WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,374,995 VISITS IN ONE YEAR—65,000 VISITS A WEEK BY 985,281 VISITORS

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey June 2,2009: The residents of Winbrook got a first public look at preliminary reconstruction plans for the Winbrook complex. The design shown below was followed by Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority, explaining the project and where it stood, and closed with WPHA counsel,  William Null, explaining to the council that the WPHA needed the council to pass the zoning paperwork to pave the way for more detailed design of the project. The council voted to adjourn the public hearing and resume it on July 6.

Overhead View of Winbrook Makeover Preliminary Design Shown at Monday Evening Common Council meeting. Street to left of picture is South Lexington Avenue, targeted for affordable, moderate, middle income housing and retail according to the requested zoning “cosmetics.”

Six new buildings each about 11 stories are proposed with underground parking. The recently completely White Plains Housing Authority Headquarters would likely be raised and moved to one of the new structures. The new buildings are to be built one at a time. The attorney for the Housing Authority said Council approval of the zoning cosmetics needed to pave the way for the mixed use project rebuild was necessary before a developer could be selected from among 30 applications received thus far.

Commuter Parking Lot on Bank Street to Close: Boykin.

Property Taxes, Loan Interest Cost City $362,659 in State Urban Renewal Capital Grant Money.

In another intriguing development quietly passed on the consent agenda, and not explained in any depth on last night’s telecast, Council President Benjamin Boykin advised White Plains commuters the Bank Street lot will closed by July 31, requiring commuters now using that open air lot by ther Metro North tracks to make other parking or station arrangements.  

55 Bank Street Commuter Lot shown adjacent to MetroNorth tracks, one year ago. (Presently it provides about 300 parking places for daily commuters. The lot was sold to LCOR for $16.5 Million, to build the 55 Bank Street 500-unit plus 20% affordable housing project, with the city responsible for property taxes on the commuter lot until the building project began. Project has been stalled due to credit market freeze up and city is left holding the bag on property taxes, necessitating burning $116, 560 in property tax payments

On the consent agenda, the city agreed to fund property tax payments for the use of the Bank Street open air commuter parking lot (due to a shortfall in revenues from the commuter lot, according to accompanying Urban Renewal Agency work), The council authorized  transfer of Urban Renewal  Capital Grant Funds would have to pay $116,560 in property tax payments on the LCOR  commuter parking lot property, due to LCOR’s inability to get the project financed in a timely fashion, and revenues not meeting property tax obligations on the property, which the city had agreed to pay.

Longview Garage Burns Interest

 In a related development involving similar dashed expectations of a much ballyhooed city project,  the Common Council  approved using the New York State Capital Grant fund to pay $246,099 in interest on the Cromwell place property bonds used to purchase the property for $4,000,000 to arrange to build the Longview Avenue Garage (at a bond cost of $19 Million). The city has been unable to sell the Cromwell Place properties acquired to build the Longview Avenue Parking garage for White Plains Hospital Medical Center so the city has been unable to pay off the $4 Million loan on the property through a sale the city thought would take place by now, covering the bond expenditure — according to council meeting documents supplied with the agenda to the press. 

The economic crisis of the last 11 months, have resulted in a Washington D.C. and Albany delay in acquiring  HUD approval of the project to be built by Kensington Properties. A public hearing for July 6 was scheduled for yet another site plan extension on the troubled Kensington project.

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WPCNR ARMCHAIR PRESSBOX.  June 1, 2009 UPDATED WITH ROB CREWS INSIDE INTERVIEW: The sport the national press never reports on, covers or respects —  fastpitch softball – showcased two classics yesterday afternoon on ESPN2. First came the donnybrook of the ages – the 4 hour and 45 minute Georgia-Washington game  that went 10 innings, won by the Bulldogs on a sacks-full 3-2 walk on a classic full-count battle on top of 4 innings of courageous relief by Freshperson Erin Arevalo, who had not pitched in two months – but was ready!

This nail-biter was followed by the Florida-Alabama Semi-final that was won when Westchester’s own Ali Gardner of Waccabuc  connected with an opposite field 2 out Bags-Jammed Jackout over the left field fence.

Ms. Gardner and  Alabama’s Cassie Reilly-Boccia, of Yorktown are both proteges of the hitting guru, Rob Crews, the local “batologist” who has developed their swings to the extent that the two play with the elite of the nation’s fastpitch teams. Rob also developed the swing of the other local legend, Maddy Coon who played for Horace Greeley, and now plays for Stamford. 

Mr. Crews told WPCNR he was there in Oklahoma City to see the electrifying Gardner clout, he tells WPCNR, “I was there to see it. Spoke to (Florida) Coach Tim Walton and he informed me of his decision to make some stride and timing adjustments. She looked good in the ab’s leading up to the grand slam. What I appreciate most is that even through the struggle Ali kept a great attitude. That is why I nicknamed her Showtime. She is one heck of a performer.” The Batologist can be reached at www.complete-game.net.

The Longest Fastpitch World Series Game Ever Played — First of an Unforgettable Double Dip yesterday in Oklahoma City at the media-challenged Womens World Series.

Ms. Gardner in her senior year at Florida is one of three of  local Batologist Rob Crews’ groomed hitting stars playing in the elite of the nation’s fastpitch teams. (Crews is the hitting guru who groomed Ali’s portside  swing over the years, and the swings of Maddy Coon of Horace Greeley (late of Stamford)  and  Cassie Reilly Boccia, of Yorktown, now frosh firstbaser for Alabama, whose club was one out away from extending Florida another game last night, until Gardner took Bama out for the game-winning 4-run homer, the Gator form John Jay, snapping victory from the jaws of defeat.

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Both Ms. Garnder’s game and the Washington game were fraught with the tension, drama, and precision strategy that makes the fastpitch game compelling.   

Gardner began her rise to fastpitch prominence playing travel softball with one of the first travel teams in the 1990s, the Hudson River Bandits started by Chappaqua’s Rudy Nettick, whose daughter Margaret pitched for Horace Greeley.  The organization, along with the legendary Diamond Dolls, were the swashbucklerettes of fastpitch, with the best uniforms, the best logos, and professional atitude far beyond their years. The young players were taught the game right and played up and down the eastern seaboard. The Bandits disbanded in 2001, but the memories of the red and gray came alive this last week when Maddy (Coon), and Ali starred in the NCAAs.

The games over the last four days televised on ESPN2 were marvelous – from the electrifying homers, to the incredible defensive play (check out the throw-out Arizona State’s second-baser  on a relay made to gun down the winning run at the plate last Thursday against Washington—the ASU catcher made an incredible leap and tag).

However, you knew nothing about those games if you read the local press. What did the Times cover yesterday?  The French Open. The NBA Finals. The NHL Stanley Cup Finals.  Soccer. Bicycle races. Golf.  and the Mets and Yankees of course, who could use some starting pitchers who go more than 6 innings and throw more than 60 pitchers. 

The Yanks and Mets  should sign up Washington Huskies’  Danielle Lawrie — 150 pitches yesterday in 100 degree heat in Oklahoma City – and then she pitched the second game Washington had to play three hours later and won it, 9-3, throwing another 135 pitches. And she went again Monday night. 

 I don’t want to hear the  flackwriters write  how tough the Met starter was in “gutting” through 6 innings with a stomach virus. Give me a break, and the best bullpen in baseball. Give me that Huskie pitcher Erin Arevalo in a tough spot any day. That was heart!

The Times did not even have a correspondent in Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. Pathetic. You would think that the College Women’s World Series warranted some coverage with local New Yorkers making their mark.

Is there a conspiracy to prevent fastpitch softball from growing and a deliberate intent by the networks, the sports press to prevent the National Pro Fastpitch league from becoming successful by not covering it?

Obviously.

Can the NCAA and American Softball Association work with National Pro Fastpitch and promote it so this wonderful sport can grow?

It could, but they do not.

What do you think?

Tomorrow the Fastpitch Sectionals continue around the county with White Plains playing New Rochelle over on O’Donnell’s Bluff at WPHS. Come on out and see some real ball up close and personal — without paying $50 a seat and $5 for a soda.

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. Interview with Better Homes and Gardens/Rand’s Mike Graessle. May 30, 2009:  

What a great day to buy a house — in White Plains.

Attractive White Plains home prices and the city’s  low taxes compared to the rest of the county continue to offer great opportunities for the home buyer in White Plains today, which local realtor Mike Graessle says is holding its own.

“What’s selling are the lower priced homes. The higher priced — those already in a house, looking to move up are challenged,” Graessle said, sharing latest in-city sales statistics. WPCNR File Photos Posed by Professional Models.

White Plains homeowners looking to sell, and those looking to buy in White Plains face a market where the city’s  lower priced homes in the $400,000 to $600,000 range are moving , at a slower pace,  even producing bidding wars,  Graessle says.  Higher priced home sales in the $700,000 and up range are still stymied by banks being unwilling to lend the jumbo mortgages required and enforcement of strong credit standards in approving such loans large or small, he said.

Mike Graessle, of  Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, told WPCNR Friday that though White Plains home sale prices have fallen January through March–houses are moving, they just take longer to sell.

White Plains flagship housing market

White Plains closings (29) in the first quarter,  were actually one more than last year’s first quarter activity. Graessle said this was encouraging because the closings reflected deals agreed to in the fall, indicating White Plains was holding its attractiveness to home buyers in the midst of the financial crisis of the autumn.

 Mike observed that Westchester-wide closings were down 42% (427 closings in 2009, compared to 732 in the 2008 First Quarter).

In  the first five weeks of the second quarter from April 1 through May 6: 203 homes sold countywide to last year’s 327, down “only” 38%.

Average Selling Price Down 17% One Year After “Crash of ’08”

White Plains home selling prices are down, Graessle observed, but White Plainsians are not taking as much a loss in value as other homeowners in the county. Graessle, quoting local stats from the Westchester Putnam Multiple Listing Service,  said the average sale price in White Plains for Single Family Homes closing the first three months of 2009 was $593,699. Last year the average price in the first quarter (before the “Crash of 08”) was $715,364, a decline of  17%.

Around Westchester County, first quarter price decline was severe. The average selling price the first three months of this year countywide was $694,672 compared to the $935,067 in the first quarter of 2009—that’s a 25% decline.

The White Plains median price for a single family home in the first quarter of 2009 was $590,000, meaning half the 29 closings sold below that and half sold above that figure. This is down from the $623,500 median price from the first quarter of 2008 – a 5.4% decline. Across the county the first quarter median price was $530,000  down 15% from the $622,500 in the first quarter of 2008.

5-1/2 months to sell

Graessle noted that the average days of the market for homes closed in the first quarter in White Plains was 165 days or 5-1/2 months. He noted the total of White Plains new listings in quarter one was down 35%. As of May 29, 141 homes in White Plains were on the market.

Expect Close to Sale Price.

The realtor drew WPCNR’s attention to the interesting factoid that of the homes closed in the first quarter in White Plains, that the average difference in price offered and the price the home sold for was 5.6%, unless of course you price your home too high on debut.

3.5% Down Payment Required

Graessle expressed optimism that the White Plains lower priced homes at least would continue to keep the White Plains real estate market moving forward . He noted that with the 3.5% down payment and $8,000 tax credit now in effect on FHA loans, a first-time home buyer if they can muster a $20,000 down payment can get a mortgage on $500,000 White Plains home, and secure a 5%– 30 year mortgage, if their credit is good.

Foreclosures Not Contributing to Price Decline

Despite soaring county foreclosure judgments, Graessle was asked if the number of foreclosures was contributing to the softening of sales prices in White Plains. He said no, because when foreclosed homes go on the market in White Plains, there are competitive buyers who bid the price up, based on his recent observations of the White Plains market.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. May 28, 2009 UPDATED 3 P.M. E.D.T.: The Common Council this morning at11:17 A.M. voted 5-2, with Mayor Joseph Delfino and Councilman Glen Hockley opposed and Councilpersons Boykin, Lecouona, Malmud, Power and Roach in favor to enact a $158.2 Million budget for fiscal year 2009-10. The council also voted to eliminate the funding for the payment of David Birdsall as Acting Budget Director, and enacted an unspecified number of job cuts of full and part-time personnel.

Melissa Lopez, of the Mayor’s office reports to WPCNR that 55 part-time jobholders and 25 full-time employees of the city have been cut beginning July 1. WPCNR asked for a list of the jobs being cut by department, and for a list of the names of the individuals. Lopez issued this statement: “The Mayor’s Office wishes to respect the privacy of these individuals.  If you would like their names, I would recommend you file an FOI request.”

Ms. Lopez said a list of the positions by department was being worked on but it “would take awhile.”

The members of the Common Council voting in favor of the cut, trimming the Mayor’s budget $2 Million from his proposed budget of $160.2 Million, spent two hours telling the morning television audience how hard they had worked on the budget to begin to repair the city finances and keep the city fund balance at the $5 Million level. Councilman Tom Roach, Rita Malmud, Dennis Power described the Mayor’s original budget as “unbalanced,” “unacceptable,” “impractical,” because it proposed using up $11.4 Million in undesignated fund balance. The Council-enacted budget today, keeps the fund balance at the $11.9 Million level by adding new revenues, cutting expenses, and borrowing $2 Million for undetermined “settlements or court-ordered expenses.” 

Councilperson Tom Roach commented that a long term structural financial plan was needed to repair the city’s finances going forward, bringing expenses in line with revenues, and he predicted substantially more “pain” in developing the 2010-11 city budget. He described the cuts the council made as “turning the battleship around.”

Councilperson Milagros Lecouna said she looked forward to a new Mayor where the council would be a part of the budget process.Lecuona also noted that if the council were to consider raising the sales tax another 1/4%, part of the increase should be spent on creating affordable housing and acquisition of open space.

Dennis Power, promised the council would do much more next year (in terms of financial adjustment). He said the council might have to look at raising the sales tax, and alluded to the council having to look at the White Plains Performing Arts Center (which filed papers with the IRS this month, disclosing it was $700,00 plus in debt as of last June), and seeing what it could do to keep the WPPAC a “viable organization.” Power said separate commercial and residential tax rates for White Plains was a legislative priority, that he hoped would be passed. Mr. Power also suggested that the city might revisit the possibility of developing the railroad station area in the future

The council members, criticising in turn, this morning  the “one-shots” the majority of members at this morning’s table  had voted for in past budgets to balance the Mayor’s  spending that lead to the current year deficit, did not allude at any time to projected union settlements to come that will affect city budgets the next few years in these revenue-challenged times.

The lone councilman in support of the budget was Glen Hockley who said he was not in favor of any job cuts that hurt families. He also quoted Commissioner of Public Safety Frank Straub as saying downtown safety would be compromised, considering that during the summer, according to Hockley the city averaged 30 arrests on both Friday and Saturday nights in the downtown. Hockley also quoted Straub as saying and fire response time to the southend of town slowed by inactivating two pieces of equipment.

Mayor Joseph Delfino defended his budget as “balanced,” and noted that had the Common Council enacted the  1/2 per cent sales tax he had asked for two years ago, (the council would only go for a quarter per cent) the 1/2 per cent would have brought in the $12 Million which the Mayor said was equivalent to the $12 million gap the council was now closing.

Delfino in a bitter close to the meeting, often appearing on the verge of tears on television, said the revenues of the city were not broken, but “splintered,”: and said his budget was an attempt to fix that.  He saluted his Acting Budget Director, David Birdsall for his terrific efforts. He cut off shouts from the floor over the restoration of $50,000 to the library budget. He called the restoration of the $50,000 to the library a political move.

Delfino in his final soliloquy accused the council of laying a 33% tax increase on the citizens. Councilman Tom Roach interrupted the Mayor’s speech pointing out it was not a 33% tax increase, but a 6.5% increase, and the increase in the tax increase was a third, not an overall 33% increase.

Delfino closed saying to White Plains he has always been “a servant,”  not a politician.

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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. May 27, 2009: The calls are going out to Democrats in White Plains. They’re asking very interesting questions about how voters feel about Councilman Glen Hockley, and the darkhorse candidate, Bob Hyland in a race against County Legislator William Rayn, and they want to know how you feel about them.

The telephone call executed by a private research firm begins by asking how the respondent thinks White Plains is doing, then gets personal, asking if Mayor Joseph Delfino has done a good job or poor job, and asking you to name some of the Mayor’s accomplishments.

It asks should Mayor Delfino be reelected, and whether the person knows who Adam Bradley is. It asks if Bradley would make a good mayor.

Then it gets interesting, asking who you would vote for in a Glen Hockley-Adam Bradley contest for Mayor. It asks your opinion of Mr. Hockley.

The next question references the County Legislator for District 5 Race where White Plains’ Bill Ryan occupies that seat. It asks in a possible race between Mr. Ryan and Bob Hyland, the local restaurant owner of The Sports Page, very active in local business circles, who would you vote for, Mr. Ryan or Mr. Hyland.

Who is paying for the poll is not clear at this time.

As of today, White Plains Republicans have nominated no one to run for Mayor, the Common Council or Mr. Ryan’s County Legislature seat. A question to Brian Maloney, the White Plains Republican Leader, as to whether the Republicans will not contest any of the local seats has not been answered as yet.