WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. August 20, 2005: A reader sees another side to the city budget strategies and says mortgage tax will bring the city another windfall this year. They also see an advantage to the Wal-Mart, Target, Macys, Sears K-Mart Mix in White Plains than Council Candidate John Carlson:

What’s wrong with Mr. Carlson; constantly looking for
the black cloud in the silver lining?

He just doesn’t get it.

Again, he fails to recognize the fiscal constraints of
our municipality.  The city is PREVENTED from
budgeting more in sales tax for this fiscal
year than it actually received last year. With more
stores coming on line in the next fiscal year, the
City will certainly match and probably exceed what it
received last year.

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In addition, he fails to note, that as a result of the
administration’s balanced development program, the
City received more than $2 million more than
anticipated from mortgage recording tax. With more
than 600 condo units scheduled to close this year
(Trump Tower and the Jefferson) the City will
receive even more in the coming year.  He’s a
throwback to the 80's, a time when no residential
development occurred in the downtown, office
development continued despite record office vacancy
rates and the idea of dropping a stone brick (the
Galleria) in the heart of downtown was considered
balanced planning.

Not only does Mr. Carlson display his ignorance of
municipal financing but corporate financing and retail
strategy as well.  ALL retailers benefit when located
close together in the same market.  Just ask the
manager of Target, who I am rather certain is
salivating at the idea of Walmart being located
across the street. Mr. Carlson's confusion and lack of
information on these critical issues should be raising
red flags with residents of White Plains.