s license compliant with the REAL I.D. Act, Ms. Bonanno said she was unaware of it.

It’s the DMV Responsibility to Validate Documents.

Asked if the New York State Department of Homeland Security was going to oversee validation and “check out”  the validity of documents presented by residents seeking a New York State Drivers license, Ms. Bonanno said to her knowledge the New York State Department of Homeland Security was not going to be involved, that validation and acceptance of identification documents would be entirely handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

WPCNR has a call into the Department of Motor Vehicle Communications to find out about how the DMV plans to validate the documents presented them by immigrants and persons not citizens,  and which ones will be acceptable to issue driver’s licenses to possible non-citizens, and how that fits into the context of the REAL I.D. act which will require New York and all states to issue a driver’s license meeting standards specified in the REAL ID Act of 2005.

The REAL ID issue though is looming and will be effective after December 31, 2009.

As of that date, “a Federal agency may not accept, for any official purpose, a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state to any person unless the state is meeting the requirements” specified in the Real ID Act. States remain free to also issue non-complying licenses and IDs, so long as these have a unique design and a clear statement that they cannot be accepted for any Federal identification purpose. The federal Transportation Security Administration is responsible for security check-in at airports, so bearers of non-compliant documents would no longer be able to travel on common carrier aircraft without additional screening.

Employers would no longer be able to accept, or ultimately hire, bearers of non-compliant documents for employment^.

Financial institutions would require compliant documents from all customers Bearers of non-compliant documents would be denied financial or banking services^.

The national license/ID standards cover:

   What data must be included on the card;

   What documentation must be presented before a card can be issued; and

   How the states must share their databases.

 

Data requirements

Each card must include, at a minimum, the person’s full legal name, signature, date of birth, sex, driver’s license or identification card number. It also includes a photograph of the person’s face and the address of principal residence. It is required to have physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the document for fraudulent purposes.

It will use common machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements (the details of which are not spelled out, but left to the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the states, to regulate).

Documentation required before issuing a license or ID card

Before a card can be issued, the applicant must provide the following documentation^[8]:

  A photo ID, or a non-photo ID that includes full legal name and birthdate.

  Documentation of birthdate.

  Documentation of legal status and Social Security number

  Documentation showing name and principal residence address.

Digital images of each identity document will be stored in each state DMV database.

Linking of license and ID card databases

Each state must agree to share its motor vehicle database with all other states. This database must include, at a minimum, all the data printed on the state drivers’ licenses and ID cards, plus drivers’ histories (including motor vehicle violations, suspensions, and points on licenses). Any state that does not link its database, containing records on all drivers and ID holders, to the database of the other states loses its federal funding.

Traffic violations would be required to be sent to the licensing jurisdiction and be recorded. The licensing jurisdiction would be required to act on the violation according to its own laws such as assigning points and insurance surcharges to the driver not only for violations reported from DLA members but also from non-DLA members as well. The DLA requires member states to treat non-DLA states as if they are DLA members concerning their drivers.

 

A complete summary of the provisions of the REAL ID Act is available at http://www.ncsl.org/standcomm/sctran/realidsummary05.htm

Hits: 0

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Pia Haas, Westchester Broadway Theatre. October 2, 2007: The WBT is bringing back an original WBT “hit” —  a revival of Arthur Kopit/ Maury Yeston’s “PHANTOM” which made its New York Premiere here at WBT in 1992, makes a long-awaited return to the Elmsford  stage opening Thursday October 4th, and runs through February 9th, 2008.  During the 1992 record breaking nine- month run, over 120,000 people attended. Night after night, audiences rose to their feet for the stunning musical thriller.

The original production was directed by William Pullinsi and starred Robert Cuccioli (above) as the Phantom and Glory Crampton as Christine Daee. “PHANTOM” returned to our stage in 1996 directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, who had been in the original production. William Stutler, Robert Funking, and the entire staff of WBT are very excited that this extraordinary piece, once again directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, will grace our stage. Still from the original WBT production of “Phantom,” (1992) Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre

.  

 “PHANTOM” was written by Arthur Kopit, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston who were the Tony Award winning collaborators for the Broadway Musi­cal “Nine“.  “PHANTOM” is not to be confused with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera“, which is currently running on Broadway. Both shows are based on the same Gaston LeRoux novel, with the Webber extravaganza being more like an opera, compl­etely sung. The Yeston/Kop­it “PHANTOM“ is more of a traditional Broadway Musical with dia­logue and songs throug­hout.

 

 

 The show opened here at WBT on July 16th, 1992 to rave reviews. Jacques LeSourd critic from Gannett Suburban Newspapers stated… “There is also a gripping story, richly drawn characters, and music that can break your heart with its beauty… You’ll find none of that in the Broadway ‘Phantom­’…. The rich orches­tra­tions bring to mind ‘Sweeney Todd’ and even the propuls­ive sounds of Philip Glass. This is a score in the grand man­ner“.   Howard Kissel, critic from the New York Daily News said: “The first Genuine Broadway Musical I’ve seen in years and the most genuinely exciting Broadway Musical I’ve seen in years”…”Capturing the genuine ‘Phantom”…” De­spite all its ma­squer­ading, the real thing isn’t on West 44th Street; it’s playing here in Westchester“.  He was referring to the WBT  production of “PHANTOM”!    And now, WBT’s original PHANTOM is coming back with a new Christine for the ages.

Television Phenom Kate Rockwell plays The New Christine.

Photo, Courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre.

Kate Rockwell, who appeared on the recent hit television reality show, GREASE, YOU”RE THE ONE THAT I WANT, will be wowing audiences at WBT as Christine,  in Maury Yeston & Arthur Kopit’s “PHANTOM“.  Rockwell , the finalist nicknamed “Serious Sandy” on the CBS show, was recognized for her extraordinary vocal prowess. Testing her comic chops, she will star as “young Samantha” in the highly anticipated movie version of “Sex and the City.”  She hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Baldwin Wallace College. ”Recently, Kate appeared in the musical drama, Tully (In No Particular Order) at the New York Musical Theater Festival, and in the new Tammy Faye Bakker Musical, BIG TENT, at New World Stages. She was seen at North Shore Music Theater playing Sharpay, in one of the first professional productions of “High School Musical“. Other recent roles include Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”, Hope in “Anything Goes“ and April in “Company” at The Carousel Theatre.

 

The New Phantom..Aaron Ramey.

Photo, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre

 

Aaron Ramey will take his turn as Erik (the Phantom). Aaron is a native Clevelander who came to the nation’s attention when he toured as the Beast in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast“. He has appeared on Broadway in “Thoroughly Modern Millie “,The York Theatre Company’s Zorba, (2007 “Musicals in Mufti Series”),  at the Paper Mill Playhouse in “ Miss Saigon“, Los Angeles’  “Annie Get Your Gun“, and as Billy in “Carousel“ in Ohio.

 

 

Sandy Rosenberg will play the Opera diva,Carlotta. She has appeared on Broadway in “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, and has toured nationally in “Jekyll & Hyde”, and “Les Misérables”. She has graced regional stages in productions of “Mame’, ‘Funny Girl”, “Paper Moon”,” Phantom”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and “Cinderella”.

 

The story revolves around the central character of a man named Erik, (also known as the Phantom) who was born and raised in the cata­combs under the Paris Opera House. Through a series of circum­stances, he takes on as a pupil a young woman named Christ­ine, who has been a street singer. She has a natural talent and a beauti­ful voice, but she lacks the special training to perform in an Opera company.

 

He agrees to take her on as a student with certain condit­ions, the main one being that she will never see his face. After a lot of hard work she eventually auditions for the company and is not only accepted but is given the oppor­tunity to play a principal part in an Opera. Without realizing it, they fall in love with each other. The rela­tionship becomes obsessive and impossi­ble, leading to a stunning conclusion which can only be experi­enced by attending a perfor­mance here at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. 

 

The music and the drama of this piece are extraordinary and should not be missed! From our show that was seen by many members of The Alli­ance for Musical Theatre Producers, came scores of productio­ns around the country, some of which are on- going. Also, after seeing our production of “PHANTOM“, RCA Victor produced a CD recording of the show. Many of our cast partici­pated in the recording, including Glory Crampt­on who played Christine, Meg Bussert who played Carlotta, and most of our ensemble. For those of you who have already seen “PHANTOM“ WBT promises a few surprises, and if you have only seen it once, it is definite­ly worth seeing  a second time.

 

For box office information, contact 914-592-2222, or visit the WBT website at www.broadwaytheatre.com

 

Back From Beyond! The Phantom Rises Again Thursday evening. Robert Cuccioli and Glory Crampton in the original ’92 WBT production of PHANTOM

Still from the original WBT production of “Phantom,” (1992) Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre