Clay Art Center Hand In Hand Virtual Benefit And Auction

Clay Art Center Hand in Hand Virtual Benefit and Auction, where you can bid in the online auction until October 23rd.

This year’s event will shine a spotlight on all the elements which make Clay Art Center an asset to the community and to the world of ceramics.

This live online event will include videos from many CAC community members and their remarks on why Clay Art Center matters.

Tickets start at $5.

For donations over $100 you will receive access to the VIP reception and the event.

The online auction features over 70 ceramic works donated by Clay Art Center artists and nationally recognized ceramic artists.

All proceeds from Hand in Hand fund ongoing operations at Clay Art Center and their programming including scholarships for local youth and the Artist-in-Residence program.

For more information: www.clayartcetner.org

PORT CHESTER HISTORY: Before Port Chester Was incorporated As A Village It Was Known as Saw Pit

The Eagle Iron and Stove Works foundry was one of the largest manufacturers in Port Chester in the late 1800s as it transformed from a farming community to an industrial town

Early inhabitants of the village on the Byram river were known for their boat building skills.

They dig pits in the ground, stand the logs upright in the pits to cut and saw them for boat building thus causing people say they were going down to the “saw pits”

The first English settlers arrived in what is now Port Chester from Greenwich, CT in 1660.

Along with boatbuilding, other early Saw Pit occupations included farming and trading, especially moving produce by boat between Saw Pit and New York City

There was also a lot of digging for clams and oysters in the bank of the Byram River.

The local legend says the Byram River got its name from the Indians who came to “buy rum” from white settlers.

As the small village grew and thrived, some residents pushed for a name change from Saw Pit to the more impressive-sounding “Port Chester,” after Chester, in England, the birthplace of many early settlers.

The new village was formed when the New York State legislature granted a charter on May 14, 1868.

At the time Port Chester had a population of about 3,500, six churches, one public and one parochial school, a foundry, two banks, several coal and lumberyards, a railroad station, and a few dozen stores.

Venturing to New York City was a day’s journey, at best — the roads were rutted and carried the risk of armed bandits, but the trip became easier and safer with the 1879 launch of the Port Chester Transportation Company and the village’s first regular steamboat service, between New York City and Port Chester three times a week.

As Port Chester transformed from a farming community to an industrial town, the 1897 trolley line extension from Larchmont to Stamford, CT, brought more transportation options.

And in 1918, the Port Chester-White Plains Bus Line, organized by a group of taxicab operators, cut a trip into White Plains from more than an hour to just 15 minutes.

In 1926 a vaudeville playhouse theater, now the iconic Capitol Theatre, arrived.

Built by Thomas Lamb, who was also responsible for the original Madison Square Garden.

The Capitol Theatre remains one of Port Chester’s landmarks and a destination for popular and headliner entertainment.

The village also made its mark nationally through another source of pride, the Port Chester High School Marching Band, with appearances in the Rose Bowl in Miami and the movies Spider-Man 3 and 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street.

PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Meeting Via Webex on Monday October 19th

MEETING AGENDA: 6 PM: Closed session to interview government executive search firms for new village manager.

7 p.m.: Open meeting. Draft agenda:

1) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law with regard to memorials in the parks.

2) Discussion on regulating vape shops and liquid nicotine in the village followed by actions to study a proposed local law.

3) Public comments. 4) Planning and Economic Development updates.

5) Village-wide property conditions study and Neighborhood Revitalization Strategies Report.

6) Acceptance and adoption of the Land Use Law Center of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Commercial Displacement Mitigation Strategies for Port Chester.

7) Retainer of government executive search firm to assist in the search for a new village manager.

8) Correspondence from Anthony B. Gioffre III re a petition to reclassify a portion of Highland Street as two-way street and eliminate five on-street parking spaces on the northern side of Highland Street premises: 163, 175 & 179 North Main St., 18 Mill St. and 20 Abendroth Ave.

9) Public comments and board comments. Regular bimonthly meeting. The community can join the meeting which will be posted at…..

https://portchesterny.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=portchesterny&service=6.

Click on “register,” complete the registration and press “submit.”

You will be registered to attend the meeting and sent an email reminder when the meeting gets closer.

You can also watch but not participate in the meeting by going to https://www.portchesterny.com/pc-tv .

Call 939-5202 for assistance, information.

LAST IN WESTCHESTER: The Response Rate Data In The final Hours Of The Census Showed Port Chester At 56% – Brian Harrod

Port Chester’s low census participation rate will be affecting federal funds for programs that the village’s children need.

Some Port Chester Community Activists say a lack of access to technology and the fear of reporting is to to blame for the failure that will cost the village tens of millions over time.

Mount Vernon at 57% came in next to last. while Scarsdale came in with the highest Westchester county response rate of. 84%.

The census data submitted will determine congressional seats and federal aid, among other things.

Port Chester’s large and growing minority and immigrant populations will suffer over the next decade, because of this failure.

WHITE PRIVILEGE: Port Chester BOE President Tom Corbia Just Left The Building, Because He Doesn’t Want To Hear Any Crap From Minorities About Racist Posts On His Facebook – By Brian Harrod

Port Chester Board of Education President Tom Corbia

SCHOOL BOARD NOTES: From The Tonight’s Virtual Meeting

CHILDISH BEHAVIOR: Board of Education President Tom Corbia got into nasty arguments with his fellow school board members and then hastily left a public meeting before students, parents and others could comment about the racist social media posts that he refuses to apologize for.

TAX PAYER FUNDS SPENT: Tom Corbia maintains that his account was hacked, but refuses to cooperate with the board of education’s investigation and hired forensic experts.

HEY HO TOM HAS GOT TO GO: Most parents, students, residents and recent alumni say the horrible acting and nasty posting BOE President has no credibility and have repeatedly called for his resignation. 

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: A majority of Port Chester residents are calling Tom Corbia’s actions “cowardly”, while others joked that he left the meeting early so he could be at the taxpayer funded job County Executive George Latimer gave him.

VERY PRIVILEGED: The school board’s ethics committee hired T&M Protection Resources to conduct the investigation and the school board also hired an outside law firm to manage the case, but Tom Corbia has suddenly remembered that he is too busy cooperate – because he apparently must focus on helping Mayor Fritz Flanka with the Municipal Housing Board.

NOT A PART OF THE SOLUTION: Many voters in the minority majority village are starting to criticize certain members of the board for “defending their friend.” and they will not forget their words in the future.

POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL: COVID costing local concert venues millions, jobs; how they’re fighting to survive – By John Barry

The Capitol Theatre is a historic theatre located in the village of Port Chester, Westchester County, New York.

EXCERPT: Peter Shapiro, who owns The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, recently put in an offer to the band Chicago for a performance in November 2021.

And concerts scheduled for next year at the Westchester County venue include The Beach Boys on April 3 and Hot Tuna on July 10.

“We’re in the water and we’re swimming to the other side,” said Shapiro, who also operates the Brooklyn Bowl music venues in Brooklyn, Nashville and Las Vegas.

“We’re going to make it to the other side. However, it ended up being a big ocean.”

And, Shapiro conceded, “I’m going to have bruises and scrapes when I get out of the water.”

Please Read More Here:

https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2020/10/14/covid-costing-hudson-valley-concert-venues-millions-jobs/3623506001/

FLASHBACK: Three Years Ago – Trustee Bart Didden Was Criminally Charged By The Village Of Port Chester For Downtown Buildings

Slumlord / Trustee Bart Didden Placed People’s Lives In Danger By Operating Buildings With Missing Fire Extinguishers And Blocking Fire Exits With Flammable Clutter In Downtown Port Chester

HEADLINE: The Village Of Port Chester Appoints A Special Prosecutor To Charge Trustee Bart Didden With Over 70 Building Violations – By Brian Harrod (October 14, 2018)

PORT CHESTER – The Village of Port Chester has had to go to the expense of hired a special prosecutor to go after negligent landlord, who is a village trustee

Trustee Bart Didden is charged with dozens of building, fire and property maintenance violations at his downtown properties located at 25 Willet Ave. and 113, 115 and 119 N. Main St. — done between 2012 and 2017 found 70 violations.

The violations for expired permits, issues with certificates of occupancy and fire inspections, failing construction inspections, fire code violations such as flammable clutter blocking exits and not having fire extinguishers and other dangerous issues.

The trustee, Bart Didden claims that his political positions resulted in him being charged for putting people’s lives in danger, but he has a history of deflecting with conspiracy theories in the past, when his poorly maintained properties have been flagged for violations and dangerous conditions.

Trustee Bart Didden is often very outspoken about how other downtown property owners and businesses need to follow the laws of the village.

Previously, former School Board President Dominic Bencivenga worked with Bart Didden to mail flyers, that a federal judge found to be racist, that attacked Latino families in the village over housing and building issues.

Attorney Joseph Stargiotti, whose Pleasantville law firm practices in real estate-related litigation, was hired by Port Chester as a special prosecutor to go after the dangerous property manager.

Port Chester judges have recused themselves from this case because of Trustee Bart Didden’s position and Special Prosecutor Joseph Stargiotti expects the case to be moved to a different venue.

Original News Story Link Is Here:

https://portchesternewswire.com/index.php/2018/10/14/the-village-of-port-chester-appoints-a-special-prosecutor-to-charge-trustee-bart-didden-with-over-70-building-violations-by-brian-harrod/

LAST CHANCE: Census 2020 – By Brian Harrod

This is it Port Chester! Your last chance to be counted. Please take two minutes now so that we maintain a voice in Washington and get the federal funding that the village is entitled to

You can simply call 844-330-2020. Lines are open 7 AM to 2 AM daily and a callback option is available.

To start the process on the computer, go to www.2020census.gov.

The process is quite straightforward and streamlined.

If you don’t respond you won’t be counted which means the Village, County and State will not receive its fair share of Federal dollars!

Please take the two minutes to be counted! 

PRESS RELEASE: Village of Port Chester IDA Announces COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

Port Chester IDA COVID-19 Relief Applications In English And Spanish Can Be Downloaded Here:   English    Spanish

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Village of Port Chester Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is launching a grant program to assist small businesses in Port Chester manage the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PORT CHESTER: Village IDA program allows the IDA to provide financial assistance through the State Disaster and Emergency Loan and Grant Program.

Under the program, the IDA is making available as much as $50,000 to provide $500 grants to small businesses. The proceeds must be used for the purpose of acquiring personal protective equipment or installing equipment necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 Grants as large as $10,000 are available at the discretion of the IDA should applicants pursue a more robust application process and prove need.

To qualify for a grant, an eligible business must establish that it was a financially viable entity prior to March 7, 2020, the date Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202 declaring a disaster emergency. Eligible entities must also conduct business in the area served by the IDA, been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and have less than 51 employees.

Applications may be downloaded from the IDA website: http://www.portchesterny.com/home/industrial-development-agency or obtained at Port Chester Village Hall at the security desk and the office of the Village Clerk.

Completed applications will be accepted through November 5th provided funds remain available.

 The Port Chester IDA Board believes small businesses are a vital part of the Village’s economy and that many of them require assistance to navigate the hardships associated with the pandemic. It is hoped that these small grants, when combined with other relief that is available at the County, State, and Federal level, can sustain our businesses through these unprecedented times. Information on other grant and loan opportunities is available on the IDA’s Covid-19 page on its website.

POTENTIAL SUPER SPREADER: Port Chester Bar Shut Down After Police Find 187 Patrons Packed Into A Space With A Current Occupancy Limit Of 45 – By Brian Harrod

El Nuevo Jomas Tarvern at 112 Westchester Avenue in Port Chester was raided by the police department after many complaints from residents and a history of emergency 911 calls.

A troubled bar in Port Chester was shut down due to multiple COVID- 19 and other violations, where PCPD officers found hookahs in use.

Police Department officers observed numerous violations of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders, as well as village ordinance violations, health department violations and code violations at El Nuevo Jomas, as the recovered 25 hookahs from the packed drinking hole.

Police officers filmed video of the potentially deadly scene where the fire alarms were disarmed and a live DJ was playing music to to mostly unmasked patrons.

These violations led to an emergency hearing of the State Liquor Authority, whereas their liquor license was suspended due to infractions like Jomas was not serving food with the drinks that is another violation of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders.

A full Port Chester code enforcement inspection of the building, led to further charges, prompting the bar owner Jamie Reyes to be given notice that his business space was closed until further notice.

Jamie Reyes, of Harrison, New York has previously been charged by the Village of Port Chester for for operating a bar past the maximum capacity and other violations.

Educational Attainment In Port Chester – By Brian Harrod

In Port Chester, adults are less likely to have a high school education than the typical American adult, and are less likely to have a four-year college education.

Among Port Chester residents 25 and older, 71.50% have a high school diploma or equivalent, and 26.90% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 87.7% and 31.5% of adults nationwide, respectively.

Across New York, 86.5% of adults have graduated high school, and 35.9 have a bachelor’s degree.

Active COVID-19 Cases Double In Port Chester – By Brian Harrod

Westchestetr County Executive George Latimer said that “COVID numbers have been moving in a different direction,” after seeing the curve flattened for several weeks. 

County Executive George Latimer says there uptick in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and virus-related deaths in both Port Chester and Westchester.

While there’s been a rise in active cases and hospitalizations, things still aren’t as bad as when the virus peaked in April, but things are heading in the wrong direction.

The overall percentage of positive results for those tested in Westchester was 5.3 percent.

Tarry Lighthouse Project Fails To Win Approval In Port Chester – Brian Harrod

An artists rendering of a revised building plan has been put forward for North Main Street and Mill Street in Port Chester, N.Y.

PORT CHESTER: The village “Zoning Board of Appeals” denied the controversial Tarry Lighthouse project and all six requested variances from the village’s zoning code, by a 3-2 vote.

The latest version of the North Main Street Development plan was to build a seven-story structure on North Main Street had 242 apartment units and retail space.

The plan was heavily criticized by village residents and some elected officials.

They are highly concerned about additional traffic and change of community character, and have even launched a lawsuit against the project.

The attorney representing the developers, Tony Gioffre, argued that the project would add vitality to the community.

The project called for a variance to construct the seven-story building in an area that allows buildings of only up to six stories tall, and this seemed to be the main deal killer.

ZBA member, Art D’Estrada, said “The streets around the site are “already choked with traffic.”

Evelyn Petrone, the ZBA chairwoman said, “I feel the variances are substantial and will change the character of the neighborhood.”

Another ZBA member, Art D’Estrada, said he believed the project would be a “detriment to nearby properties.” The streets around the site are “already choked with traffic,” D’Estrada said,

Other public officials had criticized the application by developer David Mann, whose application has been under review since February 2019.

The planned construction, would take down a block of North Main Street Properties.

Follow Editor Brian Harrod At The Hyper Local Port Chester Newswire Facebook News Discussion Group

The Hyper Local Port Chester Newswire Facebook News Discussion Group Can Be Found Here; https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/

JOURNAL NEWS: Girls soccer: Scoreboard, results for Saturday, Oct. 10 games

#PortChester 7, #Ossining 2: Andrea Flores led the way with three goals for the Rams. Katherine Espinoza had a pair of goals in the first half to help give Port Chester….

https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/lohud-girls-soccer/2020/10/10/girls-soccer-scoreboard-results-saturday-oct-10-2020-games/5936699002/

DEADLINE: Murray Schisgal Dies: Oscar-Nominated ‘Tootsie’ Screenwriter, Broadway Playwright Was 93Murray Schisgal, whose writing brought a 1964 Tony Award nomination for the Broadway play Luv and a 1982 Oscar nomination for….

DAILY VOICE: COVID-19: Bar In Westchester Forced To Close Due To Multiple Violations

After conducting a series of checks on establishments, #PortChester Police Department officers observed numerous violations of the state executive orders, as well as village ordinance violations, health department violations and code violations at El Nuevo Jomas, located at 112 Westchester Ave. in Port Chester.

These violations led to an emergency hearing of the State Liquor Authority, whereas their liquor license was suspended…..

https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/yonkers/business/covid-19-bar-in-westchester-forced-to-close-due-to-multiple-violations/795431/

FORECLOSURE: Mortimer Street

This is a property located at Mortimer St in Port Chester, New York. View all the latest property details for homes in #PortChester, New York to get a feel for real estate in the neighborhood and/or….

https://www.foreclosure.com/address/Mortimer-St-Port-Chester-NY-10573/55733330_lid

NEWS 12: Multiple violations force Port Chester bar to shut down

A Port Chester bar was shut down due to violations, some of which were related to coronavirus.Officials say during during checks on open establishments, village officers noticed several violations at El Nuevo Jomas on Westchester Avenue.

They say the violations included coronavirus violations, as well as village ordinance violations, health department violations and code violations.

The bar’s liquor license was suspended…..

https://westchester.news12.com/multiple-violations-force-port-chester-bar-to-shut-down

JOURNAL NEWS:Last Mile’ project along I-95 expected to end next year; work on bridges, ramps planned

A decades-long construction project to improve traffic through Westchester’s Sound Shore communities is inching closer to the….

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2020/10/08/interstate-95-last-mile-project-inches-end-more-work-coming-2021/5910027002/

PORT CHESTER: Population, Race and Ethnicity

Port Chester is a village in Westchester County, New York, with a population of 29,418.

According to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, 29.90% of residents identify as white, 2.90% as Black or African American, 0.00% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.30% as Asian, 0.00% as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 65.20% as Hispanic or Latino, and 0.60% as some other race or combination of races.

Nationally, some 61.1% of Americans identify as white, 12.3% as Black or African American, 0.7% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 5.4% as Asian, 0.2% as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 17.8% as Hispanic or Latino, and 2.6% as some other race or combination of races….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3228640113900505/

STAMFORD ADVOCATE: Port Chester’s Clay Art Center hosts talk on art, race and social justice

The virtual panel ‘will discuss art as a tool for communication, raising awareness and affecting positive change’ during time….

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Port-Chester-s-Clay-Art-Center-hosts-talk-on-15620940.php

HELPING VOTERS: #PortChester’s State Senator Shelley Mayer Sponsored Legislation That Was Signed Into Law To Reduce Confusion At Polling Sites

Legislation aimed at reducing confusion at polling sites has been signed into law sponsored by senator #ShelleyMayer, the new law prohibits, while polling locations are open, any change to the entrance or exit to the site, except to increase access or to maintain public safety provided any change is clearly marked with signage next to the former entrance or exit.

The measure was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson of Newburgh.

The new requirements apply to Election Day, Primary Day and days of early voting.

During the past two years, #NewYork State has passed major voting reforms including instituting early voting, making it easier to register to vote, change your party registration and to vote by absentee ballot.

This law helps reduce the likelihood that voters will be confused about how to access polling sites.

Senator Shelley Mayer has consistently held the position that voting should be simple and easy for every citizen, whether voting in person or may mail,

This new law to reduce confusion at polling sites is another step in that goal….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3227014897396360/

LEARN TO EARN: How To Join The IBEW Electrician Apprenticeship Program

Thinking about becoming an electrician? Joining an IBEW apprenticeship is an excellent way to begin a career in the electrical trade….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3222789511152232/

NEGATIVE TEST RESULT: After being contact traced
from a positive Covid-19 test by Westchester County Legislator David Tubiolo, #PortChester’s State Senator Shelley Mayer received a negative result following his own Covid-19 test.

STAYING HOME: Senator #ShelleyMayer will continue to quarantine as required, by Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s executive orders and CDC guidelines…..

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3221080147989835/

Latinos May Soon Rule Westchester’s Largest City…..

LATINO EMPOWERMENT: After The Census The City Of Hills Will Be Officially Listed As A Hispanic Majority Community – Bilingual Speakers To Have A Bigger Advantage In Yonkers

HYPER LOCAL #FACTS: Yonkers, New York Population and Demographics Show White Residents Soon To Be Shown As One Of The Minority Groups In “The City Of Gracious Living”#Yonkers is a city in #WestchesterCounty, New York, with a current estimated population of 199,745.According to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, 38.60% of residents identify as white, 37.00% as Hispanic or Latino, 15.40% as Black or African American, 0.20% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 6.90% as Asian, and 1.90% as some other race or combination of races.

Nationally, some 61.1% of Americans identify as white, 17.8% as Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% as Black or African American, 0.7% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 5.4% as Asian, 0.2% as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2.6% as some other race or combination of races.

#LOL… Will Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader Or Councilman John Rubbo Be Surprised If The Next Mayor In The City of Yonkers Is A Latina?

Did Someone Just Say Tasha Diaz Or Were They Whispering The Name Of Majority Leader Corazon Pineda Isaac?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/permalink/2788121738112053/

#LatinoPower

The Port Chester schools still having to deal with the board president’s racist Facebook posts….

JOURNAL NEWS: Port Chester BOE hires outside companies to handle allegations against board president

The #PortChester school board laid out its plan to handle the allegations against board president #TomCorbia.

Racist Facebook posts under his name went viral on Sept. 17, which caused several members of the community to call for Corbia’s resignation.

Corbia said he was hacked.

To get to the bottom of the issue, the school board met with its ethics committee on Sept. 18, which suggested an external electronic forensic investigation be completed, Port Chester Superintendent #EdwardKliszus said in an email on Wednesday.

The board of education met on Sept. 22 to hire T&M Protection Resources to conduct the investigation, Kliszus said.

A week later, on Sept. 29, the school board hired an outside law firm to manage the case, according to the superintendent.

The outside law firm will “manage the case, handle communications with Mr. Corbia’s attorney, coordinate with T&M and the ethics committee to collect evidence, examine its contents and ultimately advise the board as to its next options,” Kliszus said.

The controversy was sparked by a Facebook post that appeared to show Corbia, or someone using his name, agreeing with someone else’s Facebook post that said….

“I’m selling my white privilege card. It’s just over 77 years old and it hasn’t done a damn thing for me. No inheritance, no free college, no free food, no free housing, etc. I may even be willing to do an even trade for a race card. Those seem way more useful and more widely accepted. Interested? Contact me on my non-obama (sic) cell phone that I have to pay for every month. Serious inquiries only.”….

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/port-chester/2020/09/30/port-chester-board-education-president-racist-facebook-posts/3589178001/

PORT CHESTER PIC: The Port Chester station is a commuter rail stop on the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line, located in #PortChester.

VITAL TRANSIT LINK: The station is the northernmost station on the line in New York before crossing into #Connecticut.

PORT CHESTER HISTORY: The current station house was built in 1890 by the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad

From 1929 and 1937 the Port Chester train station was located across Westchester Avenue from the terminal station of the Port Chester Branch of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway.

Today that former station is the home of the Girtman Memorial Church of the Living God.

As with all New Haven Line stations in Westchester County, the station became a Penn Central station upon acquisition by Penn Central in 1969, and eventually became part of the MTA’s Metro-North Railroad in 1983.

Under the 2015–2019 Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Plan, the station, along with four other Metro-North Railroad stations, received a complete overhaul.

In late 2017 an elevator was opened on the Westchester Avenue side of the station for access to the Northbound platform.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3202616013169582/

BUSINESS JOURNAL: Details emerge on United Hospital redevelopment

Documents obtained by the Business Journal provide details of what might be included in the redevelopment of the United Hospital site…

Murray Schisgal offered lightly askew humor about subjects like sex, family and failure….

NEW YORK TIMES: Murray Schisgal, Who Brought the Absurd to the Mainstream, Dies at 93

#MurraySchisgal, a playwright and screenwriter who took his offbeat brand of humor to Broadway in the Tony Award-winning comedy “Luv” and to Hollywood in the hit farce “Tootsie,” died on Thursday in #PortChester, N.Y. He was 93.

His death was announced by his son, Zach.

Over a six-decade career in theater, Mr. Schisgal employed elements from the theater of the absurd — like flooding dialogue with clichés and presenting fantastic situations as probable — to write about such domestic themes as marriage, sex, family, loneliness and failure.

His first Broadway success, “Luv,” opened in 1964, with Eli Wallach, Ann Jackson and Alan Arkin in the original cast. It ran for 902 performances, won three Tony Awards (including one for Mike Nichols’s direction) and earned Mr. Schisgal nominations for best play and best author of a play.

While the play was a hit, Mr. Schisgal, with characteristically self-deprecating humor, implied that during the previews the Broadway crowd questioned coming to a play that thematically seemed like more of a downtown experience. But the critics were encouraging.

“Whatever the truth of the old saw that misery loves company,” Howard Taubman wrote in his New York Times review, “the chances are excellent that you’ll love the company of the three recurrently miserable characters that make up the cast of ‘Luv.’”

Writing in New York magazine, Walter Kerr described Mr. Schisgal as “one step ahead of the avant-garde,”….


THE REAL DEAL: Port Chester lot near Metro-North station eyed for 120-unit development

A 120-unit apartment building could go up just a stone’s throw from #PortChester’s Metro-North station.

The project was presented to the Port Chester Planning Commission by attorney Mark Blanchard, who represents the developer.

Dubbed The Complex at Port Chester, it would rise on a vacant lot at 18-20 South Main Street and 21-25 East Broadway, about 500 feet from the Metro-North station.

It would be across the street from the Waterfront at Port Chester shopping center.
The 12-story development would include an automated 94-car parking garage and two retail spaces at street level….

https://therealdeal.com/tristate/2020/09/29/port-chester-lot-near-metro-north-station-eyed-for-120-unit-development/

PORT CHESTER LAWSUIT: The Sustainable Port Chester Alliance and the Port Chester/Rye Branch of the #NAACP are filing an Article 78 lawsuit against new Village of #PortChester zoning code that disregard the socioeconomic impact that development would have on the downtown area

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3201594339938416/

THE WORST OF PORT CHESTER: After racially offensive Facebook content associated with Tom Corbia’s account emerged, he said he was hacked – but now that its time to put up or shut up the BOE President is not cooperating.

LAWYERING UP: Now, the $12,000 investigation into the legitimacy of Tom Corbia lame claim just got stalled because the Board of Education president is running scared and hiding behind lawyers.

DISGRACEFUL: Tom Corbia Is Not Ethical Enough To Stand And Deliver To Port Chester’s School Community, Causing Many Think That He Just A No Good Liar That Can’t Back Up His Hateful Words….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3201571769940673/

FLASHBACK: Many Village of Port Chester Residents are saying School board president Tom Corbia deactivated Facebook account with racist posts is very similar Bart Didden’s now-infamous 2007 anonymous flier that was used as proof of local racism in the federal voting rights case.

https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2008/January/08_crt_047.html

REAL ESTATE: Housing Costs in Port Chester, New York

Housing is one of the largest components of cost of living. In Port Chester, the median home value is $441,700, greater than the national median home value of $204,900.

Renting is a sometimes lower cost alternative to homeownership. In Port Chester, some 56.80% of occupied homes are rented, greater than the 36.2% national renter rate.

The typical renter in Port Chester spends $1,504 a month on housing, greater than the $1,023 national median monthly rent.In addition to home value, one of the largest determinants of housing affordability is area income.

While nationwide the price of a typical U.S. home is 3.4 times the $60,293 U.S. median household income, housing affordability ratios range from approximately 1.0 in the least expensive cities to more than 10.0 in the country’s most expensive markets. In Port Chester, the median household income is $65,317, 6.8 times the median home value….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3201458656618651/

REAL ESTATE: Cost of Living in #PortChester, New YorkPort Chester is a village in #WestchesterCounty, New York, with a population of 29,418.

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Port Chester is $48,036 a year — greater than the annual cost of living for New York of $46,110 and greater than the national figure of $38,433.

Data is from the nonprofift think tank Economic Policy Institute….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3201449376619579/

GET PC SCHOOL NEWS: Friends of Port Chester SchoolsDear Friends of the Port Chester Schools – this group has been created to support and keep the Port Chester’s School community fully informed.This is going to truly “take a village” so please help us to spread the word. Thank you for your interest….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/462163280623902/about/

NEWs 12: Grace Church St. Bridge finally open to motorists

The long-awaited Grace Church Street Bridge project is finally complete.Portchester resident Bernadette Beltran says she’s looking forward to a smoother commute.

“Sometimes the stoplights take so long. Now I don’t have to go all the way around,” says Beltran.Commuter Raul Varas believes it’s about time that the bridge is complete, saying in part, “The only thing is, it takes so long to do something around here.

This was six months, maybe a year already, but you can see the project every time.

“The $11 million bridge is associated with a multimillion-dollar project known as the Last Mile. It links Port Chester to Rye and promises to improve drivers’ safety….

https://westchester.news12.com/grace-church-st-bridge-finally-open-to-motorists

JOURNAL NEWS: Grace Church Street Bridge complete, Last Mile project moves closer to completion

Work replacing the Grace Church Street Bridge, which travels over Interstate 95 connecting the Village of #PortChester and #CityOfRye, has been completed, the State Thruway Authority announced.

As part of the $135 million project to improve the I-95 corridor, what is known as the Last Mile project moves toward its completion with the newly finished Grace Church Street Bridge.

The project focuses on the one-mile stretch including parts of Port Chester and Rye, leading up to the #Connecticut state line.

Midland Avenue, at Exit 22, now connects directly to I-95 northbound, and provides room for wider shoulders in both directions of I-95.

The project also includes safety upgrades such as new guardrails, pedestrian fencing and increased vertical clearance over I-95, the Thruway Authority said…..

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/2020/09/29/last-mile-project-port-chester-rye-i-95/3574285001/

PORT CHESTER MAN: Relative arrested after missing Cadillac found in Stamford

STAMFORD ADVOCATE: A man found in possession of marijuana was discovered inside a car being tracked by OnStar and reported stolen by his family member, police said.

STAMFORD: At noon Monday, police were called to an apartment building on #Glenbrook Road on the report of a car — reported stolen earlier that day — being located there, said Sgt. Ken Jarrett.

The car was being tracked by #OnStar, which can find missing cars and provide other security type duties.

When police got there they were led to the rear parking lot where they found the missing 2019 Cadillac parked. Police pulled up to it and found #VincentChambless, 31, of #PortChester, New York, sitting in the driver’s seat with the car running.

Police spotted some marijuana in the front seat and Chambless was removed from the car and handcuffed.

Jarrett said Chambless began struggling and making thrashing motions and he was put into the back of another police vehicle. When police checked the interior of the car, they found the four ounces of marijuana….

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/relative-arrested-after-missing-cadillac-found-in-stamford/ar-BB19E95Z

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY: The #PortChester School Board Hired T& M Protection Resources To Conduct A Probe Conservative School Board President Tom Corbia

PORT CHESTER: The New York City security firm is tasked with the job of determining if former teacher #TomCorbia or some mysterious hackers posted racially insensitive on the school board president’s personal Facebook account.

PC SCHOOL BOARD: The school board members allocated $12,000 to hire the firm to investigate Tom Corbia’s story, even though many village residents doubt is the “rogue and racis hacker’s temporarily took over my social media account” story.

Most parents consider the Facebook posts to be repugnant to students and the families in the minority majority district.

Previously, School Board President #DominicBencivenga worked with bigoted TEA Party Port Chester Trustee #BartDidden to mail racist flyers from #Greenwich, CTthat attacked Latino families in the village.

The racist flyers that Bart Didden intially lied about creating and mailing, eventually lead to the The United States Department of Justice federal court victory that brought cumulative voting to Port Chester.

Some are speculating that Tom Corbia will disrespect the will of his board and of the many students who have publically complained by refusing to cooperate with the $12,000 probe by T& M Protection Resources.

They claim that Tom Corbia will probably take the dishonorable path and refuse to allow T& M Protection Resources to recover and access to his Facebook account, to determine if a hack occurred at the times the racist posts were publicly posted.

Many residents say Tom Corbia appears to have tried to destroy the evidence by deactivating his account, but it is still on Facebook’s servers.

They say this happened before in 2018 when Tom Corbin refused to cooperate with a probe of the entire board was investigated for leaking contract negotiation information.

Tom Corbia is appointed by the Village of Port Chester mayor #FritzFlank as the Chair Person of the Port Chester Housing Authority

And he is making even more decisions about those his account posts attacked.

County Executive #GeorgeLatimer has him working in a position in county department of mental health.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573568742741002/permalink/3200971016667415/

MORE HYPER LOCAL NEWS: Harrison Newswire

The Harrison Newswire is published by Brian Harrod and provides the latest community news written by award-winning editors and local reporters….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/664987093549096/

WNBC-TV; School Official Under Fire for Racist ‘White Privilege Card’ Post

VIDEO: A #PortChester schools official is under fire after a post selling a “white privilege card” appeared online. Gilma Avalos reports….

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/local/school-official-under-fire-for-racist-white-privilege-card-post/2625760/

GREENWICH SENTINEL: First Bank of Greenwich Installs New Walk-Up Windows

The bank recently installed walk-up windows for customers at its three branches in #Stamford, #CosCob, and #PortChester, N.Y.

The inside of each branch entrance was redesigned with a window, which separates the teller and customer, a call button/microphone system, and an electronic pull-out drawer for transactions.

“We don’t know where the COVID -19 is going. For the safety and convenience of our customers and staff, we came up with the idea of installing walk-up windows,” said FBOG President and CEO, Frank J. Gaudio.

If the drive-thru in Cos Cob or Port Chester gets overcrowded, customers can now park their car, and come inside where they ring the bell at the walk-up window. A teller will come over and handle any transaction….

https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2020/09/19/first-bank-of-greenwich-installs-new-walk-up-windows/

NEWS 12: Village of Port Chester pushes to attain city status

This year’s City Status for Port Chester report states that if the village’s lack of revenue continues to cause property taxes to climb — gentrification could force service-job residents out….

http://westchester.news12.com/story/42537821/village-of-port-chester-pushes-to-attain-city-status

WCBS – TV: Firefighters Treated For Heat Exhaustion After Battling 5-Alarm Blaze In Port Chester

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Firefighters worked into Sunday evening checking hot spots following an earlier fire in a three-story apartment building. The blaze broke out….

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/08/30/north-main-street-port-chester-apartment-building-fire-firefighter-injured/

DAILY VOICE: Five Nabbed After Shots Fired Into Occupied Home In Westchester

Five suspects are in custody after shots were fired into a home in Westchester located just off Interstate 95.The incident …

https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/mountpleasant/police-fire/five-nabbed-after-shots-fired-into-occupied-home-in-westchester/794125/

WABC – TV: 5-alarm fire tears through Westchester Co. apartment building

PORT CHESTER, Westchester Co. (WABC) — A 5-alarm fire tore through an apartment building in Westchester County…..

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/5-alarm-fire-tears-through-westchester-co-apartment-building/ar-BB18wEZ2

NEWS 12: Port Chester man heads home after being hospitalized with COVID-19 for 4 months

A Port Chester man is home after nearly losing his fight with coronavirus. His battle represents a disturbing trend that shows the Latinx community is disproportionately impacted by the virus. Cesar…..

http://westchester.news12.com/port-chester-man-heads-home-after-being-hospitalized-with-covid19-for-4-months-42549564

GREENWICH TIME: Greenwich firefighters help fight Port Chester blaze from across the Byram River

The fire crew set up on residential properties along North Water Street in Byram and aimed their hoses at three burning…

https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-firefighters-help-fight-Port-Chester-15528382.php

JOURNAL NEWS: If Port Chester doesn’t become a city, working class residents could be displaced, report warns

Port Chester’s working-class residents, many of whom are Hispanic, could be displaced by gentrification unless the village can become a city and bring in more money, a report commissioned by the …

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/if-port-chester-doesnt-become-a-city-working-class-residents-could-be-displaced-report-warns/ar-BB18j7Oz

GREENWICH TIME >>> Police: Shooting incident in Port Chester leads to arrests

Five suspects in the shooting were apprehended, and a large caliber hunting rifle and ammunition were also seized, according …

https://www.greenwichtime.com/policereports/article/Police-Shooting-incident-in-Port-Chester-leads-15568140.php

PATCH: Fuller Center, Lions Aid Port Chester Fire Victims

Port Chester experienced a significant fire that displaced 25 families and the community came together to help….

https://news.yahoo.com/fuller-center-lions-aid-port-230741304.html

JOURNAL NEWS: Shots fired into Port Chester home, police have 5 suspects in custody: PCPD

Five out-of-town suspects in connection with an overnight drive-by shooting in Port Chester are in police custody….

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2020/09/12/shots-fired-into-port-chester-home-cops/5782703002/

GREENWICH TIME: Tarry Lighthouse project in Port Chester denied

The Port Chester Zoning Board of Appeals denied the controversial Tarry Lighthouse project proposed for downtown Port Chester, N.Y., just blocks away from the Greenwich border. The development team …

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tarry-lighthouse-project-in-port-chester-denied/ar-BB19bqRu

NEWS 12: Port Chester school board president’s alleged controversial comments ignite calls for his resignation

Some parents and community members are calling for the resignation of the school board president in Port Chester over alleged controversial comments made on social media.

Thomas Corbia, the president of the Port Chester School Board, says his Facebook was hacked Thursday after community members were outraged by controversial comments posted with his account.

A friend of Corbia’s apparently shared a post that said, “I’m selling my white privilege card. It’s just over 77 years old and it hasn’t done a damn thing for me. No inheritance, no free college, no free food, no free housing, etc. I may even be willing to do an even trade for a race card. Those seem way more useful and more widely accepted.”.

Under that post, there was a comment from Corbia’s account that said, “Tommy, you are the f****** best and whoever doesn’t like that post, well they know what they can do.”

During Thursday night’s virtual Board of Education meeting, Corbia responded to upset parents and community members, saying he’s been hacked three times since the onset of summer.

“One of it was corrected immediately. Thought we had it done. Then I was hacked into the internet and then hacked again I guess sometime in late August or early September…which I was alerted to last night. So, I apologize if it offended anybody,” he says.Community members say at the very least there needs to be an investigation into the alleged comments.

“I’m calling for an investigation to be launched into the posts found in connection with Tom Corbia,” says Grace Herbert, of Port Chester….

http://westchester.news12.com/port-chester-school-board-presidents-alleged-controversial-comments-ignite-calls-for-his-resignation

#SocialMedia

DAILY VOICE: Port Chester BOE President Faces Backlash Over Racially Insensitive Post

A school board president in Westchester is in hot water after a racially charged social media post was made through his Facebook account.Port Chester Board of Education President Thomas Corbia said that the account was hacked during a lengthy virtual meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Of the near two dozen speakers at the meeting, just one person supported Corbia, while many casted doubt about Corbia’s claim, and are calling for an investigation into the issue and his resignation.

Cobra said that his Facebook account has been hacked at least three times since the summer and also said that he supports an internal investigation.According to multiple reports, the post in question said: “I’m selling my white privilege card. It’s just over 77 years old and it hasn’t done a damn thing for me.“No inheritance, no free college, no free food, no free housing, etc. I may even be willing to do an even trade for a race card. Those seem way more useful and more widely accepted. Interested? Contact me on my non-obama (sic) cell phone that I have to pay for every month. Serious inquiries only.”

A comment with Corbia’s name appeared under it that read “You are the (expletive) best and whoever doesn’t like that post, well they know what they can do.”

Cobra was also implicated for sharing a different post from his Facebook account earlier this year that read “Illegal immigrants sent $56 billion in pure cash to their home countries last year alone.

“That’s after their kids enjoyed free education, free lunches, and free medical care paid for by you.”

In a statement before the meeting, Port Chester Schools Superintendent Edward Kliszus condemned the post, calling it “disturbing.”…

https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/mamaroneck/news/port-chester-boe-president-faces-backlash-over-racially-insensitive-post/794500/

#PortChesterSchools

JOURNAL NEWS: Many call for Port Chester school board president to resign over racist Facebook post

The president of the Port Chester Board of Education is under fire after racist Facebook posts under his name went viral on Thursday.Tom Corbia addressed the issue at the start of a school board meeting Thursday evening, saying he was hacked.

But 20 of the 21 community members who addressed the board during a 40-plus minute public comment period of the meeting didn’t believe him.

They all called for an investigation and Corbia’s immediate resignation.Many speakers, who included longtime village residents, parents with children in different grades, a current student and several recent Port Chester High School alumni, used the word “disgusting” to describe Corbia’s alleged actions.

One speaker, who said he knew Corbia for years, came to his defense and said he’s “a good man.”

Fellow school board member Chris Wolff did the same, saying he believes Corbia was hacked but still pushing for a transparent investigation.

Other board members agreed that there should be an investigation, as did Corbia.All other board members and Superintendent Edward Kliszus condemned the words and sentiment of the post.

The board suggested an ethics committee investigation. Kliszus said he will talk to district lawyers on Friday to plan the next steps.In a statement released before the meeting, Kliszus said “disturbing social media posts” were forwarded to the board’s counsel.

“The Port Chester UFSD is committed to equality for all students and staff and has policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment,” he said in the statement.

“The District condemns all commentary or posts that are biased, racially prejudiced, or offensive in any way.The controversy stems from a post that appeared to show Corbia, or someone using his name, agreeing with someone else’s Facebook post that said, “I’m selling my white privilege card. It’s just over 77 years old and it hasn’t done a damn thing for me. No inheritance, no free college, no free food, no free housing, etc. I may even be willing to do an even trade for a race card. Those seem way more useful and more widely accepted. Interested? Contact me on my non-obama (sic) cell phone that I have to pay for every month. Serious inquiries only.”

A comment with Corbia’s name underneath said: “You are the f******* best and whoever doesn’t like that post, well they know what they can do.”

Corbia taught in the Port Chester schools for 40 years before retiring in 2011, coached several sports, and is a well-known figure in the village.

He was elected to the school board in 2012……

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/many-call-for-port-chester-school-board-president-to-resign-over-racist-facebook-post/ar-BB19amuS

#TomCorbia

The Village Of Port Chester Appoints A Special Prosecutor To Charge Trustee Bart Didden With Over 70 Building Violations – By Brian Harrod

Slumlord / Trustee Bart Didden Placed People’s Lives In Danger By Operating Buildings With Missing Fire Extinguishers And Blocking Fire Exits With Flammable Clutter In Downtown Port Chester

PORT CHESTER – The Village of Port Chester has had to go to the expense of hired a special prosecutor to go after negligent landlord, who is a village trustee

Trustee Bart Didden is charged with dozens of building, fire and property maintenance violations at his downtown properties located at 25 Willet Ave. and 113, 115 and 119 N. Main St. — done between 2012 and 2017 found 70 violations.

The violations for expired permits, issues with certificates of occupancy and fire inspections, failing construction inspections, fire code violations such as flammable clutter blocking exits and not having fire extinguishers and other dangerous issues.

The trustee, Bart Didden claims that his political positions resulted in him being charged for putting people’s lives in danger, but he has a history of deflecting with conspiracy theories in the past, when his poorly maintained properties have been flagged for violations and dangerous conditions.

Trustee Bart Didden is often very outspoken about how other downtown property owners and businesses need to follow the laws of the village.

Previously, former School Board President Dominic Bencivenga worked with Bart Didden to mail flyers, that a federal judge found to be racist, that attacked Latino families in the village over housing and building issues.

Attorney Joseph Stargiotti, whose Pleasantville law firm practices in real estate-related litigation, was hired by Port Chester as a special prosecutor to go after the dangerous property manager.

Port Chester judges have recused themselves from this case because of Trustee Bart Didden’s position and Special Prosecutor Joseph Stargiotti expects the case to be moved to a different venue.