WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. By John F. Bailey. January 30, 2012:

So White Plainsians can clearly see what the proposed new legislative districts are in the City of White Plains. We publish them herewith with some brief comments.

Dividing White Plains in the Assembly: New redistricting map for the new 93rd Assembly District Seat held by Robert Castelli. The bold gray line shows the district boundry between the 93rd and 88th Districts. Castelli loses Battle Hill, Fisher Hill, Prospect Park, the massive southend vote to the left of the line that includes the Highlands, Gedney, Ridgeway and Rosedale. Amy Paulin, Assemblyperson for the 88th District gets them. Castelli  gets the White Plains downtown and North End

Crooked Gray Line Divides White Plains State Senate Representation equally from the northwest to the southeast between Senate Districts 35 (currently held by Andrea Stewart-Cousins) and 37 (the seat State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer if retiring from). The 35 runs from Park Circle, takes Battle Hill, half the downtown, half the Highlands, Prospect Park, Hillair Circle, Saxon Woods and Rosedale. The 37th includes Woodcrest Heights, Eastview, Carhart, Gedney Farms, Ridgeway and Haviland Manor.

WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. January 30, 2012:

The splitting of White Plains as envisioned by the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reappointment released last week, currently threatened with a veto by Governor Andrew Cuomo if eventually adopted in anything close to its present form will give White Plains two State Senators (Senate Districts 35 and 37) and give less weight to the White Plains vote in the new 93rd Assembly District.

The splitting of the White Plains constituents between the 35th and 37th districts will also possibly mean those Senators in 35 and 37, don't have to pay that much attention to White Plains needs.

That 93rd District assembly race will take shape tonight when Democratic District Leaders hear from White Plains Councilman David Buchwald, new Westchester resident political activist from Queens, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, and Harrison resident, Clifford Gevirtz, all seeking the nomination to run against Roert Castelli in the race for the 93rd.

Should the new redistricting lines be vetoed by Governor Cuomo the districts would have to be renegotiated in some manner, a process that will be unwieldy at best, according to Assemblyman Robert Castelli's office.

 Mr. Castelli's Saturday news release revealed the lopping off of the southend of White Plains (south from Martine Avenue), from the Castelli district, and gave him North Salem.

 Castelli said "In essence, the gerrymandering remains. I believe there is still time for us to do better, though, because when politicians are choosing their constituents, instead of the other way around, it's the people that lose."

Elizabeth Schollenberger, head of the White Plains Democratic City Committee, told WPCNR she had not run the numbers yet to assess the impact of how many votes Tom Roach received from the White Plains areas lopped off from the former 89th District (now redesignated the 93rd), when Roach narrowly lost to Castelli in 2010.

According to Councilman Buchwald who is in the hunt for the Democratic nod to face Castelli, Tom Roach carried White Plains by 2,000 votes in his attempt to oust Castelli in that 2010 race.

Buchwald, speaking to WPCNR Saturday said he is in the race to stay, but did acknowledge that " I don't think Mr. Castelli has much to complain about (the redistricting)." Buchwald said it was "clear" the loss of a substantial block of White Plains voters, being replaced with North Salem, was favorable to Castelli, but said he (Buchwald) felt he could run very well in North Salem.

If the newly defined 93rd District remains in place for the November election, future Republicans from the 93rd should do well, due to the loss of White Plains southend as a voting factor in the district. The 88th Assembly District where Amy Paulin is the incumbent is bolstered by getting those White Plains southend votes that should assure Paulin of more popularity.

White Plains may be seriously hurt by splitting the city east to west between Andrea Stewart-Cousin's 35th District and the former Suzi Oppenheimer seat in Senate District 37. Robert Cohen who nearly ousted Ms. Oppenheimer two years ago in a close race, now no longer has Oppenheimer as opposition, the Senator choosing to retire. Cohen seems sure to benefit from the inclusion of a large section of Scarsdale in the new Senate District 37 and from a newly included southend section in White Plains. With all of Yonkers (a very needy city according to Yonkers), Greenburgh and some of Tarrytown to worry about, Ms. Strewart-Cousins, may not be able to advocate as strongly for White Plains as Ms. Oppenheimer did when White Plains was her baby.

WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. January 28, 2011:

Assemblyman Robert Castelli of the 89th Assembly District, announced today that his 89th Assembly District has been redesignated the 93rd Assembly District and reconfigured to include North Salem, The new 93rd eliminates White Plains South of Ridgeway, splitting the city West to East for Assembly seat selection purposes and takes away approximately half the strongly Democratic southend of town as a voting block.

According to the Assemblyman, the areas of Ridgeway, Rosedale and Gedney Meadows have been taken out of the district and assigned to Assemblywoman Amy Paulin's 88th Assembly District.  Mr. Castelli told WPCNR, that if approved (Governor Andrew Cuomo told WNYC Radio today, he would veto the proposed redistricting), the redistricting would be in place for the November Assembly election. Mr. Castelli is expected to face White Plains Councilman David Buchwald or Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, or a third dark horse  candidate from Harrison.

On the State Senate Side, according to the proposed maps published by the committee redrawing the district lines,  White Plains has been split in half North to South. 

If the present plan is adopted, White Plains will be represented by two State Senators, the Senator from the 35th District (currently Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and whoever wins the 37th Senate District being vacated by Suzi Oppenheimer. Robert Cohen and Assemblyman George Latimer are expected to contend in that race.

WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. January 27, 2012:

A 14-count superseding indictment was unsealed this morning in Brooklyn federal court charging five members of the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Bonanno family”) variously with racketeering, extortion, illegal gambling, and conspiring to distribute marijuana. An associate of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (the “Gambino family”) was also charged with loansharking.¹

The defendants were arrested earlier today in New York and are scheduled to be arraigned FRIDAY afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Joan M. Azrack, at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. The case has been assigned to United States Chief District Court Judge Carol B. Amon.

An indictment of 5 MS-13 members was unsealed January 23 at the U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, charging five members of La Mara Salvatrucha street gang (the MS-13) with murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, armed robberies, firearms offenses, and related conspiracy charges.

WPCNR CITY CIRCUIT. January 23, 2011:

 The Capital Projects Board voted unaminously this afternoon to spend $130,000 to purchase three-quarters of an acre of open space along Chapman Street off a development on Orchard Street to preserve the land as open space, adding it to the open space inventory.

Mayor Thomas Roach said the small parcel had been on the list of properties recommended by the Open Space Committee to acquire, and that it preserved a wild life habitat (of a migrating turtle) and also provided a buffer to the city's watershed property that is adjacent to the strip of land to be acquired.

Asked if the area would be open to the public, Chief of Staff John Callahan said that the city had not considered that possibility yet.

Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti, told WPCNR and Councilperson Milagros Lecuona that the $130,000 would be paid for out of the city Water Fund.

The land first came to the attention of the city and opposition formed against the proposed subdivision in the summer of 2007. The prospect of opening the wooded area behind the subdivision to possible future development, and possible runoff into the reservoir across route 120,as well as a threat to the Eastern Box Turtle, were primary reasons why the city explored acquiring the strip.

WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. January 20, 2012:

David Buchwald, the White Plains Councilman, after two months of being asked repeatedly by WPCNR if he was going to run for Assemblyman Robert Castelli's 89th Assembly District seat as the Democratic candidate, announced his candidacy for the seat to The Journal News Thursday.

Buchwald, who squandered two months of potential political positioning time by agonizing over whether he would run or notwhen he was shoring up support, is being challenged by a political unknown, Jeremiah Frei-Peterson, who has come out of nowhere. He is a lawyer locally and a White Plains resident since last year.

WPCNR Political Correspondent King tells WPCNR Mr. Frei-Pearson is the choice of the  County Democratic Party, and perhaps the New York City Democratic power structure. Though unknown politically in the city, he is a seasoned, savvy political operative.

Frei-Pearson also announced his candidacy to the Journal News this week. The Gannett reporter, Richard Liebson writes Frei-Pearson ran for the Assembly in the 36th District in Astoria, Queens in 2010.

WPCNR has learned that Frei-Pearson competed against two other Democrats for the Democratic nomination to run for that seat, but dropped out of actually contending in the primary because, Frei-Peterson's spokesperson at the time, Michael Murphy said in a Gotham Gazette article, "because Frei-Pearson and Aravella Simolas has similar stands on the issues, Frei-Pearson did not want to take votes from her that might allow for a third snd more conservative candidate, John Ciafone to win." To read about this race, go to www.gothamgazette.com/article/Albany/20100805/204/3329 

WPCNR has also learned Frei-Pearson is a accomplished attorney, who won a $63 Million lawsuit against Con Edison for victims of the Queens blackout, and has won state reforms in how the developmentally disabled are treated.

Liebson describes him as a native of the Lewisboro, Bedford Hills and Mount Kisco and reports him as saying he and his wife, Karla Mosley a television actress (with a former role as a regular on The Guiding Light, and now a star of the childrens show, Hi-5), , moved back to White Plains to settle down.

More about Frei-Pearson, can be learned at http://www.thealbanyproject.com/diary/8108/locals-want-jeremiah-freipearson-to-run-for-state-assembly

The local White Plains Democratic Party district leaders will get an opportunity to meet both candidates this week.

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Governor Andrew Cuomo's Press Office. January 17, 2012:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled his 2012-13 Executive Budget and Reform Plan, which expands on the historic reforms enacted last year to continue building a New New York. As a result of the tough decisions and bipartisan cooperation of the past year, the State is able to close the current deficit without broad cuts, new taxes, fees or gimmicks. In addition, the Governor’s Executive Budget proposes major reforms to reduce the cost of government for taxpayers, implements accountability in our schools to put students first, and puts the State in a position to leverage billions of dollars in private sector investment to grow the economy and create jobs.

"Because of the tough choices and the historic reforms we achieved last year, we are able to propose a pro-growth budget, tackle broad fiscal reform, drive accountability in our schools to put students first, and leverage tens of billions of dollars of new investment to create jobs without significant cost to the taxpayer," Governor Cuomo said. "Through fiscal discipline and working in partnership with the private sector, we are making New York a pro-growth State once again. This budget represents the next step in our plan to transform New York State."

The Governor's Executive Budget closes the current $2 billion budget deficit with no new taxes or new fees. It also proposes sweeping mandate relief and pension reform that will save taxpayers and local governments billions of dollars and launches historic education reform to put students ahead of the education bureaucracy. The Executive Budget also lays the groundwork for an innovative $25 billion economic development agenda, funded largely by leveraging billions in private sector investment rather than by taxpayer dollars.

WPCNR THE BIG EXTRA. News & Comment by John F. Bailey. January 16, 2012:  

I wrote this column in 2004. It still stands relevant today,  Even more.

Monday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains at 8 AM, the man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is being remembered. His birthday is today.

 I am not that familiar with Dr. King’s life, but I do know that he, like other great men of America who have their days, Dr. King’s name stands for a value that America holds dear.

Abraham Lincoln for freedom

Columbus for discovery,

Dr. King’s name stands for Opportunity. 

Let me add to that fairness. Compassion. A willingness to help and recognize wrong.

What would he say if he addressed the group at the Crowne Plaza Monday?

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. January 12, 2011:

Nancy King reported this morning on Twitter that State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer would not run for another term in November. Oppenheimer's office confirmed this in a news release issued today. Here is that announcement:

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) announced today that she will not seek re-election this November.  The Senator made her decision upon recently learning that she will have to undergo major shoulder replacement surgery in 2012.

Said Oppenheimer:

“It had always been my plan to seek re-election in November and continue to serve the people of this district.  When considering my responsibilities as Senator, the extensive effort that will go into rehabilitation and physical therapy following my surgery, and the added work of the hard fought campaigns I always wage, it became clear to me that I could do only two of those three important tasks.

I want to thank the people of my district for the honor and privilege of representing them.  Wherever I go throughout Westchester County, I am buoyed by the well wishes and support of longtime friends and residents.  I have enormous faith in the people of New York.  If they are ever tough on their elected officials, it is only because they believe – as I do – that we, as a state, can and will be better.

I intend to make 2012 another productive year where I can tackle tough issues, move legislation and have an impact in areas where I have particular expertise.  I am most excited about being part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to bring much needed change to Albany by reforming, reorganizing and making state government effective again.

By the end of this term, I will have served 28 years in the New York State Senate, following eight years as Mayor of Mamaroneck.  The Senate is an institution that I hold very dear to my heart, and I count many of my colleagues – on both sides of the aisle – among my closest friends.”

Senator Oppenheimer has always taken a bipartisan approach as an elected official. “I continue to believe that government at every level succeeds when we work together without regard to party to find solutions through discussion and compromise,” said the Senator.

She has been an outspoken leader in the Senate on a variety of concerns, including education, environmental protection, and issues affecting women and children.  As a former League of Women Voters’ President, Senator Oppenheimer has long advocated for governmental reforms, including public financing of campaigns, open government at all levels and reform of the state budget process.

During her years in the Senate, Oppenheimer sponsored or co-sponsored over 300 laws, addressing such areas as education reform, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Fund, domestic violence, the open meetings law, and the needs of local governments and not-for-profits.

In 2011, Senator Oppenheimer sponsored more bills passing both houses than any other Democratic Senator.  She sponsored important legislation involving Westchester, including the landmark law allowing Purchase College to develop a senior community housing facility integrated onto the campus.  She also passed government reorganization legislation allowing the village and town of Ossining to merge their courts and thereby lower costs to taxpayers.

The Senator’s announcement acknowledged many individuals who have helped her throughout her long and distinguished career: 

“I would like to thank my superb staff in the district and in Albany. They are public servants in the truest sense of the word and without their dedication and tireless work ethic, I would not have been able to accomplish all that I did.  Through the years, we have helped thousands of constituents with their personal issues, and we will continue to do so throughout the coming year. 

I would also like to thank my husband Martin and my wonderful children, Marcy, Evan, Josh, and Ali.  I could not have done my job all these many years without their unwavering support and encouragement.

Most important, it is the trust, partnership and support of Westchester residents over the past 28 years that have made service in the Senate so tremendously rewarding. When individuals or organizations bring a problem to my attention, they open the door for us to work together to solve it. This is the gift that democracy brings forth, and it has been an honor to advance the issues and needs of families in Westchester on a statewide basis.

While I will be out of elective office in 2013 for the first time in 36 years, I expect to continue my involvement and pursue new opportunities to serve our community and our state.”

A date for surgery has not been scheduled, but is expected to take place early in the 2012 Legislative Session.

WPCNR COUNTY QUILL & EYESHADE. Statistics From Geoffrey Gloak, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Projections:WPCNR January 12, 2012 UPDATED 3:30 P.M.E.S.T.:

The White Plains December sales receipts were down in 2011 compared to 2010 , by  1.5% ($80,094). December for the first time ever was not the high point of the sales tax year in White Plains.  September 2011 is the high water dollar mark  for WP, topping $5,000,000. After six months of its fiscal year that began in July the city is up 1% in sales tax collections.

If White Plains collects the $21.9 Million in sales tax receipts they received from January 2011 to June 2011, the city will earn $47.7 Million in sales tax exceeding city budgeted sales tax ($44.6 Million) by $3.1 Million. Should the 2% sales trend increase sustain itself the next six months the city will top $48 Million in sales tax receipts for fiscal 2011-12, that ends in June.

Westchester County sales tax collections in December were up 2% $47.8 Million to $46.8 Million, bringing the county total for its 2011 (January to December) fiscal year to $450,885,825, a 2% increase over the $441, 845, 931 total collected in 2010. The total figure for the 2011 year is slightly more than WPCNR predicted four months ago.

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. January 10, 2011:

The Department of Public Safety hired two new Police Recruits Friday morning in a ceremony conducted by Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong, attended by Mayor Thomas Roach, who welcomed Elizabeth Barksdale and Nicole Maselli to the Department  as Westchester Police Academy Recruits. The two scored 1-2 on the recent police exams out of 30 persons taking the test,Commissioner Chong said.

“To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.”

Flanders Fields

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong with new Police Recruits, Nicole Maselli,to Mr. Chong's left and Elizabeth Barksdale, third from left, with Mayor Thomas Roach.

Commissioner Chong, setting the tone for the upbeat event, said the two are joining a department in a city where “The Mayor believes in public safety, and considers it utmost in his priorities,” and characterized the two recruits as “outstanding.”

He said that Ms. Barksdale (being sworn in by Commissioner Chong above) was a dispatcher for six years with the White Plains Police Department, and is fluent Spanish. 

Ms. Maselli, being sworn in. Mr. Chong said she was a former dispatcher in the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The commissioner observed that as dispatchers, they were familiar with police operations on the inside and now they were going over to the other side of dispatching, responding to calls and situations.

He described the job they were taking on as a tough job,  where they would be asked to be adept at employing many skills in fluent, fast-moving situations: police officer, social worker, psychologist, problem-solver  that “they would see some of the worst things in the world people would ever see.”  He said the new officers  would be “the face of the city” that people would see, and the department would be there for them to train them and help them to be successful.

Mayor Roach with Elizabeth Barksdale's family.

Mayor Roach (right with the Maselli Family

He encouraged the families present to love them and understand that some days, they would come home with a “heavy heart,” and “not want to talk.” He asked the families to understand.

Ms. Maselli's mother pins on her new Department of Public Safety Badge, while her father Nicholas Maselli, former liaison with the Westchester County District Attorney looks on.

At the conclusion of the swearing in families pinned on the shiny new badges and careers of service had begun. The two recruits started their assignment at the Westchester County Police Academy Monday, and will spend  five and a half months in training there. Chief James Bradley said he expected them to go on active duty as patrol officers in November.

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced the appointment of Jay T. Pisco, an engineer and executive manager with over 30 years of experience, as Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Transportation. The appointment follows the retirement of John J. Hsu.

County Executive Robert Astorino, left, congratulates Jay Pisco, right on his appointment Monday.  Photo, Courtesy, The Westchester County Department of Communications.

WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. From the Governor Andrew Cuomo wesbite. January 5, 2012:

Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed the state legislature on his goals for 2012. Focusing on growing the New York economy, the Governor put forth an agenda to rebuilding New York's infrastructure requiring billions of new construction dollars.

Here is the text of the Governor's speech:

WAYNE BASS

ON THE OCCASION OF HIS APPROVAL AS NEW WHITE PLAINS COMMISSIONER OF RECREATION AND PARKS TUESDAY EVENING.

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT.By John F. Bailey. December 30, 2011. UPDATED 4:40 P.M. E.S.T. UPDATED JANUARY 4, 2012 10:20 P.M. E.S.T.:

Wayne Bass, a former skate guard at Ebersole Ice Rink, and facilitator of youth programs throughout the county was installed as Commissioner of  Recreation and Parks in White Plains, beginning January 17, replacing departed Commissioner Albert Moroni, WPCNR notes from the Common Council agenda.Fran Crogan had been operating as Acting Commissioner since Mr. Moroni's abrupt departure in November.

Tom Roach, Mayor of White Plains, said he had worked with Mr. Bass when he was a recreation supervisor for White Plains from 2003-2007, and said he would do a fine job. Mr. Bass told WPCNR he was very excited about the opportunity but had no immediate plans he had in mind at this time for recreation, saying he would begin the job January 17. In other recreation news, Councilman John Martin was appointed Chairman of the city's Recreation Committee.

John Callahan, Chief of Staff for Mayor Tom Roach,confirmed Saturday to WPCNR, that Mr. Bass,previously Assistant Superintendent of New Castle Recreation and Parks, had been selected to be the new Commissioner. He also runs Next Level Athletics, a high profile coaching clinic in the county, according Mr. Bass's "Linked-In" profile.

He is in his mid-50s, has strong White Plains connections, and, coincidentally,was formerly a skate guard at Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains. He worked for the White Plains Recreation and Parks department from 2003 to 2007, in the Delfino administration.

He is a graduate of City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College with a Master of Education degree in Recreation Management. He received his BBA degree from Pace University's Lubin School of Business in Management.received his undergraduate degree from Pace University where he was a three year letterman in Basketball.

Mr. Bass's background is basketball with extensive experience with a variety of youth recreational programs at all age levels.

According to his Next Level Athletics website, he is "recognized as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) by the National Recreation and Parks Association and the New York State Recreation and Parks Society. His contributions to the Next Level Program include vast experience as an organizer of special events and programs for the Village of Elmsford, Town of Greenburgh, and the City of White Plains. Wayne (Mr. Bass) is the coordinator of such programs, as the: MPSL Basketball league, Pro-Am Michelob 3 on 3 Competition, Greenburgh Traveling All-stars Basketball Team, Elmsford Recreation Youth Basketball Program, Greenburgh Super 16 Invitational Basketball Tourney, and the Sport�s Authority Three Point Shootout. In addition, he is a former head coach at Alexander Hamilton High School.

Next Level Athletics specializes in basketball training and programs, and  counts as its clients: The Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, the Mt. Vernon Family YMCA, the Tarrytown Family YMCA, Temple Beth Abraham-Robert Jacobson Fund, the Town of Greenburgh, the Urban Marketing Corporation of America, the Village of Elmsford, Westchester Wildfire, White Plains Recreation and Parks, and the City of New Rochelle School District, and the White Plains Family YMCA.

Mr. Bass will earn $137,484 a year in the post of Commissioner of Recreation and Parks. He is a resident of Elmsford.

Mayor Roach said that Fran Crogan, current Deputy Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, had not indicated she would be leaving the department. At this time, she is expected apparently to continue in her Deputy Commissionership at $118,406 a year.

WPCNR FBI WIRE. FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. DECEMBER 23, 2011:

GE Funding Capital Market Services Inc. entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve the company’s role in anticompetitive activity in the municipal bond investments market and agreed to pay a total of $70 million in restitution, penalties and disgorgement to federal and state agencies, the Department of Justice announced today.

As part of its agreement with the department, GE Funding admits, acknowledges and accepts responsibility for illegal, anticompetitive conduct by its former traders. According to the non-prosecution agreement, from 1999 through 2004, certain former GE Funding traders entered into unlawful agreements to manipulate the bidding process on municipal investment and related contracts, and caused GE Funding to make payments and engage in other related activities in connection with those agreements through at least 2006. These contracts were used to invest the proceeds of, or manage the risks associated with, bond issuances by municipalities and other public entities.