THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman Robert Castelli (93rd A.D.) February 6, 2012:

Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) announced to his constituents today new procedures at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to streamline our state’s tax-reporting system and lower costs for taxpayers.

“By working with Governor Cuomo, my colleagues and I have enacted new policies that modernize and streamline the state’s tax system, in order to make filing New York state tax returns and receiving refunds easier and less costly for taxpayers,” Castelli said. “Updating the state’s tax-reporting system and making it more user-friendly helps taxpayers receive their state rebates faster, while greatly cutting down on paper waste and the associated environmental and financial costs.”

Several of the changes that came about as a result of last year’s budget, which will affect this year’s state tax filings include:

• New York State paper tax forms will no longer be mailed automatically. Tax forms are available at www.tax.ny.gov, at local libraries, or by calling Assemblyman Castelli’s office (914) 686 – 7335.
  
• Software companies can no longer charge a separate fee for the electronic filing of tax returns.
  
• In addition to either direct deposit or paper check, taxpayers may now request to receive their tax refunds on a debit card.
  
• Taxpayers with incomes below $57,000 may be eligible to prepare and file their federal and state income taxes for free.
  
• An Enhanced Online Service account will give taxpayers the ability to view their prior tax-filing history, respond online to department notices and to sign up for email alerts.

In addition to these enhancements to the state’s tax-filing procedures, Assemblyman Castelli authored and passed legislation along with Assemblyman George Latimer and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins to modernize county clerk offices throughout New York by allowing real-property transactions to be filed electronically. The bill was signed into law by Governor Cuomo as Chapter 549 of the laws of 2011, last September.

“Preparing and paying one’s taxes is never an enjoyable experience,” Castelli said. “It is my duty as your assemblyman to enact policies that will help hard-working Westchester County families expedite this process, in order to make it less painful, while lowering the costs associated with filing and preparing tax returns.”

Castelli says that this increased government efficiency goes hand-in-hand with his mantra of lower taxes, and “spending smarter and not harder.” In December, he voted to enact the lowest marginal tax rate for the middle class in over fifty years as part of the Governor’s fair tax reform bill, as well as to repeal the MTA payroll tax on many small businesses in Westchester.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. February 2, 2012:

White Plains Police apprehended 42 year old Daniel Mosca of 10 Bryant Crescent White Plains early Thursday morning 12:20 A.M. in possession of a anti-FASNY sign and charged him with petty larceny and fifth degree of stolen property.

Last Friday evening, approximately 30 Anti-French School of New York Development signs were removed from private home yards in the vicinity of Ridgeway Country Club, according to an e-mail from the President of the Gedney Farms Association, Terence Guerriere. (The school is planning to develop the former country club into a central campus, a project bitterly opposed by the neighborhood.)

LoHud Reporter Richard Liebson in reporting the arrest, cited a police report of the arrest as saying Mosca had thought the signs were put up by the French School in support of the project, and that he thought the signs were ugly and detracted from the neighborhood.

That the suspect admitted he was confused is interesting.

FASNY SIGNS RETURN TO LINE RIDGEWAY.

Last year, when the anti-FASNY signs first sprouted up in yards bordering Ridgeway avenue adjacent Ridgeway Country Club, the popular White Plains Week television news roundup show pointed out the ambiguous message of the design of the signs.

Many of the signs, pictured above featured the classic cross-out red circle (a negative) on top of the “FASNO” word, actually neutralizing the message of the neighborhood being against the FASNY project. The commentators agreed it was an ambiguous design which possibly sent the wrong message. Apparently in one case, it was misunderstood.

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WPCNR HEALTH NEWS. By Westchester County Roving Correspondent Nancy King. January 31, 2012:

CSEA workers at the Westchester County Medical Center held another press conference Tuesday.   Workers who attended were mostly employed at the Behavioral Health Center and who were recently laid off from their positions after BHC was privatized by Liberty Health Care Corporation.  This time, there are about 150 jobs on the chopping block, although Liberty and the WMC have invited current employees to re-apply for their jobs.  

According to Patrick Roche, a Senior Psychiatric Aide who has been employed by the WMC for 29 years, he would be eligible to retain his employ at the new hourly rate of 15.00.  He would also have the opportunity to purchase his healthcare through an HMO.  Westchester Medical Center Employees currently do not contribute to their health care benefits.

According to union leaders John Staino and Peter Piazza, negotiations with the Medical Center are at an impasse following a breakdown in talks with NYNSA (nurses union).  CSEA leaders expressed dismay that even after they offered concessions in their contract negotiations, hospital brass declined to meet to find a resolution to the problem.

Union leaders and those employees of the Behavioral Health Center, distributed a flier today citing a long history of problems that Liberty Health Care has had while overseeing other facilities.   Reports of high turnover rate, salaries that may be as low as 12.00 an hour and unsupervised patients were highlighted in the document.

However, the most unusual aspect of this press conference was the presence of not only three County Police Cars and officers, but a presence also by a number of the Medical Center’s own security staff.  Further away from the press conference, administrative staff could be seen in small groups observing the conference.   County Police Officers, explained to President Staino that because there was no permit filed, they would be unable to conduct the press conference on hospital property or on the road directly across the street which is Westchester County owned property. 

In the meantime, it appears that Westchester Medical Center in its entity as a public benefits corporation is being disassembled one piece at a time.  Prescription for Westchester residents; don’t get sick.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. Special to WPCNR from Westchester County Roving Correspondent, Nancy King. January 30, 2012:

David Buchwald was nominated to run against Robert Castelli for the New York State Assembly 93rd district Monday evening.

Democratic leaders met on January 30^th at the YWCA in White Plains to choose a challenger to run against current Republican Assemblyman Robert Castelli.  At stake is Castelli’s seat in what is currently the 89^th legislative district.  Under  new redistricting maps, this district will  renamed the 93^rd district and that means that lines will shift as well.   Going into tonight’s nominating session were three possible candidates.  David Buchwald, current Common Council member, White Plains lawyer Jeremiah Frei-Pearson and Harrison resident Clifford Gevirtz. 

David Buchwald is a current member of the White Plains Common Council and acts a liason between City Hall and a variety of city departments.  Frei-Pearson is a lawyer who specializes in workplace complaints. Harrison resident Dr. Clifford Gevirtz also has also made clear his intentions to run for office. Though all three shared the same Democratic principles in regards to same sex marriage, reproductive rights and adversion to hydro fracking each had a different vision quest going into this race.

Dr. Gevirtz stated that he was concerned with reforming health care here in New York State.  Though he spoke about Medicaid and Medicare reform, it was unclear as to whether he supported said reform and just how it would be implemented.  Actually, if my memory serves me correctly, Assembly members Amy Paulin (D) and Robert Castelli (R) did roll out legislation prior to this summer’s legislative break.  It is also believed that this reform for those receiving Medicaid would take place over an eight year period of time.  Dr. Gevirtz also stated that the bulk of his campaigning would be at Senior Centers where he would be hosting  “Dr. Days”.

Jeremiah Frei-Pearson  was next up to speak to the Democratic leaders from White Plains.  As reflected on his website, Frei-Pearson reiterated that he wanted future residents of the 93^rd to have the same opportunities that he enjoyed as a youngster growing up in Northern Westchester.

There was a small problem with this statement however; Frei-Pearson’s biographies are inconsistent as to where this chap actually grew up.  He says that he is from the Katonah – Lewisboro area and his online bio says that he grew up in Baltimore Maryland. 

 He also touts himself as a political newcomer but has run for elected office twice while living in Astoria Queens.  When queried about those two inconsistencies, Frei-Pearson attempted to stay on message about young Westchesterites having  the same great experiences he had growing up…but he neglected to say where he actually did grow up.   His campaign, would have centered on the Katonah – Lewisboro area because he felt that since he graduated from high school in that area, he had the advantage of understanding those who reside in that area of the county.

The final candidate who spoke was David Buchwald. Buchwald, a current member of the White Plains Common Council spoke about how government, no matter how large or how streamlined, must work for everybody no matter what their need was.  Apparently this resonated well in a room of District Leaders and Proxy holders as this statement garnered applause from everyone.  Actually, if he stays true to this mantra, Buchwald “gets it”.  In public service, no one’s concern is ever too small.

With a verbal vote taken by chair Liz Schollenberger, Buchwald was this committee’s choice to run against Bob Castelli.

The evening ended with Assemblyman George Latimer addressing the crowd.  Latimer  has expressed interest in running against Scarsdale businessman Bob Cohen for retiring state senator Suzi Oppenheimer’s seat. 

 Latimer, who is a former chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators lamented that his run against Cohen is going to be a tough one .  Cohen still has a hefty sum of cash on hand and has the state committee ready to throw however much money it takes to make sure they don’t lose this seat again.  Latimer was quick to add that Cohen, a wealthy real estate owner and manager had already self-financed over 100K  of his own money and was actively campaigning.  Latimer acknowledged that unless he raised a boatload of cash he would have difficulty staying in this race.

It’s the last doggone day of January 2012 and this election cycle looks like it already  may be one of those “bloodbath” cycles. With redistricting, a gubernatorial veto possible, and those cwazy Republicans trying to unseat Barack Obama, and the upcoming grudge match between Ken Jenkins and Rob Astorino, it’s time to buy the largest bag of popcorn available and sit back and watch the show.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. January 30, 2012:

The splitting of White Plains as envisioned by the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reappointment released last week, currently threatened with a veto by Governor Andrew Cuomo if eventually adopted in anything close to its present form will give White Plains two State Senators (Senate Districts 35 and 37) and give less weight to the White Plains vote in the new 93rd Assembly District.

The splitting of the White Plains constituents between the 35th and 37th districts will also possibly mean those Senators in 35 and 37, don’t have to pay that much attention to White Plains needs.

That 93rd District assembly race will take shape tonight when Democratic District Leaders hear from White Plains Councilman David Buchwald, new Westchester resident political activist from Queens, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, and Harrison resident, Clifford Gevirtz, all seeking the nomination to run against Roert Castelli in the race for the 93rd.

Should the new redistricting lines be vetoed by Governor Cuomo the districts would have to be renegotiated in some manner, a process that will be unwieldy at best, according to Assemblyman Robert Castelli’s office.

 Mr. Castelli’s Saturday news release revealed the lopping off of the southend of White Plains (south from Martine Avenue), from the Castelli district, and gave him North Salem.

 Castelli said “In essence, the gerrymandering remains. I believe there is still time for us to do better, though, because when politicians are choosing their constituents, instead of the other way around, it’s the people that lose.”

Elizabeth Schollenberger, head of the White Plains Democratic City Committee, told WPCNR she had not run the numbers yet to assess the impact of how many votes Tom Roach received from the White Plains areas lopped off from the former 89th District (now redesignated the 93rd), when Roach narrowly lost to Castelli in 2010.

According to Councilman Buchwald who is in the hunt for the Democratic nod to face Castelli, Tom Roach carried White Plains by 2,000 votes in his attempt to oust Castelli in that 2010 race.

Buchwald, speaking to WPCNR Saturday said he is in the race to stay, but did acknowledge that ” I don’t think Mr. Castelli has much to complain about (the redistricting).” Buchwald said it was “clear” the loss of a substantial block of White Plains voters, being replaced with North Salem, was favorable to Castelli, but said he (Buchwald) felt he could run very well in North Salem.

If the newly defined 93rd District remains in place for the November election, future Republicans from the 93rd should do well, due to the loss of White Plains southend as a voting factor in the district. The 88th Assembly District where Amy Paulin is the incumbent is bolstered by getting those White Plains southend votes that should assure Paulin of more popularity.

White Plains may be seriously hurt by splitting the city east to west between Andrea Stewart-Cousin’s 35th District and the former Suzi Oppenheimer seat in Senate District 37. Robert Cohen who nearly ousted Ms. Oppenheimer two years ago in a close race, now no longer has Oppenheimer as opposition, the Senator choosing to retire. Cohen seems sure to benefit from the inclusion of a large section of Scarsdale in the new Senate District 37 and from a newly included southend section in White Plains. With all of Yonkers (a very needy city according to Yonkers), Greenburgh and some of Tarrytown to worry about, Ms. Strewart-Cousins, may not be able to advocate as strongly for White Plains as Ms. Oppenheimer did when White Plains was her baby.