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  TAXING TIMES. By John F. Bailey. July 1, 2009: The City of White Plains efficiently mailed out the first of White Plains residents’ tax bills today. Residents opening the envelopes this evening will note they have a 5.5% tax increase split between the city, schools and the county. Though the county tax is lot listed, just add $2,400 if you are a White Plains resident.

 

The property tax on the average White Plains Home marketed at $650,000 including county, schools and city is $13,294 compared to $12,600 in 2008-2009, up $694 or 5.5%

 

Greetings from the Department of Finance.

 

The White Plains Week Projection of this April, Comes All Too True within $50.

 

The median White Plains home on the market valued at $650,000 will find their city and school tax bill to be $10,894 up from $10,342 last year, a $552 increase — 5.3% from the city and the schools tab combined. Add to that the County tax of $2,400 and the increase is up to $694. 

 

The city tax increase increase takes a mere $177 hors d’oeuvre off your canape plate in comparison increasing the city share of the average homeowner from $2,724 this year to 2,901 in 2009-10, $177 more — a 6.4% Increase

 

The school district tax increase for the average homeowner is $374. (It was $7,618 last year up to $7,992 this year, a 4.9% Increase.

 

Those with homes with a market value of less than $650,000 of course have less of an increase, while those in $650,000 and up homes – you’re looking at $1,000 or more in tax increases, from city and school tax increases. Throw in the County piece and you’re definitely up a grand.

 

The actual school tax increase is $7 more than White Plains Week predicted. The city tax, $44 more than predicted.

 

 

Examination of the average home in White Plains ($650,000) tax bill,  we note that as WPCNR has been reporting for two years, and every other media chose to ignore, is that the lowering of the STAR ASSESSMENT has impacted exactly as WPCNR and White Plains Week said it would. Compare the White Plains Week prediction last April (above) with the Residential STAR line on the tax bill below, They match. The Basic Exemption is 2,960, just as White Plains Week and this website predicted.

 

Note Assessed Value (center, bottom line: $2,960) — that cost you the taxpayer $250  

 

The assessed value of a typical White Plains home may not decline this year, but because the STAR BASIC EXEMPTION did, (to $2,960 from $3,330 of 2008-09) if you enjoy the BASIC EXEMPTION, you’re paying $250 more in taxes.

 

 If you’re a senior citizen the ENHANCED EXEMPTION you are now entitled to  is down more   so you pay an extra $407 in property tax. You have the governor and the state legislature to thank for this stealth tax increase on the back end, so to speak.

 

And, taxpayers will not be receiving that nice little STAR REBATE any more this year, so that’s going to cost you, too.

 

This year’s tax bill in years to come, will be looked back upon as the good old days of $11,000 a year taxes wistfully.

 

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey July 1, 2009: Dr. Christopher Clouet officially began his new role as White Plains Superintendent of Schools today, though he has been meeting and conducting interviews for five days already.  Dr. Clouet, who comes to White Plains from his previous position as Superintendent of the New London (Connecticut) schools,  spent the last five days conducting some meetings at Education House, interviewing candidates, and setting up his office, in which he looked quite at home already Wednesday morning.

 

Enter Clouet: Dr. Christopher Clouet, new Superintendent of Schools in White Plains this morning, his first official day on watch.

 

 

Clouet told WPCNR he has set up in weeks previously, an  “Entry Tour,” to meet community organizations, city  government officials of both present and possible incoming administrations (there are two candidates running for Mayor thus far), in addition to institutions like the library, the Youth Bureau and others,  to be current with  concerns, expectations, and issues facing the school district as it relates to the community. He said he was well aware the city was assessment challenged (due to declining assessments of commercial, and recently residential properties), and the change coming in the ”Post-Mall era” and would be discussing it with “officials you would expect, both outgoing, and incoming.”

 

 

Asked his primary goal as he starts his job, Dr. Clouet said the primary goal was to assure the district was preparing all its students as best as it can for their lives ahead to be productive to take on roles in society. Clouet told the CitizeNetReporter, that the public will be pleasantly surprised by the latest Middle School Math scores that are well above the state average.  (Middle School student performance was targeted by Dr. Margaret Dwyer last year and has shown marked improvement.)

 

Clouet will debut publicly at the first Board of Education meeting in July.

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. By John F. Bailey June 30,2009:  WPCNR learned today that once the Winbrook Rivitalization project is completed, it will be managed by the developer or developer(s) for the White Plains Housing Authority through a series of arrangements, according to Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel.  Habel explained this, saying the details were yet to be worked out.  She was responding to a question if the Housing Authority would manage and run the day-to-day operations, rentals, leasings of the new 1,100-unit public Housing, Affordable Housing, and Market Rate housing multi-use retail complex the zoning for which is up for approval by the Common Council next Tuesday evening.

This morning Gary Warshauer, the architect on the preliminary stage of the project present the first looks ever of how the new street ambience of The New Winbrook would look, (below), and residents were given an overview of how the project would proceed after expected Common Council approval of the Zoning changes, allowing the parking density and retail/mixed use zoning required to continue with the project. A Second presentation will be made this evening at 6:30 P.M at the Housing Authority.

 

Habel also said the developer would be selected from  applicants ( about 30 have responded) by the Housing Authority with White Plains Common Council input, but that Housing Authority (and HUD) would have the final decision, Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel told WPCNR.

Habel told WPCNR last week  that the Common Council would have final approval of the details on what construction was to be built, even after the zoning change needed to allow the construction was approved. 

Habel, in response to a WPCNR question as to who would control/manage the completed development,said that the White Plains Housing Authority would most likely turn over management of the complex to the developer in a series of agreements yet to be ironed out. The Commissioner also told WPCNR that  property owners on the Lexington Avenue side across from Winbrook were behind the zoning change and would possibly be eligible for funding for upgrading their properties. She did not elaborate on what those owners would be expected to do with their properties to complete the neighborhood makeover.

 She told the audience of 17 residents,  that the city was committed to similar street scaping and upgraded retail on the West Post Road portion, and that White Plains Hospital Center would perhaps be interested in the car dealerships not included in the area covered by the zoning change for medical offices. 

She told WPCNR that the city had received $1,000,000 in funding from Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Schumer that Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti had planned to fund street scape upgrades on both sides of Lexington, but Habel said it was held off when the thought of upgrading all of Winbrook became a possibility. “It didn’t make sense to do the streetscaping that was going to be torn up by backhoes,” she said.

A second presentation of what the White Plains Housing Authority is planning for the revitalization of Winbrook is scheduled this evening at 6:30 P.M.  at the Housing Authority at 223 Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The media were not informed of this morning’s presentation which saw Terri Walton, a consultant with the White Plains Housing Authority, Gary Warshauer,the architect consulting on the preliminary Winbrook Revitalization project, and City Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel address the audience.

What was learned was the city and the Housing Authority were going to make extraordinary efforts to seek resident input on the project, and there would be numerous opportunities to furnish input via e-mail, written comments, even taking photographs of the ambiences of Winbrook residents like that they wished included in the new project. 

 

Corner of Quarropas and South Lex, would feathre 3 stories of retail fronting Quarropas, with a setback to the 15  story new residences for Public, affordable housing and market rate housing above.

The Retail “Look”  for just a portion of the length of South Lexington. Typical entrance to the residences is at the right. Design, Warshauer emphasized was conceptual at this stage, subject to input from the residents in future months — pending approval of the zoning that makes it all possible.

Next steps to the Winbrook Revival  (above), after Zoning Approval were discussed. The project is expected to be funded by the private developer to be selected by the Housing Authority, and received substantial funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and President Obama-injected stimulus money. 

 

 

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WPCNR CENTER STAGE LEFT. Theatrical Rush Review by John F. Bailey. June 25, 2009: There was a buzz and energy at opening night at WBT.  Most had never heard of this comedic hoot of a review that debuted Off-Broadway in 1996, and just closed in 2008, outrunning My Fair Lady.

 

A full house was eager for something happy and amusing and they got a Laugh-in’s worth!

 

 

Courtney Holds Court!

Courtney Balan is the Complete Comedienne, mugging, madcapping, accenting, wisecracking, sending up, dialecting, wallflower, babe, single girl, torch singer in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Photos, Courtesy WBT, By John Vecchiola.

 

 

 

When  comedienne Courtney Balan makes a match.com video on WBT’s widescreens,  talking to a video camera, with her back to her audience,  she brings down the house with laughter as she tells all her foibles and faults with mugging and facial expressions that generated steady laughter nonstop.

 

When  Noel Molinelli sings a lament about the bride’s maids dresses in her closet, and ill-fated grooms,  the women of Westchester grinned and nodded knowingly, remembering weddings past. When Jonathan Rayson laments about waiting for his wife in Macy’s, the men laugh and laugh, while Ms. Molinelli agonizes in line for a women’s restroom—both men, women nod, laugh and remember.

 

 

Understudy Travis Taber, last seen in Oliver!  as the Knife Grinder (at that incubator of talent, the White Plains Performing Arts Center) did a masterful job jumping in on Opening Night. He’s at the wheel of the family car! With the ubiquitous Courtney Balan as his wife, and Noel Molinelli, back seat with Jonathan Rayson as his kids.  Mr. Taber  had to do the 42^nd Street Opening Night  “Dream Brake” Replacement role thing this evening filling in for  Frank Vlastnik. The kid will always remember this night. He wise-cracked and delivered the part as if he created it! What a great job by the kid. Who doesn’t like a little schmaltz on Opening Night? Photos, Courtesy, WBT By Frank Vecchiola

 

Taber coordinated with perfect comic timing with Ms. Balan to  turn four rolling desk chairs into the family car, it’s madcap mirth!  (Even Brenda Starr, your reporter’s date for the evening laughed in uncharacteristic glee for the most dignified no-nonsense redhead in journalism – mentioning on the way out that her brothers used to fight in the backseat just like Mr. Rayson and Ms. Molinelli.

Scene after scene of Westchester Broadway Theatre’s  revival of  the longest running Off-Broadway revue in history, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change , the laughs just keep on coming, with an  updated script for 80s and 90s couples, it reviews the institution of the pitfalls, pratfalls, of dating, courtship, parenthood, aging, shopping, marital sex through the last fifty years, complete with cellphones. Book and  Lyrics (and jokes)  by Joe DiPietro and Music by Jimmy Roberts have everyone who’s dated, married, divorced, married, divorced over the last half century  laughing naturally, remembering fondly, and going out with a smile on their face. Marriage takes a beating, (but is still ticking at the end of the show)  because  it keeps on coming back as the ensemble sings at the grand finale!

 

WBT producers Bill Stutler and Bob Funking have assembled a formidably funny, coordinated group of very droll people to carry off this farce of farces where they play 40 characters in a series of rapid-fire costume changes. It is theatre magic that hangs together, perfecto!

 

The show uses the WBT video screens cleverly to announce each scene,reminiscent of The Pink Panther credits  and from the unexpected opening featuring the  Flippant Four as angels  who sing Catata for a First Date –  the audience is laughing non-stop. This show taps into your personal experience with charm, knowing familiarity and good nature – you’ll think the show is about your romantic life.

 

 

Courtney Balan (The Bride)  is the long tall brassy blonde comic standout mugging like Carol Burnett, manipulating her flawless face like Lucille Ball with perfect exaggeration, and belting like Bette Midler. She has all the best bits and rachets up the laffometer. That’s Travis Taber as the Priest, Mr. Rayson the Groom and Ms. Molinelli, the bridesmaid.

 

Ms. Balan  plays a not-so-pretty girl  with Mr. Rayson in A Stud and A Babe sequence that everyone will identify. She connects on the touching ballad “I Will  Be Loved Tonight.” I really liked this song,and I bet most of the women did too. Ms. Balan tender and touching just played this song and strummed the heart strings. She reaches the audience’s hearts with the plentive He Called Me, after conducting a cascade of laughs on the phone with her mother about whether her boyfriend had called.  Ms. Balan, a graduate of the University of Michigan Musical theatre, sinks her teeth into this comedienne’s dream role with Wolverine tenacity and wows Westchester!

 

Ms. Molinelli stands up to Ms. Balan’s natural comedic flare gamely in the stalking song with Mr. Taber and Mr. Rayson, Single Man Drought which gets both the males in the audience and their ladies laughing knowingly.  She has her moment in Act II, singing about love in the upper ages in the very wise and warm song (one of three in the show) I Can Live With That. She also renders an excellent housewife of many years  listening deadpan  to Mr. Rayson sing the all-to-true, Shouldn’t I Be Less In Love With You?

 

Mr. Taber and Ms. Molinelli do a classic bit of a man at a tear jerker movie.

 

Taber wowed the WBT audience with his portrayal of a convict at a traveling dating show—scaring singles into matrimony.

 

Mr. Rayson and Mr. Taber have the men in the audience laughing at their Why? ‘Cause I’m a Guy? It details all the things women hate about the way men are. The laughs just coming at you. You have to see the show twice to get all the lines.

 

 

Christine DiTotta, (left) and Brian Cooper  are the subject of a spoof on a law firm that puts a lawyer in bed to assure sexual satisfaction to remind what you are supposed to do as part of the bed contract. Mr. Taber as a fast-talking lawyer from Jacoby and Myers Masters and Johnson guaranteeing satisfaction or you get paid. You have to see it, folks.

 

 

A Scene All Will Identify With: Mr. Rayson (left), Ms. Molinelli (2nd from left), Ms. Balan and Brian Cooper toast a breakup with sentiments that are a hoot!

 

 

 

The set is minimalist, one of the sparest productions WBT has ever done, but the material is so funny, the situations so dead, solid, perfect, the Funny Four so perfectly in tune — it does not need a set. The material carries it — no dead spots. It romps!

 

 

 

Two of the six reasons it works is the  duo of the talented fingers of  John Daniels on the jolly 88s making  that Steinway sing,  and Sara Molina on violin rip off a jolly good musical bed of moments between men and women we will all remember.

 

Their artistry segues smoothly from ragtime, cocktail piano, classical, to rock riffs, and even country music. Ms. Molinelli does a wonderful Patsy Cline/Loretta Lynn sendup of country music on Always a Bridesmaid Never a Bride. Mr. Daniels exquisite execution of the keyboard makes this review fly by in a 1 hour first act and a 45 minute second act – where every scene is funny as Hell. The show has more laughs than The Producers.

 

 

 

As composer Jimmy Roberts, quoted in the program notes by Pia Haas, WBT Publicist, says “with the message that dating or married, it’s worth connecting”

 

The show has played in thousands of places around the world, and inspired 61 marriage proposals on stage among its actors, according to Ms. Haas. It’s a show that obviously connects actors and actresses, it  connected with the WBT audience last night.

 

As the Funny Four sing in the finale, “We keep coming back.”

 

*********************

 

You might want to come back, too.

 

Steve Callaran, the emcee with the elegant stride and the non-stop patter, who opens every show at the WBT, quized the Opening Night audience on how much they thought a ticket to the first WBT show was back on July 9,1974 when WBT first opened.

 

 The audience was surprised to learn it was only $10.95 for dinner and the show, tonight it was $73, and you can get complete box office information on I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at www.broadwaytheatre.com or call 592-8730. Steve mentioned a promotion for limited dates in July where you can purchase a ticket for the $10.95 price with every purchase of a full price ticket. Check it Out as they say on Times Square!

 

 

 

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 WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2009. June 25,2009: Suburbanstreet.com reports this morning that Bob Hyland, long time owner of The Sports Page restaurant in White Plains, and National Football League legend with the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers has agreed to contest Legislator William Ryan for the District 5 seat in White Plains.

Bob Hyland, left, with John Martin, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 2007. WPCNR News Archive.

Suburban Street reports Hyland making this statement: “If I am elected to the County Board, I will take my experience that includes 36 years as a successful businessman, 16 years in the financial services industry and 11 years as a professional football player and apply those experiences to county government. My years in the financial services industry have shown me what families and businesses need to do to survive in today’s economy.”

“Our current county government clearly does not understand these issues or they would not be asking to raise taxes and spending. They would not be attempting to raise their own salaries in today’s economy. I know that if I ran my restaurant and insurance practice the way the incumbent has run the county legislature, my businesses would have failed many years ago,” concluded Hyland.

GOP Chairman Doug Colety said, “We are excited to be nominating Bob Hyland for the County Legislator in Scarsdale and White Plains. Bob’s experience in business and the financial services industry will make him an outstanding addition to the County Board and a breath of fresh air after the scandal-plagued Bill Ryan.”

Suburban Street describes Hyland  a registered Independence Party Member, born and raised in White Plains and was educated at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, followed by Boston College. After a successful eleven-year career in the National Football League including winning a Super Bowl under legendary coach Vince Lombardi and five seasons with the New York Giants, Hyland returned to White Plains to raise his family and open a family business. He currently is the owner of the Sports Page Restaurant in White Plains and his own insurance practice.

Hyland will be running on the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines in the November Election. District 5 includes all of Scarsdale and part of White Plains.