Yonkers Tribune

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Pagano Resignation Yesterday Becomes Knight in Shining Armor for Tomorrow By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- Anthony Pagano only weeks ago said he would not leave his post as Yonkers Fire Commissioner asserting he would stay on for the three years’ duration of Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone’s term. Never the one to be collared, Commissioner Pagano conducted the obligatory clean out of his desk yesterday to throw the media wolves off his trail; he drafted his letter of resignation delivered to the mayor 30 days ago because he would not agree with Mayor Amicone to the merger of two ladder companies that Commissioner Pagano deemed would reduce the fire department's response time and diminish public safety. Yesterday's final day on the job was overturned after a pow wow at City Hall today with "the able assistance of Chief of Operations William Fitzpatrick," noted Commiaaioner Pagano. 

Ed Koch Commentary: Hamas and Israel

According to the December 28th New York Times, Hamas “is officially committed to Israel’s destruction, and after it took over Gaza in 2007, it said it would not recognize Israel, honor previous Palestinian Authority commitments to it or end its violence against Israelis.”

Author Travon Epps On the Level with Hezi Aris on WVOX-1460 AM Radio

Travon Epps, author of The Ledge, is our guest this Tuesday, December 30, 2008, on the On the Level with Hezi Aris radio program heard on your radio dial from 10:00 am through 11:00 am on WVOX-1460 AM radio, or by way of live, streaming audio technology on your computer. Travon Epps isn’t an average guy. His is a first time author; he also fights cancer every day. Travon’s life before he found out about his cancer is recounted on a ledge where he had planned to take his life. Going back in time for him was the toughest thing he ever had to do. The Ledge speaks to his most recent years contending with the reality of the disease that would fight him every step of the way and the prospect of making it easier if he were to choose to jump off that “ledge” to make it all a bit easier. 

Last Chance to Make Your 529 Plan Contribution for 2008 By Thomas P. DiNapoli

This has been a particularly difficult year for personal finances. 

With costs of almost everything increasing and incomes remaining flat or declining, families are looking for ways to save money. One easy way to stretch some of your hard-earned money while investing in the future is by making year-end contributions to New York’s 529 college savings plan.

Kwanzaa Celebration at Yonkers City Hall

Yonkers, NY -- City Council Member, Patricia D. McDow along with Mayor Phil Amicone are please to announce the 2nd Annual Kwanzaa Program on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 4:00pm at City Hall 2nd Floor Lobby. The community is invited to celebrate Kwanzaa with special guests Rev. Earl Wallace Pastor of Institutional AME Zion Church, Lynn Beville, the children from the YMCA, community and elected officials. Refreshments will be served in the Mayor's Reception Room immediately following the program.  

Second Day of Conflict Between Israel and Gaza By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- Fear and chaos reined on Gaza as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued assault on Gaza, as Israel attempted to wrestle Hamas’ hold on the land straddling the Mediterranean coastline wedged between Israel and Egypt. 

Yonkers Budget Deficit Deciphered By Vox Populi

It was only three months ago we were told by City Hall that 200 to 300 municipal jobs would be lost to an impending $16 million budget deficit which had to be closed before December 31st 2008. Not balancing the budget by years’ end, the City of Yonkers might have a Financial Control Board imposed upon it.

Four Families Threatened with Eviction from 66 Main Street By Hezi Aris

Yonkers Tribune acid-tongued bloggers have learned of a tragic and dire situation unfurling at this very moment. Four separate families, each presently residing at 66 Main Street, meeting Housing and Urban Development (HUD) criteria, have been told to leave their respective apartments by December 31, 2008. The eviction action is said to have been initiated by Hog Hill Management, a third party consultant owned by Richard O’Neill, better known to most as the former chairman of the Yonkers Planning Board.  

Mythsmasher: Columbia University Obtains Eminent Domain Land Grab in Harlem By Richard Cooper

First published by GroundReport and reprinted with express permission. 

As reported in my alma mater Columbia University's newspaper, Columbia Daily Spectator, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) unanimously voted to authorize seizure by eminent domain of two commercial properties in New York City's Manhattanville section (also known as West Harlem). As a Libertarian activist for property rights and a Columbia alumnus, I find this doubly disheartening but not surprising. To see the ESDC side with powerful businesses and institutions is to see the norm.

Ed Koch Commentary: On Obama’s Choice of Rev. Rick Warren to Deliver the Inauguration Opening Prayer

    President-elect Barack Obama has selected Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California and bestselling author, to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.  

Weir Only Human: Your Friendly Neighborhood Drunk Driver By Bob Weir

    This holiday season, when you get behind the wheel of your car, I’d like you to think about a guy I used to know who thought he could drink and drive. I’ll just refer to him as Jack. About twenty years ago, Jack was a happily married guy with 2 kids, living in a beautiful home on Long Island. He had a landscaping business in a nearby town and made an excellent living. Every year, he traded in his “old” Cadillac Seville and picked up a new one. Jack was a personable type of guy with many friends and lots of social invitations to enjoy. Yet, he had one flaw in his character; he resented being told that he shouldn’t drive after drinking alcohol. “Everybody is different,” he would say. “Some people get tipsy after one drink and others, like me, have much more capacity for booze.”  

Teamsters Local 456 Union Leaders Preserves Continued Employment of 50 Brother Members

Yonkers, NY  -- Delineated below is the template of the letter directed to the 50 employees of Teamsters Local 456 who had originally expected to lose employment for the Yonkers DPW. The union leadership worked out an ameniable resolution that was palatable to their membership and amenible with City Hall. Below find the letter to "lucky" 50.

Correcting Yonkers Budget Shortfalls May Jeopardize Safety and Well-Being By Anonymous

The Mayor and the city administration in their infinite wisdom have again chosen to drastically reduce emergency services to correct budget shortfalls. Although collectively they comprise less than 25% of the entire city spending, the Fire, Police and DPW Departments are expected to bear the entire financial burden thru devastating cuts. Hardest hit, the Yonkers Fire Department will loose 21 Fire Officer positions, 8 firefighters will be laid off, the Arson and Safety Divisions eliminated, and a front line fire company will be closed. To maintain minimum services strained overtime budgets will be dipped into eliminating any true savings. Taxpayer’s safety and well-being will be jeopardized by the company closing of Tower Ladder 75. 

Trimmed with Ornaments of Gratitude and Good Will

Dobbs Ferry, NY -- Ornaments of good will and gratitude adorn the St. Cabrini Nursing Home (SCNH) Christmas tree, following the annual Tree Trimming Party. The event is held each December as a means to show appreciation to the Home’s many donors and friends. This year’s celebration was also an opportunity to showcase St. Cabrini’s new lobby area that is part of the Home’s $55 million major modernization project.

Forty Police Recruits Graduate from Westchester Police Academy

Westchester County Police Officer James Rosselli receives his diploma from County Executive Andy Spano, District Attorney Janet DiFiore and Police Commissioner Thomas Belfiore.

County Executive Spano, D.A. DiFiore Address the Graduates 

White Plains, NY -- Forty police recruits graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy December 19, 2008, and are headed off to serve in 16 law enforcement agencies in Westchester and beyond.

Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment® to Host Sensory Friendly Films January 3

The Bronx, NY -- AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society of America (ASA) have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. “Sensory Friendly Films” premiered across the country in August 2008, and are continuing this January with a special showing of the new film “Marley and Me.”

Taxation Without Carbonation By Hank Cardello

   A recent New York Times op-ed backed a new soda tax advanced by New York Governor David Paterson as a potential cure for obesity. This proposal would tax sugary beverages to the tune of 18% and proponents argue that this approach would lead to reductions in consumption similar to cigarettes.

Like Klockwork: Miami's Mirthless Mammalian Trashes a Funfest By Joe Klock, Sr.

   Okay, I admit a disdain of those artsy-fartsy critics who tend to attack innocent merriment in "legitimate" theater, apparently on the grounds that in lacks artistic gravitas.

Municipal Operations Committee Called to Session December 29

Yonkers, NY -- A Municipal Operations Committee meeting has been called for Monday, Dec. 29th at 5:45pm, in the Council Conference Room, 4th Floor, City Hall. The following items will be on the agenda:

Computer Difficulties at Yonkers Tribune

Yonkers, NY -- The Yonkers Tribune Website has experienced upload difficulties this week. It seems that allissueshave been corrected. The issues became evident after a programming upgrade caused an unknown glitch.  

YPS Superintendent Pierorazio’s Contract Extend 3 More Years

Yonkers, NY -- The Yonkers Board of Education extended Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio’s contract for an additional 3 years at the Wednesday, December 17, 2008 meeting over which Board Trustee President Right Rev. Gerald Sudick presided. Pierorazio will receive $261,954 per annum until the expiration of the contract on Junee 30, 2012.

Architect Frank Gehry Lays Off Atlantic Yards Staff

Ratner Seeking More Favors from City,

MTA

and Private Lenders for Failing Atlantic Yards Plan

 

Brooklyn, NY— Forest City Ratner’s Atlantic Yards development plan is contending with pending litigation as well as the global fiscal crisis and credit crunch. After confirming two weeks ago that all work has stopped on the Atlantic Yards project site, and last week that the project is indefinitely on hold, now Ratner can add the absence of architects to design the beleaguered megaproject to its list of woes.

 

Klein Applauds Governor on Cigarette Tax Law

 New York, NY -- Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) applauded Governor Paterson who signed a bill (A11258A/ S 8146-B) to curb the sale of untaxed cigarettes to Indian retailers in violation of the cigarette tax laws of New York State . As a long time advocate for the collection of taxes on cigarettes sold by Native Americans to non-Native Americans, which is illegal despite a state policy of non-enforcement, Klein was particularly gratified by the Governor's move: