Yonkers Tribune

Does Your Vote Matter (Part I) By Vox Populi

First things first; Yonkers is a one party city. It has shared interests. The interests shared are favor, patronage, and contributions. Those who rule and share are a special group. They are at once visible and also behind the scenes. They control money or the party vote- getting apparatus or sometimes both. Real discussions are quiet and not public. Self interest is the essence of operations. Business is expensive. No business is more expensive. Few are involved, yet many are called upon, and used. Elections are costly, but Primaries would be costlier.

Infuriating the Public By Hezi Aris

   The sun is setting on three term limited members of the Yonkers City Council. The City Council President, eligible to be reelected, faces a challenger, possibly two. The Mayor of Yonkers is designated a “lame duck.” The days of his government are waning; he is in search of a legacy. Yonkerites are being coaxed out of a lethargic slumber by the scandals that have amassed over the years. Our meek demeanor is infused with bravado only seen when we perceive a scandal in the making. Yonkers flirts within boundaries few recognize; it is an insider’s game. Most will need 30 plus years residence to play. Yonkers is rarely sullied by large-scale corruption. Our forte is slow, plodding, and methodic. We have learned to enrage each other but only to a point. We have become adept at pushing each other’s buttons and retreating when necessary.

NYS Senator Thomas Duane to Present Marriage Equality Announcement

Albany, NY --With less than one month remaining in the Legislative Session of 2009, Senator Thomas K. Duane, the lead sponsor of the marriage equality bill (S.4401) in the Senate, will hold a marriage equality press event with same-sex couples from throughout New York State on Monday at 12:00 Noon on the steps in ‘The Well’ at the Legislative Office Building. 

John Rubbo's Campaign for Real Change

Candidate Offers New Ideas, Fresh Approach and Aspiring Vision for Yonkers

Yonkers, NY -- On Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 12:00 Noon, at the Dunwoodie Golf Course in Yonkers, John Rubbo will declare his candidacy for Yonkers' 4th City Council District, announcing his intention to primary on the Republican Party line. After serving the people of Yonkers for the past six years as a public affairs liaison in the Office of the Mayor of Yonkers, John Rubbo, 27 years-old, will put his strong community ties and organizational knowledge and skill to work in the City Council, offering new ideas, a fresh approach and aspiring vision for a city that too many times gets mired in old time political fights and seems left behind in a changing world asserted John Rubbo. "Yonkers must prosper and not merely survive. We must embrace the changing world and look to diversify the City Council so it can best represent and serve our community as a whole," Mr Rubbo emphasized.

Chuck Lesnick Celebrates 50th Birthday with Fundraising Bash

Yonkers, NY -- Chuck Lesnick will celebrate his 50^th birthday with political supporters over cocktails , buffet dinner, and a show at the Park Hill Racquet Club, 2 Glenbrook Avenue,  Yonkers, NY, on Saturday June 6, 2009, at 7:00p.m. Learn more at www.chucklesnick.net.

Dennis Shephard to Announce Candidacy for 4th Yonkers City Council District

Yonkers, NY -- The Yonkers City Republican designee to represent the 4th Yonkers City Council District will make public announcement of his candidacy on Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., at The Heritage Restaurant, 960 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704. 

Yonkers Mayor Amicone Statement Over Court Verdict Regarding Officer Simoes

"I have always had faith in the justice system.  In this case, a verdict was rendered by twelve people who found that there was no act of excessive force.  I am relieved for Officer Simoes (pictured) and his family, and as always I stand by the men and women of the Yonkers Police Department.” 

-Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone (May 27, 2009)

New York Civic: Barack's Choice By Henry J. Stern

Judge Sonia Nominated,

Gets Widespread Support,

Not Likely to Be Borked.

Two events have just taken place which emphasize the importance of ethnicity in American politics.

Majority Leader Annabi Praises President Obama's Choice of Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice

Yonkers, NY -- Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Sandy Annabi (D – Dist. 2) today issued praise for President Barak Obama’s choice of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for supreme court judge. Annabi cites great pride in the recognition the nomination brings to the local Hispanic population, as a rich pool of enterprising professionals and inspiring leaders who will be well represented by judge Sotomayor.

John Rubbo to Declare Candidacy for 4th City Council District on Saturday

Yonkers, NY -- John Rubbo will kickoff the “Campaign for Real Change” with Team Rubbo by his sideon Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 12:00 Noon at Dunwoodie Golf Course, 1 Wasylenko Lane, in Yonkers, NY.

John Rubbo is running to represent the 4^th City Council District.

Real Estate Committee Working Group Meeting Saturday, May 30th at 9:30 AM

Yonkers, NY -- A Real Estate Committee Working Group Meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers, Yonkers City Hall, 4th Floor. Real Estate Co-Chairs Chuck Lesnick and Patricia McDow advise:”We expect thatmostif notall of this meeting will be in Executive Session.”

The following items will be on the Agenda:

 

60 Area Firms to Lose Empire Zone Designation

Yonkers, NY --  Twenty-five Yonkers businesses and thirty-five Mount Vernon businesses face possible loss of Empire Zone certification. The ones found on the list delineated below are thought to no longer remain qualified to receive tax breaks designed to encourage job creation and business growth. Of the 8,000 companies in the program, 6,400 remain qualified.  

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Malfunction

Buchanan, NY -- The Indian Point power plant experienced the second malfunction within the past two weeks this morning; the third over the past three months.  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officials advised the 5:30 a.m. occurrence took place when "a high vibration condition was detected on a main feedwater pump" in reactor Unit 3 which triggered a "high-level alarm," thereafter the shutdown.

Yonkers 2009 Republican City Committee Convention Results By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY --  The Yonkers Republican City Committee held its Nomination Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the Asbury Methodist Church among approximately 150 attendees. The proceedings were conducted by Chair John Jacono, with Parliamentarian Guy Parisi, and witnessed and votes tabulated by Steve Levy and an assistant with whom I am not acquainted.

 

Jim Castro-Blanco Interview on the On the Level with Hezi Aris Radio Showon WVOX-1460 AM - MP3

Download OTL 052609-Maestro James SadewhitL (R) - James Castro-Blanco, Esq. (R).