No area of government needs reform more than our education system. New York State spends more than any other state per pupil, yet ranks only 38th in graduation rates. Why aren’t New Yorkers getting what they’re paying for?

Our system has suffered because Albany has spent more time worrying about the business of education — contracts, salaries, and benefits — than it has worrying about the children. Education should be about the STUDENTS. We need to have a system in Albany that focuses on improving student performance and school accountability.
 

Adopting a real teacher evaluation system is the key to this effort. In 2010, our state was awarded a $700 million grant from the federal government that required teacher evaluations, but the state has failed to produce the system. Currently there is a lawsuit between the teachers unions and the State Education Department that is blocking the evaluations from moving forward. If we do not act, we are at risk of losing $700 million in federal funding.

But the issue of performance in education goes beyond teacher evaluations. Last year Governor Cuomo proposed two competitive grants funds to encourage student performance and administrative efficiency in school districts.  This year the first grant recipients will be awarded and the program will be expanded.
Let’s ensure our students are getting the education they deserve.

Thanks for getting involved

ALBANY, NY – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) that would impose tougher penalties on those who commit auto insurance fraud passed the State Senate today.

The measure (S.578) would make it a felony to forge an auto insurance card, or certificate of insurance. In New York State, these documents are necessary to obtain government issued documents –  such as a vehicle registration — that are required to legally operate a motor vehicle.

“It’s law-abiding New Yorkers who ultimately have to pay the price of auto insurance fraud,” Senator Klein said. “With this commonsense legislation, we will help punish those who seek to game the system, lower auto insurance premiums, and make New York’s roads safer.”

Forged insurance cards and documents are often used to fraudulently register cars so that owners may operate them without paying auto insurance premiums. Klein’s bill also makes the selling of 10 or more false insurance cards or documents a felony.

The bill is pending in the Assembly.

Foreclosures_2011_FINAL

YONKERS—Residents may anonymously report fraud, waste and abuse in city government at www.YonkersIGTips.com, a website launched today by the mayor and the inspector general.

“This is an important resource that enables residents to provide information to the inspector general should they become aware of any wasteful or abusive conduct that undermines the integrity of government,” said Mayor Mike Spano.

Inspector General Dan Schorr said residents’ calls, emails and letters have led to investigations in the past, and the new website will provide another avenue for his office to learn about suspicious activity.

“The focus of the department is to foster honest and efficient governmental administration,” Schorr said. “This new online initiative will help achieve that objective and better serve the people of Yonkers.”

LJ464

The Yonkers Insider writes this article about the positive event of the 1st McLean Avenue – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be held on Saturday March 24th, starting at 1:00 P.M. We hope this will be a yearly occurrence and we will keep you updated on this great parade.

We have learned that former Yonkers City Court Chief Judge Arthur Doran will be the Grand Marshall of the Parade and we are told that aides will be announced in the coming days. Also we are told that a Mass will start the day at St Barnabas Church followed by a fundraising breakfast and then the parade will happen.

We will continue to keep our readers updated on this parade and we give great credit to Deirdre O’Mara, Parade Chairman of the McLean Avenue St Patrick’s Parade and also her great committee as well.

The Yonkers Insider

“Bernice’s hard work and dedicated service to Yonkers as an elected official, community advocate and long-time resident has improved the quality of life of so many residents in our city,” says Mayor Spano. “She is a leader who has always stood as a strong voice for the issues important to our seniors and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with her.”

Legislator Bernice Spreckman says, “I am excited and deeply honored to join Mayor Spano in helping bring about a new direction for Yonkers and look forward to continuing my efforts to improve the quality of life of our senior residents.”

Legislator Spreckman was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2002 and was designated “Woman of the Year” by the Westchester County Federation of Women’s Clubs in 2003. She was also selected as the 2004 recipient of the Rose Kryzak Advocacy Award by the New York State Senior Action Council.

For Immediate Release:  January 27, 2012.

PJS Jazz Society to Present Versatile Jazz Vocalist Lynette Washington on February 12.

Mount Vernon, NY – The PJS Jazz Society will present the popular and versatile jazz vocalist Lynette Washington at its next Second Sunday 
Jazz Series concert on Sunday, February 12 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 Washington 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.

Washington is a Brooklyn, NY native whose extensive music career in jazz, R&B, and gospel has taken around the globe. Winner of the 2005 Grand Prize Winner of the Jazzmobile / Anheuser Busch Jazz Vocal Competition, she was featured on WBGO’s “Singers Unlimited” show. She is an accomplished songwriter and arranger, as well, and has worked with many well-known artists, including Aretha Franklin, U2, Peter Gabriel, Celia Cruz and Clifford Jordan. She was a featured lead singer and musical arranger with New Voices of Freedom, the singers who appeared in U2’s documentary film Rattle & Hum and then later shared the stage with the famed Irish rock band at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Washington was also featured in a Special Olympics live telecast and the “Give Peace a Chance” video with Lenny Kravitz. In 2008, Washington paid tribute to Nina Simone at a solo performance held at Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis Hall. She is currently touring in the Off-Broadway production of Regina Taylor’s Crowns. Washington has released three CDs to date—Smoky Dawn, Live! At the Kennedy Center and Long, Long Ago.

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 pianist Barry Harris. Last month’s concert featuring rising Hammond B-3 organ star Akiko Tsuruga included trumpeter Joe Magnarelli and tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon.

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 Lynette Washington

What: PJS Jazz Society’s Second Sunday Jazz Series concert

Where: First Presbyterian Church
199 North Columbus Ave.
Mount Vernon, NY

When:  Sunday, February 12, 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