We Endorse Tim Idoni Westchester County Clerk

We Endorse Tim Idoni for Westchester County Clerk

 
Tim Idoni is running for re-election as Westchester county clerk. He is nearing the completion of his first four-year term as county clerk and has a record of accomplishment to run on.
Idoni has presided over a county clerk’s office that has delivered more information and accessibility to the people of Westchester, while at the same time has cut his staff and budget. He has delivered more with less —the epitome of what county government needs to do.
Idoni has traveled the county to highlight and promote the services that his office provides. And, as homeowners face the uncertainty of home foreclosure, Idoni has provided residents with information and statistics to help keep them secure in their homes.
In September, Idoni defeated Robert Morabito in the democratic primary for county clerk. In November, county voters face the same options with Morabito re-appearing on the Republican line.
Morabito failed to lay out a clear rationale as to why voters should elect him over Idoni in September, and the same problem continues to exist in his campaign.
Idoni is the most qualified candidate for county clerk, and he deserves another four-year term.
We endorse Tim Idoni for county clerk.

We Endorse Janet DiFiore for District Attorney

We Endorse Janet DiFiore for District Attorney

One of the most important votes that the people of Westchester will make on November 3 is to select the county’s next district attorney (DA). As the chief law enforcement officer for all of Westchester’s 950,000 residents, the DA presides over the prosecution of most criminal cases, and ensures the safety of all Westchester families.
There are three choices for DA before the voters this year —Janet DiFiore, Dan Schorr and Tony Castro. DiFiore, the incumbent Democrat, is completing her first four-year term as Westchester district attorney. She has a record of achievement and accomplishment in keeping Westchester safe, and the people of Westchester are comfortable and satisfied with her record.
Schorr, Republican candidate for district attorney, is an interesting prospect for DA. He has brought to the debate worthy topics of review, including a review of DiFiore’s record of plea bargaining. But these issues, along with Schorr’s lack of leadership experience, leave us wanting more.
Castro was not qualified to be district attorney when he ran in 2001 and 2005, and lost again in September’s democratic primary against DiFiore; he remains unfit today. Castro toyed with the idea of leaving the race to run for a position as Republican Supreme Court judge, in a foolishly planned attempt to give Schorr the Independence line. In addition, Castro tried to punch holes in DiFiore’s record, all without properly highlighting his qualifications, and ideas, to protect and serve the people of Westchester.
Several recent prosecutions by DiFiore point to the challenges that the DA must face every day in order to keep county families secure: The recent conviction of a persistent and violent burglar in Yonkers will result in the perpetrator’s going to jail for the next 16 to 25 years. The conviction of level two sex offender Eugene Feeney, who raped and imprisoned his former girlfriend, will result in his facing 25 years to life in jail. Andre Ferguson, who lured teenage girls and then raped them, will —thanks to DiFiore’s successful prosecution —face up to 29 years in jail.
DiFiore’s recent conviction of criminals involved in a multi-million-dollar cigarette ring, as well as a prostitution ring bust, point to her well-rounded abilities and strong prosecution team.
In addition to her record of four years of accomplishment as DA, DiFiore has decades of experience in service to the people as a judge and prosecutor. She represents Westchester as a working mother and wife, and has earned the trust of the people of the county she has called home for decades.
We endorse Janet DiFiore for district attorney

We Endorse Rob Astorino for County Executive

We Endorse Rob Astorino for County Executive

 

 
Westchester County is at a critical juncture, with most of its 950,000 residents feeling pain from the consequences of the economic crisis. As Wall Street thrives —and dives —so too does Westchester, with thousands of residents once employed on Wall Street, and in financial services and banking, now out of work.
For the second year in a row, Westchester County has been named the most expensive county in the United States in which to live, with homeowners paying the highest property taxes in the country.
Westchester residents will go to the polls on November 3 and select the new county executive. They have two clear choices —between incumbent Andy Spano and challenger Rob Astorino.
Spano has served as county executive for the past 12 years, and before that, eight years as Westchester county clerk. His 20 years of service to the people of Westchester should be commended. During the past two decades, Spano has delivered what the people of Westchester wanted, and needed, which was a robust county government, catering to the desires of thriving residents who were not affected by ever-rising property taxes.
But the Westchester of 2009 is a lot different from the Westchester of the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Property taxes have more than doubled for a Westchester homeowner over the past 10 years. Yes, 80 percent of a county resident’s tax bill comes from school and local taxes (village, town or city), but 20 percent of that tax bill also goes to county government.
For most, this results in a total property tax bill of $1,500 or more —which many Westchester residents are having difficulty paying.
The people of Westchester need a leader who will look first to cut the county budget, find ways to consolidate services and look to save taxpayer money.
To accomplish this difficult goal, we endorse Rob Astorino. We believe that Astorino is best suited to help the middle class Westchester homeowner, taxpayer and family.
Astorino has made it clear that he will look to reduce the budget, and he can start by eliminating the hundreds of positions in county government that are unnecessary and/or are no more than patronage jobs —how many Gary Krisses are buried in the county budget?
Astorino is well qualified to lead Westchester and preside over a different and difficult time in the county’s history.
But this election is more about Spano than Astorino, and voters will have to make a decision about whether or not they want four more years of a Spano Administration.
The political history of Westchester, and New York State, points to the electorate’s wanting a change after 12 years of most any candidate — Republican or Democrat. We feel this sentiment this year in Westchester, and respectfully argue that it’s time for new leadership.
If you are content with paying the highest property taxes in the country, then your vote for Spano is understandable, but realize that you should not expect anything different this term.
If, however, you believe, as we do, that we can do better as a county and must attempt do more with less, then a vote for Astorino is well deserved. It’s time for a change.
We endorse Rob Astorino for county executive.

We Endorse Jose Alvarado County Legislator 17th District

We Endorse Jose Alvarado for County Legislator 17th District 

 

                 
                We endorse Jose Alvarado for re-election to the County Board, representing southwest Yonkers in the 17th District. We endorsed Alvarado in his narrow victory in the Democratic primary over Sandy Annabi, and we endorse him again on November 3.
                Annabi is running on the Conservative and Independence Party lines. She has served on the City Council for eight years and is term-limited from a return, so she decided to challenge Alvarado.
                Alvarado remains the best candidate to represent the district, which has a large majority of Hispanic residents and voters. Alvarado is deeply involved in the southwest Yonkers community, and works well on the County Board in returning funding back to his district. His personal assistance for those in need, including families struck by tragedy in southwest Yonkers, is another aspect of Alvarado’s public service.
                For the past eight years, Jose Alvarado has served the residents of southwest Yonkers well. Annabi has provided no rationale to serve on the County Board, other than the fact that she is term-limited from running again for City Council.
                We endorse Jose Alvarado for County Legislator in the 17th District on November 3.

We Endorse-Chuck Lesnick City Council President

We Endorse Chuck Lesnick for City Council President 
 

 

 
                The biggest race in Yonkers on November 3 is the race for City Council president, with incumbent Democrat Chuck Lesnick running against Republican Jim Castro-Blanco.
                This race has been a spirited one, with both Lesnick and Castro-Blanco laying out their vision of Yonkers with each providing a logical rationale to vote their way. Their exchange at the Yonkers Rising debate was professional and spirited, with each demonstrating his grasp of the issues facing the city.
                This race is more about Chuck Lesnick than Jim Castro-Blanco, and the question before the voters is: Does Chuck Lesnick deserve a second term?
                We believe that the answer to this question is yes, and endorse Chuck Lesnick for re-election as council president; here’s why:
                First we will address concerns we have heard from many Yonkers residents that Lesnick takes too long to review and approve legislation, that his leadership on the council has been ineffective and that he tries to please and appease everyone, and, in doing so, pleases nobody.
                Lesnick presides over a diverse and difficult City Council, and has done a good job building consensus among a very independently minded body.
                Yes, Lesnick has taken time in reviewing and debating legislation —most notably the Struever Fidelco Cappelli (SFC)redevelopment plan —but this review ensured public input, and at the end of the day, the council did approve a modified SFC project, which Lesnick would argue —and we would agree —is a better deal for the city.
                Yes, Lesnick does work with, meet with and listen to almost every community group in the city, and the fact that he wants to accommodate all sides is, in our view, a positive, not a negative. If you have people on both sides of an issue angry with you —than you are probably somewhere in the middle, which is we believe is the best place to be when making decisions that will affect Yonkers.
                Lesnick is seen and heard at almost every event in the city, another of his positive attributes. We have spoken to numerous groups and residents who appreciate the fact that Lesnick shows up and listens to what they have to say. Nobody does this better, and it’s an important part of serving Yonkers in a citywide office.
                Simply put, Lesnick is a good politician and he loves it and believes in public service. He has made mistakes (such as removing Patricia McDow from her majority leader’s post), but there is a record of accomplishment that points to a leader who can get things done.
                We were intrigued by the candidacy of Castro-Blanco when he first announced at the beginning of this year. Castro-Blanco vowed to campaign throughout the city and bring together those who were unenthused with Lesnick’s tenure as council president.
                Until very recently, Castro-Blanco’s campaign has appeared stalled, with the people of Yonkers unaware of who he is and what he believes in.
                His recent activity, including the endorsement by the Yonkers Police Benevolence Association (which some view as politically motivated because of Lesnick’s cuts to police overtime) and his strong showing in several debates, have given Castro-Blanco’s campaign some life.
                But it’s far too little too late. In order to beat an incumbent, you need a knockout, and Castro-Blanco has failed to deliver that punch.
                Castro-Blanco also falls victim to a split Republican Party in Yonkers, with defections and infighting hurting his chances.
                Lesnick has a record of four years as council president, during which time the city has taken positive strides in development and education. He stands poised to become a leader in Yonkers, not only for another term as council president, but possibly for years to come. And he has earned that leadership position.
                We endorse Chuck Lesnick for City Council president on November

We Endorse John Larkin City Council 6th District

 

We Endorse John Larkin for City Council Sixth District 
 

                Voters in the Sixth District of northeast Yonkers have two qualified candidates for City Council to choose from to replace outgoing and term- limited Councilwoman Dee Barbato. Republican John Larkin is running against Democrat Ted Winnicki.
                Both candidates presented their vision of Yonkers well in the Yonkers Rising debate last week, but we endorse John Larkin for the following reasons:
                Larkin has been a voice, both at City Hall and in his district, concerning the issues important to the residents in northeast Yonkers. His call for changes to the Ridge Hill development project, and his work on the McMansions task force, show a proven record of accomplishment.
                Larkin’s career path —retiring from Verizon and then earning a master’s teaching degree —is both interesting and points to someone who is still learning and yearning for more information. Larkin is ready and eager to dive into the thousands of council documents that come before the body, including a complex questionnaire submitted by the Yonkers Committee for Smart Development, which some candidates did not, or could not, answer.
                Larkin is a supporter of creating smart development in downtown Yonkers. The only way out of the city’s constant financial shortfalls is to bring in new revenue, and downtown Yonkers and the waterfront —despite incremental improvements —still remains the unpolished jewel of the city.
                We see Larkin diving head first into his council duties, and can easily see him playing an active role in moving the council forward on the critical issues before them —not playing politics or serving his political desires, of which Larkin has none, except to serve on the council. He is a supporter of term limits.
                Winnicki, while a viable candidate, has run before for this office, and questions have been raised about his participation in between his campaigns. Larkin has more adequately distinguished himself during this time, with a deeper involvement in the issues both candidates would face on the council.     We endorse John Larkin, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, for City Council in the Sixth District, on November 3.

We Endorse-Mario DeGiorgio City Council 4th District

Note-here is our most controversial endorsement, let the blogging begin

We Endorse Mario DeGiorgio for City Council Fourth District 

                The race for City Council in the Fourth District, representing east Yonkers, has Democrat Mario DeGiorgio running against Republican Dennis Shepherd. Independence Party candidate John Rubbo is still on the ballot, but no longer actively campaigning.
                The real choice is between DeGiorgio and Shepherd —both good and qualified candidates. But we endorse DeGiorgio, and here’s why:
                DeGiorgio is the people’s candidate, running as an outsider who has stated again and again in the campaign that he is not beholden to anyone. We like to hear that, and with at least three new councilmembers being elected this year, an independent and non-political voice on the council will be an asset.
                DeGiorgio’s business experience would be another key addition to the City Council. His work for Kid City clothing stores, with two Yonkers locations, gives him a background in meeting a payroll and understanding the difficulties of running a business. He can use this experience to examine the business that is the City of Yonkers’ $900 million budget.
                DeGiorgio has other business experience with the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District (BID) in the Bronx. There has been some criticism of the fact that DeGiorgio’s work has been in the Bronx and not Yonkers, but we see it differently, and believe that this experience will help him serve on the council and work with the Yonkers Chamber and BID in the future.
                DeGiorgio is a down-to-earth, “regular” guy that Yonkers needs on the City Council. Moving forward, Yonkers needs fewer politicians and more public servants. DeGiorgio fits this mold.
                Shepherd has run a credible council campaign, and his work with the Hyatt Association is a positive. His two big issues —controlling taxes and encouraging development — are both issues that Yonkers needs to work on. Both Shepherd and DeGiorgio performed well in the Yonkers Rising debate held last week.
                Shepherd has one strike against him that is not his fault —a non-unified Republican Party behind him. Despite support from Mayor Phil Amicone, the Yonkers GOP is deeply split between factions, some of whom don’t want the mayor’s supported candidates to win.
                DeGiorgio has the support of the Democratic Party, and has the experience of running, and showing well, against term-limited Councilman Liam McLaughlin four years ago.
                We endorse Mario DeGiorgio, who is running on the Democratic, Conservative and Working Families Party lines, for City Council Fourth District on November 3.

Yonkers Rising Endorsements-Wilson Terrero City Council 2nd District

We Endorse Wilson Terrero for City Council Second District

In September, we endorsed Wilson Terrero for City Council in the Second District, representing southwest Yonkers. Since then, we are even more confident that Terrero, the Democratic candidate, pictured here receiving an honor from the Yonkers Rotary last week, is the best choice on November 3.
Terrero has a combination of community involvement and business experience, here in Yonkers, that make him an attractive candidate.

Whether it’s helping with children’s reading and recreation programs, his work in his church, St. Peter’s, or with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the city’s Community Development Agency, Terrero has a proven record of partnering with anyone and everyone to better the City of Yonkers.

Terrero is all about the future of Yonkers, and brings a positive voice to the council to help move the city forward.

Terrero’s opponent is Virginia Perez, who he narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary. Perez is an attractive new candidate in Yonkers politics, who brings a different perspective to this race —she is running to remember her murdered brother, Martin Perez.

But Perez has been unable to articulate a vision for Yonkers beyond the issues of crime, gangs and drugs, and, while we applaud her work to find ways to make southwest Yonkers a safer place, the exact strides she will take on this —her primary issue —are still unresolved.

Terrero is ready on January 1 to get to work on all of the issues facing Yonkers and its City Council as we enter the next decade. We endorse Wilson Terrero for City Council Second District on November 3.

County Board Approves Landmark Housing Settlement

See How the Four Yonkers Members Voted

The County Board of Legislators approved a landmark fair housing settlement agreement and bond act that will require Westchester to spend $50 million, over seven years, to build 750 homes in 37 communities across the county known for being overwhelmingly white and affluent.

The County Board’s actions were in response to a lawsuit against Westchester County by the Anti-

Discrimination Center (ADC), which accused the county of making false statements on federal applications about its efforts to integrate housing. The county settled the lawsuit, declining to go to trial, and, by a 12-5 vote, the County Board ratified the agreement.

The Board’s vote on the settlement put some legislators in difficult positions, with many fielding objections in their districts while simultaneously feeling pressure by County Executive Andy Spano regarding the need to pass the settlement.

Eleven democrats voted for the settlement, including Board Chairman Bill Ryan and legislators Jose Alvarado, Lois Bronz, William Burton, Peter Harckham, Ken Jenkins, Michael Kaplowitz, Judith Myers, John Nonna, Vito Pinto and Lyndon Williams. Republican County Legislator Bernice Spreckman, who frequently joins with Democrats on the County Board, cast the 12th vote needed for 2/3 of the County Board (the required amount) to have approved the settlement.

Three of the County Board democrats — Alvarado, Jenkins and Williams — had easier votes because the settlement does not affect the areas they represent, — Yonkers and Mt. Vernon — which already maintain their fair share of affordable and low-income housing.

The votes of the remaining eight were difficult, however, because this agreement will result in the building of low-income housing in the towns and villages they represent.

Yonkers is represented on the County Board with four members —Jenkins, Spreckman, Burrows and Alvarado. Jenkins, Alvarado and Spreckman voted for the settlement, with Burrows voting no.

“After holding a Town Hall Forum within the community, I listened to the concerns voiced by the residents of Bronxville, Tuckahoe and Eastchester,” said Burrows. “ I have clearly stated Westchester County is a leader in the building of affordable housing. The county should not be condemned because of the mistakes made by the county planning department and subsequently approved by the County Administration. The proposed settlement agreement is not clear, and it is ripe with potential problems. The next important step is how the administration will proceed with the implementation process.”

Jenkins, chairman of the Board’s Government Operations Committee, said, “The approval of this settlement provides a tremendous opportunity for the people of Westchester to develop fair and affordable housing in every area of Westchester. This settlement is fiscally responsible and morally correct.”

Spreckman has special insight into the County Board’s vote, as during the 1980’s desegregation crisis in Yonkers, she served on the Yonkers City Council.

“Since I’ve been a legislator I’ve always voted for affordable housing, senior housing and veterans housing in Westchester. To me, this vote is déjà vu all over again in Yonkers. I was on the City Council during the time when Yonkers had its desegregation issues,” she said.

“I’ve always done what my constituents wanted and not the party. I listen to the people. Back then, it was low-income housing, this is affordable housing. I was against it in Yonkers back then, when the rest of the world couldn’t care less about Yonkers and no one came to our defense.

“We went to court and I left the council, but Yonkers lost the case and paid fines and penalties and we got the housing anyway. The Westchester housing case is a landmark decision, and I don’t think the Federal government will let us win.

“Yonkers isn’t involved, but we will be involved if we fight it and end up paying $200 million or more. My taxpayers in Yonkers should not have to pay that cost. We need this housing desperately in the county, including some for seniors,” Spreckman said.

From the Desk of YPS Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio

Transforming the Community Through Education – Part 2

The Yonkers Public Schools is accomplishing academic gains for students, as education blossoms and “success leads to success.” In the previous issue of Yonkers Rising, elementary achievements were highlighted. Suffice to say, there are also many successes that are occurring on the high school level and in the area of adult education. When students graduate from high school or participate in adult education, the community is further transformed by the education of those who are well-prepared to attend college, enter the workforce and positively contribute to their families, neighborhoods and the City of Yonkers.

On the high school level, there has been an increase in the number of students graduating from the Yonkers Public Schools. The four-year graduation rate is at 64 percent and the five-year graduation climbed to 73 percent. The district has the highest rate of graduation among New York State’s “Big Five” cities, but the Yonkers Public Schools has established a goal of achieving a graduation rate of more than 90 percent. Presently, this expectation has been slowed because New York State procedures require districts to account for every student entering ninth grade in any given year, regardless of high mobility and poverty rates, by reporting each student’s status four years later. However, the district remains undaunted and determined.

Another outstanding achievement on the high school level is the number of scholarships awarded to graduating seniors over the past three years. In 2008-2009, graduates earned more than $30 million in scholarships, compared to $21 million in 2007-2008 and $13 million in 2006-2007. In addition, over 1,300 graduates from the class of 2009 were set to enter college in the fall, including schools such as Brown, Harvard, Columbia, SUNY Binghamton and a host of other great universities.

The district adult education program, Yonkers Pathways for Success, was transformed, with over 2,000 adults participating in coursework over a 12-month period. The four sites in southwest Yonkers of Hawthorne PEARLS, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Microsociety, Enrico Fermi and the VIVE Schools, are offering a plethora of courses in the technical training areas to the district’s largest-enrolled classes of English as a Second Language. Adult education, which, three years ago, was a financial drain on the Board of Education, is now a self-sufficient program. Pathways to Success recently won a competitive $300,000 Literacy Zone Grant from the New York State Department of Education, awarded to only 11 districts in the state, to continue work with adults in the community.

The rising high school graduation rate, increase in the amount of earned scholarships and the number of students attending adult education classes are a tribute to district educators, students, parents/guardians and citizens. Each is providing a foundation for the Yonkers Public Schools to transform the community through education.