WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. May 16,2012:

The Common Council  had their first budget discussion Monday evening and learned that, based on April sales tax revenues, Michael Genito, Commissioner of Finance, has lowered the proposed property  tax increase for 2012-13 to 4.75%, from the 5% proposed last month.

WPCNR calculates that the average tax bill for school, city and property taxes on the mid-range $650,000 home will be about  $13,500. Of course every home is taxed differently based on its assessed value.

In a related development that will reduces the impact of the 3.03% school tax hike approved by 901 voters Tuesday, WPCNR has learned and confirmed with Jeffrey Gloak, spokesperson for  the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Mr. Gloak confirmed that the White Plains Basic STAR Exemption will increase to $3,460 (that can deducted off the assessed value of homes of individuals earning less than $500,000 a year) 

The Enhanced STAR for those owners of homes over 65 making earning less than $79,000 a year has also gone up to $7,170.

The effect reduces the school tax increase voted last night by $169 for the homeowner eligible for Basic STAR exemption, while keeping property taxes under $14,000 for the average sales price home ($650,000).

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. MAY 15, 2012:

The City of White Plains passed the proposed 2012-13 school budget of $188,822,000 today. A total turn out of 1,113 voters chose to vote in the school board election out of a total of 29,000 voters, a turnout of 5%.  Last year, 1,866 voted and two years ago the turnout was 2,375.

The total vote today was 901 in favor and 212 "No." The budget imposes a 3.03% property tax increase on the residents, and raises the overall budget by 1.77%.  The budget just meets  Governor Andrew Cuomo's tax levy cap at  2.03%.

James Hricay and Peter Bassano were elected for their second term and third term on the board respectively, and Rose Lovitch was elected to her first term, replacing 15-year board member Donna McLaughlin who chose not to run for a sixth term.

Dr. Christopher Clouet,Superintendent of Schools,  was ebullient. He said he was pleased voters passed the budget and "recognized it was respectful of the taxpayers, while meeting the needs of the students.I'm pleased."

Mr. Hricay (right) said his goal in his second term was "to continue the work we're doing, work on improving student achievement, and continue evaluating our programs."

Ms. Lovitch (left) asked what her priorities were, said she was "definitely looking forward to working with the Board in implementing the new middle school design, and work to continue to offer the very best programs to all students, and students of need."

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. May 15, 2012: 

Today's poll points out the traditional shorter hours that polls are open for school board and school budget elections (12 noon to 9 P.M.). These hours prevent persons working outside of White Plains from voting before work and inconveniences the commute home when all you want to do is get home and have dinner.

Since turnout is traditionally less than 10% of registered voters, it may be that the start time curtails turnout.

Should the poll hours be increased? Tell us what you think in the poll at the right.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. MAY 14, 2012:

At the public hearing held this evening on the Council effort to extend the moratorium applied to large recreational privately owned properties in White Plains, (former Ridgeway Country Club property, Westchester Hills Country Club, a portion of Fenway Golf Club that is in White Plains,  and a city-owned tract of land beside the Hutchinson River Parkway), a spokesperson for the French American School of New York seeking to build a 7-building educational complex on the Ridgeway property addressed the council pointing out continued council-originated delay of the process).  The council extended the moratorium to September 17, 2012.

Meredith Black, of Zarin & Steinmetz, the only person to address the Council on the moratorium extension read this statement:

"FASNY supports the City’s desire to ensure that the its environmental regulations are in conformance with the 1997 Comprehensive Plan and 2006 Update. We continue to fundamentally object, however, to the need and rationale for the Moratorium and proposed rezoning. As explained previously, we firmly believe that it is unnecessary and duplicative of the 2010 Environmentally Sensitive Sites and Features Ordinance, and that it continues to be unfairly targeted against only a limited number of properties. The proposed terms are also, as previously presented to the Council, so onerous that not a single public or private school, or for that matter public park, in White Plains could comply with its terms.

FASNY is also concerned with the amount of time it is taking to complete the City’s deliberations concerning the proposed Amendments. The Moratorium as you know has already been in effect for a year.  Processing of the proposed rezoning could unfairly interfere with FASNY’s Application, by causing confusing and redundant provisions, and timing problems.

We sincerely hope that the Council will not only ultimately reject the need for and substance of the proposed Amendment, but that wil also deny said request to extend the Moratorium. "

The moratorium extension, which includes some new details of what can be approved and not be approved on sites affected by the extenstion may be viewed at http://cityofwhiteplains.com/templates/template_text_right_panel.aspx?ID=Common%20Council%20Agenda164  

Readers will be taken to yesterday's agenda on the city website and then should scroll down with their browsers.

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 14,2012:

White Plains will vote on the 2012-13 School Budget of $188,822,000 Tuesday with polls opening at 12 noon and closing at P.M. at neighborhoold polling places. They will also vote on three candidates for three Board of Education seats: Peter Bassano, Jim Hricay, and new to the Board, Rose Lovitch (veteran PTA leader). The three are automatic winners because they have no opponents. The election also sees the end of the Donna McLaughlin era on the White Plains Board of Education. 

Donna McLaughlin, right, with former Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors, 2009. Ms. McLaughlin is stepping down from the Board in July,

McLaughlin has been a member of the Board for fifteen years, elected the first time in 1997,  and has decided to step down and not run again this year. She has been a staunch proponent of accountability in school academic programs, and  was the President of the Board when the Board refused to renew  12-year superintendent Saul Yanofsky's contract in 2001. McLaughlin oversaw the selection of two more  White Plains Superintendents of Schools: She pushed for more accountability and longitudinal tracking of students' progress but was consistently frustrated by data processing limitations which have only recently begun delivering more useful statistics on individual student achievement.

Over her 15-year term on the board the White Plains budget more than doubled,from $92,635,851 in 1997 to $185,536,466 today. In the last three years staff has been cut 10% and tax increases trimmed from an annual average of 7% to less than 3%, slowing the exponential compounding of the budget. This year's budget increases  1.77%, while property taxes increase 3.3%.

Ms. McLaughlin will be honored in June by the White Plains Foundation for Education.

At stake in the budget vote is the new wrinkle in what happens if the budget is defeated. If ia resubmitted budget is not approved, the district will have to return to this year's budget, requiring a $3.3 Million cut.

Always Mom

When a woman decides to become a mother

Bond is formed between mother and creation

Lasting for eternity, never can be cut asunder

From first setting eyes on child with wild-eyed elation.

Always mom from then on

Even when child departs

First steps, first triumphs linger in mind’s repetition

Forever  warmly in mother and child hearts.

Sacrifices daily, grudgingly offered,

Yielding proud moments seen in childrens’ glows

Pains of pleasures given up and roads Mom ignored

Ever soothed by sunny days of child laughter and happiness she knows.

Always Mom to depend on and look out for you,

A Child knows even after pulling away Mom is always on his side

Whether in call or text, or fond memory after adieu

Mom’s spirit is always there to draw and comfort alongside.

In a memory, gems of advice

Ignored when first spoke miraculously

Resurface to guide in times of crisis

To reassure, to comfort mysteriously

Always Mom too often we are heedless

Of the heartbreak caused, unaware

How our achievements bring you joy boundless

And remember the hurt you healed with love that does not waver.

Always mom I shall always see there

At the old home place, taste that special treat

Again: pies, the special cakes on magical days of no care

In these days of transition as I grow, the memories repeat

Always Mom, you are the one person who never fails

To deliver what I need at any moment in my life.

From a call to a pat  to a ride when I get off the rails

From annoying reminders to trim my course’s sails.

I find my thoughts on your day just inadequate

Too easy to express what  your being there always

Has meant to me, so in little trinkets that may brighten your days

By their whimsy and chemistry we share inviolate.

Silly though my talismans of tribute may be our bond together

Will always be a special link I will not have with any other

Even one I may eventually love another

It will never be as unique as the love for my always mother.

So take my silly things and when you smile,

Know you gladden my heart as you always did

When my efforts pleased you, though I did not want to show it did.

Know how hard I tried to please you all the while.

It is impossible for child to ever give back the gifts you give

Even when you are far away. I  feel them inside me with warm glow.

I regret when I failed to please you and want you to know

I  try to live up to your standard  you set each day you live.

As time eventually will changes the ways we are together

I celebrate the time with my Always Mom which makes us both better..

As our bonds loosen, they grow stronger in spirit and deed.

I become more like you, I feel you inside mind and heart and need.

So thank you my Always Mom, on this day.

Celebrating what we have: friendship, advice, tolerance, respect, loyalty

That both of us can draw from each other in times needed,

I hope I will be worthy to provide the same when I become an

Always Mom, too.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. From City Councilman David Buchwald. May 10, 2012:

In the latest edition of the Councilman David Buchwald Newsletter, the White Plains Councilman announced that the extensive details of legislation and matters the Common Council acts on during its monthly meeting, those "details," not available to the public unless asked for previously and known by reporters as "the backup material," will now be on the White Plains City website. Mr. Buchwald writes:

 Did you know that you can now view the same set of Common Council meeting backup materials that Council Members receive? Just go to the City website and you'll see the voluminous set of documents (the past week, 637 pages) that accompany the Common Council agenda. Electronic copies of the backup materials have been sent to members of the press for some time and the materials were available in paper form in our City Clerk's Office and the White Plains Public Library, but thanks to Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who sponsored legislation enhancing the Open Meetings Law, and Governor Cuomo, who signed the bill into law, members of the public now have online access to the detailed information behind our local legislature's agenda. Initiatives like this both provide a healthier democracy and also save costs by making government spending decisions subject to more public scrutiny. And if you always wanted to know what a Common Council Member spends his/her time reading, or on what basis we make our decisions, now you can easily find out for yourself. Or, as always, you can contact me directly.

WPCNR Editor's Note: To access the backup material on the home page of the city website, www.cityofwhiteplains.com and look for the tag, "Common Council Agenda Backup" in the upper left hand corner of the page, and there you go.

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL, MAY 10, 2012:

The big story Monday evening was nowhere to be seen on the Government-controlled White Plains Television Channel, even though city cameras and microphones were poised to record the routine monthly Common Council meeting Monday evening.

No, the big story was not what happened during the Citizens To Be Heard, but that no one except those who were there could see or hear what was said.

 Citizens to Be Heard is the 30-minute untelevised process where citizens signing up may address the Common Council and the Mayor on matters of concern that may be trivial to some but are of great importance to the individuals who want to speak. Citizens to Be Heard is the innovation of former Councilman Glen Hockley. It was introduced by Hockley and instituted by the Delfino administration, but was not to be televised.

Monday, the matters brought up at Citizens To Be Heard were as far away from trivial as you can get.

The story of Monday was that only persons who were there knew of the protest or who happened to watch the limited coverage on the local television news stations.  

Every television station in the metro area sent crews to Citizens to Be Heard where the Kenneth Chamberlain family and supporters gathered in force to address the Common Council and the Mayor on their handling of the shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. last November 19. In another commentary, a police officer, alleging he was injured in a police headquarters dispute, also addressed the council and criticised the Department of Public Safety for their management of the matter.

The question is do White Plains citizens feel Citizens to Be Heard should be televised live on White Plains Government Television and then posted for viewing on the City website via the Swagit Service that internets the Common Council meetings on the city website?

Be heard by answering the simple survey at the right.

May 8, 2012 TOAST OF THE TOWN:

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S BACKGROUND SHOULD NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND -- WHY HOLD ANY MORE BUDGET HEARINGS, ANYWAY. COULD WE TELEVISE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD?

WPCNR ON THE AISLE. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey. May 6, 2012:

You can’t stop the beat in Westchester Broadway Theatre’s bring-back of the Tony Best Musical HAIRSPRAY based on the camp John Waters 1988 film. The early 1960s beat and changin' times comes right back with all the teen hormones you remember. Remember when the big thing if you were not too pretty and idolized cute guys to die for, or wore glasses and used a pocket protector was to get on home after school and watch American Bandstand, or if  black to watch Soul Train? This was your life!

The spectacular national dance-off finale to HAIRSPRAY...It's Shindig, Hullabaloo and Bandstand all on one stage! Features the  comedically gifted, left to right, front row, INGA BALLARD as Motormouth, PAT McROBERTS perfect pitch dance host, Corny Collins, ELGIN GILES as cleancut Seaweed, ERIN McCRACKEN as Tracy, TRIPP HAMPTON as Link, TERRY PALASZ as Penny's Mom, and STACIE GOGO as loyal sidekick Penny. Under the Ultra Clutch hair spray bottle : BRUCE REBOLD as Tracy's Dad, Wilber Turnblad and TAD WILSON as EDNA TURNBLAD. And, of course those wonderful beehive hairdos of yesterdates! Photos, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre by John Vecchiolla

In WBT’s Baltimore  on opening night Friday, the show is WZZT-TV’s Corny Collins Show, a spot-on parody of Bandstand. Saxophonist Ron Kozak’s mellow sax seduces your 60s heart with those danceable, wailing saxy riffs of dances and sound-the-same ballads and the crude beginnings of soul music that drove the 60’s beat beginning a society revolution. 

Want to live the innocent life of the 60S teen when there was no AIDS, no drugs, and detention was the worst thing that could happen to you? The irreverent—cohesive cast of strong scene-stealers in one of the best assembled ensembles WBT has put together in every key role, creates early 60s for children of all ages with no four-letter words to worry about. It shows how rock and roll and soul came here to stay.

Determined Erin McCracken as Tracy Turnblad, a chubs with three goals in life: get on Corny’s show, win the show dance contest and pursue her tv idol, Link Larkin played with Bobby Darin/Bobby Rydell flare by Tripp Hampton (below), show that teen dreams do come true as believable, lovable teen leads with great timing, chemistry and deliverability of the original tunes of this show.

Ms. McCracken carries this fantasy out with pluck, guile, and has the audience from the first Good Morning, Baltimore to her best number, I'm a Big Girl Now with Mr. Wilson as her Mom.

TRIPP HAMPTON  as idol Link performing IT TAKES TWO on the Corny Collins Show.. Hampton as Link channels Fabian, Bobby Darin, Paul Anka and teen idols of the past with perfect cracked voice.. His rock and roll balladeering captures the hearts and dreams of teenage girls young and old, many of whom attended Friday night.

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. May 4, 2011 UPDATED MAY 5,2012:

 The Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr., shooting of November 19 has been reviewed by a Grand Jury called by Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore. Thursday afternoon the Grand Jury voted not to indict the White Plains Police Officer who shot Mr. Chamberlain in Chamberlain's Winbrook apartment early that morning.

Going forward the Chamberlain family attorneys promised to file an action with the U.S. Attorney to investigate the shooting death and promised a civil lawsuit against the City of White Plains.

Friday, Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, responding to a request by the Chamberlain attorney released a statement to The Journal News, that his office would review the "available evidence," to "determine whether there were any violations of the federal criminal civil rights laws."

The Journal  News also reported Saturday morning, citing a news story in the former Reporter Dispatch that "Mr. Chamberlain was acquitted of the November 14, 1970 murder of a motorist in a traffic accident and fatally shot him with the .38 caliber revolver that he (Chamberlain) carried as a correction officer. He was acquitted in 1973."

Acccording to a document in the extensive evidence packet released by the White Plains Department of Public Safety to WPCNR Friday afternoon, the police dispatcher first dispatched a Transcare Ambulance to the Winbrook complex he received a Life Station Medical Alert. The document, for the first time reveals a glimpse of Mr. Chamberlain's background with the police while living at Winbrook, and indicates why police officers were sent after the Transcare ambulance was dispatched. Police Officer V. Battaglia wrote in a written statement that--

"Initially, I dispatched Transcare Ambulance-1 to the scene with Car 11 (PO Love). I started to check computer history for Chamberlain and the location (135 South Lexington Avenue). This check showed that Chamberlain had numerous prior arrests including narcotics offenses, multiple disputes with other residents (of 135 South Lexington Avenue),and several emotionally disturbed person calls. Specifically, on 6-5-2011 officers were dispatched to the apartment for a welfare check on Chamberlain (Incident#11-21218). The call narrative indicated that there was an emotionally disturbed person at that location who was not making any sense."

In separate statements issued Thursday afternoon, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said he would ask the Common Council to authorize a panel to review and recommend updating of police practices in dealing with the public to assure better outcomes in confrontatins between police and citizens in the future.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong promised to complete a separate internal review of police procedures. District Attorney DiFiore promised her own review of procedures of the White Plains Police Department.

Chong also released pages of evidence and audio tapes gathered in the investigation which indicated the deceased Chamberlain had made violent threats against the officers demanding him to come out of his apartment. Portions of audio were played on media reports last night.

Chamberlain was heard on News 12, saying on a tape recording, "The first one through that door I'm going to kill," "OK somebody's going to die tonight," "I am protecting myself," "Come on in. Shoot me if you want to," and "They're breaking my door down."

The White Plains Police Benevolent Association issued a statement regretting Chamberlain's death and respecting the Grand Jury decision, while criticising the district attorney's release of evidence to the Chamberlain attorneys, writing:

"We would call upon the District Attorney to re-evaluate the decision to allow the Chamberlain Family Attorneys access to evidence, after those attorneys, in our opinion, repeatedly demonstrated an utter disregard for the truth and recklessly inflamed this tragic incident."

Here are those statements of key officials on the matter:

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. From the Department of Labor. May 1, 2012

Headlines these days are about corporate America  behaving badly. Not every company is strictly out to reward their shareholders and enhance profits exponentially. Many still care about the people who work for them. This is a story about one of those corporations who do care, being recognized for its corporate citizenship.

It is refreshing to note the Department of  Labor announcing  that Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) awarded a $41,000 literacy training grant to manufacturer Accurate Box to provide its workers with the type of skills that will improve their opportunities for advancement while keeping their employer competitive in a changing market.

LWD Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner presented Accurate Box Company’s Chief Financial Officer (Center), Laurence R. Shapiro(Right) with a framed letter announcing the company’s literacy training grant award, and praised the company for partnering with the Department and with JVS, a nonprofit, community-based organization that will provide the training for the company’s workers. Mr. Shapiro commented: "Accurate Box is conducting English as a second language training for our workforce, and the people who provided the funding came to visit, and this picture was snapped while the tour was ongoing."

 Workplace literacy training grants and customized training grants are awarded through the Department and funded through the state’s Workforce Development Partnership Program. Training grants enhance worker skills in New Jersey businesses and industries. Accurate Box, a family-owned company and leading manufacturer of high strength litho laminated packaging, displays, and stands, was visited by Governor Christie two years ago. The company will match the state training grant with $42,282 of its own funds.

WPCNR SOUTH END NEWS. May 1, 2011:

White Plains Superintendent of Schools Christopher P. Clouet will present the 2012-2013 proposed School Budget at the May meeting of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA).​

Dr. Clouet will be assisted by Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred W. Seiler. They will present the 2012-2103 Budget scheduled for adoption by the School Board April 30. An extended question and answer period will follow. The meeting will be held at Education House at 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains, NY at 7:30 pm tonight. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend and participate.​​

To preview the 2012-2013 School Budget, download it from the School District website: http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/cms/lib5/NY01000029/Centricity/Domain/56/budget/WP_City_School_District_2012-13Budget.pdf

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of  Communications. (EDITED) April 26, 2012:

County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Teamsters Local 456 have reached an agreement and the union has ratified a new 7-year contract (retroactive to 2009) giving the Teamsters a 9.25% retroactive pay raise, no raises for the next three years (2012,13,14) and a 2.75% raise in the last year of the contract, 2015.

The agreement will also require present Teamsters to pay 10% of their health care costs for the first time beginning in July, and 12.5% beginning in 2015. Members becoming teamsters going forward will pay 20% of their health care. 

 Astorino called on the county’s other unions, including its largest – the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) – to follow the example set by the Teamsters.