Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone Names Two Trustees to Yonkers Board of Education

YONKERS, NY — Mayor Phil Amicone today named two new trustee appointments to the Board of
Education: Paresh Patel, an engineer with two children in the public school system, and Nydia Perez, a financial professional with strong ties to the community.

   Both vacancy appointments, Patel will replace former trustee John Flynn whose spot has been
open since May, while Perez will fill the remainder of the term of former
trustee Robert Greco who stepped down last month for professional reasons.

   "I am honored to be able to make such quality appointments to the Board of Trustees. These
are two people I know will serve the people of Yonkers,
especially the 24,000 children in our public school system, with dedication and
a deep a sense of purpose toward continuing the great strides the Yonkers Public
School System is making in becoming a model for public education," said
Mayor Phil Amicone.

   Patel, 43, is a twenty-year veteran of the MTA's New York
City Transit agency where he's worked as an engineer in various capacities and
is currently employed as Superintendent of Planning and Production. He earned
an M.E. from City College  of the City University of New York and is also a certified physician's
assistant.

   Perez, 56, is a former vice president with Chase Manhattan Bank and has worked in the finance
and banking industry for nearly forty years. She is very active in numerous
business and community organizations that include the New York State Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Women Leaders of Westchester, Audubon Partnership
for Economic Development and Dominican American Chamber of Commerce.

   "I am humbled by the confidence the Mayor has shown in me and assure both he and the people
of Yonkers that I will live up to the expectations placed upon me,"
remarked Patel. "I am eager to begin the task with which I have been
entrusted-making quality public education a dependable and exemplary resource
for this city's many youth."

   Perez added, "Ensuring a quality public education for every child is a fundamental
commitment I know the mayor and the Yonkers Public School System take very
seriously and I am excited to be a part of what's happening with the public
schools."

Yonkers Councilmember McDow Asserts Placing Cellphone Nodes in the Southwest Yonkers is Environmental Discrimination

YONKERS, NY — Environmental discrimination exists when a certain sector of the population, especially vulnerable sectors, assumes a disproportionate burden of the effects of human induced environmental degradation.

This can be in the form of sewerage plants location, sewage diversion, relocating financially challenge
communities to another equally financially challenges community, factory locating and saturating one community with antennas. 

It has been recently discovered that the City of Yonkers
is going to move forward with the plans to allow ExteNet to place over 140
Nodes and a BTS Hub throughout the City of Yonkers.
ExteNet Systems located in Lisle, Il, designs, build and operates network
infrastructure primarily using distributed antenna systems. ExteNet System is
commissioned by a Communication Company (MetroPCS located in Dallas,
TX a cell phone Company) to build and place
these Nodes throughout Yonkers, Mount
Vernon and The Bronx
communities.
 
Throughout the years, the Southwest section of Yonkers has been plagued with
numerous antennas being place on residential and commercial building. It was
only last year when the residents of 50, 80 and 100 Riverdale Avenue made their
concerns known when they learned that a series of antennas were going to be
placed on the roof tops of their building.
 
The Southwest section of Yonkers is very attractive to the communication
industry due to its demographics, coupled with the density and skyline. 
The community understands that perhaps one antenna tower produces very low
frequency that is harmless to the general public. However, the question that
many are asking is "with so many antennas in a concentrated area is the
risk heightens with such an accumulation of antennas in a small radius as seen
in the downtown area of Yonkers"? When the question "what are the
risk associated with these antennas" are raised, the communication company
will argue that theses antennas are safe. How "The Bioinitiative
Report" report contradicts these claims stating that childhood Leukemia
and may set the stage for adult cancer later in life, brain tumors and acoustic
neuromas and Alzheimer's disease are associated with Electromagnetic Fields
(EMF).
 
Council Member McDow was outraged to learn that 60 plus Nodes as they are call
will be placed in the Southwest section of Yonkers. 
"Although over 140 of these units are being place throughout the City of
Yonkers, the South West Section of the City has had enough of their fair share,
said Council Member McDow" 
 
On Thursday, November 6th, Council Member McDow hosted a community Meeting at
the Riverfront Library to bring awareness to the Community and to hear the
concerns of the community. ExteNet along with MetroPCS provided the attendees
with a powerpoint presentation and Q & A followed.
 
The Council will vote on this project on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 during the regular
scheduled Council Meeting. 
 
For more information or questions, please contact Council Member McDow's Office
at 914-377-6311.

Yonkers Mayor Phil Announces Mid-Year Budget Cuts in Response to Financial Crisis

YONKERS, NY — As the global financial crisis continues, the City of Yonkers will join local governments from around the state and country that are trimming their budgets in the face of shrinking revenues.

Mayor Phil Amicone announced his plan today to cut millions of dollars in expenses from Yonkers' municipal budget including workforce reductions that will close a projected $16 million deficit projected for the current fiscal year.

Joined by Finance Commissioner James LaPerche, Schools
Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio, Deputy Mayor Bill Regan, City Council
President Chuck Lesnick, Councilmember Patricia McDow, and Councilmember Joan
Gronowski, Mayor Amicone made his announcement at a City Hall
news conference today addressing First Quarter financial data for Fiscal Year
2009 (Yonkers' fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30). As part of the budget
presentation, the mayor announced that the city faces a cumulative $16 million
budget gap for FY 2009 and detailed a series of difficult measures to reduce
the deficit.

Non-Personnel Cuts
Totaling $1.6 Million

(All amounts are approximate for Fiscal Year 2009. Exact figures are detailed
in the enclosed reports.)

* 75% across-the-board cut to "professional fees"
totaling $540,000 savings

* Outside consultants

* Equipment maintenance contracts

* Mobile phone contracts

* 40% cut to "special projects" totaling $330,000
savings

* Building demolition

* Special studies

* Training programs

* Special events (parades, festivals, holidays)

* Subsidies to community based organizations &
nonprofits

* 27% cut to various "supplies accounts" totaling
$218,000 savings

* Office supplies

* Equipment supplies

* Data processing

* Hardware

* Audio / visual

* Elimination of tuition / board / travel expenses totaling
$86,000 savings

* Elimination of internship programs totaling $90,000

* Take home vehicle reduction approximately $50,000 savings

* Cell phone reductions & renegotiated contract
resulting in $60,000 annual savings

* Discretionary contract expense account savings $370,000

Additional Deficit Closing Measures

* Freeze on purchasing

* Reopening union contracts (requires union support)

* Renegotiating vendor contracts

* Change or reduction in work hours (requires union support)

* Closing or limiting operating hours of facilities

* Cutting or eliminating nonessential programs

* Non-Personnel Board of Education Cuts Totaling $1.5
Million:

* Elimination of senior administrative positions producing
$250,000 in savings

* Reduce OT/extra pay resulting in $250,000 savings

* Projected fuel oil savings of $500,000

* Reduce lunch fund subsidy of $100,000

* Freeze of purchasing supplies/textbooks resulting in
$400,000 savings

* Elimination of professional conference financed by general
fund – TBD

* 2nd Round of Budget Cuts: Workforce Reductions by Year's
End

Nearly three-quarters of the municipal operating budget is
associated with labor including salaries and fringe benefits. Mayor Amicone
said it will be impossible to close the projected $16 million gap for the
current fiscal year without reducing labor costs substantially. Unfortunately,
he said, this means the city will be forced to make workforce reductions before
the end of the calendar year.

* 200 – 300 layoffs from all city departments

* Elimination of planned police academy class for 2009

* Expansion of the hiring freeze to include all positions
and departments

"When we proposed the budget for this fiscal year, we
presented a conservative spending plan that addressed the needs of Yonkers'
businesses and residents through the continued operation and distribution of
services. However, as financial data from the first quarter has come in, it is
now obvious that our revenue and expense projections must be adjusted in order
to keep the city financially solvent," said Mayor Amicone.

"The gravity of the budget situation requires us to
make hard choices that will not be popular. The truth is that failing to take
these actions would only result in much harder times ahead. Without action, we
risk further damage to our economy, our quality of life and possibly a state
imposed financial control board. Be assured that my administration, including
all of our commissioners and department heads, will work diligently and in
cooperation with the City Council to minimize the impact of the current
financial crisis on our city and its residents."

Real Estate Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2008

YONKERS, NY — A Real Estate Committee Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4th Floor.

The following items will be on the Agenda:

1) Designation of Lead Agency/ Coordinated Review for the
proposed convenience store at 360 Nepperhan Avenue

2) Local Law – amending the Affordable Housing Ordinance for
the City of Yonkers. 

3) Any additional items that may properly come before this
Committee.

Chuck Lesnick, Council President, and Patricia D. McDow Councilmember,
 are Co-chair of the Yonkers City Council Real Estate Committee.

Yonkers to Honor American Heroes at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

YONKERS,  NY — Mayor Phil Amicone is pleased to announce that the City of Yonkers
Annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 11 at 10:00 amat the
Washington Park Veterans War Memorial on South Broadway (located at the base of
the steps that lead to City Hall). In observance of the national holiday, city
offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11.

Mayor Amicone and Office of Veterans Affairs Director Al Ramsey have
coordinated a special program in tribute to members of the US Armed Forces in
honor of their dedication and service to our Country. They will be joined by
local officials as well as members of Yonkers Central Committee of War Veterans,
local Veterans Posts and Gold Star Mothers from Yonkers and the surrounding area.

Tuesday's program will feature Guest Speaker Major Thomas O'Connor of the
United States Marine Corps Reserve. Major O'Connor entered the USMC in 1989 and
served as a commander of a rifle platoon during Desert Storm, where he received
the Silver Star for his actions in engagements with Iraqi armor units.

The following is an outline of the ceremony:

· 10:00 AM Welcome- Albert Ramsey, Director Veterans Affairs 
· 10:05 AM Song- Enrico Fermi Elementary School Choir
· 10:10 AM Invocation – Rev. Terzo Vinci
· 10:14 AM Presentation of Colors- Yonkers Police Rifle Team & Color Guard
· 10:15 AM Pledge of Allegiance – James Nolan, Chairman of the Central
Committee of Veterans Organizations 
· 10:17 AM National Anthem – Enrico Fermi Elementary School Choir
· 10:20 AM Introductions- William Regan, Deputy Mayor
· 10:25 AM Comments- Mayor Phil Amicone 
· 10:30 AM Guest Speaker – Major Thomas O'Connor, USMC 
· 10:50 AM Gun Salute & Taps- Yonkers Police Rifle Team & Color Guard
· 10:52 AM Awards Presentation to Gold Star Mothers- Mayor Phil Amicone
· 10:55 AM Benediction – Father Terzo Vinci 
· 11:00 AM Closing – Enrico Fermi Elementary School Choir, God Bless America

Education Chair Annabi Solicits for Two Applicants to Board of Education Trustees to Fill Vacant Positions

YONKERS, NY — The Yonkers Board of Trustees currently have two vacant seats, and City Council Majority Leader and Education Chair Sandy Annabi (Dem – District 2) is calling for resumes and letters of interest from Yonkers residents who would like to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Yonkers School District.

Board Members serve as volunteers, for a normal term of office of five years.

The Education Chair is “Calling upon all Yonkers residents with an interest in serving on the Board, and are reflective of the diverse student population, to throw their hats into the ring. I am soliciting resumes and will process the submissions through the Education Committee. We will then submit our recommendations to the Mayor,” said Education Chair Annabi.

   "The ideal candidates should have a background rich in education, or in finance, so that
they can help to steer the School District in the right direction. I hope that many Yonkers residents from different backgrounds will reach out so that we will have a diverse group reflective of the student population from which to choose,” concluded Annabi.

Interested residents should submit their resumes as soon as possible.  Resumes and a cover letter should be submitted by e-mail to Sandy.Annabi@YonkersNY.gov, or mailed to Majority Leader Sandy Annabi, City Hall Room 407, Yonkers, New York 1070.

Questions can be directed to Annabi's Office at 914-377-6312 or the Trustees Office at 914 376-8095.

2008 Election Results

17th Congressional District                 84 percent of district reporting

* Eliot Engel (D-I-WF)                       142,114

Robert Russell (R-C)                            37,552

18th Congressional District               63 percent of district reporting

* Nita Lowey (D-WF)                         147,508

Jim Russell (R-C)                                    6,994

34th Senate District                             93 percent of district reporting

* Jeff Klein (D-I-WF)                            21,807

Daniel Fasolino (R-C)                           11,731

35th Senate District                            85 percent of district reporting

*Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-WF)       58,404

John Murtagh                                        37,464

36th Senate District                          90 percent of district reporting

*Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-WF)       11,645

Curtis Brooks (R-C)                                 326

37th Senate District                           92 percent of district reporting

*Suzi Oppenheimer (D-WF)                 66,624

Liz Feld (R-I-C)                                   40,562

87th State Assembly District              85 percent of district reporting

*J. Gary Pretlow (D-I)                          26,168

Ralph Pearson ©                                     1,024

Earnest Boaten                                           765

88th State Assembly District              95 percent of district reporting

*Amy Paulin (D-I-WF)                         30,658

Anthony Pilla (R-C)                               14,084

89th State Assembly District                 91 percent of district reporting

*Adam Bradley (D-I-WF)                       33,158

90th State Assembly District                 96 percent of district reporting

*Sandra Galef (D-I)                                  33,336

William Goulden (R-C)                             14,413

Richard Quaglietta (WF)                             1,060

91st State Assembly District                   92 percent of district reporting

*George Latimer (D-I-WF)                       27,643

Rob Bagi                                                   11,212

92nd State Assembly District                   80 percent of district reporting

* Mike Spano  (D-C-WF)                           27,310

James Faulkner (R-I)                                     9,915

99th State Assembly District                    97 percent of district reporting

John Degnan (D-WF)                                   21,329

*Greg Ball (R-I-C)                                       30,622

Yonkers Police Officer Simoes Accused of Using Excessive Force Appears in Federal Court

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Police Officer Wayne Simoes, indicted for using excessive force, allegedly violating the civil rights of Irma Marquez, appeared before White Plains Federal Court today.

The government was presented with additional evidence to refute the August 19, 2008 indictment against P.O. Simoes.

The most pertinent among the evidence submitted are two video tapes which challenge the widely distributed video which shows P.O. Simoes lifting Ms. Marquez vertically into the air after grabbing her about her waist, turning her mid-air onto a vertical position, and thereafter slamming her body face down onto the floor in the bar from which the allegations are drawn.

P.O. Simoes’ attorney, Andrew Quinn, Esq., said the video divulged to the public in August “doesn’t tell the whole story.”

Quinn said, "The video the government handed over is significantly longer and shows a number of events."  

P.O. Simoes is next expected to appear before the court on December 4, 2008, when a trial date could be set.

Yonkers Firefighters and Uniformed Fire Officers Endorse Senator Stewart-Cousins for Reelection

YONKERS, NY — Representatives of the Yonkers Firefighters and Uniformed Fire Officers gathered today to formally endorsed New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th Senate District) for reelection.

The Yonkers Firefighters, Local 628, I.A.F.F. and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association have endorsed her candidacy for her commitment to the well-being of individuals, families and communities in Yonkers and across New York State.

“Andrea Stewart-Cousins has been a strong leader in the fight to bring resources from Albany back to the City of Yonkers to enhance the vital municipal services that enable all of us to protect the residents of this
City,” said Hugh Fox, Jr., President of Yonkers Firefighters, Local 628, I.A.F.F.

“Yonkers benefits from leaders who advocate for our legislative priorities, and who demonstrate commitment to the communities that we serve. The Executive Board and all of our members enthusiastically endorse Senator Stewart-Cousins for re-election.” 

“The Uniformed Fire Officers know that Andrea Stewart-Cousins will continue to stand up for our community, and work for the safety and well-being of individuals and families in Yonkers,” said Robert Masick, President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Stewart-Cousins after she is re-elected on Tuesday.”  

“I am so honored to have the support of the Yonkers Firefighters and Uniformed Fire Officers.  It is critical, particularly in these challenging economic times, that all of those who work tirelessly to promote and protect our community are represented at every level of government.

The Yonkers firefighters have always been at the forefront of those efforts,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated.

“The support of our firefighters – who embrace a longstanding tradition of activism and commitment to protecting our City and improving our community – is very meaningful to me and very important to my re-election campaign.” 

Father Cole to Resign from Landmarks Board

YONKERS, NY – Father Roy Cole last week met with Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone to advise that he will be stepping down from his position as head of the Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board. He has been reassigned by the church to a different parish. He is however expected to preside over the next meeting of the Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board.