WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th A.D. April 21, 2006:  For the second consecutive year, the Legislature passed an on-time budget that meets the needs of the people of New York.  Unfortunately, the governor issued over 200 vetoes to the Legislature’s bipartisan budget agreement, causing the Republican Senate Majority Leader, Joseph Bruno to state in a recent radio interview that “Pataki cared more about Sioux City, Iowa than Syracuse.”

Critical tax relief for Westchester residents – Vetoed

 The bipartisan budget agreement would have provided meaningful tax relief to Westchester’s overburdened taxpayers.  Sadly, the governor’s veto pen struck most of the Legislature’s tax-relief package, including:

·        Empire State Tax Credit – a maximum credit of $330 for each child age 4 to 17

·        Property tax rebates that would have averaged $532 for Westchester’s Basic STAR recipients and $822 for senior homeowners under the Enhanced STAR program

·        Reducing the marriage penalty tax – saving married couples $41 million when fully phased in

Legislature’s investments in higher education – Vetoed

The governor’s budget vetoes will have disastrous consequences for New York’s higher education institutions. He vetoed the Legislature’s restorations to the Tuition Assistance Program, as well as vital operating aid for SUNY to strengthen programs.  He vetoed local investments totaling over $34.1 million for capital improvement projects at area colleges, including:

·        $6 million to SUNY Purchase for the Heritage Site

·        $8.1 million to SUNY Purchase for HVAC renovations – to rehabilitate the campus’ central plaza

·        $20 million to Westchester County Community College for additional Master Plan Projects

Restorations to Westchester’s struggling health care system – Vetoed

The governor’s veto of the Legislature’s bipartisan budget proposal – which protects the health of New York’s most vulnerable populations by funding critical nursing home, hospital and emergency care – is deplorable. Again, the governor turns his back on those who need help the most.

Locally, the governor’s vetoes will cost Westchester hospitals $41.5 million and area nursing homes nearly $500,000, including:

·        White Plains Hospital – $737,000

·        Northern Westchester Hospital – $205,000

·        Burke Rehabilitation Hospital – $179,000

·        Westchester Medical Center – $4.9 million

·        Cedar Manor Nursing home –  $435,000

·        Nathan Miller Center for Nursing Care, White Plains Division – $42,000

If his vetoes stand, the progress New York is making to improve our health care services, help struggling property taxpayers and strengthen our world-class universities would be seriously threatened.  I cannot stand by as the governor scores political points at the expense of college students, property taxpayers and elderly. I will work with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to override vetoes, where constitutionally legal – representing a bipartisan united stand for a budget that New Yorkers deserve.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. April 20, 2006: The Department of Communications confirmed to WPCNR today that Dan McBride has been appointed Director of Playland, the landmark amusement park on Long Island Sound that has entertained children of all ages since 1928. Mr. McBride replaces Joseph Montalto, who is retiring, according the the Department of Communications. 

McBride moves from Operations Director for the Department of Recreation and Parks to  Deputy Commissioner and Director of Playland park, his new post, and one of his first steps is to prepare a Master Plan for the old amusement park, according to attendees of the Westchester County Historical Society where he spoke Monday evening.

The KiddlieLand section of the amusement park (with America’s greatest train ride), is open this Sunday, April 23 and Sunday April 30, 12 to 6.  Playland opens officially May 13. Go to www.ryeplayland.org for more on the park.

Rye Beach Boardwalk, Playland Bathhouses. The vista was used in the movie, “Big,” Starring Tom Hanks. Just Part of the 1928 Slice of Americana, the Playland Amusement Park. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

“With Playland’s Kiddyland opening this weekend, I am delighted to have Dan McBride overseeing the park,” said  County Recretion and Parks Commissioner Joe Stout. “Dan is a professional with 30 years of experience in parks and recreation management.”

The fabulous Ice Casino, Playland. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

McBride joined the parks department in 1996 as a director of programs and services and for the last three years served as chief of operations. He has a master’s degree in public administration from Pace University in White Plains. McBride began his career in recreation at the Village of Scarsdale in 1976 and worked for various local recreation departments before joining the county.

McBride’s duties as deputy commissioner will include overseeing the department’s parks division operations and the planning and capital projects divisions.              

The Boathouse and Lake, PlayLand. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By Don Hughes. April 19, 2006, UPDATED Thursday April 20: 3:00 P.M. E.D.T.: Monday´s (evening’s) budget discussion (by the Common Council and Budget and Management Advisory Committee) was mainly about tax certs and operating funds. It was noted that the largest part of the budget  represents salary and benefits.  It was questioned (by councilmembers) why  salaries were increasing faster than inflation.  It was  explained that in addition to the negotiated salary  increases that most employees also received `step´  increases.  It was suggested that future negotiations  take that into account.  It was also noted that we were approaching the day when then number of retired  employees receiving benefits would exceed the number of  active employees.

In a clarification from the Mayor’s Office, just in, the city reports that during the meeting, the Assessor had mentioned that Mayor Alfred Del Vecchio, had been quoted as having “admited” to a Journal News reporter, commercial buildings were overassessed during his (Del Vecchio’s) adminstration.

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It was suggested the future (salary) negotiations should try to  shift some of the health care cost to the employees.  It was noted that legally the city could not change any of the promised retirement benefits for current employees.  It was noted that a previous negotiations had limited health care to retirees with 20 years of service, but that only affected people hired since that change.

It was noted that we have borrowed the last two years to  cover some of the pension costs, and will do so again this year.

UnCERTainty on Certs

There was a long discussion on tax certioraris (see recording of  assessor’s comments, at http://www.wpny.us  – recordings).  Last year´s budget underestimated the necessary amount (to pay certiorari settlements) by $1.6 million, and the members wanted some assurance that this year´s $800,000 was adequate. 

The Assessor said that she and the actuaries were comfortable with the number, but refused to be more specific.  She indicated that although a claim must be filed within a narrow window; it is to the plaintiffs benefit to delay the proceedings as long a possible and to try to combine multiple claims into a single proceeding.  She indicated that although White Plains was very aggressive in filing dismissal motions if any dates were missed, the overall pace of the process was driven entirely by the plaintiff.

Will the Cert Drain End? Del Vecchio Blamed Again for Today’s Certs.

There were a number of questions on when the city could expect to see an end to the certioraris and what was in the `pipeline´.

It was indicated that a factor making the tax challenges successful was the disparity in the appreciation in market value of residential property not being matched in the commercial sector.  The application of a single equalization rate to both types of property allows the commercial owners to claim that they are being over assessed.  In addition, it was said that the Del Vecchio administration (1976-1993) purposefully over assessed commercial property.

David Maloney of the Mayor’s Office contacted WPCNR Thursday afternoon and said that the Assessor in addressing the council Monday evening said that Mayor Del Vecchio had been quoted by Keith Eddings, a Journal News Reporter, as having “admitted,”  commerical buildings were over accessed during his (Del Vecchio’s) administration. This was, Mr. Maloney said, the context in which Mayor Del Vecchio’s administration was mentioned as being responsible for the alleged over assessment.

It was indicated that the solution was to do a citywide reassessment which would remove the need for the equalization rate; but politically this was unlikely.  The alternative was for the city to continue to fight
the equalization rate each year, and to continue to push for legislation that would allow for different rates for different classes of property. 

Fund Drains.

There was then discussion on the various operating funds.

It was noted that the Water fund had a deficit because of the numerous recent increases in water charges from New York City, and that it was going to be necessary to increase the water rate.

Insurance was discussed at some length.  It was noted  that most of the health coverage was provided by the state with the premiums on any optional policies limited to a maximum of what would be paid for the state coverage.  It was noted that White Plains was getting a very good deal since premiums were set on a statewide basis and White Plains was receiving more in benefits than it was paying in premiums.

It was noted that we are self-insured for liability coverage and that several neighboring cities had
recently had very large claims.  The cost of providing excess liability insurance was discussed but not
resolved.  The reserve that normally would be used to cover catastrophic claims has been drawn down, and it was suggested that we should either buy the insurance, or put an equivalent amount into the reserve.

It was noted that there was some borrowing for rolling stock, but at a reduced level from last year.


Editor’s Note: Because there were a number of questions commissioners and city officers could not answer satisfactorily, two more Budget & Management Advisory Committee Budget Review Sessions have been scheduled. For budget aficianados here is the schedule:

April 24, Monday, 6 P.M.: Recreation and Parks

April 25, Tuesday, 6 P.M.: Budget & Management Advisory Committee Budget Review Session.

April 26, Wednesday, 6 P.M.: Public Works, Youth Bureau (at the Department of Public Works Garage)

May 1, Monday, 7:30 P.M.: Public Hearing on the Budget.

May 4, Thursday, 6 P.M.: Budget & Management Advisory Committee Budget Review Session.

May 9, Tuesday, 6 P.M.: Decision Night

May 25, Thursday, 5:30 P.M.: Special Meeting for Budget Adoption 2006-2007

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR.  From Allan Gruet, Westchester Broadway Theatre. April 18, 2006: In the words of Phineas Taylor Barnum…. “Barnum’s the name. P.T. Barnum. And I want to tell you that tonight you are going to see – bar none – every sight, wonder, and miracle that name stands for!” P. T. Barnum was known as America’s Prince of Humbug. He had a gift for creating illusions and dazzling the multitudes into seeing wonders, while less credulous onlookers remained skeptical about what they were seeing.  Barnum, the 1982 musical hit nominated for 10 Tony Awards begins its run at the Westchester Broadway Theatre May 4. TICKETS & INFORMATION BOX OFF. RESERVATIONS .Call (914)-592-2222. Open every day at 10am.                   

Right from the opening, we hear Barnum tell us he is here to defend the “noble art of humbug.” He defines it as “the puffing up the truth with a shiny coat of varnish,”…which is what he does with the cold hard facts of life. Whether we agree with him or not, P. T. is sure he will be able to sell us a bill of goods. Why?….because, as he sings in the opening song: “There is a Sucker Born Every Minute.”  

 BARNUM is one of those Broadway musical miracles that great showmen love. It takes what seems to be a modest production and turns it into a musical three-ring circus. The production juggles all the elements adroitly, making the show a triumph of stagecraft, as it blends circus arts with Broadway skill.

The result is a totally captivating evening of entertainment. A lot of the credit goes to director/choreography Joe Layton for his imaginative staging of the original Broadway production. His choreography fills the stage with color– every where you look there are clowns, jugglers, acrobats, tumblers, baton twirlers, tightrope walkers, and trapeze artists.

Cy Coleman’s music & Michael Stewart’s lyrics are the right fit for P. T. Barnum, this larger-than-life impresario, and a perfect mix for the show’s playfulness and charm. Cy has written some toe-tapping tunes that would sound just right under any big tent; band-rousers which could send a marching band up and down the aisles, and a beautiful ballad, “The Colors Of My Life.”  

This last illuminates the show’s conflict: Barnum’s flamboyance and love of humbug vs. his wife’s respectability and her liking for simple truth. Some of the memorable songs from the show include “One Brick at a Time,” “Bigger Isn’t Better,” “Love Makes Such Fools of Us All,”  “Come Follow The Band,”  and “Join the Circus”.

BARNUM opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway in April of 1980 and ran for a little over two years, closing in May of 1982.   Nominated for 10 Tony awards, the story and music will keep adults riveted, and the circus action keeps the kids enthralled. BARNUM is a show for the entire family, and an excellent way to introduce live theatre to children of all ages. 

The Westchester Broadway Theatre production will star Tony Lawson as P.T. Barnum (Mr.Lawson is a resident of Mahopac NY.)  –  Ann Van Cleave as Chairy Barnum – Alison  Spratt as Jenny Lind –Terri White as Joyce Heth (Terri was in the Broadway production) & Courter Simmons as Tom Thumb.The production is Choreographed and directed by Ray Roderick, with Musical Direction by Ken Lundie, Costume design by Angela Wendt (Costume Designer of Broadway production of “Rent”), Set design is by George Puello, Hair/Wig Design Gerard Kelly, Lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, and sound design by Jon Hatton.

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. April 17, 2006: Around Education House and 255 Main Street, the “A” word for “assessments” is said in whispers.  The school district wants to know when the city development is going to pay off in more property taxes and assessments. The city says give it time.

WPCNR has learned that information on how assessments are determined particularly on PILOTS, those incentives to build that are dispensed with largesse by city after city, including White Plains,  is hard to pin down. There is no set formula.  I have been told it is both an art and a science, depending on whom I talk to. When I talked to the New York State  Office of Real Property Services press office, the spokesperson told me it is up to the individual communities to determine the financial bases for assessments.

The White Plains Common Council, and previously  the City Budget and Management Committee that the drop in city assessed property value to $298.3 Million and a cumulative nose dive of $20.5 Million the last three years  is caused by lowering of Special Properties assessments (utilities had their assessments lowered over the last 12 years). 

The Council and the Budget  and Management Committee   has also been told that the White Plains PILOTS granted to developers in recent years, ( contributing $2.6 Million to the city and $8.3 Million to the School District in 2006-2007) will be increasing as the properties become “fully occupied.”

WPCNR has learned through our inquiries that “fully occupied” is a very loose definition (up to individual assessors to determine in any way they see fit),  based on interviews with Westchester County’s tax man, David Jackson, and a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Finance, Owen Stone.

David Jackson, Executive Director of the Westchester County Tax Commission  answered WPCNR’s questions about what “fully occupied” means in March:

WPCNR: What is the definition of fully occupied for upgrading a condominium assessment for tax purposes in the county?

Jackson: There is no property assessment definition for this purpose. If the condominium is fully constructed as of the last taxable status date, December 1 in White Plains, the assessment is based on the condominium’s Full Market Value, based on the income approach, as of that Taxable Status Date.

Unless a community is conducting a reassessment, the assessment determined on the last taxable status date, when fully constructed, does not typically change unless there is new construction, a Board of Assessment Review Change, or a Court Ordered Change.

WPCNR:  Does fully occupied occur when a condominium development is “sold out”, but not fully occupied?

Jackson: For assessment purposes, condition and ownership on the taxable status date is what is important. There is typically no difference in the determination of the assessment for a condominium unit that you own and a  (condominium unit) you choose not to use.

WPCNR: Does the owner (developer) of the condos pay taxes on a “fully occupied” basis when A.) He is sold out, but not fully closed, or B.) when he is sold and taxes are increased with each contract closing or C.) Only when all (condominim) contracts have been closed?

Jackson: The assessment is based on the condition and ownership on the taxable status date.

WPCNR: Does the purchaser (of each individual condo unit) pay taxes on the property (the individual unit) when he has A.) purchased the contract or B.) Closed on the contract or C.) Is actually living in the unit, or is subletting the unit?

Jackson: Taxes are the responsibility of whoever owns the property on the Taxable Status Date, December 1^st in the City of White Plains. Typically, proration of the taxes for sales occurring during the year are handled at the closing.

WPCNR: In the cases of residential condominiums on PILOTs, are the PILOTS generally upgraded on an “as-closed” or “as occupied” basis or “only after fully occupied basis.” What is the general accepted practice among assessors in the county?

Jackson:  There is no generally accepted practice by assessors on PILOTS, some are involved with them, some are not, and some are involved in various ways.

WPCNR: Can a municipality inact a surcharge on air rights (since White Plains has set a value on air rights)? I know according to the New York State Comptroller’s office, air rights are not considered real property (for purposes of assessment), but the comptroller’s office said that individual municipalities could construct a legislative mechanism to reflect this increased (air right) value if they wanted to do so. What are your feelings on that? How do you think it could be done?

Jackson:  To the best of my knowledge, air rights are real property. I’m not aware of any Municipality exacting a surcharge on air rights. This is a Tax Policy matter for the City of White Plains to address.