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 SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 3, 2005: Eyde McCarthy, City Assessor, kept her rendezvous with the Board of Education Monday evening, and assured them the PILOTS (Payments In Lieu of Taxes) now being paid the city by properties developed since 2000  were $7,000,000 as opposed to $3,000,000 that the same properties  were paying in taxes before they were developed under PILOT agreements.

MEETING OF THE FINANCIAL MINDS: Eyde McCarthy, City Assessor, meets with the White Plains Board of Education Monday evening. Photo by WPCNR News

She said she did not have a figure on what liabilities in possible certioraris the Board of Education could expect, but staunchly stated that Mark Scharf, of Slaw & Perelson,  the attorney who represents the Board of Education, works very closely with her and could be relied upon for accurate numbers in expected certioraris. “Mr. Scharf consults closely every step of everything the city does,” Ms. McCarthy said. “He’s with us every step of the way. If there’s something major, we’ll call (Mr. Scharf).”

 Mr. Scharf has estimated refunds the school district should be prepared to pay as being from $5 million to $8 million in 2004-05, and this evening Donna McLaughlin said the figure was $10 Million.

Ms. McCarthy said some 300 certioraris proceedings are now in process with the city of some 8,000 commercial properties. She said it was not possible to put a dollar amount on what the city would settle them for because it was up to the judge, Thomas Dickenson of the Certiorari Division of the New York State Supreme Court to adjudicate the actual awards. She pointed out that the organization filing the certiorari puts forth a high figure and then arguments are made to lower that refund requested and the judge weighs both arguments before making a decision.

Certioraris Erode the Development Gain

She did not subtract what the school district was losing in certioraris this year from the PILOT “windfall.”  WPCNR notes that when you figure that amount of certiorari payments, $5.8 Million, the School District “profit” from the PILOTS is approximately $2.2 Million. Whatever gain from the PILOTs is being eroded by certiorari givebacks. 

Ms. McCarthy did not bring a long term perspective on what revenues the PILOT-producing properties could be expected to supply beyond next year, but said she could develop that and would develop a spread sheet for the district on those numbers. The School District has requested this from the city for five months.

Ms. McCarthy blamed the long decline in city assessments to the equalization rate that computes housing assessibles as being higher than commercial properties, resulting in commercial property assessments being lowered proportionately.  

Special Franchise Assessments A Villain?

Ms. McCarthy said the city has lost “a significant portion of assessibles” due to Special Franchise reassessments. This occurs, she said, because the state sets depreciation rates on public utilities, lowering the value of the public utility infrastructure, but did not name a figure as to how much the city has lost. 

Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel, has supplied this figure, though in a chart she showed the Comprehensive Plan Committee, two weeks ago, pegging the figure at  $3,069,294 in 2004-2005 (a 24% decline in assessment of utility Special Franchises in the city in one year). However, from 1995/96 to 2003/04 (the last nine years)  the city lost a total of  $3,657,613 in Special Franchise Assessibles according to Ms. Habel’s chart, lowering the assessment of Special Franchises from $13,305,392 to $9,647,779 in 2004-05, a decline of 27% in nine years, or an average of 3% a year.

During the same time period, overall city assessibles of commercial and residential properties declined 15% from $359,117,859 in 1994-95 to $304,680,309 at the close of 2004-05.

Condo Tidbits.

An interesting revelation on the condominium market came from realtor Nick Wolff, of Century 21, who volunteered that the Cappelli Trump Tower condominiums were not sold out as previously reported and declared by the Cappelli organization for about the last two months. Wolff said there were 12 units up for sale in Trump Tower. Three penthouse units in the Trump Tower are currently being advertised by their owners, WPCNR has learned.

 It also was reported by Ms. McCarthy that condominium sales are taxed at 40 to 60% less than residential homes. She pointed out that a million dollar house would likely pay $20,000 in property taxes while a million dollar condominium would pay $10,000.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey May 2, 2005: WPCNR has learned from listening posts within the labyrinth of the Democratic City Committee, that Westchester County Chair of the Board of Legislators Bill Ryan is focusing on his county role as County Legislator, and is no longer interested in running against Mayor Joseph Delfino.

WPCNR has learned that several sources close to Mr. Ryan have said Mr. Ryan got very dissappointing news from the telephone survey he took of the White Plains electorate about two months ago to gauge his propects of disposing of “Da Champ,” Mayor Delfino. The bowing out of Mr. Ryan, without officially announcing he is doing so, has set up rampant speculation as to who will “take one for the team.” (I.e., lose to Delfino.)

WPCNR interviewed perennial Democratic Party fixture, Dennis Power, former Councilman, and asked if he was interested in running for Mayor, and Mr. Power declined to answer the question.

 Benjamin Boykin, Councilman, told WPCNR that he had not held any fundraisers yet, as of two weeks ago, and it was news to him that Mr. Ryan was not running. This means that if Mr. Boykin is the Mayoral nominee is way underfinanced. Will County Executive Andy Spano open his coffers to a Boykin run? He will need it.

Mr. Boykin will also have a hard time separating himself from the mayor on financial and development issues. He can if he uses the facts, and seizes the “hold-on-what’s-going-on-here?” approach, and declares that he used to trust the Mayor, but now he does not, because he does not get timely financials, is not consulted on the budget, and is concerned that the city is playing cowboy with its finances.  He could campaign on the line that the City of White Plains needs a Mayor they can trust. This is the way Boykin would have to go, a tactic that Mr. Greer eschewed using in 2001, running a lackluster campaign with no central focus and lost when he had a 2-to-1 edge in registration. It was almost as if Greer campaigned to lose in 2001.

Mr. Boykin cannot afford to do that. He has to be out in front on the issues early. At this stage, the Democratic Party has no clue. They have no candidate.

Perhaps they don’t really want them and will make a joint endorsement of the Mayor.

Glen Hockley has flatly stated to the CitizeNetReporter that he was not interested in running for Mayor, and is interested more in running for Common Council.  But, you never know. Hockley, next to Bradley, is the city’s most indefatigable campaigner, and he might just win if he got the nomination. I guarantee you he would visit every resident in the city. No one campaigns harder or gets people to do things more than Glen Hockley.

Mr. Hockley’s Quixotesque quest to over turn his expulsion from the Common Council by proving voters affidavits were doubtful, though, has not commenced.  Mr. Hockley told WPCNR that his attorney has not begun deposing the 103 voters who signed sworn statements they voted for Larry Delgado in the 2001 election. Mr. Hockley and Thomas Abinanti,  have 59 days to do that according to the Appellate Court of Appeals in Brooklyn.

Coming up the backstretch, who of all Common Councilpersons has the most chance of unseating the Mayor due to his charisma and previous questioning of the Mayor’s policies is Tom Roach. Whether or not Mr. Roach is tough enough to beat Delfino is the question mark. Would the party pull behind him, if they nominated him? Mr. Roach would be an easy candidate to work for.

But, again, Mr. Roach would have to give up his seat to run against the Mayor. Decisions, decisions.

Of all the Democrats, Roach has that j’ ne sais quoi that could galvanize the Democrat Registration to come out and whip the Mayor. Roach was penciled in to run for Mr. Ryan’s seat in the County Legislator, but now that Mr. Ryan has according to sources in his office, decided a bird in hand is worth more than the aggravation of the hot seat in City Hall, where budget chaos lurks if the rosy scenarios do not work out,  Mr. Ryan has effectively become a Roach-Blocker to Mr. Roach’s political future.

Rita Malmud who of all the Councilpersons has the most experience, and has shown the most moxie of councilpersons when the city’s welfare is on the line,  would have to give up her seat to run, because her seat is up for election in November 2005. Insiders tell WPCNR she is not going to oppose the Mayor. It is now or never for Ms. Malmud, who has to decide once and for all whether she cares to lead or continue to follow for the next fifteen years.

Adam Bradley, perhaps the strongest Mayorl candidate of all, the most intelligent of politicians, who is up for election to the State Assembly, apparently does not want the Mayor job, and will defend his Assembly seat. Mr. Bradley, would be the strongest Democratic candidate the Party could run and win easily and would greatly improve his commute.

Insiders say he eyes a State Senatorship or even a House of Representative run in 2006 when Nita Lowey may step down, or perhaps a Senate run in 2006. 

That is a shame. Mr. Bradley is wasted in Albany, and certainly would be useless in Washington. Because they do not want people who can get things done there. 

Bradley has brains. He has no baggage on any city issues, and is a devastating, slash-and-burn-and-pillage campaigner, who marshalls facts and can galvanize the electorate on issues. And knows how to campaign to win.

Meanwhile, on the Republican Side, William Waterman, whose unflagging support of Mayor Delfino in recent weeks, sounds like a man interested in running with him, could conceivably run with Mayor Delfino for one of the Council seats with Larry Delgado, who is running for his Council Seat. Possible candidates for the third Councilseat, purely random speculation here would be Tim Sheehan, who lost the last time out. Sheehan has denied he’s interested.  Perhaps the Republicans would run an African-American candidate to present a more ethnically diverse ticket than the Democrats.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. May 2, 2005: The City of White Plains launched an all-Spanish version of the city website within the last 24 hours. Senor and Senora and Senorita White Plains may click on an introductory panel in which they can choose Spanish or English versions of the website. It is unclear, since the CitizeNetReporter is not bilingual whether the Spanish version delivers more information of specific interest to the Hispanic community, rather than duplicating the English version.

 Mayor Delfino, speaking outside St. Bernard’s Church Sunday introduced the website and a host of other Hispanic-Community initiatives, including a Post Road block party,  though other media were notifed of this event. Internet Capture of New City Website Intro by WPCNR News

OLE : City of White Plains website in Spanish. Comments Please! English version does not have the Hola White Plains pictures on it. Internet Capture of New City Website Intro by WPCNR News

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From White Plains Performing Arts Center. May 1, 2005:  Paula Poundstone comes to the White Plains Performing Arts Center, May 13th on her 2005 “THE BIG PICTURE” National Tour!

Clad in her signature necktie, she’s one of the nation’s funniest, most original and most imaginative comediennes.  Poundstone has accomplished much over her 23-year career in comedy. This American Comedy Award, Cable Ace Award, and Emmy Award-winning funny lady has been seen on numerous HBO specials, E! Entertainment Television, “The Tonight Show”, and “The Late Show w/David Letterman” and has written feature pieces for major publications including The Los Angeles Times and Entertainment Weekly. Paula is also currently a bi weekly guest on NPR’s weekly political comedy show “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me”. Paula Poundstone emceed the ACLU/Amnesty International/Lee Strasberg Institute/City of West Hollywood “2005 Celebration of Artistic Freedom.”

Currently Paula is headlining across the country on her 2005 “THE BIG PICTURE” National Tour.  Poundstone’s quick wit, unmatched spontaneity and the ability to improvise with her audience has made her a comedy legend.  Paula’s offbeat commentary of everyday life and her propensity for interacting with the crowd have been winning over her audiences for years. Loyal fans and newcomers alike can look forward to more of the same. You can expect razor sharp observational humor on subjects like; current events, politics and parenting.  Recently Paula was invited to perform in the Experts Only show at the 2005 HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

Paula continues to lend her time and talents to support various causes.

From foster parenting for eight years to finding time to support various causes, such as AIDS research, promoting adoptive and foster families, Planned Parenthood, Comic Relief, aiding the homeless, and campaign finance reform, Poundstone sees it as a privilege to contribute.

Where: Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, 123 Main Street, Nyack, NY 10960

When: Thursday, May 12th

Tickets & Showtime: 8:00PM, $30-$35

Call: 845-358-6333

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WPCNR WESTCHESTER WINGS. From National Transportation Safety Board. April 30, 2005: The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its Preliminary Report on the fatal crash of a Cessna single engine aircraft April 23 on final approach to Westchester County Airport.

The report confirms that the Cessna was below the minimum altitude on its final instrument approach. Here is that report:

On April 23, 2005, about 1517 (3:17 P.M.) Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172R, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Armonk, New York; while on approach to the Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was based at (White Plains) HPN, and operated by a flight school.

According to initial information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot and student pilot departed HPN, at 1209, under an IFR flight plan, and flew to ALB (Albany). They then departed ALB at 1348, to return to HPN (White Plains). According to the respective flight plans, the flights were for the purpose of “IFR training.”

At 1513:45, (3:13 P.M. E.D.T.)the airplane was on the ILS (Instrument Landing System) Runway 16 approach, when the pilot contacted the HPN air traffic control tower. The airplane was cleared to land at 1514:15. The controller also informed the accident pilot that the pilot of a landing Cessna Citation (land previously) reported that he “broke out” at 200 feet.

At 1517:25, the controller observed the airplane’s radar target at 900 feet. He then issued the pilot a low altitude alert and provided the current altimeter setting. The pilot acknowledged the transmission, read back the altimeter setting, and reported that he was at an altitude of 800 feet.

There were no further communications from the pilot, and the airplane’s last radar target was observed at 1517:39, at an altitude of 600 feet.

The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a wooded area, about 1 mile from the approach end of runway 16. The terrain around the accident site sloped upward from the Kensico Reservoir, and contained trees that were about 75 feet tall. A debris path, which measured about 150 feet long, and was oriented on a magnetic course of about 145 degrees extended from a freshly broken tree. All major portions of the airplane were located at the accident site.

Flight control continuity was confirmed from the rudder and elevator control surfaces to the forward cockpit area. In addition, both the left and right aileron cables remained attached to their respective control surfaces, and were intact up to their respective wing separation. Examination of the flap actuator jackscrew corresponded with a retracted flap setting.

Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane was inspected in accordance with a 100 hour inspection on April 18, 2005.

The CFI reported 168 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA second class medical certificate, which was issued on March 7, 2003. According to the flight school, at the time of the accident, the CFI had accumulated about 900 hours, and the student pilot had accumulated 31.9 hours of total flight experience.

The Westchester County Airport was located at a field elevation of 439 feet. A weather observation taken at the airport, at 1456, reported: wind from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots; visibility 1/2 statue mile in fog; ceiling 200 feet overcast; temperature and dew point both 12 degrees C; altimeter 29.51 in/hg.