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 COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From the County Board of Legislators. December 14,2010:

Today, Westchester County Board of Legislators Democratic Majority call on County Executive Robert Astorino to join with them to work with our partners in Albany and Washington to provide mandate relief for Westchester taxpayers. Legislators have long complained that much of the county budget and programs are not determined in Westchester County, but in Washington, in Albany and courtrooms. These expenses restrict local government ability to create its own programs or to cut taxes.

State mandated programs are the largest cost centers for Westchester County government, consuming the entire local county property levy.   According to the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), just 9 state mandates consume 90% of the county property tax levy across the entire state.   

 

 Unfunded mandates are impositions on local governments and school districts, not only because they force mandates without helping to pay the cost but because, oftentimes, this forces local governments to raise school or property taxes.  “Now, more than ever, New York and our property taxpayers cannot afford to pay for the hundreds of millions of dollars in costs caused by state mandates,” said Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers).  “Westchester County taxes are the highest in the nation, by far, and more than double the national average. Those taxes make it harder for businesses to create jobs here, and they drive residents to move away in search of opportunity.”  

These mandated programs include:

• Medicaid
  
• Child Welfare
  
• Temporary Assistance/Safety Net
  
• Indigent Defense
  
• Early Intervention
  
• Preschool Special Education
  
• Probation
  
• Youth Detention
  
• Pensions 

Local county officials have little control on how these programs operate.  The state dictates how these programs and services operate and can restrict local officials from applying operating efficiencies and other innovations that could help control costs.  “Counties need the authority to manage state programs locally to root out waste, fraud and abuse, and run programs more efficiently,” said Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah).  “They’ve put a lot of the burden on the local property taxpayer.  We should be able to control the programs if we’re going to fund them.”

The largest unfunded mandate is Medicaid. This $45 billion program is the most expensive in the nation and close to ten percent of the costs are believed to come from Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse. This amounts to nearly $5 billion in excessive taxation on New Yorkers.

 

“These mandates cover over 70% of the Westchester County operating budget,” said Legislator Martin Rogowsky (D-Harrison).  “Medicaid costs alone – approximately $210 million in the recently approved FY 2011 county budget – make up over 40% of our residents’ property tax bill.”  

 

Medicaid, a federal program to provide health insurance for the poor, is jointly funded by Washington and the states and has become the poster child for unfunded mandates.  Unlike many states, New York requires local governments to shoulder a substantial share of the state portion of Medicaid costs.  To make the budget situation worse, Washington gives states a great deal of latitude in determining what services to provide under Medicaid. Albany has been very generous, making New York‘s program the most expensive in the country.

 

Even more frustrating for county officials is the continuing practice by state legislators of reducing funding commitment to counties in order to deal with the state’s own fiscal mismanagement, while still dictating the same level of services to be provided by county governments. 

 

 “Such reductions on reimbursements choke county budgets, and leave little resources public safety, youth programs, parks initiatives and highway maintenance,” said Chairman Jenkins.

 

  “A great start would be for the State to reimburse the County for Early Intervention services at the level set by law – 50%.  Paying the County what it is due by law would reduce Westchester County‘s cost by at least $35 million dollars.  This alone would allow us to provide an 7% reduction on the tax levy for Westchester taxpayers.  We call for the County Executive to join with  us for the people of Westchester. New York State must reform these programs that directly impact Westchester’s property taxes.”

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WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. By John F. Bailey. December 12, 2010:

Geof Thompson, spokesperson for the French American School of New York responded to WPCNR e-mail queries on the announcement Friday evening that the Larchmont-based school had signed a contract to purchase the Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains for $11 Million.

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 WPCNR SOUTH END NEWS. By John F. Bailey. December 10, 2010 UPDATED 12:30 P.M. E.S.T.:

The French-American School of New York and Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains announced Friday that they have signed a contract for the school to purchase the 128-acre club. The school plans to bring its 825 students, currently housed in three separate buildings to the Ridgeway site, to be achieved by “retrofitting” the current buildings.

Mayor Adam Bradley of White Plains told WPCNR Saturday morning the school would have to comply with city zoning laws,building codes, but did not know at this time whether the French American School has tax-exempt status.

Reliable city sources contacted by WPCNR Saturday morning said that as part of any plan to change the use of the site (currently zoned residential), the French American School would have to receive a Special Permit, and would be subject to environmental laws including the 100 foot buffer requirement adjacent to wetlands passed last Monday night by the Common Council. One source said the school would have to prepare a new  wetlands analysis, including steep slopes, to determine locations and scope of any new construction.

According to Guidestar, the organization that reviews and lists financial data for tax-exempt organizatons and charities, the French American School of New York is classified as an A70 IRS Code organization, exempt from taxes as an “Arts, Culture and Humanities” organization, meaning it is not required to pay property taxes to the City of White Plains, though it my choose to do so.

Aerial View of Ridgeway Golf Club. Contract signing by French American School of New York to buy the club was announced Friday evening.  The Common Council declined a guaranteed $8.9 Million purchase of the club last month.

The French Americn School of New York Director of Communications did not return a WPCNR call made Wednesday afternoon to confirm the negotiations Thursday or Friday. Forty-eight hours later a news release was distributed by the French American School of New York at 6 P.M. Friday confirming the contract signing. 

The purchase announcement comes significantly before a citizen movement to rezone Ridgeway, Fenway Golf Club and Westchester Hills Golf Clubs as permanent “recreational use,” has been taken up by the White Plains Common Council.

The timing of the contract signing is significant because it is possible that any council movement to enact such a restriction of golf club properties to remain recreational in perpetuity might be considered interference with a contract (the new Ridgeway contract).

WPCNR had picked up rumors had circulated earlier in the week that two Asians from New Jersey were the winners of the club and would continue to operate the club as a golf course. Later in the week, WPCNR was told by a knowledgeable realtor that  “a private school in Mamaroneck was the winner.”

When contacted by WPCNR the French American School of New York did not respond. At 6 PM Friday evening, a news release was sent out to major media, including WPCNR.

Off the Tax Roll?

The purchase by a school appears to take the Ridgeway Country Club off the tax roll of the city, if the school has tax-empt status, but WPCNR will have to confirm that with the city assessor.

However, Guidestar the organization that furnishes financial and tax reports on tax-exempt charities reports the school as a charity assigned IRS Category A70,”Arts, Culture & Humanities.”

The Ridgeway Country Club, a private enterprise, has been paying approximately $388,000 a year in property taxes to the city, the assessor, Lloyd Tasch has previously stated. The loss to the school district in taxes when the property becomes owned by the French American School of New York if they are indeed tax exempt, would be approximately $1.6 Million. Any property tax losses would be reflected in 2012-2013, WPCNR believes, but this too awaits confirmation with the city assessor.

Council Declined Guaranteed Bid.

Also, previously, one month ago the Common Council declined a opportunity to bid to purchase the club for $8.9 Million, which was “guaranteed” to be accepted by the club, citing a study that disputed revenue potentials of a city purchase and operation of the club as a public facility.

The news release did not say whether the school planned to continue to operate the facility as a golf course in the coming year, or any timetable for the move. The Journal News reports the school plans not to operate the gold course.

According to the news release, the purchase price is $11 million.

The news release notes: “The school will propose retrofitting the existing club buildings and adding new facilities that will allow it to consolidate many of its operations in White Plains over a period of several years.  

“A significant amount of the property is to be preserved as permanent open space. The club, which has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a various other club-related facilities, had put the property up for sale earlier this year.  It currently has about 100 members.  The golf course opened in 1923.  The property became Ridgeway Country Club in 1952. The French-American School was founded in 1980 to provide a bilingual, bicultural French and American education to an American, French and international student population from nursery school through 12th grade.  

“Today (according to the release) 825 students attend its Pre-School in Scarsdale, its Lower School in Larchmont and its Upper School in Mamaroneck.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2010. December 10, 2010 UPDATED WITH STATEMENT FROM ROBERT CASTELLI:

The recanvass of Westchester County voting machines in the 89th Assembly district confirmed today, as reported first by WPCNR two days ago, confirmed Robert Castelli of Lewisboro the winner of the Assembly seat (formerly held by Adam Bradley) the winner by 112 votes of 42,414 votes cast, 21,263 votes for Mr. Castelli to 21,151 for White Plains’ Tom Roach. 

In court Friday, New York State Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler denied a motion by Castelli’s opponent to block certification of the race and order a manual hand recount of all ballots in the 89th Assembly District. Justice Adler also ordered the Westchester County Board of Elections to certify the race with Castelli as the winner.

According to the official statement of votes cast in Westchester County at the General Election of November 2nd 2010, for the office of Member of the Assembly 89th District that appeared in the Westchester County Board of Elections Statement of Canvass that was transmitted to the New York State Board of Elections, the final results are as follows:


Thomas M. Roach, Dem.     received:     19,100

Robert J. Castelli, Rep.    received:    18,851

Thomas M. Roach, Ind.    received:       995

Robert J. Castelli, Con.    received:    2,347

Thomas M. Roach, Wor.    received:    1,056

Robert J. Castelli, Tax.    received:         65


TOTAL:    42,414

Thomas Roach, the Common Council President in White Plains, conceded today.

Mr. Castelli’s office issued the following statement:

“I expected this to be a hard race, and went into it without any illusions,” Castelli said. “We needed to fight for every single vote, and we did, and the end result was a victory. I congratulate my opponent on a hard fought race and the civil discourse and debate that was the hallmark of our race, and look forwards to working with him once again for the betterment of the people of White Plains and the 89th Assembly District,” Castelli said. “I also look forward over the next two years to working with my friends across the aisle to achieve meaningful reforms in State Government, and in some small way, to restore the tarnished reputation of those who hold public office in Albany.”

 

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. Statement From the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office on the Bradley Verdict. (EDITED)December 9, 2010:

 

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Adam T. Bradley (DOB 07/13/61) of 16 Little John Place, White Plains, New York was convicted today after a bench trial of:

 

• one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
  
• one count of Attempted Assault in the Third Degree, a class “B” Misdemeanor,
  
• three counts of Harassment in the Second Degree, Violations,

 

relating to domestic violence incidents which occurred over a period of time against his wife Fumiko Bradley. Every single incident was credited by a conviction.

 

”The Court’s verdict spoke to the courage and credibility of Fumiko Bradley and her faith in the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore after the Court’s verdict. “The fact that this defendant is an elected official had no bearing on the prosecution of this case and demonstrates that we will support victims of domestic violence no matter who the abuser may be.”

 

The defendant faces a maximum of one year in the County Jail on the top count when sentenced on March 17^th, 2011.

The first incident occurred at their home on Fernwood Road in White Plains, New York on January 11, 2010 at approximately 6:30 p.m. when the defendant, during a discussion with his wife, became angry and threw a mug of hot Jasmine tea on her chest. 

 

The second incident occurred at their home on Fernwood Road in White Plains, New York on February 28, 2010, at approximately 9:30 a.m. when the defendant grabbed his wife’s left arm and placed it against a door frame and proceeded to bang the door, twice, against her left hand bruising it.

 

On March 5, 2010 the defendant went to a residence in Scarsdale, New York where the

victim was with her two children.

 

He approached the victim while she was alone and accused her of lying in the pending

criminal action against him.  The defendant claimed that she was the one who had

attacked him, that he was defending himself and that the criminal case was going

to result in him losing his career.

 

He spoke in a loud voice that increasingly became louder. He then told the victim that

she should check herself into a mental hospital for five days. The victim asked him

why and the defendant told her that in order to save him and his career she had to

either go to a mental hospital and say she was crazy or say that she lied in her

statement to the police and go to jail.

 

In doing so, the defendant harassed the victim in direct violation of a temporary

order of protection issued by the Court. 

 

On the evening of March 10, 2010, at the Fernwood Road residence, the victim was at

home sleeping in her bedroom. Upon entering the home, defendant awakened the

victim and said “you did it, you lied; It’s your fault.” 

 

The following morning, on March 11, 2010, the defendant again tried to speak with

the victim about the criminal charges and the victim asked the defendant to stop.

He refused to do so. 

 

Later that evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. the defendant again started yelling

at her and blaming her for the criminal charges pending against him. He yelled at

her that he had not done anything, that the victim was physically abusing him and

that he was defending himself. 

 

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on March 25, 2010, while the victim was taking a shower,

 the defendant entered the bathroom shouting that he had received a telephone call

that emails had come out and the defendant then screamed “It’s over, it’s over, you

should hang yourself!”  and left the home slamming the door. 

 

At approximately 9:15 a.m. on April 2, 2010, the defendant entered the home holding

a newspaper. The defendant walked over with the newspaper and hit the victim’s hand

several times and said loudly, “you have to read it, you have to read it.” 

The victim felt frightened, asked the defendant to speak to her lawyer and ran to

the bedroom upstairs. 

 

”The Court’s verdict spoke to the courage and credibility of Fumiko Bradley and her faith in the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore after

the Court’s verdict. “The fact that this defendant is an elected official had no bearing on the prosecution of this case and demonstrates that we will support

 victims of domestic violence no matter who the abuser may be.”

 

A temporary order of protection in favor of his wife remains in effect.

 

Second Deputy District Attorney Audrey Stone, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division and

 Assistant District Attorney Amy Puerto, Deputy Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau are prosecuting the case.