Check out Yonkers Insider Online Show on Blog Talk Radio.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 14, 2012
Next Episode: Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 at 11:30 A.M.
Listen to our Show.
News from Manhattan College Jaspers Basketball.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 13, 2012
News from Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
Yonkers, NY – February 24, 2012 – As gas prices continue to skyrocket this week, Mayor Mike Spano today called on residents to be aware and report any signs of price gouging at gas stations, citing a recent case in which a Yonkers gas station illegally raised prices nearly a dollar per gallon.
“Unfortunately, price gouging has occurred during times of rising gas prices and following major weather-related events as we experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last summer,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “We are sending a warning to vendors that inspectors are monitoring gas prices and strong action will be taken to fully prosecute any vendor found in violation of the law.”
Following Mayor Spano’s call for an investigation into Ultimate Quality Food and Fuel Mart’s drastic spike in gasoline prices, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman found the Yonkers gas station did indeed illegally raise its prices. The gas station was ordered to pay $7,500 in civil penalties.
“It’s hard enough to afford current gas prices, especially for those who must drive to work every day,” said Mayor Spano. “We are taking a proactive approach to preventing any action that would further burden Yonkers consumers.”
Mayor Spano urged residents to contact the Yonkers Consumer Protection Helpline at (914) 377-3000 if they notice any unusually high spike in gas prices at a particular gas station in the City of Yonkers.
News of the Day.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
News from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
Dear Fellow New Yorker,
Thanks to our willingness to work together and reach an historic agreement on teacher evaluations, we have taken an important step in making sure our education system is putting students first. Publications across the state have praised Governor Cuomo’s leadership in enacting real teacher evaluations that will help ensure accountability in our school system and reward student achievement.
The New York Times said:
“Thanks to an agreement brokered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York has moved a step closer to carrying out the statewide teacher evaluation system it promised two years ago in return for $700 million from the federal Race to the Top education program. Ending the impasse between the teachers’ unions and education officials will help improve instruction across the state.”
A Rochester Democrat and Chronicle editorial called the agreement a “national model for teacher evaluations”:
“[Governor] Cuomo is demonstrating that he is serious about being the lobbyist for New York’s students, just as he said he would be in last month’s State of the State address.”
Echoing this, an important op-ed in the Daily News said:
“Weeks after declaring he would be a ‘lobbyist for students,’ Gov. Cuomo delivered his 2.75 million young clients a major victory Thursday… In addition to helping create a system that prizes quality and performance, Cuomo’s leadership here likely saved more than $1 billion in federal funding.”
The Buffalo News put it simply:
“The state’s students caught a break last week.”
This comprehensive teacher evaluation system makes sure that students are getting the education that they deserve and taxpayers are getting the most out of their tax dollars.
Together, we’re building a new New York.
This is a message from the New York State Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224.
News from Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
Yonkers City Engineering to Commence Culvert Replacement on East Fort Hill Road
Construction to begin Monday, February 27th.
YONKERS, NY – February 22, 2012 — Mayor Mike Spano, along with the City of Yonkers’ Engineering department, announced today that construction will begin on Monday, February 27 to replace the culvert on East Fort Hill Road, east of Central Park Avenue.
The roadway excavation work is scheduled to commence at 7:00AM, weather permitting. To safely and efficiently complete the replacement of the large storm pipe, East Fort Hill Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic between Central Park Avenue and Eisenhower Drive. In the meantime, local traffic will be permitted and access to all driveways within these limits will be maintained at all times during the construction.
Regular traffic will be diverted during the construction 24-hours a day, detouring to Crisfield Street, for the remainder of the construction. Completion of the work is scheduled for the week of June 29.
Water service for nearby residents and businesses should not be affected. For any reason water service is interrupted during this work, the loss of water will be temporary and last no longer than eight hours.
Automated calls will be sent to local residents and businesses on Friday, February 24 informing them of the construction. They can contact the City of Yonkers HELP line with any questions at 914-377-HELP (4357) or at cityhall@yonkerny.gov.
Mayor Spano Announces Yonkers Affordable Housing’s Rental Assistance Program Application Workshops.
YONKERS, NY – February 22, 2012 — Mayor Mike Spano today announced the Yonkers Affordable Housing Program will host Rental Assistance Program Application Workshops starting this week. The workshops will provide information on rent assistance eligibility requirements and how to apply.
The first of two workshops will be held Thursday, February 23rd at the Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, from 5:30pm-6:30pm. The second workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at the Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Mayor Mike Spano said, “At a time when many families continue to struggle with financial hardship and unemployment, these workshops offer a great resource for households in need of assistance in finding information on affordable rental opportunities here in Yonkers.”
The Yonkers Rental Program offers rental assistance for qualified low-income working families and individuals who move to eligible neighborhoods. Participants must demonstrate a satisfactory rent payment history and meet minimum income requirements.
For additional information contact Lucy Ortiz of the Housing Action Council at (914) 332-4144.
Press Release.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
PJS Jazz Society – Founded in 1980—and still swingin’!
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2012
PJS Jazz Society to Present Bluesy Vocalist Antoinette Montague on March 11.
Mount Vernon, NY – The PJS Jazz Society will present the jazz vocalist Antoinette Montague, esteemed for her bluesy approach and winning interpretations of well-known songs, at its next Second Sunday Jazz Series concert on Sunday, March 11 at the First Presbyterian Church on
North Columbus Avenue here in Mount Vernon. Doors open at 5 PM, there is an opening set by younger jazz musicians at 5:15, and then Montague will perform from 6-9 PM.
Tickets are $18 for non-members; $10 for PJS members; and $12 for students. Concerts are held in a cabaret setting, with food and beverages available for purchase.
Montague is a Newark, NJ native who grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, Nat King Cole and the spectrum of Motown artists. While a student a Seton Hall University, she began to drop into jazz jams in East Orange to sing a few songs and found the audiences enjoyed her tuneful talents. After a stint in an R&B band, she began working for vocalist Carrie Smith as an assistant, and gradually learned the intricacies of the music business.
Later, Montague was also able to mentor with three other significant jazz vocalists—Etta Jones, Myrna Lake and Della Griffin.
In recent years, Montague has performed with a number of great jazz artists, including the late Dr. Billy Taylor, Frank Wess and Winard Harper. She has released two acclaimed CDs, Pretty Blues and Behind the Smile.
The PJS Jazz Society presents the best in jazz every Second Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, September through April. Area music fans know well enough that the PJS offers one of the best jazz “hangs” in Westchester. Held in the parish hall of the First Presbyterian Church, there is a decent break in the proceedings after the headliner finishes the first set, and often during the second set, many of the jazz musicians in attendance make their way to the
bandstand for a jam session.
Each April the PJS Jazz Society honors a particular jazz artist or two at its special “Tribute to a Legend” concert, and the 2012 honoree will be famed pianist Barry Harris. Last month’s concert
featuring popular vocalist Lynette Washigton drew a large crowd despite icy road conditions.
Additional parking for the PJS Jazz Society concerts is available at the Holmes School adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church. PJS concerts are made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County.
Who: Jazz Vocalist Antoinette Montague.
What: PJS Jazz Society’s Second Sunday Jazz Series concert.
Where: First Presbyterian Church
199 North Columbus Ave.
Mount Vernon, NY
When: Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 5:15-9:00 PM
Tickets: $10 members; $18 non-members; $15 students
For more information call Greg at (914) 793-7179 or visit www.pjsjazz.org
News.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
Westchester Children’s Association to Honor Peter Herrero at Annual Advocacy Dinner in May.
(White Plains, NY) The Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) Advocacy Dinner Committee recently met to begin planning for the May 8 event which will be held at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown. Peter Herrero, President of the NY Hospitality Group and owner of Sam’s of Gedney Way, will receive the Edith C. Macy Award for Distinguished Service at the dinner.
The award will be presented by Dr. Joseph Hankin, President of Westchester Community College. “We are very excited about this year’s dinner because of the opportunity to recognize Peter. Many people don’t realize how much he does to benefit Westchester County.
So many of the ways he volunteers and contributes improves the lives of the children in our County, and we are thrilled to have him on our team,” said event Chair Jody Greenbaum of White Plains. Kathryn Wasserman Davis of Tarrytown is the Honorary Chair. The Advocacy Dinner, catered by Abigail Kirsch, will include cocktails, and a silent auction.
The Dinner is held annually to raise funds that will allow WCA to continue being the leading voice for Westchester’s children. WCA believes that all young people need the same things, such as health care, adequate housing, appropriate education, and safe, nurturing families. “There are many children living in Westchester who don’t have these basic building blocks, and who need the larger community to make sure their needs are addressed.
WCA keeps children at the top of the public agenda by finding out what they need, making those needs known to the public and policy makers, studying effective approaches to meet those needs, and then advocating for necessary changes in policies, programs and legislation,” explained Executive Director Cora Greenberg.
Single tickets for the Advocacy Dinner are $175 and Sponsorships are $500 – $7,500. Journal ads are also available for $75-$2,000. For additional information and to purchase tickets and journal ads call 914.946.7676 x300. For information about the Westchester Children’s Association visit www.wc4kids.org.
About the Westchester Children’s AssociationSince 1914, WCA has remained steadfast in its mission: to improve the lives of Westchester’s children by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs, and by keeping the well-being of Westchester’s children at the top of the public agenda.WCA identifies the needs of Westchester’s children and youth, develops innovative responses to those needs and advocates for policies and programs that benefit children.
WCA is a valued resource for policy makers and the media on issues affecting children because we are independent, knowledgeable and effective.WCA is non-partisan and is not limited by ties to any political group, organization or funding source.
News.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
For Immediate Release
LESNICK TO CHAIR STATE DEMOCRATIC MUNICIPAL
OFFICIALS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING IN ALBANY
Gathering of State Officials to Run Prior to Meeting
with NY Conference of Mayors
Yonkers, New York: February 24, 2012 – Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick, the acting chair of the New York State Chapter of the Democratic Municipal Officials (NYSDMO), will be in Albany on Sunday, February 27th, at 4:00 p.m., to chair the state chapter organizational meeting. The meeting will take place at Hotel Albany at 40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY.
The NYSDMO meeting will be held immediately prior to the two-day long 2012 New York Conference of Mayor’s (NYCOM) Winter Legislative Meeting that starts at 6:00 p.m. NYSDMO is looking for individuals to take a leadership role [First Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Member-at-Large, Regional Vice-Chairs].
As a constituency organization of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) is the Democratic voice in local politics and the local voice in Democratic politics. The largest coalition of Democratic officials in the United States, DMO represents more than 50,000 Democratic leaders in local governments of all sizes, geographies, and composition.
DMO’s membership meets twice-yearly (March and December) during the National League of Cities (NLC) conferences. The Executive Board meets with the Advisory Board again in the late summer/early fall. DMO’s current efforts focus on three new initiatives: Building a Democratic Future, Investing in Tomorrow’s National Leadership, and Crafting Solutions for America’s Challenges.
DMO is led by an Executive Board of local elected officials from across the country, including current Chair Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council president and Chair Emeritus Joe Moore, a Chicago alderman. DMO is actively expanding its leadership base and is voting in a new council of state chairs soon to represent every state and territory. Chuck Lesnick, the council president of Yonkers has been designated the acting state chair for the New York chapter, and is actively seeking fellow Democratic municipal officials from throughout the state to establish a strong, solid NYS chapter.
Members of the press can contact the council president directly at
914-954-3039 or via e-mail at chuck@chuck-lesnick.com either before or immediately following the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Press Statement from State Senator Jeff Klein.
Posted by: wielandheusler on: February 12, 2012
Statement by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), Chairman of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, on the Four Loko-related death of a 13-year-old Maryland teen:
“This tragic death, which media reports state came after the teen consumed Four Loko, is a reminder of how dangerous this product is – especially in its original, caffeinated form.“While its makers said they would not sell Four Loko’s original formula in New York State, I remain concerned by reports that some stores have apparently ignored what is essentially a gentlemen’s agreement.
“My legislation (S3889A) to outright ban these types of high alcohol, highly caffeinated ‘alco-pops’ has already passed out of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which I chair, and is ready for a vote by the full Senate body.
“It is my hope that this legislation becomes law and that similar tragedies can be avoided in New York once and for all.”
New York State Senator – 34th District
Jeff Klein
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