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.

Hits: 0

         

 

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE  News & Comment, By John F. Bailey. May 31, 2010 UPDATED JUNE 2, 2010:  This week’s “Journalism Quote of the Week,” reads:

 

“The real stories are in the back-up material. Read responsibly.”

 

In behind-the-scenes, unpublic maneuvers that made the Delfino Administration look good, the Common Council and the new “transparent” administration registered a new low on the Opacitometer” that measures the City’s  Transparency Index by the Council “whistling past the graveyard” vote on the budget last Monday.

 

That vote not only socked union and non-union  retirees (working for the city before July 1,1995) with a $1,102  payment for Single Person Coverage and a $2,395 for Family Coverage, the council coolly gave a round of raises to 21 Commissioners and managers ranging from 2.1% to 10.8%–lwhich just happened to cover the Commissioners’ and managers’ new 15% contribution to paying their medical benefits.

 

Admittedly the top brass had not had a raise in 2009-10, but the raises in an atmosphere of hand-wringing over finances  on the part of the Council and the Mayor the last five months take your breath away.

 

This reporter did not even think the salaries in the back-up material represented increases since the Council and the administration, had been railing forcefully against the 3.75% and 4% raises for police and fire and had gotten the CSEA and Teamsters to give back their negotiated raises and pledge no raises.

 

Wow!

 

Who knew?

 

The Journal News did not even notice it. WPCNR assumes they were tipped to it by one of the unions.

 

Wow.

 

This reporter looked at the backup material and noticed the15% in medical benefits but did not pickup the subtle language in the legislation that it applied to the union employees hired prior to July 1,1995. After being informed this affected 600 retirees, not the “handful” described by the Common Council in budget meetings, WPCNR found the 15% affects 700 retirees.

 

Then the council has the audacity and hypocrisy to slip through not only $1,106 to $2,396 in income takeaways from  union and non-union retirees, making them pay 15% of medical benefits premiums, but on the same night when they pontificated sickeningly on how the police and fire unions did not cooperate, thus “choosing layoffs,” the council was simultaneously slipping raises to the administration commissioners.

 

The really pathetic reality is these commissioners who received these raises have gotten just enough raise (and in some cases way more than enough) – to cover the 15% they have to pay in medical benefits.

 

How convenient!

 

Management sacrifice in this city?

 

How about salary CUTS!!

 

Unheard of.

 

What a coincidence?

 

Who knew?

 

How do you like that?

 

For months we have heard the hand-wringing, the agonizing over how all must sacrifice to restore fund balance and the council saying that the commissioners, non-management personnel and confidential employees were now going to pay 15% of their medical benefits.

 

However the management personnel targeted by the Council’s “Gotcha Adam Purge” of Adam Bradley aids: the Public Information Officer, the Administrative Officer, and an aid in the law department – all Bradley appointees are out of luck – unless of course the  administration brings them back under some positions that are still being funded, but not filled, like Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, Deputy Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, and Deputy Commissioner of Traffic.

 

However, according to Commissioner of Finance on Wednesday, Michael Genito, those vacant positions are not being funded, even though salaries are listed. Genito said the table of organization is simply to stipulate what those positions would be paid if filled.

 

The council sacked Adam Bradley’s appointees. But those three are still on the payroll until June 30.

 

Not so the hapless newest police officers and firefighters in White Plains, New York, USA. They are gone overnight.

 

The council took no time in in voting for those 21 Police and fireman layoffs, even though the Mayor said he was “hopeful” of a settlement. The next morning the day after the council decided on layoffs on Decision Night,  they were all fired. Gone. To stand on the unemployment line even though they were budgeted for through June 30.

 

No compassion there, was there? Do you see any?

 

But certainly a lot of compassion for the top brass without raises for one year.

 

Oh, the suffering!

 

This is a Common Council that did not even think about forstaying the binding arbitration process or protest it at all at the time the former Mayor (Joseph Delfino) was entering into it.

 

This is a Common Council (Beth Smayda and David Buchwald and Mayor Bradley are exempt from this folly perpetrated by Tom Roach, Milagros Lecouna, Benjamin Boykin and Dennis Power) who went along with that one, without a peep of protest.

 

Those four did not protest strongly at all despite media reports that sales tax was going south and the city was in trouble, all during 2008 and 2009.

 

However Ms. Smayda, Mr.Buchwald,and Mayor Bradley along with the feckless four: Roach, Lecouna, Boyin and Power) voted those raises for their Commissioners last Monday evening, in a zero% inflation environment (according to the state).

 

Under this sanctimonious cost-cutting and budget lowering, the Common Council approved $112,924 in salary increases for 21 Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners whose management decisions (with exception of the new arrivals: Michael Genito, John Callahan and David Chong) have helped get the city into its present financial predicament by their budgets of the last 12 years..

 

The raises are well above the rate of inflation ranging from 2.1% for the Library Director to 10.8% for the Commissioner of Parking and Acting Commissioner of Recreation, reflecting his double-duties. To be fair, commissioners did not receive increases in2009-10, but all we have been hearing for weeks is austerity, unions must give back to save the city. Few in the corporate world are getting raises of 4 to 5%.  

 

Let’s go down the Commissioner Lineup:

 

The Assessor :From $122,985 to $127,000 Raise:$4,015 Percentage: 3.3%

 

The Commissioner of Building: from $138,478 to $141,500. Raise: $3022  Pct: 2.1%

 

The Deputy Commissioner of Building: $122,357 to $126,000 Raise:$3,643 Pct: 3%

 

City Clerk: $95,437 to $101,000. Raise: $5,563. Pct: 5.8%

 

Corporation Counsel: $185,000 to $190,000. Raise: $5,000.  Pct.: 2.7% (after five months on job).

 

Chief Deputy Corporation Counsel: $152,069 to $158,000. Raise: $5,931. Pct: 3.9%

 

Deputy Corporation Counsel: $145,227 to $151,000. Raise: $5,773. Pct: 3.9%

 

Deputy Commissioner of Finance:$125,284 to $129,500. Raise:$4,216. Pct: 3.4%

 

Library Director: $138,086 to $141,000. Raise: $2,914. Pct:2.1%

 

Personnel Officer: $144,595 to $149,000. Raise: $4,405.Pct: 3%

 

Deputy Personnel Officer:$70,000 to $72,500. Raise: $2,500 Pct: 3.6

 

Commissioner of Parking/Recreation & Parks: $150,619 to $167,000. Raise: $16,381. Pct: 10.8%

 

Deputy Commissioner of Parking: $130,003 to $137,000. Raise:$6,997. Pct: 5.4%

 

Commissioner of Planning: from $156,207 to $162,000. Raise:$5,793. Pct: 3.7%

 

Commissioner of Public Works: from $164,545 to $170,000. Raise: $5,455. Pct: 3.3%

 

Deputy Commissioner of Public Works: $132,919 to $138,000 Raise: $5,081. Pct: 3.8%

 

Deputy Commissioner of Public Works: $121,253 to $125,000 Raise: $3,747. Pct.: 3.1%

 

Commissioner of Purchase: $107,075 to $111,000. Raise: $3,925. Pct: 3.7%

 

Commissioner of Traffic: $124,653 to $129,000. Raise: $4,347. Pct: 3.5%

 

Director of Youth Bureau. $118,406 to $123,000. Raise: $4,594. Pct: 3.9%

 

Deputy Director of Youth Bureau: $101,378 to $111,000. Raise: $9,622. Pct: 9.5%

 

This was done at the Common Council in a very untransparent manner, where they cut over 700 retirees incomes by $1,000 to $2,400 by decreeing by unanimous vote that they would have to pay 15% of their medical benefits. At no time when this was discussed was it made clear by the Common Council (though according to Councilpersons Power and Buchwald the council knew this), that this would apply to union member retirees (working for the city prior to July 1, 1995).

 

This sets the stage for the Common Council to ram through a 15% medical benefits charge on the police and fire unions when their contract expires June 30, which it is believed the city can do since the police and fire do not have a contract at that time.

 

Again, I draw your attention to the fact that all these raises to the Commishes easily cover whatever they will have to pay in medical benefits with a lot more than pocket change left over.

 

How feckless. They aren’t paying for their medical benefits. They’re being reimbursed  for those  payments for medical benefits with these raises.

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By Paula Piekos. May 31, 2010:  For anyone who is or knows a veteran, and they or their veteran-friend have never done the Playland’s Salute to Veterans Day, I can tell you was it was great.   My dad does not do Veteran’s activities and takes it all as a personal day of reflection and remembrance, but this year, because of the press in the publicity given to the event, I went to the Veteran’s Office on Friday at 112 Post Rd and picked up the free parking pass to Playland.  I’d brought the shrunken discharge papers that my dad keeps in his wallet.

My Dad in North Africa. World War II It’s my favorite pic of my dad in WWII. He’s typing his troop carrier group’s diary somewhere in North Africa

 

Hits: 0

WPNCR STAGE DOOR. From Piia Haas, Westchester Broadway Theatre. May 31, 2010: The classic tale of adventure takes flight before your eyes! Based on J.M. Barrie’s tale of the same name, this is the story of a mischievous boy who can fly and magically, never grows up! Peter Pan lives in Neverland, enjoying daily adventures with mermaids, fairies and the lost boys and battling scheming Pirates and fierce Indians!

 

A delight, with memorable songs and its familiar characters – Peter Pan and his Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Smee and all the Pirates; the Darling children and Nana, Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell. Hailed as one of best musicals of all time – a play that always captures the imagination and never fails to make audiences “believe” in fairies. Filled with fantasy and imagination – featuring fantastical flying, singing, dancing, this story will uplift and inspire children and adults alike. Experience the musical adventure of a lifetime!

 

Family Theatre Productions, brings together the very best local theatre professionals with talented young actors for a great family experience! The special, affordable, ticket price includes a complete meal & the show. It opens July 8, running through August 15.

 

The Cast Features. Christine DiTota as Peter Pan; Jeff Schlotman and John Fogarty as Captain Hook; Kaitlin Ferrara and Emily Schlotman as Wendy; Nicholas Barasch and Liam Lonegan as John;  Alex Paiseka and Noah Silverman as Michael; Daniel Carlino as Smee, Christine Gavin as Tiger Lily, Carly McLam and Kira Goidel as Nana. Maggie Thompson and Jennie Berkson as Mrs. Darling.

 

With: David Arzberger, Alex Bradsell ,Joe Capolla, Raffaela Cicchetti, Gianna Cicchetti, Emma Delia, Jolie Denburg, Alyssa DiPanfilo, Ann DiRusso, Nola Donkin, Brianna Dunlay, Ryan Fanelli, Stephanie Ferreira, Connor Groppa, Marissa Heintzman, Connor Ives,  Nathan Kirschen, Hannah Lewis, Melissa Magaliff, Tara Mazur, Michael Memis, Elizabeth Montemurro, Kayla Moore, Lauren Moore, Allison Muccioli, Kimmi Naus, Lexi Naus, Sammi Naus, Sydney Parra, Maggie Pecorino, Johanna Rosen, Joey Sanzaro, Madison Schindele, Ali Short, Allison Secinski, Lexi Staubi, Matt Stout, Tim Stout, Shannon Stout, David Suber, Sam Sultan, Clement Nye Swift, Leah Terry, Sofia Tome, Rebecca Simpson Wallack.

 

Reservations:  Call (914)-592-2222. Also at:  www.BroadwayTheatre.com

 

Hits: 0

 

 

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. May 29,2010:  The Common Council voted unanimously in adopting the budget last week, and in doing so approved raises for a series of Commissioners, who have been on the job in the new admnistration only five months – this after delivering a steady mantra of how the city unions must sacrifice and help the city climb out of its financial hole

 

 Included in the largesse are a $5,000 hike for Chief of Staff /Corporation Counsel John Callahan , Commissioner of Parking and Recreation,Al Moroni, The Building Commissioner,, the Planning Commissioner, the City Clerk, The Library Director, the Personnel Officer, Director of Purchasing, the Commissioner of Public Works, and both Deputy Commissioners of Public Works,the Youth Director, Deputy Youth Director, Commissioner of Traffic, among others.

  

The Mayor and the Common Council are not receiving any raises.

 

But after five months of preaching sacrifice, most of the Commissioners and Deputies received raises.

 

Since it was widely jaw-boned that the city was cutting back and money-saving was the policy, it was quite a shock to see the raises materialize.

 

The raises of up to$5,000  to $16,381 for Al Moroni, the Parking Commissioner and Recreation Commissioner, each come after WPCNR noted yesterday that 700 retirees are going to pay $1,102 or $2,396 of their health benefits as a result of the very same budget.

 

The raises actually cover the cost of paying the $2,396 or $1,102 cost in medical benefits that the Commissioners and managers and appointed personnel will be forced to pay.

 

 

Hits: 0

.WPCNR Common Council Chronicle Examiner. By John F. Bailey. May 28, 2010 UPDATED 5:04 P.M. E.D.T.: About 700 Union members and non-union retirees are in for a surprise July 1. They will be paying 15% of their health care benefits. And no one has told them.

 

WPNCR has learned that letters to retirees were mailed out today, Friday. Watch for them in your mailbox.

 

Retirees with Family Plans, who started working for the city before July 1, 1995, will pay 15%  or $2,396  to continue their coverage beginning in 33 days, and Retirees with individual plans will pay $1,102, according City Chief of Staff, John Callahan Friday afternoon.

 

The Common Council did not tell the public about this when they quietly unanimously voted the measure enacting 15% payment of medical benefits by retired employees as part of the adoption of the budget Monday night.  The city still has not advised retirees as of Friday about the big change.

 

The measure was said to worth $1 Million to the city, enabling the city to reduce the property tax hike to general property owners 6.85% from 9.5% previously.

 

John Callahan, City Chief of Staff, confirmed to WPCNR today that 700 retirees who joined the city before July 1,1995, would be required to pay the 15% even if they were members of a union. 

 

Regardless of when they joined the city,  all appointed and elected city officials, including former Mayors, Councilman, Commissioners, Managers, regardless of when they joined, would be paying 15% of their retiree health benefits, Callahan told WPCNR.

 

The city benefits office confirmed there would be an increase for the union personnel joining the city before July 1, 1995,  independently Friday afternoon. In response  to an inquiring union employee, the benefits office spokesperson said the union member would have to be paying for their medical benefits, but they did not know the amount yet.

 

Pending figures from the city which were not revealed in the back-up material Monday evening, the school district Empire Blue Cross plan  in 2007-08—paid $16,336 for each member on a family plan, which would mean that a retiree on a family plan paying 15% would pay $2,450 (close to what Mr.Callahan said a retiree with a family plan would pay under the city plan approved.)

 

If each of the 700 persons were required to pay an average $1,500  that would amount to $1,050,000 – amount of the savings snared by this measure.

 

Councilman Dennis Power told WPCNR Friday afternoon that the council was aware that approximately 700 persons were affected. Asked if the council knew the financial affects on these persons, Power said the council was shown the figures.  Asked if former elected officials and appointed officials such as retired Councilpersons. Commissioners,managers and even Mayors were included, Power said it was his understanding that they were.

 

Councilman David Buchwald, speaking to WPCNR said the council was shown the figures, but said he was not aware of how many retirees were affected by each level of the plan and what they had to pay. Asked if former higher paid employees such as Commissioners, Mayors and managers could achieve a windfall by accepting a buyout, Buchwald said the council slashed the buyout provision by 50% to prevent that from being taken advantage of by persons with more means than retired line workers.

 

The enabling legislation was enacted Monday evening at the Common Council Budget Approval. In the back-up material the legislation reads thusly. There was no explanation of the effects of the program or on individual retirees during the Budget Meeting Monday evening. The backup material only provided percentages retirees would have to pay, not amounts.