WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. April 3, 2008: A private citizen has shared this e-mail protest with WPCNR, being sent to many persons in White Plains, urging them to protest at the city Common Council meeting Monday about the recent budget increases of the county taxes, the school taxes and the city budget, which the flier declares has been prepared in secret.
The Monday evening Council Meeting will feature the annual State of the City Address by Mayor Joseph Delfino, and be highlighted by presentation of the city budget book to the council for the first time. Council President Benjamin Boykin said two weeks ago he had not been consulted on the budget and that the Budget and Management Committee had not been made aware of the city's budget projection.
The flier is being circulated via e-mail with a cover letter by longtime activist, Marc Pollitzer, and reads:
Dear Fellow White Plains Residents-
As a 32 year resident of WP, a ten year member of the School District's Annual Budget Committee and a neighborhood association activist, I believe that unless we as citizens express our concerns about ever escalating property taxes, many of our neighbors may very well not be able to continue living in the community.
As taxes approach dollar to dollar assessments, we have an opportunity to express our concerns and ask questions of the Mayor and Common Council on Monday, April 7, as they consider the adoption of the City's 08/09 budget.
I suggest each of us make an effort to attend and express your feelings. Additionally, please consider forwarding this email to your friends, neighbors and associates in White Plains.
Regards,
Marc
The flier reads as follows:
WHITE PLAINS CITIZENS-
BE ALERT TO
STAGGERING PROPOSED
CITY, COUNTY, SCHOOL
TAX INCREASES
• PREPARED AND PROPOSED IN STEALTH
• REGULARLY EXCEEDING ANNUAL ESCALATION NORMS, DESPITE DOWNTOWN “RENAISSANCE” DEVELOPMENT
• WHAT IS OUR FISCAL PLAN? DO WE HAVE ONE?
IN THE FACE OF TOUGHER ECONOMIC TIMES, WE RISK MAKING OUR CITY “UNAFFORDABLE” FOR MANY IF WE DON’T BITE THE BULLET NOW. CONSIDER CUT-BACK OPTIONS:
· OPERATING COSTS
· CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
· PERSONNEL SALARIES / BENEFITS
LET OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES HEAR US
AT THE
BUDGET MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
MONDAY, APRIL 7th, 7:00pm AT CITY HALL
"Citizens To Be Heard"
Council Meeting: 7:30 P.M.
