Yonkers Insider Online Newspaper Publisher Delfim Heusler
(White Plains, NY) – In testimony submitted on Wednesday, July 9 before the New York State Public Service Commission, New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer emphatically urged the PSC to reject Con Edison’s proposal to increase its rates – which would increase delivery revenues for electricity by 18% and gas delivery revenues by 18.8% – over the next three years.
“[This increase is an] unacceptably large percentage at any time, but particularly while the cost of living is, frankly, unaffordable to thousands of Westchester residents. The requested increase in electric delivery revenues would mean an average residential monthly delivery bill increase of $26.60 (a 19.1% increase), while the requested increase in gas delivery revenues would mean a total monthly gas bill increase of about $46.42 (a 25.1% increase) for the typical residential customer. I urge you to reject the increases,” Senator Mayer said in her testimony.
Senator Mayer represents the 37th Senate District in Westchester, where the vast majority of her over 300,000 constituents are dependent on Con Edison for their utilities. The four Westchester public hearings were granted at the request of Senator Mayer and many of her colleagues in the New York State Legislature, including Senator Pete Harkcham (SD-40) and Assembly Members Chris Burdick (AD-93), Mary Jane Shimsky (AD-92), and Dana Levenberg (AD-95), as well as Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
My constituents currently do everything possible to reduce their energy usage to lower their bills, including living on one floor rather than two; setting their thermostat too low for comfort; leaving their home cold when they’re away, all to try to save funds — but to no avail. Because their delivery charges are two or three times as high as the supply costs and there is nothing they can do to change that.”
Second, Senator Mayer addressed Con Edison’s 51 consecutive annual dividend increases and the tremendous financial gain Con Edison shareholders have received over the past several years. “Given the dire situation faced by many Con Edison ratepayers and the fact that Con Edison is a regulated utility that has a monopoly in our service area, I believe it is the obligation of the PSC under the law to place the concerns of ratepayers over excessive returns to shareholders,” Senator Mayer said.
Third, the process in which rates are set must be revamped to significantly limit the ability of utilities to obtain unreasonable profits at the expense of ratepayers.
Senator Mayer continued in her testimony, “Judging from Con Edison’s financial statements as well as executive pay, their profits are already high enough. The company is asking for a 10.1% return on equity, more than any New York utility has received in 30 years, and significantly higher than the already too high 8.8% return on equity approved in 2020, and the 9.25% return on equity approved in 2023.”
“I call once again on the Public Service Commission to (1) reject any rate increase, (2) scrutinize all operating costs, especially utility management salaries and other costs, to protect ratepayers, (3) reject any proposal for a deadband or earnings sharing mechanism in settlement negotiations which unfairly result in utility companies keeping excess profits, and (4) stick resolutely and far more proactively to your legal mandate to protect all New Yorkers.”
In her testimony, Senator Mayer highlighted three points – first, affordability. In Senator Mayer’s district, 20% of households have incomes of less than $50,000 a year, another 20% make under $100,000, and almost 20% are seniors, many living on fixed incomes. “Middle to upper middle income constituents are also increasingly being pushed to the limit and face a crisis of affordability that you cannot ignore,” Senator Mayer said.
And next Saturday!
Untermyer Performing Arts Council UPAC
.png)
This week, we partnered with the Yonkers Fire Department, Yonkers Parks and Yonkers Police Department to deliver some relief to our kids during this sweltering heat.
Did you know, our fire department has a device called "The Turtle?" It's used to put out lithium battery car fires, but it can also be used as a sprinkler. That's exactly what we did at Unity Park this week!
This month, we celebrate our parks! Join us on Saturday, July 12, for Yonkers Parks Day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are making it a throwback to 1975 with entertainment, arts and crafts, and food from fifty years ago.
Have a great weekend!
MIKE SPANO
Mayor
YOU’RE INVITED TO A SUMMER BARBECUE!
Join us for an evening of great food, drink, music, good company, and community spirit — all in support of the Re-Election Campaign of Councilmember Anthony J. Merante.
Thursday, August 7 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Anthony Maggiacomo Lodge, 885 Midland Ave., Yonkers, NY 10704 RSVP online:https://secure.anedot.com/friends-of-anthony-merante/summer-bbq
Contributions payable to: Friends of Anthony Merante 2070 Central Park Ave Yonkers, NY 10710 📞 914-546-7040 📧 info@MeranteForYonkers.com
We hope to see you there!
Paid for by Friends of Anthony Merante.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Hon. Corazon Pineda-Isaac
40 South Broadway, Suite 414
Yonkers, NY 10701
(Tel) 377-6312
(Email) corazon.pineda.isaac@yonkersny.gov
%20(1)-images-0%20(2).jpg)
%20(1)-images-1%20(2).jpg)
%20(1)-images-2%20(2).jpg)
%20(1)-images-3%20(2).jpg)
%20(1)-images-4%20(2).jpg)
.jpg){kind=small}
Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Fire Commissioner William Fitzpatrick, Yonkers Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone and members of the Yonkers Fire Department will set up “The Turtle,” a specialized sprinkler at Unity Park for local kids and the community to get a break from the heat on Wednesday, July 9 at 12:30 PM at Unity Park on 104 Elliot Avenue.
The Turtle, provided by the Yonkers Fire Department, will operate at Unity Park from 10:30 AM-1 PM.
Less than one week away…
This year’s entertainment is generously sponsored by The Tara Circle, Inc. in recognition of the life-long commitment to the Irish community demonstrated by AIAW Vice President Bob Stauf.
Bob Stauf has been deeply involved in the Irish-American community serving as a former president and board chairman of the AIAW, of which he has been an active member for more than 40 years. Additionally, he was an activist with Former Congressman Eliot Engel in the Northern Ireland peace process as well as a member of the Irish American Unity Conference and chairman of the Yonkers Mayor’s Irish Committee on Irish Affairs. Among many other roles, Stauf is a member of the AOH Myles Scully Division #1 Yonkers, president of the Yonkers Third Precinct Police Community Council and was a longtime board member and former chair of the Board of Directors of the Tara Circle.
AIAW President Maeve Scott said “We are excited about this year’s Irish Heritage Day Event and look forward to a great day of Irish music, dance and entertainment.
About The Tara Circle, Inc.
The Tara Circle was formed in 1992 with the aim to promote and preserve Irish culture, history and heritage through arts, education, athletics and music. It has provided grants as well as sponsored classes and events related to Irish music, dance, history, language, art and literature. The Tara Circle is proud to support the American Irish Association of Westchester’s Irish Heritage Day and delighted to do so this year in honor of Bob Stauf who retired from the Board of Directors this past January after numerous years of dedicated service to the organization and the Irish-American community.
.jpg)
(Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YONKERS MAYOR SPANO APPOINTS NEW COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT AND RECRUITING OFFICER.
Community Member & Job Readiness Trainer Effie Phillips to Lead Yonkers Diversity & Equity Recruitment Efforts.
YONKERS, NY – July 7, 2025 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced his appointment of community member and job readiness trainer Effie Phillips as the City’s new Community Advancement and Recruitment Officer. Phillips will serve as a strategic advisor on equity-related hiring practices and strategies to attract, hire, and retain a diverse municipal workforce.
"In Yonkers, equity and inclusion are not just values—they are action steps,” said Mayor Spano. “I am confident Effie’s expertise as a job readiness trainer and active community volunteer will continue to diversify Yonkers’ talented workforce and best reflect the community in which we serve.”
Phillips will work closely with the Mayor’s Office, Human Resources, department leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure equity is embedded throughout the City’s recruitment and community outreach efforts.
Effie Phillips stated, “I knew I always wanted to make a difference in Yonkers. This opportunity, working alongside Mayor Spano and his team, will make that possible. Yonkers, let’s continue be the change we want to see in the world!”
Effie Phillips joins the City of Yonkers with 20 years of case management experience with job placement, human resources and community program oversight. Recently, Phillips served as an Election Inspector Coordinator for the Westchester County Board of Elections, where she trained poll inspectors and monitored human resource information and documentation. Previously, she worked for U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel in which she managed constituent services and local issues for the Congressional district. Additionally, Phillips was a case manager and job readiness trainer for the Urban League of Westchester and Westhab. As a community leader, Phillips is the Vice President of the National Council of Negro Women-Hudson Valley Section, a lifetime member of NAACP, Yonkers Branch and member of the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee. Phillips attended Mercy College where she studied Organizational Management.
Statement from Yonkers City Councilmember Anthony Merante 6th District:
🎉 THANK YOU TO MPAC FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! 🇺🇸
(Photos by Brooke Nicole)
We had a wonderful time at the Veterans and Seniors BBQ, hosted by the Mediterranean Political Action Committee (MPAC). It was a meaningful afternoon filled with great food, great company, and a shared sense of pride in our community and country.
MPAC, founded by community leader and my friend, John Khader, is a grassroots civic and political organization based in Yonkers. Their mission is to promote social justice, civic engagement, and equal representation—especially for communities that have historically been underrepresented in local government. We’re proud to stand alongside MPAC in celebrating our veterans, seniors, and the diverse voices that make Westchester strong.
Arab American Heritage Day Sunday, July 20th, 2025 Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale, NY 10530 12 PM – 7 PM Join us for an unforgettable celebratio...
