Yonkers, NY -- Yonkers Third District Councilmember Joan Gronowski is calling upon the city administration to cancel all upcoming parades and festivals in the City of Yonkers for the 2010 fiscal year, unless they can be independently funded by the sponsoring organization.
Ms Gronowski cited Mayor Amicone’s cancellation of the city’s July 4th fireworks celebration as the rationale, noting that the mayor cited the anticipated costs of overtime for city employees as a prime factor. Ms Gronowski stated, “If this celebration of our nation's independence was sacrificed for budgetary reasons, then all other parades and festivals which depend upon the provision of city services at taxpayer expense, should be canceled as well”.
On July 9th, Ms Gronowski sent an email to the administration, requesting information as to funding sources of all upcoming public community events, asking how these costs would be reimbursed to the city, since the July 4th event was canceled due to budget constraints. She has received no response to date.
Gronowski further stated, “My office has been inundated with demands for the return of foot patrols and other police presence in many areas of the third district. I do realize the significance of the various parades and community festivals which proudly take place in our city, but the unfortunate economic climate calls for us to prioritize our spending, which first and foremost should be for the day-to-day safety and quality of life of our residents.”
