THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Council Work Session Reveals Plans to Add Uses to Office Parks along Westchester

Posted on March 28, 2012 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. (Reprint of Monday Evening Story) March 26, 2012:

At the Common Council work session tonight, Mayor Thomas Roach introduced to the Common Council a plan to augment permitted zoning in the commerical properties located on the northern and southern boundaries of Westchester Avenue in White Plains

Roach said the plan was to aid owners of those properties in bringing in new tenants and develop the properties according to a new city vision unique for each existing officepark. The new visions for the properties would add new uses to the properties including housing, retail, educational, and possible scientific research.

Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel noted the trend since 2006 which has seen tenants vacate properties in the city’s once thriving office parks.

She said, (upon questioning by Councilwoman Milagros Lecouna), that she had met with owners of the properties along the once Platinum Mile, who had identified organizations that had expressed interest in their buildings, but that currently are not permitted by the zoning. Habel said those uses included residential, retail, restaurant and other uses.

Habel said the city plan was to look at the office parks and design comprehensive development plans that owners could follow in opening up their properties to new uses. The advantage in developing new uses for an existing park, would avoid the developer having to rezone for every possible new tenant that did not fit the zoning.

The endeavor to rethink the properties would begin by the Common Council referring out the proposal to create “comprehensive development plans” to the city departments for comment

Habel said possible expansion of uses would be considered, property-by-property, with input from the Planning Board and city departments and the community and eventually made part of the city comprehensive plan spelling out new possibilities for the properties paralleling I-287.

Councilpersons John Martin, Benjamin Boykin,David Buchwald and Beth Smayda were enthusiastic about the initiative. Councilwoman Milagros Lecouna expressed tentative support, as long as she was assured retail in the Central Business District was not impacted by new possible uses.

Habel said the object was to bring in new development opportunities on the properties in question without impacting the downtown economy.

IN OTHER ACTION…

The council agreed that they would consider adopting a city stand on including public transit on the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The council heard a proposal by Temple Kol Ami to install a storm water drain system on the Temple parking lot at the Common Council meeting next week.

Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti announced the successful drilling of two new wells on the city reservoir property now going into a water quality testing phase under auspices of the state.

The Commissioner also announced the beginning of a redesign of the ramps and stairways at the Gedney & Gille Fields which would be paid for with left over bond capacity from the Ebersole Rink renovation. He said work may not be completed in 2012.

IN EXECUTIVE SESSION…

Before the Common Council entered Executive Session to discuss a lawsuit, (Merchants Insurance Group a/s/o Pilar Larios v. Alexander Howard and The City of White Plains)the names of the parties involved in the legal matter were announced, beginning a new procedure which finally after decades of the city ignoring the law, would be the process of disclosure going forward.

John Callahan, city Corporation Counsel told WPCNR disclosure of parties involved in Executive Session discussion would only happen in matters where a court action was being discussed. Executive Sessions involving the sale or acquisition of land or personnel matters would continue the city policy of non-disclosure.

The city was shamed into disclosing parties in lawsuits under discussion traditionally done in secret by the activist Carl Albanese who on a number of occasions has complained in Common Council meetings of how the city has been ignoring the state open meetings law for years.

Business Council of Westchester Says Cuts Will Help Westchester Grow

Posted on March 27, 2012 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Business Council of Westchester. March 27, 2012:

Upon news that the Senate and Assembly Majority Leaders have reached agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo on the 2012-13 budget, the Business Council of Westchester issued this statement:

“The budget agreement reached today by Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Skelos and
Speaker Silver will have positive implications for the Westchester business community. With
2% or less growth in state spending, as well as a net reduction in All Funds spending for the
second year in a row, our leaders demonstrate they remain committed to fiscal responsibility.

The phased takeover of local government Medicaid administration expenses over the next
three years should result in direct savings to businesses and taxpayers. With this critical element
of mandate relief in place, the Business Council will work with the legislature and state
government to progress other priorities, including reform of the State Environmental Quality
Review (SEQR) process.

With the appointment of Lieutenant Governor Duffy as Chair of the Spending and Government
Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, the Business Council will continue to forcefully advocate in
favor of structural and operational changes that will streamline the organizational structure of
state government, for creation of a shared services model that will help create savings for the
state, and development of metrics and targets to help improve performance and make
government more open, transparent and accountable.

These fiscal reform measures are only one piece of New York State’s recovery. It is our hope
that the launch of the New York Works Task Force, an initiative designed to develop a
coordinated capital infrastructure plan among agencies and authorities, will help refine the use of
resources and accelerate construction of critical infrastructure. $1.2 billion in new spending for
these projects will literally help pave the road to recovery.

Building on fiscal reform and progression of infrastructure projects including the Tappan Zee
Bridge, job creation is the core of our economic growth. The second round of funding to
implement regional strategic plans developed through the Regional Councils totals $150 million
in new capital funding. The Business Council will not only continue to serve on the Mid-Hudson
Regional Council, but collaborate with our partners to better prepare our constituents to apply
and compete for those funds, and ultimately create jobs in our region and county.

The General Contractors Association of New York issued this statement on the budget agreement:

“Today’s announcement of an on time budget agreement shows that New York has regained its status as the Empire State. Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Skelos and Speaker Silver have put the dreary days of late budgets and legislative dysfunction firmly in the footnotes of history.”

“From the establishment of the New York Works program to the funding of the MTA and DOT capital plans, this budget will provide the high octane fuel to fast track long overdue capital investments, create meaningful construction jobs, generate tax revenues and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

Republicans Delay Convening Board to Set Salaries Increases. No Raise in 2012.

Posted on March 27, 2012 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From The Westchester County Board of Legislators. MARCH 27, 2012:

The Republican caucus of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), after spending the last two weeks publicly advocating for the reconvening of the citizen-led Compensation Advisory Board, suddenly pushed back the vote on the issue at the Monday regular meeting of the BOL.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would suspend the requirement that establishes the Compensation Advisory Board this year, thus ensuring that the lawmakers will not receive salary increases for the 2012-2013 legislative term.

Legislator Gordon Burrows (R-Yonkers), the BOL’s Minority Whip, called for the vote to be held over until the BOL’s next regular meeting on Monday, April 16. The Compensation Advisory Board, by law, is supposed to present its recommendations no later than April 30 though.

If County Executive Robert P. Astorino uses all of the time allotted to him to consider the legislation, it would not be returned for another vote until April 28, leaving the Compensation Board with little time to do its job.

The laws of Westchester mandate that the BOL create the Compensation Advisory Board in January of even-numbered years, whether changes in compensation are being sought or not. This advisory board then deliberates on salary, stipends, benefits, reimbursement for expenses and all other forms of compensation to the legislators, and makes recommendations.

But with the economy still recovering, the legislators had no interest in boosting their pay.

“Since we are not pursuing salary increases, there is no reason to convene a board of citizens to discuss the issue,” said Judy Myers (D-Larchmont), chair of the BOL’s Budget & Appropriations Committee. “Frankly, I’m surprised my Republican colleagues spent so much time and energy on this subject. We have so many more important things to work on, like investing in our infrastructure and protecting services for Westchester residents who need them.”

The last time the Compensation Advisory Board met was in 2008, noted Myers, when it issued a report that recommended a salary increase for the legislators—just as the national economy was turning for the worse.

The Advisory Board, then chaired by Westchester County Association President William Mooney, Sr., actually framed its recommendation within the context of the worsening economic crisis, implying it would have called for even higher salary increases for the legislators.

Even so, the Compensation Board thought legislators should receive a 7.5% increase, which was consistent with a 2.5% increase in the Consumer Price Index experienced in the three years since salaries were last looked at. The Chairman would receive a $3000 increase in his stipend. Committee chair stipends would increase by $1000.

These recommendations were not accepted by the BOL, and neither were the two prior advisory board recommendations for salary increases.

In 2010, the BOL voted to suspend creation of the Compensation Advisory Board for two years because the legislators were not going to look for salary increases at a time when many in Westchester were still suffering from the economic downturn.

“Because the legislators have not received a salary increase in nearly a decade, there is no reason to think that the Compensation Advisory Board would come to any conclusion other than wanting to advance our salaries and stipends,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “But an increase is not on the table for this term, at all, so it is just a waste of time, money and energy to ask citizens of our county to meet and make salary recommendations that are not going to be approved by the Board of Legislators.”

Westchester legislators make $49,500 a year, with stipends between $3000 and $9000 available for committee chairs and other board positions. Because the BOL voted to have its members contribute to health care costs, the legislators are actually bringing home less money in their paychecks.

Added Legislator Pete Harckham (D-Katonah), the BOL’s Majority Leader: “If the County Executive plans to veto this legislation, then he should be prepared to explain why he thinks the legislators’ salaries need to be adjusted, either upward or downward, and explain the two million dollar increase for 2012 salaries in his office as well.”

Michigan Economists Predict Steady Growth in U.S. Economy: 5 Million New Jobs

Posted on March 26, 2012 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Special to WPCNR from the University of Michigan. March 26, 2012:

America’s economy will continue its recovery this year and next as it adds nearly 5 million jobs and unemployment falls below 8 percent, say University of Michigan economists.

“The performance of the U.S. economy during much of 2011 did nothing to alter the perception that we were mired in a sluggish recovery,” said U-M economist Joan Crary. “Indeed, by late summer economists were considering the likelihood of a double-dip recession.

“The economy regained some momentum during the fall, however, with the closing quarter registering some of the best economic readings of the year. Although the economy is growing at a subpar rate to begin 2012, we expect the pace of economic activity to accelerate over the next two years as the economic headwinds that have plagued the recovery begin to abate.”

In their annual spring forecast update of the U.S. economy, Crary and colleagues Daniil Manaenkov and Matthew Hall say that employment rises at a moderate pace, consumer spending increases, the housing market picks up, vehicle sales improve and inflation remains in check in 2012 and 2013.

They predict that payroll employment will rise by 2.5 million jobs during 2012 and 2.3 million during 2013, an average of 200,000 jobs per month.

“An extrapolation of our forecast suggests that the cumulative job growth during the recovery will finally exceed the jobs lost during the recession in the second quarter of 2014, roughly six years after the previous peak in the first quarter of 2008,” Crary said.

Unemployment is expected to edge downward from the current rate of 8.3 percent to about 8 percent by the end of 2012 and to 7.7 percent a year later.

Crary and colleagues project economic output growth (as measured by real Gross Domestic Product) of 2.3 percent during this year and 2.6 percent during 2013—up from 1.6 percent last year.

They say that real nonresidential fixed investment was a major driver of growth in 2011 and continues to be over the forecast horizon, rising by $113 billion in 2012 and $116 billion in 2013.

“Investment is continuing to lead the country out of the recession as consumption growth remains sluggish and government purchases continue to be a drag on the economy,” Crary said. “Investment in nonresidential construction turned around in 2011. It then accelerates in 2012 and 2013, offsetting slower growth in the equipment and software sector, which remains strong but grows at a more sustainable pace.”

The U-M economists say that residential building is beginning to show signs of life, as well. Single-family housing starts—at an all-time low of 430,000 units last year—will increase by about 100,000 units this year and then reach about 730,000 units in 2013.

Existing single-family home sales are projected to rise by 300,000–400,000 units over the next two years, as housing prices stabilize.

Sales of light vehicles are another indicator of a steadily recovering economy, Crary and colleagues say. Sales totaled 12.7 million units in 2011, up from 11.6 million the year before and will rise to 14 million units this year and to 14.6 million units in 2013.

“Part of the strong showing early this year is related to abnormal weather this winter, with the rest coming from make-up purchases deferred due to Japan-related supply shortages and genuine pent-up demand,” Crary said.

“With the average age of a light vehicle approaching 11 years, many consumers will not be able to delay purchases much longer. While weather-related and “make-up” sales will diminish soon, the release of accumulated pent-up demand should keep pushing vehicle sales higher.”

According to the forecast, core inflation will edge upward to 2 percent this year and drop slightly to 1.8 percent in 2013; the price of oil will average about $102 per barrel this year and about $104 next year; and interest rates, while creeping upward, will remain historically low.

Conventional mortgage rates will average 4 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2013. The 3-month Treasury bill rate will closely follow the fed funds rate, remaining below 20 basis points through next year, while 10-year Treasury notes will rise from 2 percent now to 2.6 percent by the end of next year.

The U-M forecast is based on the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model of the U.S. Economy and compiled by the U-M Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics. For more information, visit www.umich.edu/~rsqe.