Yonkers Tribune

Perez and Roman are the Guests of the On the Level with Hezi Aris Program

New Rochelle, NY --  Virginia Perez and José Roman, Democrat candidates September 1, 2009 on the WVOX-1460 AM radio dial or by way of audio streaming technology at the www.WVOX.com Website during the On the Level with Hezi Aris program heard from 10:00 am through 11:00 am.

Forest City Announces Loan Extension and Tenants for Ridge Hill

Ridge Hill, Yonkers, NY

Cleveland, OH -- Forest City Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: FCEA and FCEB) today announced that Forest City Ratner Companies, its New York-based subsidiary, has reach an agreement with a 13-member bank group on a two-year extension and modification of the $557 million construction financing for the retail/mixed-use Ridge Hill project, currently under construction in Westchester County, New York.

DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Revenues Drop By 9 Percent So Far This Year

September Back-to-School Shopping A Key Revenue Period 

Audio Available 

Albany, NY -- Local sales tax revenues across New York State, including New York City, were down 8.9 percent, or $640 million, for the first seven months of 2009 compared with same period last year, according to an analysis released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.   

Appointment of a New Inspector General By Philip A. Zisman

Dear Mayor Amicone: 

On August 24, 2009 you informed me that you intend to nominate a new candidate for Yonkers Inspector General – a position that I have held for over 11 years. You offered me the opportunity to resign before you make the formal announcement. Rather than resign; however, I feel compelled to continue to fulfill my obligations to the people of Yonkers, and remain in office until a new IG has been confirmed by the City Council. 

Gronowski Calls for Inspector General's Preview of City of Yonkers Freedom of Information Law (F.O.I.L.) Compliance

Yonkers, NY -- Yonkers Third District Councilmember Joan Gronowski is requesting the Inspector General to undertake a review of the City of Yonkers Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to determine if Yonkers is in compliance with the timely release of information, consistent with FOIL requirements. 

   

Ed Koch Commentary: Illegal Aliens Now in Federal and State Prisons and Municipal Jails Should Be Deported To Their Countries of Origin Immediately By Edward I Koch

I have a proposal which I hope the Obama administration will consider and implement. 

Immediately or as soon as possible the United States should deport all illegal aliens who are now in our federal and state prisons, and in our municipal jails, to their countries of origin.  In 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on the number of illegal aliens incarcerated in the United States.  The report stated, “They were arrested for a total of about 700,000 criminal offenses, averaging about 13 offenses per illegal alien.  One arrest incident may include multiple offenses, a fact that explains why there are nearly one and half times more offenses than arrests.  Almost all of these illegal aliens were arrested for more than 1 offense.  Slightly more than half of the 55,322 illegal aliens had between 2 and 10 offenses.  About 45 percent of all offenses were drug or immigration offenses.  About 15 percent were property-related offenses such as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and property damage.  About 12 percent were for violent offenses such as murder, robbery, assault, and sex-related crimes.  The balance was for such other offenses as traffic violations, including driving under the influence; fraud – including forgery and counterfeiting; weapons violations; and obstruction of justice.  Eighty percent of all arrests occurred in three states – California, Texas and Arizona.  Specifically, about 58 percent of all arrests occurred in California, 14 percent in Texas, and 8 percent in Arizona.”

Amicone or Blamicone? That is the Question By Vox Populi and Dr. Ed U. Cator

Is Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone to blame for that which he is to be held accountable? If we are to hold him responsible, then we can also find fault.

The theme or mantra promoted by Mayor Amicone over the last six years has been economic development, education, and a better, safer Yonkers. He said he would achieve this without partisan politics, with open government, cost savings, and reaping the tax benefits of his guesstimate revenue stream of millions of dollars. This, combined with thousands of new jobs both temporary and permanent would well serve the residents of Yonkers. He, Mayor Amicone, may even become the "little Bloomberg on the Hudson."

EXCLUSIVE: Gang Melee, Blood, Medical Travesty Define Dysfunction in Yonkers By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- Acid-tongued bloggers have advised and confirmed that a melee erupted on Coyle Place last Thursday evening, August 27, 2009, in southwest Yonkers. The disorder was of such magnitude that both the Third and Second Yonkers Police Precincts were engaged in responding to the scene, causing those precincts to be diminished in their capacity to respond to any other incidents that could have conceivably occurred at the same time in a timely fashion. Worse still, the gangs embroiled in the melee, when challenged to cease and desist when physically challenged caused blood to be spilled on the ground but also on many of the dozen police officers that responded, The confrontation was dangerous enough; the aftermath was unconscionable.

Ramrod Amicone Has Selective Memory By Anthony Merante

In the Monday, August 24, 2009 Journal News article “Ridge Hill to oOpen in 2011” Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone criticized project opponents for delaying the start of the construction. I take great exception to that remark.  The Mayor has forgotten that the action taken was in response to a ram rod approach to push the project through. As one of the so called “opponents” I wanted answers to many unresolved issues surrounding the project.  I could not allow Yonkers to sign an agreement with a seasoned developer without having those issues addressed up front and in writing.  Would you let a contractor perform a major job on your home without your requirements in writing?  I don’t think so. 

Yonkers Police Department Blotter for August 27, 2009 By Detective Sergeant Patrick McCormack

Yonkers, NY -- On 8/27/2009, at 23:40 hrs, Police responded on a report of shots being fired in the vicinity of the basketball courts of Cottage Place Gardens. Upon their arrival they found several shell casings near the basketball courts. Units were advised that a female was now at St John’s Hospital being treated for gun shot wounds. Units responded to St John’s and spoke to a 15 year old female who related that, she was shot in both legs while she was sitting in the basketball courts of Cottage Place Gardens.  

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Detective Division at 377-772.

Bennett Gershman: What's the Excuse for Irma Marquez, Rui Florim, and Kian Khatibi? By Sam Zherka

All Innocent, Yet Prosecuted   

 

Bennett Gershman, the Pace Law professor, has taken the easy way out by assailing Sam Zherka, for exercising his Constitutional right by criticizing nearly every politician in Westchester County, including life-long Republican, District Attorney Janet DiFiore. What Bennett Gershman forgot to mention is that Janet DiFiore, and her husband, Dennis Glazer, who was accused of trying to bribe the Right-To-Life Party candidate for District Attorney, make large contributions to Pace University, and sit on the Board of Directors. In essence Janet DiFiore is Bennett Gershman’s boss.   

Traffic Advisory for Monday, August 31st

Water Main Work to Affect Traffic on Saw Mill River Rd. Beginning Mon., Aug. 31

Temporary traffic detour for southbound traffic only lasting 48 - 72 hours

Yonkers, NY --  On Monday, August 31, the City Engineering Department will begin water main repair work on Saw Mill River Road between Lake & Ashburton Avenues. Work will continue for 48 - 72 hours, possibly lasting through Wednesday, September 2. 

A Community Garden Grows in Yonkers By Rick Magder

Yonkers, NY -- While gardening clubs can take on many forms, from ladies who lunch to heirloom seed swaps, here in Yonkers members of Groundwork Hudson Valley and Greyston Foundation's newest community garden club will have their first of many meetings a la charcoal grill with whatever's in season topping the menu.

Documents Show Ratner and NY State Provide No Guarantees for Atlantic Yards Affordable Housing

Brooklyn, NY --  Journalist Norman Oder, on his Atlantic Yards Report, shows today that there are no guarantees that developer Forest City Ratner will build the 2,250 units of affordable housing promised for the Atlantic Yards development proposal in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. There are no guarantees that the developer will build any affordable units at all.

Yonkers Police Department Blotter By Detective Sergeant Patrick McCormack

Yonkers, NY -- On 08-26-09 at approximately 11:02 p.m., a 911 call was received from a witness relating that a male had been robbed in the area of Ashburton Avenue.  Units immediately canvassed the area and P.O. John Daugherty and P.O. Robert Santobello, of the Street Crime Unit located the victim, a 21 year old male area resident.  The victim related that two black males had approached him and brandished a knife.  The victim was told to give them his money (approximately $90.00) and iPod, and the victim complied.