Yonkers Tribune

New York Civic: Baying at the Moon By Henry J. Stern

 Reformers Frustrated by Legislative Inaction But They Keep Trying

The recurring theme in many of these columns in recent months has been the weakness of state government, particularly in the legislature.  Without revisiting the muck of corruption, favoritism and self-dealing (and the mire of fiscal irresponsibility), we turn our attention to what can be done about the situation.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Announces Legislation to Protect Cyclists Advances in State Senate

 Albany, NY -- On Tuesday, April 27th, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District- NY) announced the Senate Transportation Committee passed legislation (S6620) that will establish protections for cyclists. In January, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins introduced the bill requiring a three-foot buffer zone between a motor vehicle passing a cyclist proceeding in the same direction on a highway. 

Lowey Statement on Expected Visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad

 Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, today released the following statement regarding Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Yonkers Police Department Blotter - April 30, 2010 By Detective Sergeant Patrick McCormack

 Yonkers, NY -- April 30, 2010 -- On 04/29/10 at approximately 8:00 p.m., members of the Narcotics / Gang unit were conducting a narcotics investigation in the area of Ash Street and Oak Street.  A female (later identified as Melvina Barleha) was subsequently stopped and found to be in possession of 27 zip lock bags of PCP and 57 grams of Phencyclidine liquid contained in a clear jar.  Entry was made into a residence in the area based on this arrest and an additional 130 grams of Phencyclidine in a clear jar was recovered. The approximate street value of this contraband is $10,000.00 depending on how it is packaged for sale.

US Economy Grows 3.2% in First Quarter

 The Financial Times report the US economy continued to grow at a healthy clip in the first three months of the year, as measures to stimulate output spurred spending and helped the recovery gain momentum. 

Gross domestic product grew at an adjusted annual rate of 3.2 per cent in the first quarter, Department of Commerce figures showed on Friday. That was slightly weaker than Wall Street analysts had expected and followed 5.6 per cent growth in the fourth quarter of last year. Read The Financial Times' reporter Alan Rappeport in New York article >>>

Exclusive to the Yonkers Tribune: New Roc City and Target By Geoff Thompson

The following statement is from Cappelli Enterprises Inc. with regard to New Roc City and Target as a future retail tenant of that property exclusive to the Yonkers Tribune. 

"Target’s contract to be a tenant technically expired because our banks had not yet approved the transaction and as a result construction on the new retail space at New Roc City could not commence by the committed date of March 31 of this year as we had planned.  Target has, however, requested that we leave the contract open into May. This will allow the company’s executive board to personally review the potential space.  We have had very positive discussions with Target and are hopeful that we will reach agreement on a renewed contract that will allow Target to become a major player in the exciting new retail complex that will open at New Roc City. 

BxM4C Express Bus Service to Continue Under New Proposal

   Plan Would Reduce Frequency of Route This Year and Help Reduce Projected Budget Deficit    

White Plains, NY -- April 29, 2010 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino (left) today announced a compromise plan to save the county’s BxM4C express bus to Manhattan but still save county taxpayers about $1.1 million this year and $2.5 million annually beginning in 2011.

Gillibrand Submitted $27 Million to Be Funded for Yonkers By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- April 29, 2010 -- Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone admonished United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand when he said, “'Stop election year grandstanding and start delivering for Yonkers.” [Read the April 26, 2010, Press Release: Yonkers Mayor Amicone to Senators Gillibrand and Stewart-Cousins: 'Stop Election Year Grandstanding and Start Delivering for Yonkers'] The junior senator has submitted $27 million to be funded for the benefit of the City of Yonkers.Read about the projects slated for funding:

DiNapoli Audit Identifies Revenue Opportunities for Mount Vernon

 New York state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

Albany, NY -- April 29, 2010 -- Due to an inefficient system to collect money owed to it, the City of Mount Vernon missed out on approximately $550,000 in revenue from unpaid rental, utility and PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) payments, and parking fines, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.  The audit, requested by city Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr.(pictured right), covered the period January 2008 to February 2009. 

The Hezitorial: Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone Cancels Memorial Day Parade By Hezi Aris

“The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” is a Dr. Seuss classic. Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone’s decision not to hold a Memorial Day Parade in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep this nation free is a travesty. It is unconscionable that Mayor Amicone would submit to wrapping himself in the “Red, White, and Blue” when it suits him but remains silent and aloof about a "so-called" decision made a month ago to cancel the parade in 2010. Mayor Amicone did not serve in any of the armed forces. He was blessed to have survived the horrors of war that took place in many battlefields abroad while countless men and women spilled their life's blood or returned maimed and disfigured to maintain The People’s freedoms.

Southbound Bronx River Parkway Lane Closures in Yonkers

 Yonkers, NY -- April 29, 2010 -- Two southbound Bronx River Parkway lanes will be closed between the Bronx River Parkway/Sprain Brook Parkway merge and Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers on Thursday, April 29 and April 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   

Former Treasurer of Mount Vernon Co-op Complex Charged with Grand Larceny

 White Plains, NY --  April 28, 2010 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Mary Mancuso (DOB 7/19/57) of 8 Topland Road, Hartsdale, New York, has been charged with:  

Legislature Needs to Stay in Albany Until a Budget is Finalized By Assemblyman Mike Spano

 “The Governor has stated that beginning next week, the Legislature will be kept in the Capitol for five-day sessions. I say that is not good enough and instead of us returning to work in our districts today, we need a different approach alike the process of electing a Pope.  

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Latimer Advises Governor Expected to Sign Third-party Notification Bill

 Albany, NY -- April 28, 2010 -- Assemblyman George Latimer's bill to provide senior citizens with the ability to designate third-party notification provisions on health care insurance policies is before Governor Paterson, awaiting his signature into law. "We believe the Governor will sign the bill into law today, or in the next day or two - and seniors will gain an important protection", Latimer stated. The legislation (A.217/S.5456) was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. (D-Bronx), and passed both legislative houses earlier in 2010 by large margins.