Yonkers Insider: Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano Newsletter: Yonkers Riverfest is BACK.

After last year's cancellation due to the pandemic, Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID is hosting the 2021 Yonkers Riverfest on September 18th at 12pm in Downtown Yonkers.

There you can enjoy:

•  Local Food Vendors 
•  Local Arts 
•  Live Music 

Visit yonkersriverfest.org for more information.

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh summer police camp graduate hired by Greenburgh Police.

 

A third police summer youth camp graduate hired as a Greenburgh Police officer!

Greenburgh has offered students the opportunity to participate in our Police Departments summer youth camp since 1997. It's more like a boot camp than a summer camp. The kids get to experience what a real police recruit would go through the academy. Physical training, passing a first aid test, CPR training, water safety courses, etc.. help students understand policing.  Recently, the Town Board and Police hired one of our graduates as a new addition to the Police Department. Christopher is the third summer camper to become a Greenburgh police officer.

Christopher J. Keenan’s family moved to the Town of Greenburgh when he was six months old, essentially making him a life-long resident. He attended Briarcliff HS and subsequently completed his AA at WCC and his BA at SUNY Purchase.

Christopher attended the Greenburgh Police Departments Summer Camp in 2010  and 2011 when he was  14 and 15 years old.

He joined the Greenburgh Police Department Explorer Program in 2013 at the age of 17, remaining active in the program for four years. He joins the Greenburgh Police Department at the age of 25 after spending time at several different municipal and commercial jobs, fulfilling a his long term goal of not only becoming a police officer, but a Greenburgh Police Officer.

PAUL FEINER

City of Yonkers Public Notice: Yonkers City Clerk Summer Hours.

 

Greenburgh Insider: Town Board rejects request to waive penalties on late taxes.

 

A vendor the town hired was supposed to send out tax bills. A computer glitch resulted in over 1000 taxpayers not getting bills. Board members differ on whether state law allows tax penalties to be waived. I disagreed with decision

The Greenburgh Town Board did not approve my request that penalties be reduced or waived for Greenburgh taxpayers that paid their taxes late because they did not receive a tax bill in the mail due to a computer glitch caused by the vendor the town hired.  I am extremely disappointed in the decision. As a result, those who are late in paying their tax bills will continue to see their penalties increase each month unless the bill is paid in full. The penalty increases on August 1.

 

There is an honest disagreement among Board members as to whether state law allows local governments to waive penalties. The Town Attorney and I believe that the Town Board has the legal authority to waive penalties if we pass a resolution stating that the waiver is in the best interest of the town. I pointed out that we always sent taxpayers bills in the mail, people relied on the bills which they did not receive. And that a vendor hired by the town (an agent of the town) made a computer glitch mistake causing over 1000 taxpayers not to receive their bills. I believe that since the error was made by an agent of the town that it would have been in the best interests of the town to waive or reduce  the penalties. Taxpayers complained to me about a 5% penalty. 

 

Other Town Board members read the law more conservatively than the Town Attorney or myself. Councilman Francis Sheehan, Diana Juettner and Gina Jackson believe that NYS law does not allow waivers of penalties.  They shared RPTL 922 which states that taxpayers are responsible for paying taxes whether they receive bills or not.  Councilman Ken Jones recused himself from voting since he had to pay a late fee himself.

 

I have asked the Town Attorney to investigate whether we have any action against the vendor we hired (if he was responsible for the computer glitch). We paid the vendor to mail out bills which did not happen.  I have also asked the Town Attorney to seek a formal legal opinion from the NYS Comptroller –asking for an updated opinion on whether the Town Board has any flexibility waiving or reducing excessive penalties.  An updated opinion could provide guidance to municipal officials from around the state. 

 

Going forward the town will order signs reminding taxpayers that taxes must be paid by the end of September, January and April when we collect school taxes (Jan & September) and county, town and fire district taxes (April). Hopefully, this will remind everyone to pay their bills on time and avoid penalties.  The signs will be placed at key locations around town.   I am very sorry for all the aggravation so many taxpayers have experienced as a result of the computer glitch. 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

New York City Insider: Media Release: Council Members Rodriguez and Oswald Call On The City To Increase Diversity In All Leadership Positions Across City Agencies.

  THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

 

OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER

YDANIS RODRIGUEZ

 

Thursday, July 29th, 2021

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**MEDIA RELEASE** 

Council Members Rodriguez and Oswald Call On The City To Increase Diversity In All Leadership Positions Across City Agencies.

(Click For Spansh & English Video)

New York, NY- Today Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez held a press conference alongside Council Member Felix Oswald calling on City Hall to increase diversity to all leadership positions of city agencies. The City has the opportunity to leave a legacy and increase diversity within all leadership positions of the City. 

New York City is 29% Latino, 24% Black, and 14% Asian, however these communities have not been represented within the leadership of City Agencies. Councilmember Rodriguez recognizes that in this administration there has been some important progress, however, the City is far from where it could be. New York City's leadership across all institutions public and private must reflect our diversity.

Councilmember Rodriguez called on The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to increase their transparency and release the information they have relating to diversity within the City's leadership positions. Council Members emphasized the need to ensure these positions are reflective of working-class New Yorkers. 

Additionally, Council Member Rodriguez urged the MTA to increase the diversity within their leadership positions. Pat Foye and Sarah Feinberg will soon be exiting their positions at the end of this week. Councilman Rodriguez discussed the importance of having diversity within the leadership board at the MTA. 

"I recognize that the City has made significant improvements to increase the diversity of all City agencies. However, we are far from reaching numbers that reflect the composition of our communities. Black, Latino, and Asian communities are part of the majority in New York City, and we must see that reflection within the leadership roles of all City agencies," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. "We must be seen as a role model by ensuring that all city agencies reflect the communities they serve at the senior most level. The MTA must also ensure that their leadership board is reflective of the everyday New Yorkers that rely on our transportation system. I will continue to work alongside Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and Union leaders to continue increasing the number of Black, Latino, and Asian workers in leadership positions."

Leonardo Coello, Bronx Community Leader said, "This is a critical matter that needs to be addressed. During the pandemic, lives were lost not only to the virus but also to decisions made by government leaders who had no understanding of the Latino community. We need leaders that are a reflection of everday, working class New Yorkers. 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker: Governor Cuomo Announces Streamlined Application Process for Rent Relief Program.

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Streamlined Application Process for Rent Relief Program.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a new streamlined application process for New York's rent relief program to help eliminate potential barriers for eligible New Yorkers to receive funding. The new process immediately relaxes documentation standards for both tenants and landlords and implements a streamlined process for submission of arrears documentation for multi-tenant landlords effective Tuesday, July 27. 

New York State's rental assistance program makes up to $2.7 billion in emergency rental assistance available for struggling New Yorkers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program assists households behind on their rent and that have experienced financial hardship, that are at risk of homelessness or housing instability and that earn at or below 80 percent of area median income. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides assistance with up to 12 months of past-due rent, 3 months of prospective rental assistance and 12 months of utility arrears payments to eligible New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. The program is expected to serve between 170,000 and 200,000 households.

Seven communities that received funding for emergency rental assistance directly from the federal government opted to administer their own programs. Residents of the City of Rochester and Monroe County, the City of Yonkers, Onondaga County and the towns of Hempstead, Islip and Oyster Bay must apply with their local programs for emergency rental assistance and are ineligible for assistance from the state-administered Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: South Broadway Movie Nights.

 

Westchester Insider: PHOTOS/VIDEO: WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER CHEERS ON BIKE RIDERS FOR SOUTH COUNTY TRAILWAY 30TH ANNIVERSARY.

 

County Executive George Latimer Cheers on Bike Riders for South County Trailway 30^th Anniversary.

 

(Ardsley, NY) – In celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the South County Trailway, County Executive George Latimer cheered on cyclists who participated in a bike ride to mark the momentous occasion.

 

View the full press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVgRvDyVq0s.

 

The South County Trailway boasts a long and rich history. The 14.1-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian path is located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad, which was affectionately referred to as the “Old Put.” It provided freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx and Putnam County.

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “The Westchester County Trailways are the most used facilities in our park system. They provide visitors with a great outlet to get a bike ride, jog or stroll in, pounding the pavement on centuries of history. Traces of the “Old Put” can even be found along the South County Trailway and I am thrilled to celebrate this milestone for such a historic trail.”

 

Westchester County Parks First Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia said, “Our Trailway system is celebrated everyday by visitors who use it as a naturally essential outlet for physical and mental health. The 30^th anniversary of the South County Trailway is special as it is exciting to see how far it has come in such a short amount of time.”

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County: MEETING NOTICES – August 2021.

 

 

Meetings will be held as follows:                                                                             

 

Westchester County Deferred Compensation Board

Monday, August 2, 2021 at 11a.m.

County Office Building

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY

Finance Conference room – 7^th Floor, Room 718

WEBEX EVENT

Event number (access code):  1614 38 5712

Event password:  aUESs2sbM29

Join meeting:

https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/j.php?MTID=m640d9bd4d3b9fab5be5df80a39905f38 

Join by phone: 1-844-621-3956 and enter the meeting number when prompted

 

For questions please contact Lisa Burke at 914-995-4190 or lqbm@westchestergov.com

 

Westchester County Solid Waste Commission

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 3p.m.

County Office Building

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY

Finance Conference room – 7^th Floor, Room 718

 

Westchester County Police Board

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 3p.m.

Westchester County Police Academy

2 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers Community Events Calendar.

There is going to be a FREE concert tomorrow as part of Mayor Mike Spano #SummerFilm & #SummerConcert series! Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy a #jazz performance by Antoinette Montague at Dunn Park on Vineyard Ave starting at 7PM. #Yonkers #Westchester #ThingsToDo

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers Event from Yonkers City Councilwoman Shanae Williams 1st District.

Join us next Friday for Jamaica’s 59th Independence Day celebration. We will be raising the flag at Yonkers City Hall. Please note the time is 430-630pm. Please be prompt! Can’t wait to see you all there and have a good time!

Yonkers Insider: ***NEWS RELEASE***: YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO ANNOUNCES CITY AND SCHOOL WORKFORCE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO ANNOUNCES CITY AND SCHOOL WORKFORCE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE.

City and School District Employees Must Prove Vaccination by Labor Day or Undergo Weekly COVID-19 Testing.

YONKERS, NY – July 28, 2021 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced all municipal and Yonkers School District employees must provide one-time proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Labor Day or undergo weekly testing.

“We have fought long and hard to combat this pandemic and this is not the time to back down as this virus evolves,” said Mayor Spano. “Yonkers must continue on its road to recovery and that means ensuring that our workforce is protected and protects the residents we serve. We are in this together.”

The mandate comes as COVID-19 cases resurge across the nation along with the rise of the virus’ delta variant, particularly among those who have not been vaccinated. Prior to today’s announcement, the City of Yonkers did not require proof of vaccination or require frequent testing among employees.

Similar to the recent policy announced by New York City, Mayor Spano also said that all unvaccinated employees must wear a mask indoors at their workstation, while vaccinated employees who do not interact with the public are currently not required to wear masks at their workstations, though they may choose to continue to do so. City and Yonkers Board of Education workers who interact with the public including students and their families, must continue to wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status. In addition, all employees must still wear a face covering when entering the buildings, travelling to their workspace, and in elevators.  Face coverings are required for all visitors while in any city or school facility.

Yonkers’ 2,000 full-time municipal employees must show proof of vaccination or undergo routine testing by Labor Day, while the 3,500 full-time Yonkers Board of Education employees must do so by September 1, the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

Mount Vernon Insider: Mount Vernon Forward: Team Urges Unity After City Council Victory: Elections 2021.

 

Mount Vernon Forward Celebrates Victory in

City Council Race, Calls for ‘Commitment to Unity” in Moving City Forward.

The Board of Elections has completed its historic hand recount of the closest election in Mount Vernon history and confirmed Cathlin Gleason’s victory by three votes - completing the Mount Vernon Forward team’s overall victory in the race for three City Council seats in a primary election that will help define our city’s future.

The team of Danielle Browne, Cathlin Gleason and Ed Poteat will be the Democratic nominees for City Council in November, joining Comptroller nominee Darren Morton and incumbent County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels on a unified ticket that signals a new day in Mount Vernon politics.

“Allow me to remind everyone within the sound of my voice that every vote matters!” said a jubilant Gleason, who waited for a month since the June 22nd primary for her victory to be confirmed. “More seriously, we need to work together in Mount Vernon, to unify and commit to a better future. I’m thrilled with these results today, and deeply honored to be called to service by the voters of Mount Vernon.”

Gleason, Browne and Poteat thanked the Board of Elections, Reginald Lafayette and Doug Colety and all Board of Election workers for their hard work, as well as their opponents for their willingness to step forward. And they reiterated their pledge of unity and transparency, as they prepare for the general election on

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

“We will continue to talk with the people of Mount Vernon right through November and into January. Thanks to so many of you, including our incredible volunteers and campaign team, we have created a lasting movement for change in this great city. It has been a joy to work together, learn from each other, and collaborate on a vision for a better Mount Vernon. We also thank all of our opponents for City Council and look forward to sitting down with each of them, and working with their supporters in November. After this long election campaign, now is the time for all of us to come together to move Mount Vernon forward.”

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who endorsed the Mount Vernon Forward vision and its slate of candidates, called for unity and collaboration: “January is coming and that means this fine team of public servants will work hard through the general election to move Mount Vernon Forward. But we must begin to unify now, to get through these months, and build a partnership that will allow our team to hit the ground running. I couldn’t be prouder of these Democratic nominees, and look forward to working closely with them in City Hall.”

Darren Morton, Democratic nominee for Comptroller:

“Now that the primary election is behind us and the people of Mount Vernon have chosen their leadership, it is time for us to face forward. We must be dedicated to work collectively as Democrats to restore trust. It won’t be easy, there is work to be done - especially on our city’s finances - but we now have the team in place that will raise up collaboration and commitment to all in our community.”

Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, incumbent Democratic nominee for Westchester County Legislator:

“The people have spoken and we have an incredibly strong Democratic team to move Mount Vernon Forward. This is a new day for our city, a new day for our Democratic party, and we’ve got our work cut out for us. I’m thrilled for Cathlin, Danielle, and Ed - and for my colleague Dr. Morton - and look forward to working closely with them as we change Mount Vernon."

Greenburgh Insider: Job club info-job openings in our area!

Westchester Residential Opportunities and the Chelsea Assisted Living are hiring!

Over the years I have tried to help residents who are unemployed find work. I share job info with residents looking for employment opportunities. Here are two opportunities.  If you want to be added to our job club and want to be advised of job openings as I learn of them, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. If your business is looking to hire please advise so I can share the info with your neighbors--fellow residents of Greenburgh!

PAUL FEINER

Westchester Insider: VIDEO AND PHOTOS: WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX IN PORT CHESTER.

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Senior Affordable Housing Development in Port Chester.

 

Sawpit Senior Apartments Provides 100 Percent Affordable Homes for Seniors.

 

Watch the Full News Conference: https://youtu.be/kWXrMusENKQ

 

View B-Roll of the Sawpit Senior Apartments: Part 1 and Part 2

 

 

(Port Chester, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer cut the ribbon on the Sawpit Senior Apartments in Port Chester, an affordable housing development providing 34 rental units to residents aged 62 and older. The four-story residential building features a community room, fitness center, patio, deck and 77 on-site parking spaces, and is located within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, recreation, the Capitol Theater, the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, the Carver Center, and places of worship in the Village of Port Chester. The Village also provides transportation to the Village Senior Center with its Nutrition Program. The property was developed by Lazz Development.

 

Latimer said: “The Sawpit Senior Apartments is a perfect example of how, working cooperatively with developers, the local municipalities and the State Government, we ensure we are building affordable housing throughout Westchester County. This development and others like it address a critical need for our seniors, who are often burdened by rising housing costs. I have made affordable housing a top priority since day one of my administration, and I am thrilled to see this beautiful property open for our seniors.”

 

Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said: “Sawpit Senior Apartments continues Governor Cuomo’s commitment to building new affordable housing options for seniors across the state. Too often, older New Yorkers are priced out of their own communities or forced to live in unsafe or outdated homes. This $17 million development allows 34 households to age in place in the bustling village of Port Chester with easy access to services, public transit, shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Thank you to County Executive Latimer and our development partners for working together to bring this project to fruition.”

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning Norma Drummond said: “Sawpit Senior Apartments is a great example of where the developer brought the vision to life of creating housing on an underutilized commercial lot. Now 34 residents have a new apartment to call home.”

Westchester County Legislator Nancy Barr said: “Westchester’s vibrancy and economic sustainability depend on people with a wide range of incomes being able to live and work here. We have a particular responsibility to help seniors stay in our communities in ways they can afford. This is why I was happy to join my colleagues on the Board of Legislators in approving funding for the Sawpit Senior Apartments back in 2018, and I'm so excited to see project come to fruition. This is a wonderful space, with fabulous on-site amenities and access to shopping, restaurants, the library and local parks, all within walking distance.  I'd like to thank the Board of Legislators, the County Executive, our County Planning Department, the Village of Port Chester and Lazz Development for working together to make this a reality.”

Developer Lou Larizza said: “We transformed an underutilized parking lot into a state-of-the-art senior housing community, which is so critically needed today.”

 

There are 31 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments that are all affordable. The typical one bedroom apartment is +/‐708 sq. ft.; the two bedroom, +/‐ 853 sq. ft. Each apartment has a balcony, and the kitchens are fully equipped with refrigerator, stove/oven, dishwasher and microwave. Heating is hot water baseboard, cooking is electric, and A/C units are provided. Six apartments are designed specifically for people with mobility impairments, and two apartments are designed for people with sensory or hearing impairments.

 

The development is located approximately one mile from entrances to the Cross Westchester Expressway (Interstate-287) and the New England Thruway (Interstate 95), and approximately half a mile from the Port Chester Metro North Station. The property is down the street from Veteran’s Memorial Park, and the Village sponsors a variety of activities, special events and programs for residents of all ages throughout the year.