WPCNR CAMPAIGN TRAIL 2004. From George Latimer. Westchester County Democratic Committee. November 26, 2003: Westchester Democrats will launch the 2004 Presidential season in New York State this week, with petitions circulated to qualify the major candidates for New York’s March 2nd Primary. Each candidate has compiled a slate of delegates to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, to be held in Boston next summer, and those slates need to submit at least 1,000 valid signatures of registered Democrats to insure the candidate and the delegates are on the primary ballot.
“It is grassroots politics at its best”, stated George Latimer, Chairman of the Westchester County Democratic Committee. “We believe the hard work of candidates, delegates and activists will energize our party in the months to come”.
Delegates will be elected by Congressional district, with Westchester sharing parts of three C.D.s – the 17th, 18th and 19th districts. Five delegates will be elected from the 17th and 19th districts; the 18th C.D. has six delegates to be elected. All three districts will elect one alternate per district.
The campaigns of Sen. John Kerry, Gov. Howard Dean, General Wesley Clark, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Rep. Dick Gephardt, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, and Sen. John Edwards have all indicated they intend to field delegate slates in all three districts. The final date for submission of petitions is January 2nd, 2004.
“Westchester Democrats will have their voice heard in the ‘Making of the President 2004’ “, Latimer noted. “The party will be well-served by an active, positive primary competition”. The major candidates are expected to visit Westchester over the next 100 days prior to the primary
KING KOMMENTS: Will Nix Shapham Place Parking Deck
WPCNR KING KOMMENTS. By City Councilman William King. November 26, 2003: Please take items 38-41 (Shapham Place Parking Garage Improvement) off Monday night’s consent agenda as I will not be voting in favor of them. I thought this project was a waste of money when it was projected to cost $2-3m so now that the costs have grown to the $7m total cost figure (at least, including design), I am more strongly against this project than ever.
There are numerous other initiatives the city could undertake with this kind of money. The city should re-explore permitting on-street metered overnight parking which would cost about $7m less than this proposed project and be much more convenient to area residents who would use it.
United Methodist, Korean Church Hold Holiday Concert Dec. 13
WPCNR COMMUNITY COURIER. November 26, 2003: The talented choirs of Memorial and Central Korean United Methodist churches, covenant partners who minister together in White Plains, will present a classical Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in Memorial’s Sanctuary.
The concert, directed by Memorial’s music director, David Baranowski, will feature Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos, Schubert’s Mass in G, traditional Christmas carols and the story of Jesus’ birth. The performance starts at 8 P.M. The suggested donation is $10, but those who are unable to pay are welcome.
Baranowski, who plays piano, organ and harpsichord, holds a BFA and MFA in piano performance from the State University of New York at Purchase. He has been a rehearsal pianist for the Harlem Boys Choir and the Master Singers of Westchester, and has performed as organist for the Putnam Chorale. Most recently, the eclectic musician has toured in Europe with Blackmore’s Night, a rock band led by Ritchie Blackmore, former guitarist for Deep Purple.
Memorial and Central Korean are covenant partners, meaning they share a ministry at Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue, between North Street and Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.
In addition to regular music events, Memorial UMC presents monthly theatrical works performed by Innovative stages and a biannual art show. On Dec. 6, the Mamaroneck-based Circuit Riders Christian rock group performs in
a program called “Sound Bites,” book-ending a thought-provoking talk by Chicago social justice Bishop Joseph Sprague. The free program runs from 5-7 p.m.
The congregation of Memorial strives to welcome and respect persons of every race, ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental ability, gender, family status, sexual orientation, age, theology and economic circumstance. Its
pastor is Rev. Joseph Agne.
Spano Wins a Rollback in Electric Rates
Based on a decision today by the PSC, Westchester residents and businesses will see their electric bills drop at least 8 percent or as much as 18 percent, depending on calculations and fluctuations in market prices.
The directive from the Public Service Commission follows an almost four-year fight by Spano to change the rate structure so Westchester electric users are not forced to subsidize New York City electric users.
“This is a fantastic victory for residents and businesses in
Spano added, “Westchester residents have been paying some of the highest electric rates in the country. We thank the PSC for doing what is right and ending this inequity. This will not only reduce rates for the homeowners, but businesses as well, making Westchester a competitive place to do business. I want to thank the public who, at my request, called the PSC in advance of this important vote. I’m sure it had an impact on their decision.’’
Two legislators who have been involved with the effort to reduce electric rates in the county applauded today’s development.
County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, chair of the Environment and Health Committee, said, “This is great news for the residents and businesses of Westchester County. Thanks to County Executive Spano, they will be receiving some of what is rightfully owed to them.”
Legislator Martin Rogowsky, chair of the Board’s Energy Committee, said, “At long last, we get from the PSC what we have been pushing for for several years. This win is a fantastic development for county residents and businesses.”
At Spano’s direction, Westchester first brought a proceeding before the PSC in 2000, arguing that county ratepayers were illegally subsidizing New York City ratepayers. Since then Spano has taken various steps to force the PSC to act. In August 2003, Spano brought a lawsuit to force the PSC to take up the case. That lawsuit came after the PSC was scheduled to hear the case, but cancelled action – something Spano saw as a stalling effort.
While Westchester ratepayers should realize a significant drop in their electric rates from a favorable decision, New York City customers should see their bills go up only slightly. This is because the pool of users in
At issue are miscellaneous costs, in addition to the cost of electricity itself, that a utility is entitled by law to recoup from customers. It costs more for electricity in New York City; in order to artificially cushion costs to New York City ratepayers, the PSC allowed Con Ed to recoup from Westchester ratepayers a disproportionately higher amount of these costs.
While Westchester ratepayers account for just 12 percent of Con Ed electric users, there are many months where Westchester ratepayers have been forced to pay 100 percent of these miscellaneous costs. Annually, this has amounted to overcharges of $100 million to $120 million.