Council Approves 1st Phase of Rotondi Mall Hotel on Main Street.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey January 3, 2011:


The Common Council approved the first phase of A.J. Rotondi’s Main Street Mall and possible hotel Monday evening. It took great pains to explain to a city wide television audience that the hotel portion of the project was not approved at this time. Councilmembers Lecouna and Buchwald questions about access to parking for the hotel, and Councilman Boykin pointed out that any sky way connections from the Rotondi mall to the City Center Garage would require a variance which had to be approved by the Cappelli organization which owns the City Center.



First Phase of Rotondi Mall on Main Street Approved.The hotel below…anywhere from 120 to 150 rooms was not approved yet.


 



The council did not ask how close Mr. Rotondi was to acquiring financing for the project. Spokespersons for the Rotondi organization said during the hearing that they expected to be coming back to the council within 30 days with more information on the hotel possibilities. During the work session two weeks ago, Mr.Rotondi said the hotel was a key selling point to get retailers to rent up the mall.



180-Bed Rehabilation Facility at Church and Barker. Approval Looks Very Good at this time. Back of building is show below



Mark Weingarten, of DelBello, Donnellan & Weingarten, in his first appearance before the council in a long time,  presented a meticulous review of the 180-bed Rehabilitation facility planned for thge corner of Church and Barker Streets, and the hearing was adjourned to February 7, the next Council meeting. Weingarten said the project would cost $50 Million to construct and $60 Million in total. He said it would take 12 months to acquire the government insured financing, and two years more to construct.


The Council also approved $500,000 in new capital projects to rehap a series of city garages. Councilman Buchwald expressed annoyance that this was not presented in early capital project reviews. Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti had no answer for why the council was not informed earlier of the need for the garage rehabs. Councilperson Milagro Lecouna said the first time she had heard of the $500,000 in bonding was last Friday morning when she received her agenda packet.



At the beginning of the Council meeting, Mayor Adam Bradley publicly honored Joshua Colas of White Plains for his outstanding performance and achieving Grand Master status in chess.


Mayor Adam Bradley announced that Shoprite was having its grand opening in the City Center on Wednesday at 9 A.M. and that Dick’s Sporting Goods was moving into the Fortunoff vacated space.


Mr. Bradley, Mr. Boykin, Ms. Smayda, Mr. Power and Ms.Lecouna and Mr. Buchwald all praised the Department of Public Works for their great job of snow removal in the Christmas blizzard. Smayda congratulated the police on their cracking two high profile cases in the last month — the Walmart robbery and the Palisades Mall robbery.

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Dan Schorr Interviews Commissioner Chong On VOX Tuesday Night

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WPCNR AIRWAVES. January 3, 2011:


Dan Schorr, the former candidate for Westchester County District Attorney is beginning a new weekly radio program on WVOX, Radio 1460.


“Crime and Justice with Dan Schorr” will air on Tuesday evenings and focus on the criminal justice system in Westchester and beyond.  The premiere will be tomorrow, Tuesday, January 4 from 7pm-8pm with special guest White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong.  Listeners can call in with their questions at 914-636-0110.


 

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Astorino Admin: Board Did Not Amend 1% Levy When Overriding: 1% Tax Cut Alive

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. December 31,2010:


 


A spokesperson for the  Astorino Administration told WPCNR that Kenneth Jenkins, Chair of the Board of Legislators, and the Board erred in their procedure overriding County Executive Astorino’s vetoes of the County Legislature revised budget, in effect giving Mr. Astorino the choice between the 2-1/4% property tax cut budget approved by the Legislature last Monday, and the 1% property tax cut the Astorino Administration wanted, that the Board overrode by its action on December 23.


 


“In their haste to override our vetoes,” Ned McCormack, Director of Communications for the Astorino Administration, “they neglected to amend the tax levy, (when 249 vetoes of 260  were overturned), increasing the property tax cut to 2-14%, therefore the 1% levy is still in effect, unless they do something about it.”


 


Earlier Thursday afternoon, Tara Martin, spokesperson for the  County Board and Chairman Jenkins, told WPCNR the imposition of the 2-1/4% tax levy which County Executive Astorino vetoed, was simply “bookkeeping” to create the math to reflect and fund the Board of Legislator veto overrides (and increased tax cuts). Martin added that according to the charter, the County Executive could not veto the new tax levy as it went along with the budget.


 


Late Thursday afternoon, McCormack returned a call to WPCNR to explain that the County Attorney  maintained the position that the County Executive is able to veto “any act of the legislature. An act is an act is an act,” McCormack said.


 


As of Friday morning, the last day of the year, the administration, McCormack said is planning to use the original 1% tax cut levy which according to the administration and the Board of Legislature failure to amend the original levy when it overrode, still remains in effect.


 


He said there were no plans to seek a show cause order in court to stop the 2-1/4% property tax cut budget passed by the legislators, because in the administration opinion, the 1% tax cut budget of the administration is still operative.

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Jenkins: Astorino Overrides Charter in Veto-ing Tax Levy.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Tara L. Martin, County Board of Legislators. December 30, 2010:


Today, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) released a statement condemning Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino for his useless veto of the county’s tax levy.  The FY 2011 tax levy – which will deliver a 2.25% tax cut to all Westchester residents – was approved by a vote of 10-1 on December 27.  The final approved budget was adopted on December 23, when the Legislature overrode 249 of Mr. Astorino’s 260 vetoes.


In an interview with Tara Martin, spokesperson for the Board of Legislators, Martin said the Astorino veto was described as “symbolic” by Ned McCormack, the Director of Communications for the County. She also said that unless Mr. Astorino filed a Show Cause Order the tax levy would go into affect midnight tomorrow night. “He has 24 hours to decide what he (Astorino) wants to do. It’s illegal.(The Astorino veto)”

Jenkins in a statement said:  “It would appear that Mr. Astorino and his advisors need to brush up on their knowledge of the County Charter.  In Section 167.111, it clearly states that ‘when the county budget shall have been finally adopted, an appropriation act for such budget shall be passed by the County Board and taxes for the ensuing year, including state, county and special district taxes, shall be levied not later than December 28th. The County Board shall levy, assess and cause to be raised by tax upon real property liable therefore the amount of taxes determined by such budgets and in the manner provided for the levy of state and county taxes.


The Budget Act is not a normal Act.  The Budget Act is very specific in the actions that can be taken.  Mr. Astorino exercised his Charter authority to veto line items within 5 days of receiving the approved budget from the County Board.

The budget was not finally adopted until December 23, 2010 until his 260 line item vetoes were considered by the County Board.  The required Tax Levy Appropriation Act is ministerial, a result of the final adopted budget, beginning with the recommended budget, additions by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, deletions to the recommended budget and sustained vetoes.   In fact, the Budget Director develops the Tax Levy Appropriation Act and the Legislature is required to adopt such appropriations Act by December 28.   This is the Charter role and sole responsibility of the Legislature.

There is nothing for Mr. Astorino to approve, the news release states.

With regards to Mr. Astorino’s outrageous assertions in relation to the Budget process, every detail of the budget process as outlined in the County Charter was followed.  The Minority caucus chose not to make any additions to the budget.  The Budget and Appropriations Committee spent 3 weeks hearing presentations from the Commissioners and Department heads. 


Over 2,000 people participated in the public hearing process and the County Board web-streamed the committee meetings live and have all the sessions available on-demand.  The Budget and Appropriations Committee worked throughout the year, having regular meetings with the various County departments in fulfilling the role of the County Board in providing oversight of the County budget.  This budget is balanced, accessible and transparent.

Frankly, it is my expectation that in the ensuing year, Mr. Astorino’s administration will be more participatory in the open and transparent committee structure of the Legislature where his proposed initiatives will be vetted in public where good public discourse could take place.

Finally, I think it is completely counterproductive that Mr. Astorino and his staff to continue to use inflammatory and malicious language in various policy debates.  The people of Westchester expect their elected officials to be leaders and to act responsibly and respectfully while we develop creative solutions to Westchester’s challenges.

Reasonable people can disagree without being disagreeable and offensive.”

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Fleet of 30 Cars To Give Revelers Rides Home on New Year’s Eve

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WPCNR MAMARONECK AVENUE AMBLER. From Heineken USA. December 30, 2010 (EDITED):


Heineken USA of White Plains will sponsor its seventh annual “New Year. Safe Ride.” program, which provides free, safe rides home to Westchester residents of legal drinking age celebrating New Year’s Eve in downtown White Plains.


Revelers can take advantage of this service between 11:00 p.m. on December 31 and 3:00 a.m. on January 1. The car service will be located in the heart of downtown, on the corner of East Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue.

Kicking off 2011 the responsible way, this year’s transportation will be provided by a dedicated, 30-car fleet to ensure passengers a safe and comfortable ride home. The service is complimentary for revelers traveling anywhere in the Greater White Plains Area. Cars will not travel beyond Westchester County lines.


Additional details on the “New Year. Safe Ride.” program and the Taxi Magic application can be found at www.responsiblymeans21.com and in participating restaurants and bars, as well as other locations throughout downtown White Plains.




 


“Emphasizing our values of enjoyment and responsibility, we’ve made a New Year’s resolution to continue helping consumers make every night a night of great choices,” said Dan Tearno, senior vice president and chief corporate relations officer, Heineken USA. “Improvements to our annual “New Year. Safe Ride.” program, such as the use of a well maintained car service, will make it easier than ever for our colleagues, employees and neighbors celebrating the New Year in this great town to have fun and make good decisions.”

“Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense and can have fatal consequences for you, your passengers and others on the road,” said Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. “Over the past few years, Heineken USA’s continued commitment to this important program has helped provide New Year’s Eve revelers in White Plains a safe way to get home. We are grateful for their continued support.”

Driving under the influence is a national issue during the holiday season, and year-round. Over the past few years, Heineken USA has partnered with a number of communities and law enforcement agencies around the country to offer a safe alternative and remind consumers of the importance of responsible consumption throughout the year. 

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Commuter Councils Highlight Hidden MTA Ticket Policy Changes Effective Thursday

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WPCNR WINGS, WHEELS & RAILS. From the Metro-North Commuter Council and the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council. December 29, 2010:


 


 


Effective December 30, 2010, the cost of their railroad tickets will increase.  The average increase of approximately 8.8 percent in ticket prices is not, however, the only change that could result in increased costs for riders, as commuters could feel the bite of any one of several fare policy changes.


 


The Commuter Councils strenuously opposed these measures when they were proposed by the MTA.  These unfortunate policy changes were approved by the MTA Board and will go into effect on December 30, 2010.  The Commuter Councils remind riders to keep in mind the following changes to tickets issued on or after December 30 when purchasing fares and planning their trips:


 


·        The period of validity on tickets will be reduced.  One-way and round trip tickets will be valid for only 14 days including the date of sale, reduced from 6 months;


 


·        Ten-trip tickets will be valid for only 6 months from the date of sale, reduced from 1 year.  If purchased before December 30, they will continue to be valid for a period of 12 months;


 


·        A “Valid Thru” date will be printed on the upper right corner of most tickets.  Tickets not used by that date will no longer be accepted for travel;


 


·        One-way, round-trip, and ten-trip tickets will be refundable for only 30 days after purchase and a $10 refund transaction fee will be charged, which in many cases equals or exceeds the cost of a ticket.


 


.”



 


The Commuter Councils recommend that riders exercise due caution in purchasing fares for travel beyond the current date and do so only when they have a reasonable certainty that the tickets will be used within the new validity periods.


 


If a rider fails to produce a valid ticket when asked by on-board railroad personnel, he or she will be required to purchase a one-way ticket on the train at an additional charge of at least $5.75.  In addition, all on-board transactions, including step-up and extension of ride fees for use of off peak tickets in peak periods and travel to destinations beyond that on the original ticket, will be rounded up to the next dollar.  This means that purchasing a ticket on board could cost as much as $6.50 more than the same ticket purchased from a ticket machine or agent.


 


“Sadly, the MTA is punishing the riders for the LIRR’s failure to properly collect fares on board,” notes LIRRCC Chair Maureen Michaels.  David Buchwald, acting Chair of the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council observes, “These changes will eliminate flexibility needed by riders, especially the growing number whose work and travel schedules do not stay the same from day to day or week to week.”

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Commissioner: Police Have Identified Person(s) of Interest in Hit and Run Case

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE By John F. Bailey. December 29, 2010:


Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong has confirmed to WPCNR White Plains Police have identified “persons of interest” in last week’s hit and run accident involving a White Plains man, Raul Rios, 23, struck by a late model Mercedes-Benz at 4 A.M. in the morning of December 19, leaving him severely injured.


Commissioner Chong released this statement to WPCNR Wednesday morning:


This case is ongoing and not to compromise or try the case before its presentation this is what we are releasing.

The Hit and Run case is very active and proceeding along.  Detectives have recovered some key pieces of evidence that are being examined.  We also have some persons of interest that we are looking at and interviews are continuing  We continue to ask that any witnesses please come forward as we put this case together.


Police may be contacted at 422-6111, if any witnesses wish to share information on the incident in confidence.

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Police: Roads Passable in WP. Persons Shoveing Should Pace Themselves

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong. December 27, 2010:


Here is the latest on road conditions in White Plains from the Department of Public Safety as of 11 A.M.;


The roads are generally passable although there is drifting. The hilly areas have invisible patches of black ice so drivers regardless of their autos, suv’s or 4X4’s must remember, ice is ice! If you need not go out and drive, then don’t as we advise the less traffic will allow our DPW to clean the streets without traffic obstruction.  T


here are no major power outages to report and we remind people who are shoveling to take it easy and pace themselves. 


The Mayor has been up all night along with the commissioners and we think we have weathered this very intensive storm as best we can. Also, please if you are shoveling, do not throw the snow back into the roadway. This causes double work and as the temperatures drop tonight will cause icing and very slick roads.  In case of emergency, call 911.

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City Hall Issues Storm Help Advisories.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Mayor’s Office. December 26, 2010:


As of midnight, approximately a foot of snow has fallen in central White Plains, with drifting snow making any roads or driveways cleared not remaining clear for long. City Hal reports the Department of Public Works has 100 employees mannin 61 trucks and 40 othe pieces of equipment to deal with the blowing, drifting snow.


The city has announced no permission will be granted for on-street parking overnight. Police advise you must get your vehicle into a driveway o into a City Parking Garage, including the downtown business district.


If you have a fire hydran in front of your home or building you must clear it. If unable, contact the Fire Department at 422-6360.


If you have an elderly or infirm neighbor, please check on them to be certain they are safe.


Stay clear of any owned powerlines. If you experience a power failure, contact Con Edison at 1-80075-ConEd.


Use caution in operating space heaters. Be sure any such heaters are three feet away from any combustible material.


Do not idle ars in attache garages. Do not use gas stoves for heating. Clear snow from any exterior dryer vents.


Call Public Safety if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency at 911. If you need to contact policefor a non-emergency matter call 422-6111.


Eastview School has been opened tonight as an Emergency Warming Center. If you have this need, or have questons, call Public Safety at 422-6111.


Avoid unnecessary travel. 


 

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County Executive Wrings Hands Over Legislators’ Overrides to Assess Damage Monda

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) December 23,2010:


 


County Executive Robert P. Astorino today scolded the Democratic-majority of the Board of Legislators for overriding hundreds of budget vetoes, and adopting a 2011 budget filled with “runaway” spending and “speculative” revenues.  


 


            Astorino said that on Monday he will begin a detailed review of the budget with his budget and finance team to come up with a full assessment of the damage.


           


 

            Astorino in November had proposed a spending plan for next year that cut the county levy by 1 percent, protected the county’s most needy, continued all essential services and protected the county’s three AAA bond ratings.


            After the legislators adopted a 2011 operating budget that restored millions of dollars in funding, Astorino used his line-item authority last week to veto $33.5 million in spending . The board Thursday overrode most of Astorino’s vetoes, restoring $32 million in spending, over the objections of the board’s five Republicans in most every case.


            In the capital budget, the Democrats restored approximately $71 million in pet projects of questionable legality, which Astorino had vetoed.


            “The Democrats had the 12 votes to override my vetoes,” Astorino said. “This is how the democratic process works. They now have to be accountable for their votes.”


            Astorino singled out the Board’s action on the Section 8 Housing Voucher Program for particular criticism.


            In October, the county notified the state that it was no longer interested in running the Section 8 program. Astorino said the county was losing money on the contract to run this state and federal program. Astorino then gave the state the required 60-day notice to terminate the contract, and the county employees who ran the program were given layoff notices. The state has meanwhile begun action to take over the program and has issued an RFP (request for proposals) for a replacement contract. 


            The county executive once again criticized the legislators for taking down the county’s reserve fund to  dangerous levels.


            “That is the kind of reckless action that gets a county’s bonds downgraded. We need look no farther than Nassau County to see that the credit ratings agencies are not fooled by one-shots and gimmicks,” Astorino said.


           

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