Westchester County Association Aghast at New York State Budget.

Posted on March 31, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Association. March 31, 2009: the area’s leading business membership and advocacy group-today said that the proposed New York State 2009-2010 budget would further deteriorate an already fragile economy.

Bill Mooney President, Westchester County Association. September 2008 Photo, WPCNR News Archive

WCA President William M. Mooney, Jr., said: “Once again, it appears that New York State is prepared to pass a budget that is long on spending but short on fiscal reform. This could not happen at a worse time, given the dire condition of the economy. This budget promises to drive more businesses and residents away from Westchester. The proposed increases of more than $7 billion in personal income taxes and other taxes, combined with the elimination of the STAR property tax rebate, will be very painful for many businesses and individuals in Westchester.” He added, “The proposed increase in income tax on those making over $250,000 is especially onerous to individuals and businesses in Westchester County and will further hamper economic development. Close to 35,000 individuals and businesses fall into this category, more than in any other county in the state outside of New York City.”

Mooney noted that the WCA for nearly a decade has called for major fiscal reforms in Albany. More than two years ago, it created the Property Tax Reform Alliance and made a number of recommendations for all levels of government to help alleviate the property tax burden in Westchester, ranked among the highest in the nation. “We are especially disappointed that one of the reform initiatives we supported, the a new tier of pension benefits (Tier V) for most newly hired public employees did not make it from the Governor’s proposed Executive Budget to this final version. That step alone would have saved taxpayers a cumulative total of $48.5 billion over the next 30 years.

Instead of making the necessary structural reform and expenditure cuts to state government at a time when they are critically needed, our lawmakers have again taken a short-term band aid approach to plug the deficit instead of making substantive reforms. By announcing this budget over the weekend and just days before the legislature votes on it, Governor David Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and Assembly Speaker Sheldon have created a budget that lacks transparency and avoids making the difficult decisions that the state fiscal condition requires. Given what is at stake, this in unconscionable.”

WCA Chairman Al DelBello noted, “New York is already viewed as one of the least-friendly business climate states in the nation. This budget will make the situation much worse.” He added, the WCA will continue to press legislators to make the hard but necessary choices in the same fiscal belt-tightening ways that the private sector has been forced to do to get through the economic crisis. Without those reforms, New York State will sink into a deeper economic hole.

Two weeks ago, WCA members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NY State Legislators representing Westchester and the region at the organization’s annual breakfast. “At that time, the legislators learned that 78% of the members surveyed feel the state is not taking the necessary actions to control spending. It’s time for our legislators to get the message and act,” Mooney stated.

Recognizing that passage of the budget is a foregone conclusion, the WCA will nonetheless mobilize its members and the business community at large to send a petition to the legislators expressing their dissatisfaction. This petition is available on the WCA website, http://www.westchester.org/petition.asp .

Memories of a Fastpitch Dad…

Posted on March 30, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR SPORTS. Memoires of an Anonymous Parent. March 31, 2009: I used to have a regular life. (Actually, many of my friends say that sentence should say, “I used to have a life”, period.) It doesn’t really seem that long ago. Then I became a Softball Dad.

White Plains Tigers 2009– Scrimmage Pearl River in 20 Degree windchill Monday. It was a nail-biter literally. Coach Ted O’Donnell praised Emily Frawley’s pitching and his team’s solid defensive play: “Emily did an excellent job mixing up her pitches and keeping the Pearl River batters off balance. The other positive was our defense which did a good job especially considering it was our 1st competition this season. Junior Christy Reina is our starting shortstop for the 2nd year.”

My lawn used to be like a carpet. It was green, mowed, trimmed, fertilized, and watered. Any weeds that dared to show their leaves were pulled out by their roots. Now I have two big bare spots forty feet apart. I like the bare spots.

I like them because they are the only places that the weeds and crab grass aren’t threatening to take over.

My car used to draw admiring looks and comments. It was clean and waxed and shined and Armor All’d. Now it only draws attention when it wins the “dirtiest car in the parking lot” prize.

My friends and I used to spend Monday mornings talking about five-iron shots, three-putts, and titanium shafts. Now I bore them to death with detailed play-by-play descriptions of five or six low-scoring ball games. Somehow, they just don’t understand the drama of a 2-0 game.

I used to think anything over $40 was an exorbitant price for a ball bat.
Now the contents of my daughter’s equipment bag are worth more than everything else in the car together – including clothes, jewelry, watches, and laptop computer.

I used to have a great wife. Still do, Thank God. But that’s a tribute to her patience and good humor. We used to sit and talk for hours. We still do – to keep each other awake when we’re headed home in the wee hours of Monday morning. We used to wonder what the kids would do when they grew up. Now she wants to know what I’m going to do IF I ever grow up.

My summer casual wardrobe used to be made up of color-coordinated polo shirts, cool cottons in bright colors, and the occasional “aloha” shirt.

Now I have a closet full of T-shirts in gray and blue. Those that don’t have MAJESTIX on the front have a cute saying on the back, like “If You Follow Me Long Enough, You’ll End Up at a Ball Field.” or “Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Slowpitch”

I used to glue myself to the sofa and watch the NCAA basketball tournament and the Masters from opening Ceremony through network sign off. Now, I catch the highlights on Sportscenter.

I used to be one of the tops in my field. Thank goodness, I still am.
(You have to keep a good paycheck coming in if you want to support a
Tournament Softball habit!)

I used to have sympathy for umpires. I used to think boys were tough. I used to think a double-header was a long day at the ballfield. Now we’re just getting warmed up.

We used to spend our summer vacation relaxing on the beach or visiting family. Now we hit the road with 40 of our closest friends.

I used to think the ideal woman had brains and beauty. She still does,
but now she better also be quick, courageous, and able to bunt a good rise ball.
I used to look for little restaurants that served seafood fresh off the boat.
Now I’m a connoisseur of nachos and smoked sausages.

I used to be concerned that I would fall into the trap of living my life through my daughter. Now I know that I’m privileged to live my life WITH my daughter.

Adam Bradley’s Promise to White Plains

Posted on March 30, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. March 30, 2009: Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley declared his candidacy for Mayor Monday and delivered a 15-minute address touching on the reasons why he was running. He said he felt it was a critical time for the city, and wanted to give back to the city he grew up in. The Assemblyman said the city needed transparency that has been lacking the last 11 years under the Delfino Administration, and Bradley vowed stronger fiscal management, and an effort to work with the school district on property tax solutions. Here is the text of Assemblyman Bradley’s Campaign Kickoff Speech:

Adam Bradley, his wife, Fumiko, daughter Fiona, foreground, and Cerena, campaigning for her father’s Assembly Seat.

I want to thank Rita (Malmud), Sandy (Galef), Peter (Sullivan) and Andy (Spano), and all of the elected officials and citizens who are here today.

Today I stand at City Hall to declare my candidacy for Mayor of the City of White Plains.

As a father of two young children, I understand what a great place W.P. can be to raise a family. I was born and raised in W.P. My parents who came here in 1950, immediately became active in the community, and still live here. I graduated from law school here in the City, and my wife Fumiko and I have two young children Fiona and Celena who are going or will be going to W.P. Schools. (More)

I want to thank Rita (Malmud), Sandy (Galef), Peter (Sullivan) and Andy (Spano), and all of the elected officials and citizens who are here today.

Today I stand at City Hall to declare my candidacy for Mayor of the City of White Plains.

As a father of two young children, I understand what a great place W.P. can be to raise a family. I was born and raised in W.P. My parents who came here in 1950, immediately became active in the community, and still live here. I graduated from law school here in the City, and my wife Fumiko and I have two young children Fiona and Celena who are going or will be going to W.P. Schools.

It has been an honor to serve my constituents in and out of White Plains in the State Assembly. However, today the opportunity to lead the City I know and love, during such difficult times is a rare opportunity for a public servant to give back to the City which has provided so much for me and my family.

The reason people love living in White Plains is because of our neighborhoods, our schools, the proximity to NYC, as well as its own great shopping areas, restaurants, movie theaters. We must acknowledge and embrace the vibrancy of our downtown.
But also acknowledge that our residents want good schools, parks, open space, and the last thing they want is to spend more time in traffic, and then pay excessive parking fees and fines.
People are worried about property taxes – especially seniors on fixed incomes who don’t want to get taxed out of their homes and families, like mine who are trying to save for college and get ahead in a tough economy. And with the redevelopment that occurred in our downtown there is no reason property tax payers should continue to be paying more and more.

My background has led me to be where I am today;

First and foremost, I’ve made a career out of fighting for kids – first as an attorney who fought to protect abused children, then as a State Legislator who authored laws to crack down on child sexual predators, and protect child witnesses in criminal proceedings and fought to ensure no child has to go without health care.
In the Legislature, I’ve fought to preserve and protect open space and our environment authoring laws like the
- Community Preservation Act – to help open space protection
- Laws to protect endangered species
- Introduced The Environmental Access to Justice Act to give citizens the right to challenge environmental determinations and the Environmental sustainability Education Act, which promotes an educational curriculum for school children in environmental sustainability.
In the Legislature, I’ve been an effective advocate for W.P. schools, W.P. hospital, and other community organizations that improve our quality of life.
- I authored the Parent Teacher Communication Act – to help parents and teachers communicate with each other over the internet.

2) This election is about property taxes and fiscal management.

This City must have a professional Budget Director working year round on the complicated fiscal issues facing the City.

** We together will make stabilizing property taxes and restoring sound fiscal management our top priority**

We don’t need additional tax hikes and continuous fee increases; we need better planning and certainly, better negotiations with developers when new projects are approved.
It’s time to reject the old choice between higher taxes or fewer services – fiscal reform and restructuring will be the answer to holding the line on taxes.
Despite the development of downtown, property taxes keep going up.
A lack of sound fiscal planning has left W.P. in worse shape during this economic crisis – with worse to come if we don’t fix it soon. When the economy was going well our city was using one shots to balance its budget. Our prior Mayors, Mayor Schulman and Delvechio both whom are here, never balanced our city budget by one shot revenues and always left the cities fiscal condition healthy even during economic downturns.
In the Legislature, I have been a steady voice for fiscal reform and responsibility.

The next Mayor has to put taxpayers first: when he negotiates with developers.

He must negotiate better deals
He must pay more attention to parking and transportation.
He must make better use of technology
He must protect open space our special and diverse neighborhoods, and our unique quality of life.
He must provide leadership that listens

The next Mayor must ensure that there is transparency in our city government and welcome those that seek information and monitor our city actions, watchdogs should be welcomed, and not criticized.

3)In these tough economic times, we need new energy to meet our challenges.

The redevelopment of downtown wasn’t as well planned as it could have been. Now, it’ll take new energy to secure better deals for taxpayers.
As we’re seeing all across the country, the same-old policies won’t do anymore. We need change now.

The fight to hold the line on property taxes demands an energetic reform-minded approach.

I will bring a laser-like focus on protecting the taxpayer.
I have always been a reformer, who first ran for elective office against the leadership of the Assembly. I will be a reform-minded innovative Mayor.
I have been willing to fight entrenched interests and the status quo. An example is my leadership very early on in the fight against for profit HMO’s taking advantage of our system of public health. In fact, I authored the first major HMO Reform legislation in 2006.

The time has come for new thinking and new approaches. These are very difficult times. We must re-evaluate our strategies and we must protect taxpayers who are struggling in this very difficult economy. I promise to provide that new type of leadership.

I will fight to protect our quality of life:

Improve parking downtown; ensure our city is pedestrian friendly.
Expand parks and open space, and ensure children have safe places to play.
I will work with White Plains schools to help provide the resources to make sure that our schools continue to offer a world class education for our children.
I will fight to create affordable housing for seniors, as well as for police, fire fighters, and teachers so that those who hold our community together can afford to live here.
And one last time – I will fight to strengthen our fiscal condition, so that we can truly do something about our over increasing property taxes.

Once again, I want to thank all of the elected officials, friends, and most importantly the residents of White Plains, who are here today.

I look forward to representing you and all the people of this very special City.

Adam Bradley

BOE Saves Taxpayer $62 on Final Cut. Budget up .74% Taxes Up 2.4% on $185.8M Bud

Posted on March 30, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 30, 2009: The Board of Education approved a $185.8 Million budget to send to district voters May 19 Monday evening, cutting the budget from $185,9, based on a restoration of $2 Million in education aid from the state, restored over the weekend by Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate leader Malcolm Smith in their budget compromise agreement. The .74% increase in the budget results in a 2.4% property tax increase resulting in a school tax of $8,000 on the $700,000 average White Plains home.

Forty persons attended the official adoption of the White Plains City School District Budget for 2009-10 Monday evening.

This means if you own a home in the $650,000-$700,000 price range, you will see your property tax go up in July from $7,618 to $7,990, (pushing on $8,000 ) an increase of $372, (within $8 of the WPCNR/White Plains Week television program estimated two weeks ago). Combined with the White Plainsian’s average $700,000 home county tax of $2,400 and the city tax, projected at $2,800 for that $700,000 home if the city budget is the same as this year’s ($161.7M), the average Mr. and Mrs. White Plains homeowner of that $700,000 home will pay $13,200 in taxes next year. If the city runs a budget more than $161.7 Million depending on the deficit the city runs (projected at $9 Million to $11 Million), the tax for that $700,000 southend home would hit $14,000 from all three taxing authorities: the schools, the county and the city.

If the city budget drops revenues as much as $11 Million as previously projected by the city, that city tax will go up to $3,500 on the same home pushing the total property tax up to about $14,000.

Another Stealth Tax Raise included in the Three Men in a Room Budget.

WPCNR was told today by the Office of Real Property Services that another cut in the key STAR Exemptions is included in the Paterson-Silver-Smith state budget agreed upon over the weekend. The STAR Exemptions, despite what Fred Seiler said this evening, are being cut again by 11%, not 18% as was originally in Governor Patterson’s budget, but still hiking the White Plainsian’s property tax to help fund their own state aid.

The restoration in district school aid of $2 Million to White Plains is being partially paid for again by the White Plains taxpayer because in the final Albany budget, the STAR BASIC EXEMPTION and STAR ENHANCED EXEMPTION ( the allowance deducted off your home assessment) is being reduced another 11% lowering your exemption from $3330 to $2,964 if you’re under 65, and from $6,500 to $5,785 if you are over-65. Jeffrey Gloak of the New York State Office of Real Property Services confirmed to WPCNR Monday that the 11% cut in the STARs was the final version of the Patterson-Silver-Smith Budget. Proportionately the Over-65 taxpayer is hurt much more by this once-again, not-publicized (except by the CitizeNetReporter) cut.

The restoration of the aid was included in the present budget to reduce the tax levy from $519 per $1,000 of assessed value to $515.15 per assessed value instead of cutting the budget more than the $185.9 it was at last week.

Fred Seiler, the Assistant Superintendent for Business said that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority tax of point 33% of the district’s total salaries (.33%) looks like it is going to go through, and that was included in the approved school budget tonight, costing the district $328,510 (slight more than the salaries of two data processing executives the district hired last August).

Four persons criticized the district for adding $500,000 in a new language program, to bring foreign language to the Highlands Middle School, while laying off personnel, and not spending enough money to remove children attending the district illegally, removing a social worker from one of the schools, and four not looking harder to cut expenses.

Seiler said the district budget approved tonight is essentially the budget the district will have regardless of whether the voters approve or turn down the budget on May 20, because the $185,778,149 budget is $7,371 less than the allowed contingency budger of $193,149,841. Seiler said it was up to the board whether to cut the budget more or adopt the budget at $185.8 M after any negative vote.

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors, wrangling his last school budget for the district prior to his leaving the district June 30, said “I think we’re in good shape. We did not cut any of our wonderful programs. We’ve maintained class size. However, the largest problem we have is the continuing loss of assessibles. Our leaders are going to have to address that.”

Peter Bassano, Board member, up for reelection in May, thanked the community for their input and numerous e-mails because they helped, he said, the board make their decisions in an “unbelievably bizarre environment.” He warned, “Next year is going to be worse. This is the beginning of a roller coaster ride, and it’s not going to get better.”

Donna McLaughlin, President of the School Board, said the Board does listen to the people, “but we don’t always agree.”

Teacher Negotiations Go on to Fact-Finding Stage

Kerry Broderick, the President of the White Plains Teachers Association described last Thursday’s Teacher negations as “strikingly unproductive,” and reported that the next stage of mediations would proceed to Fact-Finding, the discoveries and positions of which would be made public after the mediator’s final report.

Broderick said that only half of White Plains 651 Teachers would receive automatic step raises next year because the other half are already earning the maximum salaries of the district.

Actual positions consolidated or eliminated not fully clarified.

The Superintendent of Schools Connors said two administrative positions (Athletic Director and Director of Physical Education) were combined into one. Another Administrator was kept on but would teach part-time. Twenty certified positions were eliminated, but were not disclosed; Twenty Teaching Assistants were eliminated, as well as 3 Security Positions and 4 Clerical positions.

Bradley Runs for Mayor on Fiscal Reform. Prop Tax Control. Smarter Deals.

Posted on March 30, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. March 30, 2009: Favorite son Adam Bradley announced his candidacy for Mayor of White Plains this morning on the steps of City Hall. Councilperson Rita Malmud introduced the son of William Bradley, longtime Democratic figure in White Plains as “a chip off the old block of integrity,” saying Mr. Bradley was a proven leader right for White Plains. Andrew Spano, the County Executive, said Mr. Bradley understook how governments have to work together, “he gets that,” Spano said.

Councilperson Rita Malmud, right, introduces Adam Bradley, while Assemblyperson Sandy Galef, left, former resident of White Plains, waits to speak at this morning’s Bradley kickoff announcement of his mayoral candidacy.

A Who’s Who in Democrats attended the announcement: left to right, Councilpersons Dennis Power, Tom Roach, Benjamin Boykin, Milagros Lecouna, Chair of the Board of Elections, Reginald Lafayette, Peter Sullivan, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Mr. Bradley, Rita Malmus and County Executive Andrew Spano.

Peter Sullivan looks on as Mrs. Bradley, their daughter, Celena, Rita Malmud as Adam Bradley promised White Plains he would slow the rise in property taxes, work with schools, negotiate smarter deals with developers, and be more fiscally responsible with the city budget. You may see his speech at his website later today at www.bradleyforwhiteplains.org.

Board of Education Meets to Adopt Proposed 09-10 Budget Monday

Posted on March 29, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 29, 2009: The Board of Education will meet Monday evening at 7:30 P.M. at Education to adopt officially the 2009-2010 School Budget, expected to be $185.9 Million, barring last minute trimming. The Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors is expected to report the exact number of persons expected to lose their positions in order to keep the budget to a 1% increase over last year. Last week, the Superintendent advised WPCNR, he expected just 12 persons would lose their jobs in position cuts amounting to 4 Clerical positions, 20 teaching assistants, 3 Security Guards and 20 Certified Positions (defined as any position requiring state certification, such as social workers, or teachers) and 4 Administrative Positions.

The property tax increase going into tomorrow evening meeting is 3.9%The Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler confirmed two weeks ago that the new Assessment Roll is at $286.8 Million, requiring the district to generate a tax levy of $149.9 Million on a school budget of $185.9 Million. Seiler pegged the new tax rate White Plainsians will pay at $522.68 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Two years ago, that tax rate was $474.61 per $1,000.

Seiler blamed this year’s increase on the $5 Million drop in city assessments combined with a loss of state aid of $1.5 Million next year, and the increase in the debt service for the capital project, the last installment of which will be borrowed for in 2009-10.

For reference, if you own a White Plains home priced at $700,000, with an assessed value (after the STAR BASIC EXEMPTION computation of $15, 100 — you are paying $7,618 in school taxes this year. Next year you will pay $7,892.47, unless more state aid is forthcoming. A school tax increase of $275. If your house is worth $1 Million and up, depending on your assessment you’re going over the $10,000 mark in school taxes.

As of Monday afternoon, the Superintendent said 4 Clerical positions would eliminated, 20 Teaching Assistants, 3 Security Guards, and 20 Certified Positions (which he defined as any position requiring state certification, such as social workers, or teachers), and 4 Administrators. He declined to identify the Administrators who are currently employed. He estimated that about 12 persons total would actually lose jobs.

REVENUES FINALLY UNVEILED. Note whack out of state aid, $1.6 Million and Interest on Investments ($850,000) necessitating $2.4 Million of the $3.1 Million budget increase.

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors said in the first public hearing on the budget two weeks ago that any aid coming from the state bailout stimulus now being dolled out in Albany will not likely be showing up in school districts until 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.

$185,912,042 Budget is $7.2 Million less than allowed Contingency Budget

Fred Seiler pointed out that by the state forumula the school district would have been allowed a Contingency Budget of $193.2 Million, noting that the budget presented tonight was 7.2 Million less than if the district had decided to raise the budget to the allowable Contingency Budget level — a level first predicted by WPCNR in the early budget process.

SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Monday March 30, 2008

Education House

7:30 P.M.

AGENDA

I. Opening of Meeting:

Pledge of Allegiance

Oral announcements by the Board President, Board Members

II. Communications:

III. Public Participation: (The Board will entertain comments from the public on any issue, with a time limit of three minutes per person, and a maximum total of 25 minutes.)

IV. Superintendent’s Report:

V. Summary Action Items:

VI. Other Action:

1. Recommended adoption of the Proposed Budget for 2009-10.

VII. Board Discussion:

Who Should Run for Mayor on Republican Ticket?

Posted on March 29, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. March 29, 2009: With Mayor Joseph Delfino stunning the city by his announcement he will not seek a fourth term Friday, the race is on in the Democratic party in a mad scramble among hopefuls for the sure thing — with “The Champ” Joseph Delfino giving up his gold belt, he has with one supremely ironically timed announced shattered Democrat unity.

They’re all jumping in to spoil Adam Bradley’s march to city hall, but are they?: Bill Ryan, Glen Hockley, Benjamin Boykin, may be considering their chances. Rita Malmud is staying out of it, (she has repeated to the CitizeNetReporter), meanwhile even CouncilmanTom Roach, could be a possibility for Mayor. Gee, that Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee is under a lot of pressure, now aren’t they? Who do they pick?

But the real question is, who will the Republicans put up to run? What if the Democrats shoot themselves in the foot by fighting amongst themselves? Remember when Bill Ryan had it all locked up in 2001? Only to be floor-challenged by Robert Greer, who nosed out Mr. Ryan by one little marble in a secret ballot? Then Greer ran a lousy campaign and Joseph Delfino won in a walk in 2001.

Anyway, if I was the Republican head — here’s a few names to consider. Who does Mr. and Mrs. White Plains think might be able to continue the Delfino tradition? More to the point, where does White Plains go from here?

Can we automatically assume White Plains will overwhelmingly elect anybody the Democrats nominate?

Here are some suggestions for Republican standard-bearers for the big Mayor’s Chair:

Gabe Arango— landlord, successful Hispanic businessman. He could perhaps galvanize the Hispanic population, seizing it for the Republicans. The Hispanic population is now the largest ethnic group in White Plains, while given Arango’s southend roots, perhaps being able to hold the center. Not too well known, but he could position the Republican Party as the voice of the growing majority. The Democrats currently will be running two white council candidates and the only way they can counter a strong Republican Hispanic Mayoral Candidate would be to run an Hispanic woman for Council. Arrango, or someone like him…could provide an interesting dynamic, galvanizing the growing downtown population. He also is from the southend and could make inroads there.

Arnold Bernstein — the former Democrat Councilman denied nomination for a second term by the Democratic Party. He is a longshot, and was soundly defeated in his Democratic Primary. However that was the Democratic Primary, strongly organized by the a District Leader call-to-arms. Would he have support if he ran in the general election?

Juan Camacho – Another Hispanic businessman, landlord, developer, well known across town. His knowledge of both the business community and the Hispanic community, could be a factor. The Republicans if they are ever to come back in this city have to court the growing Hispanic population.

Patti Cantu — President of the Battle Hill Association. Long-time activist and persistent, courageous critic of lackadaisical enforcement of illegal housing regulations by the city; dedicated defender of her Battle Hill neighborhood, she has shown courage and candor in relentlessly exposing the double standard shown landlords in Battle Hill by the city.

Larry Delgado — The former Councilman, victimized and deprived of his Council seat for about 18 months by Glen Hockley’s successful fight against a new election in District 18 back in 2001 in the never-to-be-forgotten Delgado-Hockley case, that was argued and won by Adam Bradley. Delgado, should he be persuaded to run with enthusiasm, could with his long experience with working with Hispanic persons in the city, play this up and again turn the tide. But he has to want it. I’d work on him if I were the Republicans. The campaign: “Delgado — His Time is Now.”

Edward Dunphy — Architect of the Joseph Delfino election campaigns. City Corporation Counsel. Mr. Dunphy has been right on virtually all of his legal stands he has fought for the city, he even beat a cell phone company on placing a cell tower at Fenway Golf Club — unheard of. It is too bad Mr. Dunphy does not handle the certioraris, we might do better. Dunphy is likable, longtime Southend resident and could easily hold his own against the Democrat candidate whoever they may be. What kind of Mayor would Mr. Dunphy be? A better one.

Susan Habel — The city Commissioner of Planning. Easily the best mind in City Hall. Intelligent. Works until she drops, but does not drop. Performs witchcraft with zoning and her knowledge of the city, the Charter, zoning, planning, development is without peer. She is articulate, beyond competent, which is more than any Democrat Mayoral hopeful can say. Her no-nonsense manner and concern for affordable housing, community development could not come under fire by Democrat opponents. Would she run? Would she want to? But she would be a formidable Mayoral Executive — easily the smartest public servant in the County, and probably the state.

Glen Hockley- Council Hockley has little shot at dislodging whomever the Democratic City Committee nominates for Mayor, having had his slate of leaders defeated in a primary last fall. So Mr. Hockley could move over and run on the Republican Ticket against the Democratic nominee for Mayor — or run against Bill Ryan for County Legislator. Hockley has a tough decision to make. If the Republicans pick Hockley they are banking on his labor support and stump appeal. Hockley could also chop up the Mayoral Democratic candidate — on the sales tax issue, the salary issue, the inability to make moves to help the city financially. Would Hockley be a good GOP choice?

John Ioris – Head of the controversial 2001 Committee. Master fundraiser. Patron of the arts. Downtown businessman. Long able to raise money with the touch of wand, he may be able to galvanize a movement to keep development moving with financial prudence. It remains to be seen whether media coverage of the 2001 Committee has made Mr. Ioris unviable as a candidate. He again might galvanize the business community and give a close race by concentrating on downtown residents, and convincing the southend which will face mammoth tax problems, that he can help due to his financial know-how. Has Ioris appeal? Remember the Delfino Administration won through Mr. Ioris’ efforts. You decide. And November might have Democrats wondering about things.

Richard Lyman: Fire Chief. You see him running the streets of White Plains. He’s disciplined. Forthright. And a nice guy. He’s a lifelong resident of White Plains. He should have been named Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, but he was not, no disrepect to the Commissioner chosen either. It was a tough decision. Lyman projects an image totally unpolitical and dedicated to White Plains. He runs the state’s best fire department. Quietly. He picks good subordinates recognizes leaders. He is a leader. If there is anything this city needs the next few years is a leader. I see few leaders out there on the Democratic side. Chief Lyman knows union contracts, and could sooth union peace across both city and school district. He knows just where the Public Safety Department is strong and is not. And, I suspect, he’d find the right help. If I was running the Republican Party I’d try and convince this favorite son to run. He’d be tough to campaign against. But in White Plains, as Peter Katz says, elections are about personalities, not issues. Lyman would be serious about the issues and work harder than anyone at being a Mayor to do things right.

Timothy Sheehan — Mr. Sheehan ran for Councilman once before and lost back in 2003. He is one of the brightest legal minds in the city, and his service on the Parking Authority and on the Budget and Management Committee (when it meets) brings forth shrewd, thoughtful insights. He’d be an excellent choice for the future for the Republicans to put up. Sheehan is pragmatic, and with a little charm he could cause a lot of trouble for the Democratic nominee

Robert Stackpole — Mr. Stackpole saw the present financial debacle the city faces this year and next coming. Mocked frequently be the present administration, Stackpole took it in stride and now as the city budget faces challenges it has never felt before, Stackpole’s financial background and compassionate manner, could be just what the city needs. A Democrat rejected last year by his own party as a council candidate, he could run a strong campaign against the Democrats on the grounds the Democrats are not paying attention. Stackpole, since he opposed Delfino policy at the time would not be tarred with the Republican brush — a unique advantage. His campaign “Back to the Revolution!” (Mr. Stackpole has roots going back to the American Revolution).

WPCNR in mentioning the names of these persons, means no disrespect and all due respect.

What do Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think? Are Democratic candidates the only answer? Can the Republicans find a Delfino contender? Let us know by voting at the right.

The Flash Fires Brenda Starr — Glam, Gutsy, Redheaded Scoopsteress On Street

Posted on March 28, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR VICARIOUS VARIETY. By John F. Bailey. March 28, 2009: Even the Princess of Print, the glamorous scoopsteress, the nosy redheaded reporter, globetrotting high-heeled high priestess of truth, justice and dashing romance fell victim to the national downturn in journalism today.

Taking her dismissal in stride, unruffled, regal Brenda Starr emerges from Flash Offices in Chicago today after getting the bad news. Ms.Starr refused to talk to reporters about her dismissal from The Flash her home paper for years.

Bottomline, her publisher put Brenda Starr “on furlough” from her position she has held on The Flash for years. Bottomline broke the news personally to the astounded reporter-editor upon her return from Kazookistan where her persistance in finding her nephew’s father, her unrequited love of the past, Basil St. John, lead to exposing an international artifact smuggling ring.

WPCNR is attempting to contact Ms. Starr to see what her plans are for the future. Ms. Starr is the most well-known print personality to fall victim to the dwindling circulation in print ranks. Idol for thousands of women who have followed her exploits with The Flash in the Chicago Tribune, Ms. Starr’s departure is a shock. Long having eclipsed her rival, Lois Lane, as world’s most glamorous reporter, her departure signals the present state of print journalism. Ms. Starr whose ability to negotiate a ledge 50 stories above the street in stilettos has long been admired, while dressed in the smartest fashions while always getting the scoop has been unsurpassed.

Taking a look at the decline in print circulation, WPCNR links it to the national trend towards consolidation of news coverage to simplify advertising sales space and cut down on local editions. Your local paper is no longer local in many cities. In the places WPCNR has traveled there still are still local papers but with more local coverage that retains leadership: papers in Portland, Lowell, Ann Arbor, Nashville, New London, Detroit, Boulder, still have a local feel to them, still print the police blotters, still cover the local school board diligently, but even those papers are changing.

There’s a distinct lack of beat coverage in many papers. A lack of parochial in-depth reporting on trends in the community, and finances. Reporters are stretched thin. The relationships between reporters and organizations they cover are not what they used to be. Papers now attempt to keep readership with those human interest profiles of movers and shaker types, community activists, and popular subjects: pets, children, high school musicals which generally are generally advertisements in disguise, and pathetic attempts to playact at providing “community coverage.”

Papers are moving to the internet, attempting to be more timely in their coverage. However, those internet operations tend to be reprints of print stories, and deliver television news, superficial and one-shotted without adequate follow-up. But again, to move advertising spots on websites the coverage has to be widespread enough to attract a wide audience, hence the big blanket with many patchworks in it approach.

What do furloughed icons do? Does Ms. Starr have an agent? Will she start her own internet website? Will she consider switching to cable television? MSNBC, CNBC?

We understand CNN and FOX News as well as CBS have put in calls to Ms. Starr’s apartment. After all, an animated Ms. Starr on the CBS Evening News would be an excellent replacement for the present program.

Rumors that President Barack Obama was immediately considering her for press secretary could not be confirmed. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was said to be on shaky ground now by Beltway insiders, with Ms. Starr’s international experience and savvy now available to the administration. The Treasury Secretary, much maligned for his charisma gap, feels threatened due to Ms. Starr’s ability to appear fashionably current on a reporter’s salary for many years.

Does this start a whole new life for Ms. Starr?

We hope this frees Ms. Starr from the tyranny of the bottomline-oriented publisher in the era when you’re paying columnists mints and reporters peanuts, returning us to the days of yesteryear when newspapers were NEWSpapers, not Adverpapers. When editors uncovered scandals being perpetrated before the perps got arrested, when deals were exposed at the time they were made, instead of after the fact, when it was too late.

Ms. Starr’s comments on journalism are well-known, and are classics. The sarcastic, irresistible titian scribe, always impeccably attired even the sands of Kazookistan, delivered these pips, as attributed to her by Dale Messick, her creator:

Here are just a few:

“That’s the problem. Reporters aren’t really qualified to do anything.”

“Sometimes I think newspapers care more about profits than people.”

“How many trees would be saved if we outlawed press releases?”

“I don’t need a makeover. I’m just a lowly print reporter!”

“Another 22 year-old reporter who will do twice the work at half the pay?”

“Sometimes I think everything about journalism was better when I was younger — the clothes, the stories, the newsrooms.”

“Assignment and assignation are almost the same word.”

“Ah, my pencil and notepad. Where would reporters be without their social armor?”

“Paper dolls in the paper! At least editors have figured out what it akes to get readers!”

“If more journalists dressed with flair, maybe newspapers wouldn’t so dull.”

End of The Renaissance: Joseph Delfino Announces He Will Not Run for Fourth Term

Posted on March 27, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. MARCH 27, 2009: City Hall issues a news release late Friday morning announcing that Mayor Joseph Defino, in office since 1997 will not run for reelection this coming fall for a fourth term.

In the wake of the Mayor’s announcement, Common Councilperson Rita Malmud repeated her sentiments expressed when she herself announced she would not run for reelection this past fall. She told WPCNR Friday afternoon she had no intention of running for Mayor on the Democratic ticket (challenging Adam Bradley) even though Mayor Delfino’s no-run decision virtually guarantees a win for the Democratic nominee.

Benjamin Boykin, another councilperson did not return a WPCNR call to see whether he intended to challenge Mr. Bradley.

William Ryan, the Chair of the County Board of Legislators, could also throw his hat in the ring, but that remains to be seen.

Mayor Joseph Delfino August 2008.

Ms. Lopez said he had always planned on only serving three terms. The news release gave no reason for the Mayor’s decision.

Melissa Lopez told WPCNR this afternoon the Mayor had not told his Commissioners nor the Common Council of his decision before this morning’s announcement, unless the Mayor had told the council at Thursday evening’s executive session.

The Mayor’s Announcement as released this morning at 11:30 A.M.:

Thank you to the citizens of the City of White Plains for your support. Together, we

created a vibrant city to live, work and visit.

It has been an honor to be your Mayor. lt has been quite a journey these past 12 years,

and I believe together we have reached our destination. I will serve out my term and

not seek reelection this year.

When I first ran for Mayor in 1997 our City was a different place. Empty storefronts, an

aging infrastructure and little or no cultural opportunity defined White Plains.

Restaurants, supermarkets, movie theatres, hotels, open space, affordable housing and

a performing arts center have replaced blighted areas. I am proud of the leadership I

brought to our community to realize these positive changes and create a city we are

proud to call home.

Building the vibrant city to live, work and visit has not been easy at times . . . but we got

it done! I have always believed that by working together we can accomplish anything.

Our Renaissance City is proof that with vision and leadership a dream can be achieved.

After 30 years in elective office serving the citizens of White Plains I feel a great sense

of pride and accomplishment. We made a difference and I look forward to a bright

future for our City.

Common Council Approves New Round of Co-op, Condo Certs. Approves Drop-In Shelt

Posted on March 27, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. March 27, 2009: The Common Council last night approved a resolution continuing the Open Arms Homeless Shelter “Drop-In” capacity (of approximately 17 additonal beds) through May 31. In a marathon Executive Session lasting at least and hour and a half, that was still going on at about 10 P.M., the council considered and approved 12 certiorari settlements for a series of co-operatives and condominiums, signaling another round of crippling certiorari filings. Details will not be revealed until the Common Council meeting of April 6.

The council was cool towards a proposal by the owners of 14 Mamaroneck Avenue to post a computerized message board overlooking Renaissance Square. The Board, estimated by its presenters to cost $1 Million to install was envisioned as a delivery system for advertisements, community messages, and emergency messages by its promoters. Rita Malmud, the councilperson, was particularly skeptical, especially about the possibilities of audio messages and visual distractions. Glen Hockley supported the concept as a wave of the future. Dennis Power the Councilperson worried about its intrusiveness on the parklike atmosphere of the square. Such a board exists presently in the city of Milano, Italy on one of the famous old squares. The project will be referred out for comment.

The Council learned it had been approved for approximately $652,000 of green energy grants in federal stimulus money from Congresswoman’s Nita Lowey’s office to execute energy audits and energy “retrofits” in residential and commercial buildings, and the development of advanced building codes and inspections, and creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.

Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel announced the city had learned it would receive $241,000 for Community Development funds to create jobs and enable part-time jobs to keep persons employed (such as camp programs), in addition to the city’s present annual allotment from the federal government, believed to be about $400,000, which has been declining in recent years. The full amount, she said, was not known at this time. She expressed chagrin that the city would have received more if the American Community Service had not used data from 2000 which showed White Plains population declining. Yonkers, Habel said Yonkers receive $4,000,000, New Rochelle, $1,000,000 and Mount Vernon, $600,000 in like grants.

On the matter of the new hotel rooms about to open April 1 at the Ritz-Carlton, Commissioner Habel noted that the council had approved reduction in office space in the second tower in August 2006 and earlier in 2005, and that the Planning Department approval of moving the lot line simply reflected those changes in the plans. No one on the Council expressed any qualms about the fact that the addition of 24 new hotel rooms springing up was a complete suprise to the council. City Assessor Lloyd Tasch noted that the addition of hotel rooms reduced the assessible value of the property because hotels rooms were assessed lower than office space. No one asked what this meant in terms of dollars to the city. Tasch observed that the Ritz said they needed the rooms to be competitive for the business conference market because they did not have enough room capacity to handle a major meetings.

Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti expressed frustration on the state’s confusing process of awarding stimulus money for public works projects. He observed that it appeared to him many of the projects had already been pre-selected by the state, from the laundry list of projects submitted by Mayors, leaving very little big time stimulus money to trickle down to cities like White Plains based on applications. White Plains has an $18 Million water supply tank (first brought up three years ago, and postponed for three years) and $5 Million sewer connection line pending, but Nicoletti felt the city had little chance of obtaining funding for those shovel-ready projects. Nicoletti lamented that most projects were traffic oriented, and expected the city would get funding for traffic signal modernization.

Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel said that the city affordable housing stock was mostly filled, but a handful of studios and 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units were still available. She said credit worthiness handicapped many singles from qualifying for the studio units, as well as families.

The council met in executive session on certioraris and WPCNR has learned that 12 certioraris and assessment reductions involving co–ops and condominiums were approved. They had already been figured into this year’s assessment roll. The very long executive session lasting as long as the public portion of the meeting, might have involved budget discussion, otherwise in this time of anxiety over budget cuts and deficits, the council did not bring up the budget at all.