Assessor: Claims of Tax Increases if Commercial Rate Bill Passes– Are Untrue

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. June 4, 20009: White Plains City Assessor, Lloyd Tasch, told WPCNR today Westchester County Association statements that a separate commercial assessment rate on county businesses, condominiums, co-ops and apartments would raise the owners’ property taxes are “absolutely untrue.”


 


 


 


Tasch was blunt, saying the Assemblyman Adam Bradley, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer bill would “absolutely not raise taxes.”  


 


Tasch characterized the WCA full-court press against the Bradley-Oppenheimer bill as an effort to preserve the lucrative practice of certiorari law, a steady source of income for law firms specializing in the tax refund claims that have shrunk city and town tax assessment rolls across the county, shifting the burden unfairly onto the homeowner.





The 2009-10 just-approved city budget documents show that in White Plains alone, the Assessed  Value of  the city thanks for the most-part to city-approved settlements with commercial property owners filing certioraris has declined  in the last 10 years from $323.7 Million to $285.2 Million today.


 


In the same ten years, property owners have seen their Full Market Value increase from  $4 Billion to $10.5 Billion. This has had the effect of sharply increasing city and  school taxes, shifting the burden to home owners. Commercial owners through the device of certiorari suits have lowered their taxes while residential owners have had to make up the difference.


 


Tasch said that the separate commercial assessment ratio that would be established by the Bradley-Oppenheimer bill would have no affect on commercial property owners’ property taxes because commercial property owners property taxes on their property are “income-based” not market value based.  


 


Should the commercial assessment ratio be enacted by the New York State and signed by the Governor, Tasch said, “I cannot raise assessments of commercial property unless improvements have been made.”


 


Tasch chided the Westchester County Association news releases for conveying the impression that co-operative and condominium owners would have their property taxes increased.


 


 He said co-operatives and condominiums are not covered in the bill. He said co-ops and condominiums property tax rates  are 50% less than residential homeowner rates. This is due  to a special law passed by the state legislature in 1984 when condominiums were being touted by developers.


 


Tasch said  only separate legislation could change the rate  condominiums and co-ops are taxed.


 


All  the Bradley-Oppenheimer  Senate Bill (S-1706—A)does is establish a county commercial assessment ratio for major type B property, including apartments, industrial property, recreation and entertainment property, taxable community services property.”


 


The intent of the Bradley bill is to stop the fluctuation in the equalization rate that creates the incentive to file certioraris on behalf of commercial properties, because rising home values (presently included in the Commercial Property Market value) over the last decade lower the equalization rate.


 


The lower the equalization rate gets, the lower property taxes are owed by the commercial property owner, who files for a certiorari saying, “I’m over-assessed during those years, and lower my assessment.” 


 


A separate commercial assessment ratio would prevent inflated residential home values (under current law included in computing commercial property value), from inflating commercial assessments artificially, which has created a bonanza for the practitioners of certiorari law, the last decade.


 


Recently, WPCNR learned that the city of White Plains does not execute forensic accounting analyses of commercial property owners finances when those owners apply for certioraris based on their profit and losses in operating their property — upon which, Tasch says, their assessment is based. 


 


The city depends on the financial picture submitted by the commercial property owners in arriving at a settlement. It is not court-ordered. (There is of course, the implied course of taking the city to court.)


 


The city has for years told the public the avalanche of certiorari settlements were “court-ordered,” and based on over assessment in years past.  However, WPCNR was informed by the city assessor last week,  that the city settles the certioraris privately through the City-controlled  Board of Assessment Review and does not have to pay interest on the refunds due the commercial owners.


Naturally, the city delays payments of “settlements” as long as possible, the Assessor explained, resulting in the property owners going to court and demanding the court order the city to pay up the refunds. That is what the city has meant  when through the years they have explained the certioraris were “court-ordered settlements.”

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Mr. White Plains Honored.

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WPCNR MILESTONES. Special to WPCNR by Peter Katz  June 2,2009– Robert “Bob” Ruger, known for decades as “Mr. White Plains” because of his dedication to public service, was honored today by the White Plains Rotary Club in a special luncheon at the Crowne Plaza.  He has been a long-time member of Rotary, and the tribute also served as a belated celebration of his 96th birthday last December 24th, and preview celebration of his 97th birthday.


 



County Executive Andy Spano and Chairman of the County Board of Legislators Bill Ryan present a proclamation to Robert Ruger.All photos by Peter Katz


A parade of speakers was led by County Executive Andy Spano, who announced that today has been proclaimed Robert Ruger Day in Westchester. The gathering was reminded that Bob was born and raised in White Plains, graduating from the White Plains public schools before going on to attend college at Rutgers. 


 


 



Susan Katz, Executive Director of Westco Productions, congratulates Bob Ruger, who served as President of Westco’s Board of Directors


His love of acting was reviewed, along with his early efforts in summer stock, and his career in the financial world with Dun & Bradstreet. In recent years, Bob returned to his theatrical roots as President of the White Plains-based theater company, Westco Productions.


 


Bob received high praise for his volunteer efforts raising millions of dollars in U.S. War Bond sales during World War II, and his dedication to serving in The Salvation Army. It was noted that Bob still lives in the White Plains house in which he was born.


 



 


Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains congratulates honoree Robert Ruger at the Rotary luncheon.


Mayor Joe Delfino recalled serving on the Common Council alongside Bob in the 1980’s. He lauded Bob’s dedication as a Councilman, remembering that even on weekends Bob would walk the streets of the city picking up trash and removing unsightly and illegal advertising signs from telephone poles and roadway medians. Even today, Bob still serves the city as Chairman of the White Plains Traffic Commission.


Honors from the Governor, State Assembly, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate and others were presented to Bob. After a prolonged standing ovation, Bob thanked his fellow Rotarians and the guests who attended for staging a memorable event.


 



 


Left to right, White Plains Senior Traffic Planner Ed Oliva, White Plains Traffic Commissioner Tom Soyk, Robert Ruger, Common Council member Milagros Lecouna.

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Bradley Not Astonished WCA Would Oppose Separate Commercial Tax Rate for County

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. WPCNR Interview with Assemblyman Adam Bradley. June 2, 2009: Assemblyman Adam Bradley speaking to WPCNR this afternoon from his Albany office, said, in reaction to a statement released to the media today by the Westchester County Association stating they would meet privately with New York Senate leaders to oppose Mr. Bradley and State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer’s Bill, passed by the Assembly, that would establish separate commerical tax rates for communities only in Westchester County.



Assemblyman Adam Bradley, Property Tax Relief Crusader, says Westchester County Association self-serving, ignores public benefit of separate Commercial Tax Rate. WPCNR News Archive


“I’m astonished. That’s not surprising in that they (Westchester commerical property owners) have enjoyed the benefits of tax certioraris for years. Our bill applies only to the computation of tax certioraris (applications to reduce the property assessment of commercial property), it does not raise business taxes,” Bradley told WPCNR.  “The bill will be of great benefit to our residential homeowners, school districts, and cities, who have been getting hurt by tax certioraris over the years. The bill will not raise any current commercial assessments. It limits the (commercial property) owners’ ability to get taxes reduced, simply because they are lumped in with all  residential assessments.”


Bradley said the bill if passed by the Senate and governor would stop certiorari applications considerably, and stop the bleeding of tax assessments from the city and town tax rolls throughout the county of Westchester County. He pointed out that New York City and Nassau County already have separate Commercial and Residential Tax Rates.


Bradley cautioned “The public needs to be careful about what all interest groups say about legislation. They focus only on how (new legislation) impacts them. Is it better for me or worse for me? Westchester County Association is a very thoughtful organization. But, I recognize they are a special interest group for the business community.”


Bradley said as long as he had not put the separate Commercial Rate bill out on the Assembly floor, the WCA was not interested in it. This year, he said, he put it out on the Assembly floor, because he saw with a Democratic Senate, there was a chance to pass it.  


 

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County Assoc, Prop Tax Reform Advocates Fights Bradley Commercial Assmnt Bill

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. Statement From the Westchester County Association. June 2, 2009: The Westchester County Association (WCA)-the area’s preeminent business membership advocacy group- today said that the New York State Senate will hold consideration of the Commercial Assessment Ratio Bill (A.4588A-Bradley/S.1706-AOppenheimer) until it receives input from  a special private meeting  that the WCA will have with representatives from the county’s commercial real estate industry on Wednesday.


 



Bill Mooney, Executive Director of Westchester County Association, far right, Alfred Del Bello, second from left, with County Executive Andrew Spano, far left, and developer Robert Weisz at a May 7 news conference. WPCNR News Archive Photo



 
The bill, which passed the New York State Assembly last week, applies only to Westchester and affects commercial property as well as many multi-family residential properties in the County. Al DelBello, WCA Chair, stated, “It would increase the tax burden to many business properties, which will add to the already fragile business climate in the County.  If businesses are unable to remain viable, their exodus will have major negative consequences for all taxpayers.”
 


William M. Mooney, Jr., WCA President, noted “Over the last several days, our office has received numerous calls from business leaders seeking the WCA’s assistance in stopping this measure from passing. If it becomes law, it will cost commercial real estate owners and their tenants hundreds of millions of dollars in additional property taxes which will have a devastating impact on our economic vitality, something we can ill afford, especially in this climate.”
 
He said that there will be a meeting of the key area’s developers, corporate facility managers, property owners and a wide spectrum of others in the commercial real estate industry on Wednesday morning at the WCA offices.  The delay in voting by the Senate will give the WCA an opportunity to convey the message from this meeting to the Westchester delegation.
 
Mooney continued: “We are deeply disappointed by the hasty vote in the Assembly and are appreciative of the Senate willingness to wait so that Westchester’s commercial real estate can be fully heard on a matter of this magnitude.  Minimally, we would have thought the Assembly would have come to us and enabled us to give the commercial real estate industry an opportunity to be fully heard. We look forward to quickly sharing the recommendations with the Senate that will result from this meeting. We are hopeful that the Senate will not follow in the footsteps of the Assembly and defeat this ill conceived bill that singles out our county with an onerous tax burden.”
 
Al DelBello added, “The WCA is continuing its strong advocacy role on behalf of the Westchester businesses and taxpayers.  We took strong exception to the punitive MTA payroll tax recently passed and seriously hope that our elected officials in the Senate will take this opportunity to listen to what the taxpayers are saying and not pass this current legislation.”

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White Plains WRO Counselor Helping 30 WP-ers Work Out of Foreclosure. Rate Slows

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. June 2, 2009: White Plains Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel advised WPCNR today that Westchester Residential Opportunities special White Plains foreclosure advisor funded by the city, is currently handling 30 active cases of White Plains home owners in danger of losing their homes. Habel said as of today there are 45 cases being handled by the advisor, funded by the city last October at a cost of $30,000 to work only with White Plains residents. It was a city effort to deal with the rising tide of foreclosures which began one year ago.


 


Habel said the number of foreclosure-endangered appeared to be dwindling. By month, she said, 6 were aided in January/February; 8 in February-March; 6 in March-April; 4 in April-May, 3 in May. She said the number of new mortgage foreclosure actions in the city limits  was not “increasing significantly.”


 


She said the counselor came on board at Westchester Residential Opportunities in October last fall. She described the 45 families (which works out to about 6  families a month, as having “multiple bank problems” and the counselor was dealing with families in “all different stages” of the foreclosure progress, the number one procedure being loan modification. “Lots of times, she (the counselor) works out short sales of the homes for them,” Habel said.WRO is working with Countrywide, Wells Fargo, Wamu, and other financial institutions on behalf of these persons, ranging from negotiating, to finding them an attorney.


 


 


 


 

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ONE ENRICHING EVENING – GALA INJECTS $50,000 STIMULUS INTO WPPAC. Surplus Seen.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. WPCNR Interview with John Ioris Chair of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation. June 2, 2009: One Enchanted Evening, the first White Plains Performing Arts Center fund-raiser in two years gave the beleagured White Plains city theatre a fresh start last night, raising according to its Foundation Chair, over $50,000 towards next year’s season.


 



HONOREES AT WPPAC ONE ENCHANTED EVENING GALA : (L to R, Event Co-Chair Ann Bernstein, Honoree Isabel Villar, Honoree Marsha Gordon, Event Co-Chair, Susan Egginton, Honorees Barbara and Richard Dannenberg, and WPPAC Chairman John J. Ioris. Photo, Courtesy, White Plains Performing Arts Center


 



 John Ioris, right, and Jack Batman,left. WPCNR News Archive


 


John Ioris, the Chair, indicated that the WPPAC’s Executive Producer, Jack Batman would continue to be the driving creative force as the theatre moves forward, and that the number and scope of the fall season productions depended on further fundraising efforts. Ioris tentatively held out hope the current season ending would produce the theatre’s first surplus.


 


 


The $125 a ticket benefit held at the WPPAC opposite the White Plains Common Council meeting, filled the theatre close to capacity with a last minute walk-up sale according to John Ioris interviewed by WPCNR today. Ioris called the show produced by Executive Producer Jack Batman and featuring a luminescent lineup of Broadway stars and WPPAC performers a fabulous production.


 


He said receipts were still being counted from the last minute sales, the silent auction receipts, and raffle as of this morning. Irosis and estimated the benefit’s handle to be $50,000 plus. The 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport Sedan was not given away, Ioris said,  because the 1,300 Raffle Ticket threshold (at $50 each) needed to present the motor car  was not reached.


 


Yes, there will be a 09-10 Season


 


Ioris said the Executive Committee for the Foundation would meet next week to strategize on what kind of productions will be produced in the 2009-10 season for the theatre. Ioris said the theatre was wrapping up its books on the current year and thanks to the Gala, and the savings achieved by postponing the last production of the current season, Hello, Dolly!, the theatre may show a surplus for the current year – which would be the theatre’s first “profit.”


 


Ioris, commenting on the upcoming Executive Committee meeting said of the fall season, “ We have to make sure it fits our business model (financially), in the number of shows produced and the size of shows.” and the schedule will be announced “a few months out.”


 


Batman Returns


 


Asked if Jack Batman, the architect of any success the theatre has had in its six years, would return in a producing role, Ioris said , “he’s still here. He’s never really been out of the picture, and he’ll be directly involved in planning the new fall season.”


 


Ioris did not indicate what Batman’s official title would be moving forward or elaborate on his role.


 


Foundation Presses On Running the Theatre. City Contract Runs 4 More Years


 


WPCNR asked if the city had any plans to relieve the current foundation as operators of the theatre. The White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation as a contract with the city to operate the WPPAC for four more years (having a ten year contract awarded in 2003).


 


Ioris said, “We’re  going to be around a long time. We’re not going anywhere.”


 


Cue Dolly


 


 Ioris said “we’re currently figuring how and when we are going to produce Hello, Dolly!  Refunds for season subscribers and ticket purchasers had been offered on the show when it was postponed officially two weeks before its opening scheduled for April 30. The theatre had asked subscribers to not ask for refunds to support the theatre and at assured them the show would be eventually produced at a future date.  


 


Ioris praised the work of Ann Bernstein and Susan Egginton as Co-Chairs for their work in making the gala a fiduciary hit for the theatre. “They did a terrific job,” Ioris told The CitizeNetReporter. “Subscribers came out and supported us. They were throwing checks to us at the door. They supported us.”


 


Ioris promised more fundraising efforts in the near future, saying the WPPAC is looking to raise a $500,000 budget.


 


  


Monday evening’s soiree honored Barbara and Richard Danneberg, Dr. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester and Isabel Villar, Founding Executive Director of El Centro Hispano, Inc.


 


The entertainment was followed by an After Party at the 42 Restaurant, hosted by Chef Anthony Goncalves.

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Who Can Idle and Who Cannot Idle? (Automobiles, That is!)

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WPCNR ON THE ROAD REPORTER. June 2,2009: A funny thing happened on my way to a news conference yesterday, I noticed a large SUV idling in the City Hall parking lot, while its driver, a city employee, was conducting a conversation with another highly ranked city employee. The conversation went on for a good five minutes or more.


When the motorist started up, I pointed out that the recent Westchester County “anti-idling law” appeared to have been violated. The driver said the idling law did not apply to city vehicles, (which as any observer can tell you), do a lot of idling. I checked with the Westchester County Department of Communications which clarified the idling law for you idlers out there across Westchester County who are public employees.


Here are the guidelines from Victoria Hochman of the county Communications office:


 


Yes, the idling law would apply to City-owned vehicles unless the vehicles met one of the exceptions provided under the law. 


For example, the law states that it does not apply to hybrid-electric vehicles idling for the purpose of providing energy for the battery or other form of energy storage recharging and it does not apply to electric vehicles.  See Section 873.1317(3) of the County Sanitary Code. 


Also, the law does not apply to fire trucks, police, emergency medical services and other emergency vehicles and equipment while performing in the scope of their duties.  See Section 873.1317(5) of the County Sanitary Code. 


Unless  City-owned vehicles met one of these exceptions, the idling law would be applicable to such vehicles. 


Other questions about the idling law in Westchester County are answered on this fact sheet from County Legislator Tom Abinanti:


Question. What is the county law’s idling limitation?


Answer. The county’s anti-idling law limits the time any motor vehicle in Westchester County


may idle, when the vehicle is not in motion, to three consecutive minutes.


Question. Are there any exceptions to this idling limitation?


Answer. Yes. The most common exceptions to the law are when:


1. The motor vehicle is stopped because of traffic conditions which the driver has no


control over;


2. The temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and the motor vehicle is


not powered by a diesel engine (i.e., trucks and buses);


3. Emergency vehicles and equipment, including fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and


other emergency vehicles and equipment are being used in the performance of their


duties;


4. The engine is being used to provide power for an essential auxiliary purpose or is


required for the purpose of maintenance (i.e., ice cream truck to control temperature


for ice cream, tow truck loading or discharging vehicle, vehicle inspections);


5. A hybrid electric vehicle is idling to provide energy for the battery; or


6. The motor vehicle is an electric vehicle.


WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR TOM ABINANTI’S FACT SHEET 02/26/2009


ON WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S ANTI-IDLING LAW Page 2


Question. What are the penalties for violating the county’s idling law?


Answer. Since the County’s idling law is part of the County Sanitary Code the penalties for


violations of the idling law can be found in Sections 873.218, 873.219 and 873.220 of the Code


and include, for a first offense, a fine not exceeding $250.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 15


days, or both; and for a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $500.00 or


imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both.


Question. Who is required to enforce the county’s idling law?


Answer. The county’s idling law must be enforced by the County’s Department of Public Safety


and may be enforced by all law enforcement officers in Westchester County, including


enforcement officers authorized to enforce the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. The


law may also be enforced by municipal traffic and parking enforcement agents if they are


authorized by the municipality to issue appearance tickets.


Question. When an appearance ticket is issued for a violation of the county’s idling law by


law enforcement officers or enforcement agents where is it returnable?


Answer. The appearance ticket issued for a violation of the county’s idling law is returnable in


the local court of the jurisdiction where the violation occurred.


Question. Are motor vehicles that are on line for drive-thru banks and other drive- thru


services (i.e., coffee, dry cleaners) subject to the county’s idling law?


Answer. Yes. However, the law is only violated if a vehicle is idle for more than three


consecutive minutes. If the motor vehicle continues to move in the drive-thru line every three


minutes or less there will be no violation.


Question. Are school buses on school property subject to the county’s idling law?


Answer. Yes. The county’s anti-idling law has applied to motor vehicles powered by diesel


engines since 2006. The current changes to the county’s anti-idling law have expanded the antiidling


law to all motor vehicles in Westchester County.


Question. Can I idle my motor vehicle for more than three minutes in order to assist in


removal of ice or frost on my window, or to warm the vehicle?


Answer. Maybe. The county’s anti-idling law includes an exemption during temperatures


below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), thus allowing vehicle idling during freezing conditions


typically associated with icy windshields and the need to warm the vehicle

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Council Holds Off Winbrook Zoning; LCOR/Longview Garage Projects Drain $362,659

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey June 2,2009: The residents of Winbrook got a first public look at preliminary reconstruction plans for the Winbrook complex. The design shown below was followed by Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority, explaining the project and where it stood, and closed with WPHA counsel,  William Null, explaining to the council that the WPHA needed the council to pass the zoning paperwork to pave the way for more detailed design of the project. The council voted to adjourn the public hearing and resume it on July 6.


 



 


Overhead View of Winbrook Makeover Preliminary Design Shown at Monday Evening Common Council meeting. Street to left of picture is South Lexington Avenue, targeted for affordable, moderate, middle income housing and retail according to the requested zoning “cosmetics.”


 


Six new buildings each about 11 stories are proposed with underground parking. The recently completely White Plains Housing Authority Headquarters would likely be raised and moved to one of the new structures. The new buildings are to be built one at a time. The attorney for the Housing Authority said Council approval of the zoning cosmetics needed to pave the way for the mixed use project rebuild was necessary before a developer could be selected from among 30 applications received thus far.


 


Commuter Parking Lot on Bank Street to Close: Boykin.


Property Taxes, Loan Interest Cost City $362,659 in State Urban Renewal Capital Grant Money.


 


In another intriguing development quietly passed on the consent agenda, and not explained in any depth on last night’s telecast, Council President Benjamin Boykin advised White Plains commuters the Bank Street lot will closed by July 31, requiring commuters now using that open air lot by ther Metro North tracks to make other parking or station arrangements.  


 



55 Bank Street Commuter Lot shown adjacent to MetroNorth tracks, one year ago. (Presently it provides about 300 parking places for daily commuters. The lot was sold to LCOR for $16.5 Million, to build the 55 Bank Street 500-unit plus 20% affordable housing project, with the city responsible for property taxes on the commuter lot until the building project began. Project has been stalled due to credit market freeze up and city is left holding the bag on property taxes, necessitating burning $116, 560 in property tax payments


 


On the consent agenda, the city agreed to fund property tax payments for the use of the Bank Street open air commuter parking lot (due to a shortfall in revenues from the commuter lot, according to accompanying Urban Renewal Agency work), The council authorized  transfer of Urban Renewal  Capital Grant Funds would have to pay $116,560 in property tax payments on the LCOR  commuter parking lot property, due to LCOR’s inability to get the project financed in a timely fashion, and revenues not meeting property tax obligations on the property, which the city had agreed to pay.


 


Longview Garage Burns Interest


 


 In a related development involving similar dashed expectations of a much ballyhooed city project,  the Common Council  approved using the New York State Capital Grant fund to pay $246,099 in interest on the Cromwell place property bonds used to purchase the property for $4,000,000 to arrange to build the Longview Avenue Garage (at a bond cost of $19 Million). The city has been unable to sell the Cromwell Place properties acquired to build the Longview Avenue Parking garage for White Plains Hospital Medical Center so the city has been unable to pay off the $4 Million loan on the property through a sale the city thought would take place by now, covering the bond expenditure — according to council meeting documents supplied with the agenda to the press. 


 


The economic crisis of the last 11 months, have resulted in a Washington D.C. and Albany delay in acquiring  HUD approval of the project to be built by Kensington Properties. A public hearing for July 6 was scheduled for yet another site plan extension on the troubled Kensington project.

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Early yet, but Assessor Expects $5 Million drop in assessment roll in 2010.

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. June 1, 2009:  The Common Council tonight will approve payment of  tax certiorari refunds totaling $228,010.82 which have lowered the assessment roll $769,600, according to Common Council “backup documents.” City Assessor Lloyd Tasch told WPCNR  that the lowered assessments have already been reflected in the current 2009-10  Assessment roll, (sitting on $185.2 Million).


 


Tasch said it is very early yet, but he anticipates that the 20010-11 Assessment Roll can be expected to drop about $5 Million. He said he expected another substantial increase in home assessment challenges and new commercial assessment challenges that would confront the city and impact the 2010-11 tax roll..  He thought that a $10 Million drop in assessment was over pessimistic at this time.


 


 


In 2007-2008, the equalization rate declined from 3.24 to 2.75, a decline of 15%, resulting in a decline in assessed value of 2%, and reducing the assessment from $296  Million in 2006-2007 to $289.9 Million in 2007-2008. Applying that relationship to the 15% decline, one might expect the roll in 2010-11 to come in at $5.7 Million less, dipping to  $279.5 Million. Tasch cautions that it is way early to lock in and count on that 5 Million drop.


 


 The last time the equalization rate dropped by 25% was 2002-2003, which resulted in a $13 Million reduction in the assessment roll two years later in 2004-05, from $317 Million to $304 Million.. 


 


Asked whether tonights refunds were court ordered settlements, or city-negotiated settlements, Tasch confirmed they were city-negotiated outside of the courts, but the courts have ordered the city to pay them because the aggrieved parties have petitioned the courts to speed up the city payment because they allege the city is taking too long to pay them.


 


Asked by WPCNR if, in negotiating the settlements with certiorari filers whether the city brings in forensic accounting experts to evaluate the filers books, Tasch said no.  He said the city and its negotiator compare filers’ books with the results of like properties to arrive at a  settlement.  Tasch noted that no municipality, in his opinion,  has the financial  resources to pay for a forensic audit of the books of commercial property owners books.


 


Tasch said the city is not required to pay interest on the certiorari refunds.


 


Big winners in the latest city certiorari payouts to be approved tonight are:


 


1.Prudential Insurance Company of America receiving a $318,000 Assessment Reduction for the year of 1994/95 reducing their assessment from $718,000 to $400,000 for 1999 North Lexington Avenue (The Gateway), and a refund of $27,334.20


2. Post Broadway Associates, owners of 51 South Broadway for tax years 2006/07 through 2008/09, a $97,500 reduction in assessment to $152,500 (from $250,000), resulting in a refund of $41,480.51.


 


3.  Saturn of White Plains for the years 2002-/03 through 2008/09, for $69,715.17 and a reduction in assessmentof $93,500 to $106,500 (from $200,000 previously).

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Bandit Queen, Ali Gardner, Waccabuc Whacker Shocks Bama. 2 Fastpitch Classics!

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WPCNR ARMCHAIR PRESSBOX.  June 1, 2009 UPDATED WITH ROB CREWS INSIDE INTERVIEW: The sport the national press never reports on, covers or respects —  fastpitch softball – showcased two classics yesterday afternoon on ESPN2. First came the donnybrook of the ages – the 4 hour and 45 minute Georgia-Washington game  that went 10 innings, won by the Bulldogs on a sacks-full 3-2 walk on a classic full-count battle on top of 4 innings of courageous relief by Freshperson Erin Arevalo, who had not pitched in two months – but was ready!


 



 


This nail-biter was followed by the Florida-Alabama Semi-final that was won when Westchester’s own Ali Gardner of Waccabuc  connected with an opposite field 2 out Bags-Jammed Jackout over the left field fence.


 


Ms. Gardner and  Alabama’s Cassie Reilly-Boccia, of Yorktown are both proteges of the hitting guru, Rob Crews, the local “batologist” who has developed their swings to the extent that the two play with the elite of the nation’s fastpitch teams. Rob also developed the swing of the other local legend, Maddy Coon who played for Horace Greeley, and now plays for Stamford. 


 


Mr. Crews told WPCNR he was there in Oklahoma City to see the electrifying Gardner clout, he tells WPCNR, “I was there to see it. Spoke to (Florida) Coach Tim Walton and he informed me of his decision to make some stride and timing adjustments. She looked good in the ab’s leading up to the grand slam. What I appreciate most is that even through the struggle Ali kept a great attitude. That is why I nicknamed her Showtime. She is one heck of a performer.” The Batologist can be reached at www.complete-game.net.


 


 


The Longest Fastpitch World Series Game Ever Played — First of an Unforgettable Double Dip yesterday in Oklahoma City at the media-challenged Womens World Series.


 


Ms. Gardner in her senior year at Florida is one of three of  local Batologist Rob Crews’ groomed hitting stars playing in the elite of the nation’s fastpitch teams. (Crews is the hitting guru who groomed Ali’s portside  swing over the years, and the swings of Maddy Coon of Horace Greeley (late of Stamford)  and  Cassie Reilly Boccia, of Yorktown, now frosh firstbaser for Alabama, whose club was one out away from extending Florida another game last night, until Gardner took Bama out for the game-winning 4-run homer, the Gator form John Jay, snapping victory from the jaws of defeat.


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Both Ms. Garnder’s game and the Washington game were fraught with the tension, drama, and precision strategy that makes the fastpitch game compelling.   


 


Gardner began her rise to fastpitch prominence playing travel softball with one of the first travel teams in the 1990s, the Hudson River Bandits started by Chappaqua’s Rudy Nettick, whose daughter Margaret pitched for Horace Greeley.  The organization, along with the legendary Diamond Dolls, were the swashbucklerettes of fastpitch, with the best uniforms, the best logos, and professional atitude far beyond their years. The young players were taught the game right and played up and down the eastern seaboard. The Bandits disbanded in 2001, but the memories of the red and gray came alive this last week when Maddy (Coon), and Ali starred in the NCAAs.


 


The games over the last four days televised on ESPN2 were marvelous – from the electrifying homers, to the incredible defensive play (check out the throw-out Arizona State’s second-baser  on a relay made to gun down the winning run at the plate last Thursday against Washington—the ASU catcher made an incredible leap and tag).


 


However, you knew nothing about those games if you read the local press. What did the Times cover yesterday?  The French Open. The NBA Finals. The NHL Stanley Cup Finals.  Soccer. Bicycle races. Golf.  and the Mets and Yankees of course, who could use some starting pitchers who go more than 6 innings and throw more than 60 pitchers. 


 


The Yanks and Mets  should sign up Washington Huskies’  Danielle Lawrie — 150 pitches yesterday in 100 degree heat in Oklahoma City – and then she pitched the second game Washington had to play three hours later and won it, 9-3, throwing another 135 pitches. And she went again Monday night. 


 


 I don’t want to hear the  flackwriters write  how tough the Met starter was in “gutting” through 6 innings with a stomach virus. Give me a break, and the best bullpen in baseball. Give me that Huskie pitcher Erin Arevalo in a tough spot any day. That was heart!


 


The Times did not even have a correspondent in Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. Pathetic. You would think that the College Women’s World Series warranted some coverage with local New Yorkers making their mark.


 


Is there a conspiracy to prevent fastpitch softball from growing and a deliberate intent by the networks, the sports press to prevent the National Pro Fastpitch league from becoming successful by not covering it?


 


Obviously.


 


Can the NCAA and American Softball Association work with National Pro Fastpitch and promote it so this wonderful sport can grow?


 


It could, but they do not.


 


What do you think?



Tomorrow the Fastpitch Sectionals continue around the county with White Plains playing New Rochelle over on O’Donnell’s Bluff at WPHS. Come on out and see some real ball up close and personal — without paying $50 a seat and $5 for a soda.

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