EXCLUSIVE: Changing of the Guard at City Hall By HEZI ARIS
YONKERS, NY – July 25, 2012 -- Yonkers Tribune has learned there has been a changing of the guards at Yonkers City Hall. Sharon Ebert, Deputy Commissioner Planning & Development has lost her position due to a re-organization which will eventually be divulged.
Lorraine and Elliot Palais’ son-in-law, Brian Neider, was arrested and removed from his employ as a maintenance worker whose responsibilities were demanded at the Cacace Justice Center. He was arrested for allegedly stealing from a locked draw in which Police Benevolent Association funds were kept. It is further alleged that similar occurrences have taken place for about a year’s time but that this is the first time video footage of his conduct is revealed.
Jerry Mazie, employed in General Services, and a very good friend of former Yonkers Fire Commissioner Anthony Pagano, is said to have signed an agreement whereby he would not imbibe alcohol. Yet when undergoing a urinalysis test, the test revealed cocaine in his urine. Mr Mazie was likewise dismissed from his employment.
Another couple of 100 to go and that will get a balanced budget. It's the only way. Amazing that Amicone allowed all of the nonsense to happen and never held anyone accountable. Not saying that SpaNO is doing it for the right reasons either. Will positions be filled with members of the FF Club? or will they not be filled at all, which is more appropriate in this economic enviroment.
Posted by: Tea Party | July 25, 2012 at 23:56
I don't know much about the two guys but Sharon Ebert will be missed. She is a consumate professional and was forced out duee to patronage politics. She was one of Amicone's best appointments and was the substance behind Lou Kirven and now Jeff Williams.
Posted by: What a shame | July 26, 2012 at 00:15
She was initially made acting commissioner but was passed over when Jeff Williams was brought in, so clearly the administration was not confident in her from the beginning. She is also the only remaining member of the senior management team that was responsible for the hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars in 108 loans that are now in default and which are under review by the Inspector General.
This move should not be surprising. It is a logical move for an administration that wants its own team to carry out the essential function of revamping the City's development program. We should wish her well, but not second guess what happened.
Posted by: observer | July 26, 2012 at 07:52
It's laughable when I see or hear mayor mike spano
Posted by: Hispanos y Spano | July 26, 2012 at 08:46
Which newly appointed Assistant Fire Chief quit when he was told there is no paid overtime???? Such devotion to the job!!!
Posted by: YFD One | July 26, 2012 at 08:47
Observer, you are so wrong about Ms. Ebert and the 108 loans. With the exception of the most recent bailout loan to SFC, all of the 108 loans were actually closed before Sharon was hired in May, 2008 and some were even already in default. If you follow this site, you should know who made those deals and they are all long gone. Nobody left to blame so she took the hit.
What she responsible for is millions of investment in the downtown, including a hand in the daylighting, the new apt. building and storefront rehab on Warburton, the new garage next to Philipse Hall, the recent $8 mil additional dayiighting $$, the new downtown zoning and much more. You may not believe in downtown revitalization but it was her job and she did it better than anyone before her. She will be missed and not easily replaced.
Posted by: I was there | July 26, 2012 at 10:03
With the exception of the recent bailout loan to SFC??? Would that be the same SFC that has failed to deliver on its obligations to the City? It doesn't sound like that should be an "exception" at all.
Your take on the recent $8 million in daylighting dollars to the City is also interesting, in that most people seem to think it resulted from some fairly intense lobbying by the administration with the Governor and Legislature. But glad to hear it was actually Ms. Ebert who made it all happen. That will no doubt assist her in her job search.
Not be be flip about it, but downtown development has stalled, and many of the deals made in previous years just are not working. Everyone knows that, and it does not seem to be an unusual move to replace the number two person who has been involved in managing those deals for the past several years.
Posted by: observer | July 26, 2012 at 10:39
Yes but Marty Peterson is still collecting his $200,000
for his fixed civil service test
Posted by: honest abe | July 26, 2012 at 15:50
How do you figure his salary at $200,000? I think its more like $85,000.
Posted by: BO | July 26, 2012 at 17:38
And all of this is bringing in how much to the City in tax dollars?
Posted by: Tea Party | July 26, 2012 at 18:59
Sharon was a good communicator, getting opposing sides to find common ground, and articulating that for the administration. She was pragmatic, and progressive, and aware of the best sustainable practices available for development. In the end, she was too much under the hand of some local activists, to do their every bidding. One activist in particular used her name a lot all around town. Terry Joshi would say, "Sharon Ebert has decided..." as if Terry were Sharon's spokesperson. It was not a very good situation.
Posted by: Observer | July 26, 2012 at 20:00
We all know that this was a power grab by Wilson Kimball who has been sleeping with Nick Spano's business partner Jim Cavenaugh since their days at Battery Park City. It is just one more example of the Spano Administration putting patronage and politics ahead of professionalism.
Posted by: What a shame | July 26, 2012 at 21:19
Ok Bill, calm down.
Posted by: Sick of Amicone | July 26, 2012 at 21:47
Let's see, so far the Spano Administration has closed an $89 million budget gap, stayed within the property tax cap, auctioned off the cars that commissioners used to drive, got Chuck Schumer to agree to help with downtown development, and for the first time in memory told the unions they have to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Yeah, they are really doing a terrible job all right. No way they should be replacing the Amicone crew.
Posted by: Get real | July 26, 2012 at 22:01
this is all nonsense
Ebert was the proponent behind Amicones SFC bullshit
the zoning that is attributed to her is arguably "selective zoning" with serious potential lawsuits.
what i want to know: is why in all these years this editor has not taken the DWBID to task.
these *incompetent imbeciles* sent approximately $1million in grant money back to the state rather than engage a downtown community for local development.
this is beyond the fact that the BID uses city services to support their 6 figure salaries.
why? because its all tied together.
Posted by: let me know hezi | July 27, 2012 at 01:00
yes and i'll prove it
Posted by: let me know hezi | July 27, 2012 at 01:02
"and for the first time in memory told the unions they have to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem."
You must be kidding me.
Everyone, including Murtagh, Calvi, Martinelli and even Amicone said this. Spano simply did it with a smile and a slap on the back. And look where it has got him. The union bosses are not terribly happy with him either, now that Spano has gone to them for concessions just as any other Mayor would have.
The union smiles are long gone.
Posted by: anon | July 27, 2012 at 09:23
They are not happy? Ask them, The members are overjoyed at how he is running things. The ones thst live in Yonkers. Not the ones that do not. The ones that are running because they have been outed are snakes and they are outed. Finally!!!!!! God Bless the Spano's
It is obvious to the rank and file who is who. The Spano's are doing it and Yonkers is better already for it.
Posted by: Yonkers | July 28, 2012 at 07:28
Great! Now when are they going to get rid of the other complete-wastes-of-a-salary, like Innamorato, Lee Ellman and Mark Russell?
Posted by: Alicia DeBarri | July 28, 2012 at 13:11
Ms. DeBarri is correct in naming those that
should GO next.
Posted by: retired said | July 28, 2012 at 17:23
Lorraine and Elliot Palais’ son-in-law, Brian Neider "stealing"? Apparently the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. There's a reason Lorraine is no longer the president of Lincoln Park tax payers. But that's all hush hush because she might lose her position with the 2nd precinct.
Posted by: Not surprised | July 29, 2012 at 18:11
The real doers in YO are not in a terrible place, rather the blood suckers that live in Boone County are all upset with the goings on. The game is OVER!
Posted by: YPD101 | July 31, 2012 at 22:05
I saw "Two Loaves a Bread Tony" getting into his brand
new Mercedes Benz. Way to go! Not bad for a GARBAGE MAN.
His brother in law was like a Indian Scout shuffling silently around, appearing and disappearing, always listening always scheming. A Head Quarters House Mouse. I heard he took "two loaves a bread" too!
Both are still eating like gavones... munching...and
staring at the rest of the food. Wondering how they can get back at the table.
Posted by: Had Enough of the Bully | July 31, 2012 at 22:20
Why don't you come out with your name, The palais have never stole anything.
Posted by: Brandon | August 07, 2012 at 17:43
Brian Neider has always been a thief. He has a crack problem. That's why he a has no teeth. He is also a gambler. He dumped that PBA money into every Broadway machine in Yonkers.
Posted by: Bergdoff | October 08, 2012 at 17:17