Archive for January, 2011
Greenburgh will host reassessment forum at Town Board meeting today • 01.31.11
There will be a forum on reassessment at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting today at Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue. The forum portion will last from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
The presentation will be given by the Office of Real Property Tax Services and include the pros and cons of a town wide revaluation. The forum will include information on the background of the real property tax in New York State, how the town can attain and maintain fair and equitable assessments, and an explanation on what a reassessment is and what it does. The state office will also discuss the impacts on the different property types and on exemptions where applicable.
The town has invited the Bronxville mayor to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of it’s revaluation. The forum will conclude with a question and answer portion from the audience.
Editorial Board poll: Do you support Cuomo’s tax-cap proposal? • 01.31.11
Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced legislation Monday that would cap annual increases in local property taxes at no more than 2 percent annually, unless local residents vote to override the cap. Budget experts say that a tax cap will surely force big cuts by schools, because so much spending is mandated by — but not necessarily funded by — the state and federal governments. What is your take on the issue?
Opinion roundup: Egypt, guns, pensions, fair housing and snow • 01.31.11
Here’s a look at opinion content published in The Journal News on Saturday, Jan. 29, Sunday, Jan. 30 and today, Monday, Jan. 31:
Saturday, Jan. 29
Egypt: Commentary
Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin assesses the unrest in the Middle East and what it may mean for the development of a Palestinian state.
Gun safety: Commentary
In a Community View, Karen Leitner of White Plains argues in favor of legislation introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-Long Island, that would target high-capacity ammunition clips, like the one used by Jared Lee Loughner in Tucson, Ariz.
Sunday, Jan. 30
Pensions: Editorial
We comment on a report from our Albany Bureau about that details the number of double-dippers — state employees who collect salaries and pensions simultaneously — and argue that New York’s policy makers are overdue in creating a defined-contribution pension system. We write:
Today’s Albany Bureau report on double-dippers — that is, state employees collecting salaries at the same time they are collecting pensions — is the kind of expose that makes public-employee union leaders cringe and taxpayers call their real estate agent and movers.(more…)
It also helps clarify, once again, why New York’s public-employee pension system, a grab bag endlessly stocked by taxpayers and generously dispensed by favor-currying politicians, needs to be scrapped, not merely tweaked.
The report by Bureau Chief Joseph Spector, with assistance from Journal News/LoHud.com database editor Cathey O’Donnell, details how some 2,100 state employees collected salaries and pensions last year, with 35 of them taking home more than $200,000. …
Two Editorial Spotlight interviews planned • 01.31.11
The Editorial Board will host two LIVE Editorial Spotlight interviews this week on LoHud.com:
• At 1 p.m. Tuesday, candidates for the Westchester County Board of Legislators’ vacant 12th District seat discuss their candidacies and the issues. Democrat MaryJane Shimsky and Republican Nicholas DeCicco are seeking the office, vacant since Thomas Abinanti was elected to the state Assembly.
• At 1 p.m. Thursday, Westchester Residential Opportunities officials Geoffrey Anderson, executive director; Marlene Zarfes, fair housing director; and Laura Neil, communications director, discuss fair housing in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. WRO released a study last week that revealed discriminatory conduct in all three counties.
Watch the sessions at http://www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight. To submit a question or comment, engage the CoverItLive blogging feature on the right side of your screen.
Area teenagers volunteer at the United Jewish Appeal’s Super Sunday food drive • 01.30.11
Lauren Farfel, 15, and Anabelle Brecker, 15, both of Scarsdale, check expiration dates on donated food as they were among about 120 teenagers who took part in the UJA-Federation of New York’s food drive in White today. Photo by Seth Harrison
The drive, which coincided with the UJA’s Super Sunday Phone-A-Thon fundraiser, was held at the UJA’s White Plains headquarters. All the donated food will be delivered to the Bronx Jewish Community Council’s food pantry. Look for coverage in tomorrow’s edition of The Journal News. View additional photos from the UJA food drive.
Area track and field athletes compete in the Westchester Championships at the Armory • 01.30.11
Collin Frances of Stepinac competes in the long jump during the Westchester County Track and Field Championships at the Armory in Manhattan today. Photo by Seth Harrison
Hundreds of area track and field athletes competed in the 2011 Westchester Track and Field Championships at the Armory in Manhattan today. Look for coverage at Lohud.com and in tomorrow’s edition of The Journal News. View a gallery of photos from the 2011 Westchester Track and Field Championships.
Super 16 wrestling tournament at White Plains High • 01.29.11
The Super 16 wrestling tournament was held at White Plains High School on Saturday afternoon.
From top, Fox Lane’s Danny Ventura on his way to defeating Dobbs Ferry’s Jimmy Kyreakedes in the 119 pound weight class in the finals of the Super 16 Wrestling Tournament at White Plains High School Jan. 29, 2011. ( Frank Becerra Jr / The Journal News )
To0 see more photos from the Super 16 wrestling tournament click here.
VIDEO: WPHS production of “Into the Woods” • 01.29.11
Cast members from the White Plains High School production of “Into the Woods” deliver their favorite lines, in this video by LoHud.com visual journalist Mark Vergari.
Alan Reingold Presidential Exhibit at ArtsWestchester • 01.28.11
Alan Reingold, a Mount Kisco resident who is a presidential portrait artist, who has had his work displayed on the front cover of Time, Newsweek, Fortune and other publications has exhibit of his work at the ArtsWestchester. Reingold was photographed at ArtsWestchester in White Plains. The show opens Feb. 1 and goes until March 4th. (Carucha L. Meuse / The Journal News)
Diversity Task Force against bullying will premiere short film on Tuesday • 01.28.11
A Diversity Task Force—created to raise awareness and combat issues of harassment, bullying and acts of bias within the community—will premiere a short film by students on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street.
The task force was formed last spring by the Irvington School District administration to research and create a plan for anti-bullying in the Irvington middle and high schools. At the same time, Governor Patterson signed into law a similar mandate, requiring all state public school districts to adopt and enact an anti-bullying plan by 2012.
The Diversity Task Force spent the summer and fall researching some of the causes of negative behaviors, collecting feedback from students through an anonymous student survey and meeting with nationally renowned experts to select programs to address problems.
The task force has invited the community to view the short film some of the high school students made on the topic. After the movie screening, students and school administration will share personal statements and plans of action, followed by an open dialogue with the community.
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner has encouraged students and parents from the entire town, including its six villages, to attend the town hall meeting.
