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WPCNR COUNTY-CLARION LEDGER. NOVEMBER 20, 2013:
Two scheduled public hearings on the Proposed 2014 Budget. will take place on Tuesday, November 26 at the Riverfront Library of the Yonkers Public Library in Yonkers and on Wednesday, December 4 in White Plains.
Who: The Westchester County Board of Legislators and concerned Westchester residents and business owners
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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Financial Commentary By John F. Bailey as heard on WVOX RADIO . November 20, 2013 UPDATED NOVEMBER 25, 2013:
What a difference losing two seats in the legislature makes!
Because the only thing said by the 12 church mice representing the Democrats on the County Legislature about County Executive Rob Astorino’s no tax levy increase budget was said by the County Board of Legislators Chair Ken Jenkins was virtually an endorsement of the Mr. Astorino’s holding the line on raising the tax levy.
But, wait a minute, there was a lot to be said.
The County made a windfall profit this year in sales tax.
To date through October with two months of holiday season shopping to go, the county has already received $400 Million in sales tax receipts (as reported exclusively by WPCNR last week.)
But wait a minute — as John Madden would say — the new proposed 2014 county budget (next year) projects only a $398 Million sales tax — completely ignoring the $80 Million (perhaps if all you big spenders out there throw a lot of holiday parties — how about it Bedford, Pound Ridge, Chappaqua, Scarborough, a little cash register music, please.
Just looking at the budget…the budget could have been cut more. The budget projects $398 Million in sales tax next year …and the county has already earned $400 Million through October, and it is on target for $488 Million and an outside shot at $500 Million…so you could see almost a $100 Million windfall come in THIS year. I was puzzled by this.
WPCNR asked about this discrepancy and Donna Green of the Westchester County Department of Communications said that the total amount of sales tax receipts budgeted for 2014 is actually $507 Million. The $498 Million reported in the press release derives from county having to share the sales taxes with other towns and municipalits (about 21%). This still leaves a $20 Million surplus over the $478 Million budgeted for 2013.
Moreover, the argument could be made that another $20 Million surplus or more could be generated in 2014, if growth continues at 6%. The sum of $40 Million is 2% of the county projected budget of $1.74 Billion. so you could give taxpayers a tax cut of 2%. That would save me personally $40… Why couldn’t the budget be cut more?
Companies are under pressure to reward shareholders. So who are the shareholders in Westchester County government?
We the taxpayers. That’s who!
County Government does not exist for County Government alone.
So when the county turns around and actually does better than expected, can the taxpayers, or stakeholders as the politicians call us, get a dividend when the county budget underestimates their revenue by perhaps $200 Million? ($100 Million this year, $100 Million next year IF the 6% growth rate continues in the county economy.
This means Mr.Astorino could have cut $40 Million more out of the budget…that would have been nice…but he did not. He just had to look at the numbers.
It is nice to keep taxes where they are …but unless the county cuts when it can…you’re never going to get spending down. Why did not the Democrats POUNCE on this obvious question…
Ken Jenkins missed a rare opportunity to call for a tax cut!
His only reaction to the budget was : ”The 2014 proposed budget from County Executive Asotrino seems to recognize past Democratic budget initiatives that featured a low number of layoffs and proper investments in social services.” Jenkins said because Westchester respondents were still suffering from the burden of high property taxes, a balanced approach to spending and maintaining an effective safety net of social services for residents.
Is this the Perry Mason of the County Legislature we used to know? Kennie — you should be calling for tax relief. Had Noam What’s His Name actually been reading WPCNR he might have included tax cuts as part of his platform, neutralizing the Astorino broad brush painting him as a taxer. Where was the thinking here?
So what could we do with the 2014 budget. The legislator could cut taxes if we continue making mints of money, How much could they cut it? $40 Million is 2% of the proposed $1.74 Million county budget. Astorino had he chose could have announced an 2% tax cut. That would mean $42 less in taxes for me. I paid $2,059 in county taxes in 2013–including the sewer and garbage taxes.
Instead, the county government is keeping this windfall…for what fund balance for a rainy day? Come on. When you tax for more than you need you are overtaxing the people.
However I can hear the hand-wringing now. “We cannot count on the economy not turning down. We have to maintain spending at current levels. This is bare bones budgeting.”
Instead, the county as usual is keeping the windfall for themselves, taking a leaf from the Robber Baron Playbook.
What do the Wall Street Swells do when they have windfall profits, they give themselves bonuses. What did the robber baron banks do when they received the bailouts from Washington from their Wall Street buddies in power? Did they use the money to forestall foreclosures and keep giving mortgages. No, they put it in their balance sheets as an asset.
The shareholders want their dividend Legislators.
Think about it.
County Executive Astorino would achieve immortality without dying by enacting a tax cut with cutting MORE services.
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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. November 19, 2013:
The Gedney Association of White Plains has filed a Notice of Claim against the City of White Plains.
WPCNR has put in a request for the documents filed last week from the city. The Notice of Claim is a formality that has to be filed before an entity proceeds to file a legal action against the city.
The Gedney Association has been lobbying the city to reject the French American School of New York special permit that would allow the school to build a consolidated campus for their three schools in Westchester County on the former defunct Ridgeway Country Club Property in White Plains. The hearings and environmental review have been going on for two and a half years since the school purchased the property in January 2011.
Sources told WPCNR that Gedney would only sue if the project was approved. The city continues to review the Final Environmental Impast Statement deemed complete by the city in October. A date has not been set by the city for a meeting at which the Common Council would make their Findings Statement.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey, November 19, 2013:
When I arrived for the opener of the Superintendent Search Forum Doubleheader at White Plains High School Monday afternoon at 5:30 P.M. I was shocked to see just two parents there, despite quite adequate publicity through the PTAS.
Dr. Charles Fowler of School Leadership Holding a Forum for just two White Plains parents who discussed their concerns for an hour.
It was a different story at the 7 P.M Forum. which advertised itself as having a Spanish Translator available. Sixty persons including 12 children attended
In the first hour most comments were made in Spanish and had to be translated for Dr. Fowler by an interpreter provided by Centro Hispano. There is another Superintendent Search Forum to gather comment this evening at Education House, beginning at 7 P.M.
I do not know what the online responses are saying, but if you want to be heard, you can fill out the questionnair by going to www.surveymonkey.com/s/wpps
The comments from White Plains largest turn out of Latinos for a school meeting this reporter has seen in 13 years called for attention to basics for their population that they thought the district and any new Superintendent they should be committed to retain or more significantly, enhance.
Mothers and fathers hailing from Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, just a few of the countries mentioned with children in the district pleaded–
Dr. Fowler, right listens to concerns of a mom, while an interpreter prepares to translate.
Asked what was good about the White Plains School district, parents commented the district was very welcoming Another complimented the dual language program in all the elementary schools and said it should be expanded with more classes through high school.
A White Plains retired teacher commented he felt the district should develop more “innovative programs” to absorb Spanish-speaking students of all ages coming into the district for the first time. Another White Plains teacher currently on staff after listening to the comments made during the first 45 minutes said she was very impressed that many of the parents present had concerns about the same issues other parents (in the district) had, and allowed that other parents had concerns about other issues, and that the future Superintendent would have to be a “great communicator.”
WPCNR could only stay for an hour, but it was a strong, concerned group. Their complete comments will be made available in a meeting December 9 . No one on the Board of Education attended either forum because the Board does not want to inhibit public comment. But it is unfortunate no one from the Board could have witnessed this second forum.
Dr. Charles Fowler, head of School Leadership, LLC, the new firm chosen by the Board of Education lead the kickoff of the two-day series of 3 public forums to take the measure of what parents and interested persons want to see in a new Superintendent of Schools for White Plains.
Dr. Fowler told WPCNR his firm had received about 50 filled-out questionnaires on the School Leadership website, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/wpps. The questionnaire is available on that site for parties to fill out and weigh in on.
We do not know what the online survey responses say yet but those comments will be boiled down and provided to the public December 9 at 7:30 at White Plains High School, Building B-1
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. November 15, 2013:
County Executive Robert P. Astorino today released a proposed Westchester County budget for 2014 without any increase in the county tax levy – marking the fourth year in a row that Astorino has submitted a balanced budget that preserves essential services without increasing taxes.
To view a video of the County Executive’s Presentation of the Budget go to http://vimeo.com/79506629
“This budget shows once again that government – just like the taxpayers who pay the bills must do – can live within its means,” Astorino said. “Over the past three years, we have made tough but necessary decisions to bring spending under control and as a result the county’s financial picture and ability to deliver services today and in the future are much improved.”
In addition to holding the line on taxes, other key elements in the budget are also essentially flat.
“Our departments continue to manage every dollar as if it were their own,” Astorino said.
Astorino’s proposed budget now goes to the county Board of Legislators, which has until Dec. 27 to adopt a final spending plan.
On the revenue side, the budget benefits from growth in the sales tax. The sales tax is projected to generate $398 million for the county’s coffers. This is up from the $382 million expected in 2013, or four percent.
The budget proposal also benefits from employee contributions to health care that Astorino put into effect for nonunion management and has negotiated with seven of the county’s eight employee unions. For 2014, the county’s health care bill for active employees is projected to be $95 million, but the cost will be reduced by $4 million in employee contributions.
Astorino noted that the county’s largest union, the Civil Service Employees Association, has still not agreed to a contract with health-care contributions. Astorino renewed his call to them to negotiate a contract with these contributions.
Employee compensation continues to be one of the county’s biggest costs. The average salary of a county worker is $76,414. A private sector employee working in Westchester makes an average salary of $65,185, according to the most recent figures from the state Department of Labor. When fringe benefits are added, compensation for the average county worker jumps to $120,170.
As a result of a number of structural changes, such as having employees contribute to health care and replacing retiring workers with new hires who come at lower salaries and make higher pension contributions, the county has been able to put the brakes on spiraling employee costs.
For example, the county saves $62,000 each time it replaces a retiring correction officer with 20 years of experience with a new hire.
“This is what my ‘jobs for savings’ call for the last four years has been all about,” Astorino said. “Our county workers do a terrific job. The problem is they are very expensive. So together, labor and management sat down to work out contracts that are fair to our workers and fair to our taxpayers.”
With Westchester County residents facing the highest property taxes in the United States, Astorino said raising taxes continues not to be an option. Since taking office, Astorino has cut county spending by five percent and the county property tax levy has been reduced by 2 percent. County taxes make up about 15-20 percent of a typical property tax bill. The remaining taxes are levied by local governments and special districts (15-20 percent), and school districts (60-70 percent).
OTHER BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
A separate capital budget for 2014 has also been submitted, which reflects the Astorino administration’s commitment to maintaining vital public infrastructure and promoting economic growth.
The total capital budget proposed for 2014 is $275 million, an increase of $87 million from 2013. Projects proposed include improvements to bridges, roads, sewers, water districts and the county airport, as well as technology upgrades and renovations to parks.
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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. November 15, 2013:
White Plains Sales tax receipts were off 1% in October, while Westchester County Sales Tax Receipts were up 3.6%. The county if it maintains the 6% growth rate it has shown throughout the year is on pace to hit $487 Million for the year a $10 Million surplus over budget.
White Plains Sales Tax Receipts are up 4.4% in the first 4 months of the fiscal year benefiting from a big September., earning $16.6 Million in Sales Tax Receipts the first four months of its fiscal year. If it hits last year’s Nov-December numbers the city is on track to hit $25 Million in Sales Tax Receipts the first six months of the fiscal year which would be slightly ahead of the 2012-13 pace in which the city hit $49 Million.
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WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. From The French American School of New York. November 14, 2013:
With the environmental review in its final stages, a broad-based group of 18 environmental organizations and leaders including the Nature Conservancy, Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper and the Pace University Academy for Applied Environmental Sciences have affirmed their strong support of the French-American School of New York’s (FASNY) plan to a create a new school and a 73-plus-acre open space conservancy in White Plains at the defunct 130-acre Ridgeway Country Club.
The letter signers stated that the letter sent to White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach and the city’s Common Council and forwarded to the White Plains Superintendent of Schools Tim Connors and the Board of Education, was written “to voice our continued strong support for the project – both to create a new educational campus and the Greens to Green Conservancy.”
The letter states that “the school itself would bring tremendous educational and economic benefits to the city and its residents. By introducing a world-class bilingual educational institution to the city, FASNY would add diversity and strength to the educational options in White Plains and the region,” and adds that the signers “wholeheartedly endorse the conversion of a failed golf course into a publicly accessible nature preserve. With no cost to the city, this would provide significant passive recreational and quality of life benefits to White Plains, its citizens and the region.” The open space would be protected by a permanent conservation easement.
A previous letter of support from 16 environmental groups was sent to the city leaders in September 2012 at an earlier stage in the extensive and thorough environmental review process of which the Mayor and Common Council are the lead agency. The new letter, including four new supporters, calls for the city to prepare “a fair and constructive (environmental) findings statement in support of a project that complies with all governing laws and offers a unique chance for city leaders to leave a legacy of a healthy, economically vibrant and livable White Plains for future generations.”
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman David Buchwald’s Office. November 13, 2013:
Assemblyman David Buchwald is encouraging small business owners and interested residents to attend his small business forum to facilitate an exchange of ideas. Buchwald recently spoke at the Business Council of New York State’s annual meeting, where he delivered a forceful message on the need to revitalize local economies. He’s hoping this forum will create a better understanding of the priorities and concerns within Westchester County’s business community.
“I’m happy to be organizing a Small Business Forum to bring together business owners and professionals across my district,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “Hearing the priorities and concerns of the small business community firsthand helps me and the small business operators around the table to gain a greater understanding of the economic climate, and will be meaningful in helping to affect changes on the State level. I’m encouraging anyone interested in contributing to our discussion to attend.”
The forum will take place on Tuesday November 19th, 8:30 -10:30am at the Mount Kisco Public Library’s Community Room, located at 100 E. Main Street in Mount Kisco. Light refreshments will be served. Small business owners and residents are asked to RSVP by contacting Alex Roithmayr, Community Liaison for Assemblyman Buchwald, at 914-244-4450 or roithmayra@assembly.state.ny.us.
“By bringing together small business owners, professionals and local residents, I’m hopeful that we will open a dialogue in our community and bring forward good ideas that we can build upon,” said Assemblyman Buchwald.
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WPCNR PLAYLAND GO ROUND. From Sustainable Playland. November 13, 2013:
Sustainable Playland, the would-be developer of Playland will make an informational presentation about the sports component of the SPI plan to reinvigorate and restore the park. Representatives of Playland Sports will be on hand to outline their concept for an exciting new year-round, state-of-the-art sports facility that will provide opportunities for a range of athletic activities for all ages.
New Date for Community Meeting
Wednesday, December 11 from 7-9 pm at the Rye Library
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Wayne Bass, Commissioner of Recreation and Parks opens the Veterans Day Ceremonies Monday at the White Plains Rural Cemetary
WPCNR STARS AND STRIPES. By John F. Bailey. November 12, 2013:
I attended the Veterans Day Ceremony in White Plains Rural Cemetery Monday. I met Ross Marsico,(above) the 90 year old veteran of World War II who fought with the Third Army in France, Belgium and Germany. He was wounded by shrapnel, spent 45 days in a hospital THEN returned to active duty.
Mr. Marsico returned to the USA and spent 30 years as an active policeman in Harrison. He was honored as the 2013 Veteran’s Day Honoree
Mr. Marsico is a native of White Plains, just turned 90 yesterday, is an outstanding person to have the honor to meet. When he was asked questions how he felt about being honored, he said he just represented all the other veterans and every day people who had served, that it was not about him. Then he teared up.
Veterans day makes you tear up.
Chaplain Bob Donnelly of American Legion Post 135 in the invocation observed that the gathering was there to honor persons who had written a “blank check to the United States of America, good for everything including their life in service to their country.”
Adele Zucker(above , Past President of Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, said Veterans day was to honor the veterans who came back and have contributed so much to their hometowns in addition to their military service.
Chaplain Bob Donnelly noted that when he returned from the Vietnam war he was spat upon by a woman in an airport and called a baby killer, and observed today’s veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are much more respected.
Then came brief inspiration remarks by the Mayor, Tom Roach, who proclaimed Monday Veteran’s Day in White Plains and U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Jason Freeland(below)
Sergeant Freeland, in his most recent tour, was responsible for training Afghan army and police recruits. He is now head of recruiting for the Marines in White Plains. He mentioned how honored he was to be among the veterans attending, and how it was their and those like them who service that make it possible for him and today’s servicemen and women to perform and live up to the veterans’ example. This truth was echoed again how you serve matters and it is an inspiration to those who come after you.
Mayor Roach with Commandant Jack Collins of American Legion Post 135 places the Mayor’s Veteran’s Day Board Wreath at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
The Home Defense Wreathis placed by members of the White Plains Police and Fire Department
Dennis Jones, left, places the White Plains Historical Society Wreath. Joan Steere , Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the final commemorative wreath.
The White Plains Middle School Band played Anchors Aweigh, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, The Marines Hymn, Semper Fidelis (Coast Guard), and Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder (Air Force). Crisp. Inspiring, evoking the rich traditions and pride and sacrifice of the American armed forces.
As the gathering left, the tent was folded, and the crowd drifted away, until another Memorial Day another Veterans Day.
I remained and watched the tombstones of the Revolutionary War Dead…names no longer readable on the stones, they still spoke as one.
Cemeteries like the White Plains Rural Cemetery inspire by the testimony of the simple stones, the tiny flags denoting veterans and the stones too of every day people of long ago who lived well. As I read their stones I wonder what their lives were like their thoughts, their actions in that long ago time.
Cemeteries are not places of regret, but, instead inspiration to ignite in us, with their memories, to continue to work on our own lives and live up to the examples of persons like the veterans still with us and those who have departed.
Rifle Salute to the Departed Veterans by American Legion Post #135, was followed by Taps, played by Bob Freis
The veterans are getting older.
James Dwyer of American Legion Post 135 was scheduled to read Flanders Field. He could not due to illness according to Commander Jack Collins. This is the touching poem penned in World War I, Mr. Dywer would have read. He could not, so I will publish it for him.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders field
