WPCNR Quill & Eyeshade. April 5, 2006. UPDATED 12:17 P.M. E.D.T. 12:59 P,M. E.D.T.,: Paul Wood, Executive Officer of the City of White Plains threatened to sue WPCNR moments ago  for reporting City of White Plains has now violated New York State Open Government laws twice in less than a week, based on comments from Robert Freeman of the Office of Open Government.   Mr. Freeman, based on further information on the circumstances now tells WPCNR the city is in compliance with open government.

Mr. Wood reports that for the first time the city will be charging $25 for copies of the 2006-2007 Budget Book, (said by the Budget Department not to be available in physical carryaway form until next week). It is the first time the city, in this reporter's experience, has affixed a fee for a copy of the budget book.

On checking further with Mr. Freeman, WPCNR has learned from Mr. Freeman that the city complies with the open government law by making the book "available" only at the City Clerk office and the Public Library, the city is in compliance with open government laws. Freeman also said that the charge of $25 for a copy of the actual budget book was in compliance with state laws (25 cents copying charge per page is the state limit).  Mr. Freeman told WPCNR he thought I had said the city had not made it available, when WPCNR had explained to Mr. Freeman that the budget book was not pickupable for two weeks, and was the public entitled to a copy.

Earlier, Robert Freeman, Executive Director of the Committee on Open Government, had told WPCNR  "If the city shares information with a reporter, that is the same as any member of the public, and it should be available to anyone at the same," Mr. Freeman speaking from his Albany office,  told WPCNR today.

Last week, the city suppressed names of the winning bidders on the Railside Avenue properties, but were persuaded to give them up when they were informed they were violating open government laws. The City Clerk's office has published the dates for  the series of meetings on the 2006-2007 City of White Plains Budget. The meetings will go over in detail the budget expenditures and decisions detailed in The Journal News in two articles over the last five days which quote extensively from the 2006-2007 Budget book, including Mayor Delfino's budget statement.  

WPCNR has been told by the Budget Department they will not have copies available for distribution to other media and citizens until next week. Common Council Glen Hockley and Tom Roach have told WPCNR  they did not have any discussions with the Mayor on the city budget preparation or the scope of it before they received the book. No explanation is forthcoming from City Hall as to why the books are not available for pickup by interested parties.

The Budget meeting dates are as follows:

Monday, April 10, 2006, 6 PM -- Review of 2006-2007 Proposed Tax Budget with Common Council.

Monday, April 17, 2006, 6 PM -- Budget Review Session with the Budget & Management Advisory Committee

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 6 PM --Public Safety & Parking Department discussion.

Monday, April 24, 2006, 6 PM -- Recreation and Parks discussion.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 6 PM -- Public Works  and Youth Bureau Discussion

Monday, May 1, 2006, 7:30 PM -- Public Hearing in the Common Council Chamber.