Comptroller: Empire Zones Not Doing theJob

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the State Comptroller’s Press Office. February 11, 2008:

Local Empire Zones generally do not measure the success of their programs, and even those that do attempt to measure success don’t know if job creation data used is accurate.  As a result, there’s no way to determine the effectiveness of Empire Zone tax breaks, according to a report released by state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.  

The report follows up on a 2004 Comptroller’s office report which found Empire Zones were poorly administered, kept inadequate records, and did not hold firms accountable for actually producing jobs. That report also found that local zones failed to determine whether the tax breaks given to businesses were cost-effective or if businesses were reporting accurately about the number of jobs created.




“New York should take another look at the Empire Zone program,” DiNapoli said. “We need to know if we’re getting a bang for the taxpayers’ buck. If officials representing local zones can’t demonstrate that the program is working, and if local governments and taxpayers are not benefiting from a program that’s supposed to generate economic development and create jobs, it calls into question the value of the program.”
 
Auditors revisited eight zones cited in the 2004 report to determine if they complied with Comptroller’s office corrective action recommendations.  The zones were located in the cities of Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Yonkers; Broome County; and the towns of Tonawanda, Friendship and Islip.  

Auditors found that zone officials made only limited progress in correcting the problems identified in 2004.  Specifically:

  • Each zone collected data needed to determine their program’s costs and benefits but they did not verify the accuracy of the data;
  • None of the zones moved to initiate decertifications of businesses that had performance shortfalls;
  • None of the zones completed annual reports that included outcome measures and comparisons to goals;
  • Only Yonkers and Friendship developed a complete and comprehensive written evaluation plan that established clear and measurable goals, and then compared actual outcomes to those goals;
  • Only Friendship established a performance measurement system;
  • Only Tonawanda conducted a zone-wide cost benefit analysis to determine the effectiveness of the program – however they were unable to verify the accuracy of data they received from zone businesses.  Syracuse and Yonkers partially achieved this goal, but the remaining municipalities did not;
  • Most improvements implemented by the zones came about in response to 2005 state Legislative changes. These include:  

    • All eight zones conducted cost benefit analyses to help ensure that individual businesses wouldn’t be certified if the value of their tax break exceeded the value of the benefit the businesses provided to the community;  
    • Each zone improved monitoring and evaluation systems to address control deficiencies; and
    • Each zone worked with the state Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) to review applications to determine whether business’s projections are reasonable.

    There are 82 Empire Zones in New York State.  The DED works in conjunction with the ESDC to administer the program at the state level.  Zone boards are responsible for administering the program at the local level.  Generally, a zone coordinator administers the program on a day-to-day basis.

    Click here for a copy of the audit or visit http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/swr/empirezones.pdf

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The Real Deal: A Valentine Special–A Winter Wedding

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WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Genie, Jeannie Uyanik of C&G Weddings. February 9, 2008: February is the month of love and romance so it seemed only fitting that we would feature a few success stories, so to speak, of those who made it through the wedding and now really enjoy the perks of Valentine’s Day stress free!  Each week this month, we will bring you a different couple, at a different time of year, in a different setting, further demonstrating that the only limit to an amazing event is your own imagination. This weekend it’s “A Winter Wedding” 





 



 


Escort Card Table



A Winter White Wonderland on the Water in New York City


 


The reception for 300 guests was staged at Pier Sixty located directly on the Hudson River. This neutral space provided an opportunity for Atlas Floral Designers to morph the room into a winter wonderland by using a color palette of winter white, contrasting black and sparkling silver.  Elaborate arrangements could be found suspended from the ceiling, on pedestals, and on the tables.  Abigail Kirsch Caterers prepared the four -course meal as well as the whimsical white cake which was detailed in geometric lines and shapes.  As favors, each guest was presented with a small box of silver, white and black M&Ms inscribed with the wedding date and the bride and groom’s names. 


 


 


The Stats:


Time of year: November


Location:  Pier Sixty


Guests: 400`


The bride:  a lawyer


The Groom:  a flooring designer


 


The entertainment:  Ceremony: specially arranged Beatles tunes from Venues Ensembles, a leading string quartet; Reception:  they played for Paul McCartney’s wedding and won over the bride’s heart:  Soul Solution from Around Town Entertainment


 


 


 


The Scene: When assigning this bride the task of looking at vendor websites, she approached it like she was at work.  No detail was left unread, no picture unseen, and no sound bite unheard.  The space that was chosen, Pier Sixty, was a large neutral space that sat on the Hudson River.  The bride loved the space but was eager to meet with her florist to see how he could morph it into something amazing.  Sticking to white as her main color, the florist hung sheer drapes, erected a large tree in the center of the escort card table, suspended arrangements above the tables as well as had them on top of tables.  A white aura similar to a fresh snow was beaming from this site. 


 


 


 



 


The food:  Abigail Kirsch Caterers served a four course dinner that started with a veggie risotto stack and ended with a Chocolate Hazelnut Dome.  Keeping with the black, white and silver theme, the wedding cake which sat on a beautiful silver plateau was adorned with black detailing that mimicked a playful palate of lines and shapes. 



 


Alternate Table-Setting


 


The Favor:  This bride and groom catered to the sweet tooth of their guests.  On the way out of the space, there was a table full of small boxes tied with silver ribbon which held custom made M&M’s in their color palate of white, silver and black.  On some candies it read the bride and groom’s names and on the others, it had the date. 


 

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Should City Councilpersons Represent Specific Areas of City?

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WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. February 10, 2008: WPCNR would like to know our readers feelings on whether the Common Council would be more responsive, (and possibly, more effective, harder-working, more responsive), if  each councilperson represented a specific section of town. Presently all but one councilperson represent the southend of town. The issue has been raised by Battle Hill Civic Association and the downtown association that the council often is not responsive to their concerns.


What do Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think about the concept of electing councilpersons by geographic sections of the city — a district system — or continuing with the present “at large” arrangement where six councilpersons can, as five of them do now all live within a few blocks of each other in the southend of town.


 

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Tax Cert Shocker: $21 Million Assessment Drop Possible in 2 years

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. February 7, 2008 UPDATED 4:08 PM WITH


VISUAL AIDS: 


The School District Annual Budget  Committee met Wednesday evening and was informed by


Superintendent of Schools Timothy  Connors and Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler


that the district faced $16 Million  in  projected refunds to 209 new certiorari  filers over the next two


budget years . Assistant  Superintendent Seiler said it was too early to tell how the school district


would handle the outright refunds or replace the lost revenue


 



 


School District’s Top Ten List of 2007 Petitioners for Assessment Refunds


They said the refunds would ultimately have  to be funded by either borrowing, establishing a budget


reserve, or cuts in the budget or increased taxes – revenue that would have to be replaced each year


by the school district going forward in the budget years ahead.  


 


 


 


209 In Line. Top Ten List Introduced


 


Mr. Seiler said as of September 2007 there were 209  new petitioners in 2007 alone (commercial and


 residential) seeking reductions in assessments of $82.9 Million that Seiler said would result in an


estimated $9.2 Million in outright refunds by the school district if settled for 25% of the requested


reduction– the typical historical settlement of such claims.


 



 


 


For the first time in city history, Fred Seiler unveiled a  “ Top Ten List of Petitioners” for reductions in


 assessments – who filed in 2007. The list includes The Galleria (seeking a $7.3 Million reduction), 


Fortunoff (a $6.8 reduction),  Bank Street Commons ( $3.2 Million), AT & T (2.8 Million), The Seasons


 ($2.3 Million), and  the condominium owners at Trump Tower at City Center ($2.1 Million). 


 


PILOTED Properties Get Into the Act


 


Several properties which received Payments In Lieu of Taxes to facilitate their development now seek


 reassessments  which will result in the school district  likely refunding  a substantial percentage of


 what they paid in their PILOT payments.  Bank Street Commons, according to the School District,


 paid $2.5 Million in PILOTs to the city, county and school district in 2007-2008, and is seeking in 2007


a $3.2 Million reduction in assessment.


 



Budget Committee Absorbs a Bit of Bad News


 


Seiler told the audience of the Budget Committee the district would have to pay this anticipated refund


liability through a combination that could include budget set-asides, budget cutting or borrowing.


Through the course of the evening, the Annual Budget Committee was acquainted with the pressures


on the school district budget which was introduced as $190.7 Million.


 



Fred Seiler presents the $190.7 Million Budget (as analyzed previously in yesterday’s


WPCNR Preview).


Connors and  Seiler both said that departments have been asked to look at their budgets, personnel


needs and that a new budget would be introduced to the Committee next week, holding out the


possibility the $190.7 Million figure which – if the assessment roll remains the same—would by


WPCNR estimate raise the school tax rate $55 per $1,000 of assessed value resulting in an $800


increase in the school taxes of a home with a market value of $700,000, and assessed value of


$15,000.


 



 


Connors said a new budget would be presented next Wednesday.


 


Donna Mclaughlin, the President of the Board of Education welcomed the gathering  saying 2008-


2009 was going to be “a tough year” and “we have a lot of work to do,” and “we are eager to hear what


you have to say.”


 



 


Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors then took over, saying, “We’ve come to share


with you where we are on the budget,” and that last year, “listening to one another we did a


good job.” He said  by “listening and interacting” with the committee, he would craft


a “Superintendent’s Budget,” and made it clear “Your role is advisory.”


 


Connors then told the committee that Mr. Seiler was going to talk about “the bigger issues that are


coming up,” and that was how assessments were affecting the budget.


 


Assessments Primary Reason for Escalating Budget.


 


Seiler launched into a discussion of market value of properties determined by Albany and how that


was affecting the Equalization Rate explaining that as market value of White Plains properties went up,


the lower the equalization rate became, which adversely affected commercial assessments, resulting


in certiorari actions on the part of commercial properties.


 


 



PILOT PAYMENTS 2007-2008, showing how much more they pay now than when the


properties were vacant, as presented by Mr. Seiler Wednesday evening.


Seiler showed a list of White Plains PILOT properties showing how they had all produced higher taxes


through PILOTS (Payments In Lieu of Taxes) approved by the city to incentivize development. What


Seiler did not show was what the properties would have paid in taxes if they had been taxed at the full


tax rate on their present assessment.  (The present potential assessments of those properties were


not included on the chart, since PILOTED properties are not on the city tax roll, because they are


considered property of the Westchester County Industrial Developmet Agency.)


 


Seiler noted that two properties were coming off PILOTS (which WPCNR believes are 9 West and


1133 Westchester Avenue) and that while they were on  PILOTS they had appreciated in value. The


reason for this is that 9  West applied for a certiorari and had their assessment reduced, thus lowering


their real estate taxes,  and 1133 Westchester has received a PILOT recently increasing what they


paid. The building had  been in the process of renovation.)


 


Seiler then introduced his Top Ten List of Petitioners for Assessment Reductions, saying this was


going to cost the district $7 to 8 Million a year for the next three years, in refunds (and the need to


replace the lost school tax revenues.) “There’s not an end in sight, unless the (state) legislators do


something,” Seiler said. Assemblyman Adam Bradley, last fall observed that his bill to have a separate


commerial tax rate for commercial property was not likely to get any support in the State Senate, and


therefore it had not been advanced.


 


Realtor Observes Decline in White Plains Home Prices


 


At this point, Mr. Wolff,  of Wolff Realty in White Plains, made his remark that the White Plains housing


market and home values were “still soft,” that “the average price of homes in White Plains is down


10%.”  He said the “median prices was very misleading.”


 


Wolff said he doubted that total reassessment of properties in White Plains was the answer, because


homes built in the 1940s would be assessed dramatically higher, he estimated  that if your home had


an assessed value of $12-13,000 dollars now it could go as high as $20,000 in assessed value.


 


Such a jump in assessment, WPCNR notes,  would result in an instant increase in school taxes alone


of $3,000  a year if a $13,000 assessed home were to be reassessed up to $20,000.


 


Bill Pollak of the School Board observed how the equalization rate had declined  from 7.4% in 2000 to


2.69% today.  (Actually this was adjusted upward by the state to 2.75% in response to city pleas.)


Pollak observed that reassessment might divide the community.


 


Capital Project Moving Ahead


 


Seiler then shifted to brighter matters – the $69 Million Capital Project to build the new Post Road


School, and renovate the Mamaroneck Avenue School. He said the project was under budget and had


opened Mamaroneck Avenue School project for bids, and that the Post Road School so far had


received 44 bids on the construction. He said the Post Road School schedule was optimistic. (It is


scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009.) Asked by a member of the audience if the district would


refinance previous loans due to the lower Federal Reserve Rate, Connors said they were going to look


at that. Financing for the Post Road School would be put out in June, Seiler said.


 


The effect of Assessments Reductions on PILOT-ed properties.


 


Fortunoff (The Fashion Mall Partners LP) paid $1.3 Million in PILOT Payments in 2007-2008, and


seeks a $6.8 Million reduction in assessment. Should Fortunoff for example settle their assessment


reduction claim for 25% of what is asked for, (a typical historical settlement, according to Seiler)  


 WPCNR calculates such a 25% on the dollar settlement would result in a $1.7 Million reduction in


Fashion Mall Properties  assessment.  Should that turn out to be the case, the school district would


have to refund Fortunoff $755,000 for 2006, more than 75% of what the school received   ($901,778) 


from Fashion Mall Properties in school taxes in 2006.


 


Bank Street Commons is another intriguing adventure in math. Bank Street seeks a  $3.2 Million


reduction in their assessment. If  the historical settlement of 25% is reached, this would result in the


school district having to pay back $351,000 of the $1,667,340 Bank Street paid in taxes to the school


district in 2007-08.  The developers of Bank Street Commons, LCOR recently received land from the


city at a reduced price  and were granted a PILOT going out fifteen years in a second development on


Bank Street for affordable housing, resulting in $29 Million in tax relief according to the city, and $39


Million in tax relief according to the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency, depending on


how the tax relief is defined. The justification for the 55 Bank Street deal according to the city was to


build a rental  development that included 20% of the units as “affordable.”


 


The Pressure Stays On


 


Seiler also noted that once these certioraris were settled, the pressure would not be off. 


 


The equalization rate nosedive this year to 2.75% would most certainly produce another round of


certioraris for years to come (as first reported by WPCNR weeks ago). Organizations receiving


certiorari relief and assessment reductions cannot reapply for reassessment for three years after


receiving assessment relief, Seiler said.  WPCNR notes that the anticipated $21 Million drop in the


assessment roll resulting from these settlements – the largest cumulative hit the district has ever taken


will result in a $9,200,000 drop in school revenues  — which in and of itself would require one time only


refunds but replacement of the $9.2 Million in revenues a year.


 



Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors  (Left),said the decline in assessments in


previous years was the primary  factor driving the school budget. Jackqueline Mackin of the


Budget Office is  seated. Mr. Seiler is at the podium to the right.


 


Speaking to Mr. Seiler Thursday I asked if the refunds anticipated to be $8 Million a year the next two


years, would have to be replaced by an increase in school tax rates to equal the amount of the lost


revenue. Seiler said it was too early to tell, and that the school district would be deciding whether to


replace it with a reserve for these certioraris or to finance them.  He did indicate that that would have to


be dealt with.


 


$21 Million Assessment Drop? Holy Wallet, Batman!


 


In 2007-2008 The City Assessment Roll  available to the school district stood at $291 Million of Total


Assessed Valuation.  A $21 Million erosion of assessments  (if the $82 Million in requested


reductions  is settled at the  historical 25% rate) without any  assessment replacement somewhere  by


the city would drop the roll  to about  $270 Million of  Assessed Value in 2008-09 or 09-10 .depending


on the timing of the settlements.


 


 This means when those reassessments take effect the school district would need


to replace the revenue lost by that $21 Million assessment decline. By WPCNR calculation, the 7%


drop in the  assessed value represented  would increase the school tax rate $33, should the revenue


have to be made up by White Plains taxpayers.  


 


This added to the $474 per thousand tax rate in effect  this year would automatically increase taxes to


$503 per thousand, without the 9.5% increase called  for in the $190.7 Million budget.


 


WPCNR preliminary analysis of the $190.7 Million Preliminary Budget  indicated White Plains


taxpayers faced a $55 tax rate increase outright  to pay for the budget increase, even if assessments


as of March 1, remain the same or are slightly higher as the city assessor Lloyd Tasch predicts.


 


In 2009-2010, the Deluge.


 


The big assessment hit whatever it turns out to be will come when preparing the 2009-2010 school


budget when these new certiorari settlements impact the assessment roll.


 


Put another way, based on this year’s numbers the $21 Million anticipated drop in assessed values


over the next two years will mean a $33 increased per thousand in assessed value to the White Plains


School Taxpayer,  before the year to year inflationary impacts are felt on the school budget expenses.


 


Simple math shows that these assessments now introduced that the school expects to settle will in


addition to the year by year budget increases could result in  an increase in the  tax rate of $75 to


$100  per $1,000 of assessed valuation in the next two years ($550 to $575/$1,000 of accessed


valuation as opposed to the $475/$1,000 this year.

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School Dist Presents Budget to Annual Committee 2Nite Against 4% Inflation

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. News & Comment. By John F. Bailey. February 6, 2008 UPDATED 5:45 PM EST: Last month the school district introduced a preliminary $190.7 Million budget. The key word here was “preliminary.” This evening, Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler, will present perhaps a trimmed budget to the first meeting of the Annual Budget Committee of 30 prominent citizens in the Annual School Budget Committee Process.


The budget is taken up as inflation of 4% nationally is affecting operating costs, and driving White Plains inflation levels to 4-1/2%.  WPCNR has provided an enhanced chart showing the White Plains budget trends related to inflation, roughly adjusted to White Plains inflation, over the last decade.



The “preliminary” year-to-year school budget increase of 9.5% was more than three times the rate of natonal inflation. In 2007 the national inflation rate was 2.85%, but in White Plains it was more than that, 3.14%, according to WPCNR analysis.


If you adjust the cost of living in White Plains where it costs 12% more to live than if you live in the midwestern Chicago metropolitan area,  the inflation  for White Plains was not 2.85%, but 3.14%.  Presently the current rate of inflation is 4.08%, adjusting for White Plains (+12%) brings a rough rate of 4.5% inflation currently.  This is sure to rise with the escalation of oil prices approach $100 a barrel. News reports  have suggested gasoline prices of $4.50 a gallon by summer.


The current school budget was the first time in the last decade the budget increase had been even close to the inflation rate. The district has consistently averaged close to doubling the inflation rate in their budgets.


In the previous four years the inflation per year, adjusted for White Plains (12% higher than national inflation rate) are 


               Inflation In White Plains Compared to School Budget Increases


National Avg Infl Rate     White Plains Adjusted        School Increase   Tax Incr. 


2007:  2.85%                             3.19%                                     4.4%                      6.95%


2006:  3.24%                             3.62%                                     7.16%                   8.12%


2005:  3.39%                             3.79%                                     7.61%                   9.36%


2004:   2.68%                            3.00%                                     6.82%                   7.53%


2003:  2.27%                             2.54%                                     6.08%                   6.89%


2002:  1.59%                             1.78%                                     6.94%                   8.59%


2001:   2.83%                            3.17%                                     7.94%                   7.94%


2000:  3.38%                             3.79%                                     6.34%                   7.64%


1999:  2.19%                             2.45%                                     4.95%                    6.72%


1998 :  1.55%                            1.74%                                     3.43%                    5.51%


1997:   2.34%                            2.62%                                     2.82%                    4.94%


The White Plains inflation factor is based on a comparison with the Chicago metropolitan area where according to Inflationdata.com, if you earned $100,000 in Chicago in 2007, you would have to earn $112,000 in White Plains to equal your salary buying power if you moved to White Plains. If you add 12% to the national inflation rate, you get an approximation of the White Plains Inflation Rate.


Largest Budget Increase in 17 Years


Against this economic backdrop, the School District unveiled a January “Preliminary” 2008-2009 Budget that is the largest year to year increase in 17 years with no cuts.  Assistant Superintendent for Business of the White Plains City School District Fred Seiler introduced a “preliminary” school budget for 2008-2009 of $190.7 Million, $16.6 Million more than the current year budget of $174.1 Million at last night’s first Board of Education meeting of the new year. The last year an increase this size was contemplated was 2001-2002 when the district adopted an 8% increase.


In the chart above, it shows the school district has consistently padded inflation increases with quite a bit extra, maintaining spending, and actually increasing it. The tax increases, dictated by assessment erosion, the equalization rate, and just plain paying for the increases, have exceeded  the budget increase percentages for a decade.


Doubling the Budget Increase


The size of the 2008-2009 preliminary school budget increase is more than double this year’s  increase  of 4.4%. Seiler cautioned that these were “preliminary” numbers based on worst-case scenarios for a year-to-year rollover budget.


Seiler introduced only the expense budget, and did not project possible 2008-2009 revenues. He said he anticipated less state aid than the district received last year.  


He said the major driving force was salaries and benefits up 5.26%  (which  includes the projected settlement with the teachers union currently being negotiated), plus the debt service for bonding for the current school capital project and borrowing for certiorari tax refunds of approximately $7 Million.


Commenting on the all-important assessment roll recently announced by the city as having slightly increased as of January 1, Seiler said he expected that to drop because it usually does based on challenges to assessments.


Tote that Bale. $800 a year tax increase on median home. 


Last year  a $9 Million budget increase (the smallest increase in ten years), yielded a $35 per $1,000 of assessed value tax increase. The jumbo $16.6  Million increase  offered up in January would mean a $57 dollar per thousand increase in the tax rate  to about $531 per thousand – if the city assessed value stays at the present level of $290 Million.  If it drops, the tax rate will go up higher.


This would mean a yearly tax increase for the $700,000 home of over $800 a year, bring the school tax on the median White Plains home to about $8,000 a year – still considerably less than similar priced homes in other school districts – it should be pointed out.


Cosmetic Cuts Expected


To be fair, in January, Seiler stressed the figures were preliminary that the school district had not gotten their primary health insurance increase yet, and that he anticipated state aid to decrease – and that there might be some property tax relief cap initiated by the governor. Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors said he did not expect that the property tax cap idea advanced by the Governor would be a reality any time soon.


Driving the increase was $7 Million debt service taken on when the district opted to borrow to pay certiorari refunds ($4 Million), and decided to take on the $66 Million Capital Improvements project ($1.5 Million), and previous certiorari bond commitments, and the $5 Million in increased salaries and benefits.


Seiler expected the preliminary increase to drop as the district reexamined the numbers.  


 

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Dunphy: 65 Affordable Housing Units Cappelli Owes City Must Be Built by August 6

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. February 4, 2008: The Common Council approved the start of construction of 23 units of “affordable housing” at the “Air Rights” building over the City Center Garage, with exterior design pending in a routine procedure at the close of the evening. The action would appear to clear the way for Cappelli Enterprises to start construction on the first of  23 “affordable housing” units owed the city of 65, relating to obligations Cappelli Enterprises agreed to in exchange for approval of the City Center and Ritz-Carlton projects. 


Councilman Benjamin Boykin asked City Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy what was the actual date all 65 affordable units had to be built after which Cappelli Enterprises would not be issued Certificates of Occupancy for the second condominium tower at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester complex at 221.


Dunphy said the date was August 6. This is a departure from the impression left last month when the Mayor’s Office said Cappelli Enterprises need only open 24 affordable units in order to begin issuing Certificates of Occupancy. The “finish or else” date appears to be a distinct shift in policy coming about as a result of Cappelli Enterprises announcing Sunday it was suspending development in White Plains. The Cappelli organization had indicated as late as December they had hoped to put some of the 65 units in another building they were considering developing in White Plains.


In other action,  a hearing was held on The Venue, the retail complex planned or the 120 Bloomingdale Road property and after pleas from several neighbors saying the comprehensive plan called for protection of outer neighborhoods, the hearing was held over until next month.


The home rule resolutions on the 1/4% increase in the sales tax and the 3% hotel tax were approved, clearing the way for Assemblyman Adam Bradley to present them to the state legislature for approval. Councilman Glen Hockley read a statement criticizing “the majority of the Council” for bowing to the wishes of “the cautious management of the asssemblyman” in settling for 1/4% sales tax hike instead of 1/2%. Dennis Power leapt to the defense of the majority decision saying “it was not a badge of honor to have the top sales tax in the county,” pointing out the $11 Million in revenue Hockley spoke of  with a 1/2% raise was not guaranteed. He instead promised “a better approach to budget management and to concentrate on our budget and what we need to do.”


The Mayor announced the appointment of Michael Filardi as City Marshall, whom political insiders have connected with Basil Falardi, formerly a leading figure in the Republican Party in White Plains.


 

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The Ballad of The Impossible Drive

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The Ballad Of 


The  Impossible Drive


 



Eli Manning: The Mississippi Slinger


Listen Big Blue Fans and you shall hear


Of the Rebel Kid without fear,


On the 3rd of February, 08, in Season 07


Every NY fan who saw his Impossible Drive


Will remember this famous day and year.


 


With evil New England ahead 14-10,


The Kid’s Giants were all thought done.


Pundit and sportscaster, fan, swell and exploiter


Thought with but 2:42 on scoreboard clock,


The peerless leader had too many yards to reconnoiter.


 


“Impossible to penetrate the Patriot defense steadfast,


He cannot get this done. Belichick the genius will stop them at last


Crown New England the most illustrious team of the NFL past.


Through blitz and blast, Number 10 surveyed the 83 yards to glory.


With shock of dark lock and furrowed brow,


He bent to his task to write the gridiron’s most improbable story.


 


Then he said “HUT. HUT.HUT” and stamped his right foot,


A swing pass to Toomer for 11 yards  on the sideline to the Big Blue 28


Started the drive of all-time. Two passes fell short, one thrown late,


The second a TD if Plaxico had not had the misfortune to hesitate,


 


The despair of the hopeful millions reached a low,


3rd & 10 on the 28 with 2 minutes left


Giant fan hopes were bereft.


The Quarterback Kid threw up the middle against a blitz of Patriot mortality


The elegant Toomer catches the pass in traffic a yard shy at the NY37


 and it is one play for the season.


 


Fourth and 1 on the Giant 37 hash,


New England had but to close the door for immortality.


Eli coolly gave the ball to  Jamming Jacobs on a drive for the crucial first. 


 


The Giant white line rips the New England blue wall asunder


Jacobs driving through the gap in the grass. The “ Impossible” is  alive in an eruption of thunder.


 


From the 39 now, Eli the Dream-believer, trapped runs to the 44 right


Stopped after 5 yards and the clock of doom is stopped


In rush of fearsome blue, the Ole Miss Rebel has pass batted down.


Is it New England’s night?


On a 3rd and 5, a play for the Pantheon, blue Patriot hordes charge!


 


Over the top , here  comes the beef ,


splitting, thrusting aside valiant defenders scattering red numbers


Tattooed arms the size of  Glouster pilings – chests wide as Peterbilts descend over the Mississippi slinger slight.


 


 But with nimble dodge and gambler guile, Eli the Eel slips out of the decending  pile,


Out from under the deluge,  an elegant flip of a  high right hand  launches a  humpback


Floating Missile over the middle in tantilizing arching style.


 


It finds the kid from Montclair  at the Pat 24–  the incomparable Tyree


 Between two Patriot pickets, up, up, up the big guy climbs. He tips! He juggles at the crest; 


Fights off the claws of defenders distraught


Clasping pigskin to  back of his  helmet, Tyree never lets it  go to save the day.


With the toughness of Bavaro,


Crashing to greensward white line, he cradles the pass to nowhere


to chest and it is caught!


The ballet of brute grace gives the Missisissippi slinger four cards to play.


 


Belichick’s behemoths come with blue wave and drive Eli to earth for a last timeout.


Four plays for glory. Anxiety afflicts New Englanders. Hope for the impossible is dared to shout.


A pass to Tyree falls and it is 3rd and 11 on the 26.  Another sure schtick


 


Like a Tennessee sharpshooter, the young Rebel slings a waist-high rifle shot


To the nimble Smith at the far side down stick


With ballet twist, Smith twisting left brings the bullet in to his left waist


Between two defenders,


 Sidesteps around the stick to stop the dwindling seconds.


 


To the Yankee 13  with no timeouts and New England reeling  in discord.


The Mississippi slinger drops back , the blue NY helmets hold off the desperate horde.


In mastermind Belichick’s dreams, he sees the single Hobbs  on Plaxico the Magnificent.


 


The Rebel with an Arm,  scans right, lofts “The Impossible Pass” with shrewd feint


New England’s hapless Hobbs has been fatally deked by Burress, now backpedaling in Disneyland waiting for 6 points to arrive!


Into the two hands of Plaxico the Magnificent  the ball floats to complete the Impossible Drive.


 


So as long as Giant fans who saw it they will remember and tell of   Eli’s Team


Of the Mississippi Slinger who slung the Giants into history.


Coughlin’s heroes of hope join the names of Giant Legends :


 Conerly,  Gifford, Tripplet,  Rote , Schnelker and Tunnell –


 


Place the laurel wreathes on the brows of Jacobs, Toomer, Smith,  Plaxico  and Tyree.


The defenders valiant join the likes of Huff, Big Mo and little Mo, Sva and Svo, Patton  and Lynch


Welcome Pierce, Strahan, Tuck, and Corey Webster. For as long as Giants fans who are alive


They will remember the teammates of  and the kids of


Eli Manning’s Impossible Drive.

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The Impossible Drive

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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Bull Allen. February 4, 2008: For four years they maligned him. Said he did not have what it takes in a big spot. For four years they said he was a mistake. They ridiculed his demeanor. They ridiculed his coach.  Said the  quarterback acted like a baby. Said he was scared. Heard footsteps. Questioned his courage. Said he played stupid.


They laid it on the kid. He took it all and last night he shoved all the crap they gave him down their throats — nicely, of course. Eli Manning does everything nice.


He removed any doubt. He made N Y fans forget Broadway Joe and the pain of Johnny U. Because last night Eli Manning gave Giant fans The Impossible Drive.



Eli Manning Joins the Giant Pantheon  of Conerly, Simms, Gifford, Schnelker, Webster, Summerall with The Impossible Drive


Old Yankee Stadium, 1958


WPCNR COLLECTION



Even Joe Buck (positively the worst football announcer ever, and he screws up baseball, too), said he probably couldn’t do it.


Two Minutes and 40 seconds to go – down 14-10 – and the ball on his 20. The kid runs off 12 plays in two minutes and he and his team make all New York happy when all was lost.


They (the sports press of New York)  said the Giants would never win with him. Leading up to last night, they said he got his confidence for this playoff run because of one game.  What a crazy thing to say.


Then there were the predictions: they all said the Giants could make a good game of it but the New Englands would win. Well they almost did, but because Eli Manning and his team did not believe the experts but believed in themselves they went out reached inside and showed all the critics and the experts what it takes.


Well, Eli Manning, Antonio Pierce, Plaxico Burress, David Tyree, Brandon Jacobs, Armani Toomer, and the Giant offensive line held out when it counted. And the defense as Antonio Pierce noted in the postgame laid some grass stains on Tom Brady’s pants. The secondary delivered great coverage and was able to avoid the penalties that have cost them in the past. And really the New England 3rd down TD to go ahead should have been called back for offensive pass interference by Randy Moss.  Moss stiffed the Giant defender with a straight-arm to the turf  before Moss caught the ball.


 To a man the Giants showed what you have to do to be a top performer. If you’re tired of the criticism, sick of the losing and what the critics say about you, go out and make yourself better.


And that’s what they did.  


I also have to say that no one has blitzed the Patriots as well in years. Perhaps because the Patriot defense did not know what was coming at them as they have for all the years they’ve been successful. I am referring of course to the Patriot stealing of defensive signals that the Jets exposed this year.  Well the Pats did not look like such geniuses on offense tonight did they?   


I also have to say that once again the two week layoff produced a real lack of timing on both teams. But, in Brady’s case it may have been the hurries caused by the Giant pass rush.


Defensive mistakes?  The Patriot Super Coach made a few. How could the Patriots not double-team Burress on the winning TD play? (Not such genius defensive coverage there. It was the only time in the game they did not doubleteam him)


I have to say that Manning looked like Johnny Unitas tonight in those last 2:42 didn’t he just a little?  The first down catch on the sideline by Steve Smith to set up the TD. The “Impossible Catch” by Tyree on 3rd down for what — 36 yards – unbelievable setting up the winning touchdown. And the immaculate secondary coverage on Moss on Brady’s last desperate heaves.


A lot of team heroes tonight.


But the real hero is Eli Manning. He shut the critics up for good. They can never ever say again he does not have what it takes. They can never say he’s not great in the last two minutes. Clock management? IMPECCABLE!!!


But you know who does not really have what it takes? The sports writers and the commentators who always know what’s wrong with a player, and what they should have done after the fact.


Eli Manning has such great character. Toughness.  Confidence. Intelligence. True Grit.


He gave every young man and woman out there, down in their confidence, the message that you just make yourself better and try harder, baby.


Manning has such class he does not even gloat.


So I’ll ask the question no commentator will ask him.


How did you handle all the horrible things we wrote about you and your team the last four years?


They won’t ask it of course.


But Mr. Manning answered it for everybody forever tonight.


He gave us The Impossible Drive.


Thanks for The Impossible Drive, Eli and the Giants  – you will always be remembered for this one.

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The Real Deal — Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Ceremonies

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WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Genie, Jeannie Uyanik. February 2, 2009: Do we have to have a bridal party?  Can we really have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen?  Would it be possible for my best friend Joanne to officiate the wedding?  Should the ceremony start on time?  Does my father have to walk me down the aisle alone?  Is a receiving line mandatory?


 



Jeannie Uyanik, Planner to the World


The Wedding Genie


WPCNR Columnista


 


These are just a handful of commonly asked questions that we often get relating to the ceremony and the do’s and don’ts that often accompany its planning.  All are very straight forward and none of the answers rocket science, but sometimes it’s nice to have concrete responses from a professional.   And as we said in our first column, and we are sure that we will say in the last, the most important part of the entire day relates to the exchange of vows and the ceremony itself.  So as you plan your nuptials, make sure that the set-up that you have for the ceremony, religious or not, is one with which you feel comfortable. 


 



The questions that are most often addressed immediately about a ceremony relate not at all to the questions of marriage and how to ensure that you really are man and wife at the end of your ceremony.  The first questions surround the tricky business of anointing those closest to you part of the bridal party.  Depending on the ages of the couple (for those under 27) this is the most intense and exciting part of planning the wedding.  Who gets to be my maid of honor; who will be upset if they are not labeled a bridesmaid; how do I tell Marsha she is not in my wedding?  All valid questions; here is how to break it down. 


 


Especially for women in their 30’s, bridal parties have gone the way of poofy sleeves; out the window.  Your wedding party should be those nearest and dearest to you.  If the bride only has three friends that she adores and the groom 10, while it might look slightly askew to have 10 groomsmen and 3 bridesmaids, that’s certainly not a reason to add to or cut from either side.  The bridal party is not a fashion statement and it’s not a décor piece (although once in place, they certainly can be used as such).  It’s a way to surround yourself with those whom you trust and love the most and make them part of the inner circle on your wedding day. 


 


It’s not a time to repay friends for letting you be in their wedding party.  Just because someone asked you to be her Maid of Honor does not mean that you have to reciprocate.  If the feeling is not genuine behind the action, don’t take it.  If you have two future sister in laws, but you only want one in the bridal party (and there is no good excuse – i.e. the second is 40 years older) as to why one would be excluded, for the sake of family harmony, consider giving each other roles to avoid hurt feelings. 


 


It’s all common sense, but we will often have clients look at us with genuine confusion and ask “what do the books say”.  The bottom line of creating your bridal party and your recessional/processional (respectively who goes down the aisle when and how they all leave the ceremony area) is that you feel good about the outcome.  If you have a situation where you want to bend tradition (i.e. who gives the bride away) just be careful as to how you approach the situation, but make a decision that best suits you.  These are decisions that you are going to have as memories for the rest of your life and at the end of the day, the people who make up your bridal party (anyone who is part of the processional is how this is categorically described) should be those you love the most. 


 


Usually once the question of who gets to wear the dress and the rented tuxes are answered, everything else is a bit more straightforward.  Generally, for religious ceremonies, couples often choose an Officiant that represents their faith and often, whom is already known to the family.  If you want a religious ceremony, but no such person is known to you, or if you are getting married far from home, finding a religious Officiant is very easy; there is someone for every faith that can be brought in for the ceremony. 


 


After Joey on NBC’s hit show “Friends” officiated Monica and Chandler’s wedding, we saw a huge up-tick in couples wanting friends to marry them.  While this is a lovely sentiment and the internet has provided quick ways for regular people to be ordained, you must make sure that the chosen friend can eloquently administer your vows.  And, if you choose a friend, make sure that he or sure can project well and speaks easily in front of crowds. This like marriage is not something to be entered into lightly. 


 


Determining if you are having an on-site or off site ceremony is one of the first questions that should be answered as this will automatically set the stage for the rest of the day.  Timing for a ceremony depends greatly on the venue; many catering location and churches will not allow a “fake” invitation time, whereas all Jewish weddings mandate a ½ an hour earlier invitation to allow for the Ketubah signing.  Make sure that your venue or house of worship is aware of the invitation timing; don’t just assume that they will be ok with whatever time you choose. 


 


 Receiving lines are not common anymore, but still done occasionally.  Please allow at least 10 minutes for every 100 guests when calculating the timeline; not everyone just walks by with a kiss.  We often advise that greeting guests during the cocktail hour or the reception is more enjoyable for the couple and attendees.  But for more traditional ceremonies, a receiving line can be a gracious way to welcome and thank everyone more formally. 


 


If after reading all this, you still wonder if Uncle Bob needs to do a reading, please feel free to email us directly with specific questions and we will do our best to put all ceremony queries to rest seamlessly. 


 


 


 


 Note: Note: Ms. Uyanik knows all kinds of events! Got a question or a comment for the Wedding Genie? Ms. Uyanik will answer your questions. Simply e-mail her at weddinggenie@candgweddings.com


 


 


 

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Bradley: Bills Were Introduced January 15. Home Rule Resolutions Filed with Dunp

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. February 1, 2008 UPDATED 3:05 PM EST: Assemblyman Adam Bradley reported toWPCNR Thursday afternoon that Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, was mistaken in his assertions to WPCNR that the home rule legislation for the sales tax increase and the hotel tax had not been introduced in the state legislature.


Bradley told WPCNR the two home rule resolutions had been turned over to Corporation Counsel Ed Dunphy last week and needed council approval as the next step. Assemblyman Bradley said the two bills had been introduced to the legislative houses January 15. Bradley espressed shock that Mr. Wood would not have checked with Dunphy or Mr. Bradley’s office to confirm the status of the bills. Bradley said the progress of the the sales tax increase and the hotel tax was in the Council’s hands.


Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, informs WPNCR that he told WPCNR Tuesday evening it had been introduced but would not be passed in time to be in this year’s budget unless the council passed the legislation. WPCNR  would like to correct any impression that Mr. Wood’s statements Tuesday meant the bills had not been introduced by Mr. Bradley and WPCNR apologizes for any misinterpretation as a result.


Bradley said there has been some hesitation on the part of the legislature on new hotel taxes, but he expected that could be passed too. Bradley noted that action by the council could install the new sales tax increase in the city by March 1.

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