WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. Special to WPCNR. May 22, 2008: The Common Council passed a slightly reduced $161.2 Million budget Thursday evening, enacted according to a WPCNR observer over the objections of the Mayor. The council cut the Service Office by $55,000 which mainly serves senior citizens with information and red-tape-cutting services despite a contingent of seniors with protest signs demonstrating against the cut. The council eliminated $150,000 in additional funding for the White Plains Performing Arts Center, cut the $6,064,892 Reserve for Finance (which covers the expected 5% in raises) by approximately $300,000 -- over the Mayor's objection that it would hurt the city bond rating. The council approved $30,000 in a grant to Westchester Residential Opportunities, but was working out legislation to prevent the money from coming from the city's Affordable Housing Fund, according to our observer.

The Mayor's Office was requested by WPCNR at midday to provide a listing of any raises for Commissioners and salaried employees incorporated into the budget. The Mayor's Office did not send the new salaries that will be paid in 2008-2009 to WPCNR as requestred.As soon as the new salaries can be extracted from City Hall or a Common Council member, we will pass them along for the record.