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)

City Assessment Roll Declines for the 10th Consecutive Year.Down $3.1M

Posted on March 3, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. March 3, 2011:

The City Assessment Roll for 2011-12 was released at 3 P.M. Tuesday afternoon and it is down $3.1 Million to $278,155,129, a decline of $3,163,737 as White Plains real estate values declined for the tenth consecutive year.

The SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSESSMENT ROLL IS DOWN $2.2M–(TO $279,791,432)creating an additional $1.2 Million revenue shortfall for the district. As this point, the district faces a $9.2 Million revenue gap to close to meet this year’s budget of $183.5 Million.

Ask not for whom the Roll Calls, it Calls for thee. The 2011-12 Assessment Roll debuted Tuesday.

WPCNR estimates the district either has to eliminate 100 positions from the payroll to avoid a tax rate increase, or raise the tax rate from $534.63 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, to about $568 per thousand to make up that $9.2 Million gap–an approximate 6.3% tax increase — if the school district chooses to forgo layoffs. They could of course eliminate 100 jobs and make up the gap without a tax increase, or layoff fifty persons, and raise taxes 3%.Of course their may be more gap to come.

A total of 497 WHITE PLAINS TAXPAYERS will also lose the $1,400 STAR EXEMPTION,under the new state law enacted by the legislature last July (and exclusively reported by WPCNR). They have been determined to make over $500,000 a year, adjusted gross income. The assessor, Lloyd Tasch estimates — about 200 of those persons lost their $1,400 EXEMPTION because they did not respond to the assessor’s letter urging them to contact his office if they did not make $500,000 a year.

Special Election Set for March 31 by Council

Posted on March 3, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. March 3, 2011:

White Plains history was made Tuesday evening.

The Common Council passed a resolution 6-0 Tuesday evening calling a Special Election for Mayor for Tuesday, March 31, 2011. It is the first Special Election in the city’s history. Above, the historic moment Tuesday evening.

Tom Roach, Common Council President and Acting Mayor said prior to the vote, justifying the setting of the 30-day schedule by saying “White Plains has spent a year in limbo. It’s time for it to end.” The Council roll was called and Councilpersons Benjamin Boykin, David Buchwald, Milagros Lecouna, Dennis Power, Beth Smayda and Mr. Roach all voted to set the date.

Speaking to WPCNR after the meeting, Roach said the Board of Elections would be able to print the ballots and program the optical scanner voting machines in time for the March 31 election. The city charter calls for the city in event of a vacancy in the office of the Mayor, to hold a Special Election within 60 days of the announcement of the vacancy. Adam Bradley resigned his position as Mayor February 28.

According to a spokesperson at the Board of Elections Wednesday, Party nominees need to be registered with the Board 10 days after the Election date is declared by the city, which would be March 11, and independent individuals not nominated by a party have 12 days to get their signatures in to the Board. According to the Board spokesperson, the independent candidates, if there are any, have to collect 743 signatures to get on the ballot, and have until Monday, March 13, to get their paperwork in.

The Possibilities

WPCNR has learned that Glen Hockley has already started to collect signatures to put his name on the ballot. Hockley said he would be sure to file a certificate of acceptance this time. (He was removed from the November 2009 mayoral ballot by the Board of Elections for his failing to do so, and subsequently had his Federal Court lawsuit thrown out when he alleged his civil rights were being violated by the Board of Elections.)

Mr. Hockley said he was hopeful of being nominated by a recognized party, but definitely would be on the ballot on his line, he told WPCNR. Hockley has 12 days to collect his 743 valid voter signatures.

The Republican Party according to its Chair Brian Maloney has not nominated anyone yet. Queried if they might run Joseph Delfino, the former White Plains Mayor in a political comeback, Maloney said Delfino had not asked to be considered by the Republican nominating committee.Maloney told WPCNR he has not invited Mr. Delfino to interview for the nomination.

Another possibility for the Republicans might be Bob Hyland who lost in a close race for Bill Ryan’s 5th County Legislature seat in November 2009. Mr.Delfino was seen cutting quite a swath at the Conservative Party dinner this week.The Conservative Party may announce its nominee as early as this Friday.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roach, who is the Democratic City Committee nominee, may face a challenge from the floor when the Democrats meet one week from tonight (March 10th). Bill Ryan and the Councilman Benjamin Boykin are currently said to be lobbying district leaders in the Democratic Party.

Legal Challenge

In a legal development, Mr. Maloney has written a letter to the Special Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, and Secretary Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security alleging that Tom Roach running violates the Hatch Act by attempting to run for Mayor while Acting Mayor.

Roach dismissed this as the case Maloney is basing is protest, involved an appointed Acting Mayor, and is not applicable in Roach’s opinion, since Roach is still serving as Council President. Part of that position duties are to serve as acting Mayor in event there is a vacancy in the Mayor’s office, as stipulated by the Charter.

Asked if Mr. Maloney was considering filing a “Show Cause” order in court to halt the Special Election process awaiting a ruling, he said he would have to discuss that with his Executive Committee.

Maloney and Assemblyman Robert Castelli separately pointed out that the 30 day election schedule does not allow time to get absentee ballots to servicemen overseas, thus disenfranchising them. Casttelli said a law was passed by the Assembly Wednesday, and is expected to be passed by the State Senate and signed by Governer Andrew Cuomo Thursday as early as noon which would mandate in future special elections that 45 days be allowed to get absentee ballots out to veterans and servicemen.

Castelli ruefully allowed that such a law could not be retroactive.

Castelli Hosts Budget Events

Posted on March 2, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Robert Castelli, Assemlyman, 89th District. March 3, 2011:

With legislative leaders announcing an updated schedule that puts them on track for an on-time budget, Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) has called for a Citizen’s Budget Session where local stakeholders in the 89^th Assembly District can come and give their ideas, input, suggestions and express their concerns over the Governor’s proposed budget, prior to the Senate & Assembly budget actions and the Governor’s 30-day budget amendments.

Castelli will host a pair of events, the evening of Thursday, March 3^rd, in North White Plains, and the afternoon of Friday, March 4^th, in Bedford, respectively, where local elected officials, members of school groups and non-profits will be called to testify. Concerned taxpayers and members of the public will also have an open microphone to air their support and/or concerns which Castelli can than take back to the legislature prior to convening the joint budget conference committees on March 15^th.

Bronz Center Not Closing: Feiner. Meeting on it March 7

Posted on March 2, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. From Paul Feiner, Greeburgh Town Supervisor. March 3, 2011:

After all the speculation and rumors, I and the Board of Directors, would like to inform you that the Lois Bronz Children’s Center has no intention of closing. Facing challenging economic times, we find ourselves in the same situation as many businesses across America, struggling to make ends meet. However, LBCC isn’t like most businesses. We provide vital services upon which hundreds of children and families depend every year. Our board and staff take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to caring for your children.

To address the financial pressure, we have made major adjustments to the way we operate. We have taken many cost cutting measures in our back office operations and business processes. These measures were planned and implemented very carefully so that they would not affect the availability or the quality of your children’s early childhood education.

For over 45 years, LBCC has been there for our parents who depend on us to take care of their children so that they can go to work. We are grateful for the support we have received over these four decades from Federal, State and County governments, WestCOP, corporations and other generous foundations and individuals.

Yet now, many of these organizations and individuals are facing their own fiscal crises. It’s important to remember, that as a private not-for-profit facility – not a public institution – we rely heavily on financial donations and we have been actively seeking funds from new corporations, individuals and foundations

Now we turn to you for ideas to raise money. It is the time for our community to come together to demonstrate its commitment to quality early childhood education in our own back yard.

On March 7^th, I will host an indoor rally for parents and concerned community members. We urge you to attend and invite family and friends who can help support LBCC.

We look forward to seeing you on March 7^th at 6:30 pm at the Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue. Please bring your ideas and donations!