Westchester Herald

Letter to the Editor: School Consolidation BY Sandy Galef

August 31, 2010 

To the Editor: 

The property tax burden in Westchester and Putnam Counties as well as throughout New York State is simply unsustainable.  Multiple commissions have pointed to the number one cause of these high taxes as too many government entities. With over 10,000 unique taxing districts in the state, of which just under 700 are school districts (over 60% of our property tax bill is levied to pay for schools), we must begin the hard job of scaling back. 

Guilty Plea for Intoxicated Wrong Way Driver on Interstate 684

 White Plains, NY, August 31, 2010 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Ricardo Martinez-Arenas (DOB 02/29/76) of 140 Grove Street, Stamford, Connecticut plead guilty today to:

Current Commentary: The ‘Risk-Aversion’ Misnomer BY Larry M. Elkin

 Financial advisers often discuss investors who are “risk-averse.” But people, on the whole, are not terribly averse to risk.

We are, on the other hand, extremely averse to loss.

McLaughlin Demands Full Accounting of Senator Stewart-Cousins

 Yonkers NY, August 31, 2010 --   Liam McLaughlin, Conservative and Republican Party candidate for the State Senate (SD35) today, “demanded a full accounting of all expenses by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins for per diems, travel to and from Albany, and her district office.”

Boil Water Advisory Continues for Bedford Consolidated Water District

 Bedford Hills, NY and Katonah, NY, August 31, 2010 -- Residents of Bedford Hills and Katonah in the Town of Bedford are advised, as a precaution, to continue to boil their tap water at a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking it or using it for food preparation.

A boil water advisory was issued on Monday, following a major water main break.  The water main break was located late Monday night near the intersection of Route 117 and Harris Road in Katonah. Repairs were completed by the water district earlier today. 

New York Civic: Back to the Future 2021BY Henry J. Stern

 Two Editorials Assail Charter Commission Over 11-Year Delay on Term Limit End

August 30, 2010

Once again, we take pen in hand (figuratively) to criticize the actions and inactions of the Charter Revision Commission. We do that not because there is overwhelming public interest in the subject at this time, but because there is an issue of trust and credibility here which should be discussed openly.

Today, the New York Post joined The Daily News in sharp editorial criticism of the Commission. We quote extensively from these hard-hitting editorials. If you wish, you can click on The Daily News and the New York Post for the full text.

Rosenthal JCC Girls Soccer Team Brings Home a Silver Medal from JCC Maccabi Games

 Pleasantville, NY, August 30, 2010 -- The Rosenthal JCC today proudly  announced its girls soccer team brought home a silver medal from the recent 2010 JCC Maccabi Games® held in Baltimore, MD. The team included eight girls from Northern Westchester and one from Virginia Beach. This summer, almost 4,000 Jewish teens from all over the U.S., Canada, Israel, Mexico, Hungary, and Great Britain shared in the fun of competing and the pride of being part of the JCC Maccabi Games – a world-famous Olympic-style event filled with Jewish content and values.

Mt. Olivet Apostolic Faith Church to Celebrate Street Naming after Founding Pastor

  Mount Vernon, NY,  August 30, 2010 --  Mt. Olivet Apostolic Faith Church, founded in 1960 by Reverend Beatrice D. Bostic, continues its 50th Church Anniversary celebrations on Saturday, September 4, 2010, 11:00 a.m. with naming the street on the corner of 130th West Seventh Street, Mount Vernon, New York 10550: The Rev. Beatrice D. Bostic Way, after the founding pastor, long-time Mount Vernon resident. The public is invited to join in this and the month-long celebration hosted by Suffragan Bishop Errol O’Savio and Reverend Judith Bostic O’Savio, Pastor and Assistant Pastor:

Bronxville to Undergo Milling and Paving

Image via Wikipedia

Bronxville, NY, August 30, 2010 -- The Village of Bronxville will mill and pave Pondfield Road, from Tanglewylde Avenue to Midland Avenue, and Tanglewylde Avenue, from Pondfield Road to Garden,  during the night, from 7:00 pm through 3:00 am, on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1. Portions of Midland Avenue in the vicinity of Masterton Road will also be affected.  During this period there will be no street parking and the roads will be intermittently closed.

The Village thanks people in advance for their understanding, cooperation, and patience during this period.

Gillibrand and Hall Announce Initiative to Extend “Work Opportunity Tax Credit” for Businesses that Hire Unemployed Veterans Set to Expire End of 2010

   New Windsor, NY, August 30, 2010 -- With nearly 20 percent of recent Hudson Valley veterans under the age 30 looking for work, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today joined with Rep. John Hall (D-NY) and Hudson Valley veterans at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor to announce a new effort to make tax credits for businesses that hire recent veterans permanent. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit that Senator Gillibrand helped establish last year encourages businesses to hire recently-returned troops from Iraq and Afghanistan in exchange for a 40 percent credit on the first $6,000 paid to a veteran. The tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year.

Marilyn Elie On the Level on WVOX-1460 AM

 New Rochelle, NY, August 31, 2010 -- Alternative energy advocate, political activist, and gardener extraordinaire Marilyn Elie is Richard Narog and Hezi Aris’ guest  this Tuesday, August 31st, from 10 am through 11 am, on WVOX-1460 AM on your radio dial and worldwide on www.WVOX.com. Marilyn will speak to issues concerning Indian Point, her hosting a fundraiser with Pete Seeger this weekend at her home to benefit Richard Brodsky's campaign effort and candidacy for NYS Attorney General. If there is time, perhaps Marilyn will share a gardening secret or one of her dessert recipes. Listeners and readers are invited to send a question to WHYTeditor@gmail.com for possible use on the show.

Ed Koch Commentary: Interesting Correspondence BY Edward I. Koch

New York, NY, August 30, 2010

I am a strong believer in the importance of setting the record straight.  I do not ignore inaccurate or incomplete statements about me or my record.

For example, on August 26 I read a blogger’s article mentioning me in a way I did not appreciate.  The blogger, who is associated with Columbia University, wrote:  “For good measure,  Ed Koch a conservative Democratic former mayor of New York who frequently supports Republican candidates has also written in support of the proposed Islamic Center.”

I responded:   

Message from the Mayor: September Events a Celebration of Hastings BY Peter Swiderski

 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, August 29, 2010

Summer vacation winds down and we have before us a series of absolutely great events in the month of September that speaks to the best about Hastings.  They’re big fun for everyone: set aside time in your calendars to join your friends and neighbors for these events.  (Time to invite friends from out of town to showcase your home town!)

The Spoof: Paging Crocodile Dundee, Three Reptiles Caught in NYC Last Weekend BY Gail Farrelly

Sunday, 29 August 2010

He's movin' on out of NYC.

Yep, that's right. Three of 'em. One was an  alligator; the second, a lizard; the third, an iguana.

The alligator was caught after supposedly hiding under a Datsun in Queens. But that wasn't the whole story. To get the scoop for The Spoof readers, reporter Gail Farrelly headed to the  animal shelter where the gator had been taken. She was able to get a one-on-one interview.

Waterfront Deal in Yonkers

Commercial  real estate broker Paul Adler facilitated the deal.

Yonkers, NY, August 29, 2010 -- Reporter John Golden of the Westchester County Business Journal wrote “Waterfront Deal in Yonkers”, in the August 27, 2010 edition of the weekly. The opening line reads, “A Yonkers manufacturer and his development partners have acquired a prime redevelopment parcel on the city’s waterfront at a bargain price in a deal that had been cloaked in secrecy.” Read the balance of the article online. Come back to get the historical perspective revealed in "The Hezitorial" written in the February 19, 2010 edition of the Yonkers Tribune: “Brownfield Cleanup Program to Transform Yonkers Waterfront Property By Hezi Aris”.

BBC Gaza Flotilla: What Really Happened? BY Panorama

A BBC documentary on the Gaza flotilla incident was screened this week by the investigative Panorama program. The conclusions have been the cause of protests and criticism of theState of Israel.

Watch the program (two videos) and share your perspective.

New Rochelle's District 3 Deserves a Replacement BY Peggy Godfrey

 New Rochelle City Councilman James Stowe's untimely death left a vacancy to be filled by a City Council with three Democrats and three Republicans.  The last time a divided City Council faced a possible impasse the decision was to bring back the former Mayor Stanley Church to fill an unexpected vacancy.

Windmill Eatery Opens in Fleetwood

Mayor Clinton Young Cuts Ribbon at Grand Opening

Mount Vernon, NY, August 28, 2010 -- Mayor Young was present earlier this week to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Windmill Eatery located at Gramatan Avenue and Grand Street (where Athena's used to be located). This long awaited restaurant fills a void that was created when Athena's closed down. The food is fantastic and some of Athena's old staff is back.

Ed Koch Movie Reviews: “A Film Unfinished” BY Edward I. Koch

Movie Review:  “A Film Unfinished” (+)

August 23, 2010

An unfinished Nazi propaganda movie titled “Das Ghetto” was filmed in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. The movie was found among other Nazi propaganda pictures in East Germany, but a soundtrack was never located.

Folk Singer Pete Seeger Hosts Brodsky Fundraising Event

White Plains, NY, August 28, 2010 -- Folk singer Pete Seeger and a coalition of activists will host a fundraiser for Attorney General candidate Richard Brodsky this Sunday, August 29th from 2-5pm at the home of Marilyn Elie, 7 John Dorsey Drive in Cortlandt Manor, New York.

Southwest Airlines and Continental Airlines Enter Into Slot Lease at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

 Dallas, TX, August 28, 2010 -- Southwest Airlines and Continental Airlines yesterday confirmed they entered into a lease providing Southwest Airlines access to 36 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) slots which are currently held by Continental.

Op-Ed: In Support of NYPD Officer Larry Jackson BY Damon K. Jones

The National Black Police Association (NBPA), comprised of active and retired police officers of color from throughout the United States, and because of our police experience as police officers in America’s largest cities, have the credibility to analyze and criticize police actions.

The NBPA supports New York City Police Officer Larry Jackson. Officer Jackson who is black was [allegedly] “peppersprayed” and [allegedly] viciously beaten by fellow white officers. Officers from the 113th Precinct in Queens were in Jackson’s home pursuant to he and his wife summoning police assistance to deal with a group of [allegedly] uninvited men who showed at his home with guns and bats then harassed Jackson family members who had gathered for Jackson’s daughter’s 21st birthday party.

The Ballad of Sleepy Hollow and Elmsford, Too BY I.M. Cob

The tribe has spoken and the winner declared.  As we said all along, Detective José Quinoy emerged as the winner of this summer’s “Survival” game.  As was expected and  predicted on this  blog, Federal Judge Karas today ruled José Quinoy would not be retried on a Federal  civil rights charge.

Current Commentary: Today’s Miserables Confront Javert’s Three-Strikes Law BY Larry M. Elkin

It cost $47,102 to house an inmate in aCalifornia state penitentiary in 2008. For 13 years, Gregory Taylor was one of the people Californians paid to keep locked up.

Taylor was jailed for trying to break into a church kitchen to find something to eat.

Charter Revision Commission: Ignorance or Plot BY Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY, August 26, 2010 -- A meeting of the Charter Revision Commission seemingly came to order tonight under the aegis of  Chairman Julius Walls, Jr. Even though a “draft” of today’s Final Report stipulates the commission met on July 13, 22, 29, August 2, and 26, 2010, and further stipulates at every meeting, except the July 22, 2010, at which a quorum was not reached, all meetings were conducted at City Hall, but were not open to the public, even though the Final Report draft states they were.