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 COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. April 8, 2004: The Proposed 2004-05 City Budget “bomb” dropped Tuesday night, but nobody noticed because there were no comments by the Mayor, or any of the Common Councilpersons to the public during Common Council meeting on what the budget was, what it meant for the city, and why it was lower than Budget Director Anne N. Reasoner indicated in meetings just scant weeks ago. The proposed budget is $110.5 Million.  To keep the budget down, rolling stock has been removed from the budget and will be reinstituted in 05-06, or bonded for at that time.

WHITE PLAINS BY THE NUMBERS: The 2004-05 Budget was delivered to the Common Council Wednesday night. Photo by WPCNR News.

WPCNR had projected a budget of $120 Million at the outset, and $115 Million on the low side, and when handed the budget book at the end of the Common Council meeting, it was found to come in at $110.5 Million. For the $110.5 Million figure to hold, without further budget increases or services cuts, the city is projecting a sales tax collection in the current fiscal year 2003-2004 of $37.8 Million, according to Budget Director Reasoner’s message. 

The budget also assumes State Comptroller Allan Hevesi will go along with legislation to allow cities to limit their debt to the state pension fund to 6.5 % of salaries though other communities like Port Chester, are not counting on it.  (White Plains owes $7.8 Million to the state pension fund for 04-05). The 6.5% of salaries proposal has yet to happen, and would limit the White Plains check to the pension fund to $3.7 Million instead of the $7.8 Million, and that is why the budget is $110.5 Million and not $114.5 Million. The 6.5% of salaries idea is Governor George Pataki’s solution to budget relief on the pension hit to municipalities. However, it is not guaranteed at this time.

If that does not happen, according to Ms. Reasoner’s budget message, the city would have to come up with an additional $4 Million, (increasing the budget to $114.5 Million, or requiring a 12% tax increase, or a cutting of the budget by $4 Million).

Another option discussed to handle the extra $4 Million if the 6.5% of salary solution is not passed to handle the pension funds, (in Ms. Reasoner’s budget message) is bonding the difference over 5 years, resulting in a 2.7% tax increase for each of the five years of bondings

Sales Tax Revenues Are Down to the Wire.

However the other dicey factor in the $110.5 Million rosy scenario is that as of the end of February, sales tax revenues for the city were running behind 2003-2004’s projection of $37 Million, projecting at $34 Million. White Plains needed about $8 Million the rest of the year to hit the $37 Million mark.

If the 2003-04 sales tax revenues do not meet the $37 Million after three quarters, the city will have to account for that difference in the 2004-05 budget, or  replace or cut the difference between that and the $37.8 Million they hope for in sales tax revenue in 2004-05.  (Sales tax revenue total can be added to up until May 27, the budget adoption night). If they don’t make the $37.8 Million figure the city may be forced to lower their sales tax projection they can budget to below $37.8 Million, and make up the shortfall in the 03-04 budget.

Hopefully the real figures coming out in two weeks will bring good news.

 To keep the budget at 110.5 Million and not have it go up to $119 Million ( $4 Million to the pension fund, plus a $1Million  to $5 Million sales tax revenue shortfall), Mr. Hevesi has to accommodate the pension fund relief legislation , and the city has to collect $37.8 Million in Sales Tax actual revenues during the first three quarters of 2003-2004 (ended 7 days ago).

WPCNR has learned that the actual sales tax revenues entitled the city for the third quarter of 2003-04, the current year, will be reconciled with the state in two weeks at which time, the amount of sales tax the city is allowed by law to include in the budget, will be determined. The estimated figures as of the end of February were running behind 2003-04. If the reconciliation does not equal $37.8 Million, a further tax increase or budget cutting would be called for.

It also marks the first time in memory that White Plains has submitted a budget crossing their fingers. There is no fund balance to back them up if they are wrong.

Dig for about $125 more a year in City Property Tax if All’s Well That Ends Well.

A 7.9% tax increase is an $8.28 increase per $1,000 of taxable evaluation. For a $600,000 home, assessed at $18,000  that is a $150 annual tax increase. The $110.5 Million Operating Budget is a 6% increase over the 2003-04 budget of $104.3 Million.

If the pension fund payment relief  reduction of  $4 Million does not happen , an additional 12% one year increase in the tax rate may result.

Savor that Water, Bring Change.

During the council meeting, the council passed Water Rate increases unanimously, hiking consumers water bills 15%, and excess users’ rates 85%, to meet rising water costs,  while also voting to increase parking fees and fines to add $4.9 Million to the city revenues, thus saving a  tax increase on top of the 7.9% increase called for by the $110.5 Million budget presented the Common Council last night.

On the telecast of the Common Council Meeting, in the last two hours, you will see Eileen Earl’s presentation on the water rates, and Albert Moronie’s presentation of parking rate increases. They are riveting.

Sunrise Assisted Living Facility is Approved.

The Common Council also approved the Sunrise assisted living facility on Maple Avenue, for 85 units. It is anticipated to be built in 13 months or so from the time construction starts.

Windsor Terrace continues. Expects Zoning Change.

The Council approved the revised site plan for 10 Windsor Terrace, paving theway for another redesign of that condominium project by Frank Cantatore. Cantatore said he expected the council might institute a zoning change allowing him to go back to longer balconies as proposed in his first design, when it was discovered the balaconies violated current zoning.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK By John “Baseball” Bailey. April 7, 2004: It was only one game, and it may be the best game the Mets play all year, but last night’s Metroplitans’ opener in their personal torture chamber, Turner Field, was about as good as it gets for a Metropolitans’ fan.

We saw the second coming of Rodan — Kazuo Matsui — Hitting a line drive opposite field jack like Ricky Henderson used to do, and the first coming of the greatest centerfielder in 40 years, Mike Cameron, racing incredibly fast into the gaps and snagging doubles off the bats of Braves. We saw the reincarnation of George Theodore, Jason Phillips, the Buddy Holly-lookalike whose 2 doubles gave punch to the lineup  and long reach at first base gave hope. Pitchers Scott Erickson and Al Leiter were watching the game from the dugout with a glow in their eyes.

OLD COMISKEY PARK, CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE .1975. Photo From WPCNR Sports Archive

And…that’s not all. Tom Glavine threw over 80 pitches and gave us six innings, something unheard of.

But, what looked good last night was the Metropolitans’ “DEE.”

First let’s start with the kid from Seattle, Mike Cameron. This guy is easily the best centerfielder in New York since Mays. No question. In the sixth inning last night, he tracked down three balls in the roomy Turner centerfield gaps and made it look easily, quite frankly keeping Tommy Glavine in the game. Last year’s Metropolitan outfield would have turned it into three straight doubles and the score 7-4 with nobody out.

Cameron is off at the crack of the bat and runs to the spot where he knows the ball is going to land, and in full stride simply outruns the ball the way “Willie” used to do….and yes, he “over-the-shoulders” the ball, then grins. It’s so nice to see a real outfielder playing in a New York centerfield again. At the plate Cameron scored two runs — but he saved two.

Karim Garcia, the former Yankee actually dove for a ball and caught it. Something you did not see too many Met outfielders do in recent years, simply because they were no where close to the ball.

Rodan (Kazuo Matsui) played an aggressive shortstop, too. The Mets made no baserunning mistakes, were patient at the plate, all those good things, and scored 7 runs.

It’s only one game. But, you’re going to like this kid Cameron. He is worth coming out to see, and the Mets haven’t had a player like that since the 80s.

Meanwhile, across town

The Yankee pitching continues to manifest itself as an unproven quantity.  As George Steinbrenner returns to the 1980s and loads up with hitters, he let his pitching go.

Mike Mussina had another lousy outing. Perhaps it’s early, but if your Number One starts out lowly against the Devil Rays, and you have to rely on even older guys…we are going to see a lot of “out of it early” Yankee games.

The Yankees have no pitching. They have no middle relief. 

Their offense is strong on paper, but they have returned to the Whack & Jack offensive style. It does no good to hit solo shots, and strike out when there are men on base. 

Throw Out the Staggered Opening.

For the first time in decades, I was not excited by Opening Day…because there were too many of them.

Baseball has to lose this early opening in venues other than the United States. It does not work. Then for the Yankees to go back and play exhibition games in Florida after they open the season? That was braindead. It made the early opening meaningless.

I understand major league baseball is considering opening the season in Baghdad next season to prove that Iraq has been civilized.

A more sensible opening place would be San Juan, Puerto Rico where the Montreals now play some of their games.

But seriously, the busted continuity of the baseball openers…which only served to focus attention on the Final Four, is not in the best interests of baseball.

I loved the Kansas City royal 7 run rally in the ninth on Opening Day to beat the Pale Hose. That’s why you stay to the final out. You never know.

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. April 7, 2004: Today’s POTD is the view from Orawaupum Street, location of the old Orawaupum Hotel, looking into the West Side of the City. Seen, left to right, is Bank Street Commons (green roof), The Financial Center, The Seasons. Foreground is the Galleria Parking Garage.

ORAWAUPUM HORIZON. By The WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER

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WPCNR PROGNOSIS. From Westchester County Community College. April 6, 2004:Individuals and their loved ones can be overwhelmed by grief when there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, hindering everyone’s ability to cope with the stress it causes. Families often refer to Alzheimer’s disease as “The Long Goodbye” because the person they know is lost long before the onset of death. To help patients and their families in the throes of this disease, Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester is sponsoring a “Living with Grief: Alzheimer’s Disease”  teleconference on Wednesday, April 28, from 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Westchester Community College. Cokie Roberts, ABC News Correspondent, will moderate the panel.

            A panel of experts, moderated by ABC News Correspondent Cokie Roberts, will discuss useful strategies for patients, their families, and professional caregivers to continue their lives through the progression of the disease. The teleconference, which will be broadcast nationally, is part of a series of annual “Living with Grief” teleconferences produced by the Hospice Foundation of America. Ms. Roberts has served as moderator of the series for the past 11 years.

            “Loss and grief are a significant part of dealing with Alzheimer’s, from diagnosis until death,” says George Batten, MPA, Executive Director of Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester, which arranged the local viewing. “The teleconference will explore the grief experience of persons in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as grief issues that are experienced by family members throughout the illness and subsequent death.”

            Many families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease turn to hospice to provide comfort and support for the entire family. Hospice coordinates physical care for the patient with family counseling through the dying and bereavement process. Services are provided by an integrated team of nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, volunteers, and home health aides, and are led by a medical director.

            “Living with Grief: Alzheimer’s Disease” features this panel of experts:

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv, a Professor of Gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle. Dr. Doka was elected President of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) in 1993. He was elected to the Board of the International Work Group on Dying, Death and Bereavement in 1995, and served as chair from 1997 to 1999. In 1998, ADEC recognized him for outstanding contributions in the field of death education. Dr. Doka is an ordained Lutheran minister.

Parag Dalsania, MD, director of the Geriatric Clinic for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC. As Assistant Professor of Medicine for the George Washington University School of Medicine and a faculty advisor for the fellows in Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, he has lectured widely on medical topics related to aging, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dr. Dalsania is a member of the American Geriatric Society and serves as a board member for the local chapter. He also serves as staff Geriatrician for Providence Hospital in Washington, DC. 

Lisa P. Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, a clinical social worker with 30 years experience in aging and Alzheimer’s services. In 1980, she started the Duke University Center for Aging’s Alzheimer’s Family Support Program, a model state clearinghouse, training, and technical assistance center for families and professionals caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2003, Ms. Gwyther was named a distinguished social work practitioner by the National Academies of Practice. Since 1985, Ms. Gwyther has directed the education/information transfer core of the National Institute on Aging-funded Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Duke University Medical Center.

William E. Haley, PhD, who received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He completed a clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Geriatric Psychology at the University of Washington-Seattle School of Medicine. After 12 years on the faculty in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Haley joined the University of South Florida’s Department of Gerontology as Professor and Chair in 1995.

Richard J. Ham, MD, Director of the West Virginia University Center on Aging. He is also Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center in Morgantown. For ten years, he chaired or co-chaired annual regional professional conferences co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. He also helped organize the First Annual Dementia Congress, which was held in Chicago in September, 2002.

Lin E. Noyes, PhD, RN, Clinical Director of the Alzheimer’s Family Day Center in Falls Church, Virginia, where she has worked since it opened in 1984. She has developed holistic programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families from the early stages of illness to end-stage care. Dr. Noyes is a founding member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Northern Virginia Chapter, and was a member of the Public Policy Committee of the national Alzheimer’s Association from 1989 to 1994.

Therese A. Rando, PhD, BCETS, BCBT, a clinical psychologist in Warwick, Rhode Island. She is the Clinical Director of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss, which provides mental health services through psychotherapy, training, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Rando specializes in loss and grief, traumatic stress, and the psychosocial care of chronically or terminally ill persons and their families.

            Medical professionals who attend the teleconference may be eligible for Continuing Educational credits. They should contact the Hospice Foundation of America for further information. (www.hospicefoundation.org)

            Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester provides extraordinary and dignified comfort, care, and compassion to every family facing a serious or life-threatening illness. Its services are designed to help seriously and terminally ill patients live full and comfortable lives, and to provide bereavement counseling to families after a death. The organization’s bereavement support groups are open to the public.

            The “Living with Grief: Alzheimber’s Disease” teleconference will take place at Westchester Community College, Classroom Building C100, in Valhalla, NY. To register, contact the Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester in White Plains at 914-682-1484. The fee for both the conference and a companion book is $15.

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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications (Edited). April 5, 1004: After months of courting Nokia with personalized site tours, financial incentives, and a coordinated team of resources, Westchester County is pleased that its efforts have paid off. The wireless mobile mogul will locate in White Plains  July 1 while  it expends $14 Million on renovating 102 Corporate Park Drive in Harrison for an occupation date of July 1, where it will house up to 300 employees, with 200 of them to be recruited from Westchester.  Stamford is the loser in the Nokia stakes.

            “We couldn’t be more pleased that Nokia chose Westchester as the place to expand its global operations and set up another corporate office in the U.S. The company definitely made the right decision,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “The new offices will also bring in more jobs and boost our tax base through the hiring and locating of new employees.”

The Westchester Wooing of Nokia — $1.1 Million in Exemptions from sales and use taxes over 7 years.

Spano said The Office of Economic Development helped the company find a site and the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency offered financial incentives by approving approximately $1.1 million in exemptions from sales and use taxes over seven years.

The process started last summer after the Office of Economic Development received an anonymous e-mail from “a European company interested in Westchester.” After a few more e-mails and then phone calls from a VP in Finland, the county’s Office of Economic Development met up with company representatives. They arranged a visit and hosted a tour of Westchester, showing the types of housing and retail amenities available, as well as available properties over 50,000 square feet.

The representatives then met personally with Spano, CIO Norm Jacknis and Salvatore J. Carrera, head of Economic Development, to learn more about the benefits of Westchester. The office gave another Nokia executive an even more extensive tour, and provided information on schools and the various municipalities.

            When Nokia expressed interest in IDA benefits, the Office of Economic Development pulled together “Team Westchester,” a group of economic development organizations which offer business resources, financial assistance and related services and incentives. The team works as an integrated unit and puts together a package of benefits in response to a company’s requests.

Additional benefits offered to Nokia include the assistance of the county’s One Stop Employment Center, a transportation assistance program that helps commuters, and public utility benefits, all of which they can make use of as the project progresses.