Yonkers Tribune

Fragrant Harbor BY Barbara Barton Sloane

News and Views of the Big Lychee

Hong Kong means fragrant harbor, and the narrow body of water which separates Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula is known as Victoria Harbor – one of the deepest natural maritime ports in the world. This harbor is Hong Kong’s most famous tourist attractions and ranks as the best skyline in the world.  Four of the 15 tallest skyscrapers in the world are here.

The Hezitorial: Yonkers Version of Catch Me If You Can BY Hezi Aris

In times of trouble it seems prudent, perhaps urgent that health insurance costs be borne minimally by an employee. A 15 percent contribution won praise for being fair. The rationale made headway among some but not others. In Yonkers, the Yonkers Police Department had been doing it for years; so too the Yonkers Fire Department. Accusatory finger pointer Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone demanded it of everyone but has forgotten to logically demand it from the non union represented personnel that reside within City Hall. They will not contribute to lighten the financial woes that consume all of Yonkers. The paradox of the City of Yonkers are the accepted parallel universes that define the City. Mayor Amicone lords over everything Yonkers feigning little or no influence over the Yonkers Board of Education (YBoE). Mayor Amicone prefers to have Yonkers Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio “independently” replicate scenarios of deflection, disparity, and disdain within his alleged realm. The gig is up for both.We see you!

India Flag Raising: Jana Gana Mana - National Anthem - Yonkers August 7, 2010

Yonkers, NY, July 31, 2010 -- Celebrate India on August 7, 2010, at 10 am, when Yonkersites raise the flag of India to celebrate India's Independence day won on August 15, 1947.

 

Statement of Rick Lazio on Steve Levy's Endorsement of Him

New York, NY - Rick Lazio, the Republican and Conservative candidate for Governor, issued the following statement today in reaction to receiving the endorsement of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy:

Endorsement of Lazio Ends Levy’s Bid for Governor

YONKERS, NY, July 30, 2010 --Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy ended his quest by governor of the state of New York by endorsing GOP governor designee Rick Lazio, saying he "will work hard toward accomplishing many of the goals I set out in my campaign." What follows is his entire statement.

Weir Only Human: Destroying America from Within BY Bob Weir

There must be millions of people around the world who look at our country and wonder if we are experiencing the last gasps of an empire in decline. When radical Islam attacked and killed close to 3000 Americans, in their workplace, on their own soil nine years ago, the world waited for a response that was expected to be cataclysmic. After all, as President Kennedy said in his inaugural speech: “Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger, ended up inside.” When JFK spoke those words in 1961, only 15 years after the US won its second world war, we were the tiger of the world. Yes, the cold war was still part of the national dialogue, but we felt secure in the knowledge that we would outlast the Soviet threat and continue to prosper. When the Berlin Wall came down and the USSR was dismantled, it seemed like a continuation of Manifest Destiny; as though America was uniquely positioned to spread democracy throughout the world. As the mightiest nation in history, no country stood a chance against us. The closest strike on our interests around the world had been the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Our response to that murderous raid culminated in the atomic bombings of 2 Japanese cities 4 years later.

Yonkers Property Tax Billing Information

YONKERS, NY, July 30, 2010 -- The City of Yonkers Department of Finance is preparing City Property Tax Bills to be mailed city-wide over the next few days since gaining approval for Mayor Phil Amicone’s FY2010- 2011 Operating Budget by the New York State Comproller a few days ago.. The city real estate property taxes are paid in three equal installments. The first installment payment is due on Tuesday, August 24, 2010. Please see below for a list of installment due dates and payment options.

Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Development Corporation Board of Directors Meet BY Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY, July 30, 2010 -- Yesterday, the members of the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Development Corporation met in session at the Yonkers Mayor’s Conference room at 5:00 pm. Some of the issues were mundane in nature, other issues were of vital importance.

Yonkers Deputy Mayor Regan to Retire Aug. 11th and to be Rehired the Next Day

YONKERS, NY, July 30, 2010 -- Journal News reporter Ernie Garcia today reported that Deputy Mayor William Regan will retire from public service August 11 and be rehired the next day at a fraction of his salary.

Yonkers Police Department Blotter - July 30, 2010 BY Det. Sgt. Patrick McCormack

YONKERS, NY, July 30, 2010 -- On 07/29/10 at approximately 10:57 a.m., 3rd Precinct Police Officers Edward Acker and Walter Rivera responded to 201 Elm Street on a report of a past robbery. A 16 year old male city resident related that while on his way to Yonkers Middle / High School, he was robbed of his cell phone (approximate value of $340.00). According to the victim, three black males approached the victim near the corner of Spruce Street and Alder Street. One of the suspects (later identified as Darius Moore) asked the victim for the time. When the victim took out his phone to check the time, suspect Moore took the phone and walked away with another male (later identified as David Jones). The victim attempted to get his property back and he was subsequently punched in the chest and knocked down by suspect Jones. The victim was then approached by a third male (an 18 year old male city resident) who offered to get the victim’s phone back for $80.00. The victim responded to an area pharmacy and called the police. The officers canvassed the area for the suspects and in the area of 42 Alder Street the suspects were located. When the officers exited their vehicle, suspect Moore fled the scene and he was subsequently taken into custody by 3rd Precinct Police Officers Jay Engel and Michael Kostewich. Suspect Jones was taken into custody where he was found. Proceeds from the robbery were recovered on one of the suspects. The male who offered to get the victim’s phone back was identified and released after investigation.

Zisman Campaign Responds to Petition Challenge

YONKERS, NY, July 29, 2010 -- As a follow up to his press release yesterday, enclosed please find a copy of a letter that Mr Phil Zisman today hand delivered to the Board of Elections.. In this letter Mr Zisman states his general objections to the challenge filed against his petitions; requests Deputy Commissioner Palazola not participate in the petition challenge to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest; and requests under FOIL copies of Board of Elections rules, policies and procedures related to petition challenges.

Yonkers to Impose New $10 Fee for Use of the JFK Marina Boat Launch

YONKERS, NY, July 29, 2010 -- Starting Sunday, August 1, 2010, the City of Yonkers' Department of Parks will charge a fee of $10 for use of the boat launch at the John F. Kennedy Marina located off of Warburton Avenue at John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive. The boat launch, located at the northwest corner of the park, will remain available for use from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. 

New York Civic: Shameful, Not Criminal BY Henry J. Stern

Budget Deadlock - Day 120

Judge Kaye Flays Gov. Paterson but Finds No Crime Committed

NEW YORK, NY, July 29, 2010 -- The domestic violence scandal that enveloped the Paterson administration last February, and led to his withdrawal from the race for a new term, has turned a corner with the release of a 57-page report from former Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye excoriating Governor Paterson for his intrusion into the case and his disingenuous testimony. Judge Kaye also found fault with the Governor and his lawyers' failure to co-operate with the probe as they had promised.

 

Report of Investigation Into the Response by the New York State Police and Others to a Domestic Incident Involving David W. Johnson, an Aide to the Governor BY Judith S. Kaye

Judge Judith S. Kaye, Independent Counsel to the Office of the Attorney General, today released her final report entitled, "Report of Investigation into the Response by the New York State Police and Others to a Domestic Incident Involving David W. Johnson, an Aide to the Governor."

The Report is available here: http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/july/report.final.pdf

Changing Perspectives at Saab