The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 2

From Pags Or.s www.thejoumaInews.com 2A Friday, December 17, 2004 The Journal News Commuters feel sting of increases November jobless rates Unemployment rates in Rockland County and New York City plunged In November. In Rockland, the rate fell to 3.4 percent from 4 4 percent a year earlier, while the rate dropped to 5.4 percent from 8.1 percent in the city. Westchester County's rate also Improved, to 3.5 percent from, 4.0 percent. New York City Rockland Westchester 10 10 -10 I 5.4 9 9 9 jp 8 Jfi.l'i fa 1 if lEzSf 4 -m 4f wi 4 I "wBM '94 '96 '98 00 02 04 1 ,1 I 1 'A I- i I 4 v. Source: New York Department of Labor Aaron PorterThe Journal News Jobless rate drops full point Michael Schwerd of Scarsdale rides a Metro-North train to Grand Central JOBLESS, from 1A the number of employed Rockland residents increased by 2,000 year over year, to 156,000.

The number of residents who were seeking jobs but not finding them had dropped by 1,500 to 5,500. "It's clearly following, and beating, the national trend," Mason said. "I think Rockland is on a roll." On the eastern side of the Hudson River, Westchester's unemployment rate of 3.5 percent was down one-half of 1 percentage point from November 2003. Putnam's rate of 3 percent was three-tenths of 1 percentage point lower. Both counties added jobs.

Greg Oliver, a member of the board of the Westchester Human Resource Management Association, said companies have gone through a period of restructuring and streamlining that improved profitability this year. He expects the local job picture will improve going into 2005. "I don't think it's going to be robust. I think it's going to be progressive moderate and progres- counts. I feel somewhat blessed because I have a good commute, but every little bit hurts." Others said there are already enough economic burdens on everyday workers.

"Most of the people I know are working-class people who have a problem with the increased fares," said T. Derrick, a music book publisher who commutes daily from his Mount Vernon home to North White Plains, as he waited for a train at the JVhite Plains station yesterday. "It's going to put a squeeze on your budget. In order to save, you're going to have to cut back on your basic expenses." Eveda Matzner, 32, a Long Island resident, was riding the train from a corporate meeting in White Plains back to Manhattan, where she commutes daily from Great Neck on the Long Island Rail Road. "I'm not pleased," said Matzner, the director of retail planning for Nine West, as the train sped its way south from White Plains.

If she knew the money were going to be used for additional trains and cars, she said, she would have no problem with the increases. But she remains skeptical. Higher MTA costs burden riders; others are more accepting Joseph Ax The Journal News like many people juggling school with a full-time job, 26-year-old Nikki Glover is on a tight budget The Bronx native spends approximately $240 every month $170 for a Metro-North ticket and another $70 for a monthly Metro-Card to commute from Wood-lawn to her job as an administrator at Beth-Israel Medical Center and to her classes as a part-time graduate student at Baruch College, both in Manhattan. So the impending fare and toll hikes from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority aren't doing her any favors. "It's hard," said Glover, who will probably be forced to spend an additional $10 to $15 a month.

"It's pressure on your pocket. School is $30,000 for two years. As a student and a full-time employee, it's not easy at all." With train fare increases approved yesterday, rail commuters will soon feel the pinch. And along with rising gas prices, those who use area roads are likely to face added costs after the New York State Thruway agreed yesterday to seek toll increases of as much as 35 percent. In a region in which transportation looms large over an enormous population of commuters, the prospect of higher costs has predictably elicited an outcry of opposition.

Other residents, however, accepted the news quietly, reasoning that the rails remain a cheap and convenient option and that tolls on the Thruway were relatively low in the region. Roger Scheiber, a Hastings-on-Hudson resident who works for the Rockland Business Association in Pearl River, said the Thruway hasn't had a toll increase for a long time 1988 and it was due. "It's been a bargain for a long time, Scheiber said. "Eventually, it has to go up. But I've got two kids in college, and every penny Railroad COMMUTERS, from 1A base bus and subway fare unchanged.

In May 2003, fares went up by 25 percent Yesterday, MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow said riders could expect similar "adjustments" every two years, with more substantial fare increases every four years. The Thruway Authority toll increases would be the first in almost 17 years. "What comes to mind is I don't trust these people," said Isaac Piha, 51, a chief financial officer from Scarsdale, who took an 8:30 a.m. train from the village station yesterday. "They've got a long way to go to get some credibility going." The MTA's action, approving an $8.2 billion budget came despite opposition to the higher fares by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who recommended belt tightening and a "no" vote by his four representatives on the board.

The MTA's action was contrary to the pleas and Largest Tree Assortment in the Hudson Valley Student gain, taxpayer loss seen in plan fares to rise by average of 5 sive," he said. "I think companies will be reasonably conservative in how they take advantage of the improved economy." Oliver said he didn't expect to see the local labor shortages next year that the suburbs experienced at the end of the 1990s, but some companies may have trouble retaining staff because of job oppor- tunities elsewhere. Ann E. Davis, the director of the Bureau of Economic Research of Marist College, was encouraged that New York City, which had struggled following the last recession and the Sept 11 improving. "For a while, we were wondering if the city was emptying out and that was why the suburbs were growing," she said.

"It looks like the region as a whole is picking Davis cautioned, however, that federal and state budget deficits could result in cutbacks that would affect local governments. Reach Jerry Gleeson atjgleesonthejournalnews.com or 914-694-5026. not provide an adequate education to New York City schoolchildren. The Regents' proposal starts with a single per-child cash amount based on the cost of educating an average student based on schools across the state where 80 percent of pupils are at or above state requirements. The foundation cost would also include add-ons for high-need students and for districts in areas with a high cost of living.

Local taxpayers would still pick up the difference, with affluent districts picking up a higher percentage of the cost Details of the plan are expected to be released within the next few weeks, but the outline is available on the state Education Department Web site, www.nysed.gov. If approved, it would be phased in over five years. Under the proposal, New York City would get $6.6 billion in new money within five years, starting with $810 million next year. Local districts also would benefit because the Regents' plan would require $1.6 billion more in school funding in the 2005-06 school year. Neither Gov.

George Pataki nor the state Legislature has approved the plan. Mills said the per-pupil cost had the advantage of being based on programs with records of success and would be easy to adapt to changing conditions. "It would be sustainable over long-term, and we would not have this uncertainty," Mills said. He said the plan was essentially the same as last year's Regents aid proposal, which was rejected by the governor and Legislature. The governor and Legislature continue to study the problem and may present their own proposals.

But with details scarce, most local educators said they couldn't comment until more specific information became available. And parents asked about the proposal said it sounded too complex to understand without paperwork in front of them and more facts available in regular English. "I would want it simplified enough to understand it," said IisaThielman, a parent in the Nyack school district. Reach Randi Weiner at rweinerthejournalnews.com or 845-578-2468. John Humenn, 578-2464 TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM News item 578-2424 Schools, births 578-2424 Photo reprint 9146943505 WeddingsEngagements 914696-8231 Main switchboard 358-2200 ONLINE Selected stories from The Journal News are available at www.thejournalnews.com ACCURACY Accuracy, fairness and balance are important to us.

It is the policy of The Journal News to promptly correct errors. If you wish to report an error or clarify a story, please direct your call to the readers' representative at 914694 3514 READERS' REPRESENTATIVE If you have questions or concerns about anything you see in The Journal News or about our journalistic standards and practices, please contact Reader Services Editor Phone: (914) 6943514 Fax: (914) 6945018 e-mail: rseditoriethejournalnews.com Post by mail: The Journal News, 1 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604 The Journal News Westchester, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network is published daily. Periodical postage paid at White Plains, NY (USPS 017-009) Postmaster Send address changes to: The Journal News, 1 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604 Angela GaulThe Journal News Terminal yesterday. "You can drive, which is a nightmare, and then you can pay $40 a day for parking. I think Metro-North is a great deal.

I feel it's a very, very fair price." West Nyack resident David Scotto, a real estate consultant who crosses the Tappan Zee Bridge three or four times a week, said he doesn't have a problem with commuters paying $2 for the crossing compared with the current volume discount of 1 per trip. "I think that's reasonable," he said. "Compared to the George, a dollar is a bargain, and it's still going to be cheap at two bucks. What they need to do is look at increasing the truck tolls to get the trucks off the Thruway during rush hour. They also need some type of mass transit for Rockland and Orange.

Right now, you don't have that many options." Staff writers Greg Clary and Diana Bellettieri contributed to this article. Reach Joseph Ax at jaxthejournalnews.com or 914-694-5064. and improving service. i always unfortunate and disappointing to see increases," Pataki said, "but we have to continue to work to make sure it's the best possible system and to try to keep the rates as low as possible; and, as I said, if you use the monthly card, the rate will still be lower than it was back in 1996. We're going to keep pushing to make it as good as possible." Metro-North Railroad service will be maintained next year.

Added service that Metro-North had hoped to begin, such as more trains on the upper Harlem Line, north of North White Plains, will be deferred, and 20 management positions will be cut by attrition. The only visible differences will be that Grand Central Terminal's north exits will be closed on weekends, and the sta-tionmaster's auxiliary office in Grand Central North will be shut down. Susan Tolchin, chief adviser to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, said the county's representative on the MTA board, Andrew Saul, would be replaced because of his vote in support of the fare increases. She said the MTA should have cut costs instead of raising fares. "He can expect to be yanked," she said.

Saul could not be reached for comment yesterday. Staff writer Erika Rosenberg contributed to this report. Reach Caren Halbfinger at chalbfinthejournalnews.com or 914-694-5004. Wt Journal Ncujs Volume 116, Number 226 HOME DELIVERY SERVICE For customer service, information, delivery problems or to report a missing or damaged newspaper, please call 914694-5222. Outside the 914 area code, please call: 100-942-1010.

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Suggested weekly rates by carrier: DailySunday: $4.50 Thursday-Sundayspecial interest editions: $3.07 Daily only: $3.11 Monday-Friday: $2.65 SaturdaySundayspecial interest editions: $2.15 Multiple subscription rates: DailySunday: $4.60 interest editions: $3.17 SatSun.special interest editions: $2.25 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS, RATES 914-694-5222 52 weeks: $197.60 26 weeks: $99.80 13 weeks: $49.40 4 weeks: $15.20 52 weeks: $340.60 26 weeks: $171.30 13 weeks: $85.15 4 weeks: $26.20 Mahopac resident Linda Olsen, 46, echoed that sentiment. The real estate agent uses the Thruway daily and is not looking forward to paying 25 to 35 percent more at the tollbooth. "It's hot going to prohibit me from driving," said Olsen, as she bought a train ticket in the Croton Falls station yesterday for her son. "I mean, I've got to get to where I want to go, but I hate to see any of the fares go up because we're not getting anything for it." like Olsen, some other drivers said the toll increases would put a crimp in their budgets. "Just because they're ripping people off at the George Washington six bucks is a lot of money to cross a bridge doesn't mean other tolls have to go up, too," said Dave Dupas, who lives in Chestnut Ridge in Rockland and uses the Tappan Zee Bridge daily.

Others, however, said they had no problem with paying more money. "What are your alternatives to get from the suburbs to the city?" said Michael Schwerd, 44, who works in marketing and commutes on the train from his Scars-dale home to the city every day. with any MetroCard or access problems. The board also was criticized by advocates, transit union leaders and Democratic City Council members and state legislators for putting aside $240 million from its year-end surplus, rather than using the money to avoid fare increases next year. The MTA's executive director, Katherine Lapp, has said the fare increase is needed to help close worse budget gaps coming soon.

The agency faces a $1 billion shortfall in 2006, even though it will end this year with a $647 million surplus. MTA officials noted that after the fare increases, the cost of the average subway or bus ride will be $1.31, which still is less than it was in 1996, before the MTA created unlimited-ride weekly and monthly MetroCards. During a news conference in lower Manhattan, Gov. George Pataki shook off critics, saying he had pushed the MTA to put the interests of riders first, by instituting MetroCard and free bus-to-subway transfers, while upgrading Corrections The last toll Increase on the New York State Thruway was in 1988. The date was incorrect yesterday in a Page One article.

Jessica Slrota is 27. Her age was incorrect Monday in a Page One article. CalllWHH 845-638-3012 3T Congaf Rd. Naw CHy immmuu huh 15 HAM) NtW lltMS 'sin nnn nnn i hu.i. Hnusflwaiws.

Pet Priuliirta Automotive, Toys, Games, Outdoor Indoor Lighting Fixtures, Puzzles, linens, Watches, Small Appliances, Christmas Gifts Morel Mm OPEN EVERYDAY Startint 1210 WlttRE; 33 Corporate Drive (off BlabdeO Rill Onngeburt, NY 10962 FREE $25 GIFT: i 5 Certificate i I. I $100 Purchase I i OTTMZTill AID, from 1A cessfully sued the state on behalf of New York City children, charging they were being harmed by the current state aid formula. A judge is currently deciding how much more the city should get A task force has recommended the city receive $5.6 billion more in funding. But where the court case targeted only New York City schools, the Board of Regents' proposal would increase spending to all the schools in the state. It would also simplify a process that currently uses as many as 48 aid formulas in doling out funding and is subject to legislative stonewalling, the state's highest ed-ucators said.

four years, there's been no formula If been a year-to-year battle to determine state aid," said state Education Commissioner Richard Mills. "The Regents' formula is based on what success costs." The proposal would help close a gap between students who meet the state's educational standards and those who don't, Mills said. The state Education Department also released data yesterday on high school graduation rates and how well the students have fared under regulations that require they pass five Regents exams in order to get a diploma. Data show that students who take the Regents tests pass them, but nearly 25 of the state's high school students don't take the tests and either drop out, graduate late or migrate to alternative diploma programs like the General Educational Development test The deciding factor seems to be how well children are educated in middle school, Mills said. Students who score at the lowest level on the eighth-grade math and English tests are at highest risk of not taking the Regents, and their prospects of success in academic or economic circles are grim, he said.

With more money, schools could create better supplemental programs for failing students, hire more qualified teachers, build better facilities and provide necessary materials like books, Mills said. The proposal agrees with the findings of a state court that determined the current state aid funding formula did SatSun. 52 weeks: $143.00 26 weeks: $71.50 13 weeks: $35.75 4 weeks: $11.00 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of a subscription. Rate changes may be implemented by changing the duration of the subscription. ADVERTISING Retail or preprint ad: 578-2324 Classified ad: 9146945111 Obituary: 9146945147 Legal notice: 9146945123 EXECUTIVES PresidentPublisher Gary F.

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Walters EDITORS Managing Editor Tony Davenport, 578-2402 Senior Managing Editor CynDee Royle, 9146945099 Locul News Amy Vernon, 578-2424; Fax 578-2477 Business Frank Brill, 9146945021 Mary Dolan, 9146945070 Sports Mark Leary, 9146945038 Local Sports shouts from 29 speakers yesterday, along with hundreds who spoke during public hearings earlier in the fall or e-mailed their comments to the board. A chief concern is closing 164 token booths, which riders fear will leave them more vulnerable to crime and lead to longer waits for disabled or elderly riders when elevators break down, or there are other system glitches. "I think the fare increase is wrong," said Michael Harris, 20, a disabled rider from Brooklyn who attends Manhattanville College and who protested outside MTA headquarters and spoke at yesterday's board meeting. "I think the token-booth closing was truly a despicable decision. These unmanned stations pose a safety threat.

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