White Plains, NY – The Westchester County sales tax revenue in May rose 5.91% over the same period last year, according to statistics recently released to the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) by county budget officials. To stay on track for the 2011 budget, the County must see a 3.75% increase in sales tax revenue each month. The $34,050,260 collected in May 2011 represents a sizable $1,900,746 increase over what was collected in the same period a year ago

. Over the past two years, the sales tax revenue from May 2009 to May 2011 has increased 7.2%, reinforcing the idea that economic activity across Westchester is on the rebound. In April, the sales tax revenue actually jumped 8.67% from the same period in 2010. “This increase in sales tax revenue is further proof that we’re continuing to reinvigorate the economy here in Westchester,” said BOL Chairman Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “The Board, in working together with the County Executive, has found the right balance of careful spending and supporting revenues to keep us in great financial shape.”

The increased sales tax reports follows the news from last month that a review of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2010 shows a $67.3 return to fund balance. In addition to this $67.3 million, the Health Insurance Fund of the County is showing an increase in Fund Balance of nearly $17.5 million dollars from 2009—$15 million in savings in county health insurance, along with Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP) reimbursements of approximately $2.5 million. Also reported in the CAFR is an increase in fund balance of $3.7 million in the County’s Retirement Fund. The improvement in Westchester’s economic climate follows the landmark 2.2% cut in county taxes enacted by the Board of Legislators for 2011. A bi-partisan approval of the Board’s 2011 budget reduced spending by $28.5 from last year’s budget and downsized the County workforce by 10% while restoring critical services and instituting transition timetables for decreasing service agencies. “It’s important for people to know that the continuing good economic news was achieved from policies meant to support Westchester businesses and creating new jobs,” said Legislator and Budget & Appropriations Committee Chairman José Alvarado (D-Yonkers). “Increased sales tax revenues show our financial approach is working and benefitting Westchester residents.”

Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry Opens

www.hvpetfoodpantry.org

"Safeguarding the Environment While Offering Tax Relief," says Legislator Michael Kaplowitz

 White Plains, NY – The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) passed a bill at their bi-weekly meeting Monday night that restores an exemption for the installation of residential solar energy systems equipment from being subject to county sales tax. In a strong bipartisan statement, the legislation passed with a vote of 17-0.

Passage of the new bill began when County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D, I-Somers), a longtime environmentalist, put forth the proposal at a meeting of the County Board’s Environment & Energy Committee, which he chairs.

In November 2007, the Board of Legislators passed Act No. 240-2007, which amended the County’s Sales and Compensating Use Tax Law, in order to provide a tax break for County residents who install residential solar energy systems by relieving them from paying the 3% county sales tax. However, this provision expired in November 2009.

"The continued efforts of this Legislature to provide tax relief to Westchester residents wherever possible, coupled with the fact that Westchester County remains a leader in the environmental arena, made this an ideal time to revisit this issue," said Kaplowitz, an attorney and a certified financial planner. "I am grateful to my colleagues for their support on this, and I am thrilled that we are able to provide further tax relief opportunities to our residents, while promoting the use of a much-needed alternative energy source."

The Federal government already offers Renewable Energy Federal Tax Credits of 30% to consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and micro turbine systems placed in service before December 31, 2016. New York State offers a similar tax credit of 25% up to $5000 of solar installation costs.

While the projected annual cost of the program is estimated to be about $40,000 per year, the average savings to each participating Westchester homeowner will be over $1000. The economic benefits to small businesses that produce and install these systems, and the green jobs that will likely be created, are only two of the many benefits that are sure to come as a result of this tax-saving initiative.

"Residents installing new solar energy systems will see lower monthly energy bills while knowing they are contributing to a cleaner environment," remarked Kaplowitz. "At the same time, promoting and helping to stimulate a growth industry in alternative energy sources will bring new, well-paying green jobs to Westchester."

Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Bedford), BOL Majority Leader and a member of the Board’s Environment & Energy Committee, said: “Strong support of alternative energy development makes sense in so many ways. This bill will make solar installations more affordable for homeowners and will help to spur the creation of both clean energy and green jobs in Westchester.”

Astorino asks Mental Health Commissioner Grant Mitchell to take on added tasks

With government money tight and the need for services and programs enormous, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced an initiative designed to help Westchester’s extensive network of non-profit agencies find ways to cut overhead and work together.

Speaking at the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit presented by the United Way of Westchester and Putnam and the Westchester Community Foundation, Astorino announced that Dr. Grant Mitchell, the commissioner of community mental health, will take on added duties as outreach coordinator to the county’s non-profit sector.

As such, he will develop recommendations over the next three months on ways the county can help the non-profit agencies reduce costs so it has more funds to spend on services.

“What our non-profit network does is incredible, “ said Astorino. “Large and small, these social and cultural agencies are staffed with dedicated, knowledgeable professionals. Westchester could not get along without them. Under my plan, the county would help facilitate their efforts to work together and with the county to cut costs and become more efficient.”

Astorino said that Mitchells’s new tasks will include the following:

• To build and strengthen relationships with all segments of the non-profit community
• To identify ways the county and non-profit agencies can create efficiencies
• To develop new business models that will apply efficiency savings to offsetting losses in revenues.

A key focus will be to streamline duplicative overhead in areas like real estate, human resources, IT, purchasing, payroll and government rules, regulations and forms.

“I have asked Grant to attack his new role the same way the county is approaching Playland.,” Astorino said. “Start with a blank slate. Don’t prescribe answers. Ask questions. Let solutions emerge from the best minds in the business, which are right here in Westchester.”

He added, “I am confident our approach will work because it already has. Working closely with non-profits in the mental health sector, we have redefined the care and delivery model. We have eliminated conflicts of interest, lowered costs and continued to deliver quality care. It is now time to apply the lessons of our mental health clinic experience – good and bad – more broadly.”

Westchester County government has a long history of working with and providing money to the non-profit agencies for many programs. These range from social services to the arts and libraries; from programs to help seniors to those that help families; to those focus on health to those that provide after school services.

“Working together, we can direct dollars to where they will do the most good,” Mitchell said. “Every dollar taken out of duplication, overhead and bureaucracy is a dollar that can go to services.”

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

In conjunction with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement by the
Federal Highway Administration, the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York Sate Thruway Authority, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been produced.
The DEIS examines the potential environmental effects of proposed alternatives for the Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project, and where adverse impacts are identified, it discusses measures to mitigate them. The DEIS and appendices can be view at www.tzbsite.com. Additionally, hard copies are available in the City Clerk’s Office, Municipal Building, 255 Main Street, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Public Hearings will be held to provide an opportunity to reach the public and solicit input in response to the DEIS. The dates, time and locations of the public hearings are as follows:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Westchester Marriott
670 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.

ROCKLAND COUNTY
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012
Palisades Center
4th Fl. Community Rooms Grand Ballroom
1000 Palisades Center Drive
West Nyack, NY 10994
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.


Information will be available for review at the hearings, and there will be a project
presentation at 5:00 p.m and repeated again at 7:00 p.m.
The period for submitting comments ends on March 15, 2012. Comments may be
made as follows:
# Verbally, or in writing at the public hearings above.
# Via email: tzsite@dot.state.ny.us
# Via fax. 845-454-7443
# Via mail:
Michael P. Anderson
Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project
New York State Dept. Of Transportation

THE GREENBURGH PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED

Greenburgh, NY—December 27, 2011

The Greenburgh Town Board has released its 2012 adopted budget. The newly released budget includes a cut of $250,000 on top of the original $320,000 cut imposed on the Library in the tentative budget published on October 31, 2011. These drastic cost-cutting measures translate to an 18% reduction in the Town’s 2012 appropriation to the Greenburgh Public Library, as compared to the 2011 appropriation.

The Greenburgh Public Library Board of Trustees has decided to maintain a schedule of six days per week. Consequently the budget for books, DVDs, music CDs, audio books, newspapers, and magazines was eliminated. In addition, three part-time employees were laid off. The very popular online service used by students, Tutor.com, was cancelled. These painful decisions were based on the Trustees’ commitment to maintaining the current schedule of providing six-days per week service rather than further reducing our schedule to five days per week.  

As recently as 2009 the Library was open seven days a week. Further reducing hours jeopardizes the Library’s charter, as the New York State standard minimum hours are not being met. Furthermore, the Library Trustees recognize the evolving role of libraries in the community as a place to meet, learn, study and explore.  

The Greenburgh Public Library Trustees are working with the Friends of the Greenburgh Library and the Greenburgh Public Library Foundation to establish a book-buying campaign in order to fill the library shelves with new materials.

The adopted budget as published by the Town does not reflect the changes to the particular budget lines mentioned in this press release. Contact the Library for a copy of the revised Library budget

Westchester Putnam Association of REALTORS® Names Don M. Cummins III, Director of Legal Services White Plains, NY

The Westchester Putnam Association of REALTORS® (WPAR) has named Don M. Cummins III, Esq. of Mahopac, as its Director of Legal Services. Cummins will be responsible for administering the Professional Standards and Grievance proceedings for the Association members, and providing legal support for the business and contractual matters that come before the Association. In addition, he will provide advice on all educational and training matters which have Federal, New York State or local regulation compliance. Cummins has been practicing law for almost 15 years in New York and also holds real estate salesperson, brokers and continuing education instructors’ licenses. Prior to joining WPAR, he had his own private practice, Law Offices of Don Cummins, specializing in real estate issues, and also dealing with wills, trusts and estates and general litigation. Since 2000, he has been a New York State licensed real estate instructor for the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR), the Orange County Association of Realtors (OCAR), WPAR, and many real estate brokerages, mortgage brokerages and title companies. Cummins also served as an instructor for the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, the New York Institute of technology and SUNY at Stony Brook. Before starting his own practice, Cummins was an Associate with Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, and an Associate with Melito & Adolfsen, P.C., both in New York City. He also worked with Lorne Michaels and Saturday Night Live as a Business and Legal Affairs Associate. Cummins holds a J.D, cum laude, from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, where he graduated at the top 10 percent of his class. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He served as a Fellowship Law Clerk to the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey, U.S.D.J. and former U.S. Attorney General, and to the Honorable Henry B. Pitman, U.S. Magistrate Judge, both at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Cummins holds many awards including the Putnam County Association of Realtors’ “Man of the Year” Award in 2009. Other honors include: Membership and Entrance to the Order of the Coil – Legal Honor Society; Alexander’s Fellowship, Cardozo School of Law; Graduate Assistant of the Year, SUNY at Stony Brook, Division of Campus Residences; and many more.

ACCOUNTING FIRM CITRIN COOPERMAN ROLLS UP ITS SLEEVES TO SUPPORT FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER

White Plains Firm Helps Package Pre-Thanksgiving Deliveries for the Needy

WHITE PLAINS, Nov. 9, 2011 – Accounting and business consulting firm Citrin Cooperman, in a show of volunteer force, closed its White Plains office Tuesday afternoon as 50 of its partners and staff prepared food packages at the Food Bank for Westchester.The Citrin Cooperman volunteers packaged more than 1,000 two-pound containers of macaroni and 675 children’s backpacks filled with a variety of food, from oatmeal to canned pears to granola bars for distribution the week before Thanksgiving. ”I can’t express in words the gratitude we have for the tremendous effort on the part of the good people of Citrin Cooperman,” said Christina Rohatynskyj, Executive Director of the Food Bank. “I know many people think of accountants as sitting behind computers crunching numbers, but these folks rolled up their sleeves and supplied us with the pre-holiday support we need to fulfill our mission. It really was incredible. What they did is so essential in helping to provide food to those most in need in this difficult economy.”Under the guidance of Nancy Lyons, the Food Bank’s Resource and Volunteer Coordinator, Citrin Cooperman staff worked as a volunteer assembly line throughout the afternoon, creating family-sized food packages from bulk food donations. “Volunteering our time and effort was a tremendously gratifying experience for our firm and staff,” said Alan Badey, partner in charge of Citrin Cooperman’s White Plains office. “At a time of great joy, we also recognize that there are others who are experiencing tough times and are having difficulty putting food on the table. Citrin Cooperman has a long history of involvement with the greater Westchester community, and this is just another way of giving back.” The food packages will be distributed by the Food Bank for Westchester to hunger-relief organizations located throughout the county.For Citrin Cooperman partner Spencer Barback, the commitment to the Food Bank goes more than 15 years, back to the 1990s, and includes serving three years as president of the organization and his current role as board member. “At an unprecedented time of need for many in Westchester County, Citrin Cooperman, took the unusual step of closing the office for the afternoon, in order to support the Food Bank,” said Barback.Westchester County has a great deal of wealth, but there are also many residents living on the edge of poverty for whom the Food Bank is an invaluable resource. The Food Bank for Westchester estimates that approximately 200,000 county residents are hungry or at risk of hunger. Half of them are seniors; approximately one-third are children under the age of 18.The Food Bank for Westchester acquires, warehouses and distributes more than seven million pounds of food annually to 227 Westchester County hunger-relief organizations, including food pantries and soup kitchens, among others. The mission of the Food Bank is to lead, engage and educate Westchester County in creating a hunger-free environment. Its core activity is the collection and distribution of donated, government and purchased food.

Redevelopment Repositions 1 Million Sq. Ft. Outdoor Shopping Center
As One of the Region’s Most Successful and EnduringRetailCentersYONKERS, NY (October 2011) – The Cross County Shopping Center, Westchester County’s first shopping center, celebrated a new chapter in its remarkable history at a VIP reception held October 11 to mark the completion of a $250 million redevelopment project. The extensive renovation and remerchandising of the property positions the
1million-square-foot outdoor shopping center as one of the region’s most successful and enduring retail developments.The VIP reception, which was attended by State, County and City officials, kicked off a week-long “RE-Launch Celebration” that featured a series of exciting programs including a restaurant tasting event, public art sculpture installation, live concert,fashion shows, beauty makeovers and much more. “The redevelopment of Cross County Shopping Center is complete and after more than five years of renovations, we could not be more pleased with the outcome,” said James Stifel, chief investment officer for Benenson Capital Partners, LLC and executive vice president for the property’s owner, Brooks Shopping Centers, LLC. “The center has been transformed into a modern destination with nationally-known retailers, beautifully landscaped gathering spaces and valued amenities including free parking. The one thing that has remained consistent is the connection Cross County Shopping Center has with the local community – our history with Westchester residents are what set us apart from other shopping centers. We are so pleased to welcome our shoppers back to what we believe to be a brand new Cross County Shopping Center and a brand new shopping experience.”“Cross County Shopping Center is an integral part of the fabric of our city. We have been pleased to work closely with Macerich and Brooks Shopping Centers to bring this revitalization to fruition. This project has created more than a thousand construction jobs and hundreds of new permanent jobs for our community, and Cross County is one of the city’s largest revenue generators. Congratulations to all involved,” said Yonkers Mayor Philip A. Amicone."Westchester loves to shop locally and the Cross County Shopping Center has been filling that need for close to six decades," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "Its redevelopment positions it as a go-to destination for shoppers for years to come and is a sign of confidence in the county's continuing economic growth."Located in Yonkers at the junction of the Cross County Parkway and New York State Thruway, the Cross County Shopping Center features more than 100 retailers including noted national brands Macy’s, A│X Armani Exchange, Swarovski, bebe, GUESS, H&M to name a few. Since the redevelopment project began in 2007, 32 retailers representing 155,288 square feet have opened new stores and/or renovated or expanded existing stores at the center.As part of the redevelopment project, each of the 15 buildings that comprise the center received architectural enhancements including new canopy details, updated lighting and more window frontage for retailers to showcase their merchandise.Retail Venues Complemented by Extensive Landscaping
The 71-acre center has also undergone extensive landscaping to complement the retail venues and restore the center’s beautifully manicured outdoor setting. The common area has been transformed into an attractive pedestrian-friendly centerpiece with new brick pavers, colored concrete, new planters with seasonal and local flowers and trees that line the main promenades and entrances. The outdoor shopping experience has been enhanced with the addition of new outdoor gathering spaces with graceful fountains, comfortable seating vignettes and outdoor play areas for children.Two new children’s play areas were opened last year to enrich the family experience at the center. The Zoo Zone play area features an animal theme, complete with eight play pieces and a tree-house/slide as the centerpiece. A second children’s play area includes two “park pet” sculptures which are modeled after the Alice and Wonderland statutes seen in New York’s Central Park. Both play areas are open to the public at no charge.Last year the center opened a new indoor soft seating lounge and public restrooms. The new restroom facility includes a family restroom as well as two private nursing rooms. Restrooms are located to the north of A│X Armani Exchange. Also in this location is a new centralized security office which assists shoppers with services such as Lost & Found, mass transit schedules, taxi contact assistance and store directories.Major Improvements to Parking and Traffic Flow
A key element in the redevelopment project is the improvement of parking and traffic flow at the center. A new direct entrance into the shopping center from the Cross County Parkway allows shoppers to circle right into the property, while on-going traffic continues on Kimball Avenue. The exit ramp off the Cross County Parkway onto Midland Avenue has been widened to allow more traffic to flow toward the shopping center. There is also a new entrance into the center off Central Park Avenue that leads shoppers directly into a new parking deck with 685 free parking spaces on five levels and direct access into Macy’s on two levels. The center has more than 5,000 free parking spaces.Macy’s, the largest store in the center, has expanded by an additional 75,000 square feet of new retail space. The $30 million expansion and renovation by Macy’s brings its total square footage at the center to over 400,000 square feet.More Retailers Slated to Open Soon
Additional restaurants are slated to open at Cross County, including a free-standing TGI Friday’s and Red Lobster restaurants as well as Chipotle, BGR The Burger Joint, Noodle House and Sarku Japan. More fashion retailers are also planned to open including Adidas, a renovated Gap, Call it Spring and GNC. Future development plans call for replacing the existing eight-story office building at the center,potentially with a new hotel with approximately 150 beds, meeting space and ground-floor retail.In addition to its many retail offerings, the Cross County Shopping Center is home to an extension center of Westchester Community College which has re-located and expanded to more than 12,000 square feet at 8510 Mall Walk. The extension center, which serves more than 2,500 students, offers a variety of credit and non-credit courses. WCC has also formed a partnership with AARP to assist the needs of area seniors.Original Center Featured Gimbel’s and John Wanamaker’s
When it opened in 1954, the Cross County Shopping Center was Westchester’s first shopping center. For more information about the Cross County Shopping Center visit www.crosscountycenter.com

Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation Recognized for Donation of Electric Carts to Friends of Westchester County Parks and for Participation in Adopt-a-Park Day

VALHALLA, NY -- For the past decade, FUJIFILM Holdings America
Corporation has been actively supporting projects in Westchester aimed at improving
sustainability, conservation and the reduction of the environmental footprint. The Valhalla-based company was recognized today for its donation to Friends of Westchester County Parks, that
enabled the Westchester County Parks Department to place 12 electric carts at various county
parks, including Fujifilm’s “adopted” park, Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

The event featured the official commissioning of the Fujifilm fleet, after which time more than two dozen Fujifilm employees were planning to take part in the county’s Adopt-a-Park program by cleaning, weeding, planting and performing basic maintenance on the grounds of the Kensico Dam Plaza, as part of its 10th Annual Employee Volunteer Day activities.

On hand for the event were FWPC Executive Director Joseph Stout, FWCP Board Chair Liz
Bracken-Thompson, members of the FWCP Board, Westchester County Executive Robert P.
Astorino, Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathleen O’Connor, FUJIFILM Holdings
America Corporation President Ray Hosoda, Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation Director of
Environment, Health and Safety Girish Menon and other invited guests.

“Fujifilm has long been recognized in Westchester as a corporation that ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to protecting the environment,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “With its generous donation of these carts, Fujifilm demonstrates a commitment to a cleaner, greener county, and that’s something we can all be thankful for.” Astorino thanked Fujifilm CEO Ray Hosoda and the Fujifilm employees who volunteer their time to make improvements to the county parks.

“Fujifilm has a tradition of commitment for supporting sustainable businesses that seek to reduce environmental impact,” said Hosoda. “This donation supports our company’s goal to improve the quality of life by reducing CO2 emissions, the county’s consumption of gasoline, as well as the noise. We are especially glad to be helping the community in which we live and work.”

The Fujifilm fleet of golf carts will serve the County Parks Department extremely well by
efficiently moving staff, supplies and small equipment from place to place within the parks, and
reducing the consumption of gasoline and cutting down on noise pollution by using trucks and autos only when necessary, such as moving heavy equipment or taking trips outside the parks.

The carts, emblazoned with the Fujifilm logo, will be used at key Westchester County Parks
where the need is greatest, with one or more stationed permanently at Kensico Dam Plaza. Carts will also be employed at Playland Park in Rye, Muscoot Farm in Somers, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers and Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.

Astorino also recognized the work of Friends of Westchester County Parks and board chair
Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson for making the donation possible.

“With budgets as tight as they are in our current economic climate, we truly appreciate the
contributions made by companies such as Fujifilm, and their employees,” said Bracken-
Thompson. “These donations of time and money help improve our parks at no additional cost to
the taxpayer.”

“With 18,000 acres of parkland and lots of staff, equipment and supplies that have to get
from place to place, having these Fujifilm electric carts in our fleet will be a tremendous help, especially in our larger parks,” said Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathleen
O’Connor. “The wear and tear on our trucks will be greatly reduced, and we’ll be reducing
noise and emissions. And the work Fujifilm’s team is doing here at Kensico Dam Plaza in their company’s ‘adopted’ park today is a huge step forward for us, especially in the wake of the
storm damage.”

New pageant producer K2 Productions plans major upgrades
for event at Purchase College Performing Arts Center

( August 16, 2011 ~ White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Keith Lewis, Co-Director of K2 Productions of California, announced today that the 2012 Miss New York USA® Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA® Pageant will be held at the Performing Arts Center of Purchase College in Purchase, New York on January 13-15, 2012. This is the first time in more than three decades that these pageants have been in Westchester.

Astorino and Lewis made the announcement today at 42 Restaurant in White Plains, New York, where renowned Chef Anthony Goncalves prepared a special meal to celebrate the occasion. Also in attendance was MISS USA® 2011 Alyssa Campanella.

Donald Trump’s MISS UNIVERSE® Organization also has announced that this year’s MISS NEW YORK USA® Pageant is getting an extreme makeover. New director K2 Productions promises to represent a chic and contemporary event – in music, program and fashion – at the pageant.

Said Astorino: “I am delighted that Westchester County was selected to host the 2012 Miss New York USA Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Westchester County to hundreds of visiting contestants and their families, as they stay in our premier hotels, dine at our top-rated restaurants and visit our many cultural and historic attractions during what is typically a slow period in the industry."

Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli, who helped in the early stages of working to bring the Miss New York USA Pageant to Westchester, said: “As a strong supporter of the Miss Westchester Pageants, I am pleased to see the pageant grow here in Westchester, and am thrilled our county will host the Miss New York USA Pageant as well. I believe they will bring much needed revenue and attention to our county and give the young women of Westchester a chance to shine.”

Lewis said that about 300 contestants are expected to compete in the Miss New York and Miss New York Teen USA Pageants; and this could pump nearly $3 million into the local economy.

Lewis, who was born and raised in Schenectady and attended college at SUNY, said: “It’s great to be back on my home turf – especially to work on something as exciting and innovative as this pageant. We’re taking a new look at a traditional idea and revitalizing it. Our experience revamping the MISS CALIFORNIA USA Pageant helps us understand how to bring contemporary and professional changes to the New York pageant.”

Co-Executive Director of MISS NEW YORK USA ® Shanna Moakler, the 19 th Miss USA and current model/actress/reality TV star, said, “The Miss New York USA pageant seeks to empower women to be recognized for their internal as well as external beauty – to give them their own distinctive approach and technique.”

K2 Productions has had tremendous success with the California pageants. Lewis said Miss California has made the top 15 since K2 took over seven years ago. “We also had three runners-up in the pageants; and our team trained Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, who went on to capture the current Miss USA title,” added Lewis.

“I am so pleased to be here for today’s big announcement,” said Campanella. “ Westchester County and K2 Productions comprise a winning combination for tremendous success with the 2012 Miss New York USA Pageant. As a contestant for the Miss California USA and Miss USA Pageants, I received invaluable professional training from the K2 team.”

Out are the sashes and swimsuit uniforms; in are individualized styles that complement the figures of the women, for a more natural presentation, according to Moakler, whose goal is to inspire the contestants to recognize that their outer attractiveness is a manifestation of their inner confidence and sense of worth.

Young women in New York ages 14 – 27 who want to be trained exclusively by a professional team, and have opportunities to win scholarships and prizes, are encouraged to participate in this year’s MISS NEW YORK USA ® and MISS NEW YORK TEEN USA ® pageant, the official preliminaries to the prestigious MISS USA ® and MISS TEEN USA ® pageants. This year there will be over $300,000 in prizes and scholarships. Some prizes go to all the competitors and many go to the top five. The winner gets to do appearances that sometimes pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per booking. The 2012 MISS USA ® Pageant will be televised live on NBC.

For more information on qualifications and the application process, log onto www.missnewyorkusa.com or call 310-275-4339.

Senator Urged Secretary LaHood To Redirect These Funds to Northeast and Empire Corridors, Has Long Fought to Secure Additional Investments for High Speed Rail in NYS

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today applauding U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood’s announcement that over $800 million in high speed rail funds rejected by Florida Governor Rick Scott will be used to enhance high speed rail service in the Northeast and Empire Corridors. Senator Gillibrand wrote to Secretary LaHood in February requesting these funds be redirected to the New York region. These investments includes $450 million for infrastructure and signal improvements along Amtrak's heaviest traveled section of the Northeast Corridor (NYC-DC), $58 million for capacity improvements along the Empire Corridor, including construction of a fourth track at the Albany-Rensselaer Station and a new Schenectady Station, $295 million to reduce congestion related to the Harold Interlocking in New York City, and $1.4 million for planning and engineering for the new Rochester Intermodal Station. Gillibrand has been a long time supporter of increased federal investments in high speed rail to create jobs, and has advocated extensively to Secretary LaHood on behalf of New York State.

“I am thrilled that Secretary LaHood has awarded these investments to the New York Region where ridership continues to grow, and I am thankful for his leadership. Clearly, there is a demand to increase rail transit in New York and across the Northeast. These investments will make a major impact in meeting that demand by relieving congestion and increasing the reliability of service.

"There is no doubt, we must expand high speed rail to connect more travelers, workers and businesses, create new construction jobs immediately and provide an economic engine to fuel our growth for the long term. Today, we have taken a major step closer to the goal of a robust high speed rail system for our State and Region that will help grow the nation's economy. I will keep fighting for investments to expand high speed rail to every corner of New York.”

Expanding high speed rail across New York has been a top priority for Senator Gillibrand throughout her time in the Senate. In February, Senator Gillibrand urged Secretary LaHood to redirect $2.4 billion in federal funding for high speed rail to New York that had been turned away by Florida Governor Rick Scott. In a letter last month to Secretary LaHood, Senator Gillibrand urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to award funding to New York State Department of Transportation and Amtrak's applications for high speed rail infrastructure. In May 2010, Gillibrand urged for the appointment of a new high speed rail project manager at the state level to ensure New York is securing and managing all federal funds available to us. In January 2010, Senator Gillibrand helped secure $151 million for high speed rail projects across New York State. 

White Plains ShopRite and Union Baptist Church Fundraise to Rebuild from Fire

ShopRite Supermarkets Inc., and members of Union Baptist Church, today announced a series of fundraising initiatives to assist in the rebuilding of the 100-year old Union Baptist Church, which was tragically destroyed in a fire on Valentine’s Day.

As part of fundraising initiatives led by ShopRite Supermarkets, its customers and store associates, the money raised will benefit the rebuilding of Union Baptist Church and the continued operation of its Manna Ministry food-distribution program, which has supported over 2,500 families, handed out more than 6,000 bags of food and served 3,000 hot meals every Friday in 2010.

Food and checkout donations are occurring this week at the Bedford Hills, White Plains and New Rochelle at Joyce Road store locations with the first fundraising effort, “Resurrecting the Church” Union Baptist Church Benefit Concert, taking place this Saturday, April 23 at the Westchester County Center.

Program aimed at helping restaurants prevent deliberate contamination

Restaurant managers have a lot on their plates, and the Westchester County Department of Health wants to help them keep their customers safe by providing food professionals with an opportunity to learn how to protect the food they serve from intentional contamination.

That’s why the Westchester County Department of Health will host a free Food Defense Workshop on Wednesday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

“The workshop will provide food professionals with strategies to assure the safety of food suppliers, deliveries and storage and will also let them know how to identify and report suspected problems,’’ said Rick Morrissey, deputy commissioner for Environmental Health.

“It is very important for restaurants and anyone in the food business to attend,” said Koshy Chacko, president of the Westchester/Rockland chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association and the owner of the Fair Deal Café in White Plains. “They have to find out, from farm to table, where their responsibility begins and ends. Ultimately if a customer is ill, the restaurant is responsible. A disgruntled employee can really do some harm and it is very difficult, unless people are trained, to know what to look for. This workshop is an excellent first step.’’

The Health Department presentation was developed with funding from a grant awarded by the Food and Drug Administration. This material also will be covered in the afternoon during the annual required workshop for operators of children’s camps. The grant also funded the development of training components added to food service courses developed by the Health Department and taught at Westchester Community College.