Yonkers Riverfest 2019.

Yonkers Town Hall Meeting on September 12th.

Statement from New York State Assemblyman, Nader Sayegh, 90th District.

This Week In The 90th Assembly District

From the Assemblyman...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. Created by the labor movement in the late 19th century the date became a federal holiday in 1894. Today, Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer, celebrated with parties, parades, BBQ's and more! Let us acknowledge all those who give strong dedication to their work as Labor Day is to pay a tribute to all the people who work every day. All work is very important, so I wish you all Happy Labor Day! Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend and wishing all parents, educators and students a great first week back to school! Nader J. Sayegh NYS Assemblyman, 90th District

Statement from Yonkers Mayor, Mike Spano.

Friends,

As we head into the new school year, it's important to highlight the hard work of our Yonkers Public Schools students. For another year, they have made significant increases in their English Language Arts and Mathematics testing scores.

I congratulate the leadership, staff, and students of the Yonkers Public Schools for more than doubling the statewide average improvement in test scores.

Despite a state funding formula that continues to shortchange our students, our schools again demonstrate their ability to provide a quality education that improves with each year.

MIKE SPANO

Mayor

Attorney General James Seeks Immediate Halt of Trump Administration’s Attempts to Prolong Detention of Children.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2019       Attorney General James Seeks Immediate Halt of Trump Administration’s Attempts to Prolong Detention of Children.    NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration’s new rule circumventing the Flores Settlement Agreement and allowing for the prolonged detention of immigrant children. The states filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration earlier this week to challenge the rule, which eliminates several critical protections guaranteed by the Flores Settlement Agreement. In particular, the prolonged detention risked by the rule would cause irreparable harm to children, their families, and the communities that accept them upon their release from federal custody. The rule’s elimination of the states’ role in licensing care for vulnerable children is another serious concern. In the motion filed before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the coalition urges the court to block the rule while litigation continues. “Every person, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to basic rights and this rule is a clear violation of those rights,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “This attempt to legalize the inhumane detention of children for extended periods not only offends our laws, but also our conscience. We will not allow the Trump Administration to continue this crusade to demonize and degrade immigrants.” In the lawsuit filed earlier this week, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s final rule interferes with the states’ ability to help ensure the health, safety, and welfare of children by undermining state licensing requirements for facilities where children are held. The rule could result in the vast expansion of family detention centers, which are not state licensed facilities and have historically caused increased trauma in children. The rule could also lead to prolonged detention for children, which could result in significant long-term negative health consequences. Based on these concerns, the attorneys general argue the rule exceeds the agencies’ statutory authority and violates both the Administrative Procedure Act and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Flores Settlement Agreement stems from a class action lawsuit filed before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 1985 in response to substandard conditions of confinement for unaccompanied immigrant children. The lawsuit sought to establish standards for how the federal government should handle the detention of minors, including plaintiff Jenny Lisette Flores. In particular, the plaintiffs described conditions that included the use of strip searches, forcing children to share living quarters and bathrooms with adults of the opposite sex, and prolonging the cruel detention of children by preventing their release to non-guardian relatives. Following litigation that moved through the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S.  Supreme Court, the federal government eventually reached a settlement with class counsel in 1997 resulting, among other things, in the: Release of children “without unnecessary delay” to their parents, legal guardians, other adult relatives, another individual designated by parents/guardians, or a licensed program willing to accept legal custody; Placement of children in the “least restrictive setting” appropriate to the minor’s age and special needs; and Establishment of safe and sanitary condition standards for the confinement of children in immigration detention. Joining Attorney General James in seeking the preliminary injunction are the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Community Calendar.

Attorney General James Leads Bipartisan Coalition Fighting for Student Borrowers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2019       Attorney General James Leads Bipartisan Coalition Fighting for Student Borrowers. Loan Servicer ‘Navient’ Hurt Borrowers by Engaging in Deceptive Practices.   State AGs Play Critical Role in Ensuring Student Loan Lenders Follow the Law. NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a bipartisan coalition of 32 attorneys general from around the country in defending the states’ vital ability to enforce state and federal consumer protection laws against student loan servicers. In an amicus brief filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the attorneys general argue that the case brought by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania against student loan servicer Navient for exploiting student loan borrowers should be permitted to go forward in the federal courts. “When student borrowers struggle to make payments on their crushing debts, student loan servicers have an obligation to honestly inform them of the tools they can use to improve their finances, but Navient and many other servicers, instead, preyed upon and exploited these borrowers just to increase their profits,” said Attorney General James. “We must curb these abuses and ensure that student loan servicers comply with both state and federal consumer protection laws. Our bipartisan coalition is fighting to ensure that borrowers are protected, that states’ enforcement powers aren’t superseded, and that servicers can’t evade their legal obligations.” While more than 92-percent of the $1.5 trillion in outstanding student loan debt is owned or guaranteed by the federal government, the day-to-day management of student loans is administered by a variety of private student loan servicing companies that are responsible for collecting payments, enrolling borrowers in specific repayment plans, facilitating the loan’s payoff, collecting on delinquent loans, and otherwise assisting borrowers as issues arise over the lifetime of a loan. Congress intended that these loan servicers “act with honesty and integrity at all times to ensure that the financial aid programs [provided by the federal government] serve the best interests of students.” And state laws ensure that student loan servicers — like any other business – operate honestly in dealing with consumers. However, in 2017, Navient — one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers — was sued by Pennsylvania, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, for engaging in various unfair and deceptive business practices in servicing student loans. These practices included steering borrowers into forbearance rather than more favorable income-based repayment plans, misleading borrowers about when they needed to file annual certifications to remain enrolled in certain repayment plans, and consistently making payment processing errors that resulted in unnecessary fees and penalties. Pennsylvania’s complaint included claims under its state unfair and deceptive business practices statute, as well as under the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). Later that year, in December 2017, Navient moved to dismiss Pennsylvania’s lawsuit by, among other things, arguing that the federal Higher Education Act preempted Pennsylvania’s state-law claims, and that Pennsylvania could not bring claims under the federal CFPA because the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) had already sued Navient. After the district court denied the motion, Navient appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The 32 attorneys general are today supporting Pennsylvania’s lawsuit, which seeks penalties, injunctive relief, disgorgement, and other relief by arguing that states have a substantial interest in protecting their residents from all unfair and deceptive business practices committed by businesses operating within their borders, including federal student loan servicers. Additionally, because consumer protection is and has always been an area of traditional state enforcement and the federal government has for decades welcomed the states’ unique expertise on this matter, Congress never intended to remove the states from their traditional role in protecting their residents from misconduct in the student loan industry. Navient is also wrong to argue that the CFPA limits the states’ authority to bring federal claims in cases where the CFPB has already sued. Joining Attorney General James in filing the amicus brief are the attorney generals of Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Statement from Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Michael Sabatino, 3rd District.

August 29, 2019

  

 Dear Friends,                           

REMINDER TO ALL: 

This coming Tuesday, September 3rd, City Council will be back in session. Tuesday night will be a City Council Rules night; the agenda for which is available on the 'Meetings & Agenda' section of the City of Yonkers website, under the 'Government' tab. (Check this hyperlink for updates.)

For additional questions on City Council Rules proceedings, please call my office at (914)-337-6313, or contact the City Clerk's office for more. 

Best Wishes, 

Majority Leader Michael Sabatino 

Yonkers Insider 2019 Election Desk.

Judge Milligram has received the ranking of "Well Qualified" by the Dutchess County Bar Judicial Screening Committee. It is the highest possible ranking and Judge Milligram is honored to have received it.

Judge Milligram is running for New York State Supreme Court Justice.

Mount Vernon Event on Saturday, August 31, 2019.

This Saturday, The Home Grown Foundation and the City of Mount Vernon will host a school supply drive at Brush Park. All of your donations will be going to these young leaders.

They are still accepting donations for the drive.

MAYOR MIKE SPANO HOSTS 8th ANNUAL “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” DRIVE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  MAYOR MIKE SPANO HOSTS 8th ANNUAL “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” DRIVE.

Nearly 7,500 Backpacks Donated to Yonkers Students in 8 Years.

Mayor Mike Spano’s Backpack to School Donation Drive at Paideia School 24

Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado, City of Yonkers

YONKERS, NY – August 28, 2019 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was joined today at Paideia School 24 by School Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Quezada, Yonkers City Council, Paideia School 24 Principal Kim Davis, Board of Education Trustees and event sponsors to distribute over 400 backpacks filled with school supplies to Paideia School 24 students as part of the Mayor’s annual “Backpack to School” Drive.

Through donations from Yonkers residents, city employees, along with local corporate and nonprofit sponsors including Precision Concierge New York (PCNY), Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Heavenly Productions Foundation, Elite Investigations LTD, Ridge Hill, Rock & Rod’s Collector Car Club, Castle Royale, and Macaroni Kid-Yonkers. Mayor Spano’s annual donation drive has now distributed backpacks and school supplies to nearly 7,500 public school students in the City of Yonkers over the past eight years.

RELEASE: SENATOR MAYER HONORS 18 SENIORS TURNING 100 & MORE AT THE OSBORN.

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

SENATOR MAYER RECOGNIZES 18 SENIORS AT THE OSBORN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY TURNING AT LEAST 100 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

State Senator Shelley Mayer and Chris Ferreri, Chief Operating Officer at The Osborn, presenting Louise Levy a NYS Senate Resolution. Ms Levy will turn 109 on November 1, 2019.

RYE, NY -- On Wednesday, August 28, State Senator Shelley Mayer held a birthday celebration for 18 residents of The Osborn retirement community who are turning 100 or 100+ this year. The centenarians were recognized with New York State Senate Resolutions adopted to commemorate their long and remarkable lives. The celebration was held in The Osborn’s formal dining room where attendees enjoyed cake provided by Senator Mayer.  State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am so glad to co-host this special birthday celebration to honor the long and full lives of 18 seniors turning at least 100 years old this year at The Osborn. As a community, we are grateful for their many contributions and all they have done to enrich the lives of others. Each one of them has an inspiring story and a journey we can learn from. I am honored to present them with NYS Senate Resolutions recognizing their full and joyous years.” “We are so grateful to honor these men and women who have enjoyed such interesting and long lives,” said Matthew Anderson, President & CEO of the Osborn. “While we know that genetics and healthy living play important roles, living in an engaged and vibrant community like The Osborn can also help people live life to the fullest – no matter how old you are!”  Senator Mayer presented each centenarian with a NYS Senate Resolution with family and friends in attendance. The Office of County Executive George Latimer also sent proclamations recognizing each of the centenarians.  Senator Mayer has been representing the 37th Senate District since 2018. The 37th District includes the Town of Rye, among other municipalities on the Sound Shore. During this time, Senator Mayer has worked to connect with residents and seniors to ensure they know they can turn to her office for any assistance they may need such as a late STAR or Enhanced STAR rebate check. Her District Office is located in Port Chester and can be reached at 914-934-5250 or by email at smayer@nysenate.gov.  The Osborn is a continuum of care community located in Rye, New York (www.theosborn.org).

AG James to Education Secretary DeVos: Deliver on the Promise to America’s Public Servants.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2019             AG James to Education Secretary DeVos: Deliver on the Promise to America’s Public Servants. Department of Education data indicates only 864 of 76,002 Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications have been approved. NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James today sent a letter with a coalition of 11 other attorneys general to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging once again that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) provide data to help states address the ongoing problems with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In today’s letter, the coalition raises alarms about the ongoing mishandling of the PSLF program, noting that borrowers may be forced to choose between public service careers and being able to repay their student loans.  “Promises made must be promises kept,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Tens of thousands of Americans were promised this critical financial support in exchange for their service, yet the vast majority have not received a single dime. Once again, we are calling on the Department of Education to rectify this situation and ensure that they make good on their commitment to help those who keep our country moving every day.”  The PSLF program was created in 2007 to help student loan borrowers who aspire to give back to their country or community by working in a public service field. On October 5, 2018, New York Office of the Attorney General and a multistate coalition issued a letter to the DOE expressing concerns about implementation of PSLF and requested data from the DOE. At that time, the attorneys general requested that the DOE provide information about the program and its plans to reform the program. In response, the DOE in July 2019 shared incomplete information that was not fully responsive to the states’ request.    In today’s letter, the coalition reiterated that data from the DOE would help states address the ongoing problems with PSLF, but the publicly available data that Secretary DeVos provided states thus far goes only a short way toward a full accounting of the current situation for borrowers who are relying on PSLF. Data provided by the DOE indicates that only 864 of 76,002 applications for PSLF have been approved and only 442 of 12,429 applications to the Temporary Expanded PSLF program have been approved. The data shows that tens of thousands of borrowers have been denied. Therefore, the coalition has requested better data from the DOE in order to examine the scope and source of the problems to assist these borrowers.  Joining New York Attorney General Letitia James in sending the letter are the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Engel: We Must Have Ballot Security in 2020.

Dear Friend,

Earlier this year, I worked to have the House pass the Securing America’s Federal Election Act.

This legislation, which I voted for, requires voting systems to have backup paper ballots to ensure election security. Without backup paper ballots, the results of our elections could be called into question should our electoral system be hacked.

It also provides $600 million in Federal funds for states and localities to improve election security, and would give states $175 million biannually to sustain and improve election infrastructure.

Robert Mueller clearly stated in his report that Russia interfered in our 2016 election. During his testimony a few weeks ago, Mueller said “They are doing it as we sit here. And they expect to do it in the next campaign."

A recent US Senate Report stated that all 50 states were targeted in 2016 and found election interference going back to 2014. This should alarm every American. 

We know of at least two instances where election systems in Florida counties were hacked by Russia, and we know they were in a position to alter voter rolls. We also know that Russia had accessed 200,000 Illinois registration records in 2016.

Simply put: our electoral system is not ready for 2020 and Russia may not be the only bad actor trying to interfere next time. This is why I am working to make sure we have election security in place for the 2020 election.

We cannot put our heads in the sand, pretend there is no danger, and not improve election security. We need to act fast.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

News: 12th Annual Yonkers Mayors Cup Saturday, September 7.

community leaders are welcome to attend

YPRC to exert “home tide” advantage.

Locals line up and paddle for prestige on Saturday, September 7, at the Yonkers’ Mayor’s Cup.

YONKERS, NY (AUGUST 26, 2019). Several of the top contenders for the 12th Annual Mayor’s Cup, a regional kayaking invitational hosted by the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club (YPRC) are local athletes—going head to head with some of the fastest paddlers in the New York City area, including those from Inwood Canoe Club, in upper Manhattan, and Sebago Canoe Club, in Brooklyn.

The Hudson River races take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. just north of Getty Square. The public can view the races from the beach at the Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB), YPRC’s deck, and Yonkers Waterfront Promenade.

Events are women’s and men’s 100-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter. The winners of the 800-meter race will be declared the official Mayor’s Cup victors and will have their names added to the trophy that is kept at Yonkers City Hall in the Mayor’s office.

Non-members are welcome to compete in the Mayor’s Cup with their own boats: sign up with commodore@yprc.org by September 4. The day also includes morning excursion paddles, Mayor Mike Spano’s presentation at 1:45 PM, and a barbeque lunch at 2:00 p.m.

YPRC racers to watch:

• Chevaughn Dixon. He won the 2018 Mayor’s Cup and has come first in Yonkers’ 100-meter for the last three years. He also placed first in the 100-meter at Inwood Canoe Club earlier this summer. Dixon is co-director of Hudson River Riders, YPRC’s public paddling program.
• Davin Griffiths. He came in first in the 400-meter and second in 100-meter at the 2018 Yonkers Mayor’s Cup.  
• Nancy Kalafus. She took second place in the 100-meter at the 2018 Yonkers Mayor’ Cup. Kalafus was inducted into the Yonkers Sports Hall of Fame for her outstanding kayaking career which includes gold medals at national championships in 1968 and 1972. She was also member of the 1970 United States World Championship kayaking team. 
• Jean Kostelich. She won the 2018 Mayor’s Cup. In recent surf ski competitions, she came in first in the women’s / boat over 20” wide division of the 2019 Blackburn Challenge, a 20+ mile open water circumnavigation of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, third place in the 2019 Essex River Race 2019, and fourth place in the 2018 Chattajack.
• Bruno Silva. He took second in the 100-meter at Inwood Canoe Club earlier this summer, and last year, at Inwood, he won the 100-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter races. At the 2017 Mayor’s Cup, he came in second in the 100 and 400-meter and third in the 800-meter. Silva, a junior at Saunders High School, was a national kayaking champion in his native Portugal.

Dixon and Griffiths, both age 27, Silva, age 16, and other young racers are an exciting result of YPRC’s renewed commitment over the last decade to teaching young people to paddle. The outreach, named Hudson River Riders, introduced Dixon to water sports when he was thirteen. Now, he has advanced kayaking and stand up paddleboard certifications, and runs the program. River Riders was also how young Bruno Silva—a premiere kayaker from Portugal—found YPRC when he moved to Yonkers as a teen. Hudson River Riders put over 1,000 people on the water this summer.  

YONKERS PADDLING & ROWING CLUB (YPRC)

Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club serves as an anchor institution along the Yonkers riverfront nurturing paddling and environmental awareness. It is host of the annual Gerry Blackstone Manhattan Kayak Circumnavigation, honored by the American Canoe Association in 2018. Member programs include weekly paddles, rescue and paddling skills clinics, and a winter boat-building workshop. 

Hudson River Riders, YPRC’s free public paddling program, provides recreational access to and environmental awareness of the Hudson River through kayaking tours and instruction.

YPRC’s historic boathouse, just north of the Yonkers Pier, was built in 1938. It was home to Yonkers Canoe Club, which won national championships from 1937-1940 and 1955-1958. Members competed in six Olympic games and brought home two gold medals in 1948. 

YPRC has been recognized through the receipt of funding from Gerry Blackstone and grant support from the City of Yonkers, the State of New York, Westchester Community Foundation, Hudson River Estuary program, Hudson River Improvement Fund, Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research, Inc., Toyota, and Public Lands Every Day, a National Environmental Education Foundation Program.

Yonkers Insider 2019 Election Desk.

First Thursday Gallery Hop Reminder: September 5 @ 5:30 P.M.

First Thursday Gallery Hop Presents Stunning Art Exhibitions Open to the Public.



Yonkers, N.Y. (August 26, 2019) – Fall’s First Thursday Gallery Hop will feature several exhibits that explore cultural diversity and how these groups enriched historic and present-day Yonkers. The monthly art walk takes place Thurs., Sept. 5. Blue Door Art Gallery,. Philipse Manor Hall, Urban Studio Unbound (US+U) / Warburton Galerie, and Riverfront Art Gallery will be open to the public from 5:30-7:30 p.m. that evening.

 

Blue Door Art Gallery, 13 Riverdale Ave., is hosting the “POP-UP Exhibition: Indelible Images of Jauja, Peru - The Photography of Teodoro Bullón”, which will run Sept. 5 - Sept. 7. Travel through space and time to turn of the century Jauja, Peru and explore this impressive archive of glass plates by watchmaker, merchant, and photographer, Teodoro N. Bullón Salazar.

 

Philipse Manor Hall, 29 Warburton Ave., presents “NEW WORK and INSTALLATIONS by L. BRANDON KRALLl” that will run from Sept. 5 - Sept. 30. The works presented in this exhibition demonstrate a range of activity that constitutes the work of L. Brandon Krall.

 

Riverfront Art Gallery, 1 Larkin Center, Fourth Floor in the library, is hosting an exhibit, “Madge Scott & Patricia Stuart Conversate”. Madge Scott and Patricia Stuart are story-tellers. Their work depicts the faces, the lives, feelings and the souls of their subjects including children sucking sugar cane, marches of the ancestors, moonlit prayers, and everyday life in Jamaica.

 

US+U / Warburton Galerie, 16 Warburton, is pleased to present select drawings from our  8 week workshop "Visualization and Form" facilitated by teaching artist Lindsey Francis. This exhibition will highlight the progression of weekly lessons and show culminating bodies of work from these beginning adult drawing students. 

 

Local restaurants,  including Bella Havana, Café Hudson, Dolphin, Francey Brady, Guapo, Khangri Sushi, Le Moulin, X20, Yonkers Brewery and Zuppa, will be offering a ten percent discount on food and drink specials for all gallery attendees. Visitors can snap a picture of the restaurant voucher for any of the five venues.

 

The Gallery Hops are free and a wonderful time to experience downtown Yonkers’ exploding art scene, making it a cultural destination for residents, curators, and collectors.  

 

About the First Thursday Gallery Hop

 

The First Thursday Gallery Hop takes place on the first Thursday of each month, attracting hundreds of attendees to downtown Yonkers.  It is produced by Haifa Bint-Kadi and sponsored by the Yonkers Gallery Group, an alliance of galleries including Blue Door Art Center, Friends of Philipse Manor Hall, Urban Studio Unbound / Warburton Gallerie, and Yonkers Riverfront Library. For more information, please email thegallery@ypl.org. 

 

Dominican Cultural Association of Yonkers, Inc Event.

RELEASE: OFFICIALS URGE PSC TO REJECT WATER RATE INCREASES FOR RYE, RYE BROOK & PORT CHESTER.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 27, 2019. Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis Urge the PSC to Reject Suez Water Proposed Rate Increase and Merger.  Elected officials stand with customers in asking the PSC to reject water rate increases for Suez Water customers in Rye, Rye Brook, and Port Chester.

WESTCHESTER, NY -- On Monday, August 26th, State Senator Shelley B. Mayer (D-Westchester) and Assemblyman Steve Otis (D-Westchester) submitted a joint letter addressed to the Chair and CEO of the Public Service Commission, John B. Rhodes, in regard to Case #19-W-0168, SUEZ Water New York’s proposed rate increase and merger.  Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis write: “In addition to the negative financial implication for ratepayers, an examination of the available documents demonstrates that Suez Water’s justification for the proposed rate increase require amplified scrutiny, and ultimately do not support such a dramatic additional burden on ratepayers.” To read the full letter, click here.  In March 2019, SUEZ Water requested that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) approve a proposed 20% revenue increase in its water service rates effective February 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. The proposed rate increase is coupled with a shift to an inclining block structure for water service rates, where customers pay more for water as their consumption increases. This rate structure is said to promote water conservation over the current declining block rate structure, but some have raised concerns about the effects on small businesses. The proposed shift to an inclining rate structure is coupled with a reclassification of its customers to Residential, Multi-Family, or Non-Residential, each with its own water rates.  State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am glad to stand with the residents of Rye, Rye Brook, and Port Chester and to ask the PSC to reject SUEZ Water’s proposed rate increase and merger. SUEZ Water’s justification for the proposed increase is insufficient, and they fail to show any savings for ratepayers from the proposed merger. Additionally, the proposed rate increase will have a detrimental impact on families and seniors living on fixed incomes, and small businesses in the community who cannot absorb the substantial additional expense that SUEZ Water seeks to impose on them.” Assemblyman Steve Otis said, “It is important that this rate application receive greater scrutiny and that customers benefit from efficiencies and savings when merger or reorganizations are proposed. The PSC has the tools to protect ratepayers in their review of rate applications. Our letter raises issues that warrant review.” The PSC is accepting comments on this case until August 30, 2019. To submit comments, visit https://www.dps.ny.gov/, click “Search”, and enter Case #19-W-0168.