Cnty Execs Back New TZB as Gov Promises Bus Transit and Mass Transit Task Force


 


 


Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino,(center) Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef (right) and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen O’dell (left) today announced their intention to vote yes at the next New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) meeting to include the new Tappan Zee Bridge project in the region’s long-range transportation plan. A unanimous vote qualifies the project for federal funds.


 


WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. News Release from the Westchester Department of Communications supplemented by WPCNR Reporting From the Scene. August 16, 2012 UPDATED AUGUST 22, 2012:


 


Astorino told the news conference on the shores of the Hudson River in Tarryton he expected the Council to approve it sometime in September, paving way for the state to qualify for the TIFIA starter loan the state is waiting to receive to start the bridge. Astorino justified the withholding approval, because he and the other two executives felt strongly that mass rapid transit had to be guaranteed to be part of the new bridge with a mechanism set up to achieve that.


 


County Executive Astorino told WPCNR when asked if Governor Cuomo has indicated to either he, Vanderhoef or Odell whether bids on the new bridge (in hand at Albany since July 27 currently being vetted) were either higher or lower than the $5.2 Billion estimate the state has been using, Astorino said, “No.” Asked if the Governor had confided the hard numbers to the executives during their discussions, Astorino had earlier said “No.”


(On the White Plains Week television program Friday on Channels 45 and 76, viewable on the internet at www.whiteplainsweek.com — the next day — spokesman Brian Conybeare speaking for the Governor said all three bidders had told the state their bids were all not over $5.2 Billion.)


 


WPCNR also asked the three County Executives why they were so concerned about a potential $14 toll when New York commuters have paying $12 tolls on the Whitestone, Throgs Neck,  and Triborough Bridges, and Lincoln and Holland Tunnels.


 


Astorino said the rise in toll projected was a tripling of the rate, that the higher toll might hurt Westchester’s ability to attract business in the future. Astorino felt that a special discount could be put in place to mitigate the toll. He said that tolls would have to pay for the bridge.


 


Vanderhoef said that there was no idea what the new construction would cost and that cost would dictate the toll– though Conybeare said the bridge bidders have already gone on record saying the bridge would cost no more than $5.2 Billion)


 


 


The county executives said they support the project based on a framework developed in conjunction with Gov. Andrew Cuomo that addresses the need for mass transit on the bridge when it is built and in the future.


 


Under the terms of the framework:



· Dedicated bus lanes will be incorporated on the bridge from the start.


WPCNR asked Vanderhoef  whether since the Governor has committed to bus transit “from Day 1” the Tappan ZeExpress bus fleet would be expanded from its 87 Daily trips a day (42,500 riders a month, about 1,450 riders per day, compared to 138,000  vehicles that cross the bridge a day), when the bridge opened. He said that with a dedicated bus lane the service might see a lift in ridership since the buses would travel faster across the bridge.


· The bridge will be constructed with mass transit capacity compatible with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and Commuter Rail Transit.


· A Regional Transit Task Force will be created to study costs and options for regional transit, including commuter rail and a BRT system on the bridge and key portions of the Westchester-Rockland corridor.


· The Task Force will issue recommendations in one year, with a plan for short-term steps that can be considered for immediate commencement, as well as long-term plans for transit solutions.


· Incentives will be created for contractors that could be used to reinvest in regional mass transit or to moderate impact on toll-payers.


“I have been a strong supporter on the need for a new bridge but I’ve been equally strong on the need for some form of mass transit as a way to reduce congestion and pollution,” said Astorino. “Under the framework we announce today, mass transit will not be an afterthought in the building of the bridge. With plans to have mass transit as part of the new Tappan Zee Bridge we’re not waiting five years to start thinking about it, we’re moving forward now.”


“I am pleased to join with the governor and my fellow county executives in this important TZ Bridge agreement which outlines steps for constructing a mass-transit ready structure, as well as committing to moving forward in the future to address the region’s mass transit needs,” said Vanderhoef. “This agreement also commits to exploring toll discounts for regional residents.”


“The new Tappan Zee bridge project is going to provide a jolt to the economic vitality of the region, both in terms of the thousands of construction and engineering jobs, as well as the increased commerce for the region that will result from having a state-of-the-art new bridge,” said O’Dell. O’Dell also said the bridge would be a benefit to families throughout the region.


In addition, the governor and county executives agreed to establish a working group of Thruway, state, federal and local officials to examine ways to keep toll increases to the minimum necessary, including maximizing federal support, expanding discount programs for regional residents, and financing mechanisms that lower the cost of credit and borrowing.


 


*******


 


Observation: No representative from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office was there for the conference. No representative from the town of Tarrytown attended.


 


Reporters were amused that midway through the news conference a pair of Canada geese overflew the official county executive trio, honking loudly while Mr. Astorino was speaking. Mr. Astorino was speaking at the time and the honking of the geese was very intense. (Mr. Astorino’s Department of Recreation and Parks recently authorized the killing of 500 geese who had been residing on the Sprain Lake and adjacent Sprain Lake Golf Course. A spokesperson for the geese was not available and it could not be determined whether the Geese were protesting the recent goose kill.)

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NY Comptroller: Thruway Should Cut Its Costs Before Raising Commerical Veh. Toll

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. News Release from the Office of the New York State Comptroller. August16, 2012:


The New York State Thruway Authority should explore all other options to increase revenue and cut costs before going ahead with a 45 percent average toll increase on some commercial vehicles that could impact the state’s economic recovery, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said Wednesday.


DiNapoli released an analysis showing the Thruway Authority has increased operating costs by 36 percent over the past ten years, but revenues have not kept pace.


Debt service payments have nearly doubled to $181.9 million over the same time frame, necessitating increased revenue, while the authority has failed to publicly prioritize its capital projects.


DiNapoli also called for an independent review of the Canal System to identify savings and alternative revenue sources, and create a plan to make it a more viable part of the upstate New York economy.


 


“Imposing a large toll increase could have damaging effects on consumers and businesses at a time when many New Yorkers are struggling to recover from the recession,” DiNapoli said. “Too often in the past the Thruway has pushed costs and difficult decisions to the future by raising tolls or borrowing. The Thruway’s fiscal condition has deteriorated, but a new leadership team has begun to make changes. For years the authority has failed to make the improvements recommended by my office and independent consultants. The Thruway should do more before relying on yet another toll hike to make ends meet.”


In late May, the Thruway Authority announced a planned 45 percent average toll increase for larger commercial vehicles. The increase, slated to take effect Sept. 30, comes after toll hikes for all vehicles in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. A recent consultant report, commissioned by the authority, suggested that “further actions” may be needed by 2015 – raising the prospect of another toll increase, unrelated to the Tappan Zee Bridge, in a few years.


DiNapoli’s report found that from 2002 through 2011, Thruway-generated revenues grew by 4 percent on average annually, while expenses grew by 5 percent on average. In 2011, Thruway-generated revenue fell by 1 percent while expenses rose 7 percent. Over the past ten years, annual Thruway Authority operations spending has grown 35.8 percent, increasing from $310.3 million in 2002 to $421.3 million in 2011. The authority has consistently overestimated traffic levels, including in 2011 when actual usage was 12 percent below projections.


The authority expects its debt service costs to climb to $312.4 million by 2016, a 72 percent increase from current figures. That estimate does not include the costs associated with the planned replacement of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.


Additionally, the Thruway has spent more than $1.1 billion since 1992 to support the Canal System. Thruway Authority estimates indicate that it will cost another $436.5 million to operate and repair the canals between 2013 and 2016. This drain of resources has contributed to the deterioration of the Authority’s financial condition over the past decade. And despite major investments and new amenities, boating activity on the Canal System is down by nearly one-third since the Thruway Authority assumed control.


The report suggests the Thruway Authority:



  • Identify options for operational cost savings, including recommendations by the Office of the State Comptroller, such as improving collection of E-Z Pass tolls, seeking other revenue gains from existing sources, and enhancing financial controls to minimize cost overruns on construction and maintenance projects;

  • Examine the SAGE Commission’s findings regarding potential savings from consolidation of certain functions with other transportation agencies;

  • Establish a prioritized plan for capital improvements, aligned with the authority’s financial resources and the infrastructure goals of the state as a whole, to provide the public and elected officials an opportunity to address the comparative importance of competing projects;

  • Commission an independent analysis of the Canal System to examine ways to streamline operations, seek new funding streams, and develop a realistically attainable vision for its future role in the upstate economy.

  • Analyze past and present traffic estimates to identify sources of erroneous projections that have led to revenue shortfalls and, if necessary, to fine-tune projections for the next few years.

  • Report traffic and revenue levels quarterly, and issue financial and management updates periodically throughout the year, to enhance public confidence in the operational streamlining and other improvements that Thruway leaders indicate are now underway.

In recent weeks, a number of New York residents and elected officials have reached out to the Comptroller regarding their concerns on the toll hike.


Auditors from the Office of the State Comptroller recently examined what actions, if any, Thruway Authority officials have taken to implement the recommendations in a 2008 report regarding maximization of E-Z Pass toll collections. They found that the Thruway Authority has made progress in addressing previously identified issues, but that additional improvements are needed. A copy of that audit can be found at: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093012/12f2.pdf


For a copy of the Thruway report released today, visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/thruway_policy_08142012.pdf


Since 2007, DiNapoli’s office has completed 14 audits and follow up reports on the Thruway Authority’s operations. For a list of those audits, visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/thruway_fact_sheet.pdf.

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Peekskill Paramount Suffers Severe Drop in Funding–Needs $300,000 Cash Infusion

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Special to WPCNR From the Peekskill Paramount Theatre Board of  Directors. August 15, 2012:









Due to cutbacks and the loss of traditional funding sources for non-profit institutions like the Paramount Center for the Arts (PCA), we are in a position that requires a candid, direct and honest plea to those who over the years have enjoyed what has been presented at the historic Paramount Theatre in Peekskill.











The Paramount budget has been cut to every extent possible zeroing in only on those expenses that are directly necessary for the organization to carry out its core mission. In short, more contributed revenue is needed now if we are to continue to provide the Paramount experiences you love.

 


The Old Paramount, Peekskill, N.Y.






 



 


 


For more than three decades, the PCA has provided our audiences and visitors with a diverse selection of live performances, high quality films and visual art exhibits that have been entertaining and enlightening. This has been possible because of the support of our patrons and the generosity of our members, government, certain arts organizations, businesses and corporate entities.


 



The Paramount’s revenue comes in two ways…box office sales and contributions of various types. Regardless of how successful box office sales are it is the latter that makes the difference in whether or not the Paramount is successful. The fact is the PCA has experienced a severe drop in contributed income over the past two years which has necessitated an immediate $300,000 fund drive aimed at those who have the closest connection to what goes on at the Paramount theatre…our primary audience, friends and lovers of the Paramount.


 



With new leadership in place at the theatre for the better part of 9 months, our programming and film presentations have become more successful than they have been in many years. Our theatre operations have never been better and our dedicated staff and hard working enthusiastic volunteers carry out their varied responsibilities in a highly professional manner on a daily basis.


 





Please take a moment to provide the Paramount with a contribution to assist us in this vitally important fund drive. While buying tickets to one or more of our upcoming shows would be great, contributions to support the institution of the Paramount Center for the Arts is of “paramount” importance. Please stop by the theatre, or mail your contribution to the Paramount Center for the Arts, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill, NY 10566. The quickest, easiest and best way to contribute is to visit our website at www.paramountcenter.org where at the very top of our home page you will find a quick and easy link to make a secure online contribut

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Woman Med Supplier Convicted of 10.7 Million $$$ Medicare Fraud

WPCNR FBI WIRE Special to WPCNR From the Federal Bureau of  Investigation. August 15, 2012:


A federal jury in Central Islip today convicted the owner of a Long Island medical supply company of a $10.7 million Medicare fraud and wrongful disclosure of private patient information.


The conviction of Helene Michel,45, of Old Brookville, New York, was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; and Thomas O’Donnell, Special Agent in Charge of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations, New York.












 


The evidence at trial established that over the course of four and a half years the defendant stole private patient information from various nursing homes on Long Island and then submitted thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicare. The claims sought payment for services and equipment that were never provided by the defendant’s company, Medical Solutions Management Inc., of Hicksville, New York.


Among the fraudulent claims proven at trial was the defendant’s demand for reimbursement for supplying boots and braces to an elderly patient who was in fact an above-the-knee double-amputee.


The defendant then used the proceeds of the scheme to purchase a $2.2 million home in Old Brookville, New York, as well as to fund a pension plan for herself and an investment brokerage account collectively worth $2 million.


The defendant, who used the alias “Dr. Elene Allonce,” among others, was charged in a three-count superseding indictment in March 2012 with conspiracy, health care fraud, and wrongful disclosure of patient information in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as “HIPAA.” The case represents one of the first criminal prosecutions in the nation for wrongful disclosure of patient information under HIPAA.


“To this defendant, the elderly were not patients to be helped, but pawns to be exploited for personal gain. Invasion of patient privacy and fraud against the health care program that the elderly depend upon are intolerable,” said United States Attorney Lynch. “Let today’s verdict stand as a warning to all that we will tenaciously investigate violators, protect patient rights, and vindicate the hard-earned support taxpayers provide the Medicare program.”


Ms. Lynch expressed her appreciation to Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, New York, for its assistance.


FBI Assistant Director in Charge Fedarcyk stated, “The defendant showed no regard for patients’ privacy rights when she stole their personal identity information to file false medical claims. She padded her own pockets at the expense of the Medicare kitty. The verdict today should serve as a warning to those who disregard privacy laws to defraud publicly funded programs meant to help our seniors.”


When sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco, Michel faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, as well as fines of up to $250,000 per count.


This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Burton T. Ryan, Jr.


Defendant:
Helene Michel, 45



 









 


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