Westchester Insider: UPDATE: County Budget and Conversation - Saturday, 12/4.

Both locations have advised us that they have mask restrictions in place, so we won’t be having coffee. But we’ll have plenty of time to discuss the County Budget and other County related issues you are interested in.

Greenburgh Insider: Booster shots at Greenburgh Health Center Monday- no appointment necessary!

 

We are so lucky to have the Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center in our town. Booster shots for walk in's this Monday from 9 AM to 4 PM.

BOOSTER VACCINES WITHOUT APPOINTMENTS AT THE GREENBURGH HEALTH CENTER.

Walk-in Vaccines this Monday, 12/6/2021 at Greenburgh Health Center from 9:00 a. m – 4:00 p .m.

The Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center is an  amazing asset to  our town. And we appreciate the fact that residents are able to get booster shots WITHOUT appointments. They are located at 295 Knollwood Road, White Plains (across from the library). Their phone is 989 7600.  My 97 year old mom got the booster at the Health Center a few weeks back and said she didn't feel a thing and had no negative reaction. The health center has a great team of dedicated medical professionals working for them and for us.

PAUL FEINER

Mount Vernon Insider: Soul Santa is Coming to Town: Toy/Gift Drive & Give Away.

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia 9th District: Work as a Lifeguard at Westchester County Pools and Beaches This Summer.

 

Work as a Lifeguard at Westchester County Pools and Beaches This Summer.

It’s never too early to plan your summer and Westchester County is already seeking lifeguards for the 2022 season!

Watch Westchester County Parks’ Lifeguard Recruitment Video: https://youtu.be/jR5wwcv2js0

Applications are now available to be considered for employment as a Westchester County Lifeguard: https://parks.westchestergov.com/job-opportunities/lifeguards-wanted. Applicants must be 15 years of age or older to apply. 

Applicants should possess a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED for Lifeguards certifications or equivalent, and pass the Westchester County practical skills test. County Parks offers training for new guards, which includes waterfront training for the option to guard at either a pool or beach.

Those applying must be able to work at varied locations including Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains, Sprain Ridge Pool in Yonkers, The Brook at Tibbetts in Yonkers, Willson’s Waves Pool in Mount Vernon, as well as Croton Point Park Beach in Croton-on-Hudson and Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle, if waterfront certified.

Westchester County Parks Lifeguards are an award-winning team, receiving the Top 200 Provider award from the American Red Cross in 2020 for opening safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and training 204 lifeguards in a time of uncertainty.

For more information, contact the County’s aquatics team at prc-aquatics@westchestergov.com or (914) 231-4556.

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky 12th District: Tri-State Transit Campaign’s Westchester Bus Survey.

Tri-State Transit Campaign’s Westchester Bus Survey.

Tri-State Transportation Campaign is asking Bee-Line Bus riders to share their feedback on routes and services across Westchester County, as they prepare recommendations for the bus system’s redesign to best meet the needs of its riders.  The survey should take less than 8 minutes to complete.  All responses are greatly appreciated.

You can take the Westchester Bus Survey here.

Tri-State Transportation Campaign is a non-profit policy advocacy organization dedicated to mobility, accessibility, and livability in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

New York City Insider: Bronx Cares: Local Bronx Nonprofit Raising Money for Children’s Book Donations.

 

#TheBronxBookFlood, a fundraising campaign from Bronx-based nonprofit Start Lighthouse, in partnership with #1001DiverseBooks, which aims to bring 2,000 books to underserved Bronx children. This bold initiative, aiming to raise $20K in just 10 days (11/29-12/10), will bring children's author Sheetal Sheth to the Bronx for 3 Literary Adventures during which 2,000 children will receive new, diverse children's books - quite literally flooding the Bronx with books.

In an average community of concentrated poverty, only one age-appropriate book is available for every 300 children, compared to affluent areas, which offer 13 books per child. Books are a luxury item for many families in the South Bronx, as 58% of residents are rent-burdened and 29% live in poverty. The pandemic truly reduced or in some cases eliminated many children’s access to books, and this initiative aims to increase access to books at scale for the neighborhood.

Fundraising details below:

Date: 11/29 - 12/10

Where to donate: https://www.givelify.com/donate/1001-diverse-books-inc-irving-tx-2j7wy5MTQ5NzMyNQ==/donation/amount

Goal: $20K

About Start Lighthouse

Start Lighthouse is a literacy nonprofit organization founded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, during a time of widespread school and library closures. Start Lighthouse creates access to books through customized literacy kits, literacy programming with a racial justice lens, and fundamental community workshops for families.

About #1001DiverseBooks

#1001DiverseBooks is a Mango & Marigold Press initiative to bridge the accessibility gap in literature for children and teens. With each new book produced, the company partners with literacy and advocacy groups and has committed 1001 new, diverse books to their organizations. 

Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID News.

 

Getty Square Annual Treelighting| Thurs, Dec 2nd at 4:30 p.m.

Join us to light up the 20ft holiday tree in Getty Square in Downtown Yonkers! There will be holiday live entertainment, free hot chocolate and much more! Bring down the family for this year's tree lighting!

New York City Insider: U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement on the Reopening of Elevators at 181 St Station.

 

Press Release: For Immediate Release:  December 1, 2021

Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement on the Reopening of Elevators at 181 St Station. 181 St Replacement Completed Ahead of Original Timeline, Includes Replacement of Four Elevators and Provides Direct Access to Northbound Platform. NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement on the completion of the elevator replacement project at the 181 St 1 station in his district:  “I commend the MTA on today’s announcement to reopen the 181 Street 1 Station following completion of elevator replacements that was not only completely successfully, but ahead of the anticipated timeframe to provide upgraded services and direct access to our residents,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “The station sits at the center of an important transit hub adjacent to the vibrant 181st St. commercial district, a number of bus connections to the Bronx, and a number of schools. The MTA worked closely with my office and other local leaders to make certain that alternative transit services were available for residents and our neighbors who regularly use the station.” The 181 St 1 Station project included the full replacement of four elevators at the station, providing direct access to the northbound platform. Also included in this project was the installation of a new LiftNet system that will improve incident response time and a battery back-up system that will allow customers to exit the station by elevators, even during a power outage. A new CCTV camera system was installed, including two CCTV cameras per elevator along with a new fire alarm system.  The completion at 181 St signals the end of the broader elevator replacement work at five separate “deep” stations in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. For many customers, the elevators are utilized both for accessing the subway as well as more easily traversing the neighborhood’s unique, steep topography.  “This was a vital project that will greatly benefit the Washington Heights community for years to come,” said Craig Cipriano, NYC Transit Interim President. “Reliable access and high functioning elevators to our deeper stations is critical to serving the riders of this community. The fact that we were able to complete work in a shorter period is a big win all around.”  The 181 St station opened in 1906 and is listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places. Elevators in the station reach a depth of 122 feet below ground. The station was closed during construction. Alternate bus service was provided throughout the duration of the project in close consultation with community leaders and elected officials.  The Authority previously completed elevator replacements on the 1 line at 168 St in 2019 and most recently 191 St on the 1 line. The replacement work at 181 St was originally slated to begin in March 2021 but was accelerated to a December 2020 start following the early completion of the replacement efforts at 191 St.  On the A line replacements were completed at the 181 St station and two of the three elevators at 190 St are in service, with the final elevator expected to be put in service next week. Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York State Insider: Attorney General James Announces Arrest and Indictment of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin for Stealing Campaign Funds.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2021. Attorney General James Announces Arrest and Indictment of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin for Stealing Campaign Funds.  County Executive Allegedly Used Campaign Funds to Pay Personal Debts. NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and indictment of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, 58, for stealing thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. McLaughlin, following his election to County Executive but while still serving in the New York State Assembly, allegedly withdrew $5,000 from his campaign fund and directed that $3,500 of it be given to one of his staffers to pay the candidate’s personal debts.   McLaughlin is charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree for the $3,500 campaign fund theft and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree for the related filing of a financial disclosure report with the New York State Board of Elections on December 4, 2017, claiming that the campaign expenditure was for “consulting,” though it was being diverted for his personal use. If convicted of the felony charges, McLaughlin will be removed from office pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 30(1)(e).  “Elected officials are entrusted to protect and serve, but Mr. McLaughlin allegedly violated that trust by using his campaign funds as a personal piggybank,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers should have every confidence that the money they donate to their preferred candidates will fund that candidate’s campaign, not personal debts or expenses. My office will continue to root out corruption at every level of government and go after those who abuse public trust for private benefit.” On November 7, 2017, McLaughlin won the race for Rensselaer County Executive and resigned his Assembly seat in January 2018. It is alleged that also in November 2017, a personal dispute erupted between McLaughlin and a staffer over a $3,500 personal debt owed to the staffer, as well as his possession of the staffer’s laptop computer and iPad. In response to the staffer’s payment demand, McLaughlin directed a $5,000 check to be drawn from the “Steve McLaughlin for County Executive” campaign fund, payable to Hudson Valley Strategies, a political consulting firm used by McLaughlin. On November 21, 2017, the $5,000 check was deposited into the consulting firm’s bank account. Later that day, a Hudson Valley Strategies principal drafted a $3,500 bank check from the account and delivered it, the laptop, and the iPad to the staffer.  McLaughlin was arraigned today before Judge Jennifer Sober of Rensselaer County Court and was released on his own recognizance. Grand Larceny in the Third Degree carries a maximum sentence of 2 and 1/3 to 7 years in prison.  Criminal charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.  The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) wishes to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, the New York State Police and the NYS Board of Elections for their valuable assistance in this investigation.  The OAG investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator Sam Scotellaro, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Antoine Karam. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.     The case is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Christopher Baynes and Benjamin Mastaitis, with the assistance of Senior Analyst Sara Pogorzelski — of the Public Integrity Bureau. The Public Integrity Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gerard Murphy, and is part of the Division of Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado for Criminal Justice and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

Westchester Insider: Westchester County District Attorney: STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROCAH ON HEALTHCARE CLINIC INCIDENT.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

MIRIAM E. ROCAH

 

 

 

***STATEMENT***

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 1, 2021

 

STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROCAH ON HEALTHCARE CLINIC INCIDENT.

 

 

The Westchester County District Attorney's Office and law enforcement partners are investigating an incident that took place at a women's healthcare clinic in White Plains on Saturday, November 27. Investigators are looking at whether individuals illegally interfered with patients receiving access to medical care. The New York State Clinic Access Act, Penal Law Section 240.70, gives patients and staff the right to be free from force, threats of force, or physical obstruction when trying to obtain or provide reproductive health care. In addition, criminal trespass or other criminal statutes may apply. Criminal conduct which interferes with the rights of Westchester County residents to freely access healthcare is serious, and will be, if appropriate, prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith 1st District: Westchester County Parks Offers Golf Gift Cards.

Westchester County Parks Offers Golf Gift Cards.

Score some terrific holiday gifts for yourself and your friends.

Golf Westchester is getting into the holiday spirit by offering deals that add a 10 percent value to golf gift cards purchased through Friday, December 17. For example, $10 will be added to a $100 gift card; $20 will be added to a $200 gift card.

The County’s golf courses are Maple Moor in White Plains; Saxon Woods in Scarsdale; Mohansic in Yorktown Heights; Hudson Hills in Ossining and Sprain Lake and Dunwoodie, both in Yonkers.

Golf gift cards can be purchased at all Westchester County golf courses through December 17.

Go to golf.westchestergov.com for more information.

New York State Insider: New York State Assemblyman Tom Abinanti 92nd District: Sign the Tuition Parity Bill!

 

Abinanti and Benedetto Lead a Rally Urging Governor Hochul to Sign Legislation to Properly Fund Schools for Students with Disabilities.

“Education is the door to the future, especially for those with special needs,” said Assemblymember Abinanti, Chair of the Assembly People with Disabilities Committee. “They need the helping hand of a good teacher and a good educational environment. New York must meet its Constitutional mandate to educate all students and properly fund schools for students with special needs.” 
 

“It’s about time that these special children are treated fairly and not like second class citizens. Governor, do right by them,” said Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee.

Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Jose Alvarado 17th District: Yonkers Youth Bureau: Upcoming Support Group Programs.

 

Westchester Insider: Choice Matters: Anti-Abortion Terrorists Attack Westchester Clinic.

 

Saturday, as most of us were busy wrapping up Thanksgiving, a local abortion clinic in White Plains was attacked. Yes, you read that right. Not Texas. Not Mississippi. Right here in Westchester County, NY. For 4 hours, aggressors were allowed to terrorize patients and staff. The police were caught by surprise. They lacked training on how to protect the clinic and the patients it serves. Women felt trapped and victimized as the police stood by allowing the vigilante terrorists free rein to approach patients in the waiting room, invading their right to privacy and to abortion care. When it was finally over, the trespassing terrorists were not arrested—only issued desk appearance tickets. This is the worst clinic attack in the state of New York in decades, and a full-fledged violation of the federal FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) and state Clinic Access Act.  Choice Matters is out in front on this, making sure the Westchester County District Attorney and County Government are involved, and that the necessary security and legal issues are addressed. But why is this happening now? For the same reason the US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization today, and why they refuse to stay the extreme Texas SB8 anti-abortion law while it makes its way through the courts. BECAUSE six anti-choice Supreme Court justices—3 of whom were appointed by Trump—now hold the future of women’s healthcare, right to privacy and autonomy in their depraved hands. These zealots have already demonstrated they have no respect for precedent; and avowed critic of Roe, Justice Thomas, has long awaited this moment. The decisions made by THIS Supreme Court will directly affect all of us right here in New York State—And this court has empowered the terrorists who invaded the White Plains clinic on Saturday. It is the terrorists' belief that they are on the cusp of success.

What should we do to move forward?  DEMAND, and accept nothing less. We must DEMAND our elected officials make New York a Reproductive Rights Sanctuary. New York State MUST – at a bare minimum – provide: Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education (My Body My Health) pre-K through 12th grade. Right now we have high school students going into college without even a basic understanding of the so-called birds & bees. New York stands with Oklahoma – the only required teaching being limited to what HIV is. Medication Abortion & birth control including emergency contraception on ALL SUNY campuses (just like California does!); 12-month supplies/prescription of Contraception provided at one time through the pharmacist; An Abortion Access Fund funded by the State for those who cannot afford  coverage and/or cannot disclose the abortion – in other words, working women; Insurance coverage for reproductive needs which does not disclose the purpose of the coverage for those covered by a parent or spouse. Disclosure & licensing requirements for fake pregnancy centers (“Crisis Pregnancy Centers”). New York is no longer the leader it once was in advancing reproductive healthcare. It has slipped behind in its advocacy for women’s healthcare. That is unacceptable.

Choice Matters is laser focused on electing pro-choice champions in our communities — locally, statewide and nationally. They are key to advancing our reproductive freedoms and making New York a Reproductive Rights Sanctuary.   As we move forward, into 2022 and beyond, please know that we are in this to win. We will stand with those who stand with us today and moving forward. https://choicematters.org/donate-now/

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill 2nd District: Public Hearing on 2022 Budget Scheduled; Here's How to Participate.

 

Public Hearing on 2022 Budget Scheduled; Here’s How to Participate.

The Board of Legislators will conduct a remote public hearing on the proposed Westchester County 2022 budgets on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

To watch:

• Streaming online: The meeting will be streamed live on the Meeting Calendar section of our website, http://westchestercountyny.legistar.com.
   
• Via Webex: You can also join us on our Webex teleconferencing system.  Please register at https://bit.ly/3kHl2U7 and check the box “To LISTEN only” during registration

To speak or submit comments in writing:

The Board has re-established remote participation procedures for those who would like to speak during the hearing.

These procedures have been instituted to protect public health, pursuant to Chapter 417 of New York State Laws of 2021 -- which allows public bodies to meet and take action without permitting in-person public access and authorizes meetings and public hearings to be held remotely by conference call.

• To speak via Webex online teleconferencing system: Please register at https://bit.ly/3kHl2U7; and select the check box “to SPEAK” during registration.
   
• To speak by phone: Call 1-844-621-3956 at the start of the meeting and use the access code: 2432 626 4923.
   
• To submit comments by e-mail: Written comments may be submitted by e-mail at BOLPublicHearingComments@westchesterlegislators.com, by 5 p.m., December, 8, 2021.
   
• To submit comments in writing: Written comment may also be sent by physical mail to the Clerk of the Board of Legislators, 148 Martine Ave., 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. These must be postmarked by December 8, 2021.

We look forward to hearing from you.