DAILY VOICE: Lithium Producer Now In Yonkers

The 'Battery Of The Future' Is Being Made In Yonkers

by Jeanne Muchnick

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Imagine not having to charge your cellphone for two weeks, due to a new, stronger battery. Or owning a battery-powered car that could go twice the distance of a Tesla with 1/10 the charge time (a Tesla currently needs six and a half hours to recharge and can go 200 miles before conking out).

Jerome Feldman, the chairman and founder of Westchester-based alpha-En Corporation believes it's possible thanks to high purity lithium metal and associated products his company is working on.

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Alpha-En Corporation doesn't make batteries but is behind the production of lithium metal, the key source of a battery's power.

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Alpha-En Corporation is in iPark -- the former Otis complex.

YONKERS EVENT: Yonkers Farmers Market at Philipse Manor Hall Every Friday, 10am to 4pm

PRESS RELEASE: Groundwork Hudson Valley Named EPA Environmental Champion of 2017

YONKERS, NY — June 30, 2017 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected Groundwork Hudson Valley for its highest recognition.

The 2017 Environmental Champion Award for Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indian Nations in New York State was publicly presented in a ceremony at the EPA’s office in Manhattan in May.
The annual award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality and public health.

Nominated by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Groundwork was recognized for their work with the City of Yonkers and New York State to lead the Saw Mill River Daylighting project, restoring a river that was covered with concrete for 90 years and adaptively recreating it as Van der Donck Park.

The park’s 13,775 square feet of aquatic habitat is a vibrant green space that has revitalized downtown Yonkers. Through Groundwork’s educational exhibits, visitors can learn about the river’s history and the various ways human activity has affected its ecology over the past 400 years.

“Groundwork Hudson Valley is honored to receive this prestigious award from the Environmental Protection Agency. Together, we have worked for nearly twenty years to re-green and revitalize the City of Yonkers and the Lower Hudson Valley. We are so proud to be recognized alongside our fellow awardees from across the region,” said Brigitte Griswold, Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley.

In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated Yonkers as an Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership city – one of only 16 in the country to receive this recognition for protecting significant wildlife habitats. The partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Yonkers, and Groundwork Hudson Valley, focuses on educating the public about a wide range of species now living in Van der Donck Park, including the American eel, river herring, turtles, mallards, muskrat, and threatened birds, like the Eastern Phoebe.

The Urban Rangers, Yonkers teens employed by Groundwork, are now offering an informative weekly tour of Van der Donck Park, featuring the American eel and the Eastern Phoebe. The tour is available every Friday from 2pm-3pm, starting at Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, through October 27, 2017.

Groundwork works hand-in hand with lower Hudson Valley communities to transform brownfields into public parks and greenways and cultivate environmental stewardship. At Groundwork’s recent Great Saw Mill River Cleanup, more than 200 volunteers removed 8,000 pounds of trash at eight sites along the Saw Mill River.  Groundwork’s Science Barge, a floating sustainable urban farm, educates school groups and the public about renewable energy, urban farming, and climate change.

This past April, three years of collaboration between Groundwork and the City of Yonkers resulted in a $3.3 million grant from the New York State Department of Transportation to construct the Yonkers Greenway, a project that will convert an abandoned spur of the Old Putnam Railroad into a 2.2 mile biking and walking trail through the heart of southwest Yonkers.

Yonkers City Council President Liam McLaughlin Takes Inaugural Uber Ride

Yonkers, New York –  As Uber launched its ridesharing service across Westchester County, Yonkers City Council President Liam J. McLaughlin took the inaugural Uber ride.

Yonkers City Council President Liam McLaughlin said, “We are very excited to launch the ridesharing economy here in Yonkers.  The voluntary fingerprinting and additional background checks Uber has provided will help ensure that riders are safe. We will continue working with them to provide safe, reliable transportation to the people of Yonkers.”

“Hey, Yonkers  – your Uber is arriving now! New Yorkers have been demanding ridesharing in their communities for years and our leaders have delivered ensuring that starting this holiday weekend, residents and visitors will always have an affordable, reliable ride,” said Alix Anfang, Uber spokesperson.  

Poll after poll has shown overwhelming support for ridesharing in every corner of the state. And nearly 80% of suburban voters support ridesharing in New York.

Uber can make New York State communities a safer place to live because it has been proven to help reduce drunk driving instances in cities where it operates.

An independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing. This means Uber has the potential to save hundreds of lives. And a report by Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released in January concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes.

In April, the Governor and the Legislature passed a bill to bring ridesharing to the Empire State. And on June 5th, ridesharing companies were given the green light to operate across New York State ahead of the July 4th weekend, when many New Yorkers are out celebrating.

Riders can download the Uber app in the iTunes or Google Play stores and get a fare estimate here.

For New Yorkers interested in driving with Uber, please visit uber.com/drive

YONKERS EVENT: Nicole Benjamin for Westchester County Legislator District 16 – Free Community Greet and Meet BBQ – July 1st from 1-6 pm

Yonkers Council Democrats Vote To Protect Dumpers

YONKERS, NY – Litterbugs earned a reprieve today as Democrats on the Yonkers City Council voted down a law which would have provided for the use of recorded images as evidence of littering or dumping.

NATONAL COVERAGE:

USA Today, WAMC, ABC-7 and others, an identical law on the books in the town of Yorktown has already been used to catch litterers red-handed.

“Littering is bad for the environment and bad for taxpayers,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve done a tremendous job cracking down on litter recently. The trash cam law would have been a great follow-up to our pack-in pack-out law for parks, the increased fines for littering, and our anti-litter marketing campaign including the new trash cans and poster contest, but unfortunately, politics ruled the day.”

The legislation does not require the City to purchase any new equipment in order to implement it. However, the minority Democrats on the Council cited this spurious logic when they voted to protect dumpers, causing the legislation to fail 3 to 3.

The ordinance creates liability in any instance where a recorded image is obtained showing the operator or passenger of a vehicle throwing or depositing litter from a vehicle. As explained during a Committee meeting last week, the City could eventually do an RFP for cameras to record its own still images of litterers. The cost would vary depending on the type of camera, and would be remotely monitored by the police department after an infraction has occurred.

“Litter is not only a blight on our neighborhoods, but a time and equipment intensive burden on the Department of Public Works which is a cost transmitted back to local taxpayers,” Council President McLaughlin added. “The ‘trash cam’ ordinance will catch people who are in the act and would be another tool to help reduce the amount of trash dumped in our City. At the next Council meeting, the legislation is certain to pass by a 4 to 3 vote from the Council Majority.”

The ordinance was already adopted in the town of Yorktown and is intended to be used for cameras to be installed at littering “hot spots” to record driver’s licenses plates. Even without installing the cameras, Yorktown has already successfully been able to prosecute litter bugs as concerned citizens have taken video of the act and captured the offender’s license plate.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Budget Committee Chairman Liam J. McLaughlin Calls Budget Meeting for June 27, 2017th at 6pm

Budget Committee Chairman McLaughlin calls a meeting for June 27, 2017 at 6pm at City of Yonkers – City Hall, 40 So. Broadway, 4th Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701.

Agenda Items:

1. Special Ordinance – Bond Ordinance – acquisition of St. Denis property at 121 McLean Avenue and 469 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue. (Negative Fiscal Impact)

2. Special Ordinance – Bond Ordinance – Capital Projects – School Facilities Management Plan – ($40,775,000). (Negative Fiscal Impact)

3. Special Ordinance – Bond Ordinance – Serial Bonds/ General Obligations Bonds – $52,000,000. (Negative Fiscal Impact)

4. Special Ordinance – Bond Ordinance – Capital Budget – $58,821.651 (Negative Fiscal Impact)

5. Any additional items that may properly come before this Committee.

Liam J. McLaughlin, Budget Committee Chair
Majority Leader John Larkin
Minority Leader Michael Sabatino
Christopher Johnson
Corazon Pineda-Isaac Mike Breen
Dennis Shepherd 

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About Liam J. McLaughlin

Liam J. McLaughlin (born January 16, 1968) is the Council President of the Yonkers City Council. He is a practicing attorney and partner at McLaughlin & Zerafa, LLP, an estates and trusts firm
McLaughlin grew up in Yonkers, New York and attended Cardinal Spellman High School and Fordham University where he received a Bachelor's degree in accounting in 1989  
He became an auditor at Ernst and Young and went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School in 1996.
Involved with a local neighborhood association, as well as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, McLaughlin first ran for the City Council in Yonkers, New York's fourth largest city and one of the "Big Five" cities in the State, in a 1997 election for the fourth district council seat. He scored an impressive 38% of the vote as a third-party candidate on the Conservative Party of New York State line  
He won the seat outright during the 1999 general election after winning the Republican primary and served from 2000 to 2010, including service as Minority Leader and Majority Leader.
He ran for the New York State Senate in 2010 after being term-limited off the Council against State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, garnering 45% of the vote 
He then returned to private law practice and served as an adjunct professor at Manhattan College 

In 2013, he was elected Council President  
His first local law gave a school tax exemption to military veterans, which made Yonkers the first major city in New York to offer that benefit to service members

http://www.mzlawllp.com/

COMMUNITY: Yonkers Police Department Tips to Prevent Delivery Package Theft

PRESS RELEASE: Jenkins Asserts County Leaders Threaten Ride Sharing Legislation in Westchester

Meanwhile, State Leaves Counties Without Revenues from New Transportation Option

WHITE PLAINS, NY — June 24, 2017 — “The proposed Astorino/Kaplowitz Ride Share opt-out legislation will halt conversations on ride sharing in Westchester, eliminating our ability to have further discussion on the legislation. Meanwhile, our state officials did not properly codify existing passenger safety regulations into the legislation for Westchester,” conveyed Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislator.

“The County Executive and the Chair of the Board of Legislators have wasted more than a year and a half, suppressing legislative debate and failing to have public discussion and input,” said Jenkins. “This 11th hour, last gasp grasp by Astorino and Kaplowitz will make it impossible to explore all the options, and once again failing to get the best deal for Westchester.”

Jenkins proposed the legislation in March of 2016 to codify existing safety measures once ride-sharing services became legal. The bill would have required that drivers be subject to fingerprinting and background checks, as is regulation with other taxi services throughout the County. After a long battle, ride sharing services are now legal statewide. Legalization comes with a catch; the state keeps all the revenue from these services.

“Our state government should have done more to protect passengers at the local level,” said Jenkins. “This bill did not include a major passenger safety regulations, fingerprinting and background checks. Now, implementation is further delayed so that our County government can  ensure that residents are protected from significantly different driver safety rules.”

“Some Westchester state legislators should have focused more on the impact to the riding public in Westchester instead of political career goals,” said Jenkins.  The State passed the bill leaving the Counties with zero revenue from the ride-sharing services.  Rather than assigning a portion of the revenues to County governments, the state is taking it all.  The original State legislation had 4% going to the Counties.  “Where were our leaders when Counties were left behind in this legislation?”

“When the State Legislature returns to the capital to deal with New York City Mayoral Control, I am calling for a moratorium so that the State could consider safety concerns and fiscal impact,” said Jenkins. “This is an interim step to continue discussions with ride share companies and to understand modifications that may be needed at the State to level the playing field for all.”

https://www.jenkinsforwestchester.com/

PRESS RELEASE: Senators Stewart-Cousins and Latimer and Assemblymembers Mayer and Pretlow Announce Funding for Yonkers School District Construction

Legislation will Authorize Funding for ‘Yonkers City School District Joint Schools Construction and Modernization Act’ 

YONKERS, NY — June 22, 2017 —Senate Democratic Leader and Senate bill sponsor Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator George Latimer, Assembly bill sponsor Assemblymember Shelley Mayer, and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow today announced that legislation they supported to rebuild crumbling Yonkers City schools and invest in new construction has been passed by both houses of the State Legislature. The legislation, Senate Bill S.6400-A / Assembly Bill A.7788-A, will authorize additional aid toward the Yonkers City School District Joint Schools Construction and Modernization Act.

Senate Bill Sponsor, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Last year, my colleagues and I were able to ensure passage of a landmark bill to invest in Yonkers students and school infrastructure. I am proud that we have built on that success with this year’s legislation and commend Assembly bill sponsor Shelley Mayer and my colleagues Senator George Latimer, and Assemblymember Gary Pretlow for their work on this important bill. The process continued by this bill will help construct three new school facilities to address overcrowding. By utilizing state resources, we will help ensure Yonkers schools are better equipped to provide our children with the high quality education they deserve without placing undue burdens on local taxpayers.”

Assembly Bill Sponsor, Assemblymember Shelley Mayer, said, “This legislation helps us accelerate efforts to ensure that thousands of students in the Yonkers City School District no longer have to endure overcrowding and schools that are crumbling around them. This legislation will help increase funding for three new school buildings to dramatically help address the overcrowding problem. I am proud to build on the success of last year and thank my colleagues for supporting this common sense legislation.”

Currently, the average age of Yonkers’ school buildings is 75 years old, with the oldest building being 119 years old. Additionally, students are overcrowded in these antiquated facilities, with the 27,000-student district currently experiencing a 4,100-seat overcapacity with an additional 1,500 students projected to be enrolled over the next few years. To address this crisis, Senators Stewart-Cousins and Latimer and Assemblymembers Mayer and Pretlow introduced the Yonkers City School District Joint Schools Construction and Modernization Act in 2016 and saw it passed into law. This legislation will continue the progress made by that bill and allow for financing up to $523 million for the first phase of school facilities renovations and create a 9-member board to implement these projects. Due to increased student enrollment, these funds will also help start the process to authorize construction on three new buildings to increase capacity for Yonkers students.

Senator George Latimer said, “This legislation is a crucially needed piece in the revitalization of our schools in Yonkers. With the leadership of Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the work of my Assembly partners Shelley Mayer and Gary Pretlow, we are continuing to ensure that our school infrastructure meets the needs of 21st Century education.”

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow said, “This legislation continues the great work we did last year, and actually accelerates the process of helping Yonkers students. I commend State Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and George Latimer, and my colleague in the Assembly, Shelley Mayer, for their efforts. Yonkers students deserve an end to the overcrowding they are forced to endure, and this legislation will help us achieve that goal.”

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “This is great news for the students of Yonkers and marks a milestone in our efforts to rebuild our schools. Thank you to our legislative leaders, especially our Yonkers state delegation Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator George Latimer, Assembly member Shelley Mayer and Assembly member Gary Pretlow for advocating on behalf of our children and making this critical step possible. We look forward to getting to work and beginning the process of providing a healthy, safe environment for our students.”

Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Yonkers Superintendent of Schools, said, “This is a momentous moment for Yonkers. Education in our city is about to soar to new heights because our elected leaders fought for Yonkers children’s rights – quality education delivered in 21st Century schools. What a team! Assembly persons Mayer and Pretlow, Senators Stewart-Cousins and Latimer, Mayor Spano and the City Council… our most sincere gratitude. You are truly educational leaders.”

Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez said, “We are so appreciative of all the effort everyone put into this, including the tremendous advocacy work of the Yonkers Council of PTAs. Thanks to all on behalf of our kids!! The academic, economic and social benefits from this bill for the City of Yonkers and our state will be reaped for generations to come.”

YONKERS EVENT: Carmen Gomez Goldberg for Westchester County Legislator District 16 Fundraiser on June 27, 2017 at Zuppa Restaurant from 6-9 pm

Coyotes Seen Near Yonkers Raceway

Coyote Sightings Near Yonkers Raceway Spark Residents' Concerns

by Zac Failla

YONKERS. N.Y. - Officials in Yonkers have called a meeting as restlessness grows following several coyote sightings near the Yonkers Raceway and Hillview Reservoir.

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Yonkers Raceway officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday morning. According to a CBS report, they are working with state and federal agencies to install cameras in the area to track and trap the coyotes.

Police cautioned that coyotes should never be fed, and if a coyote is spotted, one should be aggressive with their behavior, making loud noises, waving arms and throwing sticks and stones to seem like a greater predator.

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Whole article

YONKERS EVENT: Nicole Benjamin for Westchester County Legislator -District 16 – Breakfast Fundraiser – June 24, 2017th from 9am – 12Noon

CHRISTOPHER A. JOHNSON, YONKERS COUNCILMEMBER, 1ST DISTRICT

Christopher Johnson obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus. After graduation, Christopher’s desire to serve continued, as he immediately joined the 2006 campaign of Andrea Stewart-Cousins for State Senate, canvassing Yonkers and explaining to voters how certain changes were needed in this city.

Following the election, Christopher continued his service; first as a Community Liaison to Yonkers for Senator Stewart-Cousins then playing a key role in her first and second re-election campaigns.

While working in the Senator’s office,

Christopher continued his education, intending to better help improve the quality of education for others. In May 2011, Christopher completed his Master’s Degree in Education at Fordham University, concentrating in School Counseling and Personnel Services. Christopher, through Yonkers Partners in Education, has volunteered in Roosevelt High School’s Counseling Center, lending his experiences in college to high school students preparing for the college application process and college life itself.

Christopher has taken active roles in many organizations, such as the Yonkers Martin Luther King Commission, Yonkers Community Action Program (YCAP), the Hudson River Community Association (HRCA), Riverkeeper and is a member of the Westchester, Rockland, Putnam Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association.

Christopher was born and raised in the Bronx with deep family roots in Yonkers spanning several generations; including his late Great-Grandmother Evelyn Johnson and father. His aunt and several cousins still reside in Yonkers to this day. Christopher currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Stewart-Cousins.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Department of Public Works – PUBLIC HEARING – Proposed Water Rent Increases

LEGAL NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED WATER RENT INCREASES

I, Thomas Meier, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works in the City of Yonkers, do hereby call a public hearing on the proposed scale of water rent on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in the Law Library, Rm. 300, City Hall, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York, at 5:30 p.m.

The Proposed Scale of Water Rents is available for inspection by the public until June 28, 2017 at: The Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 40 S. Broadway, Yonkers NY 10701.

THOMAS MEIER, COMMISSIONER
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Dated: June 19, 2017.

PRESS RELEASE: Ken Jenkins Announces Plan for Ride Sharing in Westchester County

Legislative Process Delays Meeting with Committee on Public Safety

WHITE PLAINS, NY — June 14, 2017 — Ken Jenkins, candidate for Westchester County Executive, introduced legislation on March 21, 2016, in the Board of Legislators to safely legalize ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft into Westchester County. Upon his request, a meeting with the Committee on Public Safety was to be held June 13, 2017. The meeting was postponed at the request of County Executive Rob Astorino.

Expressing his frustration with the needless additional procedural delay, Legislator Jenkins said, “The legislative process has delayed safety regulations for the inevitable adoption of ride sharing services in our County. Although I am an advocate for these services in Westchester, I believe in preparing for the bumps in the road ahead. Given the need for other affordable transportation options in the County, and the safety concerns that come with a new transportation option, we must move quickly to find solutions for legitimate safety concerns.”

Jenkins’ proposed legislation would add services like Uber and Lyft to existing regulations covering taxis and limousines. These regulations require drivers to go through background checks, and have their vehicles inspected, for the safety of the passengers. It would also require drivers to have up to $1 million in liability insurance. The bill would ensure that the person who orders the call on an app can see a photo of the driver, along with receiving a fair estimate, and an electronic receipt at the end of the trip.

“Our existing taxi and limousine regulations and guidelines have protected our residents and drivers for years,” said Jenkins. “Our legislative body’s priority should be the safety of the people of Westchester. The lag in our process has brought a major solution to ride sharing safety concerns to a halt. We cannot stand for this.”

The purpose of the meeting is to vote to request to have the County’s lawyers draw up the legislation so that it can be sent to committee, then put to a vote. The meeting has been postponed until June 29th, delaying the already slow process by 16 days.

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers City Council President Candidate Mike Khader's Campaign Headquarters Opening

Democratic nominee for Yonkers City Council President to open campaign headquarters with blockbuster party and campaign rally; Khader to be joined by State Senator Latimer, Assembly Member Mayer

YONKERS, NY — June 12, 2017 — Mike Khader, Democratic nominee for Yonkers City Council President, will formally mark the opening of his new campaign headquarters with a blockbuster party and supporter rally tomorrow.

The local attorney and former CIA intelligence official will be joined by prominent supporters in government and organized labor, including State Senator George Latimer (D – Port Chester), Democratic candidate for Westchester County Executive, and Assembly Member Shelley Mayer (D – Yonkers).

This event comes as Khader continues to build momentum in the campaign with recent high-profile labor endorsements from Teamsters Local 456, the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, the Buildings Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, and Westchester Putnam Central Labor Council/NYS AFL-CIO.

Who: Mike Khader, Democratic nominee for Yonkers City Council President, State Senator George Latimer, Democratic nominee for Westchester County Executive, Assembly Member Shelley Mayer, community leaders, and Khader campaign team members and volunteers.

What: Khader for Council President campaign office grand opening.

Where: 861 Midland Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. 10704.

When: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m

New Movie Studio On School Street In Yonkers

Celebrity Cinematographer Sets Up Shop In Downtown Yonkers
by Zac Failla

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Cinematographer Steven Romano has announced that he purchased a 10,000-square-foot property at 15 School St. in Yonkers, where he will open a production studio where a former banana warehouse once stood.

According to Romano, he plans to use the space for television and motion picture production, as well as television commercials.

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Whole articl

PRESS RELEASE: Ken Jenkins, Candidate for County Executive, Stands with Ossining Family Scheduled for Deportation

Community Groups Outraged by Lack of Support from County Executive’s Office

OSSINING, NY — June 11, 2017 — Thursday, an Ossining High School student was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities on Thursday. The 19-year-old, Diego Ismael Puma Macancela, was arrested just one day after ICE agents took his mother into custody.

“These are not common sense immigration policies,” said Jenkins. “Rather than displace families, we should be working with undocumented immigrants to create a path to legalization. Diego and his family are but one example of the destructive immigration policies pushed by the Trump Administration, of which Astorino is a strong supporter. Being arrested for living life in your home, where you go to school, where you know your neighbors, and where you’ve lived all your life. That’s a real fear among our immigrant neighbors.”

Jenkins is currently a sponsor, and major advocate for, of the Immigration Protection Act, which outlines ways in which Westchester can legally refuse to cooperate with ICE agents, an effort to bring Westchester to “Sanctuary County” status. 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. The Act protects information shared with County departments, as well as prohibits county-owned resources from being used by the federal government.

“I have not only stood with immigrant communities in Westchester, but I have also taken serious legislative steps to protect our neighbors at the local level,” said Jenkins. “I am actively standing with the Macancela family now. It is time to show the federal government that these heartless and discriminatory policies do not stand. This is about protecting our people. These are our neighbors. These are people that have lived and contributed to our community for years. I challenge Astorino to oppose his friend Trump’s policy, and make moves to protect our people.”

In an interview, County Executive Astorino implored the community not to “make political statements” at this time. Community groups throughout Westchester believe otherwise. On Monday, June 12, the Hudson Valley Community Coalition is organizing a protest outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office to stand in solidarity with the family.

“I urge you to call your legislators, and ask them to support the Immigration Protection Act,” said Jenkins. “They need to hear from you, about people in your community, and how we need to protect them now more than ever.”

YONKERS EVENT: Yonkers Democratic Committee Chair Meier’s Cocktail Reception For George Latimer, Democratic Westchester County Executive Candidate

YONKERS EVENT: Forum on NYS Excelsior Scholarship Program – June 26, 2017, from 6 – 8 pm

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Public Library Awarded Construction Grant Money from State

YONKERS, NY — June 7, 2017 — The Yonkers Public Library was awarded a $153,804 grant from the Public Library Construction Aid Program to support the renovation of the Grinton I. Will Branch. That project, currently underway, will completely replace the façade and windows at the 50-year-old branch.

“This is wonderful news,” said Edward Falcone, library director. “These funds will enhance the project and ensure that the Will Branch will continue to serve the residents of Yonkers for years to come.”

The Grinton I. Will Library, located at 1500 Central Park Avenue, has never undergone any major renovation. It was designed by Architect Eli Rabineau and opened in November 1962. The project scope includes installing double pane windows to help reduce noise, increase insulation and enhance natural lighting. All the exterior cement panels on the building’s façade will be replaced with terra-cotta panels that offer insulation and a vapor barrier. This will make a huge impact on the sustainability of the building and increase its energy efficiency.

The Public Library Construction Aid Program is an annual appropriation to improve library facilities across New York State and can be used for broadband installation and in the acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters.

Director Falcone extends his gratitude to the entire New York State delegation, including Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and George Latimer, and Assembly members Shelley Mayer and J. Gary Pretlow, for their support of the grant in Albany.

Yonkers Public Library has three locations throughout the city. Yonkers Riverfront Library is located at One Larkin Center in the downtown/waterfront district. The Grinton I. Will Branch, 1500 Central Park Avenue, is located in East Yonkers and the Crestwood Branch, 16 Thompson Street, serves residents in the Northeast area of the city. For more event information on the renovation, please visit http://www.ypl.org/renovations.

Bones Wrapped in Rug on Bruce Avenue

Human Skeletal Remains Found Wrapped In Carpet In Yonkers

by Kathy Reakes and Joe Lombardi

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Human skeletal remains were discovered Monday in Westchester rolled up in a carpet, the Yonkers Police Department confirmed.

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Police received the report of the discovery around 4:30 p.m. at 165 Bruce Ave., said Sgt. Dean Politopoulous.

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...the aged remains were possibly discarded at the location where they were discovered, and detectives are working to determine the identity and origins of the deceased, police said.
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165 Bruce Avenue is near Caryl Avenue