Yonkers Insider: 2023 News in Yonkers: PRESS ADVISORY: TERM LIMIT PETITION TO BE FILED WITH YONKERS CITY CLERK ON MONDAY.

DATE: Monday, July 10, 2023

TIME: 10:30am

LOCATION: Yonkers City Hall ( City Clerk’s Office)  

ADDRESS: 40 S. Broadway, Yonkers City Hall · Yonkers, NY 10701 

TERM LIMIT PETITION TO BE FILED WITH

YONKERS CITY CLERK ON MONDAY.

 

On Monday Yonkers 6^th District Councilmember and mayoral candidate Anthony Merante will be filing a petition with over 5,000 signatures with the Yonkers City Clerk. This number is well above the legal amount required for submission. The petition will reset term limits back to 3 terms and reverse the 4^th term extension passed by the City Council.  Merante vowed to fight the extension because it was an undemocratic move that shut out voters’ voices. This ballot initiative will let voters decide term limits on election day, Tuesday November 7, 2023.

 

The petition gathering process was a bipartisan team effort and Republican Merante acknowledges the contributions to the process by his Democratic colleague,  2nd District Council Member Corazon Pineda Isaac and Margaret Fountain-Coleman, both former mayoral candidates, and former Yonkers Inspector General Phil Zisman. Merante said,  ”Although the courts may have found the City Council had the legal right to extend their own terms and that of the mayor that doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do. That move was self-serving and a slap in the face to democracy”. Merante also has pending Council legislation, stuck in committee, that he is pushing to be brought to the floor for a full Council vote. If his legislation passes, it too will allow the voters to decide to return the 4 terms back to 3 in 2024. We therefore have two potential ballot initiatives.

 

Merante concluded, “ In all our lives we do some things we regret. For me it was voting with the Spano administration to extend term limits the first time from the original 2 terms to 3.  That was a huge mistake. I naively believed their empty assurances that it would only be a one-time extension like Mayor Mike Bloomberg in NYC. I underestimated their lust for power. What’s their next move after 16 years? Eliminating term limits altogether?  Or maybe making Mike Spano mayor for life? Yonkers is not Cuba or North Korea. We refuse to be ruled by a family dynasty with an absolute grip on power. We must return democracy to Yonkers. If elected mayor, “I pledge to reconstitute the Charter Revision Commission and look to return all terms back to the original two terms. “ 

PRESS RELEASE

Yonkers Voters for Term Limits.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2023

VOTERS OF YONKERS SUBMIT PETITION FOR TERM LIMITS 

REFERENDUM.

YONKERS, NY, July 10, 2023 - Today, a non-partisan alliance of voters from Yonkers delivered a petition containing more than 5,000 signatures to the Yonkers City Clerk to put the issue of term limits on the ballot in November’s general election.

It is now the responsibility of the Clerk and the City Council to refer the petition to the Westchester Board of Elections for inclusion on the November 2023 ballot. The ballot question would allow the people to decide once and for all whether they want term limits on elected City officials restored.

After the undemocratic override of the existing term limits law by only four votes of the Yonkers City Council in November 2022, voters are demanding their voice be heard. 

We believe that only the people, not self-serving elected politicians, should decide the structure of our government. The enactment of the Yonkers term limit law, which the Council and Mayor overrode, had been twice approved by Yonkers voters, but it was removed by entitled politicians acting solely in their own self-interest.

In February 2023, an alliance of Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters organized to submit the restoration of term limits to the November 2023 ballot for Yonkers. With the submission of over 5,000 signatures, we have met the requirements of New York State law, and the Clerk and the Council now must take the necessary steps to place the term limits proposition on the ballot in November.

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!

Yonkers Insider: Untermyer Performing Arts Council (UPAC): Thanks to the Yonkers Board of Education.

 

Because of the torrential rain and lightning here at Untermyer Park, we were able to move tonight’s performance by the Library Jazz Band to Saunders High School, 183 Palmer Road, Yonkers. Same Time! Different Place! We hope to see you at 6:30 pm! Saunders has three parking lots.

Yonkers Insider: Promotions: Campaign of Westchester County Legislator James Nolan 15th District.

 

Tomorrow come join us for my walking deployment and let’s knock on these doors. I look forward to being re-elected this November and it starts with your help by joint Team Nolan. The time and address is on the flyer and I hope to see you there! #allinwithnolan #keepdistrict15red #nolanshowsup #westchester #LeadRight #bronxville #rollinwithnolan #eastchester #yonkers #GOTV

From Yonkers Newswire Journalist Brian Harrod.

 

#LOL... Meanwhile at #Twitter headquarters.. .....

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuaahdms9dL/

From Yonkers Newswire Journalist Brian Harrod.

 

#WOW.... Best #Bowling shot in history....

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuX34xFt24N/

From Yonkers Newswire Journalist Brian Harrod.

 

YONKERS CARES: Free Summer Breakfast & Lunch Grab N' Go At The Riverfront And Will Libraries The Yonkers Public Schools launched its highly anticipated Free Summer Breakfast and Lunch program. This initiative–continuing until August 11–aims to provide nutritious meals to students who rely on school meals during the academic year. These meals are also available at the Riverfront and Will Libraries–ensuring that as many students as possible have access to nutritious meals. Last year, the program successfully distributed 8,800 meals. Riverfront Library 1 Larkin Center June 26 - August 11 (Breakfast & Lunch) Grinton I. Will Library 1500 Central Park Avenue July 5 - August 11 (Lunch Only) https://www.facebook.com/groups/YonkersNewswire/posts/3572209266369959/

From Yonkers Newswire Journalist Brian Harrod.

 #OMG... This neighborhood is celebrating a few less fireworks... #LOL...That they will hear tonight.....

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuXFOMwuRzv/

Yonkers Insider: Statement from New York State Assemblyman Nader Sayegh 90th District.

 

The National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert for Southern Westchester and the entire region through 11 pm Thursday night. When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. A toll free air quality hotline has been established so New York residents can stay informed on the air quality situation. The tollfree number is 1 800 5 3 5, 1 3 4 5.

Yonkers Insider: UPAC: Coming Saturday!

 

Yonkers Insider: Reliance America Int. Realty and Hudson Property Tax Reduction Team: Happy 4th of July Independence Day!

 

The Reliance America Int. Realty and Hudson Property Tax Reduction Team would like to wish you and your family a safe, happy, and enjoyable 4th of July holiday!

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: MAYOR SPANO TO HOST YONKERS FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS - Tues., 7/4.

 

MAYOR SPANO TO HOST YONKERS FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano will host the City’s annual Fourth of July.

Festivities on Tuesday, July 4^th on the Yonkers waterfront.  The evening will be full of family-friendly music, starting at 7PM. The evening concludes with a fireworks display after 9PM over the Hudson River.

Yonkers Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: ***Statement: Senator Shelley B. Mayer Statement on Recent Supreme Court Decisions.

 

Date: July 2, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Senator Shelley B. Mayer Statement on Recent Supreme Court Decisions.

"Last week’s Supreme Court decisions reflect the impact of a Trump-appointed Supreme Court majority that was determined to rule on cases in a manner that expressed their personal views on public policy, acting as a “super legislature,” rather than their role as the judges of the highest court in the land. Their decisions and their clear desire to reverse years of precedent that had moved America forward will continue to undermine the faith of Americans in this great institution. I was particularly dismayed that in some of these cases, the Court actually decided in matters where there was no plaintiff that was actually harmed. Courts are supposed to rule on cases, not accept manufactured scenarios to make a point. Sadly, just one year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating a right that was long deemed constitutionally-protected, this Supreme Court majority continues to upend decades of precedents designed to protect Americans, expand opportunities, and ensure our institutions reflect the beautiful diversity of our nation. "The decision to strike down affirmative action undermines efforts to expand opportunities and diversify universities and companies across the nation. Clinging to colorblindness is disingenuous in a nation where African American, Hispanic, and Native communities have been historically and persistently disadvantaged. Our nation is not colorblind - and we all know it. Every institution – university, business, and doctor’s office – is strengthened and more effective when it includes diverse perspectives to advance our society through ideas and experiences. This is a terrible blow to this important effort.  "Then, on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that, under the pretext of free speech, businesses can refuse services to LGBTQ+ individuals, even though the website designer complaining was never even asked to provide a website for an LGBTQ+ couple. This decision is painful to the LGBTQ+ community, and raises serious concerns about what other market activities and public accommodations - including those governed by New York’s Human Rights Law -  will be denied on the basis of the First Amendment.  "Finally, the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student debt relief plan allowed the Attorney Generals’ of conservative-leaning states  – who could show no harm – to advance their agenda to reject the Biden plan and impose thousands of dollars of debt onto those burdened with student loans. This decision undermines opportunities for those most burdened with debt, but I am confident the President has identified an effective – if more lengthy –  path forward to provide much needed relief to those who incur college loan debt, including those who did not complete their degrees and their families.   "These recent Supreme Court decisions will have a real and searing personal and economic impact on millions of Americans and send a devastating message about the progress that we have made. But as with every setback, the fight is not over. In New York State, we will continue to do everything we can to protect and expand opportunities for all New Yorkers. It is what all New Yorkers deserve, and it is the right path to a more resilient economy and a stronger, more just society."

Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Police Department: *Yonkers Police Alert*.

Due to the annual 4th of July fireworks display at the downtown waterfront district, there will be several road closures the public should be aware of.

 

Beginning at 5:00 pm on 7/4/23, the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic:

• Pierpointe Street, Water Grant Street, Peene Lane in their entirety

• Main Street from Buena Vista Avenue to the Hudson River

• Alexander Street from Main Street to Ashburton Avenue

• Dock Street and Wells Avenue west of River Street

• Nepperhan Street from Buena Vista Avenue to Warburton Avenue

 

Beginning at 6:00 pm on 7/4/23, the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic:

• Buena Vista Avenue from Main Street to Dock Street

• Dock Street in its entirety

 

Be advised that there will be NO PARKING ON ALL OF THE ABOVE-LISTED ROADS BEGINNING AT 3:00 PM on 7/4/23.

 

The above-listed roads will be closed to vehicular traffic until approximately 11:00 pm on 7/4/23. Residents who live in the affected area and are planning to travel during these times are advised to park their vehicles elsewhere as they will not be able to move their vehicles once the closures are in effect. Those not coming to enjoy the fireworks are advised to avoid the area due to the expected congestion on surrounding roads.

 

Festivities at the waterfront will begin at 7:00 pm with fireworks at approximately 9:15 pm! Come and enjoy the show!

 

***Please be advised that the following items are prohibited in the waterfront area for the duration of the event***

-Bags and Coolers

-The flying of personal drones or any type of unmanned aircraft or UAV

Yonkers Insider: 2023 Campaign Trail: Statement from Westchester County Legislator James Nolan 15th District.

I was the one that was told when I first started “It’s not possible” and now I am the one leading the charge and changing our community for the better. Hard work led to proven results, I have a proven track record of success in such a short amount of time. There is so much more to come for District 15, Westchester I am here for you. In November I look forward to being re-elected as your Westchester County Legislator for District 15 Yonkers, Bronxville, and Eastchester. If you would like to donate or to join Team Nolan please contact me on social media or by visiting my website electjamesnolan.com! #allinwithnolan #keepdistrict15red #nolanshowsup #LeadRight #bronxville #rollinwithnolan #eastchester #yonkers #westchester

Matters of Faith; Weekly Column: "From the Inside Out - Article.

From the Inside Out

By Rev. J. Loren Russell

 

Matthew 25:37-40 NKJV ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

In the scripture text, Jesus is continuing a conversation He began in chapter 24, teaching His disciples the need to be prepared. When He gets to the latter part of the chapter, His disciples are trying to make sense of what Jesus meant when He said the Son of Man will separate the righteous from the wicked, the righteous on the right side and the wicked on the left. To both He will say, ‘I was hungry, and I was thirsty, a stranger, naked, and a prisoner’.

 

To those on His left, the wicked, He would say, “you gave me no food, you gave me no water, a stranger and you did not take me in, naked and you gave me no clothes, in prison and you didn’t visit me.” But to those on His right, the righteous, He said, ‘you gave me food, you gave me drink, you took me in, gave me clothes, and visited me in prison.’

 

As it was in the ancient world, so it is in our post-modern world. Those who beg for bread, seek water, are homeless, naked, or imprisoned are, as the Bible declares, the least of these. In other words, the most needy among us. They represent everyone who is in need without the ability to help themselves. They can also be those who are simply different than we are by color, social status, age, culture, language, or even looks, anything that makes them different from us and gives us a reason to look down on them.

 

To quote from CTI Chaplaincy Training Institute Certificate of Basic Training book, “Chaplains usually minister to a group of people of many different religious beliefs or no religious beliefs at all. They usually represent many different cultural identities, including those of education, profession, and political persuasion.” Chaplains, whether they serve institutions or the community at large, are noted for their concern for humanity regardless of any of the aforementioned. They feel that they have a calling to serve, and that calling exhibits itself from the inside out.

 

Chaplains specifically are categorized as righteous. It doesn’t matter whether the recipient of their benevolence is the ‘least of these’ or just different based on some preconceived notion, chaplains are called to serve. Chaplains must transcend stereotypical labels to share and show the love they have on the inside with those on the outside.

 

Paul wrote a letter to the church in Rome where he emphatically stated that his readers needed to be “transformed by the renewing of [their] mind, that [they] may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Chaplains are not doing their work so that their minds will be transformed, their minds are already transformed which is why they do the work. No denominational limitations. No ecclesiastical apartheid. Just love from the inside out. There are many people in our communities with a chaplain’s spirit. They share love from the depth of their heart without the benefit of a title or an assignment. They give because it’s on the inside and they can’t wait to get it to the outside.

 

The fact that you are reading this article is an indication that you want to get the best out of you. Whatever your motivation is for reading, you would not have read this far had you not an inkling that something you would read was going to stir up the best in you. Whatever your faith persuasion, educational level, race, creed, or color, I believe the spirit of the chaplain can be stirred in you so much that you will, right here and right now, begin to show on the outside what’s going on inside.

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of both LaGree Baptist Church and the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and is the creator and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.