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 THE FEINER REPORT. By Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner. November 19, 2009:  Rethinking Westchester Government held their first post 2009 election meeting on Thursday evening, November 19^th and decided that their next initiative will be to call for a Westchester County Charter Revision Commission to  redefine the responsibilities of county government and to consider transferring some of the current county government responsibilities to either the county or state governments.  The commission could also commission a study to determine the feasibility of eliminating county government –actions that Massachusetts took in the mid 1990s. Connecticut and Rhode Island also have no county government.

The group will hold their next meeting at Greenburgh Town Hall on Monday, December 7^th at 7:30 PM. Greenburgh Town Hall is located at 177 Hillside Ave, Greenburgh (off of exit 5, 287). At this meeting the group will finalize the proposal creating a county charter revision commission.

The meeting on Monday December 7^th is open to the public.  We plan to invite County Executive-elect Rob Astorino and members of the Board of Legislators to upcoming meetings.

Westchester County has the distinction of having the highest property taxes in the United States. A charter revision commission would be a positive next step that could lead to the end of this distinction.

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WPCNR  SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. November 19, 2009: Jim Hricay, newly elected Board of Education Member disclosed Monday that due to his being married to a White Plains school teacher, he would not be voting on matters pertaining to teacher contracts, nor participating in Executive Sessions on teacher negotiations. Hricay told The CitizeNetReporter when asked how his expertise (in municipal finance with the cities of Stamford and White Plains in budgeting) could contribute to economical functioning when he could not vote on the issues, said he could still make suggestions to other board members, but not on teacher negotiations.

BOARD OF EDUCATION  MEMBERS BASSANO, HRICAY, TAKE THEMSELVES OUT OF VOTING ON CERTIORARI AND TEACHER ISSUES, RESPECTIVELY.

At the time he ran for the Board position last spring, Mr. Hricay did not discuss the extent to which  he would have to recuse on such teacher issues. Peter Bassano, another Board member, also had a statement read by the clerk to the Board, Michele Schoenfeld, that he, Bassano would recuse himself in voting on certiorari (tax refund) matters since he is employed by a law firm in the certiorari practice.

Bassano and Hricay, unfortunately, are the only Board members with extensive  familiarity with municipal and labor experience, therefore become “advisory” sources in what appears to be a very limited and possibly ineffectual way. Other members of the Board can choose to ignore them in discussion and in votes on the two most sensitive areas the board has to deal with: the labor agreements with teachers, administrators, and labor and, in Bassano’s case, school acceptance of certiorari refunds. Mr. Bassano’s refusal to involve himself in certiorari matters has been known since Bassano came on the Board in 2003.

During the televised Board of Education meeting Thursday evening, the Board of Education approved $517,104.20 in certirorari refunds, (neglecting to announce the amount publicly),  $301,000 to JP Morgan Chase (4 Branches) and $106,000 to “North Broadway” according to district “back-up” material.

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WPCNR THE DEVELOPER NEWS. From the Office of Connecticut Governor Jodi M. Rell.Associated Press Reports November 19, 2009 (EDITED):  Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced Wednesday that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) will relocate its global corporate headquarters from White Plains to Stamford, by the year 2012, moving millions of dollars in investments and 800 jobs from 1111 Westchester Avenue in White Plains to Connecticut.

            “For months I have worked with Starwood executives and my economic development team to make this deal – and the jobs and investments it brings – a reality for the people of our state,” Governor Rell said. “I am thrilled to see a company of Starwood’s stature make the business decision to move here and invest here. It is a triumph for Connecticut – and it speaks volumes about what our state has to offer businesses.”

Starwood has headquartered on White Plains Miracle Mile since 2001, and takes 800 jobs out of  the Westchester economy. The Governor cited major advantages Connecticut gives companies over New York State in announcing the shocker of the move.

In an announcement, Reader’s Digest of Pleasantville, New York, in a news release said it would move 525 of its employees from its now-rented Chappaqua Headquarters to White Plains in the downtown.

            “This project exemplifies the economic development philosophies I have championed,” the Governor said. “Not only does it add to the state’s employment base, it is a responsible and environmentally sensitive use of an existing structure in the heart of a downtown district with access to Interstate 95 and the Metro-North commuter rail line. New jobs, open space preservation, transit-oriented development, ‘green buildings’ – all of these goals are embodied in this one project.”

            The company’s move from White Plains, New York, to Stamford’s waterfront Harbor Point development is planned for January 2012. Harbor Point is already home to major employers such as Pitney Bowes and Deloitte & Touche. The company’s new headquarters will be certified under the “LEED” (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards program.

            Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel and leisure companies, with 982 hotels in nearly 100 countries and nine renowned brands including Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and W Hotels. Plans call for Starwood to partner with the landlord to invest $40 million into renovating the existing facility.

            The company, which plans to occupy 250,000 square feet of space by January 2012, will create more than 800 full-time Connecticut-based positions within two years. Newmark Knight Frank’s Neal Golden, Ross Perlman and John Goodkind represented Starwood Hotels in the transaction.

            “After an extensive search for new office space for our worldwide headquarters, it became clear that this particular space in Stamford was an ideal choice,” said Frits van Paasschen, President and CEO of Starwood. “Not only did the State of Connecticut provide meaningful incentives that translate to a savings of 20 percent per year in rent, but we will also have the opportunity to design office space that reflects Starwood’s leadership in global hospitality, design and brand-building, as well as our commitment to the environment and our communities.”

            The Department of Economic and Community Development will assist the project with a $9.5 million loan and up to $75 million in Urban and Industrial Site Reinvestment Tax Credits. In addition, Starwood expects to receive up to $5 million in sales tax exemptions on building materials through the Connecticut Development Authority. The exemption is subject to approval by CDA’s Board of Directors.

            “Starwood’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Harbor Point validates our decision to invest in the redevelopment of Stamford’s South End as an ideal ‘smart-growth’ community,” said Carl R. Kuehner, President and CEO of Building and Land Technology. “These kinds of developments have been at the top of Governor Rell’s agenda and we very much appreciate the efforts of state and local officials who worked with us to make this happen.”

Mayor Dannel Malloy of Stamford told The Stamford Advocate, Stamford had been working on convincing Starwood to move for three and a half years. He indicated more major tenant signings would be forthcoming for the Harborpoint development, promoting Stamford’s “work force, strong tax base, transportation system. Malloy saluted Stamford’s Economic Development Director, Michael Freimuth, for his work in luring the hotel giant.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2009. Special to WPCNR from the Westchester County Board of Elections. November 18, 2009 UPDATED 9:35 A.M.: White Plains “write-in” candidate for Mayor,  Councilman Glen Hockley now is reported as of Thursday morning by the Board of Elections as having received 1,791  votes as a “write-in” candidate in the November 3 Mayoral election in White Plains,  over 3,987 votes behind  Adam Bradley, the Democratic nominee, who also enjoyed the Republican, Working Families, Conservative, Working Families and Independence Party lines.

Yesterday as of noon, the Board of Elections Nardava Ford had told WPCNR Mr. Hockley’s write-in total was 583 votes, but had not made clear his write-ins were still being counted. By the end of the day, Mr. Hockley’s total has now reached 1,791.

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The proposed 2010 Westchester County budget  of $1.819 billion, presented by outgoing County Executive Andrew Spano this morning presents a 4.88 percent increase in the county tax levy to offset a projected decrease of $50.9 million in revenues (mainly decreased sales tax–running at $44.9 Million as of October 31) and an increase in expenses of about $70.2 million, including $46.2 million in mandated expenses and other costs beyond the county’s control. 

The budget for 2010 that maintains essential county services but cuts 37 county jobs (34 of which are vacant), gives only one-month funding to 14 senior-level positions,  requires most employees to take an unpaid week furlough and discontinues subsidies to the Westchester Medical Center. 

 “In short,” said Spano. “We have a budget impact of more than $121 million that we have to deal with.”

County Executive-Elect Rob Astorino said in a reaction to the budget, that Spano had not cut enough.

Mr.Astorino stated: “It is dissappointing that Mr. Spano’s final budget as County Executive includes a sizable tax increase. Westchester families have made it clear that they cannot take higher taxes. Mr. Spano’s budget now goes to the County Board of Legislators where additional budget reductions should be made. A five percent tax increase is unacceptable to the public. “

He called for the budget to be submmitted earlier in the year, going forward: “Part of the problem is the budget process itself. An outgoing County Executive should not be proposing a budget with no accountability for the result. As I said during my campaign, budgets should be submitted in October to allow full, line-by-line scrutiny prior to Election Day.”

He added, “No county executive wants to raise taxes. However, as county executive, I have to make  difficult choices, some of which may not be as popular as others but every decision is made in the best interest of the residents of Westchester. The budget recognizes the extraordinary economic times, which all levels of government — federal, state, county and local — are facing. As in all my previous budgets, the proposed budget supports the fiscal integrity of the county and its triple A-bond rating. It minimizes the effect of the economic downturn on taxpayers while providing essential services for the residents of Westchester.”

Spano said that the budget is not without pain and not without needed sacrifice. He called on members of the CSEA, Teamsters and other county unions to go along with the five-day unpaid furlough so that severe layoffs can be avoided.  

White Plains/Scarsdale Legislator, Bill Ryan. June 2009. (WPCNR Photo News Archive)

Chairman of the Board of Legislators, Bill Ryan (District 5) commented in a statement to the media:

“The last thing we want to do is lay people off in this economy,” Spano said.

Beyond the elimination of 34 vacant jobs and three other management positions, his  proposal includes only one-month funding for nine positions in the county executive’s office and five deputy commissioner positions.

“This will give the incoming county administration the flexibility it needs to assess these positions as it goes forth,” he said.

Among the job cuts, the county executive’s security detail will be eliminated, removing three police officer positions from public safety.

In addition, his budget calls for a  review of the Health and Community Mental Health departments to see if they should be ultimately merged, as physical illnesses, mental health and substance abuse are inter-related. This would not only provide better services but create efficiencies that would reduce costs. As a result, the budget includes funds for only one commissioner.

The budget must be approved by the Board of Legislators by Dec. 27.

Chairman of the County Board of Legislators Budget and Appropriations Committee, Jose Alvarado of Yonkers commented:

We are looking forward to a cooperative working relationship between the Legislature and the Administration. In this climate of cost saving and economic cautiousness, nothing is off the table. The County must – and will – continue to look for creative ideas for service delivery and additional savings.

The financial crisis has forced all of us in government to assess our priorities, so that going forward we can continue to minimize the impact that cuts will have on essential services.  Through this series of oversight meetings, we are demonstrating both how serious this process is and how committed the Board of Legislators is in helping shape the important decisions that will be made over the coming weeks.

It’s imperative that we take a responsible approach to balancing our budget.  We must make sure we protect the county’s quality of life, and ensure that we continue to move in the right direction.

REVENUES

Economically driven revenues have decreased by $50.9 million. The largest of the decrease is attributed to sales tax. It is estimated that sales tax will decrease by $45.6 million from the 2009 adopted budget. Other economically driven revenues (Mortgage Tax, Hotel Tax and Auto Use Tax) have been similarly affected, totaling a $3.4 million decline.

Also, as with all investment portfolios, interest earnings have declined  $1.9 million.

EXPENDITURES

On the expenditure side, the county continues to be hit with a $13.6 million increase in pension costs (mandated by the state) and increases in various social services areas.  Medicaid growth is estimated at $7.2 million (for a total of $204.9 million), with the balance of Social Services Relief accounts reflecting another $11.4 million expenditure increase. Services for Children with Special Needs are increasing by $7 million (for a total of $141 million). In addition, the county has been assessed with the new MTA Mobility Tax,  costing $1.5 million.

Another area that has seen major cost increases is employee health insurance, up $24 million due in large part to a surge in the number of extremely ill catastrophic cases that the county government must fund. Changes made to the plan as part of labor negotiations in 2008 have stemmed the growth of  prescription drug costs to reasonable levels.

            SOME OF THE SPECIFICS IN SPANO’S PROPOSED BUDGET:

·        The abolishment of 37  positions (34 of which are vacant), with an estimated savings of $2.4 million.

·        One-month funding for 9 positions in the county executive’s office and 5 deputy commissioners, saving $1.5 million.    

·        In addition, for all remaining employees with the exception of elected officials, the Board of Legislators staff and public safety, correction and criminal investigators, a five-day unpaid furlough, which saves $5.5 million.  (Spano called on the legislators to impose the furlough on its own staff as well.)

·        Elimination of the county executive’s security detail.

·        No tax levy dollars for Playland

·        For the third consecutive year, no pay increases for commissioners, directors and non represented management

·        A savings of $1.5 million in overtime reduction.

·        $5 million in savings from locking in decreased fuel costs for buses and $250,000 in savings from a new Paratransit contract.

·        No cuts to contract agencies. 

·        Increase revenues of $4.7 million to the Department of Labs and Research by maximizing the fee structure.

·        End to the county’s subsidy of the Westchester Medical Center, saving $12.5 million.

·        Initial steps to merge the departments of Health and Community Mental Health, with funding for one commissioner.

·        The budget continues cost-savings measures previously implemented ranging from the use of network printers, decreasing the number of duplicative electronic devices, to the reduction of light bulbs to the adjustment of thermostats.