French School: Purchase Price $8.5M Firm + $2.5M Bonus if City OKs Plans

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WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES.Special to WPCNR from an observant correspondent. December 16, 2010:


In a letter to the French American School of New York “community,” that WPCNR has been made aware of, the Chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees, Mischa Zabotin, and Head of School, Robert Leonhardt state that the actual guaranteed purchase price for the Ridgeway Country Club is $8.5 Million. The school announced it had signed an agreement with the club to purchase for $11.5 Million last Friday.


According to the letter, the discrepancy hinges on a bonus clause.


The Ridgeway Country Club will receive a $2.5 Million “bonus” if the French American School obtains approval from the City of White Plains for its plans within three years,  putting the pressure squarely on the City of White Plains to work through the site plans in three years.


In the letter the school says it expects it will not begin “retrofitting” the Clubhouse for two years, and that the first phase of moving all four divisions of the School to the property will not begin until 2013 through 2015(“3 to 5 years”).


The letter also reveals a fund-raising effort has to be undertaken to pay for the renovations and new construction.


Here is the text of that letter:


 


TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE FASNY COMMUNITY

Dear Parents, Colleagues, Students, Alumni, Parents and Grandparents of Alumni, Former Trustees, and Friends:

We are thrilled and proud to announce that the 30-year old dream of giving our beloved School its own home has just taken a quantum leap toward reality.

On December 7, 2010, FASNY signed a contract to purchase the Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains. This property contains 128 acres, ample space to house all four of our divisions and our administration, with plenty of room for playgrounds, fields, other athletic facilities, and considerable open space. It also holds a clubhouse, which can be retrofitted to house at least one division as well as most of our administrative offices. Everyone involved in this process shares the view that this is by far the best real estate opportunity the School has seen or is likely to see.

The accepted purchase price is $8.5 million, with a bonus of $2.5 million to be paid to RCC if FASNY obtains the necessary permits from the City of White Plains within three years. The closing is due to take place on January 20, 2011.

Thanks to prudent financial management and to generous gifts made by many members of our community over the years, the School has the money to execute this purchase.


Retrofitting the existing building and constructing the new ones necessary to house the divisions that would eventually move to White Plains will be a multi-year process, depending on the time required to obtain the relevant permits and also to raise the necessary funds.

We anticipate at least two years before we can begin retrofitting the clubhouse. We would not have committed the School’s resources to this purchase if we were not confident of eventual success. This estimate is based on several considerations.


As a school with an international reputation for its high quality, FASNY is an excellent buyer for this property, far more attractive than a condominium development or other similar alternatives.


The School has always enhanced its surrounding communities, and we will take concrete measures to assure the White Plains authorities and the residents on all sides of the Ridgeway Country Club that we intend to act in the best interests of all stake-holders involved in this project.


Finally, we have assembled a first-rate team of advisors, including our counsel, our architect, and our engineering and environmental consultants, who, while giving us a realistic assessment of the tasks and timing, also predict a successful outcome. All these considerations fill us with strong optimism.

However, the process of obtaining permits from a municipality for an ambitious, high visibility project like ours, especially in Westchester, is traditionally time-consuming, laborious and sometimes contentious. This one will likely be no different.


There may also be times during the public review process when FASNY is characterized in the media in a way you do not recognize, and when our motives and plans are challenged. We promise you that FASNY will proceed at all times during this process with the integrity and openness which characterize our School. We will also endeavor to keep you informed throughout the process.

The capital needed for the development of this property will be raised from both debt financing and capital campaigns. We believe that we can obtain the necessary financing from lenders and trust that our community will answer the appeal to fund this project in an overwhelmingly positive manner. As it always has, the Board will endeavor to keep tuition costs affordable.

The move to our new home will necessarily take place in phases over a multi-year period. We hope that after obtaining the permits, raising money, and completing construction/renovation, we will be able to begin the first phase within three to five years.


Decisions regarding subsequent phases of the move will depend on finances and other considerations. Predicting a precise timetable with concrete details is premature at this time. For the moment, we anticipate retaining a FASNY presence of some sort in Larchmont, for both historic and practical reasons. As the situation becomes clearer, we will of course keep the FASNY community informed and involved on a regular basis.

This purchase represents the essential first step in a qualitatively transformational development for FASNY. Much remains to be done over the coming weeks, months, and years.


But owning land capable of housing our entire operation is a vital strategic breakthrough promising that the children and grandchildren of the students currently enrolled at the School, along with many who are here today, will eventually receive this marvelous education on a first-rate campus that belongs to us.

We take justifiable pride in our School’s history, values, and achievements. We can now envision a long-range future of perpetuating this FASNY legacy in the facilities our students, faculty, staff, and community deserve. We are delighted that the Annual State of the School Dinner coincides with the January 20 date for closing on the Ridgeway property, and we eagerly look forward to updating you then and throughout the exciting times that lie ahead.


With thanks in advance for your loyal support.
Mischa Zabotin Bob Leonhardt

Chair, Board of Trustees Head of School

Note: Since FASNY will not own the Ridgeway property until January 20, we ask that all members of our community restrain their understandable curiosity and refrain from visiting the club. The club members and board are entitled to have their privacy respected until the sale has been completed, and we should not disturb them. Thanks

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The Astorino Line Item Vetos of the County Legislators’ Budget Are Issued.

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 WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of  Communications. December 16, 2010:


Saying he could not sign a budget with phony revenues, wasteful spending and unfunded liabilities, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced that he would veto 247 lines of the budgets for 2011 approved last week by the Board of Legislators.


“What the legislators approved last week is flawed and puts Westchester County government at risk,” said Astorino. “While it is commendable that the board followed my lead to reduce county property taxes, the legislators did so in an irresponsible way. The combination of phony revenues, wasteful spending, unfunded liabilities, illegal actions and rejection of generally accepted accounting principles jeopardizes our AAA credit ratings. I cannot sign this budget in its current form.”


 


These vetoes include 220 to the operating budget, 200 involving about  $32.5 million in expenses and 20 involving almost $23.3 million in revenues; 24 to the capital projects budget; and three to the solid waste district budget.


 


In November, Astorino proposed a spending plan for 2011 that cut the county property tax levy by 1 percent, maintained all essential county services, protected the county’s needy and ensured fiscal responsibility. Last week, the Democratic-controlled Board of Legislators pushed through additions and deletions.


“I take very seriously my fiduciary responsibility,” said Astorino. “We only have to look at what is going on in Nassau County to see warnings of what not to do. Nassau cut taxes, without making the hard decisions on spending. As a result, its credit rating has been downgraded and a state oversight agency may take over.”


 


The Override Odds


 


Astorino’s vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds vote (12) of the legislators. The Democrats control the board by a 12-5 margin over the Republicans.



The vetoes announced today (the last day to do line-item vetoes under the County Charter) include many of the board’s additions to the operating budget for next year, including expenditures on the Section 8 program, day care, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Human Rights Commission, neighborhood health centers, one homeless shelter and community mental health clinics. Vetoes also include added revenues for the sales tax and the departments of Parks and Labs & Research.


Under law, Astorino may only use a line-item veto on the additions, not the deletions. However, he expressed his concern about some of the board’s deletions, saying some may be illegal. Of particular concern, he said, is the board’s deletions of all three deputy commissioners in the Department of Social Services.


 


No time for Review


 


Astorino also blasted the Democratic-controlled legislature for pushing through its changes without allowing any time for the Republican minority or the administration –  or the public –  to give them scrutiny.


“This is what the Democrats call transparency,” Astorino said. “Vote now and let the public find out the facts later. The reckless process that led to Friday’s passage of a $1.79 billion budget is a prescription for financial disaster.”         


SOME OF THE VETOES


Operating Budget Expenditures



  • Section 8 Housing Voucher Program: The legislators restored $4.1 million for 40 people to administer this program. The county has no legal obligation to administer the program and Astorino has argued that it is costing county taxpayers about $1 million annually to do so, once short-term and long-term costs are factored in. Astorino had already given the state notice of the county’s plan to terminate the contract at the end of this year and the state is proceeding with plans to replace the county.

  • Day Care: The board has added approximately $5 million for day care. Under the board’s plan, the parent share would be lowered to a level far below what most counties and even New York City pay. In addition, the board has restored a scholarship program that has failed in its purpose of getting people off unregulated day care. Even with the vetoes, the county will spend $29 million on day care next year, reflecting the administration’s support for these programs.                                                        

  • Cornell Cooperative Extension: The board added $990,000  to Cornell Cooperative Extension to continue to run nutrition and farming programs. Astorino has maintained CCE’s programs are a complete duplication of programs run elsewhere by the county and various non-profit groups.

  • Human Rights Commission:  The board has restored five positions at a cost of $575,500 (including benefits). Astorino had cut  the commission, saying it duplicates the work of local and state agencies.   

  •  

  • Neighborhood Health Centers: The county executive vetoed the $1.9 million subsidy the legislators  allocated to the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Hudson River Healthcare and Open Door Family Medical Centers. “Putting a budget together is all about allocating resources to the greatest needs,” said Astorino. “The fact of the matter is they no longer need the county’s financial help because they have been reaping a financial windfall from the federal government. Last year, all three closed their books with multi-million dollar increases in their net assets.”

  • Homeless Shelter: Astorino had proposed the closing of two homeless shelters: WestHelp in Greenburgh and Oasis in New Rochelle. The board added almost $950,000 to keep Oasis opened. Astorino vetoed this, saying the shelters were underutilized and not needed.

  • Mental Health Clinics: Astorino had proposed closing two of the county’s mental health clinics in January and two others in June. These services would be provided by non-profit agencies, with  transition plans for all patients developed. The legislators added funds to delay the closing of two of the four clinics until June. Astorino vetoed this change. 

  • Other Positions: The county executive had originally proposed a total of 226 layoffs based on recommendations of his commissioners. All but 95 of these position had been restored by the legislators. Including the Section 8 program, Astorino vetoed 134 positions of the 147 that the legislators had restored to the budget. This includes 118 positions that are currently filled.

 


Operating Budget Revenues



  • Sales Tax: In his original budget, Astorino projected that sales tax revenues for next year would increase 4 percent from the current year. This projection is based on a regional consensus and was called optimistic but “reasonable” by the county board’s own auditors. The board has added almost $2.3 million more in sales tax revenue, which Astorino said is overly optimistic. He noted the county may not even hit its 2010 projected sales tax revenues. “The problem with over estimating is that it leaves a deficit for the following year. Making up sales tax numbers so the budget looks balanced is irresponsible,”  he said.

  • Parks Revenue: The board increased parks revenues by $750,000. The legislators added $100,000 for the Playland pool. Astorino in his original budget had said that the pool would not be opened next year because it needs $50,000 in repairs. The board also added $500,000 for golf fees, beyond the $500,000 addition that Astorino had proposed. The county executive questioned whether the market could bear this further increase, which could in fact lower revenues. The approval is also needed from the Parks Board, which was not consulted on the board’s increase.



  • Labs & Research: The board added $1.5 million in additional revenue from “enhancements” to the department’s business plan. Astorino noted that the board is claiming revenue from a business plan that has not yet been written.  He added that the legislators should have learned from the 2010 budget when the county added $2.7 million in revenue that never materialized.

 


Capital Projects Budget


Approximately $60 million in infrastructure capital project additions by the board were vetoed.


Astorino said some of the projects might be worthy but that the board had not followed the required legal process of vetting the projects through the county’s Capital Review Committee and Planning Board. “We have a process that must be followed,” he said. “Otherwise these projects are subject to the whims of legislators and become nothing more than legislator’s pork.”


 


Solid Waste District budget


The three vetoes include a position added without funds and $100,000 in expenses.


 


LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS  OF CONCERN


·        The board has eliminated all three deputy commissioner positions in the Department of Social Services. This is the county’s largest department with a budget of $575 million. The board’s action puts the department at risk. Under law, the department must have at least one deputy.


·        The board has transferred $500,000 from the Department of Law (County Attorney) to its own budget for “legal services.” By law, the county attorney and his staff represent all branches of government. “At a time when the public is crying for consolidation, why is the Board of Legislators setting up its own legal fiefdom and patronage positions that will have no legal authority to act on behalf of the county?”  Astorino asked.


·        The board’s adopted budget cut $10 million in funds allocated to pay for past and future labor contracts. Said Astorino: “While it sounds nice to say no county employee will get a raise in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the fact is six of our eight unions have unsettled contracts that are retroactive; five of which are subject to binding arbitration, over which the county has no control. This is a mandate that the board is leaving unfunded.”

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Santa’s Express Rides Again

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From The White Plains Department of Public Safety. December 16, 2010:



Today, the White Plains Firefighter’s Santa’s Express did their annual pilgrimage around the City of White Plains.  Coordinated by Deputy Fire Chief Richard Houlihan, and supported by the PFFA, They brought joy, laughter, and tears of happiness to the many lives they touched.  Santa and his helpers, all White Plains Fire Fighters along with a few close volunteers, brought toys and gifts to the Children of the John Coleman School, they visited veterans and senior citizens and hospitals as they spread happiness throughout the City. 





Public Safety Commissioner David Chong (center, above photo, wearing badge) commented “this is the very fabric that makes our Department great, the individuals who take time during this busy holiday season to spread a little joy and happiness, I am so proud of them and this 30 year old tradition, I would also like to give a special thank you to all the corporate sponsors who donated toys and gifts to keep this wonderful tradition going strong, you made many hearts happy.”

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She Could Have Sang All Night and We Still Wanted to Hear Her Sing Some More.

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WPCNR ON THE TOWN. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2010:


 


“Something’s Coming and it’s going to be big” Sutton Foster sang those lines to open her show  Sunday night and Sutton Foster was big!  Faster than a spotlight the audience lit up– face to face with the Broadway star of our time.


 



She’s the Top!


 


Sutton Foster, Broadway’s “Go-to” Leading lady playing the Irvington Town Hall Theater Sunday evening. She brought down the house! Photo by Peter Katz


 


Sutton Foster, the Broadway Baby who never says good night, played the Irvington Town Hall Theater Sunday night with her elegant accompanist, Michael Rafter.  The duo left the audience of young Broadway babies to be and lovers of musical theatre on their feet standing, roaring, clapping for more as the Tony Award winner drove up from her home in New York City and put on a show. She delivered three encores after her 80-minute, nonstop performance. And you know what, she didn’t seem to want to stop.


 


What a show! Personable,slickly timed, organized she made the performance still seem adlib and casual (extremely hard to do). Ms. Foster ignites instant rapport with her fans with humor, pace, ease, drama, emotions, genuiness and, of coure, the voice to remember. It must be extremely hard to deliver a performance that seems so casual and natural with a pace that is just right!


 


The packed theater audience saw the statuesque star of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek the Musical, and (soon to be Reno Sweeney in the revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes! ), Ms. Foster –  booked through an absolute programming stroke of genius by Westco Productions Susan Katz— deliver the greatest audience reaction stage hands at Irvington Town Hall can ever remember, topping the Westco 2010 season with a show no one wanted to end.


 


That’s how good she was.


 


Even the old theatre seemed to enjoy the unique pefection of performer, voice, repertoire and rapport.


 



 


Sutton Foster signing autograph after autograph and having her picture taken with over 150 fans who stayed after the show. The Westco “Meet and Greet the Star” tradition is a unique feature of Westco concerts.


 


Sunday night Ms. Foster showed range, drama, actressing – the total package with one extra spicy ingredient – “niceness” – to everybody.


 


She delivered with the articulation and just-right nuances we rarely hear on the stage, up close and personal. This young lady needs no microphones, ladies and gentlemen. She takes you back to the days when singers had to reach the balcony without technology.


 


Her opening medley of Something’s Coming,(from West Side Story) and NYC (from Annie) had the audience from the first two words. She never let them go.


 


Her cabaret performance has been described as “bedazzling,” and she herself as a talent of the first order and the “go-to-girl” when Broadway producers are searching for a lead. You could see and hear why into the night. Every song commanded your attention because Sutton Foster sings that way.


 


From her comic performance of Air Conditioner— (“if you have an air conditioner, you’re the man for me”) showcasing Ms. Foster’s acting muse hilariously — an appropriate song for a cold night – to her fabulous riveting seductive “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie – her unique enticing Up on the Roof,  and her “bring down the house” number Show-off from The Drowsy Chaperone — everything she did was beyond good.


 


My personal favorite was  her first encore.


 


The way Ms. Foster and her partner in patter on the piano, Michael Rafter, sketched Once Upon a Time, a ballad she handled so wistfully, so longingly with the piano embodying the feel of the memories was haunting. I have not heard this classic “music to make you misty” done this well since the Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon Trio rendering in the 1950s. Foster and Rafter play together a duet of voice and piano.


 


I would strongly urge you to see her in Anything Goes! when it opens. Cole Porter would have loved Ms. Foster for that role, which has not had a talent like Ms. Foster do it since Ethel Merman created the role.


 


As Cole would say,


 


“She’s the Top!”


 


 


 



 


Sutton Foster with Susan Katz, Westco Producer after the show.


 


Susan and Peter Katz, the producers of Westco Productions who staged the show were ecstatic about Ms. Foster’s appearance and the reaction of the audience. It was, they both agreed one of the greatest and best-received evenings Westco has ever brough to Westchester. Both complimented Ms. Foster’s professionalism, personality, easygoing, easy-to-work-with style, and were impressed with her meticulous preparation for the performance Sunday afternoon.


 



 


Jason Summers Making His Cabaret Debut.


 


Jason Summers, well-known director for Westco Productions (who originally got his start acting in Westco chidrens’ productions) made his own cabaret debut opening for Ms. Foster and delivered a performance that got stronger and stronger, showing an ability to deliver a punchline,  showing manic humor in “I’m Catholic,” a satiric song romp that got the audience laughing, and that he set up beautifully. He gathered momentum and confidence,  touched memories and hearts with his “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet” and finished with a big Broadway windup of “This is the Moment” that the audience just loved.  


 


 


Next big Westco Night will be May 1 when Westco presents the legend, Ben Vereen, at Irvington Town Hall Theater at 7:30 P.M. Theatregoers have the opportunuity to meet Mr. Vereen at a dessert reception after the show for the benefit of supporting Westco’s shows and programs for disabled children. Contact Westco at (914) 761-7463, or go to www.westcoproductions.org


 


 

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Legislators Challenge Astorino to Call for Mandate Relief

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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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City Sales Tax $$ up 8% in November. County Up 4.8%

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. December13,2010:


 


Figures just in from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance tell a positive economic start for the city of White Plains in the key holiday shopping season.


 


November city sales tax revenue rose 7.8% (less than the proportionate increase in city sales tax of 12%), but still the first time since 2008-2009 the city has topped $4 million in sales tax receipts in November ($4,003,728 this year compared to last November receipts of $3,712,175).


 


The city has generated $20,615,401 sales tax the first five months of fiscal year 2010-11, compared with $18,591,570 the first five months of 2009-10, a year to year increase of 10.9% slightly less than the 12-1/2% proportonate gain the sales tax increased overall when tax was increased 1/4% to 2-1/2% that took affect last June 1.


 


If the city maintains the 11% pace of gain in sales tax receipts the city should approximate $48 Million in sales tax receipts for 2010-11.


 


Countywide, Westchester enjoyed a 4.8% increase in sales tax receipts, $33,056,729 compared with $31,525,664 in 2009. The county is on target to top budgeted sales tax receipts for the year. The county continues on pace to generate $437 Million in sales taxes by the end of is current 2010 fiscal year, giving tghe county about $6 million more than for forecast for 2010 when county prognosticators predicted the county would genrate $432 Million in salestax.

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No More Comment from French American School at this Time.

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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.



WPCNR asked if the school planned to cease golf operations in 2011  or continue the golf club activities, and also asked if the school would seek rezoning of the property (for use as a school which according to official city sources speaking on condition of anonymity they need to acquire a Special Permit from the city to do so), and whether the purchase is contingent on the city rezoning the property.

 

Thompson declined to comment on those questions, sending WPCNR the following statement:

 

The news release has the information I can release at this time. Obviously, moving forward, we will be providing more detail as the plan is prepared. The purchase contract was signed just this week and we wanted to make the community aware of that as the first step.”

 

The French American School of New York plans to consolidate three schools they now run in the county in “retrofitted” buildings on the property. It is a tax-exempt organization, according to the Guidestar charities reporting website.


 


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County Legislators Give County Executive Back a Budget-Cut $28.5M

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the County Board of Legislators. (Edited)December 11, 2011:


The County Board of Legislators approved a 2011 County budget Friday that delivers a 2% tax reduction for County taxpayers by a vote of 16-1.  the budget reduces spending by $28.5 million dollars (from 2010 budget), reduced the County workforce by 10%, restored critical services for most in need, provides transitional timetables as the County continues to recalibrate agencies and an alternative to the County Executive’s budget proposal.


Last month, Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino presented his first County budget, which included severe budget cuts to the social safety net and funding for vital services for Westchester’s working families.


It remains to be seen whether Executive Astorino will veto the Board’s restorations to his original budget.


 


 


“Westchester County’s budget is balanced and on time, and it will lower the county tax levy. This budget right-sizes government, and not capsizes it,” County Board of Legislators Chairman Kenneth W. Jenkins (D-Yonkers) said. “This year, the County has to make exceedingly difficult decisions…the Democratic Majority has presented a budget that will preserve the most critical County services without raising taxes.”


 


 


Highlights of Legislature’s FY 2011 Presented Budget


 


·   Tax Reduction of 2% to the county tax levy vs. County Executive’s proposed -1%


 


·   Total spending $1.79B =       $28.5M from 2010 budget


 


·   Reduces County workforce by 10% (funded through grants, additional revenue & corresponding deletions)


 


·   Eliminates County Executive’s proposed one-shot to bond tax certioraris = cash vs. credit for operating costs (maintains fiscally responsible fund balance)


 


·   Fairly restores balances and protects public safety, health and essential services


 


·   Identified opportunities for shared services between Dept of Emergency Services & Dept of Public Safety; will continue stakeholder inclusion of merger discussion


 


·   Provides six-months transitional funding for community mental health clinics, pending contracts that must be in place per Section 41.07 of the NYS Mental Hygiene Law


 


·   Restores funding of community health centers & child care services


 


·   Reinstates County’s contract of the Section 8 program

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French American School of NY to Buy Ridgeway CC for $11M. City Out $388Gs?

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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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Walmart Robbery Suspects Arrested

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the White Plains Department of Public Safety. UPDATED 4:40 P.M. E.S.T. December 10, 2010:


 


Commissioner David E. Chong and the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety announce the arrests of four subjects in the ongoing investigation of the armed Walmart robbery that occurred at approximately 0248 hours on Monday November 29th, 2010. 


 


The two armed suspects entered Walmart during an employee break dressed head to toe in tyvex suits, with gloves and masks.  They proceeded to a backroom with a manager and tied the manager up with plastic zip ties and emptied a safe containing approximately $230,000 in cash.  The subjects then fled in a waiting SUV. No injuries occurred during this robbery.


 


Detectives working in three teams, round the clock, supervised by Det. Lieutenant Eric Fischer, Det. Sgt. Dennis Doherty, Det. Sgt. Patrick Oggeri and lead Detectives, Rick Lee, Patrick Kirby, Bryan Hembury, Edward Rutledge, and Timothy Byrne quickly noticed distinct similairities to the Robbery of the Old Navy store located at 100 Main Street in White Plains that occurred on September 7th 2010. The amount reported stolen in this robbery was over $30,000.  Both robberies were committed after heavy holiday shopping weekends.


 


Throughout this investigation, the White Plains Detectives were assisted with the full cooperation and coordination of Walmart Security Director Anthony Williams and Old Navy Security Director John Dursten, both of whom provided Detectives with valuable leads in the investigation.  Multiple video surveillance systems from within the stores and in and around the City of White Plains also provided the Department with leads.


 


In all, four suspects were identified and arrested in the past 24 hours. They are as follows,


Christopher Fountain, 28 years of age, of 8 Custis Ave. North White Plains NY.


 


Phillip Fountain, 20 years of age, of 558 S. 7th Ave. Mount Vernon, NY


 


Autumn Jordan, 22 years of age, homeless.


 


Tyrone Cramer, 36 years of age, of 1170 E. 229th Street, Apt. 4H Bronx, NY


 


Each of these Defendants are charged with Robbery in the 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree. Both Felony charges.


 


Additionally, Christopher Fountain and Autumn Jorden will be charged with Robbery in the 1st degree for the Old Navy Robbery on September 7th 2010.


 


During the course of the investigation, leads were developed in cooperation with the Clarkstown Police in Rockland County NY about a robbery that occurred in the Victoria’s Secret Store located in the Palisades Mall on June 7th 2010. Working with Clarkstown Detectives Robert Shine and Lorraine McGrath, WPPD Detectives were able to positively identify Christopher Fountain as the subject wanted in connection with that armed robbery as well.  He is expected to be charged later in Rockland County for that robbery.


 


Multiple Search Warrants have been executed on the subject’s homes, automobiles, and a storage container/locker.  Bags of cash have been recovered but not yet counted, two vehicles have been siezed and multiple other items of evidentiary value recovered.


 


White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong commended the actions of his Detectives and the cooperation and coordination with both Walmart Security and Old Navy Security. He also credited the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the Westchester County Intelligence center and the Clarkstown NY Police Department with assistance in this investigation. “This was a full court press by our Detectives, and our law enforcement and private security partners worked seamlessly to bring these individuals to justice”.


 


The investigation is ongoing and active.


 


 


 


 

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