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WPCNR CITY HALL BULLETIN:
THE CITY CLERK HAS ANNOUNCED THE COMMON COUNCIL WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY EVENING, 6 PM TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING MATTERS:
Refurbishing City Hall front and rear steps.
Designating Soundview Manor in the Highlands a City Landmark
Considering an amendment to Kite Realty site plan for City Center.
Entering into Executive Session to discuss two city lawsuits.
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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE, From THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE,FEBRUARY 26,2016:
THE STATE RELEASED JANUARY SALES TAX RECEIPTS YESTERDAY TO WPCNR SHOWING THAT WHITE PLAINS SALES TAX COLLECTIONS WERE DOWN 6%, $4,504,797 IN JANUARY, 2016 COMPARED TO $4,814,128 IN JANUARY OF 2015.
IF THE CITY COLLECTS THE SAME TAX RECEIPTS IT DID IN 2015 FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH THIS JUNE IN 2016, IT WILL EARN $50,400,000 IN SALES TAX DOLLARS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 205-16, A DECREASE OF 1/2% IF IT MEETS THE FIGURE EARNED OVER THE 5 MONTHS LAST YEAR ($25.4 MILLION).
WESTCHESTER COUNTY COLLECTED $42,552,506 IN SALES TAX DOLLARS IN JANUARY, 2% MORE THAN IT COLLECTED IN JANUARY 2015, $41,627,091
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White Plains DPW Crew Works as of 10 A.M. to remove a fallen tree knocked over into the Ridgeway roadway just past the Greenway by high winds during a thunderstorm last night . The tree cut power to the Reynal Park Coralyn Avenue area last night. Con Ed, WPCNR believes has restored power to this area. Con Edison reports about 225 customers in the Highlands still are without power and hopes to have power restored by 3 PM
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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. SPECIAL TO WPCNR by PAUL FEINER. Supervisor, Town of Greenburgh.FEBRUARY 24, 2016:
The Town of Greenburgh is near completion of the Town-Wide revaluation-the first in about 60 years. All properties have been reassessed to 100% of their current market value. This has been a long arduous process over the last two years.
(Editor’s note:) The Town also voted to reject the Homestead Option that would have greatly increased the tax burden on commercial property owners and condominium owners and created different tax classes. (The details of how the Homestead Option was rejected are reviewed below.)
The Assessor has attended over 50 public information meetings, she has been on television, radio, and Town Board Meetings. We have also provided updates on the town website. I am hopeful that everyone is aware of this major undertaking for the Town of Greenburgh. We expect that everyone will now pay their fair share of the tax burden.
The Greenburgh Town Board discussed the reassessment process with Town Assessor Edye McCarthy (former Assessor for the City of White Plains) yesterday at our work session. The video link of the entire discussion is below. Participating in the discussion with all the members of the Town Board was a representative of New York State.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OMN5pbnO30&feature=youtu.be
So what happens now: each Greenburgh property owner will receive a “disclosure” notice in mid-March, 2016. This letter will show what your assessment and taxes were before the reassessment and what your assessment and projected taxes will be after the reassessment.
If you are satisfied with your assessed value, you need do nothing further. If you are dissatisfied that your assessment is to high or to low, please contact Tyler Technologies (their contact information will be on the letter) to discuss your new value. You will have from receipt of the letter to the end of April to meet with our Contractor.
If you are still dissatisfied, after their determination, you have the right to file a formal assessment appeal with the Board of Assessment Review in June of 2016. At this time, there is no charge for the informal meeting with Tyler Technologies, nor is there a charge to file a formal assessment complaint. You can file the paperwork on your own, as there is no requirement to hire a representative
Members of the Greenburgh Town Board (Kevin Morgan, Francis Sheehan, Diana Juettner, Ken Jones, and I) decided yesterday to reject the homestead option.. The Town Board asked New York State to do an analysis and all the Board members decided to reject Homestead- after receiving a report from NYS. Of the more than 1,000 jurisdictions in NYS that have reassessed properties only 48 have adopted homestead, according to the Assessor. Most of the Westchester communities that have reassessed also rejected homestead.
During a reassessment, a municipality has the choice of adopting what is known as the “Homestead Option”. Homestead is a tax policy option available to municipalities that implement a reassessment. It creates two classes, homestead (residential) and non-homestead (commercial properties and most condominiums and cooperatives). It also creates different tax rates for each of the classes. Typically the Non-Homestead tax rate is higher.
The purpose of the Homestead is to prevent a dramatic shift in the tax burden to residential property owners in the event that the residential class increases its share of taxable value. There are many factors to take in to consideration prior to making this decision, such as but not limited to: what would happen to the residential class of property; what would happen to the condominiums/cooperatives, and what would happen to the commercial class of property.
At our Town Board work session on February 23rd our Assessor, Monitor and our State Representative, presented data to give us the ability to make an informed decision whether or not to opt in to the Homestead Option. The information supplied indicated that the aggregate tax shifts between the residential and commercial class of properties was a very modest increase of approximately 2% in the aggregate.
However, if we were to adopt this provision, the commercial properties would pay substantially more in property taxes along with over 60% of the condominium owners paying over 30% more of the aggregate tax burden.
This burden would be very difficult to bear for condominium property owners, and we were also concerned about the burden to our commercial owners, as we want to maintain the economic competitiveness that we currently have. We have many large commercial developments interested in coming to Greenburgh (which will assist in relief of the tax burden to our homeowners) and this may create an apprehension, not unwarranted.
For the reasons above, the Town Board unanimously decided against opting in to the Homestead Option.
The members of the Town Board -Diana Juettner, Ken Jones, Francis Sheehan, Kevin Morgan, Assessor Edye McCarthy and I are more than happy to meet with neighborhood groups in the coming months to discuss the reassessment process and to answer questions. If you have any other questions about the process please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From County Legislator Benjamin Boykin. February 23, 2016:
Con Edison is warning customers not to fall for scams in which a caller threatens a service turnoff unless the customer purchases a pre-paid card or arranges for a transfer via MoneyGram to pay a bill.
These callers are not from Con Edison and Con Edison does not accept payments of electric or gas bills by pre-paid debit cards, or by MoneyGram or similar transfers.
The company has recently seen a spike in reports from customers who were contacted by the scammers. Con Edison believes the scammers are calling customers randomly, not targeting just those who owe back payments. The company has received complaints from residential and business customers.
The scammers sometimes even tell the customer about a store near the customer’s home that sells pre-paid cards. The scammer instructs the customer to pay cash to put money on the card and to then provide the number on the card to the person who called.
Once the customer provides the scammer with the card number, the scammer steals the money on the card.
There have even been reports of these scammers making a Con Edison phone number show up on the customer’s caller ID.
With MoneyGram, scammers may ask a customer to provide money from a bank account, credit card or debit card by going online or to a specified location. The money goes into someone else’s bank account or is available for the receiver to pick up in cash.
Be alert if anyone asks you by telephone to arrange for pre-paid debit cards or a MoneyGram transfer as payment for your bill, or to send money to an out-of-state address. Never arrange payment or divulge account or personal information, including debit or credit card information, over the telephone, unless you are certain you are speaking to a Con Edison representative.
Anyone who feels they may have been a target of an imposter or a payment scam should call their local police department. They may also call Con Edison at 1-800-75CONED.
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PART OF THE GATHERING OF CITIZENS AT THE WHITE PLAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SUNDAY AFTERNOON. OVER 60 PERSONS GATHERED TO REFLECT ON THE NATION’S FIRST PRESIDENT.WHO ACTUALLY STAYED AND CONDUCTED STRATEGY ON THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS IN THIS VERY HOUSE.
AN HONOR GUARD OF “CONTINENTALS” MARCHED TO THE FLAGPOLE TO RAISE THE COLORS
RAND SCHOLET, FOUNDER OF THE ALEXANDER HAMILTON AWARENESS SOCIETY GAVE TWO 45-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS SHOWING THE ROLE ALEXANDER HAMILTON PLAYED AS PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON’S “INDISPENSABLE PARTNER.” MR. SCHOLET NOTING THAT PURDY HOUSE WAS OVERFLOWING WITH LISTENERS, DELIVERED HIS TALK AND SLIDE SHOW TWICE SO ALL COULD ENJOY THE PRESENTATION. HE PRESENTED A GRAPH COMPARING THE TIMES OTHER MEMBERS OF WASHINGTON’S CABINET SPENT WORKING WITH PRESIDENT WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDER HAMILTON SPENT THE MOST OF ANY. SCHOLET ALSO POINTED OUT THE BITTER FEUD BETWEEN HAMILTON AND THOMAS JEFFERSON THAT WASHINGTON SCOLDED BOTH MEN FOR NOT BEING MORE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER’S VIEWS.
JOHN VORPERIAN, RIGHT, SERVED AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND RECOGNIZED ROBERT HOCH, LEFT FOR HIS NINE YEARS OF SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. MR. VOPERIAN IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. VORPERIAN ANNOUNCED THE CITY WOULD BE HOLDING A READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT THE ARMORY IN JUNE, DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED, IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS BEING INCORPORATED AS A CITY.
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THE COUNTY ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS IT EXPECTS STANDARD AMUSEMENTS TO AGREE TO ASSUME MANAGEMENT OF PLAYLAND BY MARCH 31, THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT FORMALLY DONE SO.
THIS CAME TO LIGHT WHEN LEGISLATION WAS GIVEN TO COUNTY LEGISLATORS MONDAY AFTERNOON, COMMITTING THE COUNTY TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $58 MILLION ON CONSTRUCTION AT THE AMUSEMENT PARK. STANDARD AMUSEMENTS IN TURN WAS UPPING ITS INVESTMENT FROM $25 MILLION TO $30 MILLION.
PREVIOUSLY THE COUNTY AND STANDARD HAD NOT DETERMINED WHO WOULD PAY FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED BY STANDARD.
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WPCNR MILESTONES. FEBRUARY 22, 2016.Reprinted from the WPCNR Archives. By John F. Bailey:
Today is George Washington’s Birthday again. The time when we remember the first leader and the best. It is instructive to look at our first leader, George Washington, the father of our nation.
One cannot help be reminded of the snowy winter at Valley Forge, when the bedraggled, poorly equipped rebel army suffered but held together, and attacked the Hessians in Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, crossing the Delaware River at night. What kind of man was he that George Washington could inspire his troops against all odds?
Washington was a man of tremendous character. Of principle.
Where did he get this character? He specialized in self-control at an early age. That congressmen, lobbyists, and pundits means mind-control, reason and responsibility.
According to The American President, Washington, at sixteen, had formed a code of conduct. He had written a book of etiquette with 110 “maxims” to guide his conduct in matters. In this etiquette book he had written,
Every action done in company ought to be done with a sign of respect to those who are not present. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop;…Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave…Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.
The character sketch provided by the authors of The American President, indicates this personal “rulebook” was a book that Washington wrote over the years and referred to it often,
“for self-control, to avoid temptation, to elude greed, to control his temper. Reputation was everything to him. It had to do with his strength, his size, his courage, his horsemanship, his precise dress, his thorough mind, his manners, his compassion. He protected that reputation at any cost.”
Earning respect by example. Quelling rebellion with a few words.
Washington inspired by example. He lived with his troops. He shared hardships with them, and there was so much respect for him that he was able to talk them out of armed rebellion at the end of the American Revolution. Washington had been asked by the army to join them to overthrow the Continental Congress, and make himself King.
Washington had been asked by one of the officers of the rebels to join them, and he wrote them,
You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Banish these thoughts from your mind.
Hearing that the rebels who were planning insurrection against the new country due to not having been paid by the Continental Congress, Washington rode to Newburgh, New York, on March 15, 1783, to meet with the dissident insurgents. Washington spoke to the rebellious group, saying,
“Gentlemen, as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common Country; as I never left your side one moment, but when called from you on public duty; as I have been the constant companion and witness of your Distresses…it can scarcely be supposed …that I am indifferent to your interests. But…this dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it…has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts from the idea…I spurn it, as every Man who regards liberty…undoubtedly must.”
The would-be rebels fell silent, digesting what he had said. Then Washington withdrew a letter from Congress, but could not read the text, withdrawing some eyeglasses from his tunic, remarking,
“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”
The men present were reported to have tears in their eyes at this gesture of Washington’s and abandoned their plot out of respect for their leader.
Washington retired from the military, surprising the entire new country. His action surprised King George III of England, who was astonished that Washington had refused to hold on to his military authority and use it for political or financial gain. The defeated King of England, remarked, “If true, then he is the greatest man in the world.”
Seeker of Diverse Views
As President, George Washington invented the Presidential Cabinet, whom he referred to as “the first Characters,” persons who possessed the best reputations in fields and areas of the jobs he was filling. Washington said on political appointments, “My political conduct and nominations must be exceedingly circumspect. No slip into partiality will pass unnoticed…”
Washington tolerated the relentless clashes between Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, but lectured them on the necessity for tolerance and moving beyond partisanship:
“I believe the view of both of you are pure, and well meant. Why then, when some of the best Citizens in the United States, Men…who have no sinister view to promote, are to be found, some on one side, some on the other…should either of you be so tenacious of your opinions as to make no allowances for those of the other? I have great esteem for you both, and ardently wish that some line could be marked out by which both of you could walk.”
The Constitution Should be Protected
When George Washington left office after two terms, he made a farewell address which warned future generations of Americans about foreign entanglements and partisanship in the republic:
I shall carry to my grave the hope that your Union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the Constitution may be sacredly maintained; and that free government…the ever favorite object of my heart…will be the happy reward of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.”
Washington died in 1800, three years after leaving office in 1797. He was saluted on the floor of congress as being “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
He was the first and best.
Note: The American President By Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt (Riverhead Books. Penguin-Putnam, Inc.,1999) is the source for this information on George Washington.
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. FEBRUARY 21, 2016:
To WPCNR:
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Representatives from Parsons Brinckerhoff, hired four months ago, should have been introduced to everyone in the auditorium, and their qualifications provided.
Deb Von Glahn
Ann Ladd
Al Gassman
Yvonne Gumowitz
Carry Kyzivat
Anne Bobroff-Hajal