1. Physical Environment: White Plains is a city in Westchester County in New York and the center of commercial hub of Westchester. The city is over a quarter million residents who are living, working, and doing business in that area. The current location of the city is in South-central Westchester that is 40 kilometers north of Midtown Manhattan. The land area is measured for at least 9.8 square miles or 25.3 square kilometers. Before the Europeans came to Western Hemisphere, the place is under the settlement of Native American Indians. This is in particular with the Mohican tribes living in that particular part of New York. On the 17th century, the Dutch came to the area and then settled and then created settlement rivalries with the Mohican tribes, erupting a dispute between the outsiders and the Native American Indians. The Dutch initially called the place as White Plains due to the abundance of white balsam in the area according to Nowlin (2010).
White Plains is a suburb of New York City center; however, it is now transforming as an extension of Manhattan’s Long island due to the density of businesses who wants to establish a new infrastructure for business purpose. There are multiple high-rise buildings in the area, generating an additional urban ambiance. There are shopping centers in the area and multiple stores that make it available for the residents to have a source of food supply, businesses, and other needs to fulfill their basic needs at their home, work, and businesses. The signs in the streets show different names and the streets as part of its directions to motorists and passersby along the sidewalks. There are multiple ethnicities in the area populated by the African-Americans, Native whites, Hispanics, and Asians that are concentrated across the city center since it is now urbanized by the population.
2. Health and social services: White Plains has a multiple health care institutions that allow residents to have a place to seek for basic needs such as medical care for their residents, tourists, and businesses in the area. There are several examples such as the White Plains hospital, Westchester Medical Center, and private clinics that provide available and affordable health care services for the residents in the area that operates 24 hours. Community health care systems extend through house to house dissemination to apply a direct approach towards the residential areas. Private health care systems are composed of private practitioners who are operating inside a private clinic facility. Private clinics are smaller health care centers that caters patients who needs an immediate health care service such as check-ups for new patients and follow-up for patients who are mostly outpatients.
Social welfare services are widely distributed across the White Plains. Social welfare services are empowered under the Federal government to provide an outreach program for individuals who need shelters, food, and livelihood facilities. Examples are facilities that provide temporary shelters for homeless individuals. There are civic organizations that coordinates with the victims of violence, calamities, and abuse that needs psychological, physical, and mental intervention by social welfare personnel across the area. Another is about the issue on adoption where social welfare services will be measuring and monitoring the conditions of adopted children if they are being treated well by their adoptive parents or siblings inside their homes. Rehabilitation centers are also available to ensure that the welfare of individuals becomes productive. This includes providing trainings and seminar workshops for individuals who are going to be prepared to apply for a job so that they will have a reason to become productive with their socio-economic standing after the rehabilitation period inside the facility.
3. Economy: White Plains is transforming into a very productive urban center outside the cityscape of Manhattan. Large companies settled in the area to experience a lesser chaotic business environment. There are relocated companies in the area that continue their business productivity by continuing their highly competitive company to serve both local and international patrons. These are Alliance Bernstein, New York Power Authority, ITT, Xylem, Combe, and Bunge. The emergence of new companies in the area increased the median rate of household income to at least $75,000 annually. There are multiple businesses and establishments in the area that provides a sustainable socio-economic stability that can offer to the residents. All households can have the opportunity to extend their professional practice in the area because there are numerous jobs being offered to anyone else who wants to make their lives productive.
As based on the 41.5% poverty rate for over 100,000 residents as of 2015, the socio-economic stability of the area is now gradually increasing to the plight of new businesses who wants to make a living across the area. Households that live under the poverty lines are guided by the social welfare services as well as private institutions who aim to improve the sustainability of livelihoods for those who are jobless. Interagency cooperation across the country ensures that residents living under the poverty line receive a monthly allowance for a limited period of time. As for the characteristics, there are at least less than 10% of people who are unemployed, which is relatively low for a place where businesses are thriving. The ratio of male over females is between 52% for males and 48% for females, disregarding the sexual orientation of individuals such as the members of the LGBT community who are currently unemployed in the area as of 2015.
4. Safety, Environment, and Transportation: The White Plains is covered under the jurisdiction of multiple security agencies. These are the police department of White Plains, the US Army, and the Central Intelligence, who are collaborating with each other to prevent any suspicious activities across the White Plains. The air quality of White Plains are relatively above normal because there are lesser industrial areas in the city responsible for producing fumes, affecting the structure of the air quality. The disciplinary attitude of the residents in the area is well-behaved, being aware about the relevance of waste segregation in the area, which is a common scenario to ensure that the garbage collection facilities are well-managed. There are numerous waste sewerage systems that aim to prevent pollutants affecting the ecological system in White Plains.
As for the transportation, White Plains boasts numerous facilities to improve the transportation system of residents, guests, and travellers. By air, the White Plains offers its Westchester County Airport that is located 7 miles from the downtown. It offers flights in and out to Bahamas, Florida, and other parts of the United States. By rail, there are two railroad stations for traveling towards the main New York City area as well as towards other counties in New York State. There are also bus systems operating in the area that provides local and interstate bus transportation for all residents in the area. Most transportation heads towards Bronx in New York City, which is where numerous businesses are located. The Cross-Westchester Expressway is one of the major commercial routes in White Plains for residents coming in and out of White Plains. As for the sea port systems, residents should go initially to the Long Island to ride ferry systems in the area as well as to travel in both Interstate and international destinations at any time as indicated by Stevens (2013).
5. Politics and Government: White Plains is under the jurisdiction of New York State. The area is under the jurisdiction of Westchester country within New York State. The head of the government in the area is Mayor, with is Tom Roach from the Democratic Political Party of the United States. Under the Mayoralty administration of Tom Roach are composed of council members that are responsible for enacting new laws that governs the political interest of the city. You can reach the White Plains City Hall by contacting its office hotline at +1 914 422 1206. The address of the City Hall is 255 Main Street, White Plains, New York State. Since the mayor is under the Democratic Political Party in White Plains, most of its laws are acquainted with liberty, which is an essential consideration for allowing multiculturalism in the area as related by Pellegrin (2011).
The city council of the City of White Plains is a legislative body that is responsible for governing the city. The elected person can be referred as the council man or council woman. They function as a congressional or parliamentary legislative body under the jurisdiction of the White Plains Mayor. The organizations of White Plains have a multi-connected agencies operating across the city. One is the department of public safety that is mainly composed of police personnel in the area, which can be reached through their website at http://weschestergov.com. Westchester Country Department of health White Plains District is a health care organization managed by the city government to ensure that health services are provided and monitored by the government. The local government units of White Plains are also coordinating with other government agencies such as the Town of Eastchester New York for both political and economic affairs that impacts the safety and welfare of its residents across the state.
6. Communication: The City of White Plains established a major print media company, which is the Journal News. This is the major daily newspaper in the City that is currently owned by Gannett Company. White Plains community media is another telecommunications media operating in the city that provides media services through news, programs, and other entertainment purposes across the City of White Plains. White Plains Cable Television is another media network in the city that provides cable services to benefit the entertainment needs of White Plains residents. ABC7 New York is a media company that is based in New York that provides latest events and current news for the City of White Plains and nearby areas across the city. The city has a local television network to allow residents to become updated with the events happening around the city that provides essential information to empower the knowledge of residents within White Plains community at all times.
For telecommunication services, the NuSound Technology groups provide services to allow access for telecommunication services such as internet and wireless communications. Lanline Communications Incorporated provides land line services for telephone networks as well as providing internet access for users. Superior Communications Incorporated does similar services to provide network access for residents and businesses operating in the City of White Plains. The City government of White Plains also offers free internet access across the city by means of empowering Wifi services to selected public places where it is frequented by residents or travelers in the area. The Central intelligence Agency also has an access to all communication lines in the city where it maintains the security and safety of residents against any threat of harm in White Plains. Media communications group also provide a televised communication by means of collaborating with other agencies across the country to engage interactions with the White Plains Community.
7. Education: The City of White Plains established a public school system that enrolls 6,000 students. These are the elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and adult educational facilities. Public schools provide affordable and accessible schools for households who belong below the poverty line to undergo an affordable program supported by the government. Non-government organizations also provide basic support for students who are in need of scholarships as a way for them to have a promising future after undergoing a free educational program in the city. Each school has a complete facility in terms of technological, athletic, and security to ensure that educational needs of all students will be provided under the support of the Federal government. The schools around the city are aiming to promote multiculturalism as the students come from different cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities emigrated from their native countries of origin.
The educational district of White Plains is currently under the jurisdiction of a seven-board of education to handle with the public affairs of the city’s educational program. There are parochial and private schools operating in the area such as the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Archbishop Stepinac High School, German School New York, and Windward School for students experiencing language disabilities. There are colleges and universities that are also installed in the area such as the Fordham University that offers education, social service, and business administration. Pace University that offers political science and law for students who wants to be future lawyers is one of the prestigious in the city. The College of Westchester is another institution that offers a specialty in business administration. Other notable cities are Berkeley College and Mercy College that offers a promising opportunity for students in the area to increase their potential to become future professionals in the near future.
8. Recreation: Starting off with the neighborhood, the City of White Plains has at least 35 operating neighborhoods. Some of these are Battle Hill, Bryant Gardens, Carhart, Colonial Corners, and Eastview. The Parts and recreation areas in the City of White Plains are Ebersole Ice Rink, which offers an opportunity for skaters to experience the leisure of skating under the ice. Maple Moor Golf Course and Westchester Golf Range are large park reserves to allow residents in the city to experience the ambiance of nature by means of allowing the residents to do picnics, jog, and do other recreational activities in the area. Saxon Woods Park is a multi-recreational facility that offers trails, mini-golf course, and swimming pool in Westchester. Parks are popular leisure area for individuals who want to ensure that their lives can enjoy amenities while having a good time with their loved ones.
There are interesting other recreational facilities in the city because there are several malls that are now open to public. The Galleria Mall at White Plains is a recreational facility where residents will shop and spend their time alone or with someone. The location of Galleria Mall is at 100 Main Street in White Plains. The Westchester is another mall that offers numerous products for personal, work, and business intent that are always open for the residents and travelers to shop. The White Plains Mall is located at 200 Hamilton Avenue, which another large mall facility where residents can have the time to spend their leisure time. These malls contain boutique, cinemas, and restaurants to allow residents to fully enjoy the facilities. There are several skyscrapers that also offer recreational facilities in White Plains such as restaurants or coffee shops. These are the Residences tower, One City Place, Trump Tower, Westchester County Courthouse, and Gateway Building according to Applebome (2010).
References
Applebome, Peter (2010). “A House With a Role in the Revolution Is Now Left Unprotected”. The New York Times.
Nowlin, Sanford (2010). “Prodigy to move to Austin.” San Antonio Express News. June 24, 2000. Business 1D.
Pellegrin, Michael (2011). “Republicans Announce Hyland as Their Candidate for Mayor”, White Plains Patch.
Stevens, Charles W. (2013). “John Curran, 59; dogged journalist, Bloomberg editor”. Boston Globe.
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