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Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 11 mph.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind around 7 mph. (From National Weather Service)
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WPCNR MAIN STREET BEAT. From the Service Employees International Union 32BJ. May 11, 2021: At noon on Tuesday, May 11, six members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators joined displaced cleaners at the City Center Mall to protest the mall’s flagrant violation of the Westchester’s displaced worker law, as well as Gladiator’s violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
In January, City Center Mall owner and manager Kite Realty Group and KRG Management replaced its unionized mall cleaning company with a non-union contractor, Gladiator Building Services. Although property owners are free to switch cleaning contractors, the Westchester County Legislature in 2019 sought to prevent unnecessary harm to workers by strengthening the county’s Displaced Service Employees Protection Law. The law now provides an orderly 90-day transition period, during which the new contractor and site owner must provide written communications, respect seniority, and allow workers to apply for the their former jobs.
At the law’s signing, Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia said, “We needed to prevent employers from making an end run around the spirit of the law…by not being sufficiently transparent in their communications with workers.”
Now, Borgia and other legislators will join with workers and their union, 32BJ SEIU, to protest Kite and Gladiator’s refusal to respect seniority rights and failure to provide written notification of various changes.
Last month, after negotiations between Gladiator and 32BJ broke off, five of the displaced cleaners filed suit in the State Supreme Court against Gladiator and Kite for violation of the county’s displaced worker law. The union also filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board for Gladiator’s failure to bargain with the union, for coercively interrogating workers about their union support, and for making unilateral changes to employment, including lowering wages and eliminating benefits.
“This longstanding group of cleaners lost their jobs in the midst of the worst health and economic crisis of our lifetimes,” said 32BJ SEIU Vice President Shirley Aldebol, the head of the union in the Hudson Valley. “These workers are tired of having their rights ignored by an owner and contractor who have lowered wages, eliminated benefits, and disempowered employees. Enough is enough. Kite Realty needs to do the right thing and bargain in good faith with the union and restore these workers to their previous terms and conditions of employment.”
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“GOOD MORNING, DENNIS AND TONNY’ WHERE ITS 50 DEGREES AND SUNNY IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA.
“THIS WAS REOPENING WEEK WHEN GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCED REMOVAL OF MOST RESTRICTIONS ON RESTAURANT IN-DOOR DINING IN NEW YORK CITY AND THE MIDHUDSON, LONG ISLAND AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES.
I GOT TO WONDERING IF THE STATE SENATE AND THE STATE ASSEMBLY COVID OVERSITE COMMITTEE of 10 THAT OFFICIALLY APPROVES COVID POLICY NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY POWERS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. I WENT TO WHITE PLAINS STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER TO FIND OUT IF THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THESE POLICIES.
“SENATOR MAYER CALLED WPCNR THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS OF APPROVAL. SHE SAID THE PROCESS WORKS THIS WAY WHEN THE GOVERNOR ISSUES A ‘DIRECTIVE” THE OVERSITE COMMITTEE IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW POLICIES, OR THEY DO NOT BRING IT TO THE FLOOR THEY LET IT PROCEED.
“SO FAR SHE SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORTS TO RAISE ISSUES ON THE DIRECTIVES IN THE SENATE OR ASSEMBLY, THAT’S IN THE LAST WEEK, SO SHE INTERPRETS THIS TO MEAN THE COMMITTEE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW GUBERNATORIAL DIRECTIVES.
“I ASKED HER IF THERE WAS ANY THOUGHT TO DISCONTINUING DAILY COVID TRACKING REPORTS GOING FORWARD. SHE SAID SHE BELIEVED IN RETAINING THE REPORTS AND EXPANDING THE DATA RATHER THAN CUTTING IT BACK CONSIDERING THE ADMINISTRATION HAD HELD BACK CERTAIN DATA BOTH HOUSES HAD WANTED.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY POSITIVES IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY HELD STEADY AT 1% OF THE
59,450 TESTED FROM SATURDAY MAY 1 TO SATURDAY MAY 8 SHOWING THE STEADY RISE IN
FULLY VACCINATED WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS
CONTINUES THE WEEKLY TREND IN LOWER AND LOWER NUMBER OF INFECTIONS THAT STARTED
THE TURNAROUND IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DISEASE APRIL 1.
SINCEAPRIL 1ST THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF POSITIVE NEW CASES A WEEK HAS
DECLINED FROM APPROXIMATELY 400 NEW CASES A WEEK TO 93 ON THE END OF SATURDAY.
IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF APRIL THERE WERE 3,971 PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE WHICH
RESULTED IN 116 HOSPITALIZATIONS LAST WEEK. THAT’S A 3% HOSPITALIZATION RATE.
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE THIS WEEK MAY 3 TO MAY 10 WAS 857 AN INFECTION RATE OF
1%–WE HAVE HAD 5 STRAIGHT DAYS OF 1% POSITIVE PERSONS OF MAY 1 TO MAY 9 WAS 857,
IF 3% ARE HOSPITALIZED WOULD RESULT IN ONLY 27 PERSONS BEING HOSPITALIZED IN
TWO WEEKS. 74 WERE REPORTED HOSPITALIZED SUNDAY MAY 9 LAST DOWN 200 CASES IN
TWO WEEKS.
“WESTCHESTER HAS 44% FULLY VACCINATED 429,158 OUT OF 967,612 PERSONS, DUTCHESS, 38%, ORANGE COUNTY 32%, PUTNAM 41%, ROCKLAND 33% SULLIVAN IN THE CATSKILLS 32% ULSTER THE LEADER IN PERCENTAGE, 46% FULLY VACCINATED BUT ONLY 78,676 PEOPLE COMPARED TO WESTCHESTER’S 429,158—WE IN WESTCHESTER ARE GETTING CLOSE TO 50%.
“NOW HOW SOON AT THE PRESENT RATE OF VACCINATIONS CAN THE MID HUDSON REGION GET TO HERD IMMUNITY, DENNIS?
CURRENTLY THE VACCINATIONS A WEEK ARE RUNNING 39,000 A WEEK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING FIRST SHOTS THAT’S —3,481 A DAY.
“AS OF MAY 10, 35% OF THE MID-HUDSON POPULATION OF 2.3 MILLION IS FULLY VACCINATED LEAVING 1.5 MILLION TO GO.
“AT A DAY RATE OF 9,500 VACCINATIONS DELIVERING SECOND SHOTS TO THE 1.5 MILLION LEFT NEEDING A SECOND SHOT, IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 107 DAYS OR AUGUST 15 BEFORE THE MID-HUDSON REGION ACHIEVES HERD IMMUNITY.
“THE MAYOR OF WHITE PLAINS TOM ROACH REPORTED THERE ARE 80 ACTIVE CASES IN OUR CITY DOWN 59 FROM A WEEK AGO. WE ARE AVERAGING 4 NEW CASES A DAY. CASES ARE CONTINUING TO DECLINE IN NEW YORK STATE, CURRENT STATE POSITIVITY RATE IS LESS THAN 2%
“ARCHBISHOP STEPINAC HIGH SCHOOL IN WHITE PLAINS IS STARTING CONSTRUCTION ON A SCIENCE CENTER AND A FINANCIAL CENTER CLASSROOMS THIS SUMMER WHICH WILL BE READY FOR CLASSES THIS FALL. YOU CAN HEAR FRANK PORTANOVA VICE PRINCIPAL OF CURRICULUM AND ACADEMC STUDIES TELL ABOUT THE PLANS ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK, AVAILABLE TO SEE ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG JUST SCROLL DOWN THE VIDEO WALL TO WHITE PLAINS WEEK
“LAST WEDNESDAY WAS UNITED NATIONS WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY TO REMIND GOVERNMENTS OF THE NEED TO RESPECT THEIR COMMITMENT TO PRESS FREEDOM AND A DAY OF REFLECTION FOR REPORTERS ABOUT THE ISSUES OF PRESS FREEDOM, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND TO REMEMBER “WHEN JOURNALISTS CAN’T ASK, WE CAN’T ACT.” WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY’S SLOGAN: INFORMATION IS A PUBLIC GOOD. REPORTERS HAVE TO THINK AND REPORT ON THE ANSWERS TO THE TOUGH QUESTIONS. THANK YOU DENNIS AND TONNY“
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There are currently an estimated 80 active cases in our City, down 59 from a week ago. Over the last 7 days, we are averaging 4 new cases per day. Cases are continuing to decline in our city and in New York State as a whole. The State’s current positivity rate now stands at less than 2%. This is Big news, and is a direct result of vaccination efforts.
Capacity limits on restaurants and venues will end on May 19th. However, occupancy will still be limited based on social distancing guidelines.
It was announced today that all SUNY and CUNY students returning for in-person instruction in the fall must be fully vaccinated and the Governor is urging private colleges in the state to do the same.
The County Center in White Plains and the Yonkers Armory are now open to any eligible New Yorker age 16 and older for vaccinations on a walk-in basis.
If you have questions about the vaccine or are uncertain whether to take it, I urge you to speak with your doctor, or utilize trustworthy information sources such as White Plains Hospital, the CDC, and New York State Dept. of Health.
Choosing to be vaccinated protects you, your family, and our community – and it is Free. Additionally, it will speed your return to normal activities. Now is the time to check getting the shot off your list. All three of the vaccines authorized for use in the United States are safe and effective and available in White Plains.
Our next call is on Monday, May 17th. Until then remember, we’re standing together by staying apart.
Actualmente hay un estimado de 80 casos activos en nuestra ciudad, 59 menos que hace una semana. Durante los últimos 7 días, hemos tenido un promedio de 4 casos nuevos por día. Los casos continúan disminuyendo en nuestra ciudad y en el estado de Nueva York en general. Actualmente la tasa de casos activos en el estado es de menos del 2%. Esta gran noticia es resultado de los esfuerzos que se están haciendo para vacunar a todos los neoyorquinos.
Los límites de capacidad de ocupación en restaurantes y locales finalizarán el 19 de mayo. Sin embargo, aún se requerirá distanciamiento social dentro del establecimiento.
Hoy se anunció que todos los estudiantes de SUNY y CUNY que regresen a clases en persona en el otoño deben estar completamente vacunados y el gobernador está instando a las universidades privadas del estado a hacer lo mismo.
El City Center en White Plains y el Yonkers Armory ahora están abiertos a cualquier neoyorquino que cumpla con los requisititos y que tengan de 16 años en adelante sin necesidad de cita previa.
Si tiene preguntas sobre la vacuna o no está seguro si debe ponérsela, lo insto a que hable con su médico o utilice fuentes de información confiables como White Plains Hospital, la CDC y el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Nueva York.
Si se vacuna estará protegiendo a su familia, a nuestra comunidad, y a usted mismo. Hágalo es gratis. Además, acelerará su regreso a sus actividades normales. Las tres vacunas autorizadas para su uso en los Estados Unidos son seguras y eficaces y están disponibles en White Plains.
Nuestra próxima llamada es el lunes 17 de mayo. Hasta entonces y recuerde que estamos más juntos manteniéndonos más separados.
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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. By John F. Bailey based on the NY State Covid Tracker. May 10, 2021:
New Westchester County Positives in the first week of May held steady at 1% of the 59,450 TESTED from Saturday May 1 to Saturday May 8 showing the steady rise in fully vaccinated Westchester residents continues the weekly trend in lower and lower number of infections that started the turnaround in the fight against the disease April 1.
Since April 1st the average number of positive new cases a week has declined from approximately 400 new cases a week to 93 on the end of Saturday.
In the last two weeks of April there were 3,971 positive persons which resulted in 116 hospitalizations last week. That computes to a 3% hospitalization rate.
BULLETIN BULLETIN BULLETIN:
County Executive George Latimer reported this afternoon that as of yesterday the county had 74 new hospitalizations. On Sunday, yesterday 5, 709 were tested in the county and 57 tested positive, continuing the fifth straight day that persons tested only infected at a 1% infection rate.
The lower number of persons testing positive this week, 914, if 3% are hospitalized, would result in 27 persons being hospitalized in two weeks–a lowering of hospitalizations from an average of 200 hopitalizations 5 weeks ago to 20 in the next two weeks time.
The County Executive said new hospitalizions rate had declined over 200 in three weeks. He said results continue to be positive and announced new pop-up locations and vaccinations to be held at a number of MTA Metro North Stations.
He and County Executive of Suffolk County Steve Ballone announced a county collaboration to electrify their respective fleets to all electric by 2030 using federal funds, and financing the purchases to begin the program
County Executive Latimer annonced a Town Hall Zoom Meeting Thursday evening for young persons 18 to 25 to answer their questions and encourage them to get first vaccinations.
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Today Patchy drizzle with a slight chance of showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northwest wind around 9 mph.
TONIGHT cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 9 to 14 mph.
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“HEY MOM!”
Hey Mom– Bring me two waters so I’m set?
Where’s my underarmor? And my visor?
Are my tights washed? My skates are dull.
Hey Mom, can you call the advisor?
Hey Mom, I wasn’t yelling at you.
I didn’t mean to! You were yelling at me!
You never let me do anything my friends do
Hey Mom, would you chill, lighten up, just do!
Hey Mom, I don’t like the way this looks for the prom –
I don’t like the color, how could you think this was me?
I just can’t wear this, it’s this, it’s that it’s…Oh, Mom!?!
Hey Mom, I’ve been studying all morning getting knowledge.
Can’t I go out, I’ll be back by ten?
But, I know the material, gone over it again and again.
Oh, Mom – I hate my life! I can hardly wait until college.
Hey Mom – But I did call and let you know
Don’t you understand, I couldn’t call at that time.
No, you can’t not let me go – it’s a great band
Oh, Mom – I hate you! You never understand!
Hey, Mom, please don’t embarrass me at the game
By screaming so loud, it’s just so tacky
But, hey mom, I like that you’re over there in the stand
Watching me play, you know that don’t you Mom, you understand?
Hey Mom, can you get me to the rink
At 5 – I know you have to take off from work early?
Thanks, Mom, I’m so sorry but the team has a special thing
I have to be there, thanks Mom – I love you—really.
Hey, Mom, please when you pick me up at the dorm
Don’t come inside. Just wait outside, call me on the cell
I’ll be right down — it’s the norm.
Don’t ring the bell!
Hey, Mom, I’ve read the classifieds
There are no jobs, I can’t make all those calls.
Well, OK, I guess I can send that resume you made for me (sigh).
OK, I’m lost, where’s the post office, down Lexington to what?
Hey Mom, well I’m bringing my friends by,
Don’t let Dad embarrass me with his jokes, OK?
I’ll just die if he’s silly again — you won’t let him do that?
You’ll talk to him about that?
All right, Mom I’ll take that extra course.
But I’ve just been going to school for months it never ends!
Can’t I have a little vacation, I don’t know what’s worse
Can’t I spend a little time with my friends?
You do like him Mom?
Oh, I hoped you would.
Yes, I really do
I am so glad you do too!
Hey Mom, can you take care of the kids this weekend?
We’re going to Vermont with a friend.
And Mom, the cats get kibble in morning and meat at night,
We love you mom, sorry for the short notice, talk to you tonight.
Hey Mom, I’m sorry I can’t see you Mother’s Day.
Are you all right, what will you be doing today?
Going to a play – great – you know we love you in every way?
Though we may not show it you’re always with us
even when you’re away.
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| Reminder White Plains School Board Candidates Forum Tuesday May 11, 7:00 p.m. |
| There are four candidates running for three seats on the School Board. Members serve at-large for three year terms. The candidates are, James Hricay, Raina Kadavil, Cayne Letizia, and Rose Lovitch.  Registration is required. Questions for the candidates may be submitted until Sunday May 9. The Forum will also be live streamed on the League of Women Voters of White Plains YouTube Channel. It will be recorded and will be available on our YouTube channel. The election will take place on Tuesday, May 18th, from Noon to 9 P.M. Voting will be at one of six locations. People must vote at a polling location based on where they live. Use this tool [Click Here] to find where you will vote. For further information on the election please call (914) 422-2071 or visit the White Plains Schools website [Click Here] For further information about the Candidates Forum contact lwvwp.candidatesforum@gmail.com |
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WPCNCR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Governor’s Press Office. May 5, 2021:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Broadway will fully reopen its doors this September, in accordance with the State’s health and safety guidance. Beginning May 6, and throughout May, tickets for Broadway shows – which begin September 14, 2021 – will be made available for sale at 100 percent of theater capacity. Today’s announcement builds upon the reopening of performing arts and live entertainment venues at limited capacities last month and further sets the stage for Broadway shows to return to theaters throughout the fall.
“Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employees countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on,” Governor Cuomo said. “Visitors from all around the world have come to New York to experience the arts and culture and see iconic performances on Broadway, and sadly, the pandemic put this unique New York experience on pause. Thankfully, as we continue to monitor the data and reopen our economy, we are now on track to allow full capacity performances on Broadway to resume beginning this September, bringing back this beloved world-famous attraction.”
The State will continue to work closely with Broadway industry partners to plan for the safe, successful return of this world-class cultural experience. As public health conditions and the State’s guidance for performing arts and live entertainment changes, Broadway stakeholders will remain flexible and adapt to applicable health protocols, such as face coverings, health screening, enhanced air filtration and ventilation, and rigorous cleaning and disinfection.
The availability of advance sale tickets and marketing for shows begins the months-long process of reopening to full capacity, building momentum to sustain many long and successful Broadway runs. The Governor, Department of Health, Empire State Development, and State agency partners join with the industry in their commitment to creating safe and heathy environments for audiences, performers, and employees to enjoy, perform, and work. If performances need to be postponed due to the public health conditions, theaters have planned to offer customer-friendly refunds and exchange policies.
To support the performance industry in New York City, the FY 2022 enacted budget included $1 billion in Small Business and Arts Relief and Recovery Assistance, which includes the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit Program which provides up to $100 million in tax credits to jump start the industry and revitalize tourism in New York City. Under this program, productions which have their first performance scheduled through December 2022 are eligible for a 25 percent credit on eligible costs.
Prior to the pandemic, almost 250,000 people were seeing a Broadway show every week. Broadway supports nearly 97,000 local jobs and contributes about $14.7 billion every year to the New York City economy. For more information, please visit the Broadway League, the industry’s trade association, at their website: www.broadway.org/.
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New STEAM Center, Finance Center and Additional Classrooms of the Future Continue Stepinac’s Leadership in Secondary Education
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. Special to WPCNR from Archbishop Stepinac High School. May 5, 2021:
Continuing its leadership in secondary education to provide students with the skills they will need to become globally competitive at college and in their future careers, Stepinac High School today announced the start of a new round of creating innovative learning spaces typically available at college, not a high school.
The highlights of what Stepinac President Fr. Thomas Collins (Class of ’79) (left) described as “bold, visionary and technologically advanced initiatives to help assure the post-secondary success of our students “include a STEAM Center, Finance Center as well as two additional cutting-edge classrooms modeled after Columbia University learning spaces that Stepinac introduced in the fall of 2019
.The latest chapter in Stepinac’s pioneering learning capabilities, which have been recognized by Rice University as a ‘model for high school education in America,” has already started with design and planning. Construction is scheduled to start later this spring and will be completed for the start of the new school year in September 2021.
The STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Center will boast a state-of-the-art Makerspace with a visual arts design studio where “students will be encouraged to tap into their creativity and try something new,” explained Principal Paul Carty.
Located on the first floor adjacent to the science wing, the new facility comprising 2,200 square feet will also house professional industrial equipment and the latest technology that “will expose students to real-world experiences in engineering, architecture and design and prepare them to pursue opportunities in these disciplines if they choose,” added Carty.
The 1,500-square-foot Finance Center, which will be located on the second floor adjacent to the library, will also “represent another Stepinac first in curriculum innovation,” said Frank Portanova (Class of ’93), Vice Principal of Curriculum and Academic Studies. “This unique space will be devoted to teaching professional literacy in finance at a college level.”
A distinctive Wall Street atmosphere will be created featuring LED ticker displays in real time, an essential tool used daily by newsrooms, financial wealth management firms, and university business school finance labs.
In addition, the new lab will allow for the integration of the Bloomberg Terminal and Bloomberg Market Concepts into the curriculum. Accordingly, students will then graduate with a Bloomberg certificate. Portanova noted: “This will certainly be a boon to their college resumes and transcripts and show Stepinac’s continued commitment to our mission of bringing the real world into our classrooms.”
Building on the success of Stepinac’s new classrooms of the future, which were well received in 2019 by students and faculty, Stepinac will create two more non-traditional, 21st century learning spaces. The additions will “expand our advanced learning environment that, unlike anything else in the region, prepares students for what they will expect when they go to college and into their chosen career or industry,” Carty explained.
The classrooms will be equipped with numerous touch-interactive displays with high performance front-facing speakers, and numerous inputs for all video formats as well as built-in browser, white boarding, and wireless sharing without requiring a computer. The rooms will also feature moveable premier Steelcase furniture that will allow students to collaborate better, concentrate better, experiment better, and learn better.
Stepinac’s other groundbreaking initiatives to develop a cutting-edge, technology enabled high school include the first-of-its-kind all-digital textbook library, the blended curriculum (each course has one-of-a-kind technology platforms), the Honors Academy which has become a model for an effective small personal learning program for academically top-achieving students and the Entrepreneurship Program elective that was launched in the fall 2020.
“We take enormous pride in Stepinac’s preeminence in curriculum innovation and technological advances, the critical underpinnings to a successful 21st century high school education that will continue Stepinac’s tradition of shaping our students to become tomorrow’s leaders in their professions and in their communities.,” Father Collins said.