WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From National Weather Service. September 18, 2003: Hurricane Isabel Is About To Make Landfall In The Outer Banks Of North Carolina. This Storm Will Then Move Inland This Afternoon… And Will Track Well West Of The Area On Friday As It Weakens. Meanwhile…A Large Area Of High Pressure Will Continue To Slide Slowly Eastward Over Northern New England. The Difference In Pressure Between These Systems Will Result In Strong And Gusty Winds Across The Region Tonight And Friday.
Currently…Winds Across The Region Are Generally Out Of The Northeast Around 15 Mph…With Gusts Between 20 And 25 Mph. These Winds Will Gradually Increase In Magnitude This Afternoon And Will Climb To 30 To 35 Mph…With A Few Gusts As High As 45 Mph.
Adam In Albany: Property Tax Exemption for Seniors Raised
WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By 89th District Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. September 18, 2003: The governor recently signed legislation, which I supported in the Assembly, to increase income eligibility levels to $24,000 for the “Over 65” property tax exemption (A.8930-A). Increasing the eligibility levels will help more seniors afford to stay in their homes and communities.
The law allows localities to increase the maximum income level up to $24,000 from $21,500 for a 50 percent property tax exemption from municipal and school district taxes. Localities may also grant an exemption of less than 50 percent to senior citizens whose incomes exceed the local income limit. For example, in a community that has taken this “sliding-scale” option and adopts the $24,000 income maximum, an eligible resident whose income is more than $24,000 but less than $25,000, is entitled to a 45 percent exemption. Those making the maximum income level of up to $32,400 would be eligible for a 5 percent exemption.
A related measure also signed by the governor increases the income ceiling for persons with disabilities to qualify for this tax break to $24,000 (A.2439-A).
I am committed to helping seniors – who have worked so hard all their lives – maintain their independence and enjoy their retirement. Each year, seniors who receive cost-of-living increases in their pensions and social security benefits risk losing their “Over 65” tax exemption eligibility. By increasing the eligibility limit, participating seniors and those with disabilities can continue saving money.
The measure is part of my ongoing effort to help lower the cost of living for seniors and those with disabilities. This year, the Assembly enacted a bipartisan budget over the governor’s veto that prevented an average 20 percent property tax hike – the largest in state history – and rejected the governor’s proposal to freeze STAR. The Assembly also passed a law that I supported which would increase income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (Ch. 382 of 2003).
For more information or to apply for the “Over 65” property tax exemption, go to http://www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/senior.htm or contact your local assessor.
For information on applying for the exemption for those with disabilities, go online to http://www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/disable.htm or call 3-1-1 in NYC for more information.
For more information or to apply for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, go online to http://home.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/16benefits.html#scrie or call 3-1-1 in NYC for more information.
BOE To White Plains: Manana Is Soon Enough for You. 2 pm: Still Counting.
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. September 17, 2003 UPDATED September 18, 2003, 2 PM E.D.T.: Frank Cantatore, Chairman of the White Plains Republican Committee told WPCNR Wednesday evening that The Board of Elections had assured him the White Plains Primary votes would be counted Thursday morning. Yesterday, he said he was told by Carolee Sunderland, “They were more interested in the Yonkers and Eastchester races.” Mr. Cantatore said the delay, “was inconvenient for everybody.”
By 5 o’clock Wednesday, a spokesperson for Co Commissioner Carolee Sunderland’s office told WPCNR that recounting of White Plains Affidavit Ballots and Absentee Ballots in the “too-close-to-call” Republican Primary would not take place at the Board of Elections until Thursday. “They’re still busy making rulings on Eastchester, New Rochelle and Yonkers,” the spokesperson said.
A total of 80-odd Absentees and Affidavits were to be counted by the Board of Elections in the White Plains race, and instead of taking White Plains first, the Absentees and Affidavits from more populated areas of the county were opened and are being ruled on first. The spokesperson said no White Plains results were expected the rest of today; and they had not started counting and ruling yet, and gave no reason why the much lower vote in White Plains was not handled first.
WHITE PLAINS WAITS for The Board of Elections on Quorropas Street in White Plains to count less than 100 votes. Dan Hickey and Rosa Munoz still await their fate after 8 days. Photo by WPCNR News.
The Anchor Drops: Fortunoff Opens. Over 500 M’s and S’s Attend A Shopper’s Dream
WPCNR WHITE PLAINS STREET. By John F. Bailey. September 17, 2003: Louis Fortunoff and family, “America’s First Family of Retail” threw a shopping party for hundreds of “Westchester’s Well-to-do, Restless, and Powerful” Wednesday, and officially opened their Fortunoff shopping palace at the corner of Martine Avenue and Bloomingdale Road. At 10 A.M., guests were invited to view all three glittering, marble-floored levels of the “Temple of Temptation” and its delights from china and jewelry, to furniture and bedding. The $93 Million project, approved and constructed in 15 months, is now open for discriminating consumers today.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS MILL, MINGLE IN AWE AT THE NEW FORTUNOFF OPULENCE WEDNESDAY MORNING. Guests enjoyed canapes and coffee, circulated by discreet servers, and had the opportunity to chat with the numerous Fortunoff associates in each department, prior to the Opening Ceremony. Photo by WPCNR News
“HEAR HEAR” Louis Fortunoff offering a champagne toast to the future of his store at the conclusion of the news conference Wednesday. Fortunoff said Fortunoff in White Plains would not have happened if it were not for the persistent efforts of Mayor Joseph Delfino, in finding him a place for the store, clearing away the red tape, keeping the inspections and approvals from city departments moving in a timely manner. In the background, raising champagne flutes are County Executive Andy Spano and Mayor Joseph Delfino. Photo by WPCNR News
AMERICA’S FAVORITE MAYOR, Joseph Delfino congenially and emotionally recounted his historic phone call to Louis Fortunoff, when the Mayor learned Saks was closing his store. “Lou, I’ve got the spot!” Mayor Delfino said that he promised Mr. Fortunoff, “If you say Yes, we’ll build it in 18 months, and we fell 2 days short of 15 months. When people work together, there isn’t anything you can’t do with government.” Mayor Delfino characterized Fortunoff as “The Anchor” in the city’s beginning “Renaissance,” which he said would make White Plains “The Best Little City in the United States.” The Mayor predicted Fortunoff would generate $9 Million in new sales taxes, of which White Plains was anticipated to receive $2.5 Million a year. Photo by WPCNR News.
DIAMONDS F “FLAWLESS”: Helene Fortunoff, Mr. Fortunoff’s mother, designer of Fortunoff’s first jewelry department in the early 50s, complimented her son and daughters as being “Diamonds F: Flawless” for the manner in which they worked together to create Fortunoff The Source at White Plains. She remarked it was 39 years ago (1963) that her late husband Allan, Louis Fortunoff’s father, opened their landmark store in Westbury, Long Island. Three other members of the Fortunoff family ( Isidore Mayrock, Elliot Mayrock, and their sister) spoke highly of the cooperation and named a who’s who in development of firms and personalities whose expertise created the project. Louis Fortunoff, noticeably moved, stands at far left, County Executive Spano to his right, and Mayor Delfino. She noted that 2003 is the 81st Anniversay of the founding of Fortunoff in Brooklyn. Photo by WPCNR News
MARBLE FLOORS, BECKONING TABLEAUS AWAIT THE SEARCHER FOR THE UNIQUE, THE DIFFERENT, THE ELEGANT 7 Days a Week: Fortunoff The Source at White Plains is “Retailtainment,” presenting whimsies and necessities uniquely and distinctly. Marble floors create a mansion like atmosphere. The octagonal circular floor design invites you to roam and dream with no natural stops. No overhead signage assaults your senses. The environment expects the consumer to need all the merchandise they carry, and of course, purchase it all, and believe this reporter you will want to see it all. “The Source” showcases 70 decorated beds in coordinated “bedding environments,” 100 patterns of crystal, 400 patterns of dinnerware, and 450 patterns of casual and formal flatware. Photo by WPCNR News.
Displays Are Intriguingly Lit, Inspiring Decorating Imagination: Consumers will find in addition to viewing 75 “vignettes” showcasing furniture of substance, kitchen wares, and a holiday section (which will change with the seasons). A seasoned observer of retail development noted that this Fortunoff will strongly draw from specialty store retail clientele, because it has “everything”. “The Source at White Plains” is open until 9:30 P.M. tonight to check it out. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to 9:30 P.M., Sundays, 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. Photo by WPCNR News.