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 REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Ulynik. October 26, 2007: Whenever I am interviewed for an article having to do with brides and grooms and their top regrets after the wedding, there are two primary things that couples always wish they could re-do.  We will go into the number one regret in next week’s column, and jump right into the second – not having video.  It always surprises me, even after eight years, how many couples sit down and sometime in the first half and hour of meeting with us, strongly suggest that there is no way that they want or would consider having a videographer.  There is such a vehement distaste at even the idea of someone videotaping the wedding, let alone hiring or paying a professional to do it. 

There are good reasons why.  Back in the days of sweet sixteen’s and Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, the videographers that most couples in their 20’s and 30’s were seeing would leave anyone with lingering nightmares.  Large cameras, bright obnoxious lights and people operating the cameras who thought footage meant asking every guest what they thought of you, the party and life in general.  Clearly not a promising combination when flashing forward 20 years and wondering if you want to be subjected to a freak show. 

Generally, when we ask most couples why they are so opposed to video, they can’t really articulate the reasons, they just are sure that they don’t want it.  The irony, and the saddest part is that video is an amazing thing to have after a large event is over, not only for you but for your guests (who of course love to come over and see themselves in action) and for future generations. 

A Different World

Video is a very different species than it was back in the 80’s and 90’s.  Technology has gotten much smaller and better, affording videographers the ability to be lighter on their feet, completely inconspicuous and move quickly through an event with out leaving large lights and miserable guests in their wake.  HD recording now allows clear crisp images to truly capture every color, each detail and all the moments of the night without it looking like a cheap horror thrill.  HD technology can be expensive though and some firms or independent videographers don’t have the equipment readily available for each event (but renting is always an option). 

But even if you choose a videographer who shoots with standard cameras, the equipment is so much better than it used to be and the size of the equipment plays a huge role in not advertising that anyone is there taping your every move.  Additionally, the role of the videographer has changed; gone are the days where every person with a camera wants to ask guests how they are doing (although that does still exist as an option but in a very different/documentary style manner).  Videographers are extremely talented these days; most of the people with whom we work are award winning directors (two are Sundance directors and Cannes Festival winners).  They are artists, committed not only to capturing the emotion of the event, but also to producing a real story.

Options Offered

Some videography firms give you the option to choose your own music to set the tone, others offer to select it for you and see if you like their combinations – either way, the tunes behind the motion set a huge backdrop for good video, so it’s important to understand how that process works in post-production.  Much like with photographer, you need to find a videographer or firm who understands your needs, who is clear about the editing process (does the videographer do it or does someone else) and informs you of exactly what you will be getting (i.e. raw data, 20 minute edited documentary, 45 minute edited film, etc).  The options and packages abound.  You can hire one shooter, or you can opt for a two-camera shoot – a more expensive alternative of course, but one that captures the day at a variety of angles and produces a very different type of final video. 

It’s important to point out that if possible, hiring a photography/videography team is optimal, simply because it’s important that these two vendors work together seamlessly.  This is not often possible, nor advisable (particularly if you love a photographer’s work and he/she does not work with a videographer under the same package).  However, finding someone who understands the subtleties of working with someone else who is trying to capture all the same shots is essential.  You don’t want your videographer stepping on the photographers toes (literally or figuratively) and vice versa.  If your photographer (who is usually hired before the videographer) works with someone regularly, investigate their recommendation, but don’t just hire them just because it’s someone that was recommended. 

If you are still hesitant about the idea of video, keep a few things in mind: 

1) There is no other way to get moving images of your day; to hear your vows, the toasts or any other ceremonial/religious aspects of an event.  This is the best way to have your day forever captured. 

2)  In this technological age, you can control the elements of the videography, from the cameras, lights and sound that are used, to the person holding the camera. 

3)  The relative cost of videography in comparison to what you are spending on the entire event is generally minimal – and while it’s hard to find a really great team for less than $2000 (of course there are exceptions to the rule) if you are spending 10 times that for an event, isn’t worth it to put money towards capturing it forever?

One final note, in rare cases, if we really knew the couple well, we have pushed them to consider videographer and even forced them to hire one.  100% of the time, they come to us after the wedding and thank us – not for all our work, not for making their day a raging success, but for forcing them to reconsider the issue of videography.  Were I not so certain that anyone would end up feeling the same, it would not be the number 2 item on my list of regrets for the majority of couples!  Next week, we will reveal what the number one regret is across the board…..

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. October 25, 2007 UPDATED 8:30 A.M.: Robert Weisz of the RPW Group, the office building evangelist who has made millions creating “born-again buildings” coaxed a ten year PILOT from the City of White Plains last night on his latest reclamation project, the former IBM property at 1133 Westchester Avenue, where he plans to build an extended stay hotel. (The hotel is not part of the PILOT agreement.)  Thursday evening’s matter was to present the PILOT to the Council to see if they had an objection to it.

Rita Malmud, the Council President, was flabbergasted when she learned the Weisz PILOT had been granted by the County IDA last spring, and the council was not told of its existence. No other councilperson batted an eye. 

Now Wait a Minute….

When Ms. Malmud, in purple sweater, looking at Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy, indignantly raised a ruckus to Ms. Habel (standing left) with Lloyd Tasch, City Assessor to her left,  and the Mayor as to why the IDA had not informed the city the IDA had granted Mr. Weisz a PILOT, Edward Dunphy said the city had been informed, asking the Mayor, “Isn’t the IDA obliged to let the city know?”

Mr. Dunphy answering for the Mayor,  said, “We were noticed.”

At that point, Ms. Malmud’s eyes widened and became small and incredulously Malmud asked Mr. Dunphy why the council had not been told. Dunphy said, “it’s not a legislative matter.”

Dunphy explained that the council’s role is not to approve PILOTS but they have the opportunity to object to them.  Malmud asked, what happens if they object. Dunphy said, “well, you would stop the project.”

Malmud appeared somewhat mystified by this and asked if the School District had been told.

Board of Ed informed before Council

Ms. Habel  said the White Plains Board of Education had been informed of the assessments of the PILOT the previous Wednesday evening (before the Common Council even learned of it Thursday evening).

Mr. Weisz (left) with City Assessor, Lloyd Tasch,  explained that he needed a PILOT on the project to attract a major corporation to rent the facility as its headquarters, which he said was now 80% vacant. He could not sign the corporation he is courting to a longterm lease without assuring them of their longterm costs, and this was the reason for the PILOT, which would stabilize the lease terms.

The PILOT, Weisz said was also necessary for him to recoup his costs of renovating the headquarters with a restaurant, a day care center, a spa, and other amenities.

Tasch Exclaims How Income from property is figured

Lloyd Tasch, City Assessor then took the floor and explained how the PILOT was created. The PILOT  assesses 1133 in the first year at $1.8 Million of assessed value (it’s sale price), and goes out to 2016 at which point it is assessed at  $3.2 Million.

Weisz said he actually felt this PILOT was over assessed because the building is now worth less than it was fifteen years ago, but he would accept it because it was essential to signing his corporate prospect. Mr. Tasch corrected Mr. Weisz and said that the building was worth more now than it was 15 years ago. Tasch took Weisz’s rental of $24 a square foot  for the 100,000 square foot building, to begin the PILOT and gradually raised this to $31.50 a square foot during the course of the PILOT. out to 2016.

Councilman Benjamin Boykin after learning of the PILOT assessment, stressed that assessments on commercial property were determined by Income Value of the property, not market value, and wanted the media to get this across to the populace.  Mayor Delfino added that in all the development in his administration the city had never given “tax breaks” to a developer. Ms. Malmud gently corrected the Mayor that the city had given tax breaks to affordable housing projects. The Mayor agreed.

Dunphy Gives a Little Bit of Bad News 

Mr. Dunphy noted that PILOTS were actually a good thing because coincidently 9 West was going off the tax roles and would pay less than it was paying on a PILOT. The reason for this was,  Mr. Dunphy said,  the state had just lowered the  Equalization Rate which would have the effect of lowering 9 West’s tax below their previous PILOT payment.

Mr. Weisz said the corporation he was courting for the space would bring in 2,000 jobs and said this would be a great benefit to White Plains.

Previously during all the time 1133 was approved for renovation by the council and has been renovated, Mr. Weisz had never mentioned the existence of a PILOT or request for one to the Council’s knowledge.

Mr. Weisz left with the council not objecting to the PILOT.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. October 25, 2007: The resolution calling on the state legislature to increase the city sales tax ½% was taken off the table by Council President Rita Malmud tonight, then immediately tabled until the work session November 20 after the city Common Council election. The city also announced the state equalization rate by which commercial assessments are determined has declined double the rate of last year’s used to figure this year’s tax roll.

The retabling of the sales tax measure was done despite having received the city projections going out to 2011 which were available for discussion as the Common Council and Assemblyman Adam Bradley had requested, and have been available for two weeks.  

Ms. Malmud gave no explanation of why the matter was tabled again, or why the council could not explore any questions on the projections they might have Thursday evening. Neither she nor any of the Common Council indicated any concerns they might have that the sales tax might not be needed due to the rosy projections of the balanced budget the three year “outcast” provided to the New York State Department of the Budget.

However, those three year budget projections may need rethinking  in terms of  property tax increases with the announcement of a decline in this year’s Equalization Rate which Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy reported during the meeting.

In an interview with Mr. Dunphy and the Mayor after the meeting, Dunphy said the equalization rate assigned White Plains for this year has been delivered and the rate, used to calculate commercial property assessments has taken another nosedive bottoming from 3.24% to 2.69%. This will have a jarring lowering of White Plains commercial assessment rolls in the next budget year, Dunphy told the CitizeNetReporter.

In the 2007-2008 budget year, the equalization rate declined from 3.54% to 3.24%, just .30. The new decrease of .55 could have an serious lowering effect on the Total Assessed Valuation in the city. The .30 decline of 2006-2007 resulted in a $6.2 Million decline in assessed value in the city from 296.1 Million to $289.9 Million.

Dunphy and Mayor Delfino said the city was going to appeal in the courts on this rate. Dunphy said It is only the second time Dunphy said the city will attempt to appeal the rate. Previously the city was able to use the previous year’s rate ecause the state voted on the rate by telephone which was prohibited by law.

Delfino during the Common Council meeting, said the state sets the rate based on only a handful of properties (33) in the city, and as home values go up, the equalization rate goes down. This year’s equalization rate will be based on housing values of 2005, when values were going up and not leveling off as they have in 2006- 2007, so Delfino reasoned White Plains would not see the relief of stabilization of home prices (which would keep the equalization rate where it is)  for several years.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2007. By John F. Bailey. October 24, 2007: In the liveliest council candidates’ forum of the campaign, a crowd of 75 persons jammed the Battle Hill School Condominium Community room and peppered questions at the 9 candidates for Common Council last night. Incumbents Dennis Power and Benjamin Boykin defended their records, and listening skills. An exit poll conducted by the leaders of the Battle Hill Association indicated that Augostino Zicca, Cass Cibelli and Robert Stackpole had responded most to concerns raised by the audience, with Anthony Pilla fourth. (See results at end of this article.)

9 for the Council: L to R, Dennis Power, Anthony Pilla, Milagros Lecuona, Cass Cibelli, Candyce Corcoran, Augostino Zicca, Robert Stackpole, Robert Levine and Benjamin Boykin at Battle Hill School Condominium Thursday evening.

Asked about what legislation the incumbents would work to pass, Benjamin Boykin stood on his experience, claiming that his record has shown that he looks at issues and tries to make decisions for the good of the city. Boykin said he would  push the council legislation to expand the percentage of work force housing to 10%, expand the income eligibility to the $120,000 combined income level, and keep White Plains “a diverse city.”

 Dennis Power, his running mate, sounded the theme of drawing the line on exclusivity and kowtowing to one developer, and continued his theme of more open government, more televised meetings, and working forward with all of the citizens to develop, as Boykin put it “their own vision of White Plains.”

Robert  Stackpole supported the  percentage of affordable housing model, but said he would work to eliminate the  so-called “buy out” option of paying million dollar fees to satisfy developers’ 6% affordable housing obligation,  a “buyout”  he claimed every developer has used to avoid building affordable housing. Boykin pointed out the 17 units of affordable housing at Horton’s Mill off Lake Street (yet to open), the 200 units at Kensico Terrace, and the units at Minerva Place did not require buyouts.

(Editor’s Note: WPCNR notes that the city contributed $848,497 of the city affordable housing fund money  to the Kensico Terrace project to get that built,  and $327,474 more from the affordable housing fund  to the Horton’s Mill project to build that. Last month, the council voted $250,000 to support the Minerva Place project, when the developer lost a grant in the same amount.)

Augostino Zicca said he would work for legislation increasing the income level on workforce housing, and to bring in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to aid and work with the police and the city in discovering illegal housing.

(An ICE spokesperson in Washington,  Rick Rocha confirmed to WPCNR today, the agency could come into the city under the 1996 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act and investigate illegal housing clusters and possible wrongdoing  and exploitation of illegal aliens in the city.)

Candyce Corcoran said she would work for senior taxation, to provide a tax structure for senior citizens that would enable them to stay in the city rather than sell their homes due to the ever escalating taxes. She advocated workforce housing.

Cass Cibelli said he would work hard to increase fines for illegal housing violations and stamp out illegal housing.

Milagros Lecuona, first time candidate for Common Council, said she would press hard on environmental issues

Anthony Pilla said he would work to “legislate to insure the school district meet monthly with the leaders of the city, and be accountable for the number of children in White Plains who are not supposed to be here.”

Power said he would support legislation to enhance affordable housing.

Housing in the outlying neighborhoods

On the question of affordable housing concentration in Battle Hill, Mr. Boykin said regarding legislation advancing affordable housing to other neighborhoods that it only applied to new multi-family dwellings, permitted by present zoning and would not impact Battle Hill adversely.

Stackpole said Battle Hill was protected by zoning, but the city has to question how projects not complying with present zoning get built in areas such as Central Avenue.

Anthony Pilla cautioned affordable or workforce housing should not be forced into residential neighborhoods, just in mixed-use areas of the city. He said forcing them into the residential neighborhoods does not work long term. He decried the fact that one of his children’s teachers commutes from Danbury and the Superintendent of Schools lives in Connecticut, saying White Plains needs to fix the affordable housing problem.

Ms. Lecuona said she supported affordable/workforce housing, but it was important to determine the amount of money you could afford to pay for affordable housing (meaning combined income levels) that would work.

Court backlogs

On a question on how the city could fix the city court system, Mr. Stackpole charged that the council appointed the last city judge candidate under considerable pressure from political interests and had not made the best selection,  saying “it (the court system) is a mess.”

Mr. Boykin defended the selection, saying “we’re very careful to make the best selection,” and that the state had to approve the city selection. The council appointed a judge to a new term recently, after being lobbied hard by many black church leaders in the city to reappoint the judge, and did so, despite considerable objection from practitioners in the city court recommending otherwise.

Corcoran first said the judges should be voted out, not realizing the city court judges were appointed, and apologized for not hearing the question specifically. She said the Council should examine appointees more carefully and select the best-qualified candidate.

Zicca accused city court judges of intentionally backlogging their calendars and not disposing of cases in a workmanlike manner.

Mr. Levine on the matter said the lawyers created their own problems and should straighten out the court problems themselves.

On the question asking about the development of the White Plains station area, Councilman Boykin touted his effort in turning back the Exclusivity Agreement on the development of the station, but acknowledged that the developer had “put it (the station) in play” and he, Boykin looked forward to working with the residents to develop their vision of the city. Ms. Corcoran accused Boykin of being disingenuous about  his (and Mr. Power’s)  voting to kill the Exclusivity Agreement because she said, had the agreement not been brought to the public’s attention by the media that the council knew about the Exclusivity Agreement before they  said they knew about it, the council would not have voted it down.

Robert  Levine demurred saying that development of the station should not be undertaken so soon when issues such as the school district finances,  recreation, parking, the infrastructure and the city budget were, in his opinion, more important to be dealt with first, as part of “an overall plan.”

Robert Stackpole took up the cudgel, pointing out that the city did not participate in developing the present railroad station and that it does not involve itself, pay attention  and demand a voice with other government entities conducting projects that affect the city. He pointed out the city not participating with the DOT caused the I-287 construction mess at Exit 6 and was an example of that lack of awareness by the present council.

Zicca said he was for construction of a new rail station, but not for closing of the firehouse, and suggested another  800 car garage was needed there.

Candyce Corcoran objected to the 45% increase in the parking permit fee at the city garage.

Mr.Cibelli was more general on the station, saying it did not matter, because it was a matter of “us and them,” meaning the present two incumbents and the rest of the council, “the four of them and what they do.”

Ms. Lecuona said when she visited the train station campaigning in the morning she realized that if the station plaza project had been  given an exclusivity agreement, the development would have blocked the sunrise and Battle Hill would not see the sun again, saying any development had to be considered as to such impacts.

Power said you had to be careful about what was developed in the station area.

In closing statements, Mr. Pilla said you could not run the city at a loss, the council had to be fiscally responsible.

Candyce Corcoran accused the two incumbents, Power and Boykin of blaming all the city ills, rising taxes on everything but themselves.  She said they were not leaders and made the votes that have lead to the present situation.

Cibelli said the election was important, because if the incumbents win, “we will go from an us to a we, and we will be them – not listening, not caring – all will be planned,  and they are very excellent at it – excellent in bad politics.”

Zicca accused Power and Boykin of listening with “deaf ears” then doing what they are told to do. He demanded the city look into working with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and work under the 287(g) statute to attack the illegal immigrant problem in the city.

Boykin said his leadership and record spoke for him, repeated his dedication to workforce housing and listening to the people’s vision for the city.

Ms. Lecuona said what an experience it was for her to be a part of the democratic process, that she would listen carefully, and hoped all would vote democratic.

Mr. Stackpole accused the incumbents of indifference: “They listen with deaf ears. They vote their own way. They don’t want to listen…so you have a voice, so  we have a voice vote November 6 if you want to have change.”

WPCNR did not hear the candidates’ opening statements because we had attended the School Board meeting until 8:30 P.M.

The Battle Hill Exit Poll — from the Battle Hill website:

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WPCNR RINK SIDE. By Edges Bailey. October 23, 2007: The Ebersole Rink opened in White Plains for the season Tuesday evening with the first skate of the White Plains Figure Skating Club. Thirteen advanced skaters of the 32 member club, an organization of serious skaters ranging in age from girls of 11 to a gentleman in his 70s, took the ice in 72 degree weather at good Ol’ Ebersole. 

Ebersole Skating School Director, Kirsten Fuerst announced that Friday, the 26 will start the first regular day of Figure Skating Classes.  

Back on the Ice Again: White Plains Angels of the Ice on the Great White Stage of Ebersole Rink Tuesday Night.

Ice Angel Jen Bisignano – glad to be back on the ice again – spinning like a spinning top.  Ms. Bisignano had a great first night –  with a great start! She landed her Double Lutz jump for the first time – with a smile you had to see!

Hollahan arranges test sessions, books judges,  negotiates contracts with the rink.  Her dedicated efforts have helped the build the club into a tradition. She said she was pleased with the thirteen skaters showing up for the very first session and said all could not wait to get back on the ice again.

The Figure Skating Club this year has 32 members, up from last year’s 25, Hollahan reports. Membership in the club is $405, made up of $30 Club Dues, $35 dues to United States Figure Skating, plus $350 for the ice on Tuesdays for the entire skating year.  The $350 for ice works out to about $15 for each 1 hour and 45 minutes of uncrowded ice time. One hour of ice on a jam-packed comparable rink costs $20, so skating moms and dads know their daughters are getting a great ice buy and a great experience their daughters will treasure always with the White Plains Figure Skating Club.

Membership entitles club skaters to the privilege of skating in the three White Plains Figure Skating USFS Test Sessions for a Test Fee,  in which United States Figure Skating Official judges evaluate skating skills  as the skaters advance through the skill levels set by the USFS. This year Hollahan has scheduled test sessions for December 5 , February 26 and March 26.

Last year, Hollahan said the club conducted 60 Tests and said 95% of skaters passed the sessions, attesting to the quality of the instruction at Ebersole Rink  and dedication of the Club skaters.

In addition to Test Session eligibility, membership in the WPFSC entitles members to participate in United States Figure Skating competitions around the country under the auspices of the club.

At the Club’s Tuesday evening “Elite Ice,” members can schedule lessons with Ebersole Figure Skating Instructors. Here Skating School Director Kristen Fuerst (right) conducts a lesson Tuesday night with a Club member.

Serious Ice: The Club Session provides plenty of wide open “elite” ice to practice skating programs to skaters’ custom-cut music, and perform and practice the axels, spins and jumps of  the figure skater’s trade where moves can be staged at top speed in uncrowded ice conditions. It’s serious ice. Skaters said the ice was beautifully laid down and supportive with good bite, despite the warm weather, saluting the extra effort put in by the Ebersole Zamboni Ice Technician.

The club makes sense for serious skaters  who have passed the Freestyle 1 level. It provides a courteous, friendly atmosphere where skaters respect each other’s ice space and look out for each other, making friends for life. The Club skaters get valuable solo performance opportunities in the Holiday and the End of Year traditional Ebersole ice shows, and get their performances showcased to the world on The CitizeNetReporter.

Kristen Fuerst, Ebersole Skating School Director for over a decade, said that there is still time to sign up your  young skaters for all the skating class Group Lessons. Eight-Week sessions are offered from Tots 1 (ages 4 to 6) to Advanced Figure Skating (Beta Level and above. Cost is $95 for White Plains residents per 8 week session and $150 for a non-resident per 8-week session. Skating levels are sequential of course. For more information on what skating class is best for your children,  contact Ms. Fuerst at Ebersole Rink 948-6696.

For information joining the White Plains Figure Skating Club, contact the Club at  761-6259.

Public Ice Skating Sessions begin  today at 10 A.M. to 2; Thursday, 10 A.M. to 2 and 3 to 5 PM; Fridays, 10 A.M. to 2, 3 PM to 4:45 PM, and 8 PM to 10 PM (the closest thing to a teen center White Plains has when a hundred teens take to the ice),  Saturdays, 12 Noon to 4 PM and Sunday, 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. Sunday mornings from 10:20 A.M. to 11:45 PM is for adult skaters.

The Group Lesson Schedule of the Ebersole Figure Skating School