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)

Should New Affordable Housing Projects Continue to Be Considered?

Posted on August 20, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR MR. & MRS. & Ms. White Plains Poll. August 21, 2008 UPDATED August 22, 2008: This week, ground was broken on a new 14-unit “affordable housing” project on Minerva Place. Since this and projects like it have been funded with contributions to the affordable housing fund made by developers who have opted to “buy out” of building actual affordable units in their projects, WPCNR wondered how the populace feels about this continued policy of subsidizing projects like this. The last two projects took some $1.1 Million in city money. The Minerva Place project will use another $1 Million. Some of the apartment units themselves built previously approach $300,000 per unit to build, and generally pay the developer a developer’s fee, and provide the land at reduced cost.

Paul Wood, the Mayor’s Executive Officer, wrote WPCNR saying to make clear no tax payer dollars were used in these two products, that all money came from the Affordable Housing Fund, that is funded by developer contributions in lieu of building affordable units. However, tecnically it is city money to use as the council sees fit within the purposes described by the Affordable Housing Fund.

The affordable housing is meant for so-called “workforce” housing for police, teachers, city employees, then it is thrown open to every one else. How do Mr. and Mrs. White Plains feel about this on-going effort? Choose from the following choices:

Pilla Reports on the Tax Cap Express

Posted on August 20, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. August 20, 2008 UPDATED AUGUST 21, 2008: Candidate for the 88th Assembly District, Anthony Pilla of Battle Hill, rode Representative Greg Ball’s Tax Cap Express Bus to Albany Tuesday morning, and described what the contingent of tax cap supporters experienced.

WPCNR followed with Mr.Pilla, based on the first edition of this story, asking him if he had met with any Assembly members on where the tax cap goes now. He issued this statement in addition to his first report below:

I met with the minority leader and his staff as well as the Assembly candidate support staff.

I did not have the opportunity to chat with other members of the Assembly.

The Tax cap is stalled for now.The Senate will not entertain the circuit breaker bill.

If the heat stays on the Democrats,they will begin to melt as the congress has done with the drilling issue.

Mr. Pilla is second from left, above, as the Tax Cap Express left Yorktown Tuesday morning, and he is shown second from left in the front row on the steps of the Albany Capitol below.

Here is Mr. Pilla’s report:

I rode the “tax cap express” with other candidates and taxpayer groups to the capitol to push for a much needed 4% property tax cap.

On the steps of the capitol I said, “74% New Yorkers want a property tax cap. The Assembly needs to step up and deliver for the people, or to step down on election day” The time now is for action, not more dysfunction.

Unfortunately that is what the people got. Assembly Democrats buried the tax cap bill from the Governor and Senate and replaced it with the “circuit breaker” bill. This bill would be paid for with 2.7 billion dollars of new taxes!

New York is currently faced with a 26.2 billion 3 year deficit. Common sense tells you that you need to cut spending, just like our families are forced to do. Not drive even more people out of New York with higher taxes.

Ground Broken for Minerva Place Affordable Housing Units.

Posted on August 20, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. From The Mayor’s Office. (Edited) August 20, 2008. Updated 9:36 P.M. : Community Housing Innovations (CHI), along with White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino, hosted the groundbreaking for the city’s latest affordable housing development—14 for-sale units called Minerva Place Condominiums. The units are being developed, constructed and marketed by Community Housing Innovations, Inc., a White Plains-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991, with the aid of a $1,050,000 subsidy from the City of White Plains Affordable Housing fund, plus a donation of the land.

Melissa Lopez of the Mayor’s Office clarified this figure Wednesday afternoon, reports that to date the city has given Community Housing Innovations $800,000 and at a Special Meeting of the Common Council Thursday evening, CHI will be asking the Council for $200,000 more.

Common Council and Mayor Joseph Delfino Break Ground on 14 “Affordable Units” Tuesday, to be built on 7 Minerva Place. A design of the complex appears below. Left to right, above: Alexander Roberts from CHI, Hon. Thomas M. Roach, Hon. Mayor Joseph M. Delfino and Hon. Rita Malmud
Photo, Courtesy, The Mayor’s Office/

“The Minerva Place condominiums appeal to families entering the home buyer market,” said Mayor Delfino. “In these difficult economic times, I am proud to say White Plains has options to elevate families into home ownership. The $265,000 condos will fill a critical workforce housing need.”

Minerva Place Condominiums is praised as the most energy-efficient residence in White Plains, featuring the city’s first GeoExchange system for heating and cooling. In fact, it is the first low-rise new construction project in Westchester County to meet all of the requirements of the New York Energy $mart Multifamily Performance Program guidelines. During the groundbreaking, drilling will begin on the first of eight wells for the GeoExchange, also known as a ground source heat pump system. Each well is 350 feet deep.

“With the Mayor’s support, we set out to show that affordable housing could be built with the option of energy efficiency,” said Alexander Roberts, Executive Director of Community Housing Innovations. “With heating oil approaching $5 a gallon, energy efficiency is no longer an option.”

In addition to geothermal heat pumps that use the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool the building, Minerva Place Condominiums features energy-efficient construction techniques, insulation, plumbing and lighting upgrades that are projected to save homebuyers about 30% on energy costs, compared to a typical new development.

The 14 units consist of 11 two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments with hardwood floors, Corian and granite countertops in the kitchen, and cultured stone countertops in the bathrooms. The project architect is Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer Architects, P.C. The modular builder is Deluxe Building Systems, Inc. The lender is TD Bank, N.A.

All of the units will be affordable to families with incomes between 80% and 100% of Westchester County’s Area Median Income, which is between $73,000 and $91,000 for a family of three. The one-bedroom units are priced from $225,000, and the two-bedroom units are priced from $265,000. However, for families who qualify, Community Housing Innovations may provide up to $30,000 in down payment assistance from the New York State Housing Trust Fund.

White Plains will contribute donated land and about $75,000 per unit in subsidy from its Affordable Housing Fund. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide about $55,000 to subsidize the energy-saving improvements.

Unlike most affordable developments, which are limited to families earning under 80% of the Area Median Income, Minerva Place Condominiums will appeal to families with two wage earners. Typically these families are disqualified from affordable housing opportunities.

Frank Zisa, CHI’s Director of Development who is overseeing the project, said “It is a testament to the dedication of the city, our lender and construction professionals that we were able to move forward with a workforce housing project when it is needed most, especially in an environment of escalating construction costs and tighter lending.”

The City of White Plains Department of Planning is now accepting applications on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will utilize a preference system for local police, firefighters, teachers and other municipal employees. However, all are welcome to apply for the condominiums, which will be ready for occupancy by early Spring 2009. For an application, you may call 914-422-1264.

Child bicycling, 11, struck by Car in Haviland Manor

Posted on August 19, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. August 19, 2008: Police report an 11-year-old boy was struck while riding a bicycle at the intersection of Baylor Circile and Havilands Lane Tuesday afternoon approximately 4: 15 P.M. Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Daniel Jackson reports:

11 year old child struck by a vehicle. Minor injuries, parents on scene. Transported to WP hospital for treatment. No summons issued at this time.

Just a quiet intersection — Baylor Circle and Haviland Lane– scene of child’s bicycling accident Tuesday afternoon. I

Barbara Dille, off Haviland Manor noted to WPCNR this highlights the need for citizens driving in the neighborhoods to slow down, be aware and watch out for children. Dille told WPCNR Mayor Joseph Delfino when told of the accident, was very concerned and will hold a meeting next week with the Traffic Commissioner and the Department of Public Safety to discuss what Dille described as the ongoing problem of speeding in the outer neighborhoods of White Plains, and the need for speed bumps in residential neighborhoods.

Dille observed White Plains Police have been diligent in speed enforcement with stepped up observing posts on Ridgeway and Bryant Avenue, but said “What can they do? They are trying.” The accident, she told WPCNR, was a reminder for motorists to be aware that at any time children or pedestrians can dart out in front of your moving vehicle.