PRESS RELEASE: Kenya Reed Indicted for Child Endangerment Following the Death of Her Toddler Son Alex Robinson

PHOTO: Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr

YONKERS, NY — April 29, 2017 — Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. yesterday announced that Kenya Reed (DOB 02/06/95) of 44 Maple Avenue, Apartment 2-B, Yonkers, New York was arraigned on an indictment before Westchester County Court Judge Anne E. Minihan on Thursday, April 27, 2017 and charged with:

• two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor

in connection with an investigation into the death of her toddler son Alex Robinson (DOB 02/01/14) and the living environment that was discovered in their home on December 24, 2016.

On December 24, 2016 at approximately 8:14 p.m., Reed’s co-defendant, Blair Robinson, the victim’s father, walked into the emergency room at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers carrying his 2 year old son and reported to the staff that the child was not breathing. Hospital personnel observed that the child was lifeless and had no pulse. Hospital personnel were never able to revive the child and he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:25 p.m.

Although it was not readily apparent what caused the child’s death, hospital personnel did observe bruises on his back and notified the Yonkers Police Department. When police went to the victim’s home following the child’s death, they located his mother, Kenya Reed and they also discovered the deceased victim’s 10 month old sister in a bedroom where she lay in a cold room on a mattress with no sheets, a bottle of curdled milk beside her. The child was dirty and suffering from a terrible diaper rash. The apartment was filthy and unsanitary and rodent droppings were all over kitchen surfaces. Bugs flew around inside the refrigerator. The infant female was sent to Westchester Medical Center for follow-up care, both parents were interviewed and the investigation continued pending the results of an autopsy. At that time, Robinson minimized his conduct and stated he only hit the child one time on his buttocks.

When the autopsy was conducted by the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office, it was determined that Alex died as a result of blunt force trauma to his head and his torso and that he had hemorrhages in his brain and internal organs. Approximately nine marks on his back appeared to have been pattern injuries caused by some kind of instrument that he had been repeatedly struck with.

Reed told Yonkers Police that she witnessed Robinson beat their son until he was unconscious and detectives learned Reed did nothing for the child such as stop the attack, call 911, call an ambulance or seek any medical attention.

When the police located Blair Robinson again on December 27, 2016, he admitted to police that he had kicked, whipped and beaten the child in his head and torso earlier in the afternoon of December 24, 2016, and that following the beating he had inflicted, he had taken a nap and then gone to work for approximately 90 minutes, before finally returning to his house at 44 Maple Avenue where he retrieved his son and brought him to the emergency room. Robinson was arrested following that interview and charged with his son’s homicide.

Reed was indicted by the Grand Jury for two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and surrendered yesterday following the issuance of an arrest warrant that had been issued as a result of the action of the grand jury.

The Court set bail in the amount of five thousand dollars, and Reed was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

Robinson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on March 15. He has been remanded without bail to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla and his case is also pending.

If convicted, Reed faces a maximum possible sentence of one year on each of the misdemeanor charges of child endangerment. Blair Robinson faces a possible sentence of twenty five years to life in state prison on the most serious charge of murder in the second degree.

Reed and Robinson are next due in Court on May 9, 2017.

This case is being prosecuted by Second Deputy District Attorney Fredric Green, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division and Special Prosecutions Division Assistant District Attorney Joyce Miller.

http://www.westchesterda.net/news-and-information/current-press-releases/april-2017/3175-mother-indicted-for-child-endangerment-following-death-of-her-toddler-son

Yonkers Gets $3.5 Million State Grant For Old Put Greenway Trail

$3.5M State Grant Clears Way For Greenway Linking Yonkers To Manhattan

by Zac Failla

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced Friday that the city has been awarded a $3.3 million Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the DOT to construct the Yonkers Greenway, which will involve the conversion of an abandoned spur of the Old Putnam Railroad into a 2.2-mile trail.

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The TAP grant will also allow for city officials to continue designing and constructing the second and third phase of the Greenway proposal, which will lead into the downtown waterfront area, eventually connecting the Saw Mill River Daylighting project and ending at the Yonkers train station.

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Whole article

YONKERS EVENT: Wilson Terrero’s Birthday Celebration – Friday, May 12, 2017th from 7-11 pm at The Ukrainian Center

PRESS RELEASE: Mike Khader Secures Democratic Nomination in Yonkers City Council President Race

Local attorney and former CIA intelligence official receives unanimous nomination by Yonkers Democratic City Committee for party line in November election to replace incumbent City Council President Liam McLaughlin;

YONKERS, NY — April 27, 2017 — In a major victory for his bid to serve as the next Yonkers City Council President, Democratic candidate Mike Khader last night secured the nomination of the Yonkers Democratic City Committee in a unanimous vote. With the Democratic party line and recent major labor endorsements, the local attorney and former CIA intelligence officer consolidates his candidacy to replace incumbent City Council President Liam McLaughlin in the November general election.

“I am honored to receive the Democratic nomination for Yonkers City Council President,” said Mike Khader. “I want to thank the ward leaders and local district leaders for placing their faith in me as the best candidate to lead our party to victory in November. I also want to thank Mayor Mike Spano for his support and guidance. The Mayor has been a strong advocate for Yonkers, fighting to improve education for our children and secure the city services we all depend on. I look forward to partnering with him and all our Democratic leaders as the next City Council President.”

Khader received the party nomination by unanimous vote of the committee’s 12 wards, which comprises weighted votes assigned to local ward and district leaders. Party leaders expressed their support for Khader following the vote.

Thomas Meier Sr., Yonkers Democratic City Committee Chair said, “I’m proud to support Mike Khader for City Council President.  He knows Yonkers, knows public service, and he’ll be a great part of our Democratic team working for all Yonkers taxpayers to protect our quality of life.”

“I’m proud to support Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President. Mike is a true fighter for the hard-working men and women of our city, and is the new face Yonkers needs to lead us on the right track forward,” said Assemblymember Shelley Mayer.

This resounding support from city party leaders represents the culmination of a short but intense campaign by Khader to seek the Democratic nomination to face off against McLaughlin. Since announcing his candidacy late last month, Khader secured major endorsements by the local Teamsters union and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. In his victory speech to the committee, Khader thanked both unions for their support, and pledged to build on the already impressive coalition in the months ahead.

The Yonkers-born and raised son of immigrant farmers from a small village. Khader is a successful business litigation attorney and the first in his family to graduate from college. After the September 11th attacks, Khader decided to serve his country by joining the CIA. The first-time candidate is using his campaign to highlight the many issues still facing Yonkers residents, including in long-neglected communities on the city’s southwest side. This includes what he calls the many hidden taxes in residents’ homeowners are assessed with, and the need for more funding for Yonkers city schools.

Khader will face McLaughlin in the November 7th General Election.

PRESS RELEASE:Yonkers County Legislator Ken Jenkins, A Candidate for County Executive, Responds to ICE Request for County Jail Beds

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — April 27, 2017 — Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislator and candidate for Westchester County Executive was appalled at the news that ICE has inquired about using Westchester County jail beds for holding undocumented immigrants. 

The signal of increased ICE raids has residents rightly afraid in Westchester and the surrounding counties.

“Westchester must stand strong,” said Jenkins. “Several years ago, the Federal government eliminated use of County facilities to hold federal inmates because they could accommodate in their own facilities. We must not allow our County resources to be used to intimidate. This is yet another reason why Westchester must work to provide a safe and inclusive community for all who live here. We cannot let the Trump administration make our residents afraid to leave their homes, or live their lives.”

ICE is the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The agency is making headlines as raids and deportations have increased in frequency throughout the country. These increases coincide with President Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. The raids indiscriminately break up families and deport otherwise law-abiding residents. Many undocumented immigrants who have lived here their whole lives are afraid to leave their homes as the threat of a raid looms over their heads. These raids have driven great fear into communities of Latinos, and other groups usually targeted for ICE raids.

“So far, the Trump Administration’s discriminatory policies have not taken root at home,” said Jenkins. “We on the Board of Legislators have worked to make sure we stop these policies from affecting our people. Here in Westchester we are willing, ready, and able to stand up and reject policies that do not coincide with our values. We need to do more to make sure that our residents are protected from bigoted leaders who do not have their best interests at heart.”

Ken Jenkins has been a strong advocate for bringing Westchester to “Sanctuary County” status. On the Board of Legislators, Jenkins has sponsored the Immigration Protection Act, outlining ways the County government can protect undocumented residents. The bill prohibits County resources from being used for any federally-mandated law that goes against the best interests of the people of Westchester County.

“Now more than ever we need to unite and pass this legislation,” said Jenkins.

“Chairman Kaplowitz needs to make it his immediate priority to send this bill to the floor for a vote. We need to start fighting back.”

More Committee Endorsements for Yonkers State Senator George Latimer Campaign in County Executive Race

PHOTO: George Latimer, Democratic candidate for Westchester County Executive

Democratic candidate for Westchester County Executive picks up endorsement of Bedford and ScarsdaleDemocratic Committees

Latest support brings count of George Latimer’s Democratic committee endorsers to seven; comes on heels of two-dozen-strong coalition of local electeds announcing endorsement of Latimer’s bid to replace incumbent Robert Astorino

BEDFORD, NY — April 27, 2017 — George Latimer, Democratic candidate for Westchester County Executive, continues to consolidate his support among local party organizations across the county with the endorsement this week of the Bedford and Scarsdale Democratic Committees.

This brings to seven the total number of local committees backing Latimer, and comes just one week after Sen. George Latimer unveiled a broad coalition of supporters in town and city governments in every corner of the county.

“It’s an honor to have the support of the Bedford and Scarsdale Democratic Committees,” said Senator George Latimer.

“These latest endorsements prove that our campaign is resonating with communities all across Westchester. The current leadership in this county has ignored Bedford, Scarsdale and countless other towns for far too long, and I look forward to being their voice as our next County Executive.”

The endorsement by the Scarsdale and Bedford Democratic Committees are the latest local party organizations to come out in support of Senator Latimer’s bid to oust incumbent Republican County Executive Rob Astorino. They come on the heels of earlier endorsements by the Democratic Committees of Harrison, Rye Town, North Castle, Mamaroneck Town, and Rye City. Most recently, the Latimer campaign released a major coalition of local elected official supporters from every corner of the county. These latest developments in the race continue to build Latimer’s momentum going into the Democratic convention next month. 

Via Yonkers Roundup (Brian Harrod) on Google+ 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350252480206350797

PRESS RELEASE: Anthony C. Murphy Shares Life Experiences in New Book "Scoppetry"

Collection of prose, poetry brings to light life’s travails through modern times.

YONKERS, N.Y. (PRWEB) APRIL 26, 2017: 

Travel the world through the eyes and words of Anthony C. Murphy. From his travels to Europe, the U.K., the U.S. and Mexico, Murphy writes a journal narrating his travels and life’s experiences in poetic form. All the pieces in “Scoppetry” (published by AuthorHouse) are all written recently about life's travails through modern times.

“Scoppetry” is a mixed-up book of poems and prose. The pieces take place in many countries, but they are all rooted by the writer’s observation of his relationship’s quirks, wherever he may roam. According to the book, “Scop” is an old English word for poet, and in “Scoppetry,” the author attempts to revive that wandering minstrel with modern narratives.

Playful and funny, “Scoppetry” and its collection of poems will make readers nod and smile at every experience and situation they can come across and relate with. Readers will be entertained by the waves of rhythm and rhyme echoing the voice and vision of the poet’s senses.

“Scoppetry”
By Anthony C Murphy
Softcover | 5x8in | 70 pages | ISBN 9781524688646
E-Book | 70 pages | ISBN 9781524688639
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Anthony C Murphy is from Lancashire but lives in Yonkers. He is assistant producer of spoken word event, “Rimes of the Ancient Mariner” in New York City. He curates the online travel blog “Where The Wurms Play Rugby” and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize 2017 for work appearing in The Westchester Review. He reads his work out loud on various stages in the U.S. and the U.K.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry’s only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrated 15 years of service to authors in Sept. 2011.For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1-888-519-5121. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

YONKERS TRIBUNE: Yonkers Federation of Teachers Endorse Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President

YONKERS, NY — April 25, 2017 — The Yonkers Federation of Teachers (YFT) today announcing their endorsement of  Democrat Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President. The YFT membership numbering almost 2,000 strong follows Teamster’s Local 456’s likewise resounding support of Mike Khader last week.

“The Yonkers Federation of Teachers is proud to endorse Mike Khader for City Council President,” said Pat Puleo, President of Yonkers Federation of Teachers. “As a public school parent and product of the city’s school system, Mike Khader understands the needs of teachers and their students. We know that with Mike in the City Council, the YFT will have a strong friend and ally.”

“Yonkers needs a City Council President who makes our public schools a priority,” said Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, YFT elementary VP and Staff Director. “Mike Khader is someone who understands our needs and is willing to work with us to secure the educational services that are desperately needed for our students.”

“Mike Khader is a breath of fresh air,” said Florence McCue, YFT executive board member and Grievance Chair for the local. “His candidacy is inclusive and expansive, involving all of the city’s various constituencies and not just a select few.  The students, parents, faculty and staff of the public schools will be well represented by Mike. This is what the students and teachers have always needed.”

“It’s an honor to have the endorsement of our city’s public school teachers,” said Mike Khader. “My wife and I send our three children to public schools because we believe in providing them with the tools to succeed, grow and contribute to their community. This is the promise that the Yonkers Federation of Teachers fight for day-in and day-out to uphold; securing the resources that will allow every child to reach their full potential.”

Through its affiliation with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) , the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association (NEA), Yonkers Federation of Teachers represents the city’s nearly two thousand public school teachers and over 1,300 retirees. For many decades, the union has led the fight to improve school funding.

The YFT’s endorsement comes full-circle for Khader, a lifelong resident of Yonkers who attended Lincoln High Schooland now sends his three children to local public schools in the city. The Democrat and first-time candidate is a successful business litigation attorney and the first in his family to graduate from college. Khader also served in the CIA, signing up for the renowned agency after the September 11th attacks in order to serve his country.

The YFT’s endorsement of Mike Khader, and Teamsters Local 456 reveals the disgruntled and angry electorate that had at one time clung to the promises expressed by Liam McLaughlin years ago. It took quite awhile. It is now recognized that McLaughlin’s words were hollow. They lacked integrity and heart.

2017 is the year that is bringing about the change people dared not contemplate. It is becoming the change Yonkersites can believe in because Yonkersites are no longer asking for respect, they are demanding it. Yonkersites are no longing hoping for better days, they are making it happen by controlling the process of the change that is now taking place.

Teamsters Local 456 and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers scaled the mountains. Who will be next to change the demeanor in Yonkers? Will Yonkersites coalesce around Mike Khader? The momentum is strong and daunting. Are these the beginning days of a new dawn for Yonkers?

http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2017/04/yonkers-federation-of-teachers-yft-endorse-mike-khader-for-yonkers-city-council-president-by-hezi-aris

Eelco van den Berg Mural for Boyce Thompson Site in Yonkers

New graffiti mural for Yonkers' Boyce Thompson Center

by Ernie Garcia

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The exuberantly colored, 15-foot-high by 53-foot-wide mural at the almost completed Boyce Thompson Center depicts insects and birds, a test tube, plants and a researcher peering through a microscope.


The unnamed mural was painted by Eelco van den Berg, an artist based in The Netherlands who also painted a large mural at the Mill Street courtyard in downtown Yonkers.

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Whole article

PRESS RELEASE: IAC Applications Impact Day Gives Back to Community – April 26th, 2017

YONKERS, NY — April 24, 2017 — IAC Applications employees will participate in the company’s annual impact day on April 26th. With the tech company headquartered in Yonkers, NY they are often looking for ways to give back to the community they work and live in.

Throughout the year employees are giving volunteer time off to work with organizations of their choosing and annually on impact day they head out into the community as a team to volunteer in a variety of ways. Please see below for detailed locations and events.

Repacking at Food Bank for Westchester, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – located at 200 Clearbrook Rd. in Elmsford.

Pitch in to help feed our Westchester neighbors. This team will repack foods for easy distribution, sort and box items collected from food drives, or pack backpacks with food for children in Yonkers and beyond.

Saw Mill River Cleanup in North Yonkers, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Clear away invasive vines that crowd out native plants, steal their water, and slowly strangle trees, creating canopies that block the sun from trees and under-story plants. These vines significantly diminish the value of wildlife habitats and h ave a negative impact on the number of species that can use the river.

Resume and Interviewing Workshops at Riverside High School, 10:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – located at 565 Warburton Ave. in Yonkers

Help students as they prepare to enter the “real world” post-graduation. Our team will host breakout sessions with students to help with resume writing, interviewing, and interpersonal skills.

Buena Vista Community Farm Site, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – located at 56 Buena Vista Ave. in Yonkers Contribute to a variety of improvements to Buena Vista—one of Yonkers’ urban farm sites. This site generates affordable organic produce sold at the Yonkers farmers market.

IAC Applications is an IAC company. NASDAQ: IAC

YONKERS EVENT: Celebrateing Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th Birthday

Ticket purchase(s) accomplished online via http://PhillipseManorFriends.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE: Maeve Scott Announces Her Run for Yonkers City Council – District 4

YONKERS, NY — April 21, 2017 — Maeve Scott has officially announced her candidacy for Yonkers City Council, for the 4th District council seat

Her campaign kick-off event will be held on Sunday, April 23rd at Dia & Noche Restaurant, 640 McLean Avenue, from 11am to 1pm.
“I look forward to being an independent voice on the council to represent the entire city, including our youth, working families, seniors and diverse ethnic communities and neighborhoods. I consider serving on the council not as politics, but as public service. I want to do all I can to contribute to preserving all that’s great about Yonkers, and to make it an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
As a resident of Yonkers for the past 36 years and a long-time homeowner, Maeve has a deep appreciation and attachment to the city. She is a wife and mother of three adult children who were raised in Yonkers.  She has been active in her community for many years including serving on the parish council of St. Paul the Apostle Church, Board Member of the Beverly Crest Homeowners Association and member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division #19.

Unlike the typical candidate, Maeve is a political outsider.  She has not served as an appointed insider on any of the city’s many boards or commissions.  With that said, she is completely independent and unencumbered and will work tirelessly to serve the city of Yonkers.

What Maeve brings to the table is experience; she brings over 34 years of significant management, business and financial experience from a successful career on Wall Street.  Her focus is on improving transparency and accountability, enhancing fiscal responsibility and budgetary discipline, improving schools and city infrastructure and focusing on the many quality of life issues that impact Yonkers residents every day.

PRESS RELEASE: Ministers Fellowship Council Endorses Yonkers Legislator Ken Jenkins, Candidate for County Executive

WHITE PLAINS, NY — April 20, 2017 — The White Plains Fellowship Council had on  Wednesday, April 19th endorsed Ken Jenkins in his campaign for County Executive. Below is the content of their letter.

“We write to proudly and definitively endorse Ken Jenkins for County Executive. His historic candidacy against the alt-right incumbent is one we should all have our eyes on; he is without question the candidate we should all support. 

“We are members of African American clergy who represent more than 3,000 congregants across Westchester County.  We have known Ken for most of his career. He is a dedicated public servant who has proven, in his elected position on the County Board, that he’s a smart and effective leader. He is a devoted family man who has raised his three children in Westchester County. And he is genuine in his devotion to his community, as he has proven through years of activity with non-profit organization and associations. 

“We all know that there are more Democrats here in Westchester than Republicans. President Obama won Westchester County 63% to 35% in 2008, and 60% to 38% in 2012. To look for reasons for Mr. Astorino’s victory as our County Executive, then, we must look inward, at ourselves. This is our seat to lose and lose it we have. It’s time to change that. 

“Ken is right on the issues. He introduced and fought for the immigrant protection act to bring us closer to becoming a sanctuary county. He fought hard for safeguards against fiscal mismanagement. He knows that lowering taxes and sound fiscal management are for many the most important issue, and under his leadership, our taxes were lowered. 

“Ken often says that government should be four things: smart, compassionate, prudent, and effective.  Astorino has proven, time and time again, that he’s able to achieve none of these. Ken does, and he has proven it is so. We urge you, and all Democrats, to support him for County Executive.”

This endorsement adds to the support, including endorsements from, most recently, Legislator Alfreda Williams and Legislator Lyndon Williams, Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson, as well as the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, and the Yonkers Black Democrats.

“What a great honor to receive this endorsement,” said Jenkins. “I look forward to working with the Ministers Fellowship Council, and their congregants, in the years to come, as we work together to make Westchester a better place.”

YONKERS TRIBUNE: The Bleak End for Yonkers PBA President Keith Olson is Looming Ever Closer- Crystal Ball NOT Required

There was no show of emotion when Yonkers Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Keith Olson and his “personal” legal firm, paid by all PBA men and women members, suffered a stunning legal defeat that is now a stained marking revealing the illegal misconduct by PBA President Keith Olson and the Yonkers PBA Trustees. Their collective and unconstitutional support of the … 

http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2017/04/the-bleak-end-for-yonkers-pba-president-keith-olson-is-looming-ever-closer-crystal-ball-not-required-by-hezi-aris

YONKERS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT LIAM J. MCLAUGHLIN

City Council President Liam J. McLaughlin is a Yonkers guy, through and through. His story is a true Yonkers story.

He was raised in Yonkers and has lived here for more than 42 years. His wife, Debbie, is also from Yonkers. Now, the McLaughlin family lives only a few blocks from the house he grew up in. McLaughlin attended St. John the Baptist School, the same school that his son Ryan now goes to. He coaches his son on the same youth baseball and soccer fields that his father coached him on when he was a kid.

A small business owner, he is a practicing trusts and estates attorney at McLaughlin & Zerafa LLP. Previously, he worked for several small law firms in the New York area, including his own general practice law firm and the Corporation Counsel's Office in the City of Yonkers. McLaughlin was also an adjunct professor at Manhattan College.

From 2000 to 2010, McLaughlin served on the Yonkers City Council. He served in leadership roles including Majority Leader and Minority Leader. McLaughlin also served on every major committee and was Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, as well as the Environmental Policy & Protection Committee. In 2013, he was elected as Council President by the voters of Yonkers.

A former senior auditor at Ernst & Young, he is a certified public accountant and holds a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School and a B.S. in Accounting from Fordham University. He is also a licensed real estate broker.

Deeply rooted in the community, he coaches youth baseball, basketball and soccer with Dunwoodie Youth Association. He currently serves as President of the Lincoln Park Taxpayers Association and is also a member of the Holy Name Society of St. John the Baptist Church, the Kerrymen's P&B Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Westchester County.

He is admitted to practice law in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association and the Yonkers Lawyers’ Association.

YONKERS TRIBUNE: Teamsters Local 456 Endorse Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President

PHOTO: Teamsters Local 456 President Lou Picani (third from left) stands by Yonkers City Council President candidate Mike Khader (fourth from left) stand by other Teamsters members at the union’s headquarters in Elmsford for a rally in support of Mike Khader.

ELMSFORD, NY and YONKERS, NY — April 18, 2017 — “The men and women of Teamsters Local 456 are proud to endorse Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President,” said Lou Picani, president of Teamsters Local 456 at Monday’s April 17th union meeting and endorsement rally of Mike Khader. “When our country needed him, Mike Khader answered the call. This is just what we need on the Yonkers City Council, a leader who will stand up for working families and protect the values that make our country great. We know that Mike will be a strong defender of labor, and we look forward to partnering with him in the Council.”

“It’s an honor to have the endorsement of the Teamsters,” said Mike Khader. “Their membership represents a true cross-section of our society, protecting workers across countless fields and protecting middle class jobs right here in the community. At a time when organized labor is under attack, I intend to stand strong and defend the rights of working men and women.”

After the endorsement of Mike Khader and Local 456 President Lou Picani’s endorsement was announced, Picani, Khader, and the leadership members stepped down from the elevated podium from which they initially addressed the membership, and immersed themselves among those congratulating Mike Khader by words, shaking his hand, and slapping him on his back.....

http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2017/04/teamsters-local-456-endorse-mike-khader-for-yonkers-city-council-president-hezi-aris

LaMONT OyeWale’ BADRU: School 19 Tax Break Hearing Monday, April 17th at 5:30pm, City Hall

YONKERS LETTER TO THE EDITOR — April 17, 2017 — My name is LaMont OyeWale’ Badru and I’m a community organizer in Southwest Yonkers. I’m also the executive director of CGDC, a community organization fighting to transform Southwest Yonkers through urban planning and community leadership development. Our organization started as a grassroots campaign called #FreeSchool19 back in 2012 to transform an abandoned school building in our community into a community center and neighborhood school. 

The city ended up Sending a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the building and selecting a developer from Long Island to build market rate apartment units with no affordability requirements or community benefits offered. 

The rational for selecting the developers proposal over the community proposal was that the developer had the capability and finances in place to complete the project within 2 years. We fought to have the city council block the sale and land disposition agreement, but we lost by one vote. (Dramatic footage from that night) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rEg8EFkaUU

Fast forward to today, almost 5 years later, the project still hasn’t broken ground, and now the developer is coming to the Yonkers IDA (Industrial Development Agency) asking for $1.6 million in tax breaks. When we found out, we were told that there would be a public hearing, but they didn’t publish the date on the website until Thursday and it’s set for this coming Monday.

We are asking community members to show up at the Public hearing on Monday April 17th at 5:30pm, which will be held at Yonkers City Hall in the Mayors Reception Room. Click to RSVP on Facebook.

We’re demanding a NO vote on the tax breaks unless the developer is willing to sit down with our organization to negotiate a community benefit agreement for the local neighborhood. Mayor Mike Spano is the Chair of the IDA and Ken Jenkins is currently the President. We are asking for their leadership, and we want them to engage with the developer to bring them to the table. Councilwoman Pineda who represents the districted where the development is located has voiced her support for our call for a benefit agreement to be negotiated.

Right now our primary asks are:

1) An investment in the implementation phase of the Highland Hill Project, our grassroots community planning project where we trained youth to survey the needs of the neighborhood surrounding the development site, with the goal of creating a neighborhood plan that will address the needs identified. We will be releasing and moving into the implementation phase of the 1st part of the plan that deals with creating economic opportunity in Southwest Yonkers. An example of a project that came from that plan is our community business incubator, ThePowerLab. We are also working to create a more cohesive and effective training and workforce development eco-system in our neighborhood by leveraging technology and best practices. Lastly we would also like to see local policies put in place that make it common practice for our city to hold developers accountable to the communities that they want to build in. These are the primary components of the 1st phase of our neighborhood plan.

We will also reinvest funds with partner grassroots initiatives that we work closely with and that serve the community like #100sistas and Yonkers Sanctuary Movement.

2) We want to be able to place 10-15 local OSHA trained community members on the job site. We want to use this as an opportunity to build a construction training program for formerly incarcerated young adults.

3) We want the developer to include 10% affordable housing within the project in line with the city’s Affordable housing ordinance.

We would definitely appreciate your support by spreading the word and showing up on Monday.

This is the last stand in a protracted fight for the future of this development site, but the beginning of a bigger fight for the future of our community and how economic development should should be approached in Yonkers.

PRESS RELEASE: Earth Day Opportunity to Pitch in and Clean Up Saw Mill River

YONKERS, NY — April 15, 2017 — It’s the quintessential Earth Day event, and a perennial rite of spring.  On Saturday, April 22nd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Groundwork Hudson Valley will host the 8th annual Great Saw Mill River Cleanup.

More than 300 volunteers will gather at 8 sites throughout the Saw Mill River watershed to clear trash from the river and save trees by cutting invasive vines. Join in at any one of several sites, from Yonkers to Elmsford, and bring friends and family for a fun day of rewarding outdoor work.

This year’s Great Saw Mill River Cleanup is a true community partnership between businesses, government, and citizens. Local businesses have stepped up as sponsors, ensuring the continuation of not only this cleanup, but monthly Free-A-Tree vine clearings throughout the winter and the creation of new recreation areas along the river near the Saw Mill Parkway’s North  Farragut Avenue exit in Hastings-on-Hudson. Lead sponsors are Rivertowns Square, the Danforth Apartments, Ginsburg Development, and, new at Rivertowns Square, Chopt and iPic Theaters. Other key sponsors include Yonkers Tennis Center, Saw Mill Auto, and San Signs. Many local companies are sending groups to volunteer, along with civic and school groups. Local and state agencies are taking care of hauling away the trash from each of the sites.

Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have taken part in this event, and have significantly improved the look and health of the river. Last year alone more than 7,000 pounds of trash were removed from the river.

This year’s sites include Van der Donck Park at the Daylighting in Yonkers; Walsh Road and War Memorial Field in Yonkers; Hearst Street in Yonkers along the South County Trailway; Lawrence Street in Ardsley along the South County Trailway; Bridge Street Plaza in Ardsley; Farragut Avenue in Hastings along the South County Trailway; and Woodlands Lake in Irvington along the South County Trailway.

Groundwork will provide tools, gloves, and supplies. Participants should bring water and wear long sleeves, long pants, and close-toed shoes.

To register and get more information on the sites, email Nathan Hunter at Nathan@groundworkhv.org, call 914-375-2151, or visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/groundwork-hudson-valleys-great-saw-mill-river-cleanup-438918069. Registration is not required.

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Groundwork Hudson Valley is an environmental non-profit that works with communities in the region to provide on-the-ground, grassroots initiatives that make spaces more livable and engaging.

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Signature programs include the Science Barge, Saw Mill River Coalition, Free-A-Tree vine-cutting, the Saw Mill River daylighting, Green Team summer employment program, Citizen Farmers, the Get Fresh Yonkers Farmers’ Market, and the Yonkers Greenway.