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)

Mayor to Be Fair in Settlements. Unions Collaborative.Phone/Personal Talks Go On

Posted on April 29, 2010 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. April 29, 2010: Mayor Adam Bradley today contacted WPCNR today and criticized media reports “rehashing” recent budget and labor disputes of the past as being unproductive, untimely, and disruptive to current sensitive union negotiations, saying “I made a commitment to look forward, not backwards and go forward…discussions of the past produces no benefit, and are inappropriate. The publishing of today’s article in The Journal News hinders the ability for all of us (city and unions) to be looking forward.”

He said all union presidents, police, fire, teamsters and civil service have been collaborative, professional and understanding in the discussions he has had with them. Asked if he has dropped his proposals for extensive layoffs in police and fire, Mr. Bradley said he would not negotiate in the press and said “My hope is that we can find a way to maintain our level of professionalism.”

He praised the professionalism and high level of standards of the workers in all four city unions, (and non-union personnel) and said he had utmost respect for them.

Asked when the next meeting with the unions would be, John Callahan, City Chief of Staff said talks on the telephone, and personal meetings had been going on at various times with union leaders and the union lawyers.

WPCNR asked the Mayor if he had backed off his May 2 deadline for the unions to get back to him on layoff and benefit cut possibilities and combinations as have been revealed to WPCNR by union sources. The Mayor would not confirm or deny the deadline, saying he would not negotiate in the press. Asked if he planned a settlement before the May 27 deadline for passing the budgtet, the Mayor said he hoped so.

Asked if he was not looking backward, would the Mayor drop the city legal effort to have the12-hour shift for police patrolmen overturned because it was not approved by the Common Council, the Mayor said he would not. “That’s a different issue, not part of the aribitration award.”

Asked if whatever labor decisions are made would treat all labor unions the same, Bradley said his goal was to be fair to all union workers involved.

EXTEND PARKING TIME BY CELLPHONE DEBUTS

Posted on April 29, 2010 by John Bailey

WPNCR THE PARKING NEWS. From Antoinette Biordi, Communications Director, City of White Plains. April 29,2010:The City of White Plains launched its new “Pay by Cell” program today. City Officials gave a demonstration on how it works at the Waller Maple Parking lot. For a nominal service charge of 50 cents, parkers with cellphones, parked in select city garages and lots (Waller, Lyon Place, Chester Maple Garage, Hamilton Avenue Garage and Trans Center Garage) May extend parking time using their cellphone. White Plains is the only city in New York State and one of a handful of cities across the nation that offers this unique program.

City officials gave a demonstration on how it works at the Waller Maple Parking lot this morning. White Plains is the only city in New York State and one of a handful of cities across the nation that offers this unique program

The “Pay by Cell” iniative will give people who prefer to pay for parking by using a cell phone instead of waiting in line at the digital multi-space meters. “This allows people who are in a hurry to pay for parking right on their cell phones,” says White Plains Parking Commissioner Albert Moroni.

Here’s how it works.

1. Users can either register online at www.paybyphone.com or call 1-888-450-PARK (7275).

2.When people call the number, they follow the prompts and pay for the parking.

3.The company will provide you with a text message 10 minutes before your time is up.

4. At that point, you can extend the time by using your phone to avoid a ticket.

Parking attendants will be able to check the multi space meters and recognize your mobile payment.

Mayor Adam Bradley says, “This new iniative will make parking more friendly and convenient for people visiting and doing business in White Plains.” Pay by Cell will be offered at:

Waller Maple Lot,

Lyon Place Lot,

Chester Maple Garage,

Hamilton Main Garage,

Trans Center Garage.

Eventually Pay by Cell will extend to the Galleria Garages and all other parking locations in the city by the end of the year.

FEINER: COUNTY SHOULD SURVEY LABOR COSTS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

Posted on April 29, 2010 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor. April 29,2010: Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, a former President of the Westchester-Putnam Town Supervisors Association is writing to County Executive Rob Astorino and to all the Mayors/Supervisors in Westchester suggesting that the county help local governments run more efficient and less expensive govenments by conducting an annual study comparing salaries, benefits, union contracts, use of overtime of every town, school & fire district in the county.

Feiner said that the lack of a county analysis & comparison makes it difficult for elected officials to know if they are providing the taxpayers with the maximum value for the tax dollar. It would be helpful if we had a comprehensive analysis/comparison of pay, summaries of all negotiated (or arbitration imposed) contracts and if every official could compare how much it costs to run their government with other governments of similar populations.

Feiner said that his suggestion would provide taxpayers valuable information that could help citizens determine if their governments are efficiently run. It would motivate elected officials to work harder to save taxpayer dollars since their costs would be compared annually with neighboring jurisdictions.

A COPY OF THE LETTER FEINER IS SENDING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, SUPERVISORS, MAYORS, BOARD OF LEGISLATORS FOLLOWS…

In recent months county officials have approached local governments asking how they can help us run a more efficient government. I have a suggestion:

The county should commence an annual county-wide study comparing:

*Salaries and benefits of Commissioners, managers in every municipality, fire district and school district in the county;

*Union contracts (PBA, Teamsters, CSEA) in each community –negotiated wages (freezes, increases)

*Use of overtime and number of employees each locality hires (population analysis). Municipal, school, fire district comparisons of equivalent services based on population.

This study should be prepared annually and will help local and county officials determine whether they are giving taxpayers good value for their dollar. I also believe that this could also help local governments evaluate whether they are negotiating good contracts –because we will have data from other localities.

The taxpayers will also benefit because they will have a better understanding of how their tax dollars are being spent.

The county should seek grants for this undertaking. If grants are not available the long term benefits could outweigh any costs. I am convinced that this suggestion will result in significant savings of taxpayer dollars.

Sincerely,

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Feiner: Legislators Could Give Cty Exec Right to Have Appointees Pay Health Care

Posted on April 27, 2010 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By Paul Feiner, Supervisor, Town of Greenburgh. April 27, 2010: I have been reading your articles and commentaries about County Executive Rob Astorino’s battle with the County Legislature over the proposal to require county employees to contribute to health care costs.

This fight hasn’t saved taxpayers a dime since Commissioners, deputy commissioners, patronage appointees and employees are not contributing to health care costs. While the blame game continues, all employees are able to continue to work without contributing into their health care costs.

I have an interim compromise suggestion. The County Board of Legislators should authorize County Executive Astorino to immediately require (if he wishes) all political appointees under his jurisdiction (commissioners, deputy commissioners, patronage appointees) to contribute towards their health care.

Once top management and the political appointees of the County Executive start contributing,it will be easier for the administration to get a more comprehensive bill approved that will impact other county employees and elected officials. My suggestion would result in immediate taxpayer savings and would show leadership by example.

There is no valid reason why the Board of Legislators should deny the County Executive the right to require appointees under his control to contribute towards their health care costs while negotiations for a more comprehensive bill continues.