Library Board Back to Drawing Board. Seeks to Save Sundays, Part-Timers

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WPCNR THE READING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 7, 2009: City Hall announced today that the White Plains Library is temporarily withdrawing its plan to close Sundays, and will look  at other methods of achieving a Mayor-mandated $60,000 in budget savings (10%) from the library between now and the end of the fiscal year June 30.


Melissa Lopez of the Mayor’s Office told WPCNR today:


 


“Paul and I spoke to Julie Trelstad from the Library Board and she informed us that the board will be meeting on January 14th to take another look at ways to cut the budget with the less impact on everyone’s lives (employees and the public) in light of the fact that Sandra Miranda made the decision to close on Sundays. The current cuts in hours and staff may or may not occur after this meeting.  We will have to wait to see what decision the board makes on the 14th. “


 


Whatever methods the Library does choose to trim their budget, Lopez said would at this time remain in effect for the new fiscal year 2009-2010.


 


 



 


Previously the Library had planned, based on a decision by Library Director, Sandra Miranda, to close Sundays which would result in the firing of 11 part-time employees.


Earlier this week, Ms. Lopez had told WPCNR that these were full-time employees required by union contract to work 5 Sundays a year, and would not lose their jobs.  Ms. Lopez today retracted this statement, acknowledging that the “Library 11” were part-time employees, and if the Library Board were to remain with the Miranda decision to close Sundays, the “Library 11” most likely would lose their jobs.


Not being full-time employees they could not be given “compensatory time” to make up for the lost hours.


Library Director Sandra Miranda told Ms. Lopez that under the plan to close Sundays, eleven Part-Time workers who staffed Sundays, who would have been terminated are currently paid as follows:



4  librarians from $22.50/hr, from 4-10 hrs/wk each


1  early childhood specialist $25/hr, 17.5 hrs/wk


4  clerks $10.75/hr, from 4-10 hrs/wk each


2  shelvers $8.75/hr, from 7-14 hrs/wk each


Ms. Lopez issued a statement from Ms. Miranda,  to WPCNR detailing the other savings Ms. Miranda said would be achieved by closing on Sundays:  “closing Sundays now gives 4 hours additional of savings on utilities during each weekend, estimated at $18,000 through June 30.”


Sunday Openings Cost Library $54,000 ($3,167 a Sunday)


WPCNR asked Ms. Lopez earlier this week, what was the cost to the library of keeping the Library open from 1 to 5 P.M. Sundays. Ms. Lopez received this statement from Ms. Miranda which Ms. Lopez shared with WPCNR:


Costs of Sundays openings (17) through end of fiscal year (June 30, 2009):
Part-time $21,450
Utilities    $18,000
Security   $10,000
Other        $ 5,000 est
Total        $54,450

Ms. Lopez said that Ms. Trelstad and her assistant had a good meeting with Paul Wood the Executive Officer at which Ms. Trelstad said the board was going to take into account actual hours of usage across the library’s 7 days of service to see where the $60,000 might be achieved.


In planning for 2009-2010, the citizen should know, as previously reported, the library is not open Sundays from June 1 through August 31, and that there are 17 Sundays from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, and 22 Sundays from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010. This makes a grand total of 38 Sundays in 2009-10 at a cost of $120,046 (plus inflation).


The Miranda Decision


Ms. Lopez told WPCNR today that, although the Library Board had originally voted to close Fridays in mid-December(the least trafficked library day of the week), Ms. Miranda believed she could not extend full-time employees hours to 10 hours a day to give them their 40 hour weeks if she closed the library Fridays.


Miranda then moved to close the library Sundays, which her board objects to, according to other news reports.  Lopez said that in a meeting between Ms. Miranda,  Mr. Wood, City Executive Officer, and Mayor Joseph Delfino and Edward Dunphy, City Corporation Counsel,  Mr. Dunphy explained that by the 1993 contract, that the library was indeed able to institute a 10-hour day for full-time employees, enabling closing on Fridays without causing union problems. 


At which time, Ms. Lopez said the Mayor told Ms. Miranda it was up to her which day she wanted to close.  Lopez stressed to WPCNR the decision to close Sunday was Ms. Miranda’s.


 Are Some Part-timers are More Important Than Others?


WPCNR has asked Ms. Lopez why saving the jobs of 11 part-time library employees was more important, than preserving the jobs of the 11 part-time employees fired from the Department of Public Works  and the Department of Recreation and Parks as part of the same budget-cutting process.


(In the DPW, persons who are assigned to getting Little League fields ready in the spring will not be hired at the usual time.  In the Department of Recreation and Parks at the ice rink  those who supervised Friday night public skate nights, were let go, and one long-time employee was given a $4,000 pay cut.)


No pay cuts.


To our knowledge no mention has been made of library executives taking pay cuts in the Library budget crunch.


For that matter no city commissioners have been assessed pay cuts in the anticipated budget crunch and will not be, according to previous statements by Paul Wood, City Executive Officer.


 Ms. Lopez said the Department of Public Works and Department of Recreation and Parks stuck with their original decisions on part-time employee firings. The Department of Public Works works directly for the mayor, as does Recreation and Parks, but their employees do not have a “Board” to intervene, except for the Recreation Committee which has not taken a position on the part-time exiles.


Ms. Lopez was asked to provide the names of the library’s part-time employees up for possible termination if the Sunday closing held up. WPCNR has asked for four weeks for a list of all the actual terminations, but city hall has yet to provide the names of the part-timers.


How do you get a Part-time Job with the City?


WPCNR also asked Ms. Lopez how part-time employees get their part-time jobs, and how do they learn about them. I asked  whether the city personnel department advertises the openings publicly, on the city website, in the Journal News (the official city newspaper, just approved Monday night for another year), in churches, in city department bulletin boards, in institutions (Ys, community centers) so the general public is aware of the availabilities. Ms. Lopez said she would get the answers.


Currently, as previously reported, the library is not open Sundays from June 1 through August 31, and there are 17 Sundays from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, and 22 Sundays from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.

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County Approves $9.7 Million Plan to Modernize Memorial Field in Mount Vernon

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. (Edited) January 7, 2009 UPDATED 2:11 P.M. E.S.T.: At its first regular meeting of the new year, the Board of Legislators approved a $1.3 million bond act for the design of a modernized Memorial Field on Sandford Boulevard in the City of Mount Vernon. The project, brought to the Board by County Legislator Lyndon Williams and County Executive Andy Spano, is estimated to ultimately cost $12.7 million.  The county has agreed to reimburse the city up to $9.7 million for the design and construction costs to refurbish the historic Mount Vernon sports venue.


 



The Grandstand at Mount Vernon Memorial Field on Sanford Boulevard in Mount Vernon. The scene is pre-kickoff between the White Plains Tigers and Mount Vernon Knights in 2006.


 


The improvement plan calls for the demolition of existing structures, grandstands and courts; construction of a state-of-the-art synthetic turf football/soccer field; a natural turf soccer field; grandstands for 4,000 spectators; an all-weather track; a basketball court; new buildings to house a ticket booth, concession stand, bathrooms, press box and locker rooms. All playing surfaces will be illuminated and other site improvements will include new sidewalks and landscaping. 


 


White Plains City School District recently completed two stadium renovations with artificial turf for the cost of $9.2 Million, including the architects’ fees for design.


 



Andy Spano asked the Board to approve this request under the Legacy Program.


 


“This is a prime example of what I wanted to accomplish when I originated the Legacy program back in 2001 to preserve open space and build needed recreational facilities. I am delighted that we are finally going to give the people of Mount Vernon the ball field they need and deserve. It has been a long time coming.” said Spano. “I can just imagine the excitement in the eyes of both children and adults as they take the field to play football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball or field hockey on fields that are first rate.”


 


Williams’ leadership guided the project through the legislature last year.


 


“Memorial Field has played an important part in our community’s history and has needed this overhaul for quite some time. With this refurbishment, all Mount Vernon residents, from youngsters to seniors, can look forward to enjoying a first-rate, state-of-the-art facility to exercise and showcase their great athletic talents,” said County Legislator Lyndon Williams (D-Mt. Vernon) who, as Mount Vernon’s County Legislator, has made this project a top priority since taking office in January last year.


 


Both Williams and Spano noted that getting the project to this point involved the cooperative efforts of Mount Vernon city officials as well as county’s parks, planning and public works staff. Williams thanked County’s Executive Spano’s administration and his colleagues on the Board for their steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for Westchester’s residents through this Legacy project.


 


Mt. Vernon Mayor Clinton I. Young who served as the City of Mount Vernon’s county legislator for 12 years before being elected Mayor last year, said it was gratifying to see the project finally approved.


 


“This is a great day for people of all ages in the City of Mount Vernon,” said Young. “I have worked on this project since its inception thirteen years ago and have pushed through every delay. I’d like to thank and commend the county leaders who persevered and worked with me then as county legislator and now as Mayor to make this project, one that will be a jewel for the entire region, finally happen.” 


 


“The entire county can appreciate the tradition of Memorial Field as a great local and regional sports venue,” said County Board Chair Bill Ryan (D-IN-WF, White Plains). “I thank Mr. Williams and Mr. Young for sticking with this project and keeping it on the county’s agenda. Many generations of young people from across the county will benefit from this investment.”


 


County Legislator Ken Jenkins, Chair of the Government Operations Committee that has oversight responsibility for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department commended the efforts of both city and county officials who managed to finally pull the project together.


 


“The Board’s approval demonstrates the commitment of the county, through the Legacy Program, to serve the county’s youth by collaborating with local municipalities to improve local park and athletic facilities that would be too expensive for a local municipality to undertake alone,” said Jenkins.


                                  


The improvement plan calls for the demolition of existing structures, grandstands and courts; construction of a state-of-the-art synthetic turf football/soccer field; a natural turf soccer field; grandstands for 4,000 spectators; an all-weather track; a basketball court; new buildings to house a ticket booth, concession stand, bathrooms, press box and locker rooms. All playing surfaces will be illuminated and other site improvements will include new sidewalks and landscaping.


 


Under the agreement between the county and the city, following construction, the city will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, scheduling and security of Memorial Field at its own expense. The facility will be operated by Mount Vernon but will be available for use by all Westchester County residents.

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Private Aircraft Advocates:TSA Security on Light Aircraft Not Needed

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WPCNR AIR NEWS. From National Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners Pilots Association. (EDITED) January 7, 2009: In comments made to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials Tuesday at Westchester County Airport, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen articulated industry concerns about the agency’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) and offered a process for improving the final rule on the proposal. The Aircraft Owners Pilots Association echoed Mr. Bolen’s sentiments at the first of six hearings across the country held by the TSA to come in other venues.



A Jet Charter awaits its passengers at Westchester County Airport. Extensive new Transportation Security Administration proposed security measures applicable to private aircraft and aircraft-for-hire as light as 12,500 pounds threaten the airport extensive charter business.


At a public hearing held in a packed room at Westchester County Airport, (attendance estimated at 200 persons),  Bolen told TSA representatives their plan fails to recognize the unique needs and challenges of business aviation operations and that left unchanged, the plan would have “unintended and destructive consequences that threaten the well-being of businesses across the U.S. that rely on their airplanes for survival.”

Bolen reminded the TSA of the ongoing commitment to security that the business aviation community has demonstrated. “In the years following the 9/11 attacks,” Bolen said, “The industry20has called for security enhancements, including an Airport Watch program, monitored aircraft transactions, background checks and tamper-proof licenses for pilots. Clearly, when it comes to effective security enhancements, we have led, not followed the government.”  

According to Bolen, the security approach outlined in the agency’s LASP proposal – which is in many ways an overlay of airline security measures onto general aviation – would be unduly burdensome without providing a clear security benefit. Bolen noted four major concerns to illustrate his point:



  1. As the title for the proposal states, the TSA infers that its plan applies to large aircraft, when in fact, it would apply to aircraft as small as 12,500 lbs. “The entire cabin of a 12,500-pound airplane – from windshield to back bulkhead – could comfortably fit sideways into the planes used in the 9/11 attacks,” Bolen said. “Make no mistake about it: The ‘large aircraft’ security program will apply to some very small aircraft, and the weight threshold must be substantially changed.”


Typical 12,500-lb Gulfstream Private Aircraft on approach at Westchester County Airport. Some twin engine piston aircraft  would also be subject to the new TSA proposals.


 


2. The  proposal contains a list of more than 80 “prohibited items,” some of which may be routinely carried aboard business aircraft because they are central to NBAA Members’ business needs. “Does it really make sense for a company sending a team of employees to fix a problem with one of their assembly lines not to be able to access their tools in flight?D Bolen asked. “Does it really make sense for a sporting goods manufacturer not to be able to access their products in flight, as they try to prepare for a sales presentation?”


3. The TSA’s proposal would require owners of some airplanes to develop procedures to carry a federal air marshal when told to do so by the TSA. “It’s hard to understand why our Members would ever need a law enforcement officer aboard their plane, because the company owns the plane and knows everyone aboard,” Bolen reminded agency officials. “Knowing everything there is to know about who your passenger is changes everything, and the proposal doesn’t seem to recognize that fact.”


4. The proposal would establish a broad requirement that NBAA Members pay for external, third-party audits. “The specifics of the audits are not well-articulated,” Bolen said. “But one thing we do know is that outsourcing security is contrary to our national philosophy for use of federal screeners, and in the development of Secure Flight.”


“In determining a final rule, we believe it is important that we get this right,” Bolen said. “Overly broad or unduly burdensome regulations will needlessly destroy jobs and businesses. There is a better way to approach our shared goal of enhancing security and facilitating operations.

 

“We need to create an aviation rulemaking committee, which is a consistently proven method for a ddressing controversial proposals for our industry, because it opens up a real dialogue for creating effective, yet workable policies. Business aviation is an important industry, security is an important objective, and we deserve that kind of dialogue.”

 

Review the written testimony about the LASP proposal or listen to the podcast at http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/testimony/20090106.php.

 

Aircraft Owners Pilots Association Speaks Out…

 

From the outset of the hearing , the TSA panel members stated that they were there to listen. Except to answer three very specific questions, they did not respond to participants’ comments.


AOPA Northeast Regional Representative Craig Dotlo told the TSA that AOPA has some significant concerns with the proposed rule: It outsources what should be an inherently governmental function—security oversight; it applies commercial standards to general aviation; and, its weight threshold captures very small aircraft, especially when compared to the aircraft used in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.




TSA hears from law enforcement authority


While AOPA plans to file formal written comments on the proposed rule, the association took advantage of the Jan. 6 public hearing to let the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hear from a fellow law enforcement authority.


AOPA Northeast Regional Representative Craig Dotlo managed the FBI’s White Plains Field Office and was responsible for reviewing critical infrastructure facilities, including Westchester County Airport and Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.


“While the government must take every reasonable precaution to protect the homeland, it is recognized by most experts that it is virtually impossible to protect an open democracy with 10,000 miles of borders against every conceivable attack on bridges, tunnels, airports, nuclear power plants, chemical facilities, dams, and the list goes on,” Dotlo said at the hearing. “The real key to homeland security is a robust, efficacious, and sophisticated intelligence network that can identify prospective terrorist attacks and prevent them from occurring.”


AOPA Rep speaks


As Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs, noted, “It is absolutely vital that security officials hear directly from GA users, as they did at today’s public hearing. But it is equally important that they hear from people like Craig who are knowledgeable in both aviation and security and regulatory issues.”


“AOPA is concerned with the weight threshold that is used for the basis of the regulations and provisions in the rule that outsource security oversight to a third-party auditor,” Dotlo told the panel. “AOPA does not support the NPRM as currently drafted and requests that TSA reconsider the proposed rules, focusing particularly on whether there are less costly and less intrusive ways of enhancing general aviation security.”


The association is also concerned that the program could be applied to all aircraft and all airports in the future.


Speaker after speaker reiterated AOPA’s main points and NBAA’s call for an aviation rulemaking committee.


Other speaker comments included one person who said the TSA seems to be reversing its earlier posture that there is no one-size-fits-all security solution for general aviation. Another said that the TSA had not yet proven, at least publicly, that a credible terrorist threat exists from corporate aviation. And a third worried that such a large expansion of the fleet under the TSA’s oversight would dilute security resources.


“Whether it’s through an aviation rulemaking committee or some other mechanism, AOPA remains committed to working with the TSA to enhance general aviation security in the way that is least burdensome to our members,” said Craig Spence, AOPA vice president of aviation security. “AOPA will attend all of the remaining public meetings and will file more extensive written comments. We urge members to consider doing the same. You can check the AOPA member action center for more information on filing formal comments.”

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Mamaroneck Avenue School Masters of the Board: National Chess Champions!

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WPCNR BOARDSIDE. From Michele Schoenfeld. January 6, 2009: On December 11, 2008, members of the Mamaroneck Avenue School Chess Team traveled to Disney World in Orlando, Florida to compete in the 2008 National Scholastic Chess Championships.


 


Congratulations to the MAS Chess Team on WINNING the 2008 National Championship in the 5th Grade Division!


 


Individually, Joshua Colas placed 3rd in the nation, Michael Ainsworth placed 4th in the nation but it was newcomer Andrew Teller’s victory in the final round that clinched the National Championship for the MAS Team!


 



 


Final standings for the top 20 U.S. teams:


 


1.   Mamaroneck Avenue School – National Co-Champions


1.        Horace Mann School (NYC) – National Co-Champions


1.        Ramaz School (NYC) – National Co-Champions


4.        The Lillie Devereaux Blake School – P.S. 6 (NYC)


5.        Hunter College Elementary School (NYC)


6.        The Yung Wing School – P.S. 124 (NYC)


7.        St. Francis Elementary School (Goshen, Kentucky)


8.        The Oak Hall School (Gainesville, Florida)


9.        Sunrise Valley Elementary School (Reston, Virginia)


10.   Sweetwater Episcopal Academy (Longwood, Florida)


11.   St. Patrick’s Elementary School (Washington, D.C.)


12.   Manhattan New School – P.S. 290 (NYC)


13.   Trevor Day School (NYC)


14.   Freedom 7 Elementary School (Cocoa Beach, Florida)


15.   All Saints Episcopal School (Tyler, Texas)


16.   S.A.G.E. Elementary School (Springfield, Massachusetts)


17.   The Mary Lindley School – P.S. 116 (NYC)


18.   Elbridge Gale Elementary School (Wellington, Florida)


19.   Norwood Elementary School (Jacksonville, Florida)


20.   The Jesse Owens School – P.S. 26 (NYC)

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No Libe Workers Fired.Mayor Didn’t Order Sunday Shutdown — Library’s Decision.

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WPCNR THE READING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 5, 2009: The report that 11 part-time employees are being fired out of the White Plains Public Library to close the library on Sundays is not true, city hall said today.  WPCNR has been told by Melissa Lopez of the Mayor’s Office that no library employees at all are being terminated.


 Ms. Lopez reports that Mayor Joseph Delfino never told the library to close Sundays, leaving the choice up to the library as to what cost cutting moves they would make to cut costs up to 10% as he requested December 16. 


No Library Employees Laid Off, Mayor’s Office says.  Did Not Demand Sunday Closing—Library’s Decision.


WPCNR THE READING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 5, 2009: The report that 11 part-time employees are being fired out of the White Plains Public Library to close the library on Sundays is not true, city hall said today.  WPCNR has been told by Melissa Lopez of the Mayor’s Office that no library employees at all are being terminated, savings will be achieved through reduced hours instead.


 Ms. Lopez reports that Mayor Joseph Delfino never told the library to close Sundays, leaving the choice of cost-cutting steps up to the library as to how they would cut costs up to 10%.


Lopez said that the current 1 PM to 5 PM Sunday hours are covered by full-time library employees. She said as part of the 1993 union contract, all library workers are required to work 5 Sundays each year in order to staff Sundays. She said that on those Sundays when the library staffers work, they are paid 7 hours pay for 4 hours work. She said the workers volunteer for the Sunday duty.


The library is open Sundays 1 to 5 P.M. from September through May 31, and closed Sundays from June 1 through August 31, according to its website.  Lopez also reports that contrary to the news reports no one is losing their jobs, they will just work more hours during the week to make up theirf 40 hours or be paid comp time during the week if more library hours are cut (for energy savings).


The library originally voted to close Fridays, Lopez said, however Sandra Miranda, the Library Executive Director, discovered they would have had to make hours for her employees during the week, and that it was Ms. Miranda’s suggestion to close the library on Sunday instead.  Lopez said, “The Mayor never told them to close Sundays.”


The bottom line is, Ms. Lopez reports, no wages are being saved in the strategy to close the library Sundays and no jobs are being cut. The full extent of more hours cuts, if any during the week, have not been made public.


Lopez said the energy savings in electric and heating costs by having the library closed 41 hours from Sat at 5 P.M. until Monday at 10 A.M. for 52 weeks would mount up. She was seeking to quantify the savings the city expected.


Lopez said she would provide the full number of part-time employees being fired from the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Publics, their pay scales, and the total dollar amounts saved (estimated at $80,000 previously by the city) and how those jobs are filled.


 

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Council Meets Monday Evening–May Rent Ritz Island to Cappelli — Ending Dispute

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. January 5, 2009: The Common Council meets Monday evening at 7:30 televised on Cablevision Channel 75, and Verizon FIOS 47, with the Citizens To Be Heard session (untelevised). Hot on the agenda is the obscure ordinance (no. 70) which authorizes a 10 year lease of the Renaissance Square traffic island for occupation by the Ritz-Carlton marble sign in the middle of the island at a rent of $3,000 a year.


Also up is a referral of an amended site plan for 55 Bank Street– the market rate and affordable housing-retail complex — still seeking financing, which is submitted in the documents backing up the Council agenda with no diagrams, so it is impossible to visualize. Perhaps there will be some visual presentation at the council meeting, WPCNR will check.


The Council will also hold a public hearing on the extension of the Robert Weisz site plan for the 4-story hotel on the 1133 Westchester Avenue property, and a new office building on that property previously approved.


The Agenda:


 

COMMON COUNCIL
AGENDA ANNUAL MEETING
JANUARY 5, 2009
7:30 P.M.


PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:               Hon. Thomas Roach


INVOCATION:                            Rev. Jaccius Jean-Pierre,
                                               St. John the Evangelist


ROLL CALL:                                           City Clerk


EMPLOYEE OF                                    Oscar Lopez
OF THE MONTH:                            Youth Services Aide
                                                     Youth Bureau

ADJOURNED
PUBLIC HEARING:


1.       Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of 1133-300/1133-399 Westchester Avenue LLC, (“Applicant”) owner of property known as 1133/1135 Westchester Avenue (Section 131.20, Block 1, Lot 1.1) containing environmentally sensitive features, for (A) a one (1) year extension of the previously approved amendment to the Special Permit/Site Plan for a four (4) story extended stay hotel granted by the Common Council by resolution adopted November 7, 2007; (B) an amendment to the aforementioned previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan for the construction of a new office building on the same property at 1133/1135 Westchester Avenue; and ( C) an application for a Special Permit for same under Sections 3.5.5 and 6.7.27 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains to permit the utilization of the permitted building coverage percentage on that portion of the site which is located in the C-O (Campus Office) Zoning District.


2.                 Communication from                    City Clerk


3.                                                                       Commissioner of Building


4.                                                                       Design Review Board


5.                                                                       Commissioner of Public Safety


6.                                                                       Commissioner of Traffic


7.                                                                       Traffic Commission


8.                                                                       Commissioner of Parking


9.                                                                       Conservation Board


 


PUBLIC HEARINGS:


10.     Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted by Lazy Boy Saloon for a one (1) year renewal of a Special Permit to operate a cabaret at 148 – 154 Mamaroneck Avenue.


11.               Communications from        Corporation Counsel


12.                                                          Commissioner of Building


13.                                                          Design Review Board


14.                                                          Commissioner of Planning


15.                                                          Planning Board


16.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety


17.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works


18.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic


19.                                                          Traffic Commission


20.                                                          Commissioner of Parking


21.                                                          Westchester County Planning Board


22.                                                          Environmental Officer


23.               Environmental Findings Resolution


24.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of J.N.J. Enterprises, Inc.,d/b/a The Lazy Boy Saloon for a one (1) year renewal of a Special Permit to operate a Cabaret at 152-154 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 7, Lot 4) subject to certain conditions contained herein.


25.     Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of VOV Restaurant Group LLC for a one (1) year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at “Soma 107″ located at 107 Mamaroneck Avenue.


26.               Communications from        Commissioner of Building


27.                                                          Design Review Board


28.                                                          Commissioner of Planning


29.                                                          Planning Board


30.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety


31.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works


32.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic


33.                                                          Traffic Commission


34.                                                          Commissioner of Parking


35.                                                          Westchester County Planning Board


36.                                                          Environmental Officer


37.               Environmental Findings Resolution


38.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of VOV Restaurant Group, LLC, operator of SOMA 107, Restaurant for a Special Permit to operate a Cabaret known as SOMA 107 at 107 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.76, Block 5, Lot 18) subject to certain conditions contained herein.


FIRST READING
ORDINANCES:


39.     Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to an Intermunicipal Agreement between the City and the County of Westchester for the operation of the Enhanced 911 System.


40.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor of the City of White Plains to execute a five year Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the County of Westchester for the operation of the Enhanced 911 System.


41.     Communication from the Mayor in relation to amendments to the collective bargaining agreements between the City and the Professional Fire Fighters Association, Inc., and the Deputy Fire Chiefs Unit, regarding the implementation of a 24 hour work chart.


42.               Ordinance approving and ratifying an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement between the City of White Plains and the Professional Fire Fighters Association, Inc., to implement a 24 hour work chart and authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Professional Fire Fighters Association, Inc., amending the collective bargaining agreement accordingly.


43.               Ordinance approving and ratifying an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement between the City of White Plains and the Deputy Fire Chiefs to implement a 24 hour work chart and authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Deputy Fire Chiefs amending the collective bargaining agreement.


44.     Communication from Chairman, Capital Projects Board, in relation to Capital Project No. C5318, Public Safety – Replace 1-Series Computer (AS400).


45.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains to amend the Capital Projects Fund by establishing Capital Project No. C5318 entitled, Public Safety – Replace 1-Series Computer (AS400).


46.               Bond Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $150,000 bonds of the City of White Plains, Westchester County, New York, to pay part of the $150,750 estimated maximum cost of the replacement of the Department of Public Safety 1-Series Computer (AS400) mainframe, in and for said City.


47.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of Reckson Realty Associates, a division of SL Green Realty Corporation, requesting a license agreement with the City of White Plains to extend a building canopy over the public right-of-way adjacent to 150 Grand Street.


48.               Communications from       Design Review Board


49.                                                          Commissioner of Planning


50.                                                          Planning Board


51.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety


52.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works


53.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic


54.                                                          Traffic Commission


55.                                                          Commissioner of Parking


56.                                                          Environmental Officer


57.               Environmental Findings Resolution


58.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to enter into a revocable license agreement with One Fifty Grand, LLC to permit encroachment upon City rights-of-way in connection with improvements to the existing building at 150 Grand Street.


59.     Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the proposed lease of the traffic island constructed at the intersection of Court and Main Streets as part of the project known as 221 Main Street.


60.               Communications from        Commissioner of Building


61.                                                          Design Review Board


62.                                                          Planning Board


63.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety


64.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works


65.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic


66.                                                          Traffic Commission


67.                                                          Commissioner of Parking


68.                                                          Environmental Officer


69.               Environmental Findings Resolution


70.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to enter into a lease and other necessary documents of a City-owned traffic island parcel at Renaissance Square to LC Main LLC (“Applicant”) to allow for the installation, inter alia, of a granite sign with the name of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in the 221 Main Street development.


71.     Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the appropriation of fund balance in the Section 8 Reserves from the Housing Choice Voucher Program.


72.               Ordinance amending the Section 8 Housing Voucher Fund Budget by appropriating fund balance and allocating such increase to the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments.


73.     Communication from Commissioner of Parking in relation to a contract with Garda CL Atlantic, Inc., for the purpose of providing armored car services.


74.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into a contract with the Garda CL Atlantic, Inc., for the purpose of providing armored car services.


75.     Communication from Commissioner of Parking in relation to a transfer from Reserve for Finance to cover additional costs for the operation of the Longview Garage.


76.               Ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds from the Reserve for Finance in order to reflect additional costs for the operation of the Longview Garage, within the Department of Parking.


77.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a donation from Timothy Connors in the amount of $250.00 to the Annual Holiday Toy Drive.


78.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, a donation from Mr. Timothy P. Connors, Superintendent of Schools, in the amount of $250.00 to be used to support the Youth Bureau’s Annual Toy Drive.


79.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to an amendment to an existing contract with the County of Westchester Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), for the third year of the Collocation Project.


80.               Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), in order to receive a three year grant to support the Collocation Project in providing substance abuse prevention to White Plains Youth.”


81.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to an amendment to an existing contract with the County of Westchester Department of Community Mental Health to provide additional funding for the Project Hope Program, providing alcohol and substance prevention services to youth of the City.


82.               Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the County of Westchester Department of Community Mental Health to receive $900,021 in funding through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).”


83.     Communication from Chairman, Traffic Commission, in relation to proposed amendments to the Traffic Ordinance at various locations around the City.


84.               Ordinance amending the Traffic Ordinance of the City of White Plains in relation to Designated Handicapped Parking Spaces – Streets (Metered Three-Hours Maximum).
 


RESOLUTIONS:


85.      Communication from Environmental Officer regarding renewal of a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at 169 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 6, Lot 11.1) on behalf of 169 White Plains Rest. Inc., d/b/a The Porter House.


86.               Environmental Findings Resolution


87.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of 169 White Plains Rest. Inc., for a one (1) year renewal of a Special Permit to operate a Cabaret at The Porter House Bar and Restaurant, located at 169 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 6, Lots 11.1 and 12.1) subject to certain conditions contained herein.


88.     Communication from Environmental Officer regarding renewal of a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at 175 – 179 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 6, 10.1) on behalf of D.R. & R.D. Inc., d/b/a The Brazen Fox.


89.               Environmental Findings Resolution


90.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of DR & RD Inc., for a one (1) year renewal of a Special Permit to operate a Cabaret at the Brazen Fox Restaurant, Bar and Catering, located at 175-179 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 6, Lot 10) subject to certain conditions contained herein.


91.     Communication from the City Clerk designating the Journal News as the Official Newspaper for the calendar year January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.


92.               Resolution designating the Journal News as the Official Newspaper of the City of White Plains for the purpose of public notices. 
 


REFERRAL:            


93.     Communication received from Commissioner of Building transmitting a supplemental submission in relation to an application submitted on behalf of Nathan Miller Center for Nursing to a proposed site plan amendment for the installation of an outdoor life safety generator set adjacent to 37 DeKalb Avenue.


94.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to an application submitted on behalf of LCOR 55 Bank Street LLC, transmitting an amended site plan for the proposed mixed use development at 55 Bank Street to be comprised of two 280 foot residential towers containing 554 rental apartments, 9,500 square feet of retail space at grade and a six story underground garage housing 602 parking spaces with an additional 105 at grade spaces.

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Private Jets, Charters Face Tighter, Demanding TSA Security Checks, Monitoring.

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WPCNR’S FRIENDLY SKIES. January 4, 2009: Flying friendly politicians to Hawaii by private charter jet  from White Plains, or to Japan on junket or some well-connected pals to Fort Lauderdale for a winter break will not be so easy in the next few years if the Transportation Security Administration has its way.



A typical Charter Aircraft Awaits passengers in July at Westchester County Airport.


The Transportation Security Administration is seeking comment on tough new security procedures for private aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds and their private flights and chartered flights they fly. Westchester County Airport has many  such flights on private aircraft on charter companies each day where security is left up to the individual company or aircraft owner.


The presumption is the passengers on those flights are known. In the future that golf trip to Hawaii, that ski trip to Colorado even perhaps on a small General Aviation single engine plane may require considerably more advanced planning, including submitting passenger lists and passing it past a Security Watch List may be required. Will the charter aircraft companies be checking you out, or will the TSA? The  TSA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be  the subject of a public hearing Tuesday at Westchester County Airport at 9 A.M., at Building 1 on Airport Road.




One of hundreds of private jets that use Westchester County Airport — just perfect for the ski vacations to Telluride, or the ponies at Saratoga, or a toasty weekend in The Bams. They fly out of and into medium-sized and major airports throughout the country. Owners, companies, and charter flight operators would be subject to baggage, arms, security checks and reporting passengers under the TSA rules


The measures if enacted would rachet up security clearance procedures, including pilot background checks. Operators professional and private would have to clear passenger identities on charters or your own private jet against national “Security Watch Lists,” in advance. Companies would be required to appoint security managers for charter air services, are among the more prominent changes the TSA is proposing.


The Notice of Proposed Rule Making calls for such procedures for private flights chartered or private departing airports across the country.  Westchester County Airport will host the first of these hearings Tuesday morning at 9 A.M. Registration.  To speak on the rules changes interested persons must arrive at 8 A.M. at Building 1, Airport Road at the airport. You will only be allowed to speak for 3 minutes.


To read the complete notice go to the AOPA website at http://download.aopa.org/epilot/2008/081216lasp.pdf


 For more information on the proposed rule or to find out how to submit your comments visit the AOPA member action center at http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/gasecurity/


The TSA is especially interested in comments on these issues:


(1) The weight threshold of aircraft covered by the proposed rule.


(2) The phased approach in the implementation of the proposed rule and the


determination of which phase would be applicable to each large aircraft operator.


(3) The security threat assessment (STA) requirements, including the


transferability of the STAs for flight crew members and whether a proprietor, general


partner, officer, director, or owner of aircraft operators should undergo a STA.


(4) Methods for positively identifying pilots and effectively linking them to the


aircraft they are operating.


(5) The watch list service provider (WLSP) requirement, including comments on


the WLSP.s system security plan, the role that watch-list service providers may continue


to have if the responsibility for watch-list matching shifts to the U.S. Government in the


future, whether there should be a limitation of the number of entities that would be


approved as a WSLP, and whether WLSP covered personnel should be limited only to


U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents.


(6) Whether TSA should establish a minimum time for submission of passenger


information to the service providers, what that minimum time should be, and the reasons


supporting the suggested minimum time.


(7) Whether full program aircraft operators should be permitted to conduct their


own audit and/or watch list matching on flights operated under their LASP.


(8) Proposed privacy notice requirement.


(9) The third party auditor requirement, including the establishment of a system of


assigning auditors and methods of doing so, qualifications of auditors, and conflict of


interests and independence issues affecting an auditor.


(10) Whether certain large aircraft operators (for instance, operators that are not


carrying persons or property for compensation or hire or with aircraft having a MTOW of


more than 45,500 kg) should have a different requirement as to what weapons are


prohibited (for example, limit the prohibited items to only guns and firearms).


(11) The requirement for security coordinator, including the use of a single


individual for multiple security coordinator roles.


(12) Whether any other types of airport should be covered by a security program.


(13) Amendment of the partial program or the supporting program for airports.


(14) Applicability of the proposed rule to fractional ownership operations.


(15) Qualifications of individuals who would be exempted from liability under the


voluntary provision of emergency services.


Hearings will also be held January 8 in Atlanta, January 16 in Chicago, January 23 in Burbank, California, and January 28 in Houston.

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Downtown Music Starts New Year Musically Wednesdays.

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WPCNR DOWNBEAT. January 3, 2008: Downtown Music, a nonprofit performing arts organization located in the heart of White Plains, begins its calendar of events for the New Year on January 7 with a warming trumpet and piano concert, “Drive the Cold Winter Away.” The half-hour lunchtime concerts are free and begin at 12:10pm.  All January concerts take place at Grace Church, which is located on the corner of Church Street and Main Street in White Plains.


Here’s the schedule:


 


.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 12:10 PM


Drive the cold winter away – Pyrotechnics for Trumpet with John Charles Thomas joined by Bari Mort at the piano.      Works will include La Virgen de la Macarena (1949) by Bernardino Monterde (1868-1922), arrangement by Rafael Mendez (1906-1981); Légende (1906) by George Enescu (1881-1955); and Andaluza (1906) by Enrique Granados (1867-1916), arrangement by Rafael Mendez.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 12:10 PM


It Takes Two – Virtuoso works of Brahms, Kreisler and Bartók performed by Nicole Diaz, violin, and Mory Ortman, piano.


The concert will include the first movement from Brahms’s Violin Sonata in G Major; three shorts pieces by Kriesler (Rondino, Liebeslied, and Schoen Rosmarin); and Romanian folk dances by Bartók.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 12:10 PM


Noonday Jazz – Jack Wilkins and Jeff Barone, acoustic guitars, and Chris Berger, acoustic bass, play music from the Great American Songbook. Songs include I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan by Arthur Schwartz; When I Fall in Love and Stella by Starlight by Victor Young; I Can’t Get Started and Taken a Chance on Love by Vernon Duke; You My Love and It Could Happen to You by Jimmy Van Heusen; I’ll See You in My Dreams and It Had to Be You by Isham Jones; and More Than You Know and Tea for Two by Vincent Youmans.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 12:10 PM


Music from the Conservatory – A program featuring the Faculty Baroque Ensemble of the Music Conservatory of Westchester: soprano Mary Elizabeth Poore, flutist Stefani Starin, and Jean Newton, harpsichord.


ABOUT DOWNTOWN MUSIC


Downtown Music at Grace was founded in 1988 by Timothy Lewis, Director of Music and Organist of Grace Church in heart of White Plains. Downtown Music delights audiences with its beautiful setting and professional weekday and weekend performances consisting of a wide spectrum of musical genres from classical to ethnic music. The mission of Downtown Music is to provide an oasis of art and culture in the heart of White Plains.



For more information about Downtown Music or the November concerts, please visit our web site: www.DTMusic.org or call (914) 248-1112.

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City on Brink of Ending Ritz Rock Traffic Island Dispute.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. January 2, 2009: The Common Council will consider Monday evening an ordinance approving a 10-year lease of the Renaissance Square traffic island to LC Main at a cost of $3,000 a year for ten years ($30,000). If approved, the action appears to end the 9-month dispute of Louis Cappelli’s erecting a stone Ritz-Carlton entrance sign on the 30 foot by 4 foot traffic island without city approval, in the middle of a city right of way.



The Ritz Rock today. The toney Ritz Carlton White Plains is in the background.


Ritz Rock Dispute Being Settled Quietly? The Ritz Carlton sign on a traffic island in Renaissance Square, subject of articles in major metropolitan dailies the last eight months and an ongoing festering feud between the city and LC Main LLC, (the city wanted the monument torn down, and refused to sell the island to the developer, as well as refusing to consider leasing plans for the island) appears headed towards a peaceful solution Monday evening.



According to the documents circulated with the Common Council agenda, the Department of Public Works will permit the continued presence of the previously offending stone if Mr. Cappelli replaces the inclined edge of the island with a 6 inch perpendicular curb. The possibility of vehicles rolling up over the aesthetic inclined slope of the toney island, was a principle Public Works objection to the island (it being against code). According to the terms made public today, Mr. Cappelli’s organization also agrees to accept all liability resulting from any traffic accidents involving the island, and has sole responsibility for its upkeep. The agreement is nontransferable without Council permission.


In a letter from City Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, the Commissioner states in support of the lease agreement that  “The Planning Department finds that the City has entered into a significant number of license agreements with private property owners to permit use or encumbrance of public right of way, and has accepted liability for the White Plains Beautification gardens in the right of way. The Planning Department further finds that the traffic island on Renaissance Square with the Ritz Carlton sign is attractive, and provides a sense of predestrian scale to an otherwise very wide street crossing.”


The Commissioner sites 12 other such sites already existing in the city that the White Plains Beautification Foundation plants and maintains with donor signage as support for granting the Cappelli license, and notes 10 other sites where organizations have “entered into license agreements for intrusions in the public right of ways,” including The Seasons, The Galleria Mall, 360 Hamilton Avenue, Dunkin Donuts, Key Ford, Fortunoffs, City Center(Valet Parking), 235-245 Main Street, Storage Deluxe and the Westchester Arts Council (Sign Banners over Mamaroneck Avenue).


 The Council rejected Mr. Cappelli’s offer to purchase the island for $18,000. LC Main LLC then submitted a request to lease or obtain a license. Subsequent efforts of the Cappelli organization to obtain the lease or license was tabled by the council for about eight months. Meanwhile, the Cappelli organization went to court on grounds that the city should consider their request and had engaged in “abuse of discretion.”  In December, the Council referred the request out to departments.


Councilman Glen Hockley told WPCNR a month ago at the time of the refer-out, that  the council was releasing the request for referral because it had become clear that Judge Susan Cacace was not going to issue a favorable ruling, “when it became clear the city was not going to prevail in court.”


The ordinance to be considered Monday evening appears to end the dispute should it be approved.

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WP-ERS,NY-ers Face Double Whammy: 18% Cuts in STAR EXEMPTS Close Budget Gap

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. By John F. Bailey. December 31, 2008 UPDATED January 1, 2009: The Governor’s Budget for 2009-2010 at this time plans a repeat of the reduction in the STAR Basic and Enhanced Exemptions that will cost  the average White Plains taxpayer  owner of the median home valued at from $600,000 ($700,000 as recent as six months ago) an automatic $301 and UP increase in school taxes if passed by the legislature, while quietly filling the state’s depleted money vaults.


If your home is valued higher than the median, you’re paying hundreds more automatically if the legislature passes the  twin cuts.


Last year this  STAR smashing technique was used by the Eliot Spitzer Administration and the legislature to pay for 75% of the increased school aid that was touted as a benefit to school districts, “financial aid” they called it.


Local legislators professed ignorance of this, blaming the New York State Office of Real Property Services,  despite the fact that the legislators had to vote the exemption cuts in as part of the Governor’s budget.


Lowering the  BASIC and ENHANCED STAR exemptions by 10%, the legislature made taxpayers pay for ¾ of the increased school aid they touted as “aid to taxpayers.” Only taxpayers reading the CitizeNetReporter were aware of this stealth tax increase, because no other media chose to report it.


 It worked so well, the governor’s office is now doing it again.



The Governor’s office has been queried by WPCNR as to how much additional revenue this would bring in. Last year the 10% decrease in the STAR Basic conveniently generated $1.7 Billion in property tax revenues direct from the taxpayers, 99% of whom were not aware of it.


The 2008-2009 budget gap currently estimated by the Governor’s office is $1.7 Billion. It would appear the 18% STAR Exemption cuts would erase that and then some.


This tax year, the lowering of the Basic increased the median home ($700,000) owner’s taxes $186. The senior citizen over 65 enjoying Enhanced STAR status, with the same median home found their tax going up $641. If you were below the median your property tax went up less, above it, you paid more than $186 and $641.


The 18% Cut Adds Up


In 2009-2010, the proposed 18% cut in the two STARS will hit harder. The BASIC STAR median home owner will find their tax bill going up $301, the ENHANCED STAR owner will go see their school tax go up $596 before the School District, the City  and the County take their pieces out of you.


Taxpayers should note that the $301 and $596 figures are based on this years School Tax Rate of $501, which is almost assuredly going to go up substantially unless the School District enacts drastic spending cuts. If the School Tax Rate goes up the same as 2008-2009 did ($27 per thousand) the tax rate will climb to $528/$1,000 of assessed valuation.


Figure It Out


If you would like to figure out what the 18%  cuts do to your School Property Taxes, pull out your latest property tax bill that you received from the city  that is due January 31), and deduct $2,731 from your Assessed Value if you enjoy BASIC STAR.


If you are over 65 and enjoying ENHANCED STAR, deduct $5,330 from your Assessed Value


Divide the answer by 1,000 and multiply that answer by the current tax rate ($501.01), and you’ll see what the STAR EXEMPTION cut will mean in your own tax bill.


Making Up Lost Revenue


Geofrey Gloak of the New York State Department of Real Property Services explained the lowering of the floor was to catch up with ten years of real estate value growth which  have made many more homeowners eligible for the STAR Basics and Enhanceds Exemptions, costing the state revenue.


Mr. Gloak, contacted by WPCNR, confirmed the planned increase in the exemptions and explained why the Governor’s Office was doing this. It appears this is planned because the state is losing too much revenue from increased real estate values.


“Part of the Governor’s Budget Proposal calls for the annual adjustment to
the STAR exempt amount floor to be increased from 10% to 18%.  Before you
ask, here’s what that means.

When the original STAR legislation was enacted in 1998, it established
flat-dollar exemption amounts — $30,000 of full value for the Basic
Exemption and $50,000 for the Enhanced Exemption.


It also specified how they would be adjusted for certain downstate counties because of major
differences in real estate values between the upstate and downstate areas,
and how the assessed-value equivalent of these exemptions would be
calculated for those assessing units that were not assessing at full market
value — through application of the equalization rate.

If equalization rates fell in future years because of rising local real
estate values and unchanging assessments, the STAR exemption amounts
entered on the roll would similarly fall, other things equal. The
Legislature was concerned that this could mean a decline in the STAR
benefit from one year to the next, and thus instituted a 5% “floor,” which
limited the amount the exemption could decline annually in significantly
appreciating real estate markets.

In some parts of the State, strong residential real estate appreciation
during the first part of this decade resulted in the floor “kicking in”
annually. This had the effect of increasing the market value of the STAR
exemption significantly — beyond the original flat amounts of $30,000 and
$50,000.

When the current-year (2008-09) budget was enacted, it included a provision
that changed the floor on reductions in the equalized STAR exemption from
5% to 10%, thereby increasing the rate at which the exemption could be
brought back into line with the amounts originally implemented beginning in
1998. 


In the recently-released Governor’s Budget Proposal, the floor would
be changed once again – to 18% — thus accelerating once again the process
of realignment with the original STAR exemption amounts.


John, Hopefully, this will help you and your readers to understand the
floor concept.


 You also might note that Westchester County has the highest
savings as a result of STAR in the state – 270% higher than the statewide
average and 58% higher than the next highest county (Rockland).


Some Good News from ORPS


Mr. Gloak reports that the White Plains Equalization Rate has remained at 2.75% for the new tax year which is good news for the White Plains City Assessor, Lloyd Tasch who will be issuing the new tax roll Friday morning.


The State reports that in the year ending June 30, 2008, White Plains Real Estate values have gone down only slightly which perhaps means that the White Plains Assessments will remain at or above the $290.2 Million of 2008-2009. 


The new assessments due Friday will not reflect the precipitious decline in White Plains housing prices the last six months.


It would be good news for the School District which faces an automatic 7% growth in spending if they do not cut spending going into 2009-2010, but at least they would know their tax base is stable (except that White Plains taxpayers, if the legislature goes along with the 18% exemption will start off hundreds of dollars higer automatically.)

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