Westchester Herald

Update: Assertions Regarding Yonkers City Council Majority Leader McDow Confirmed BY Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- September 15, 2010 -- It was on June 28, 2010, in the Hezitorial entitled “Yonkers City Hall Deceives City Agencies to Cover Up Mayor’s $800,000 Blunder BY Hezi Aris” in which we questioned the Yonkers Parking Authority’s (YPA) ability to manage their financial affairs. In the exploration of the subject matter we demanded  proof of payment of the YPA for the six years in which Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Patricia McDow had parked her BMW at the Buena Vista Parking facility. Ms McDow’s car was devoid of license plates and a window decal stipulated the last inspection of the vehicle is six years overdue. 

Analysis: Accidents Do Happen BY Nancy King

Toronto Firefighter wearing an  SCBA ( self contained breathing apparatus).- Wikipedia

Tarrytown, NY, September 13, 2010 -- On September 6, 2010, as most of us were celebrating  Labor Day by not working, Anthony Ruggerio, a DPW worker from Tarrytown, and John Kelly, a volunteer firefighter, also from Tarrytown, lost their lives  in what can only be described as a series of unfortunate events.  In the days following this tragedy, there have been countless discussions about this incident in the form of rumors, innuendo, and criticism, and of course our old friend, finger pointing blame.

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.

Top Muslims Condemn Ground Zero Mosque as a 'Zionist Conspiracy' BY Raymond Ibrahim

Pajamas Media
August 19, 2010

http://www.meforum.org/2724/ground-zero-mosque-zionist-conspiracy

A number of Al Azhar ulema expressed their opposition to building a mosque near [where] the events of September 11 [occurred], convinced that it is "a conspiracy to confirm a clear connection between the strikes of September [11] and Islam." Dr. 'Abd al-Mu'ti Bayumi, a member of the Islamic Research Academy [of Al Azhar] told Al Masry Al Youm that he rejects the building of any mosque in this area [Ground Zero], because the "devious mentality" desires to connect these events [of 9/11] with Islam, though he maintains that Islam is innocent of this accusation. Instead, it is a "Zionist conspiracy," which many are making use of to harm the religion. Likewise, Dr. Amna Nazir, professor of doctrine and philosophy at Al Azhar, expressed her rejection that a mosque be built near the World Trade Center, saying: "Building a mosque on this rubble indicates bad intention — even if we wished to shut our eyes, close our minds, and insist on good will. I hope it is a sincere step, and not a new conspiracy against Islam and Muslims."In a recent article, I argued that the Ground Zero mosque is counterproductive to Islam. The following day, on August 5, the Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm reported that none other than Al Azhar — one of Sunni Islam's most authoritative institutions — agrees. My translation of the relevant excerpt follows:

Israel Will Not Be A ‘Perfect Victim’ By George Will

First published in the http://www.JewishWorldReview.com August 15, 2010.

Jerusalem, Israel -- When Israel  declared independence in 1948, it had to use mostly small arms to repel attacks by six Arab armies. Today, however, Israel feels, and is, more menaced than it was then or has been since. Hence the potentially world-shaking decision that will be made here, probably within two years.

To understand the man who will make it, begin with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's belief that stopping Iran's  nuclear weapons program is integral to stopping the worldwide campaign to reverse 1948. It is, he says, a campaign to "put the Jew back to the status of a being that couldn't defend himself -- a perfect victim."

Walker Attempts to Undermine Mount Vernon Mayor Young BY Hezi Aris

Mount Vernon, NY, August 10, 2010 --  Mayor Clinton Young, Jr.’s administration held the line on the 2010 municipal budget as best they could, capitulating  despite all efforts to an increase of 3.495 percent, the lowest of any city in Westchester County. Busily preparing for the more onerous challenges of the FY 2010-2011 budget, the administration has conducted regular meetings with city department heads  emphasizing cost-cutting measures, spending reductions, and greater efficiency.

‭“Last year, my administration went to great lengths to provide Mount Vernon’s taxpayers with what turned out to be the lowest municipal tax increase of any city within Westchester County,” said Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. “This year, our budget preparations are well underway for 2011 and once again the tax burden is our highest priority as we look to spend less and become more productive.”

$25 Million Plus Arrears Put Cappelli’s Viability Into Question BY Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY, August 8, 2010 --  Tom Bushey of the Times Herald-Record today published an article delineating developer Louis Cappelli owing $24.7 million in arrears to 27 contractor who  were engaged in clearing and preparing 1,500 acres in Monticello, New York, on the Concord Properties were the famous Concord Hotel, now demolished, once stood. Mr Cappelli lost control of all but 160 acres of 1,500 acres in Monticello, New York, to Entertainment Properties Trust (EPT), his former partner. Cappelli and EPT settled their row to the tune of $160 million. As part of that settlement agreement, Mr Cappelli lost control of New Roc City, in New Rochelle, New York, in a parting of ways that was touted to lessen the financial strain of the Cappelli operation.

 

Analysis: Un-Noticed Meeting Negates Proposed Changes to Yonkers Charter and Subsequent Public Hearing BY Hezi Aris

The intrigue continued unabated at the Yonkers Charter Revision Commission. Yonkers Mayor Phil amicone’s proposed changes to the Charter Revision Commission (CRC) was the focus of the “meeting" of August 2, 2010. There was no legal notice in any of the officially authorized notice outlets used by the City of Yonkers in disseminating such information. Neither was notice posted on the City of Yonkers website. In fact, upon this reporter’s arrival to the 2nd Floor Offices of Mayor Amicone, sometime between 4:15 pm and 4:30 pm., my presence was questioned by a staff member who was unaware of the “planned” Charter Revision Commission meeting. In fact, she only attended her office to maintain watch over me. Eventually, my presence was validated by those in the know. Martin Ball Sr., of the of CRC Board of Directors was first to arrive. Then Secretary Jean Broderick made her entrance. She was followed by fellow Board member Joseph Tinelli, and Jack de Angeli, Esq., First Deputy Corporation Counsel. Vice Chairman Robert Gottschall arrived 5 minutes prior to Chairman Julius Walls. The secretary watching me departed the scene when John Fleming entered the 2nd Floor premises.

Charter Revision Commission Plots without Public Notice BY Hezi Aris

The Charter Revision Commission (CRC) had scheduled a meeting at the Mayor’s Conference room for July 13, 2010. Public notice was not made. Perhaps the lack of public notice was the reason even Chairman Julius Walls did not attend the meeting “allegedly” called in his name. Unbeknown to those not seated about the room in their capacity as members of the board of the CRC, a meeting attended by Mr Walls took place July 22, 2010, but no quorum was present. It was at that meeting that a meeting to take place on July 29 was specifically mentioned by Yonkers Corporation Council giving voice to that date. In fact, notice of the July 29 meeting to take place at the Mayor’s Conference room was noticed on the City of Yonkers website two days prior to its taking place, yet on July 28, 2010, the City of Yonkers website deleted reference to the CRC meeting slated for July 29, 2010. Without notice, the CRC met on July 28, 2010. Besides those on the board of the CRC, only Yonkers City council President Chuck Lesnick was in attendance.

Over a Week Later the Investigation of the Bengal Tiger Fire Drags On BY I.M.COB

WHITE PLAINS, NY , July 15, 2010 -- It has been over a week since the massive fire that started in the Bengal Tiger Restaurant obliterated a city block and destroyed seven businesses.   As of this date, the White Plains Fire Department has just begun the painstaking task of trying to determine the cause of the fire.   The delay in this investigation is the result of the instability of the existing structure.  It was originally hoped that fire investigators would be able to gain access to the building in an “as is” condition.  However due to severe structural damage by fire and water, engineers have deemed that the buildings will have to be razed and fire investigators will thereafter be asked to undertake the arduous task of sifting through debris to determine a cause.

Yonkers City Council Pass Mayor Amicone’s FY2010-2011 Budget BY HEZI ARIS

YONKERS, NY, July 15, 2010 -- The Yonkers  City Council met tonight is Special Session to vote on Mayor Amicone’s FY2010-2011 Budget. That was the star billing. What was anticipated would come after the opening expression of thought by those in attendance. But that part of the opening session began poorly and mushroomed into disgust and disappointment. Five of the councilmembers had taken their seats and one person made their perspective known to the council membership. He did so with two members not yet seated.