Yonkers Tribune

Yonkers Corporation Counsel Wants Whisky Rio Off the Premises by Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- Yonkers City Judge Robert Cerrato had decided weeks ago that the Yonkers Parks and Recreation Department had inappropriately seized patio furniture belonging to The Whisky Rio at the end of June. Read Yonkers Tribune article dated July 15, 2009, entitled  The Whisky Rio Resume Operation. The chairs and tables were found gathered one morning ready to  be carted off when photographic record of the action was digitally taken, dissuading the men from carting off the furniture. They chose to chain the furniture instead.When this circumstance was told the Honororable Judge Cerrato, the judge restored the patio furniture to The Whisky Rio, thereby affording The Whicky rio to open their doors to serve the public. In thinking about the judge's ruling, it was recognized that while the Collins Building rent was up to date, the patio area demands an annual payment to the Yonkers Parks and Recreation department. Without any prodding, The Whisky rio sent payment within two days of the inititial ruling by the Honorable judge. When Corporation Counsel came before the Honorable Judge Cerrato yesterday they were not amenable to any conciliatory tone of accommodation requested of both parties by the judge, instead, Corporation Counsel arrogantly demanded The Whisky Rio be shut down that day and that were the Honorable Judge not compliant to their perspective, Corporation counsel would work toward overturning his "restoring" the furniture to The Whisky Rio. The Honorable Judge Cerrato did not cower before Corporation Counsel, instead, he adjourned the case to August 4, 2009.

Yonkers Mayor Amicone's Correspondence with Councilwoman Gronowski Divulged

Yonkers, NY -- A letter dated July 29, 2009, written to Councilwoman Joan Gronowski by Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, was divulged to Yonkers Tribune without Ms Gronowski's knowledge. The letter addressed Ms Gronowski's  recent statements suggesting that taxpayer funded parades and festivals be suspended for the 2010 fiscal year.  (Read the article posted July 19, 2009, in the Yonkers Tribune, entitled "Councilwoman Gronowski Calls for Suspension of Taxpayer Funded Parades and Festivals"). Upon receiving the letter from the mayor today, July 30, 2009,  Ms Gronowski advises she immediately responded  to the mayor, copying only the members of the city council, as they were also on copy for the mayor's letter to her. " I treated the correspondence between the mayor and myself as just that, correspondence between elected officials, not seeking to turn it into a public relations piece behind his back.  Clearly, I was not treated with that same respect.  In all fairness, since the mayor has, once again, discharged the first salvo, I ask that you also print my response to his correspondence, which I delivered to his office personally this afternoon.  Both letters are submitted herewith.  I also ask that this brief explanation be posted in conjunction with the correspondence," concluded Councilwoman Gronowski.

 

Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Annabi Addresses Mayor Amicone's Groundless and Unwarranted Remarks

Yonkers, NY -- Appalled at the name calling the Amicone Administration  has stooped to, City Council Majority Leader Sandy Annabi suggests, "his inflammatory statements are an unwarranted personal attack which smacks of a campaign piece,  reaching the heights of hypocrisy." Read "Mayor Amicone Calls City Council majority Leader Annabi a Fraud on Public safety - UPDATE with Ms Annabi's Initial Response" posted earlier today, Thursday, July 30, 2009, on the Yonkers Tribune. Majority Leader Annabi asserts "the budget problems are due to Amicone’s historical fiscal mismanagement, and cites repeated New York State Comptroller admonitions as proof. (Read the "Yonkers Budget as Analyzed by NYS Deputy Comptroller William P. Reynolds" posted in the Yonkers Tribune on July 24, 2009).

Westchester Conservative Alert State Party Chairman Long to Need for a Criminal Investigation

"... Appears to be Outright Fraud in Westchester." -  Westchester Conservative Party Corresponding Secretary Hugh Fox, Jr.

White Plains, NY -- Members and leaders of the Westchester County Conservative Party, who are alleging in New York State Supreme Court that forged signatures were used to put Westchester County Executive Andy Spano (D) on the Conservative Party line this November, today asked New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long (pictured) to call for a criminal investigation into the matter. 

 

Schorr Letter to Cuomo Over Allegations of Forged Signatures of Conservative Party Proxie Ballots

White Plains, NY -- The letter Dan Schorr, candidate for Westchester County District attorney, sent to New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo asking for an expedited investigation into the allegations of fraud and forged signatures of Conservative Party proxy ballots.

Westchester District Attorney Janet Difiore Receives Endorsement from NYS Association of Chiefs of Police

Organization Praises DiFiore's work as "Outstanding"  

 

White Plains, NY -- Citing her record of accomplishment, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police has endorsed Westchester's District Attorney Janet DiFiore for re-election. The letter on behalf of the President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Chief William Kilfoil, recognizes District Attorney Janet DiFiore's outstanding support of the law enforcement community, as well as her substantial record of accomplishments as the reason for the decision. Quoting from the endorsement letter directly:

 

Mayor Amicone Calls City Council Majority Leader Annabi a 'Fraud' on Public Safety - UPDATE with Ms Annabi's Initial Response

Mayor Amicone Prompted to Rebuke Majority Leader Annabi for Voting Against Funding Police; then Calling for More Police - pictured (Left) is Mayor Amicone vetoing the budget which was later overturned by the Yonkers City Council.Pictured (right) Majority Leader Sandy Annabi.

Yonkers, NY -- "There's a term for people who purport a public image under false pretenses when their actions prove them to be something else: fraud," states the opening line in a press release issued after Noontime today. "And in Yonkers politics, no one meets the definition of a fraud quite like Sandy Annabi," continues the public rebuke by Mayor Phil Amicone.

Corporation Counsel Rubino Endorses General Zisman's Authority to Subpoena Yonkers School District By Hezi Aris

Yonkers City Council Majority Leader and Education Chair Sandy Annabi.

Yonkers, NY -- In email correspondence attributed to Yonkers Corporation Counsel Frank Rubino written to Inspector General Phil Zisman over the authority of the Inspector General to subpoena the Yonkers School District, Mr Rubino writes, "... it is clear that the IG has subpoena powers under the Charter and therefore your action is entitled to support from this office."

Lionizing Mice By Henry J. Stern

Why Politicians Betray Our Trust: Swollen Egos, Varied Temptations

A public figure does have responsibilities beyond those to his family.  He owes something to the people who worked for him, who set aside other opportunities to serve him.  He owes honesty to the people who contributed to his campaign, and he has the further obligation not do anything to embarrass them.  Last, but far from least, is his obligation to the public, to the people who elected him.  They, and not the fatcats whose gifts come in envelopes without return addresses, are his clients.  

Expanded Yonkers - Manhattan Ferry Service to Launch on Monday

Officials Say New Midtown Stop Will Draw More Riders

Yonkers, NY -- The two-year old New York Water Taxi service operating weekdays from the Yonkers Pier to two stops in Lower Manhattan is expanding its service to include a new stop at in Midtown thanks to state economic development funds secured by the city, Mayor Phil Amicone announced today. Acid-tongued bloggers revealed the story on Friday, July 24, 2009: [Empire State Development Corp. to Extend Yonkers - Manhattan Commuter Ferry Service By Hezi Aris]. The expanded service will launch on Monday, August 3. 

Ted Winnicki Announces No City Car for Him

Yonkers, NY -- Ted Winnicki Democrat/Independence candidate for the Yonkers 6th Council District today announced that he will not accept a city vehicle while serving on the Yonkers City Council.

Yonkers Charter Revision Commission Schedules Public Hearing for Undisclosed Reason By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- The Yonkers Webmaster sent a notice at 11:12 AM on July 29, 2009, advising that a Public Hearing has been scheduled by the Charter Revision Commission for August 4, 2009, between 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at City Hall - 40 South Broadway, in the Ceremonial Courtroom - 4th Floor. The reason as to why a public hearing is scheduled has not been publicly divulged, aggressively adhering to the law, yet passively giving no rationale or purpose for the public to attend a meeting about which they are not clued in on the subject matter. Darn those Yonkers Tribune acid-tongued bloggers who have learned that the opaque notice is based upon the solicitation by City Hall of the Charter Revision Commission to neuter the Landmarks Preservation Board.

Astorino Challenges Spano to Vouch for Signatures

"Is Spano Willing to Put His Reputation on the Line?" - Rob Astorino

White Plains, NY -- "If County Executive Andy Spano is so sure that suspicious signatures used to hand him the Conservative Party line in the tight race for Westchester County Executive are valid, and not forgeries, 'he should put his reputation on the line and publicly stand by them,' County Executive candidate Rob Astorino (R-I) today said.

The Devil's Apprentices By Henry J. Stern

Some Take Bribes,

Some Cheat on Wives,

Why Opt for Politics?

Recent stories about dishonest public officials have caused people to wonder whether any are on the level.  We believe that most of them are reasonably honest, but too many are willing, in one way or another, to sell their offices.

Today we turn our attention to Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, who years ago received favorable terms on a mortgage from Countrywide Financial, and whose case was revisited today by the Senate Ethics Committee.  As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Dodd was once in a position to be particularly helpful to Countrywide, an over-extended subprime lender rescued/swallowed by the Bank of America in January 2008.

DiFiore Campaign Issues Statement on Chiefs of Police Endorsement

Statement in Response to Tony Castro's Baseless Accusations

White Plains, NY -- Tracy Everson, DiFiore Campaign Spokesperson, made the following statement today: "Tony Castro's latest unfounded accusations against Janet DiFiore relating to the endorsement of Ms. DiFiore's re-election by the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association reflect his continued hypocrisy over a very significant endorsement that District Attorney DiFiore has twice received and that Tony Castro himself once unsuccessfully sought.

COPS Funding Helps Mount Vernon with $1,877,700 Grant

P hiladelphia, PA -- Congressman Eliot Engel pictured right), an original co-sponsor of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, is pleased to see the U.S. Department of Justice Office award the City of Mount Vernon funding through the COPS Hiring Recovery Program.  Mt. Vernon will receive $1,877,700 to hire 10 additional police officers. This is funding made available by the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The funding award was announced today in Philadelphia by Vice President Joe Biden (pictured left).

Exclusive - Doug Colety Named Republican Commissioner of the Westchester County Board of Elections

White Plains, NY -- Acid-tongued bloggers have advised that Westchester County Republican Committee Chairman Doug Colety has just been named the Republican Commissioner of the Westchester County Board of Elections. Mr Colety replaces former Republican Commissioner Steve Levy. Mr Colety was prodded to remove Mr Levy at the urging of Westchester County Independence Party Chair Dr Giulio Cavallo. Mr Levy was the former Chief of Staff to former NYS Senator Nick Spano. Dr Cavallo was also instrumental in cajoling Mr Colety to fire Rosemary Gannon, Nick Spano's sister-in-law.

Attorney General Cuomo's Public Integrity Bureau Reviewing Castro Complaint

White Plains, NY -- The Tony Castro for D.A. election campaign today issued a statement by which they assert that "New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office is reviewing the complaint made by the Castro campaign that Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore committed official misconduct and the Westchester Chiefs of Police Association broke several state laws in endorsing DiFiore’s re-election bid. "

Schorr Alleges Fraud of Conservative Party Proxy Ballots Warrants DiFiore Appointing Independent Prosecutor

White Plains, NY -- Former prosecutor and candidate for Westchester District Attorney, Dan Schorr (left) today called on Westcster County District Attorney Janet DiFiore (right) to appoint an independent prosecutor to conduct a criminal investigation in response to a lawsuit filed Monday by members of the Conservative Party alleging proxy votes used to endorse Andy Spano and Janet DiFiore on the Conservative Party line were "permeated with fraud."

Conservatives for Astorino Seek Legal Remedy in "Permeated by Fraud" Lawsuit

Allegedly forged signatures and backroom political deals were used to force high-taxing incumbent county executive Andy Spano (D) onto the Conservative Party line this year, according to Conservative Party members and leaders filing suit Monday in New York State Supreme Court in White Plains. White Plains Conservative Party Chairman Eleanor McDonald (center) is pictured here announcing the lawsuit with Conservative Party leaders from around Westchester County. Reform county executive candidate Rob Astorino (R-I) asserts he was supported by 93% of Party leaders at a recent Conservative Party meeting, but questionable proxy ballots-including more than 80 alleged to be forged-were used to allegedly fraudulently hand the Conservative line to Mr. Spano, aggrieved Party members charge. They are seeking to remove Mr. Spano from their line.

White Plains, NY-July 27...A lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court, County of Westchester today, requesting that Westchester County Executive Andy Spano (D-WFP) be removed from November's ballot as a Conservative Party candidate for the office of Westchester County Executive because, among other things, it is alleged that the proxy ballots used to nominate him were "permeated by fraud."

Westchester's Congressional Delegation Endorse DiFiore

Pictured (L-R) are: Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressman Eliot Engel, Westchester County District Attorney Janet diFiore, Congressman John Hall, and Westchester County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Reginald LaFayette.

White Plains, NY -- Westchester's most senior Democratic leader in Congress, Nita Lowey, was joined by colleagues Eliot Engel and John Hall in announcing their support of Westchester's District Attorney Janet DiFiore (pictured). 

Republican Yonkers City Council 4th District Candidates Rubbo and Shepherd are the Guests On the Level with Hezi Aris

New Rochelle, NY --  John Rubbo (left) and Dennis Shepherd (right) are candidates for Yonkers  City Council to represent the 4th District. Mr shepherd is the endorsed Republican candidate; Mr Rubbo is challenging in the Republican Primary. They are our guests this Tuesday, July 28th on the On the Level with Hezi Aris radio show heard live from 10:00 am through 11:00 am on the radio dial or by way of streaming audio at WVOX.1460 AM. Mr Rubbo will be on from 10:00 to 10:30 AM; Mr Shepherd will be on from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. 

Education Committee to Hold Meeting July 28, 2009

Yonkers, NY -- Yonkers City Council Majority Leader and Education Chair Sandy Annabi has advised that an Education Committee Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., 4th floor City Hall.

The following item(s) will be on the Agenda:

Westchester Herald - Volume 4 * Number 147 - July 27, 2009

Click to read:  WHYT #147-Web

Developer Louis Cappelli Survives 8 Hour Emergency Brain Surgery By Hezi Aris

ADDENDUM dated Sunday, July 26, 2009.  See below:

Yonkers, NY -- In the Hamptons on Monday, July 20, 2009, while reaching for the soap dish in the shower stall of his home,  Louis Cappelli suffered a heaviness in his head that caused him to lose consciousness. He had suffered a brain aneurism.that likely ruptured.revealing an arachnoid  map revealed by a CT-scan. Neurovascular surgery is said to have been performed on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.Suggestions that Mr Cappelli will return to work after a ten day recuperative hiatus in hospitable is a premature prognosis. Many people who suffer a brain aneurism may undergo a dissipation of stamina and lack of focus. Yonkers tribune can only wish Mr Cappelli a speedy recovery.