PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Police Investigating Murderer Of Daij Asante Thomas At Showcase Cinema de Lux At Ridge Hill

YONKERS, NY — April 15, 2017 — On Saturday, April 15th, 2017, at approximately 12:44am, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to Showcase Cinema de Lux Ridge Hill located at 59 Fitzgerald Street on a report of a fight with a person stabbed. Upon arrival officers located a male victim in the lobby of the movie theater with a stab wound to his chest; officers immediately rendered aid and assisted transporting him to a local area hospital via ambulance. The victim was subsequently pronounced deceased a short time later. Hours later the victim was revealed to be Daij Asante Thomas.

An intensive investigation was immediately initiated. Officers cordoned off the area and established a crime scene. Detectives from the Major Case Unit and Crime Scene Unit responded and began processing the scene. Multiple persons present in the lobby at the time of the incident were being interviewed and as well as multiple sources of surveillance video being reviewed.
Preliminary investigation has yielded that the victim, a 19 year old resident of Yonkers and employee of the movie theater, was approached by the suspect in the lobby in the theater; it appears both parties may have been known to each other. A dispute ensued resulting in a fight between the two parties, ending with the suspect allegedly fatally stabbing Daij Asante Thomas with a knife before fleeing the theater. A weapon was recovered at the scene.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 20 years old and six feet tall, with a thin build. The identity of the victim was withheld pending family notification, now advised, the family is in deep mourning.

The Yonkers Police Department advise they are utilizing an array of investigative resources to apprehend the perpetrator of this incident.

They beseech and encourage everyone with information regarding this horrific and tragic murder to please contact the Yonkers Police Detective Division at (914) 377-7724; all calls will remain confidential.

100% anonymous tips can be sent by texting the key word YPD plus the tip to 847411. Anonymous tips can also be sent to YPD directly through the Yonkers PD Tips app which can be downloaded for free on any Apple or Android device.

2017 Yonkers Arts Initiative

ArtsWestchester is seeking applications for the 2017 Yonkers Arts Initiative. 

For the first time, individual artists who live or work in Yonkers are eligible to apply.

Funding is available for the creation of new work or community engagement projects.

 Join ArtsWestchester for an informal session to learn about this opportunity on Monday, April 17th at 5:30 at the Blue Door Art Center, 13 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701

 RSVP to lbrady@artswestchester.org or 914.428.4220 ext 316.

Deadline for the grant application is May 3.

For guidelines and application visit: http://artswestchester.culturegrants.org

PRESS RELEASE: Mike Khader to Receive Teamsters Local 456 Endorsement at Elmsford Labor Rally

Former CIA operative to receive union’s support in race for Yonkers City Council President;

Event comes on heels of Democrat‘s formal campaign kick-off;

Builds early momentum in Khader’s bid to unseat Republican incumbent

YONKERS, NY — April 10, 2017 –Just weeks after formally announcing his candidacy for Yonkers City Council President, attorney and former CIA operative Mike Khader will join Teamsters Local 456 for a labor rally announcing the union’s endorsement of the Democrat.

This early support gives the first-time candidate considerable momentum in his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Council President Liam McLaughlin in the November election.

Teamsters Local 456 Presiden Lou Picani, union members, and supporters are expected to attend the union rally in support of Mike Khader for Yonkers City Council President.

Teamsters Local 456 headquarters, located at 160 South Central Avenue, Elmsford, NY 10523, is the venue. The endorsement and rally takes place tonight, April 17th, at 6:00 pm.

VIA: YonkersRU (@YonkersRoundup) | Twitter 

The latest Tweets from YonkersRU (@YonkersRoundup). Latest Hyper Local News Tweets For #Yonkers. The Up To The Minute Comprehensive Real-Time From RoundupNewswire.com Editor Brian Harrod 

https://twitter.com/yonkersroundup?lang=en

PRESS RELEASE: Westchester County Legislator Alfreda Williams Backs Ken Jenkins for County Executive

Jenkins Campaign Energized and Focused

GREENBURGH, NY — March 31, 2017 — Alfreda Williams, a Westchester County Board Legislator, today enthusiastically announced her endorsement of Ken Jenkins for Westchester County Executive.

“Since his first day on the Board more than 10 years ago, Ken’s dedication to those issues that impact us most has been unmatched,” said Williams. “Under Ken’s leadership, the Board of Legislators doubled the administration’s proposed tax relief and beat back outsourcing critical services—a plan that would have cost taxpayers millions. We could not have done it without him.”
Legislator Williams is a democrat from Greenburgh who has lead the fight for child care cost increases for parents.

“Ken’s a well-respected pillar of his community.  He is intelligent and efficient. Most importantly, he is always putting Westchester’s best interests first.”

The endorsement adds to a wave of support for Jenkins’ campaign, with endorsements from the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, and the Yonkers Black Democrats.
“I’m honored to have Legislator Williams’ support. She’s a remarkable public servant who works every day to educate our kids and keep our community safe,” said Jenkins. “It is wonderful to have her backing, and I look forward to working with her for many years to come.”

BREAKING: Yonkers State Senator George Latimer Makes It Official – Officially Announces His Candidacy for Westchester County Executive

YONKERS, NY — March 29, 2017 — State Sen. George Latimer will challenge County Legislator Kenneth Jenkins for the Democratic nomination for county executive at the party’s upcoming convention but would not force a primary if he falls short in his bid.

Latimer said Thursday he is officially entering his name for consideration at the May 10 convention in part because he has deep concerns about the long-term fiscal outlook for Westchester.

He said County Executive Rob Astorino has overseen zero percent tax increases, which has added to budget deficits and is fueled by an apparent second gubernatorial run.

Astorino has also overestimated sales tax revenue and borrowed to pay pensions and certioraris, which if allowed to continue will imperil the county’s finances, Latimer said. Therefore, a shift in priorities is needed to preserve the county’s financial standing.

“As I started to look back on some prior budgets I realized over the last couple of years, we’re really on the wrong path and if we don’t change that path we’re going to have a fiscal day of reckoning,” Latimer said.

Latimer, 63, who is in his third term in the Senate, is now the second candidate to officially vie for the nomination. Last summer, Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat and like Latimer a former chairman on the Board of Legislators, announced his candidacy for county executive last summer.

Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti (D-Pleasantville), who in February made it known that he was weighing a run for county executive, said Thursday he will make a decision within the next few weeks. Latimer said another potential candidate, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale), recently told him she will not pursue the nomination.

Although he is challenging Jenkins, Latimer said he would avoid a September primary if he is not designated by the party as the nominee. Instead he would look to help the Democrats unite the party.

“I’m not opposing Ken Jenkins. I like Ken,” Latimer said. “I think we have a lot more in common on public policy than what differentiates us. This is not going to be about me making a case about anything negative at all that deals with Ken. This is about me and my credentials and what I’ve done.”

Jenkins said he is encouraged by the Democrats’ interest in winning back the county executive’s office and welcomed the competition.

“I think we are going to do very well with whatever person we have because we have a great story to tell, we have a lot of enthusiasm and a great dossier to make the case against Rob Astorino,” Jenkins said.

However, Jenkins said he would press ahead with a primary should he not be the choice at the convention. When he announced his candidacy last August, Jenkins said he pledged to give his party a choice and would maintain that promise.

Latimer pointed to his three decades of service at the local, county and state levels of government as to why he would be a strong candidate.

He acknowledged that part of his motivation in running for county executive was his ongoing frustration with the power structure in Albany. Not only has it been difficult to make changes with the Independent Democratic Conference siding with Republicans in the Senate, but the Assembly speaker, Senate Majority Leader and governor hold enormous power over state government, Latimer said.

“There are certain things in Albany that are very hard to change,” he said. “I’m going to come home and make the effort to govern the county that I grew up in and the county that I love.”

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers State Senator Latimer Blasts Senate Republican Leadership for Ethics Failure in 2018 Budget

Yet Again More Indictments are Met with More Silence”, Latimer Says

ALBANY, NY — March 28, 2017 — Following the indictments this week of a recently retired Western New York Senator as well as the man who replaced him in the State Senate, State Senator George Latimer (D-Westchester) slammed the Senate Republican Leadership for its failure to include any real ethics reform in its proposed 2018 Budget Resolution.

“In the last year and a half, the two top Republican Senators have been indicted and convicted, and last week, a former senator and his successor were both indicted. The certainty we have in Albany is that every year a budget is going to pass. If we really want to do ethics reform, it should be made part of the budget. Yet again more indictments are met with more silence,” Senator Latimer said today.

Latimer specifically pointed to three bills he co-sponsors that he believes should be included in this year’s budget. Those bills would change the definition of bribery to focus on the intent of the exchange of money in return for political favors, rather than requiring an in-advance agreement to do so (S.1873- Sen. Avella), limiting state legislators’ outside income to 15% of their annual state salary, as is the rule for Members of Congress (S.25 – Sen. Hoylman) and a bill requiring annual ethics training for all members of the state legislature and the executive branch, and all of their employees (S.919 – Senator Croci).

“Whether they are Republican, Democratic or IDC bills, they are met with the same response by Senate Leadership… Silence. Year in and year out, the problems persist, and Albany continues to fail to act. This is unacceptable and with the budget deadline fast approaching, the time to remedy this is right now,” Latimer added.

PRESS RELEASE: Assemblyman Gary Pretlow Endorses Yonkers Legislator Ken Jenkins for Westchester County Executive

YONKERS, NY — March 27, 2017 — Assemblyman Gary Pretlow today endorsed Ken Jenkins in the election for Westchester County Executive.

“I have known and worked with Ken for several years, and he is one of the most effective and responsive leaders I have ever worked with,” said Pretlow.

The endorsement comes on the heels of the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, which was announced their support of Ken Jenkins late last week.

“Assemblyman Pretlow’s hard work and dedication to his constituents is a model we should all follow,” said Jenkins. “I look forward to working with him to deliver real and impactful results to Westchester County in the years to come.”

Ken is the only announced Democratic candidate in the race to replace Rob Astorino, who made news recently for suffering eye-popping financial losses in his management of the Westchester airport.

“Ken is the fighter we need to take on the Trump agenda here in Westchester,” said Pretlow. “He has worked to decrease our taxes and improve the economy. He’s fought hard for day care services, health services, women’s health services. He’s fought hard for immigrant protection, and ensuring a fair and open society. Now more than ever, we need Ken Jenkins as our County Executive.”

PRESS RELEASE: New York Appeals Court Orders Cuomo Administration to Release School Improvement Grants

YONKERS, NY — March 27, 2017 — A New York appeals court has ordered the State Division of Budget to immediately release over $37 million in improvement grants to 20 designated needy schools across the state. A year ago, the grants were frozen by Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s Budget Director, Robert Mujica, triggering a lawsuit by parents of students in three of the affected schools.

“I am most happy for the children who would benefit from these funds as it shows them that there are people other than their parents who care about their future,” said Curtis Witters, a parent plaintiff in the lawsuit. “I hope the schools will utilize these funds to help our students be as successful and progressive as possible.”

Education Law Center represents the parents of students in the three schools: Hackett Middle School in Albany, Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, and JHS 80 Mosholu Parkway Middle School in The Bronx.

In an order issued today, the appeals court “vacated,” or lifted, a “stay” of a December 28, 2016, decision by Judge Kimberly O’Connor in Albany finding Mr. Mujica had acted illegally in withholding the grants. Judge O’Connor directed the Budget Director to immediately release the impounded grant funds.

An appeal of by the Cuomo Administration triggered an automatic stay of Judge O’Connor’s ruling. The parents then asked the appeals court to lift the stay, citing the urgent need to release the funds so needed programs could be implemented in the upcoming (2017-18) school year. Today’s order clears the way for the funds to be released so the schools can begin their planning process.

“We are pleased the Appellate Division ordered the immediate release of the grant funds,” said Wendy Lecker, ELC Senior Attorney. “These grants were frozen illegally, forcing the schools to discontinue vital academic and support services in the current school year. These schools can now plan to restore these programs to improve performance and help their students succeed.”

“Mr. Mujica had no legal basis for impounding these grants in the first place,” said ELC Executive Director David Sciarra. “It’s tragic that the Cuomo Administration would waste time and money to defend their illegal action in court, rather than working cooperatively with local educators to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.”

In addition to vacating the stay, the appeals court also granted the parents’ motion to expedite consideration of the merits of the appeal, placing it on the court’s May 2017 calendar.

PRESS RELEASE: Stagg Group Gets Approval for New Apartment Building in Yonkers

YONKERS, NY— March 23, 2017 — Stagg Group has today announced that its plan for transforming a rundown abandoned property in Yonkers into a new luxury rental building is after three tears of review and community outreach is finally moving ahead.

The Yonkers City Council voted on March 21st to rezone 705 Bronx River Road from commercial to residential thereby allowing the Stagg Group to move forward with its plans to develop a 160-unit, nine-story luxury apartment rental building with parking.

After investing $7 million into the project, the Stagg Group asserts their plan is to begin demolition within the next 30 days and start construction later this spring. The new complex will take up a city block on Bronx River Road, Crescent Place and Reyer and Springer Avenues. Currently, the block has an empty commercial building, parking lot and the 5 houses Stagg Group has acquired on Crescent Place.

For the past three years, the Stagg Group has met repeatedly with neighbors and worked with City officials to adjust the number of units and address parking and density concerns so that it could proceed with plans to raze the existing structure and build new apartments there.

“We want to be part of the solution,” said Mark Stagg, President of the real estate development company that is best known for the many units of housing it has built in Westchester County and The Bronx since 1996. “We wanted to find out what works best for the neighborhood, what works best for the city.”

When Stagg first acquired the rundown property at 705 Bronx River Road in 2013, he envisioned it as the new headquarters for his company. “We liked its central location and the fact that the building could accommodate all of our employees under one roof,” he said.

But after inspecting the abandoned building, which had undergone four awkward additions over the years, Stagg realized that renovating the existing structure was not economically feasible. “It’s completely unworkable as is. It’s a tiny commercial island surrounded by residences. If you look at a map, it looks like a missing tooth,” he said.

After meeting with neighbors, it became clear that their primary concerns were about density. To address those concerns, Stagg and his team reduced the number of units several times, going from as high as 224 apartments to its current plan for 160 rental units. “We realized that 160 is the right number,” Stagg said. “This is what the neighborhood wants.”

PRESS RELEASE: Yonkers Democratic City Committee Endorses Ken Jenkins for Westchester County Executive

YONKERS, NY — March 23, 2017 — The Yonkers Democratic City Committee has thrown their support behind Ken Jenkins for Westchester County Executive.

“Ken is the very picture of what a public official should be,” said Tom Meier, Sr. Chair of the Yonkers Democrats. “He is a smart, dedicated legislator who has proven, time and time again, that he has what it takes to beat Astorino and put Westchester back on track.”

The Ken Jenkins for Westchester campaign has been picking up steam with added staff, and an influx of hundreds of volunteers in a show of grassroots support. Ken has been crisscrossing the district, attending as many as 3 meetings a night with Democratic leaders from New Rochelle to Ossining.

“Yonkers is my home, and it is a true honor to have the support of the Yonkers Democrats,” said Jenkins, upon receiving the endorsement. “This is going to be the largest grassroots campaign Westchester County has ever seen, and with this endorsement, we’re off to the races.”

“Ken is a strong advocate for the people of Yonkers, and all the people of Westchester County,” said Meier. “Today, more than ever, we need a leader that will create opportunities for ALL its residents.”