WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. March 2, 2007: There are a number of neighborhoods around town that are experiencing
Among neighborhoods that have experienced flooding are homes near the
A few years ago the town was successful in obtaining federal funds to place some homes on
If you are experiencing
JOIN THE DISCUSSION…EXPRESS YOUR THOUGHTS…VISIT PAUL FEINER’S BLOG: WWW.PFEINER.BLOGSPOT.COM
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 2, 2007: The Board of Education authorized payment last night of the $2.8 Million settlement agreed upon after Judge Charles Brieant denied the district counsel’s motion to reargue their contractual dispute February 16.
In a new development, the Journal News reports Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler as saying that the tax rate increase may increase to 7.9%, instead of the 7.67% that Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors had reported to WPCNR earlier this week.
The new 7.9% figure portends the overall tax increase the district may face as the budget stands now (before the district final cut or cuts and revenue calculations) is 9.9% because the school district assessables have declined 2% according to the new 2007 City Tax Roll made public Thursday. (See related story on the Tax Roll). Should the district be forced to run a 9% or more tax levy increase in 2007-2008, it would be the third consecutive tax increase of 9% or more levied on the White Plains property owner.
The Gannett daily also reports Board President Michele Trataros, as saying no decision had been made to appeal the case, though the Superintendent advised WPCNR earlier this week, that he believed “this case is over.”
Failure to pay the Travelers Casualty and Surety Company at the close of the construction project, and then seeking greivances with the court cost the district approximately $800,000 in interest charges, plus an undisclosed amount of legal feels.
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. Special to WPCNR. March 2, 2007: At the Special Meeting of the Common Council last night, Councilpersons Rita Malmud, Benjamin Boykin and Glen Hockley, Arnold Bernstein and the Mayor appeared ready to make a decision on the Senior Residential Zone proposed to enable the North Street Community developer to build 332 senior condominiums on the former St. Agnes property, according to WPCNR’s correspondent. That vote appears to be imminent Monday evening after the hearing on the North Street Community requested zoning is reopened.
Councilman Benjamin Boykin said he felt that any assisted living units, when sold should remain assisted living units in perpetuity. Ms. Malmud, who it turns out, was the official who called the Special Meeting, appeared to have all her questions answered about the legislation creating the Senior Citizen Residental Zone being established. Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel advised those present that she would have a presentation Monday evening at the regularly scheduled Common Council meeting detailing why the proposal was not spot zoning.
Our correspondent advises that sometime tomorrow, the revised plan for North Street Community will be posted on the City of White Plains website. The number of units scheduled to be built remains the same at this time, our correspondent reports.
WPCNR’S ELIOT SPITZER’S ALBANY By Governor Eliot Spitzer. March 2, 2007: The positive change that we sought during the campaign is beginning to percolate in Albany. Just yesterday, we announced fundamental reforms to our state’s workers’ compensation system. This comprehensive and balanced agreement will raise benefits for injured employees while significantly reducing the costs to businesses over time–and will clear one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth upstate. Developed in cooperation with both business and labor leaders, this is a landmark achievement that demonstrates what is possible when narrow self-interest is put aside and the best interests of New Yorkers as a whole are put first.
And over the past weeks, we have seen ethics and budget reform embraced after seemingly insurmountable opposition. These successes are important to remember in the coming weeks as the budget process continues.
I have been traveling across New York State to bring my proposed budget directly to the people and explain how they stand to benefit from its reforms. As you know, passing this budget is critical, because it finally breaks a long cycle of insider deals and special favors in the State Capitol. This budget is designed to address the priorities and needs of real New Yorkers, rather than line the pockets of entrenched special interests.
Not surprisingly, those very same special interests are determined to stop the budget in its tracks–and they are spending $15 million of insider money to do so. Through a lavishly funded advertising campaign, they, too, have gone directly to the people.
If they succeed, New Yorkers will remain stuck with a broken and inefficient system that puts the well-being of institutions before the well-being of individual citizens. This system epitomizes the wasteful spending and lack of accountability that have been hallmarks of Albany culture for far too long. It is a system that we can no longer afford, and this budget is our best opportunity to fix it once and for all.
Today, we went on air with a television ad to ensure that the public hears the truth. By being supportive now, you will help keep this message on the air.
This is your chance to take a stand–to insist that Albany clean up its act and do what is right. It is an investment in a sound future for our state. As we demonstrated yesterday, when we make the needs of New Yorkers our top priority, we can achieve great things.