Because the reporter's only interest is to create three articles out of one press release. View Comment

Disagree. There is no basis for apples to apples comparison on land in different locations, existing zoning, and...known contamination. Your unstated point however is well-taken in that the price per acre for Frank's was a knocked down, fire sale, bargain basement price per acre for land that would be delivered with the guarantee that the sought after commercial zoning and height variance would be part of the package. In fact, were this popularly known, the land and its existing structures might be of interest to buyers seeking a commercial location and have use for the former store building and paved parking areas. Frank's has a great commercial value in that it is just off a highway with on and off access from both directions. And to GameOn 365, an eight story bubble visible from the highway is both locational and advertising at no measurable value in the appraisal. MAI in appraisal attribution is not a professional acronym but rather Made As Instructed. As for the environmental problems, the Town should have completed any required studies before seeking a RFP. How could they offer it to any responsible party before knowing what is was worth? Two appraisals and both claim ignorance as to the effect of known problems which may or may not influence the market value had the original RFP been a sincere effort and not one open only to close friends. The absence of a second RFP (following the Phase II study (itself contaminated by design -- remember "you'll wonder where the yellow went" and then substitute "carcinogens") only complicates the valuation further. What is does do is wave a red flag over Ferncliff's alleged inability to find any suitable site in all of Westchester or the north Bronx when they "say" they are willing to lease 6 acres for $500,000 a year only if it also requires the demolition of 108 usable affordable housing units (see the news story to observe big deal over how many affordable units are coming (reduce Westchester's obligation) when the Ardsley site is built) then do the math. Not only does this call into question why Feiner would illegally lease the Frank's same size site for well under $300,000 but also that if Frank's acreage per Feiner is going for but $250,000 an acre if sold, why wouldn't Ferncliff instead buy this site or comparable land and own it outright for the equivalent of paying two year's rent? Wait Mr. and Mrs. North America, the answer is just coming across the wire. Ferncliff can't make a deal anywhere because no one but Feiner is willing to do a deal with them on the come. No money, no talky. Not unlike his willingness to do the same with GameOn 365; even the flawed Lease required GameOn 365 to fund refundable escrows. By not signing (thus having to put up cash not promises), not only did GameOn 365 avoid paying $250,000 toward the soil problem but also the $5,000,000 for Greenburgh. Lawsuit? Not a problem, per the Lease, if the Court finds the Lease illegal, the Lease would be voided and all escrows returned in full. Gee (Mr. and Mrs. North America) ever wonder why GameOn 365 didn't sign the Lease since it was offered as far back as August 2012? Now you know. Which of course past performance (in Feiner's book) makes GameOn 365 even more reliable and able to come up with $1,650,000 to close. Which brings us full circle to the reasons for allowing the Waterwheel developer to have three years to get his ducks in order. And, back to Frank's, for GameOn 365 to find investors willing to fund a sports complex so children can play soccer outdoors on contaminated playing fields which can't be capped by asphalt. If only others could see that it is business as usual in Greenburgh. View Comment

Great news after three years? I think not. Generally land deals go to contract and close in three months. But that's when the developer is ready, willing and able which was not the case. I mention this because it how things are done in Greenburgh. First the press release. Then the contract. Then the press release. Then the fuss when the public sees it on paper. Then the press release. Then the signing or as in the case of GameOn 365 the secrecy. Then the press release. Then the press release. Then the press release. Then the press release. Then the intention to close. Then the press release. Then the holding over of the Resolution to review/revise the final papers. Then the press release. Then the Passing of the Resolution to close. Then the press release. And today the story about the Closing to come. Then the actual Closing. Then the press release. Then the ground-breaking with the photo-op. Then the story with picture. And thereafter...does this chain (as in pulling your) ring a bell? Repeat for Frank's Nursery, WESTHelp/Ferncliff/off-season Tennis Court Lease. (Cue Editor) Thanks for reading this week's presentation of "Treasure Hunt". Be sure to return to read our "Heartline" column: "Greenburgh Distress of the Week" appearing soon here on the Feiner news outlet: All The News That Feiner Wants You To Read In Print. "Well spin me around and blow me over mates; it must be an election year." -Long John Silver And $1.210,000 is not such a big deal AFTER you subtract the back taxes due on the property (the foreclosure) and AFTER you split the proceeds between Greenburgh and Ardsley. One problem is that after the Town Board passed the Resolution (not the three year old Resoulution to go to Contract) last week to ratify the closing, the Town Supervisor, the Town Board, the Town Attorney were asked how much remained for Greenburgh? After three years later, no one knew. Nor has it made it into this story a week later. But the proceeds did appear as Town revenue in the annual budget for two years straight. Clearly the Town is going to the goats. Hal Samis View Comment

"I also feel compelled to remind you of standard #4 (below): to promote public confidence Hard to do when the theft of 19 laptops from the Theodore Community Center remains unsolved and likely now a cold case; a few years back a puzzling coincidence of stamped time cards affirming work performed simultaneously at two distant and unrelated employments -- again the TDYCC being at the heart of the matter and again no action taken." July 2011, theft of 19 laptops, security camera tape erased...current enough> View Comment

Dear Bob: Not such an unsolvable mystery. Try looking up stock symbol CVC or even going to the optimum website where you will discover better than you were able to find: "About Cablevision Cablevision Systems Corporation is a leading telecommunications and media company with a portfolio of operations that includes a full suite of advanced digital television, voice and high-speed Internet services, valuable local media and programming properties, and movie theatres. Founded in 1973 as a cable television operator with 1,500 Long Island customers, Cablevision today offers advanced digital television, voice and high-speed Internet services to millions of households and businesses in the New York metropolitan area and throughout four Western states. Cablevision's popular Optimum®-branded communications services include Optimum TV® digital cable TV, Optimum Voice® home phone and Optimum Online® high speed Internet. In the New York tri-state area, Cablevision's telecommunications properties also consist of Optimum WiFi®, the nation's largest wireless Internet network, and Lightpath®, a leading provider of integrated business communications solutions that meets the needs of larger companies. Through its local media and programming properties, Cablevision delivers content created specifically for the tri-state-area communities it serves. These include Optimum TV exclusives News 12 Networks, an award-winning, local news leader, and MSG Varsity, a suite of television and online services covering high school sports and activities. Providing additional compelling local content is Newsday Media Group, which includes Long Island's leading daily newspaper, Newsday, and the popular Web site Newsday.com, as well as amNewYork, the nation's most widely circulated free daily serving New York City, and Long Island's largest publisher of weekly shoppers and community papers. Also a part of the Cablevision family of companies is Clearview Cinemas, one of the largest film exhibitors in the tri-state area and owner of the famed Ziegfeld Theatre, a popular and historic site for film premieres. Cablevision's rich history includes the creation, ownership and operation of Rainbow Media Holdings and its popular television networks from 1980 until June 2011, when it became a separate, public company named AMC Networks Inc. In addition, Cablevision was owner and operator of Madison Square Garden and its properties from 1997 until February 2010, when the sports and entertainment leader became a separate, public company now called The Madison Square Garden Company." Yes the Dolans are controlling stockholders but still they are a publicly owned company. What Mr. Feiner didn't tell you is that competition (his argument at the time of allowing Verizon enter the Greenburgh market) forestalls any action on the part of the Public Service Commission to protect consumers. Once there is competition; they are powerless to act. So thank your Town Supervisor for his decision to ignore the facts stated at the Public Hearings because he wanted to promote the notion that "competition" is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. Sorry you are so worked up about the $5 charge. Perhaps this jumps out at you because news of it is delivered in such an obvious manner. Meanwhile, when your taxes go up hundreds of dollars where are to protest them. While I'm not defending the $5 increase perhaps CVC's expenses increase just as Mr. Feiner would have you believe that Town expenses rise also and thus taxes have to rise. The Dolans, however, are not so prone to tolerate costly mistakes as Mr. Feiner is. Unless you have been hiding your head in the sand to everything that does not come by a bill addressed to your home perhaps you need to ask your Town Supervisor a) why did Greenburgh water bills rise so steeply b) why has the Town lost $1,200,000 in annual revenue paid when WESTHelp had to surrender its location because Feiner sought to placate the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association (after a Court determined that payoffs to them were illegal and had to be returned) and has allowed the facility (108 usable apartments for affordable housing) to remain vacant and not producing any revenue since October 2011. c) why has the Town Supervisor not sold the former Frank's property as it is required to do while still being liable for unpaid District taxes and those Town taxes which would be forthcoming were the property returned to the tax rolls. d) why has it taken three years to dispose of the Waterwheel property in Ardsley which the Town has to 1) split the proceeds with Ardsley 2) pay off the outstanding tax arrears and 3) has no idea of what money will be left to benefit the Town e) are you hoping to see the $5 waived so that you will be able to afford the tax increase to cover your taxpayer's share of the nearing Fortress Bible settlement estimated in excess of $6 million of uninsured tax dollars? Yes there's plenty to worry about in Greenburgh if you wallet is your only concern. How about the Library which you are still financing its expansion ($68 to the average household) which remained closed on Sunday despite the recent revalation that it could have been open these past 5 years for but $15,000 a year which was always available in its taxpayer funded Library Fund balance. Ask Town Supervisor Feiner what concerns him the most: how Greenburgh is dealing with its own financial problems or whether or not the old Tappan Zee bridge should become used for bicycle lanes? He is a great source of ideas for areas over which he has no control. At least he was until Newtown, CT and other tragedies which is why he remains silent on gun control. I'll bet you were impressed when he took or returned your call. But then he didn't actually do anything did he? Another good reason to cast your vote for him "running unopposed" but now you're on his list to be eligible for a Certificate of Appreciation and wouldn't you like to join a committee... Hal Samis View Comment

sent to the media too late to stop the flow of all the news the town wants residents to see in an unquestioned format. Tomorrow's Weather: rain on parades Dear Chief de Carlo: (and to reporters who would be quick to lap this good news up without question) Not so fast that you didn't expect anyone to notice that complying with certifiable requirements is hardly something to be congratulated for when there is a not so exceptional history to ignore: what about all those years when the Department operated without accreditation? By your own acknowledgement, the requirements were established and operational by 1989 and Greenburgh was not to comply with these standards until 2003 or 13 years after the standards were formalized. For a town celebrating its 225th anniversary and having some form of police department in existence for many of these years; its failure to oversee a Department that failed to meet peer group standards even before codification in 1989 and then not for 13 years thereafter is surely nothing to brag about. A time period running parallel to Mr. Feiner and his Town Boards sharing the responsibilities of Constable of Police. I also feel compelled to remind you of standard #4 (below): to promote public confidence Hard to do when the theft of 19 laptops from the Theodore Community Center remains unsolved and likely now a cold case; a few years back a puzzling coincidence of stamped time cards affirming work performed simultaneously at two distant and unrelated employments -- again the TDYCC being at the heart of the matter and again no action taken. Of course, hats off to you for maintaining the easy to celebrate high standards maintained since you assumed stewardship. Hal Samis View Comment

Here's a headline that makes the story kosher for Greenburgh readers: as kosher as it would be in every other market that the Daily Voice "covers". But since they need to amortize everything over every market, they plain the game or running one story with different salutations. Because in reading the article, I sure that Greenburgh readers are really interested In Hope's Door of Pleasantville; One Stop Employment in White Plains; Long Island University in Harrison and learn about all these important things at the Rye Hilton in Port Chester. Certainly in opposition to such gatherings is the quote from the first paragraph: "Gordon was impressed by how many have begun focusing on digital media and communication.". But hold that thought because in the second paragraph is the denial: "But the biggest advantage is physically meeting people and really getting a feel for the products and business. That really leaves an impression." Now why would anyone lie? Was the President of the Hair Club for Men holding down a booth? Hal Samis View Comment

Omigosh, room for 225,000 square feet of retail and 400 residential units and land left over. But with all these utilities and existing roads, there's not even enough land for Ferncliff to build (developer giving consent voluntarily) or on a quid pro quo basis (a goody in return). Mind you Target had years ago been interested in the site but nothing happened. And Ferncliff too had been interested and nothing happened but for that you can ask Abinante, then a County Legislator, why not since he led the thumbs down. Today with over half of Ferncliff's enrollment coming from NYC, one would think that locating its facility closer to its market; locating not far from where it currently abides in Yonkers...that together these would sway Ferncliff to give up the fight but noooo! Ferncliff just loves a good fight: demolish $20 million worth of existing housing; seek a new use in lieu of that specified in the Lease; seek a 50 year lease instead of the remaining 9 years; come to the register with no money to pay either rent or for construction; tax problems; credibility problems...apparently all being surmountable since no one has taken note of them. Meanwhile, the former WESTHelp 108 housing units continue to fall further into disrepair and the Town of Greenburgh has seen not a nickel of revenue since October 1, 2011. Yes 2011. Yet there is an outcome which need not overcome any of these hurdles since its use complies with the Lease and yes, those making the offer are ready, willing and able to sign on the dotted line months ago. With real money of $350,000 in rent and a willingness to pay from their own pocket the $millions necessary to restore the property after Feiner purposefully allowed it to fall into disrepair. And yet Feiner continues to play Mayfair-Knollwood's racist game. Bear in mind, in the unlikely event that Fernwood were to persevere, tomorrow, six months from now, a year from now, rent to Greenburgh would commence only upon the completion of their construction program -- something that by itself would take two years. A lot of ducks need to get placed in one row before Greenburgh sees the first dollar of revenue. A very, very, costly gift that taxpayer's are making to Mayfair-Knollwood. It's another typical year in Dog Park USA where the dogs come to you. Hal Samis View Comment

To rivertownsguy, Politeness and presenting yourself as a regular guy just doesn't cut it when you are fact challenged; assuring readers that you know the real story when you don't. All of this is obvious while saying you respect my opinion but it is wrong. You complain of you and your neighbor being misled but remain untroubled by the Town Supervisor and GameOn 365 telling Referendum voters that there would be $5 million for Greenburgh and $250,000 toward the enviro costs while knowing that this would only be possible were the Lease signed by GameOn 365: which it was not. They could have signed and taken on this obligation since late August (well before their roadside signs went up) but GameOn 365 never did sign (before or after the Referendum) probably because they lacked the funds required in escrow upon signing. Concern over the lawsuit? What was at risk had they signed? NOTHING. The Court would merely have voided the Lease. You say the Lease is a great deal for Greenburgh and you know because you "claim" commercial real estate experience. When have you seen a 15 year lease with the last 9 years yielding but 1% annual increases (below CPI) and 1% on not the total including taxes but on the remainder after taxes are subtracted which translates to less than $30,000 in annual bumps. When have you seen a commercial lease lacking rent security; more so from a start-up with no hands-on operating experience? And if ever a tenant could afford to pay more it would be GameOn 365 which predicted (for the benefit of would-be investors) FIRST YEAR profits in excess of $1,000,000 despite the principals total lack of experience in the field. A RFP which produced but one would-be rental tenant? A RFP with that kind of success is an RFP which should have been withdrawn, redrafted and re-offered perhaps adding the services of a retained real estate Agency and even some display advertising. But still you resist the notion that the Lease with GameOn 365 was anything but a sweetheart deal. You refer to Frank's and other nearby uses as commercial and non-conforming to the current Residential zoning and wonder why no one has complained about this seeming incongruity. Like someone has been maliciously picking on GameOn 365 for daring to seek a commercial use in a residential zone while the area is awash with commercial enterprises. For someone like yourself who claims to be familiar with real estate, I wonder how come you appear to be ignorant of the phrase "grandfathered" which explains why there are existing non-conforming commercial uses within a residential zone. And that this commercial "exemption" to the current zoning is taken away when the non-conforming use is interrupted as was the case when Frank's went out of business. This does not mean that the welcome mat is out for new commercial uses in a residential zone. Before your ignorance further degrades the professionalism of others engaged in the field, you need some refresher courses before you return to your keyboard. You claim from your "research" that the County law should by all rights be "defunct" and cite County "lawyers" who agree with this. Yet you fail to explain why the law has not been changed or challenged if that were really the County's position -- which it assuredly is not. Furthermore you don't even understand the law or the financial implication that Greenburgh endures when taking over property for non payment of taxes. First of all it is not only County taxes that are involved but the taxes due to all taxing districts. These includes the Fire District, the Sewer District, the School District. Fair or not, foreclosed or not, the Town of Greenburgh is responsible to advance the money for all these taxes due whether or not Greenburgh has received them from the property owner. Currently Greenburgh needs to collect about $1.4 million of back taxes just to break even. The County law recognizes this drain on taxpayers and to ease their lawful burden, the County law obligates the municipality, which has foreclosed on real estate for tax arrears, to halt this drain and recapture those District taxes already accrued. The only way to obtain such large numbers is to sell the property. if it were a couple of hundred dollars or even a few thousand, perhaps a profitable lease would be able to bring in enough to do this; how not only are there few, if any, properties which go to foreclosure for such small amounts but lease rent alone is not going to return the outstanding $1.4 million. Certainly the lease with GameOn 365 would not do so in the absence of "key money". And the examples you cited for property being used by the subject community are not incompatible with the law which also provides for the foreclosed property to be used for a municipal purpose -- such a purpose as to rent to a private for-profit owner is not eligible. Needless then to comment upon perhaps is your belief that the GameOn 365 lease is so great that it doesn't matter to you whether or not it is legal. Has no one called the lease a sweetheart deal? I for one raise my hand since I have called it such since it was first publicized. You mention that at onsite meetings held at Frank's that they were biased in favor of the competition and had you been there (instead of staying home with your children) perhaps you would have observed that the Town (Feiner) hosted two meetings on ITS property, invited the news media, brought in its complaint Department heads (Lewis, Madden, Byrne and McCarthy) and GameOn 365 gave out ice cream and t shirts. Hardly an advocacy program run by subversive agents allied with competitor House of Sports. The population of Greenburgh is 90,000; what gave you the notion that Mr. Cohen sent multiple mailings to everyone? You claim that you yourself are not taking any side but come on, give readers some credit for being able to read and understand what your wrote. You have no trouble viewing a needle-like tall radio tower and equate its presence against the skyline with that of an almost 8 story high bubble of near 60,000 square feet. You believe that the environmental problems are of no concern because everyone shopped at Frank's without incident and think that this then is the equivalent of a soccer-playing child falling face down on contaminated soil on GameOn 365's outdoor fields. You claim to be a parent and, if so, let your children be the first to play there without any remediation taking place. Your statements that there were no complaints about shopping at Frank's when it was Frank's just are so absurd that all your written attempts to be "just simple folks" (village volunteer, live nearby, you respect Ms. Livson, you watch town meetings from afar...) all are just contrivances to allow you to position yourself as an impartial equal which you by no measurement are. Your research and experience are figments of your vivid imagination and I can't find anything you wrote that bears any resemblance to either a clear understanding of the issues or a reasonable representation of facts which you accuse others of distorting. In truth, I assume you are but one of Feiner's many "plants" that he puts on display ever since he has taken over the Frank's Nursery operation. Everything about this deal stinks before, during and on the way to after. And it would still stink without House of Sports ever taking any interest whatsoever. By the way, since the real estate crash of 2007 has still not found real estate prices returning to those former rarified levels, what gives anyone any basis to predict with certainty that owning the property 15-17 years from now (when a lease with GameOn 365 would expire) would not find prices fallen back to 2007 levels? No one predicted as close as 2006 that prices would plummet the following year. Certainly neither you nor Mr. Feiner nor I have any special expertise in predicting the future. And this in turn is the final reason why the County law exists: to prevent municipalities from becoming real estate investors. Foreclose, Sell the property and Pay the overdue taxes with the Sale Proceeds or, if applicable put the property to a needed and immediate town use. "Defunct law", indeed! Hal Samis View Comment

For other reasons I was looking back at older Daily Voice articles, noticed 11 comments on this old article and discovered your new "voice". Unfortunately I don't have the time to respond right now but perhaps later tonight and certainly no later than Saturday. Be prepared and review your notes because for one who claims to have put in the hours, your comments are fact-challenged. And since the Town Board essentially parrot Feiner, to be in opposition to one is to be in opposition to all. If I appear to be in opposition to Feiner, that is the result of no one but Feiner's actions. Hal Samis View Comment

"Representatives will work with the New York State Department of Conservation to design a remediation plan but have recommended taking out the storage tank, excavating soils, using asphalt caps to minimize risk of exposure and developing a soil management plan for redevelopment." Duh. Apart from whomever "representatives" represents, did anyone expect a permanent quarantine of the premises? Of course the site can be remediated by taking out the storage tank, "excavating" (alternate spelling r-e-m-o-v-i-n-g) soils and using asphalt caps to minimize exposure. This cost taxpayers over $110,000? I say "cost taxpayers" because, despite Feiner telling voters in the Referendum that GameON 365 would be contributing $250,000 toward this cost (an intentional lie to win support for the Proposition), this money would only be an obligation had the Lease been signed which, of course, it was not and only Feiner knew this before the Referendum. But, now that the money has been spent, what have we learned that we didn't already know? And even without Woodward and Curran's advice ("Any cleanup should be integrated into the site's redevelopment in consultation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said representatives from Woodard and Curran."), this is also something we knew from the start. So what was accomplished by all this meticulously filled out paperwork? Well, now it is official and the Town has complied with the requirements insofar as performing soil testing however begrudgingly it was undertaken. That it took two steps to get there is a black mark against Woodward and Curran which never should have undertaken this assignment (knowing what the site was to be used for) without requiring the Town to test the ENTIRE area not just that to be covered by a building. Submitting the very first draft of the Phase 2 which ignored the land areas intended as outdoor playing fields for use by children and then saying they weren't instructed to look at them does not say very much for their professional integrity nor for that of their employers. So now we at the point of having a "complete" study, no referential statement of what it would cost to mitigate the problems and a Feiner commanded Town Board which is "mulling" over and offer from Game On 365 (those wonderful folks who never intended to sign the Lease) and that of competitor House of Sports which is more than 2 times higher. And not so difficult to understand is that Feiner refuses to conduct a new auction now that only a sale is to be the outcome. No doubt he hopes that House of Sports can be persuaded to withdraw their offer, leaving only one offer to consider: that from Game On 365. An offer that will provide perhaps crumbs to Greenburgh taxpayers after paying back the existing tax arrears. Taxpayers as a group should compare their plight to that of last night's goat. No matter how many times and for whatever righteous reasons they keep butting their heads against Feiner's wall, all they succeed in accomplishing is chewing on their own cud. Hal Samis View Comment

Best viewed as an unadorned example of how Feiner's town council members follow the script they are given to read at any recent town board meeting. Even the ones without free food. Hal Samis View Comment

And to think that in their five year search there was no suitable site for Ferncliff "Manor" in all of Yonkers where Ferncliff currently is situated. View Comment

Cry me a river is my immediate reaction. As it is just barely still black history month, file this story under the pot calling the kettle black. Wasn't it GameOn 365 that did not sign the Lease authorized by the Town Board in August 2012? Wasn't it GameOn 365 that did not sign the Lease in September, October or even after the Referendum's consent? Wasn't it GameOn 365 which put up roadside signs before the Referendum which proclaimed $5,000,000 for Greenburgh? Wasn't it Feiner and his buddies at GameON 365 who told voters to vote yes that GameOn 365 would be contributing $125,000 toward the cost of the Enviro study and an additional $125,000 (this round not a contribution but an advance rent payment) and that this was evidence of GameOn 365's good faith and commitment to Greenburgh. Neither the $5,000,000, the $125,000 nor the second $125,000 would be forthcoming without any legal obligation to do so since the only obligation would exist upon SIGNING the Lease. Both Feiner and GameOn 365 knew this before the Referendum but remained silent. GameOn 365 was, in essence, being given an "at no cost, no risk option" to hold the property off the market while the principals scurried around to find investors willing to fund the project. Even though GameOn 365 had obtained numerous guarantees and opportunities to walk away from a signed Lease (they concurred on the language), it was still reluctant to sign because returnable escrows were required on signing -- escrows that GameOn 365 was unable to provide. Thus their avoidance of signing the Lease. But that was last year's news. Now with GameOn 365 unable or unwilling to match the higher purchase offer from Elm Street, GameOn 365 is maneuvering to return to a Lease which is what this revivalist squawk is about. GameOn 365 is seeking to discredit Elm Street but even if their outrageous claim were true (I have no basis to make any determination) what does it have to do with anything? The October lawsuit (ask yourself. would it even matter if Simon Cohen were the sole owner of Elm Street or was just an employee) since the relief the lawsuit seeks is to have Greenburgh comply with existing law: that property taken in foreclosure for non-payment of taxes is required to be sold so as to reduce the harm to Greenburgh taxpayers who not only are owed the Greenburgh portion of property taxes but also those District taxes (Fire, School, Sewer...) that Greenburgh is obligated to pay even without collecting. Only a sale can provide this uncollected and advanced money; the Town Board-approved Lease to GameOn 365 made no provision for such repayment. So why is GameOn 365 now filing such a frivolous lawsuit? Those who have opposed this deal on grounds other than the use and the structure's size and zoning issues did so all along knowing that it was a lousy deal for Greenburgh taxpayers. 15+ (rent payments commence with the opening) years of below market rent which gives GameOn 365 a sweetheart deal and competitive advantage with the result that the Town was subsidizing the GameOn 365 principals who continue to ignore this truth when they rant that it is the existing competition who is acting unfairly. However the harsher reality is that GameOn 365 just doesn't have the funds to proceed either by purchase or by lease. In their business plan pitched to would be investors they suggest that the project will be an immediate financial success with over $1 million in profits the very first year of operation. Sounds like a great deal but before you whip out your checkbook consider that, in addition to the environmental "problem", why would anyone advance them money without any security when the principals don't even control the site for the bubble to be built upon. It is not a "blind pool" seeking "give us the money and we'll find someplace" but a proposal specific site with its desirable market and highway location.. Thus, GameOn 365 hoped to attract monied persons who would be willing to "take a ride on the Reading Railroad, collect $200 for passing 'Go' and then land on 'Free Parking'..." but to do so first they need to secure the site -- hence the "presumption of a Lease" which was never executed. Enter the October lawsuit which was a RESPONSE to an illegal action on the part of the Town Board (authorizing a lease). Unlike many actions by Feiner and his "team", this time they met well-heeled opposition willing to take them to Court, not unlike the deep pocket Fortress Bible Church lawsuit which will cause grievous harm to taxpayers. Thank Mr. Feiner, Mr. Sheehan and Ms. Juettner for this. Likewise thank GameOn 365 for sponsoring the latest version of tea and sympathy but this croc has no tears to share. Hal Samis View Comment

Won't residents feel comforted as Greenburgh celebrates its 225th anniversary, a re-election year for Mr. Feiner, Mr. Sheehan and Ms. Juettner who have rehearsed a medley of songs especially chosen for this momentous occasion. Standout renditions include: "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "Tomorrow". 225 years...bah humbug. What makes this particular number significant other than Feiner needs deflective moments to hide the problems he has created in recent years while the problem solving business has been slow by comparison. loss of WESTHelp revenue, potential Ferncliff vs. existing housing, GameOn 365 and the absent tennis court off season bubble still occupy the roost while zoning misadventures surface monthly. A looming Fortress Bible reward upwards of an uninsured $5 million is nearing while the settled figure of $1.1 million from $1.8 paid out (largesse by Feiner) to the Valhalla School District (won back in Court by residents Bernstein and Rosenberg) don't balance. Yes, residents will only be hearing "good news" and a celebration of sunshine, lollipops, rainbows and warm winter mittens while taxes rise, service declines (bag those leaves), honoring the disease of the week and certificates of appreciation for interns who just happen to have families with registered voters. Yes, it's fitting that we devote our time to festivities because that's why we have a Town Board -- to celebrate... a Town's birthday or to commemorate that for 20+ years we have given Feiner a birthday present in the form of a salary and podium while he hasn't shown any improvement with his advancing age: the only difference being that new technologies have provided him with even more outlets to blow his smoke. Indeed, both Greenburgh and Feiner are exhibiting their cumulative wisdom and maturity at this decorous show with FREE REFRESHMENTS; the former bringing 225 years to the table and the latter 6 month's experience times 40. Happy Birthday. And don't forget the 227th birthday show anticipated for the next election cycle. Hal Samis View Comment

Again The Daily Voice prints a story written as those issuing the release would have it read. Even going so far as not to question what is apparent in the story's text. The Library Board approved this measure at its regular January meeting. The Town Board rubber stamped it in early February (a Budget Transfer). It will not begin until April. Not stated is that there will be no Sunday hours throughout the summer (whenever that begins) and thus no Sunday hours until after the summer (whenever it ends). The obvious question is for how many Sundays will the Library actually be open and does NYSED consider 55+ hours a week for SOME weeks compliance with their weekly requirement. Incidentally, using the Library Fund balance is one way (more funding from the Town being another) of obtaining Sunday relief. But only if the Library requested enough money to do the job properly -- or was it afraid to ask what was needed (in December the announced need was $40,000) and thus $15,000 is the result. Even allowing that Sundays in the summer may be overkill, the Library decided not to request enough from their Fund balance to commence in March and perhaps it will also be necessary for it to shave too closely around the start and end of summer. Residents need to find out how many Sundays the Library will actually be open in 2013 to understand what is going on. Since the Voice isn't going to ask, then ask individually. And consider that the Library knew in January that Sunday hours were coming, don't be fooled by their answer that the reason they held off to March was to find personnel. This has been discussed internally since last Fall's budget discussions and the ability to be open HRwise was already known. April (and March) is just a way to save the cost of these hours. What the article should have stated, but did not, is that the Library will be open SOME Sundays, probably only around 30 (out of 52) this year. It doesn't take much effort to read between the lines yet libraries have been known to be concerned with furthering literacy. Hal Samis View Comment

"Last year, Feiner joined Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano in sending letters to community leaders to participate in the reassessment. Spano confirmed in January the city has issued RFPs to conduct its first revaluation since 1954." "Sending those letters" and partnering with other communities was another "fib" from Feiner since he claimed a savings in price due to combined buying power. Meanwhile neighboring Scarsdale has almost finished its own reassessment not waiting for Feiner. This reassessment/revaluation is now in its third round of false "starts" under Feiner; the latest being two years ago. Individual RFPs for and by individual communities are NOT an indication of combined buying power but the press releases from Feiner affirming this were picked up by the Daily Greenburgh in earlier stories -- duly noted and unquestioned. Residents hope that not only will this current "interest" begin in earnest but also that the Town's Comprehensive Plan launched 4 years ago will finally see the light of day. Interesting that despite communication with the firms already indicating their interest, the formal process of RFP will take until the end of October. By contrast, the RFP for the former Frank's Nursery site was but 90 days. Hal Samis View Comment

Town Board Meeting Wednesday evening not a top pick? View Comment

It's winter and it snowed! I don't blame Feiner for this. But out of 25-30 articles, there are perhaps 5 worthwhile sentences. The blizzard was not outside but on the internet. Hal Samis View Comment

I'm thinking (looking at the people depicted in the photograph) that the audience is NOT there seeking jobs which require them to be perched 60 feet over the water and operating a rivet gun. They look like they are displaced persons, emigres from other careers and unable to obtain work in them because at their advanced ages, no employer will regard them as seeking a career path. Isn't most of the work on this project construction based? And won't unions get the lion's share of this work? What is alarming about this show (apparently not important enough to make its way to this article either) is what job titles are available which would be helpful to those who have neither the experience, youth, wherewithal or resources to wield that rivet gun, bend metal, lift bags of concrete mix, etc. And what is not being told to readers is that this is a joint NY-NJ project and that on the other side of the river, there are similar meetings being conducted. Meetings politically calculated by both states to raise hope of employment while also neuter complaints from those opposed to the project -- hey, it will create jobs. As for visiting the website, guess what: they intend to build a bridge! This becomes a useful story only when SPECIFIC jobs with start dates are being offered. Until then, there's Paul Feiner making the most of another photo op. Hal Samis View Comment