Broadcast to Air on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 7 p.m. on Cablevision Channel 76 and Fios/Verizon Channel 45 in Westchester County, Thursday December 3 and Saturday, December 5 on the same stations. WPCNR WPTV MEDIA-ROUNDUP. From Berkeley College, White Plains NY. November 25, 2020: In a local cable television segment of the program “People to Be Heard,” host John Bailey speaks with U.S. Army veterans about how they prepared for two distinct career paths – first by joining the armed forces to embark on military careers – and then by entering Berkeley College to prepare for new professions in civilian life. “Mr. DeNucci and Ms. Campbell showed how more awareness has to be placed by society on how much veterans bring to an organization,” Bailey said.  Berkeley College alumnus Vincent DeNucci, transitioned to civilian service after 15 years in the U.S. Army as a leader who trained service members on how to communicate with subordinates and other junior leadership. Because the training focused on small unit tactics and interacting with locals overseas, DeNucci taught his colleagues not only about the logistical aspect of their mission, but about the humanitarian side. “The training put a human aspect to everything,” he said.  Along with earning an undergraduate degree from Berkeley College, DeNucci expects to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management degree at his alma mater next year. DeNucci was recently named Acting Executive Director of the New York Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NYVCC). The NYVCC provides a range of social support and employment services that makes reintegrating into the community simpler. DeNucci says in his new role at NYVCC he is committed to empowering the futures of men and women from the U.S. armed forces.   Berkeley College alumna Crystal Campbell, a former Communication Specialist in the U.S. Army, works as a flight attendant as she completes an MBA in Marketing. Campbell plans to open a multi-faceted e-commerce business that will incorporate counseling other small businesses in the United States and abroad, as well as sell merchandise from her art collection. Campbell completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in Fashion Merchandising and Management at Berkeley College, in 2019.  Ed Dennis, Assistant Vice President, Berkeley College Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, entered the military after graduating high school and enrolled in evening and distance classes to earn his undergraduate degree and an MBA before retiring from the military. Dennis chose to work in higher education because of the opportunity to help service members, veterans, and their family members achieve their college goals. He, like nearly 90% of veterans, was a first-generation college graduate.  Host John Bailey expressed the value of hiring veterans to employers: “The (alumni) veterans demonstrated poise, confidence and maturity beyond their age. Any employer wanting a person who will learn a job, fit in fast, and go beyond ordinary effort and increase productivity should hire veterans first,” said Bailey.  The guests shared their transition observations and experiences after military service. Dennis noted that as a result of Berkeley College hosting a recent virtual forum, “From A Military To A Civilian Career: An Alumni Panel Discussion,” plans are underway for new student-veterans at Berkeley College to have additional mentorship relationships for support. DeNucci also stated that studying at home online has the added benefit of inspiring his children with their schoolwork. “They witness how hard I work and it makes them work harder,” he said.  This “People to Be Heard” program will broadcast on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 7 p.m. on Cablevision Channel 76 and Fios/Verizon Channel 45 in Westchester County, NY, and at the same times and days the following week.  Berkeley College provides onsite and virtual Veterans Resource Centers and programs to support student- veterans through their academic studies and preparing for their future careers. About Berkeley College Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,900 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.eduThe mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. Statistics Based on New York State Department of Taxation and Finance sales tax reports. November 24, 2020:

White Plains   sales tax receipts are down $3 Million the first first four months of the city fiscal year. They have declined every month since the the year started in July.

County sales taxes after being out in front of last year’s pace the first 9 months dipped through October. The county is looking at a 1.9% decline in ten months from 2019 the year the county increased sales tax 1%. This is a an indication that County and White Plains economic activity is not recovering.

In the county it is particularly devastating: the decline first appearing in the October figures indicates that they are down 3% in customer spending, despite their 1% increase in sales tax .

In White Plains, sales tax dollars declined $2,856,000 through October. November and December coming up traditionally are the make or break month in the city budget calculations.

Covid is rising in Westchester.

The sales tax increase in the county is not helping in White Plains because White Plains always charged the same percentage of sales tax as the county.

At the present level of consumer activity the administration has to look hard at cutting expenses to balance the budget in 2021-22. The city could be looking at a 25% revenue loss by June, the close of the fiscal year, that the city will have to make up in the new 2021-22 budget.

How’s the county doing. Last month the county was up 2%  in sales tax revenues FOR THE FIRST 9 MOTHS. . in the 10^th month OCTOBER FIGURES JUST IN NOW SHOWS THE COUNTY IS DOWN 2%. So the 2% Gain, even with the 1% Sales Tax Increase is wiped out. T

The County predicted a 27% In crease in sales taxes in 2020, now faces a 76 Million deficit even if they meet last year’s Nov. DEC Receipts of  $127 MILLION . Meeting that handle is in doubt if the 2% decline in the county sales taxed categories continues, the county sales tax revenue will decline to $124.5 Million building to a 78.5 Million Deficit which will be covered by The county reserves, bolstered by $80 Million in Covid Relief.

If county sales tax dollars meet last November and December numbers the county will get more sales tax receipts than last year a projected total of $671,964,357 (using NYS Sales tax receipts trends), way below what they budgeted $127 Million, This is why according to the new 2020 budget, the county decided to transfer unspent covid money to the reserve fund, then swap out current reserves to cover the county self-imposed deficit.

White Plains is prohibited by charter from budgeting more revenues in sales taxes than they receive in the past budget year. This is why the city is not in a deficit position because they cannot increase the budget on optimistic speculation of revenues.