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)

Assemblyperson Paulin Prefers Circuit Breaker Bill to Property Tax Cap.

Posted on July 31, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. July 31, 2008: In response to WPCNR’s invitation to clarify her position on the Governor’s property tax cap proposal, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of the 88th Assembly District released a statement to WPCNR late this afternoon, saying she opposes the property tax cap and supports a circuit breaker bill she has sponsored, instead. Her exclusive statement to WPNCR:

Paulin on her Circuit Breaker Bill.

Reducing the tax burden on property owners is a very high priority. At this time, I believe the Circuit Breaker bill, of which I am a co-sponsor (A.01575B) is a better approach to take to mitigate the burden of high property taxes. Currently, my school districts get between 5% to18% of their aid from the state. If the state would assume a higher burden such as some of the high fixed costs such as healthcare and pension contributions, and reduce the number of state mandates, then I could support a tax cap proposal.

Right now, if we imposed a cap, school districts would be forced to fire teachers, increase class size, eliminate courses and cut back on technology and other resource materials. In all honesty, I cannot support such a bill unless the state takes some of the financial burden off the school districts.

Westchester school districts deserve to have our best thinking on this very important issue.

As far as cuts to the current budget I am waiting to see what the
governor proposes.

City has best 4th Quarter Ever—Economy in WP is Doing Well: Harwood.

Posted on July 31, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. July 31, 2008: City Commissioner of Finance, Gina Harwood reported today that White Plains collected $11,485, 331 in sales tax receipts for April, May and June of 2008, wrapping up the 07-08 fiscal year with a total sales tax “handle” of $45,462,389 — $62,000 over Ms. Harwood’s forecast 16 months ago.

Gina Harwood, City Commissioner of Finance: On the Money.

Harwood said it was the strongest 4^th quarter White Plains has ever had. She described the White Plains economy as “doing well, we’re holding.” She said she expected that the additional ¼% of the city sales tax which begun being collected July 1 would add $1.4 Million to the first quarter figures now being generated, putting the city on target for a $50,000,000 sales tax year. The 08-09 budget calls for $45.4 Million in sales tax for the year.

Harwood is optimistic, but wary: “People in Westchester County are staying here and spending money. Walmart is doing well. Target is strong. More people are in the Ritz.” She also allowed as the increased gasoline taxes contributed to the fourth quarter surge which was only $356 less than the holiday quarter of October, November, December.

The numbers, released by the city Department of Finance today:

Sales Tax Receipts 2007-2008 Fiscal Year

July-August-September 2007: $10,917,807

Oct-November-December 2007: $11,841,285

Jan-February-March 2008: $11,217,966

April-May-June 2008: $11,485,331

Total: $45,462,389

Pilla Urges Paulin to Step Up. Paulin Refuses to Play Politics

Posted on July 31, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. July 31, 2008. Incumbent Assemblyperson Amy Paulin of the 88th District today responded to her opponent for the 88^th Assembly District seat, White Plains Anthony Pilla’s news release today accusing Ms. Paulin of having “rejected what 74% of New Yorkers want (a property tax cap proposed by Governor David Patterson).”

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of the 88th

Ms. Paulin released this statement when WPCNR asked her if she supported the Governor’s property tax cap in principle and the Governor’s call to cut the current 2008-09 budget now:

“In response to your call, I feel it is inappropriate to play politics with such a serious matter. I will continue to be an independent voice fighting for the people I represent as our economy weakens.”

WPCNR has given Ms. Paulin an opportunity to make a more detailed statement on where she stands on the Governor’s property tax cap and whether she agrees or feels the need to trim spending in the current 2008-2009 budget and how. WPCNR awaits that response.

Anthony Pilla of White Plains

Pilla’s news release stated “it is time for Amy Paulin to either stand up for her constituents or to step down. Today (July 30), the Governor (Patterson) announced a staggering $26.2 Billion dollar, three year budget deficit, and thanks to the tax and spend mentality of Albany, it should be no surprise to anyone who is going to pick up the bill: the taxpayers.”

The press release stated, “it is remarkable and sad that Governor Patterson had to use his executive authority to compel the New York State Assembly and Amy Paulin to return to Albany to take care of the People’s business.”

City Won’t Negotiate With Taxi Union. Will Issue New Rules, Meter Plan in Month

Posted on July 30, 2008 by John Bailey

WPCNR TAXI STAND. By John F. Bailey. July 30, 2008: Paul Wood, Executive Officer for the Mayor told WPCNR tonight the city will not recognize District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades as the negotiating representative of the White Plains independent cab owners. He said the city would not negotiate taxi work rules and fees and assorted issues with the union. The District Council 9 of the IUPAT announced a majority of the 400 White Plains drivers had joined the union Wednesday after a membership drive last week.

Paul Wood said the city is looking at a metered cab system. This is a typical Pulsar Cab Meter, costing from $259 to $329 to install. It also has credit card acceptance accessories. Mr. Wood said it was to be determined whether the city would pay to install meters or whether cab drivers would have to pay for them themselves or the cab companies. To furnish all 400 cabs would cost the city approximately $130,000, using this model. No model meter has been selected by the city. This is a typical best-selling meter available at http://www.andystoplites.com/pages/pulsar-taximeters.html, provided as an informational supplement by WPCNR

“We negotiated for a year with Mr. Mario Alfonso, whom we thought represented the drivers, and we are through negotiating,” Wood told WPCNR Thursday afternoon. “The Taxi Advisory Committee will be issuing its recommendations in a press conference in about a month with its recommendations for White Plains taxi service.”

Wood said the Mayor wants “a cleaner service, a more customer-friendly service, and a “greener” service.” He said the Advisory Committee is leaning towards meters in cabs and doing away with the traditional fare zones in the city (as established for decades in New York City), and even a one fare per cab rule.

He said that an increase in the gas tax surcharge was possible if the cab drivers agreed to improve their service. Wood said the taxi situation in White Plains has gone on for years and it was no longer acceptable to the administration.

Asked if the city was considering declaring cab medallions obsolete and putting them up for auction, Wood said possibly, or the city could possibly issue new licenses for cabs in the city. Wood said cabdrivers could likely expect dress codes, new work protocols and a host of changes.

Wood said Mayor Delfino wants to create a customer friendly taxi operation that would erase the poor image the cabs of White Plains have demonstrated for decades: dirty cars, ride sharing, and chaos at the station, among other observations.