PRESS RELEASE: City of Yonkers, Yonkers Board of Education and Yonkers Federation of Teachers Settle Contract

YONKERS, NY – December 28, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada and Yonkers Federation of Teachers (YFT) President Patricia Puleo today announced that all parties have signed a memorandum of agreement between the Yonkers Board of Education (BOE) and the YFT. The contract will be before the YFT membership for ratification next week when the staff returns from holiday recess.

The new seven year contract retroactively covers all terms of employment for Yonkers Public School teachers dating back to July 1, 2014 and will extend through June 30, 2021.  With the negotiated contract complete, the YFT leaders on Friday will sign and submit the New York State’s new teacher-evaluation system, or Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR), to the New York State Department of Education which will allow for $30 million in State aid to the Yonkers School District. 

“This is a contract that works for our teachers and Yonkers taxpayers, and I am proud to say that we got it done,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “I applaud the teacher’s union leadership for negotiating in good faith and agreeing to a contract that is fair to our teachers but also reflects the reality of our economic times and what our taxpayers can afford.”

Contract reforms saving taxpayer dollars include an uncapped contribution to healthcare for new hires and an increase in healthcare insurance costs for all teachers.  Reform in worker’s compensation also has been agreed to which reduces paid compensation from 60 calendar days to 30 work days.

The new contract also calls for a 14.5% salary increase over seven years. Under the new agreement, YFT members also will see an increase in longevity stipends.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada stated, “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the Yonkers Council of Administrators that was adopted by the Trustees at the December 21^st Stated Meeting of the Board.  Today’s tentative agreement with the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, when approved by the Trustees later this week and ratified by the union’s membership, brings closure to our APPR requirements.  These fair and equitable agreements provide five years of stability and enable us to competitively attract quality administrators and teachers.  Working with our school administrative teams and teachers we are ready to focus all efforts on improving teaching and learning through the implementation of the District’s 3 Year Strategic Plan.  These agreements are one more step in defining sustainable solution for students’ success in Yonkers.”

Dr. Quezada noted, “The negotiating team continues to work in good faith with the Civil Service Employees Association, Inc., Yonkers Non-Teaching Unit, 9169 (CSEA) and look forward to expeditiously reaching an agreement.”

“On behalf of the Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Quezada, the entire negotiating team from the Board of Education, the City of Yonkers and Mayor Spano for their relentless work,” stated Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez.  “Stabilizing the school district, as well as the community, by settling all of our bargaining unit agreements has been and will continue to be a priority of this Board.  We join Dr. Quezada and welcome an expeditious agreement with the CSEA.”

Upon securing this all-too-important memorandum of agreement, YFT President Patricia Puleo stated, “We are pleased we have come to an agreement that recognizes the hard work of our Yonkers teachers.  We could not have achieved such an agreement if not for everyone’s leadership throughout the negotiation process and I commend both negotiating teams for their efforts to the benefit of our students”.

“Our agreement with the YFT shows that when the City and union leaders come together, we can achieve compromise, savings and reforms, and do it all in a way that works for the taxpayers and the workforce. I want to thank our dedicated teachers for their commitment to our children and their future,” said Mayor Mike Spano.

YFT is made up of nearly 1,900 Yonkers Public School teachers.

Last week, the Yonkers Board of Education and the Yonkers Council of Administrators (YCA) came to a similar labor contract agreement. The Board of Trustees approved the YCA contract at its December 21 meeting. The YCA represents nearly 120 Yonkers Public School administrators and supervisors.

RIP: James Gary Pretlow II – In Memoriam – August 21, 1974 to December 21, 2016

MOUNT VERNON, NY — December 28, 2016 — New York State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow writes: “I am saddened to announce the passing of my son James Gary Pretlow ll at the age of 42. He transitioned on December 21, 2016, at his home in Johns Creek, Georgia. James, much-loved father and son, was born August 21, 1974, at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City NY, to James Gary Pretlow and Yukiko E. Hubbard-Pretlow. He leaves behind his daughter: Ayala Mack – her mother: Victoria Mack-Bender, both of Covington, GA; Step-mother: Donna, Aunt Glorian; two half-brothers: David and Anthony; and a host of friends and other relatives.”
SERVICES:

Wake:
Thursday, December 29, 2016
6:00PM – 9:00PM
Lee Wood Funeral Home
23 East 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Final Viewing:
Friday, December 30, 2016
9:30AM
Lee Wood Funeral Home

Funeral:
Friday, December 30, 2016
10:30AM
Lee Wood Funeral Home

Home-Going Reception:

REPAST OR FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, December 30, 2016
12Noon – 2:00PM

Hosted by Macedonia Baptist Church
141 South 9th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Rev. Dr. Darren M. Morton, Senior Pastor

James “Jim” Pretlow will be given a formal Military burial immediately following the
REPAST OR FUNERAL SERVICE at:

Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Boulevard, Calverton, NY 11933`

Yonkers Board of Education Board of Trustees President Rev. Steve Lopez Calls Meeting pertaining to Collective Bargaining Agreement for Friday, December 30

NEW POST: Seussical Opens in Three Weeks

YONKERS, NY — December 27, 2016 — As we get closer to opening night, meet some of the incredible cast that is working so hard to bring the Seussiverse to the Grinton Will Library January 13th-15th.! Meet Moriel Behar, Sofia Newman and Adriana Nocco who play The Bird Girls!
SEUSSICAL opens January 13th and runs for four performances at the Grinton Will Library 1500 Central Ave, Yonkers NY (snow dates Jan 20th-22nd). 

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Animal Shelter Will Waive Adoption Fees for Adult Dogs and Cats

YONKERS, NY – December 22, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and the City of Yonkers Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation today announced FREE ADOPTION DAYS later this month for adult dogs and cats at Yonkers Animal Shelter - 1000 Ridge Hill Boulevard – Yonkers, NY.  The adoptions will be offered to the public free of charge December 26 through December 31,  11AM-4PM.

“The staff, as well as the volunteers, at Yonkers Animal Shelter do an outstanding job caring for all of the stray dogs and cats that come in,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “My hope is that by waiving these adoption fees during the holidays, many animals will find loving homes as we head into the New Year.” 

Dog adoptions at Yonkers Animal Shelter typically cost $80 dollars and cat adoptions typically cost $65 dollars.  Adoptions between December 26^th and December 31^st also include spay or neater procedures, rabies shots, deworming, distemper shots and immunizations.

City residents wishing to adopt must also complete a questionnaire to be reviewed by the Yonkers Animal Shelter staff prior to the adoption.  The waived adoption fees do not include the mandatory $12.50 charge for mandatory dog licenses in New York.  

In September 2013, the 11,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Yonkers Animal Shelter was opened to the public featuring a welcoming public reception space, modern indoor and outdoor kennels, and updated medical facilities with inviting adoption areas.  

The shelter was made possible by the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York State, ASPCA, Building Hope and several other organizations, as well as donations from local residents. 

The Yonkers Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation operates the Animal Shelter.  For further information, please contact Yonkers Animal Shelter at 914-377-6730.

PRESS RELEASE: Mayor Mike Spano Urges Residents To Recycle Throughout The Holiday Season

YONKERS, NY – December 21, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today, along with Department of Public Works Commissioner Tom Meier, announced “Recycling Reminders” for city residents throughout the rest of the holiday season.  The City of Yonkers Recycling Center is located at 735 Saw Mill River Road, in Yonkers and is open Monday – Saturday -7:00 am – 4:00 pm – closed on Sunday.

“The holiday season produces additional opportunities to recycle for our city,” said Mayor Spano.  “Our focus remains on operating our city in an environmentally conscious manner through recycling.”

Holiday recycling reminders include:

·         Styrofoam from the packaging of toys & gifts can be recycled

·         Electronics are not permitted in the trash.  Please drop off at the Yonkers Recycling Center 

·         All electronics being thrown out can be recycled

·         A clothing bin for old clothes can be discarded at the Yonkers Recycling Center 

For the convenience of residents after the holidays, ALL electronics and Styrofoam may be picked up at curbside during December 27 – January 13 with an appointment (914-377-4357).These items also can be dropped off at the Yonkers Recycling Center throughout the year during regular operating hours.

“The Department of Public Works is working diligently to promote recycling whenever possible as waste disposal dramatically increases in the coming weeks,” said DPW Commissioner Tom Meier. “We encourage residents to review these holiday reminders and take part in helping Yonkers operate as effectively as possible.”

In addition, beginning Monday, January 9 and ending Friday, January 13, 2017 - residents may leave their bare, Christmas Trees out with their garbage to be picked up for proper environmental composting. Residents also can bring trees to the City’s Organic Yard at 610 Nepperhan Avenue between  7am-3pm, Monday-Saturday.

YONKERS TRIBUNE: Mayor Mike Spano to Lose $39 Million in State Funding to Yonkers Public Schools

YONKERS, NY — December 20, 2016 — Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano has played chicken for so long under the direction of others who run Yonkers City Hall in his name for so long, that the puppet masters have created a scenario where Mayor Mike Spano will be forced to blink. A few eggs will certainly crack over his self imposed tenuous position. After a full five years in office, the first two spent “straightening” things out by turning the independent Yonkers Public Schools into a Department of Education under his control, Mayor Mike Spano’s last three years to the present has denied the Yonkers Council of Administrators (YCA), the Yonkers Federation of Teachers (YFT), and CSEA Unit 9169 each a contract. In the past, Yonkers City Hall has asserted that they did not have the financial wherewithal to meet the demands of contracts that had or would soon lapse. To wit: drama, subterfuge, stall tactics, being dismissive of labor leaders, and waiting out the clock. The purpose has been and continues to be to dump the problem on the back of future administrations as the necessary funds to meet expiring contractual demands are instead used to meet the ever growing no-show patronage employment positions, and the  non-aggression pacts that manage the successful outcome of eventual political office holders through intimidation, retribution, or worse.

This while Mayor Mike Spano prepares to wait out his three last years of his second term as mayor should he not gain the necessary votes to succeed incumbent Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in the 2017 November Election.

Perhaps Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano lost track of time. $39 million is at stake. The New York State funds would arrive in Yonkers from Albany for school curricula if the YFT would submit their New York State Teacher Certification Examinations™ by no later than December 29, 2016. But there is a fly in the ointment.

Teachers, represented by the YFT are not enamored by the certification examinations. Had the City of Yonkers (CoY) and the YFT sincerely engaged in contractual efforts the deadlines could have been met, even as soon as in the first week of December; today is December 20th.... 

http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2016/12/mayor-mike-spano-to-lose-39-million-in-state-funding-to-yonkers-public-schools-by-hezi-aris

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano to Host Satellite Tax Offices at Three Locations Across the City

YONKERS, NY – December 19, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced that he will again launch the Mayor’s Satellite Tax Office on Wednesday, December 28 at Will Library (1500 Central Park Avenue), Thursday, December 29 at Coyne Park Senior Center (777 McLean Avenue) and Wednesday, January 4 at Homefield House (911 Saw Mill River Road) .

The Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services and the City’s Tax Department will be available from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm all three days to meet with Yonkers residents and accept City property tax payments, which are due Friday, January 6, 2016.

“Paying your City taxes is mandatory but the experience doesn’t have to be challenging. We’ve made a concentrated effort to make City Hall more accessible so residents can have a more enjoyable experience, said Mayor Mike Spano. 

For those residents who prefer to pay their tax bills at City Hall, Mayor Spano is once again offering a

one-stop for residents at City Hall, as well as  expanded visitor parking at the City Hall parking garage to include dozens of new parking spaces and one-hour parking.

The City Clerk, Cashier’s Office and Assessor’s Office are all conveniently located on the 1^st floor of City Hall, allowing constituents to pay their taxes, water bills, obtain birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, dog licenses and other permits in one easy location.

“City government belongs to the taxpayers and we want the experience here to be a positive one,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “Our main goal here at City Hall is that our residents, especially our seniors, will have a more productive overall experience.”

For more information, residents can contact the Office of Constituent Services at (914) 377-6010 during regular business hours. Residents can also contact the Mayor’s Help Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 377-HELP (4357) for assistance.

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Public School 5 Closed Monday, December 19, 2016

YONKERS, NY — December 18, 2016 — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada notified parents and staff this morning via telephone message that Yonkers Public School 5 will be the ONLY school closed for all students and staff tomorrow, Monday, December 19th. YPS 5 is located at 118 Lockwood Ave., Yonkers, NY 10701

All staff will report to Saunders Trades & Technical High School. Dr. Quezada’s message noted, “School will be closed ONLY for School 5 students this Monday, December 19, 2016.

Last night, a standpipe in the new wing of the building burst in the upper floor affecting several classrooms and offices. The Facilities Management Department has been at the school assessing the damages and cleaning all affected areas.

Principal Dr. Pisacreta and I will keep you informed of all developments. Another telephone message will sent by 3:00 PM tomorrow with additional details. If you have specific questions, please feel free to call the Elementary Administration Department at 376-8066. I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding and cooperation.”

Information will also be available on the District’s website, www.yonkerspublicschools.org, Facebook, Twitter and TV station Cablevision Channel 75 and Verizon FiOS Channel 38.

PRESS RELEASE: United Way of Westchester Invites Yonkers Residents to Voice their Community Health Concerns

YONKERS, NY — December 17, 2016 — United Way of Westchester and Putnam is working with the New York State Department of Health to conduct a series of community listening sessions, the purpose of which is to get input from local residents on improvements that can be made to the healthcare system delivery and access.

The free sessions are open to anyone in Ossining, Yonkers, Mount Vernon and New Rochelle; breakfast and lunch are included.

“This is a wonderful chance for people to tell us what they think about the many factors that influence their health and well-being, what works and what doesn’t work in local health-care delivery systems and what we need to do make things better,” said Alana Sweeny, President and CEO, United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP).

The four sessions will be held from 9am to 1pm in:

1. Ossining: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Ave.
2. New Rochelle: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, New Rochelle YMCA, 50 Weyman Ave.
3. Yonkers: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, Yonkers Riverfront Public Library, 1 Larkin Center
4. Mount Vernon: Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon, 350 South 6th Ave.

The New York State Health Department’s Minority Health Council and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention is seeking the public’s comments to help draft new policies that improve health in low-income, ethnically diverse communities, advised Sweeny. Similar discussions – all volunteer-led – took place in other major cities throughout the state in 2016. Topics include: Women’s Health, Taking Charge of Your Health, Violence & Trauma, Spirituality & Health, Seeking Services in the Community, Youth & Adolescent Health, Aging & Elder Care, People with Disabilities, LGBTQ Health, Men’s Health and Open Topics.

Accomplish your attendance and gain further information by way of the appropriate hyperlink:

www.UWWP.ORG/HealthcareMtVernon,

www.UWWP.ORG/HealthcareNewRochelle,

www.UWWP.ORG/HealthcareOssining,

or helping lead a discussion in any of the locations, please visit: www.uwwp.org/

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam 
United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) helps local residents in Westchester and Putnam become self-sufficient and thrive in a stronger community by helping people in crisis through the 2-1-1 helpline, making sure children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade, providing job skills training and offering support programs for the nonprofit sector. UWWP works with agency partners, government, business and community leaders to solve complex problems. United Way’s 2-1-1, which covers Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, answers thousands of online inquiries and calls each week ranging from tax, heating, and mortgage questions to childcare, basic needs, natural disaster and crisis calls.

UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. Phone: 914-997-6700 Website: www.uwwp.org. Facebook: (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP) and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP)