The Suburban Street News of White Plains, NY

White Plains Councilman
Glen Hockley declares for mayor

MassMutual Opens White Plains Agency, Names New General Agent

WHITE PLAINS, NY June 16, 2009 - When John Blumberg returned from college 25 years ago in his beat-up ’69 Firebird, he had $42,000 in student loans, his car had logged over 300,000 miles, and he was embarrassed to drive it to business meetings.

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Insurance Discount Only A Click Away: Defensive Driving Course Now Available Online For the First Time in New York With "Improv Aware Driver"

NYS DMV-Approved Program Provides New York Drivers with a Fun and Simple Option to Save on Auto Insurance and Qualify For Point Reduction on Driving Record

New York, NY (May 21, 2009) – National Point and Insurance Reduction Course, a leader in defensive driving courses, announced today the launch of its Improv Aware Driver Course, one of the first New York State Department of Motor Vehicles approved online programs for New York drivers.

First introduced in the 1980’s as an interactive and fun option for Los Angeles motorists, the Improv Aware course uses the company’s much-heralded “Edutainment” approach and is available completely online, allowing New Yorkers to qualify for a mandatory 10% three-year insurance discount and receive a four point reduction on their driving record without ever leaving their home.

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U.S. Travel Requirements Change on June 1st.
Do You Have Your Passport?

If not, Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni’s community outreach staff can help.

Click here for more info

HELP AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMERS PREPARING FOR DTV TRANSITION

WASHINGTON, DC – With the nationwide digital television (DTV) transition on June 12 upon us, consumers can receive help at many locations within the New York media market.

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COUNTY GOES HIGH TECH TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE

Gunshot detection system will be implemented in Yonkers, Mount Vernon

Westchester County is joining Yonkers and Mount Vernon in a high-tech collaboration to curb gun violence by bringing state-of-the art gunshot detection technology to the two cities.

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SENATE, GOVERNOR AND ASSEMBLY REACH AGREEMENT ON BUDGET, CLOSING LARGEST BUDGET GAP IN STATE HISTORY

Job Creation, improved government efficiencies and statewide balance are trademarks of budget agreement

(Albany, NY)- State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith joined Governor Paterson and Assembly Speaker Silver in announcing a three-way agreement to close the largest budget gap in state history. Faced with an astounding two-year, $17.7 billion budget gap for fiscal years 2009-10, the Senate, Governor and Assembly settled on a budget agreement highlighted by improvements in government efficiencies, job creation and a shared commitment to responsible budgeting.

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White Plains Fireworks Postponed

The Independence Day celebration has been POSTPONED to Thursday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. Rain or Shine at White Plains High School.

Westchester GOP Nominates "Giant Slayer" for County Board

Former Super Bowl Champion, New York Giant and successful local businessman Bob Hyland to challenge Bill Ryan

White Plains, New York (June 24, 2009) -- The Westchester Republican County Committee tonight selected former New York Giant and successful local businessman Bob Hyland to challenge embattled Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan in the November Election.

Upon receiving the GOP endorsement, Hyland pledged, “If I am elected to the County Board, I will take my experience that includes 36 years as a successful businessman, 16 years in the financial services industry and 11 years as a professional football player and apply those experiences to county government. My years in the financial services industry have shown me what families and businesses need to do to survive in today's economy.”

“Our current county government clearly does not understand these issues or they would not be asking to raise taxes and spending. They would not be attempting to raise their own salaries in today's economy. I know that if I ran my restaurant and insurance practice the way the incumbent has run the county legislature, my businesses would have failed many years ago,”concluded Hyland.

Said Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety, “We are excited to be nominating Bob Hyland for the County Legislator in Scarsdale and White Plains. Bob’s experience in business and the financial services industry will make him an outstanding addition to the County Board and a breath of fresh air after the scandal-plagued Bill Ryan.”

Continued Colety, “ Westchester County needs elected officials who strive to serve the public –not politicians who are obsessed with raising their own salary and amassing their own power. In Bob Hyland, the voters of Scarsdale and White Plains will gain a reformer who will stop the tax madness and restore ethics and integrity to the office he seeks.”

Bob Hyland, a registered Independence Party Member, was born and raised in White Plains and was educated at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, followed by Boston College. After a successful eleven-year career in the National Football League including winning a Super Bowl under legendary coach Vince Lombardi and five seasons with the New York Giants, Hyland returned to White Plains to raise his family and open a family business. He currently is the owner of the Sports Page Restaurant in White Plains and his own insurance practice.

Hyland will be running on the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines in the November Election. District 5 includes all of Scarsdale and part of White Plains.

Sonny Katz Scholarship Awards To High School Seniors Announced

A White Plains High School senior and a senior from Port Chester High School are recipients of the 2009 Sonny Katz Scholarship Awards from the White Plains-based non-profit theater company, Westco Productions.

The awards are from a scholarship fund named in honor of the late Seymour “Sonny” Katz, who had been a founding member of Westco’s Board of Directors. “Sonny” was best known as the White Plains City Marshall for more than 35 years.

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Guest Editorial

Why Not Travel By Train This Summer?

by Caroline Abels

Nearly everything about my recent vacation in Florida was perfect -- the beaches, wildlife, sunsets, you name it. My only disappointment? The way I got there. I took a plane, as anyone who lives 1,500 miles away would. Not that anything went wrong; the trip was pretty stress-free. Instead, I was disappointed that I couldn’t take a train -- couldn’t stroll to the Amtrak station in my Vermont hometown, board a coach car with plush seats, leg room and picture windows, rumble down the Atlantic coast and really see America, rather than gazing blankly at clouds from 30,000 feet.

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