Ad from Yonkers City Clerk's Office: Passport Office.

Ad from Yonkers City Clerk's Office: Passport Office.
Submitted by and Paid for by City of Yonkers: Yonkers City Clerk's Office.

Business AD: Henry Djonbalaj Real Estate LLC: Henry Djonbalaj: Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Business AD: Henry Djonbalaj Real Estate LLC: Henry Djonbalaj: Licensed Real Estate Broker.
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Friday, July 31, 2020

Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith - 1st District: Voting Equipment News.



Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

There is nothing more important than making sure that voting in Westchester is safe, effective, efficient, and accurate, especially this fall when voter turnout is sure to be record-breaking.

Although the Board of Legislators (BOL) has no authority over how the Board of Elections (BOE) conducts elections, we have been examining ways to make voting better – including convening a Task Force to examine voter experiences, hearing committee testimony from voting rights advocates, and bringing our Election Commissioners before us.  Our Task Force will issue a report with recommendations next week.  In addition, the County Executive has offered a four-point plan for helping the BOE this fall.

VOTER ACCESS

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges, including limiting the number of polling places, and imposing social distancing requirements within polling places. We might not know the number of polling places, or election inspectors ready to be deployed, until very close to Election Day itself. We need to have the right combination of voting machines to maximize voter ease, convenience and efficiency in all plausible scenarios.

In the last few elections, our polling places have begun to use electronic pollbooks to replace the old paper books. These pollbooks are needed to ensure that the BOE does not count more than one ballot per voter; and they are more efficient than the big paper books, especially in a scenario with consolidated polling places. There are numerous security redundancies to bar against tampering, including the fact that the pollbooks are not hooked up to actual voting rolls; and that the actual paper registrations are still on file at the BOE.

We have also begun using new voting machines. The BOE sent the BOL a request to purchase updated voting machines and electronic pollbooks.

Fewer polling sites means more election districts will be consolidated at various polling places.  So, voting machines must be able to scan different ballots efficiently.  There may be people voting in different New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, congressional and judicial races at the same polling place, and machines at those sites need to be able to handle the different ballots.

In addition, people with disabilities will be voting and will need access to voting machines at the same time at the same polling sites.

Furthermore, machines used for early voting must be able to read every ballot face from every one of the County's 942 Election Districts, so that Westchester voters can go into any polling site to vote, during the early voting period only.  The machines used for early voting cannot be used on Election Day.

Our current voting machines are 10 to 12 years old.  New parts are often no longer available to keep them running.  Their ability to handle multiple ballots is limited and bootup and loading times can be very long when using them with multiple ballot faces.  Newer machines can much more easily and quickly handle multiple ballot faces.

This technology gap is a problem for all of us when it comes to our shared goal of safe, efficient, effective and accurate elections.   

EQUIPMENT FINANCING

The Board of Legislators has no control over which machines are purchased or used.

The New York State Board of Elections tests and certifies the machines, and State law gives County Election Commissioners the sole discretion to choose which of the State-certified machines to buy and use.

The County Legislature’s discretion over the funding of these purchases is limited. 
Although we have the sole authority to issue bonds to finance those purchases, if we don’t issue those bonds, the County Board of Elections can go to the New York State Board of Elections for the money to buy the machines, and stick the County’s taxpayers with the bill. 

That could mean a multimillion dollar hit to the County's operating budget at a time when we literally can least afford it, compared to bonding for the purchases.

We know we need to upgrade our election technology, and to do so before early voting begins in October, to give us the best chance to reduce problems despite pandemic conditions and make sure voting is accessible to all, regardless of any disability.

These are the reasons why the Board of Legislators is considering authorizing bonds to pay for the BOE purchase of new equipment.

SECURITY CONCERNS

There have been understandable concerns about election security relating to the machines the Board of Elections is planning to buy – the Dominion ImageCast Evolution. 

Last year, we raised our security concerns with the New York State Board of Elections.  In response, the State BOE reviewed the machines and re-iterated its certification of them.

One concern relates to the susceptibility of the machine to electronic tampering.  It is important to note that the voting machines used to run County elections are never network connected, so they cannot be hacked remotely.  To alter a machine, would require physical access to it.  Legislators spent hours with Board of Elections technicians examining the physical, electronic and procedural failsafes that protect against anyone gaining access to the machines to alter them.  Thirteen legislators toured the warehouse where the machines are stored, asked questions and received demonstrations by BOE technical staff.

Another concern relates to the ability of the machine to mark a ballot, a feature for voters with disabilities.  That process involves a blank ballot being inserted into the machine and the voter using a handheld or voice-controlled device to use the machine to mark the ballot.  The process has unique procedures, screen prompts and sounds that indicate marks have been made.

The integrity of our elections is of paramount importance to everyone in Westchester County government.  So is voter access. Technology is always changing and future decisions will have to be made about different systems and methods as new technologies emerge and as we adapt to social changes.  In the face of changing technology and cybersecurity threats, the BOE will continue to review the best options for the conduct of elections within the parameters created by the State Board of Elections.  While the BOL has no control over how the BOE conducts elections, we need to make sure that voters aren’t hampered in their ability to vote by outdated technology and that taxpayers aren’t left with a bill we didn’t try to control.

Please forward this e-news to family and friends who may be interested in this information.

Sincerely,

Colin D. Smith

Yonkers Insider: Statement from Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.



Friend, 

I couldn’t be more excited to announce a new and exciting partnership with Bird, as we launch the first-ever electric scooter pilot program in New York State.

Yonkers is pleased to once again lead the way as a progressive city in offering smart, emission-free transportation solutions for our community. Partnering with Bird will allow residents and visitors to travel our city with ease and convenience while being affordable, reliable, and fun. 

In as little as a couple of weeks, you could be riding on a new Bird scooter. 

Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the weekend! 


MIKE SPANO
Mayor 

Yonkers Insider: News from Yonkers Public Schools.


News From Yonkers Public Schools




Friday, July 31, 2020

The Yonkers Public Schools 2020 - 2021 Reopening Plan

The Yonkers Public Schools 2020-2021 School Reopening Plan is available at yonkerspublicschools.org

The District's plan will evolve as we receive direction from the Governor, additional guidance from the State Education Department, and the Department of Health, and most importantly, through collective feedback from all of our stakeholders.

Please remember to check yonkerspublicschools.org for timely updates.

Thank you.

Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Lyndon Williams: Westchester County Announced Official Ground Breaking on Memorial Field in Mount Vernon.




Dear Friends and Neighbors,

County Executive George Latimer announced earlier today that the official ground breaking for the revitalization of Memorial Field will take place Wednesday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the field. It has been a long and arduous road to come to this point where the money and contractors are in place to complete this project and take it beyond a mere promise but a reality for residents of Mount Vernon.

As your County Legislator, I have worked continuously and steadfastly to ensure that this day would come. I want to thank County Executive Latimer for carrying through on his commitment. Upon the County Executive taking office in January 2018, I wrote him a letter requesting that the County take charge of managing the revitalization of Memorial Field and turn the completed state-of-the-art facility back to Mount Vernon. He agreed and has never wavered. My colleagues and I on the Board of Legislators worked collaboratively with the Latimer Administration on approving the bond funding, intermunicipal agreements, and legislative actions that were necessary to enable the bidding process and to move the project forward. This all occurred in partnership with Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the Mount Vernon City Council. Memorial Field revitalization became a reality because of the financial support of approximately $20 million from the County and $5 million from New York State through the hard work of our State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow.  

On July 15, 2020, the County of Westchester received four bids for the Memorial Field Complex Reconstruction. The County Department of Public Works and Transportation determined that the The LandTek Group, Inc., submitted the low bid $24.9 million. LandTek’s winning bid includes participation from MWBE sub-contractors. The stage is now set for Memorial Field to return to its glory days. The County Executive is correct that the restoration of Memorial Field is a symbolic achievement in the revitalization of Mount Vernon as well as a substantial financial and recreational investment in the city.  

A FORMAL GROUND BREAKING IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 AT 11 A.M.

Sincerely,

Lyndon D. Williams
 

Yonkers Insider: ***NEWS RELEASE***: CITY OF YONKERS TAPS BIRD TO LAUNCH NEW YORK STATE’S FIRST EVER ELECTRIC SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CITY OF YONKERS TAPS BIRD TO LAUNCH NEW YORK STATE’S FIRST EVER ELECTRIC SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM.



Bird e-scooters to Launch in Yonkers in Early August
(Photo Credit: Bird)

YONKERS, NY – July 31, 2020 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the city has partnered with Bird to launch New York State’s first-ever electric scooter pilot program. Beginning in early August, as part of a one-year pilot program, Bird will deploy up to 200 scooters in southwest Yonkers, including the Downtown-Waterfront area, with the potential of expanding up to 500 scooters to meet demand.

“Yonkers is pleased to once again lead the way as a progressive city in offering smart, emission-free transportation solutions for our community,” said Yonkers Mayor Spano. “Partnering with Bird will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to travel our city with ease and convenience all while being affordable, reliable and fun.”

“Yonkers’ dedication to micromobility is unparalleled, and Bird is honored to serve in the first e-scooter pilot program both here and in New York State,” said Rebecca Hahn, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Bird. “Like so many New Yorkers, Yonkers residents are adopting more socially-distant transportation habits in the wake of COVID-19. We’re looking forward to providing a safe and sustainable way for them to stay mobile and support local businesses as the city continues to recover and rebuild.”

Through the Bird smartphone app, riders can see the closest Bird scooter on a map, unlock it, complete the safety tutorial and ride directly to their desired destination. Upon ending their trip, riders simply park the scooter safely along the side of a sidewalk or on-street next to an unmarked curb and take a photo of the scooter through the app to ensure proper parking.

The cost for a Bird ride is $1 to start and a per minute fee to ride. Bird also offers low-income access plans that include unlimited 30-minute rides for $5 per month for anyone enrolled in or eligible for a state or federal assistance program.

In compliance with the recently enacted New York State law, e-scooters must be used on streets with a posted speed limit of no more than 30 mph. Riders may also use scooters in bike lanes, but must offer the right of way to bicycles. Riders must be 18 years of age to use a Bird scooter in Yonkers.

Yonkers’s partnership with Bird marks the second of its kind with a dockless transportation sharing company. The city was the first in the New York City area to embrace dockless bike sharing in 2018, and now will become the first in the state to welcome shared electric scooters nearly three years after the first Birds were launched in Santa Monica in September 2017.

The announcement comes less than a month after another notable micromobility first when the United Kingdom officially approved Bird One electric scooters for use in city trials, paving the way for Bird’s first UK launch since its scooters were first ridden in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2018.


Yonkers Insider: County Executive Latimer Announces Re-start of County’s Document Shredding Events.



County Executive Latimer Announces Re-start of County’s Document Shredding Events.

These Popular Events are Scheduled to Resume in August Offering Westchester Residents an Opportunity to Securely Destroy Their Personal Papers.


(White Plains, NY) – Today, County Executive George Latimer announced that the immensely popular secure mobile shredder events will start up again beginning on August 1 – events that have been on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The County’s two shredder trucks visit municipalities throughout Westchester providing secure, confidential document shredding services to residents. These events have proven to be tremendously popular.  In 2019, thousands of residents took advantage of this program, where each visitor is permitted to bring up to four file-size boxes of personal papers and the County shredded almost 700 tons of documents. 

The County’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF), the agency that operates the shredder program, works with a contractor to market and sell the recyclable shredded paper produced at these events.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the shredder program, municipalities must submit a request to host a shredder event and the event schedule is prepared at the beginning of the year. For more information on the County’s documents shredding program and the schedule of upcoming shredder events please visit https://environment.westchestergov.com/residents/recycling-guidelines/mobile-shredder or contact the County’s Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.

DEF Deputy Commissioner Louis Vetrone said: “DEF is excited to resume offering document shredding services to our residents. Fortunately, throughout the COVID crisis we’ve been able to offer shredding services to municipal government agencies, and we’ve kept the Household-Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) open, which offers document shredding services for residents plus a whole lot more.”

The H-MRF, located at 15 Woods Rd. on the Valhalla Campus is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-3pm. If residents are unable to bring their documents to one of the upcoming shredder events they can have them destroyed at the H-MRF. The H-MRF also provides a drop-off location for other hard-to-dispose-of items such as fertilizers, pesticides, household cleaning chemicals, electronic waste, Freon-containing appliances, textiles and more. For more information on the H-MRF or to make an appointment, please visit https://environment.westchestergov.com/facilities/h-mrf or call the Recycling HelpLine at (914)813-5425.

During the past few months with residents spending all or most of the time at home, DEF has tracked a marked increase in recycling. For the year, curbside recycling is up over 8% across the County’s Refuse District, which includes 90% of County residents. Much of the increased recycling can be attributed to cardboard boxes containing home deliveries, as well as plastic and metal food and beverage containers due to increased eating at home. It’s interesting to note that there was not a corresponding increase in trash over the same period.  For the year, disposed garbage increased only 1.65% across the District. It may be that the additional time at home has allowed residents to be more diligent about recycling. Re-launching the shredder program should add an additional boost to the County’s already robust recycling program.

Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Police: Ossining Man Charged With Boating While Intoxicated.



OSSINING MAN CHARGED WITH BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED.

Arrested after speedboat slams into a sailboat on the Hudson.

(Hawthorne, NY) – The Westchester County Police Marine Unit charged an Ossining man with Boating While Intoxicated last night after the speedboat he was operating slammed into an anchored sailboat in the Hudson River.

Mark See, 38, of Highland Avenue was charged with BWI, a misdemeanor, following the incident, which occurred off the town of Ossining about a mile south of Teller’s Point. He was booked at County Police headquarters in Hawthorne and released pending a future appearance in Ossining Town Court.

Two people aboard the sailboat, residents of Delaware and upstate New York, were not injured.

The crash occurred about 9:45 p.m. when a Crown Line speedboat traveling south on the Hudson struck the sailboat, which was anchored and had its anchor light on and visible. A man on the sailboat jumped into the river as the speedboat approached; the woman ducked down on the deck. The powerboat slammed into the rear of the sailboat and traveled upward, narrowly missing the woman who had ducked for cover.

“This incident could have been extremely tragic for the two people on board the sailboat,” Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said. “It is also provides a stark reminder of the danger of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

The County Police were assisted at the scene by the Ossining Police Department Marine Unit and Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Yonkers Insider: WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO HOST VIRTUAL SEPTEMBER 11TH CEREMONY.


WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO HOST VIRTUAL SEPTEMBER 11TH CEREMONY.

Family Members of those lost on 9/11 and in the years following asked to participate in Ceremony.

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County’s 2020 September 11th Ceremony will be held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The online ceremony will honor the thousands of lives lost during the September 11th attacks, and all those we have lost in the years following.

In an effort to pay tribute to those who have died, Westchester County Government is asking family members of those who were killed on 9/11, or those who have died of 9/11 related illnesses to read the names of those who have passed during the virtual ceremony. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Communications@WestchesterGov.com with your full name and contact information.

Yonkers Insider: Press Advisory from Yonkers City Councilman, Anthony Merante, 6th District.


YONKERS COUNCILMAN ANTHONY MERANTE 

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

YONKERS RESIDENTS TO RALLY AGAINST UPS
PLANNED EXPANSION.

[Press Conference]­­­ 

Yonkers 6th District Councilman, Anthony Merante will be joined by residents, homeowners, members of StopUPS.org and other elected officials to protest the planned expansion of this UPS facility.  Organizers fear that UPS’s plans, if approved by the Yonkers Planning Board would produce a safety hazard with its above ground gasoline tanks, excessive traffic and noise generated by its 24/7 operation with trailers and trucks coming and going would destroy the quality of life for this neighborhood and the peaceful enjoyment by its residents. An environmental impact study is warranted before the Planning Board considers UPS’s requests.

DATE: Wednesday, August 5, 2020

TIME:  3:30PM

PLACE:  UPS Facility, 555 Tuckahoe Rd, Yonkers, NY 10710
                   (East Grassy Sprain Rd by the construction area for the parking lot)


Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Meeting Notices for August.


***MEETING NOTICES: AUGUST 2020***

Meetings will be held as follows:

Westchester County Human Rights Commission
Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
Event Password: ahBM2J9pb4E
Dial-in Number: (844) 621-3956 with access code 161 502 7077

Westchester County Fair Housing Board
Event Password: MDmG8Xppd74
Dial-in Number: (844) 621-3956 with access code 161 422 5128

Westchester County Planning Board
Tuesday, August 4 at 9 a.m.
WEBEX EVENT
Meeting number (access code): 169 468 4554
Meeting password: This meeting requires registration. After your registration has been approved, you will receive instructions for joining the event.
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll and enter the meeting number when prompted
For questions or to register, contact Bill Brady at 914-995-4769 or wbb4@westchestergov.com

Westchester County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
Tuesday, August 4 at 5 p.m.
WEBEX EVENT
Meeting number (access code): 161 755 4050
Meeting password: AFPB
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll and enter the meeting number when prompted
For questions or to register, contact David Kvinge at 914-995-2089 or dsk2@westchestergov.com

Westchester County Women’s Advisory Board
Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting

Westchester County IDA Meeting
Thursday, August 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Join Meeting Here
Password: IDA2020

Westchester County LDC Meeting
Tuesday, August 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Join Meeting Here
Password: LDC2020

Westchester Complete Count Committee
Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 p.m.
WEBEX EVENT
Event number (access code): 161 305 8077
Event password: wccc
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll and enter the meeting number when prompted
For questions or to register, contact Ted Leimbach at 914-995-2412 or eal8@westchestergov.com

Westchester Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
Wednesday, August 19 at 4:00 p.m.
WEBEX EVENT
Event number (access code): 161 075 2396
Event password: hpac
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll and enter the meeting number when prompted
For questions or to register, contact Ted Leimbach at 914-995-2412 or eal8@westchestergov.com


Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker: Access to Care Community Day.



Dear Neighbors,

We are fortunate to have wonderful organizations like Open Door Medical Center, RyeYMCA and Community Resource Center right in our backyard. These organizations are partnering to help those in need with easy access to COVID-19 testing, PPE, and back to school backpacks at a special event on August 15th, 2020.

Stay healthy,

Catherine F. Parker


Thursday, July 30, 2020

Yonkers Insider: Election 2020 Desk: Rob Astorino, Republican for New York State Senate in the 40th District: New York's Massive Job Losses.



We know that no other state was hit harder from the Covid pandemic than New York.  Not only have we had the most deaths in the nation – by far – we also have seen more deaths per capita than any country in the world.

Now comes the news that no state (other than tourism-dependent Hawaii) suffered more JOB LOSS during the lockdowns than New York.  Employment in New York State has declined by a staggering 15.3% over the past year.

No state was less prepared to endure an extended lockdown. Structurally imbalanced with the highest taxes and debt in the nation, as well as the worst business climate and most corruption -- New York was a straw house during the Covid hurricane.

But the real disaster may be still to come.

The governor and our state legislators can’t pretend that all of our problems started with a virus.  They didn’t even start in recent years.  They’ve been compounded over and over again over several decades.  The proverbial can has been kicked down the road for far too long and now the bill will soon be due.  But what New Yorkers will still be around to pay it?

State tax revenue was down $767 million in May according to the State Comptroller – risking the funding for our schools, roads and parks – yet many in Albany are calling for raising taxes even higher which would send even more heading for the exit ramp out of our state.

I’m running for state senate because we need different ideas and new voices in Albany. I have a plan to rebuild New York (Read it HERE).

It won’t be easy but with your help we can begin to turn things around.

Thank you.

Rob Astorino

Yonkers Insider: Press Release from Yonkers Police Department: For Immediate Release: Yonkers Police Department Makes Arrest in Fatal Van Cortlandt Park Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/27/2024    Yonkers Police Department Makes Arrest in Fatal Van Cortlandt Park Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident.   Yonk...