top of page
CA-Recorder-Mobile-CR-2025[54].jpg

Musicians United for ALS: A Night for Wayne Warnecke

A benefit for ALS United Greater New York — “A Night for Wayne Warnecke” — is set for Tuesday, April 15, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the State University of New York at Purchase, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase.

Warnecke is a record producer from Pound Ridge. 

Performers and guests include the Average White Band, the Grammy-nominated Scottish funk and R&B band best known for their instrumental track “Pick up the Pieces,” Patty Smyth, Bernie Williams, Paul Shaffer, the Bacon Brothers, Elza Libhart and Kati Max. 

For tickets or more information, visit https://alsunitedgreaternewyork.ticketspice.com/. All proceeds go to ALS United Greater New York. 


Mayer and Pace Women’s Justice host toiletry drive

State Senator Shelley Mayer is partnering with Pace Women’s Justice Center to sponsor a Toiletry Drive in acknowledgment of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The senator and PWJC request donations of full-size items, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, moisturizers, and feminine hygiene products. The drive continues through April 27.

Drop-off locations include Pound Ridge Town House, 179 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge  and Sen. Mayer’s Office, 235 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 400, White Plains.


Bedford firefighters set open house April 26

The Bedford Fire Department is hosting its annual hands-on Open House on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehouse, located at 550 Old Post Road, Bedford.

IN BRIEF

CA-Recorder-Mobile-Mission-2025[26].jpg

Letters to the Editor, Jan. 10

Tardy financial statements come at a tangible cost to taxpayers

To the Editor:

Pound Ridge’s serial financial statement delinquency should concern taxpayers. The town recently released audited financial statements for 2022. While 2-year-old financials are better than 3-year-old financials, they and the related regulatory filings hardly qualify as being current. New York law requires filing an annual financial report with the Comptroller’s Office within 90 days after year end.

Tardy financial statements come with a tangible cost, as the 2022 report revealed a $78,340 auditor’s fee or twice the $39,500 budget (Page 65). The report also disclosed 5.02 percent interest we pay on the $3.5 million bond anticipation note and 6.34 percent we were paying before the last rollover (Page 53). With municipal rates 2-3 percent lower, it’s hard not to see those high rates as another tangible cost. The 2022 report also provided more information on the Transportation Enhancement Project (TEP). Turns out TEP cost $451,959 more than expected and that overrun was absorbed by taxpayers, making our net cost 122 percent higher ($821,959 actual net cost vs $370,000 expected net cost; actual net cost based on $2,227,959 expenditures less $1,406,000 grants as disclosed by town in FOIL). To add cash flow insult to project cost injury we didn’t receive $1.2 million in grants until three years after we spent it.

If past is prologue and the proposed water district project is managed like TEP, it will be a $1.2 million cost overrun with a 36 percent higher net cost. The cash flow ramifications would be dire, as we don’t have the capability to bridge $6.5 million for three years. The auditor’s 2022 letter to management cited 13 control deficiencies in accounting practices (Pages 11-18 of attached 2022 letter to management). Each is a serious lapse, yet almost all have been in the last four management letters. Particularly concerning are repeated deficiencies in tracking capital projects and special purpose funds. This board should straighten out its financial reporting mess and provide timely and accurate financial information to taxpayers.


John D. McCown Pound Ridge

bottom of page