NEW YORK STATE: Assemblymember Adam Bradley Press Release

Assemblymember Adam Bradley Press Release.

For Immediate Release

Date: January 30, 2006

Bradley introduces Safety from Sex Offenders Act

Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-White Plains) announced that he has introduced legislation in the Assembly known as the “Safety from Sex Offenders Act” (A.9474).

The legislation will enable judges to make mandatory compliance with treatment a condition of a felony sex offender’s sentence. It also creates an individualized treatment program for imprisoned felony sex offenders. The bill is modeled after the state system of probation and parole by allowing judges to require cooperation and compliance with treatment programs as a condition of the sentence.

Under Bradley’s bill, convicted sex offenders who fail to comply with their treatment programs could be in violation and would face an additional sentence of up to three years imprisonment for each violation.

“It’s clear that dangerous sexual offenders need to be kept off our streets,” said Bradley. “The Safety from Sex Offenders Act includes a tough, comprehensive plan to protect our families from sexual predators.”

Bradley noted that his legislation requires mandatory individualized treatment for incarcerated sex offenders. Currently, the state Department of Correctional Services operates a sex offender treatment program but it is not required by law and it lasts for only six months—one of the shortest prison-based programs in the nation.

“I will work to get this common-sense measure passed in the Assembly,” Bradley said. “It’s imperative that we continue to protect our citizens by requiring mandatory treatment for imprisoned sex felons and longer jail sentences for those who refuse to comply with treatment.”

Bradley’s legislation comes at the heels of the Assembly majority’s comprehensive plan that addresses the threat of sexual predators in our communities. A plan that was the result of a series of public hearings and includes tough penalties, expanded monitoring of sex offenders and better services for victims.

“This legislation will help protect our communities by encouraging treatment and keeping felony sex offenders who refuse treatment in prison,” said Bradley.

Posted By Brian Harrod 

White Plains Newswire Editor

YONKERS, NY: News from Yonkers City Councilmember John Murtagh

News from Yonkers City Councilmember John Murtagh.

NEWS … from the YONKERS CITY COUNCIL
DATE: January 30, 2006
JOHN M. MURTAGH
COUNCIL MEMBER
5TH DISTRICT

Murtagh Calls for Council to Set Comprehensive Development Policy

Favors "open, competitive and transparent" processes, bar on use of eminent domain.Declaring " … unguided development simply for development’s sake is not the answer to Yonkers’ problems," Council Member John Murtagh (RIC-5) today called on the City Council to establish a comprehensive development policy for major projects as well as adopting a meaningful open space and recreational facilities policy to protect the cities natural resources.

"Cross County Shopping Center, video lottery terminals at Yonkers Raceway and the debate over Ridge Hill demonstrate the pressure Yonkers is under as it rebuilds and build anew," Murtagh said. "The question for the City Council is not whether major development and redevelopment takes place – the question is does it continue on an ad hoc basis or do we adopt sensible guidelines for the future look and density of our city?"

"Yonkers’ assets from a development point of view are unique – proximity to New York City, the Hudson and Palisades, a diverse housing stock and labor pool," Murtagh said. "So our process for selecting who gets to use those assets should ensure that Yonkers’ citizens receive lasting quality and the best return on their buck. Above all, all current residents have a stake in the future direction of development and redevelopment. Their views must be listened to and their concerns about taxes, services, quality of life and affordability must be addressed."

In addition to adopting a meaningful open space and recreational facilities policy, Murtagh’s proposal would require the City Council to take action on the following six points:

establish a formal, open, competitive, transparent and uniform process for the administration to follow in recommending developers or awarding development rights when public resources are involved;

a ban on the use of the city’s eminent domain powers to acquire private land and convey ownership to wealthy developers;

a ban on city officials – including unsalaried appointees – from forming local development corporations and other such quasi-government entities unless approved by the City Council with strict guidelines on openness and accountability;

an assessment of the condition and adequacy of city infrastructure and services in each neighborhood where major development or redevelopment might occur;

strict limits on the conveyance of publicly owned property for private development with careful consideration to the option of long term leasing or deeds with reverter clauses; and a stream-lined application process for approvals for as-of-right projects or projects requiring modest variances with a strict timetable for each step in the process and a prohibition on imposing new conditions for a certificate of occupancy once a building permit is issued or the factors cited for a denial of a building permit are addressed.

"Before we approve new development that adds significant numbers of residents and visitors, we have an obligation to make sure that the city’s infrastructure – both physical and services – can support it," Murtagh said.

"For example, it’s fairly clear that the distribution of public school facilities in our city no longer matches the demand. Is the same true for fire houses and police stations? Can our roads handle major new traffic? And what of open space and recreation? Where should we develop new parks and preserve open space to hold in the public trust for future generations to enjoy?"

"Most important, the public has a right to expect that the finished product is the best available and that the development process is both open and inclusive. Murtagh said. "What better way to ensure the best return on our investment and to bring out the best ideas than an open and transparent competition for proposals and developers?"

WESTCHESTER COUNTY: The Blog STOPIRRO has another interesting article

STOPIRRO has another interesting article.

STOPIRRO has another interesting article called Prosecutor-Persecutor-Predator - True Account of a Man that was the Perfect Prey. This is an article that deals with how Pirro perscuted & prosecuted Richard Diguglielmo. It was a case by the way that Pirro used as a racial case, but there were never any charges of a racially biased crime ever filed by Pirro's office. A note to my GOP Friends Jeanine Pirro brought in Rev. Al Sharpton. Isn't it someone who the Republicans hate? What kind of Republican is she or is she a mere self-promoter of herself.

To read more of this article, Link To: http://stopirro.blogspot.com

WESTCHESTER COUNTY: Hey Edelman "A little hot under the white collar."

Hey Edelman "A little hot under the white collar."

On News 12 Point No Point, Mike Edelman admitted having some relation to people in organized crime & he said everybody is, in one form or another. Mr. Edelman, do you know organized crime is illegial? That is why we have RICO Statutes. You have the gaul to go after Blassberg? You are only mad, because Blassberg has written the truth about the corruption of the queen. Not everybody has relation to organized crime. Why is Edelman hot about the comments by the bloggers on the Viviano issue. Why didn't Jenkins call him on the carpet for that comment. Jenkins missed another opportunity to be respected in this county. Organized Crime has ruled in this County & in Politics. Mr. Edelman, do you go to Mulino's? That is why the FEDS must come in & do a major investigation. I think they should subpoena the tape from NEWS 12? They should do the same investigation, that they did on the Albanian's. You know Alex, Lenny & "Fat Angelo".

NEW YORK STATE: Judicial selection process by Political Parties is ruled unconstitutional by a Federal Judge

Judicial selection process by Political Parties is ruled unconstitutional by a Federal Judge.

A Federal Judge ruled last night that the process of selecting State Supreme Court justices is unconstitutional. This is a major blow to the Backrooms & the Political Parties. The Judge ordered an immediate halt to backroom wheeling & dealing. The Federal Judge was John Gleeson from Brooklyn.

The judge is right in the fact, that the way parties pick Supreme Court Justices through having convention by sending party regulars as delegates. This is done with both the Democratic & Republican Parties. But people like Zehy Jereis, Yonkers GOP Leader & State Senator Nicholas Spano have used it for backroom deals many times. The Judge is also right that the State Legislature should enact a new system for selecting Judicial Candidates.

The question is does that the State Legislature have the guts to take politics out of selecting our Judiciary. Also don’t get me wrong, also the minor parties do it as well. The Conservative & Indpendence Parties of Westchester controlled by Senator Spano do the same thing of backroom deals. Giulio Cavallo, Westchester County Independence Party Leader was able to prevent Francis Nicolai from running for re-election for NYS Supreme Court Judge in 2004, because of his power to stop endorsements of these candidates for Supreme Court Judge.

We need a system to put in place, that helps people who do not enjoy support of the Party Bosses. But that these people are qualified to or want to run for State Supreme Court Judge. We need to put an end to Party Boss Politics. The Judiciary should be non-political & the selection should be non-political. A primary system put in place, so that the people could decide & not the Party bosses is a good idea. The State Legislature needs to act ASAP. So that we can have elections of Judges that are not political. How can we trust our judiciary, if it s political, when judges are supposed to be non-political. Let’s put an end to the likes of Jereis, Spano, Cavallo, Democratic Leaders. Republican Leaders, Conservative leaders, Indpendence Leaders & other parties take their power away in selecting our State Supreme Court Judges. We need to totally clean the process up from politics & give the people confidence in the way we select our judges. This is a way, that when judges make decisions. That there decisions can’t be questioned due to politics.

The Lawsuit came from nine people, a mix of Democrats and Republicans including Brooklyn Surrogate Judge Margarita Lopez Torres, who contended the current system cheats voters and blocks challengers who lack the support of the county bosses.

"The plaintiffs have demonstrated convincingly that local major party leaders ... control who becomes a Supreme Court justice and when," Gleeson wrote in a 77-page decision. "The result is an opaque, undemocratic selection procedure that violates the rights of the voters and the rights of candidates."

Gleeson issued an injunction striking down the convention system and directed that Supreme Court justices Should be nominated by primary elections until a new, unspecified system is in place.

"It's hard to think of a more revolutionary decision because it shifts our power to choose judges from our political leaders back to the people," said lawyer Burt Neuborn of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, which represented the plaintiffs.

The decision was released at 5 p.m., catching party honchos off guard.

Brian Harrod

New York State Newswire Editor 

NEW YORK STATE: Citizens Campaign for the Environment Press Release

Citizens Campaign for the Environment Press Release.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2006

Citizens Campaign for the Environment Celebrates 21 Years with 21 Energy Saving Tips For Under $100!
With New York’s Energy Prices Boiling Over This Winter, Environmental Group Suggests Affordable Do-It-Yourself Solutions

White Plains, NY— Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) celebrates its 21st birthday with 21 ways to save energy, money, and the environment! With the onset of winter and the coldest days just around the corner, CCE has compiled a list of helpful ways to reduce energy consumption, save on costly monthly energy bills, and prevent pollution.

“With the cost of natural gas and home heating fuel skyrocketing, adopting simple energy conservation practices will save money and directly benefit the environment by reducing the demand for polluting fossil fuels,” stated Adrienne Esposito, CCE executive director.

Many of CCE’s energy efficiency tips, such as driving below 55 mph, using cold water to wash your clothes, and eliminating wasted energy (e.g. unplugging extra refrigerators), are free to implement and can save significant dollars on home energy bills.

“Now is the time to become energy efficient,” declared Emmett Pepper, CCE program coordinator. “Making small investments, such as the purchase of a programmable thermostat, can pay huge dividends by reducing your monthly energy use and utility bills,” Pepper added.

“Energy conservation combined with renewable energy will bring us one step closer to energy independence,” said Brendan Mahoney, CCE program coordinator. “CCE encourages you to do your part and conserve this winter,” Mahoney concluded.

Posted By Brian Harrod Roundup Newswires - New York State Editor

YONKERS INSIDER: Reisman does column on a movement in Albany to soften the impact of Eminent Domain - By Delfim Heusler

Reisman does column on a movement in Albany to soften the impact of Eminent Domain.

Phil Reisman, A Journal News Columnist does a Journal News Column on a growing movement in Albany in the State Legislature to soften the impact of Eminent Domain. State Legislators like Richard Brodsky, Adam Bradley are putting legislation on the floor to protect the property owner from the Govt’s ability to take away the property owner’s homes. Property rights are becoming a major issue nationally & on a Statewide basis as well. Also on the County level, where Legislators James Maisano & Tom Abinanti have made legislative progress on this issue. Abinanti is seeking the Brodsky seat in the NYS State Assembly, this current year.

Eminent Domain is a power that should be less used. Property Owners rights should be protected by the gov’t. It should not be taken away by the gov’t. The Yonkers Insider applauds Adam Bradley for his efforts on his recent bill that will go to the floor. Eminent Domain in places like Port Chester & also other parts of Westchester County. This whole issue was brought to light in a Supreme Court decision having to do with a case in New London, CT. It was a controversial 5-4 vote.

The problem will be is that the developers & the lobbyist who give money to these legislators will try to make sure that their contributions stall this movement of stopping Eminent Domain.

Bradley’s bill is called A09473. The current draft bill has four components.

• It calls for the option of a jury trial to decide any claim involving a private residence or a business with gross receipts of less than $1 million.

• It requires that the property owner receive compensation "at least equal to the actual cost of purchasing an equivalent property in a similarly situated location with a similar structure on the property."

• The bill demands that property owners be reimbursed for their legal fees and court costs.

• It calls for the reimbursement of all moving expenses and mortgage closing costs.
Bradley said the possibility of placing the issue of fair compensation into the hands of an impartial jury was the key piece of the legislation.

We at The Yonkers Insider wish Bradley well on his well thought out bill. This going to take courage from legislators in Albany to tell the developers & big campaign contributors no & that we need to protect the property owners from Eminent Domain. If nothing is done, Property rights will be a major issue in this year’s State Legislature elections. If there is inaction in Albany. We need to protect people’s property of ever growing powerful gov’t. The legislators need to take a stand, if not then the people must be heard at the ballot box & have those who won’t stand for them replaced by new people, who will put property owners rights ahead of the gov’ts power to take away their property. If anybody has stories of Eminent Domain being used in the County of Westchester & the State of NY. Email the Yonkers Insider at:heuslerformayor@yahoo.com with your story.

We will look at the facts & will do a story on any specific cases of Eminent Domain being used

NEW YORK STATE: NY Post has exclusive on Pirro giving money to State GOP

NY Post has exclusive on Pirro giving money to State GOP

Fred Dicker of the NY Post has an exclusive about Jeanine Pirro given money out of her DA campaign find to the State GOP. She gave $575,000 to the Republican State Committee. At a time when Governor Pataki has not given any campaign money to State GOP. Why did Pirro want this to be secret? In the law GOP Officials said that State Law doesn’t allow her to give.

The Staten Island DA is planning a primary challenge against Pirro for AG. It is disgusting Pirro is running for Attorney General. When she violates laws constantly & gets away with it. Reporters need to ask Pirro about this campaign contribution. Why did she try & keep it secret. The public needs to see the corruption of Jeanine Pirro.

Posted By RoundupNewswires.com Editor Brian Harrod 

NEW YORK STATE: Thomas Suozzi Press Release

Thomas Suozzi Press Release.

Suozzi "New York: A United State" Tour Comes to Yonkers and White Plains.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22th, 2006

CARLE PLACE, NY -- Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi will come to Yonkers and White Plains on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 as part of a statewide issues tour. He invites business and community activists to join him at a round table discussion from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the Will Library in Yonkers or from 2:30 -4:00 at the Vintage Restaurant at 171 Main St., White Plains.Last week he filed papers with the State Board of Elections to create a campaign committee to explore a Democratic bid for Governor of the State of New York. He said the crushing burden of high property taxes and the failure of Albany powerbrokers to address the problem are prompting him to consider entering the Democratic primary.As part of his "New York: A United State" tour, Suozzi will hold meetings across the state over the next several weeks with community, civic and business leaders to get their perspective on the major challenges facing their regions and what the next governor could do to help address those problems.Suozzi will also share some of the lessons he has learned about the impact state policies have on local governments from his time as chief executive of one of the state's largest and most complex counties, where he has developed a national reputation as a principled reformer who gets results. He was recently named Governing Magazine's "Public Official of the Year" for 2005."It has become painfully clear to me that local taxes, especially property taxes-72% above the national average, the highest in the nation, are crushing the residents I serve in Nassau County, as well as residents throughout Long Island and the State. There will never be effective solutions to reduce property taxes, especially school taxes, as well as improve low performing schools and create high-paying jobs, unless we fix Albany," said Suozzi."I want to hear from people in other parts of the state to see if they feel the same way, what they would like to see changed, and if they would be interested in working with me to reform the system and make it work for New York once again."-more-As Nassau County Executive, Suozzi, a lifelong Democrat with long family ties in the Party, has reformed a $2.4 billion county government that was nearly bankrupt and had been rated the worst run county in the nation. His strong leadership has resulted in Nassau County enjoying a reputation for smart, efficient and fiscally conservative operations and being recognized as one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in the country."I believe that New York can be great! To do so we need to make sure that each part of the State can enjoy an improved quality of life. That means that people of Long Island and in areas throughout the State plagued by high property taxes must get relief. That means we must improve low performing schools in New York City and in low performing areas throughout the State. That means we must improve the economy of upstate communities suffering from decline and high unemployment. That means everyone should have the chance to enjoy the American Dream of affordable home ownership," Suozzi said."To succeed, we must make New York 'A United State,'" Suozzi continued. Suozzi's tour around the state builds on the work he has done over the past two years as President of the New York State County Executives Association and as founder of "FixAlbany.com," a campaign to reform New York State government. In both capacities, Suozzi waged a relentless and successful campaign to reform the State's Medicaid program and to cap the growth of local Medicaid costs. "To fund property tax relief, reform the school aid formula, improve the upstate economy and build affordable housing will require money. I believe that to find money without raising taxes will mean cracking down, without fear or favor, on a fast-spreading white collar crime that has been largely ignored by state authorities - costly Medicaid fraud. Medicaid is an important, necessary program that provides essential help to those in need, but in New York State the program cost two and one half times the cost of the national average," said Suozzi."I know first hand that no matter how successful local officials are, our constituents have to bear the burden of a dysfunctional state government. Based on my experience, I believe I have a moral and political responsibility to advocate and work for change in the present system," stated Suozzi. "I look forward to traveling the state, meeting people and learning more about the important issues we share in common. It is no longer upstate versus downstate. It is no longer city versus suburbs. It is no longer black versus white or rich versus poor. We are in this together and we need to make New York 'A United State'," concluded Suozzi.

YONKERS, NY: News from Hudson River Community Association

News from Hudson River Community Association

HUDSON RIVER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF NORTHWEST YONKERS, INC.
P.O. BOX 866
YONKERS, NEW YORK 10702-0866
914-426-7855
hrcayonkers03@yahoo.com
hudsonrivercommunityassociation.org

January 25, 2006

Dear Members and Friends:

If you're concerned with issues relating to the education of our children, please be advised that the NAACP is having a panel discussion entitled "Mayoral Control of the Schools -- Solutions to the Problems or Human Rights Disaster?", at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 26 at the YWCA, 87 South Broadway, Yonkers. Speakers will include NYC parents, teachers and students already experiencing mayoral control in their city.

Mayor Amicone has expressed a desire to do away with the Board of Education in Yonkers and put in it's place a City controlled Department of Education. Whatever side you are on, we think it is an opportunity to let your opinions be heard on this issue.

Very truly yours,
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
The Hudson River Community Association of Northwest Yonkers, Inc.

Posted By Yonkers Newswires Editor Brian Harrod 

YONKERS, NY: Interesting letter to the editor in The Journal News by a Yonkers Resident

Interesting letter to the editor in The Journal News by a Yonkers Resident.

There has always been speculation that there is a "Goon Squad" in Yonkers. This does add interesting light on this issue. This is an issue that must come to the public's view. This is an unwritten rule. People have been quiet about this. Thank You, Mr. Frascone for bringing this out.

'Lost in Yonkers' hitting home

The 1991 film, "Lost In Yonkers," centers around two boys whose father sends them to live with their grandmother so he can repay a debt. There's an air of tragedy throughout this comic film. Although the movie was to be filmed on site in Yonkers, continually mounting "unforeseen expenses," e.g. film permit fees, caused the producers to move to Cincinnati. Robert DeNiro also nixed his plans for a film studio/workshop in Yonkers for the same "unforeseen expense" issues.

Although I am not a film producer, as a Yonkers resident, I remember reading a textbook in the final semester for my MBA that cited numerous situations using Yonkers as an example on how not to run a city. I'd never thought that the ominous "Lost in Yonkers" reality would ever hit home.

It is common knowledge on my street that if you want anything close to normal trash removal service, "you got to slip the garbage men some cash every now and then." I refuse to do this, primarily because of the high municipal taxes that I pay that, at the very least, should provide for normal trash-removal service. I cannot move to Cincinnati, and my refusal to pay gratuities, combined with voiced complaints, have me in an intimidating situation that neither my councilperson, Dee Barbato, nor the mayor's office, respond to. I am forced to pay for private trash removal in fear of continually being fined by sanitation enforcement for my position in expecting the city to provide a normal unimpeded service that one could get anywhere else.

Joe Frascone
Yonkers

WESTCHESTER COUNTY: Adam Bradley Press Release - January 25, 2006

Adam Bradley Press Release.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Adam Bradley
Date: January 25, 2006

Assemblyman Bradley introduces bill amending eminent domain law

Legislation ensures property owners are fairly compensated Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-White Plains) announced that he is sponsoring legislation that will amend the state’s current eminent domain law in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo v. New London allowing the government to take private
property for economic development purposes (A.9473).

“There has been enormous concern regarding the Supreme Court’s eminent domain ruling,” Bradley said. “I am aware of the potentially adverse effects it could have on property owners and we need to make sure that owners are treated fairly and are compensated properly. My legislation will require that just compensation be an amount at least equal to the actual cost of purchasing an equivalent property and further includes reimbursements for all incidental costs such as legal fees, moving expenses and closing costs.”

Bradley’s legislation would allow jury trials for New York homeowners and businesses that had properties seized under eminent domain. The court will also be instructed to award reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs to property owners. Additionally, this legislation will require that reasonable moving and relocation expenses, closing costs, and other costs incidental to an eminent domain proceeding be provided.

The court ruling now specifically allows that eminent domain can be used to condemn privately owned property so that it can be used as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan to create new jobs, increase tax and city revenues, or revitalize a depressed or blighted urban area.

“We have an obligation to ensure that the rights of New Yorkers are not infringed,” Bradley said. “My legislation will help restore fairness, and give homeowners and small businesses some assurance that they will be protected and adequately compensated if their property is taken under eminent domain.”

Posted By Brian Harrod Roundup Newswires's Westchester County Editor

YONKERS, NY: Yonkers Insider has learned that John Doherty has sold the Palisade Food Store

Yonkers Insider has learned that John Doherty has sold the Palisade Food Store.

The Yonkers Insider has learned that John Doherty has sold the Palisade Food Store to another outfit. Sources tell me that today is the last of business for Palisade Food Store. Sources also tell me that the business coming is from Hawthorne. It is Albanian in origin.

The Yonkers Insider salutes John Doherty for his years of serving Yonkers residents in North Yonkers. He was a successful small businessman in our city. We thank him for bettering North Yonkers & helping the Yonkers economy. He loves Yonkers. He has been a great influence in our city. He has been a good neighbor for this city. The Yonkers Insider wishes Doherty the best of luck in his future endeavors. The store was started by his father & was a family owned business in Yonkers. He is a Real Estate Salesperson in Hastings. The best of luck to you, John. Thank you for being a great salesperson for our city. His store will be missed, for it has been the fabric of North Yonkers for many years. His business has given so much back to Yonkers in so many ways. Now is the opportunity to know a new store & their way of business. This store will hopefully work in partnership with our City Council Member Dennis Robertson.

NEW YORK STATE: Richard Brodsky for NYS Attorney General Press Release

Richard Brodsky for NYS Attorney General Press Release.

Westchester Law Enforcement Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General

Upstate Endorsements to be Announced Later this Week.

In an overwhelming show of political support from the law enforcement community, the Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester County, Inc., consisting of 52 law enforcement associations, today announced their endorsement of Assemblyman Richard Brodsky as their candidate for New York State Attorney General.
Brodsky has received endorsements from major communications, transportation, political and law enforcement unions, as well a citizens from Buffalo to Long Island.

Law Enforcement Endorsing Brodsky:

Westchester County District Attorney Investigators

Westchester County Department of Public Safety

Eastchester SOA

New Rochelle SOA

Westchester County Correction SOA

New York State Park PBA

New York State Troopers PBA

Ardsley PBA

Beacon PBA

Bedford PBA

Briarcliff Manor PBA

Bronxville PBA

Carmel PBA

Croton PBA

Eastchester PBA

Elmsford PBA

Greenburgh PBA

Harrison PBA

Hastings PBA

Larchmont PBA

Lewisboro PBA

Mamaroneck Town PBA

Mamaroneck Village PBA

Mount Pleasant PBA

Mount Vernon PBA

New Castle PBA

New Rochelle PBA

North Castle PBA

North Tarrytown PBA

Ossining Village PBA

Peekskill PBA

Pelham PBA

Pelham Manor PBA

Pleasantville PBA

Portchester PBA

Poughkeepsie PBA

Rye Brook PBA

Rye City PBA

Scarsdale PBA

Tarrytown PBA

Tuckahoe PBA

Warwick PBA

White Plains PBA

Yonkers CLSA

Yonkers PBA

Yorktown PBA

Posted By Brian Harrod - Roundup Newswires Network

YONKERS, NY: Mayor Amicone Press Release

Mayor Amicone Press Release.

Amicone announces free income tax counseling program for qualified taxpayers, Middle-to-low-income Yonkers residents & seniors will receive free tax counseling

Yonkers, N.Y.—Mayor Phil Amicone today announced that AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained and certified by the IRS, will be offering free income tax assistance to all Yonkers middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older, at three Yonkers locations from February 1 to April 17.

This free nationwide program, TAX-AIDE, is administered through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service and is being offered through the Yonkers Office for the Aging, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Grinton Will Library.

“This valuable service will provide assistance to all those who need help filling out their federal or New York State income tax returns,” said Mayor Amicone. “This represents a true collaborative effort on the part of a variety of organizations – AARP, The Yonkers Office for the Aging, Department of Parks Recreation and Conservation and the Grinton Will Library.”

Locations and schedules are as follows:

Bronx River Road Community Center, 680 Bronx River Road, Yonkers 10704 - Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

St. John's Riverside Park Care Pavilion, Office for the Aging Nutrition Site, 2 Park Avenue, Yonkers 10703 - Mondays 10 a.m. - 12 Noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

Grinton Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers 10710 - Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Electronic filing service is offered at both the St. John's Riverside Park Care Pavilion and the Will Library locations.

Taxpayers must bring a copy of their 2004 tax return, all 2005 W-2's, 1099's, Social Security Benefits Statements, a photo ID as well as copies of their Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification card.

For more information, please contact the Yonkers Office for the Aging at (914) 377-6822 or The Department of Parks and Recreation at (914) 377-6444.

If you wish to have lunch on the day you come over to fill out your taxes at the Park Avenue site or the Bronx River Road site, please call 377-6825 or 377-6822.

Posted By Brian Harrod - Yonkers Newswire Editor 

NEW YORK STATE: News from Mark Green for New York State Attorney General

News from Mark Green for New York State Attorney General.

Dear Friends,

I thought you might be interested in my op-ed below in the New York Times advocating the need for a New York State False Claims Act. (Click here to view the op-ed directly.) I'm pleased that Taxpayers Against Fraud, a leading group supporting whistleblowers, highlighted my op-ed in a "news alert." (Click here)

I'm also using my website to help citizens blow the whistle on Medicaid fraud and on theft from other government programs by putting links on my homepage (Click here) to the New York Attorney General's fraud intake form, as well as Taxpayers Against Fraud.

-- Mark

*************************************

New York Times op-edJanuary 29, 2006
Fraud Busting Begins at Home
By MARK GREEN

When it comes to fighting fraud, New York State is 143 years behind the times.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the False Claims Act, allowing ordinary people to blow the whistle on fraudulent federal contractors by suing them on behalf of taxpayers. The so-called Lincoln Law gave whistleblowers an incentive to fight fraud by rewarding them with a portion of recovered stolen money.

Since Congress modernized it in 1986, the Lincoln Law has become the federal government's single most important tool in combating fraud. According to Taxpayers Against Fraud, a public interest group, federal whistleblower lawsuits have recovered $17 billion and saved billions more by deterring corrupt practices.

Yet New York's Legislature has been unwilling or unable to pass a False Claims Act to combat fraud against state programs, even though California, Florida, Texas and more than a dozen other states have done so, recovering tens of millions of dollars for their taxpayers. Just last month, Congress, which allows states to keep a percentage of Medicaid dollars recovered through federal whistleblower suits, approved a 10 percent penalty on states without False Claims Acts -- a penalty New York can ill afford.

New Yorkers deserve better. A strong False Claims Act would allow anyone with inside information about a major scheme bilking the state to secretly file a case against the perpetrators. The case would be referred to the attorney general, who could take over the suit, dismiss it, settle it or allow the whistleblower to prosecute it on the state's behalf. A guilty party would pay the state treble damages plus additional fines, and could be barred as a government contractor. The amount of money the whistleblower gets would depend on the value of the information provided, and the time and expense he or she spent on the lawsuit. Crucially, the law would prohibit employers from retaliating against whistleblowers for exposing fraudulent practices.

Although a False Claims Act would apply to all state spending, health care fraud best illustrates the need for the Legislature to act now.

For the same reason that Willie Sutton famously robbed banks, big-money schemes aim at Medicaid and other state health care programs. A former state investigator recently estimated that Medicaid fraud alone costs New Yorkers as much as $18 billion a year.

Health care fraud is particularly pernicious in New York because Gov. George Pataki's Department of Health, which is charged with referring Medicaid fraud cases to the attorney general for prosecution, has been ineffective. Health Department regulators last year discovered only 37 cases of suspected fraud out of 400 million claims and audited just 95 healthcare providers out of 140,000.

Complicated health care schemes are similar to the complicated Wall Street schemes that Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (whose office I will be running for) investigated because often only insiders can detect them. It turns out that health care workers like doctors, nurses, accountants and administrators are perfectly positioned to be health care fraud inspectors. The genius of a False Claims Act is that it gives workers strong incentives to expose fraud and strong protections against employer retaliation. It also gives health care unions an incentive to educate members how to spot, expose and prosecute health care fraud. If New York had its own law, it would better empower New York's attorney general to aggressively fight fraud against Medicaid and other joint federal and state programs in the face of federal inaction.

Opponents of whistleblower suits claim they invite frivolous and abusive litigation. To no one's surprise, these opponents tend to be big health care conglomerates and drug companies that are used to receiving a lot of government money with little government oversight. (They are also a major source of campaign contributions.) The truth, though, is that the attorney general's ability to dismiss a whistleblower-initiated lawsuit basically eliminates the risk of frivolous or abusive litigation.

In addition, empowering patients and health care workers to expose health care fraud isn't just a lifeline for the state's struggling Medicaid program, but also a lifesaver for Medicaid patients. For example, it's a fraud to bill Medicaid for faulty medical equipment, improper medical procedures or shipments of medicine with false expiration dates. Combating such practices can save patients from dangerous health care providers and businesses.

Lincoln knew government must be accountable to taxpayers, and that ordinary taxpayers can help. He was right. It's the status quo in Albany that's wrong.

Mark Green is the former public advocate for New York City.

NEW YORK STATE: NY Constitution Party Press Release

NY Constitution Party Press Release.

Constitution Party of New York endorses pro-life legislation

January, 22, 2006

Today, Burr Deitz, state chairman of the Constitution Party of New York, issued the following statement:On this 33rd anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, we mourn the 46 million American babies who have been murdered before they were born. To end this national disgrace, we endorse the following bills pending in Congress: The Right to Life Act, the Sanctity of Life Act, and the We The People Act. The Right To Life Act declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being. The Sanctity of Life Act recognizes that each State has the authority to protect lives of unborn children residing in the jurisdiction of that State. H.R. 4379, the We The People Act prohibits federal judges from ruling on abortion cases. We applaud the members of Congress who have sponsored this legislation and encourage others to support it. Nothing could better occupy the time of Congress than the most important issue of our generation.

Posted By RoundupNewswires.com Editor Brian Harrod 

GREENBURGH, NY: News from Paul Feiner

News from Paul Feiner.

WESTHAB Elmsford, the 103 room homeless shelter located on Tarrytown Road, will be closing on March 31st. This shelter has served the homeless population since the early 1990s. The shelter previously was a Howard Johnson’s Hotel. When I was a member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators the hotel was receiving $49 a day for rent. The owners of the hotel started accepting homeless families and raised the daily rates to $108. The county, over my objections, placed homeless families in every major hotel in Westchester—including the Rye Town Hilton, Tarrytown Hilton, Crowne Plaza. Soon, the Howard Johnson’s Hotel became a homeless hotel. At one point, early in the 1990s, the NY TIMES, called Elmsford the homeless capitol of the nation. Every hotel in Elmsford was used as a homeless facility. WESTHAB eventually took over the responsibility of housing the homeless at this location and turned the complex into a transitional housing facility—providing families with social services and housing.

The homeless population in the county has been declining in recent years – rooms have not been fully occupied. And, Elmsford is no longer the homeless capitol of America.

PAUL FEINER

Posted By Brian Harrod Greenburgh Newswire Editor 

NEW YORK STATE: It's Official!! The queen is running for NYS Attorney General

It's Official!! The queen is running for NYS Attorney General.

In Syracuse today at the State GOP gathering, the queen Former Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro officially announced her candidacy for state attorney general.

She claims she will run on her successes as Westchester DA. Hopefully her opponents will be ready to hammer her with her record of persecuting innocent people & the prosecutorial misconduct that was the buzzword out of the Pirro years as DA. She is not a team player & also not many organized crime prosecutions. She did not work with US Attorney's office or FBI. Don't forget now the Al question will come up. Was Depalma telling the truth about Al Pirro. Also don't forget what Mo Sanginiti said Al Pirro along with Zehy Jereis. Let's ask Richard Diguglielmo, Jing Kelly, Steven Nowicki, Jessica Hutchinson & countless others about her prosecutorial misconduct & little regard for the truth & the civil rights of these innocent people who were victims of Pirro.

Also don't forget to pick up a copy of the great book called The Jeanine Machine by S. Richard Blassberg.

Pirro, who dropped out of the U.S. Senate race last month, plans to hold a press conference Sunday outside the Attorney General's Office in Manhattan.

YONKERS, NY: Letter to the Editor in the Journal News by "The Yonkers Insider"

Letter to the Editor in the Journal News by "The Yonkers Insider"

Yonkers officials must work together

Chuck Lesnick as our Yonkers City Council president will serve our city well. His experience with economic development will be an asset to our City Council. He also is a strong believer in education and ethics in our government. We need to clean up the atmosphere in City Hall and in the Yonkers Board of Education.

That is only done with the leadership of Chuck Lesnick and other members of the Yonkers City Council, like Majority Leader Patricia McDow. The Democrats will lead this city proudly — also need to mention Council Members Dennis Robertson and Sandy Annabi.

We need to return government to the people. We also need an open and transparent way. That will only happen under a Lesnick and McDow team. Also, Dennis Robertson and Sandy Annabi will lead the way on these issues of ethics and transparency. Republican Council Members Liam McLaughlin, Dee Barbato and John Murtagh will hopefully follow. I do believe the Republicans love this city as well. We all want the City of Gracious Living to succeed. But we need to work together and put politics aside to make this happen. Yonkers has its best days ahead and not its worst days. Also, I salute Mayor Phil Amicone for trying to open government in the last year. He also deserves some credit on these issues as well. Amicone does want what's best for Yonkers. He is willing to work with the Democrats to move Yonkers forward, and that is a strength of his.

Delfim Heusler
Yonkers, NY
Editor, Yonkers Insider

YONKERS, NY: Cordero sentencing is delayed again

Cordero sentencing is delayed again.

Eddie Cordero’s sentencing has been delayed again. He had pleaded guilty to raping a 12 year of Yonkers girl in 2004.

As part of a plea agreement that would result in a 27-year state prison sentence, Cordero has to confirm in court that, in 1998, he was convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. On Jan. 18 Cordero said he couldn't remember if he was convicted in that case. Westchester County Judge Robert DiBella adjourned the case until yesterday. Cordero's lawyer said his client has illnesses that affect his memory.

DiBella had already postponed sentencing once, after discovering that Cordero had refused to see a probation officer at the Westchester County jail last month.

DiBella then adjourned the case until tomorrow, when a hearing will be held to determine whether the Westchester County District Attorney's Office can prove that Cordero was convicted in the 1998 case..

Cordero is to be sentenced on convictions that include kidnapping, rape, intimidating a victim or witness, bribery and attempted coercion. At the time of his arrest he was classified as a moderate-risk registered sex offender after serving three years in prison for the 1998 conviction.

Cordero pleaded guilty to the latest charges in November, admitting that, on April 2, 2004, he abducted a 12-year-old at a Yonkers bus stop and drove her to Hastings-on-Hudson, where he raped her. He then drove her home and warned her not to tell anyone. He also admitted that he sent the 12-year-old's family a threatening letter, had a fellow inmate intimidate them and offered the girl's mother $5,000 to get the case dropped.

One has to ask the question is what is going on in our Westchester County DA’s office of Janet Difiore. We hope she will fix this issue & keep fighting for the protection of children in this County.

Posted By Yonkers Newswire Editor Brian Harrod 

NEW YORK STATE: John Spencer for US Senate Press Release

John Spencer for US Senate Press Release

For Immediate Release
January 19, 2006

Senator Clinton accepts money from supporters of Iranian Mullahs

Yonkers, NY – Senator Clinton has accused President Bush of downplaying the threat from Iran while accepting money from supporters of the Iranian regime.

Wealthy businessmen Hassan Nemazee and Faraj Aalaei are associated with the American Iranian Council, a pro-regime anti-sanctions group. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Namazee has contributed $4,000 to Clinton's reelection while Aalaei has given $1,000.

The press describes their lobby this way "the American-Iranian Council [AIC], a pro-regime lobbying group trying to get Congress and the Bush administration to lift the trade embargo on Iran." (Insight, 3/25/04)
Hillary Clinton is also raising money from Gati Kashani, another figure linked with the Mullahs.

On its website, the Iranian American PAC noted, "On Friday June 3rd, Iranian American friends of the Hillary Clinton Senate re-election campaign hosted a fundraising event in honor of Senator Clinton. The event took place at the home of Gita and Behzad Kashani in Los Altos Hills, California."

The PAC favors looser Visa rule for Iranians coming to the United States. The FBI opposes liberalized visas for the terrorist state. But in full pander mode, the PAC reported Clinton attacked United States Visa policy. "Senator Clinton went on to address the audience on topics specifically relevant to the Iranian American community. She discussed immigration and acknowledged the difficulties Iranian nationals have in obtaining visas to visit family members residing in America. 'Our visa policy is not only unfair but it's not good for America.'"

John Spencer, the former Yonkers Mayor and Vietnam combat veteran who will challenge Senator Clinton in November, made the following statement. "Senator Clinton voted against the very munitions necessary to avoid a nuclear confrontation with Iran while at the same time accepting money from supporters of the Iranian Mullahs. Senator Clinton lacks the credibility to keep New York safe and she should return this tainted money."

YONKERS, NY: Mayor Amicone Press Release

Mayor Amicone Press Release.

Mayor Amicone announces multiple improvements to city services and facilities
Fire/Police equipment, playground rehabilitation & online water bill payment highlight city contract agenda

Yonkers, N.Y.—At the city’s monthly meeting of its Board of Contract and Supply (BOCS), an entity that reviews all major city purchases according to public bid requirements, Mayor Phil Amicone today announced multiple improvements and upgrades to services and facilities across Yonkers.

“The contracts we’re announcing today will give our cops and firefighters the tools they need to adequately protect our residents, make needed improvements to city sidewalks and playgrounds, and provide critical grant money to promote new participation in the city’s growing economy” Mayor Amicone said. Amicone also noted, “These are all items already earmarked in our current budget, so the expenditures mark no additional cost to our taxpayers.”

A description of several highlighted items follows.

Online Water Bill Payment

Beginning immediately, city residents will be able to pay their water bills online. The new initiative will join already computerized parking ticket and property tax online payments as part of Mayor Amicone’s effort to further modernize city services and reduce costs of traditional bureaucratic paperwork. The service is available at www.cityofyonkers.com, where residents will be able to pay their water bills by credit card or by electronic check. Water bills can also be paid by credit card through the telephone at 866-377-9665. An item for $3,400 of additional printing costs to notify water customers of the new payment options was on the contract board’s agenda.

Sullivan Oval Playground Rehabilitation

A Parks Department contract of $375,000 contract will be awarded for the rehabilitation of Sullivan Oval Playground. This rehabilitation project will include resurfacing of the basketball courts, installation of fencing, bench seating, playground equipment, rubber safety surfaces, rims and backboards

New Police Communications Equipment

The Yonkers Police Department will receive new computer equipment that will aid communications in the event of a large scale emergency at the Transportation Management Center (TMC) located in Hawthorne, N.Y. The TMC houses representatives from the Emergency Management Office, New York State Police, Westchester County Police and local Police Departments, including Yonkers PD. The equipment, Motorola Gold Elite Version 2 dispatch console, costs $157,700 and will replace the existing system that is over 10 years old.

New Firefighter Equipment

The Yonkers Fire Department will see several new pieces of equipment including new carbon monoxide detectors for its Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue Units. The detectors cost approximately $3,400 each. Firefighters often respond to calls in where people report noxious fumes or multiple cases of sickness or lightheadedness, calls that Fire Commissioner Tony Pagano says “99 percent of the time are cases of carbon monoxide gas, which is deadly.” The commissioner says the detectors will allow firefighter to know within a few seconds whether or not to evacuate a building. The department will also purchase specialized heavy rigging equipment that will aid firefighters in confined spaces or building collapses. The rigging equipment costs about $18,000.

Street Lighting for Downtown Business Improvement District

A $15,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)—mostly federal money—will be awarded to the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) that will be used for year round street lighting along Main Street from Warburton Avenue to Buena Vista.

Grant for Small Business Development Center

Another federal CDBG grant of $250,000 will be awarded to The New York State Small Business Development Center to be used for administrative costs associated with the center. The New York State Small Business Development Center is located at Mercy College in the iPARK complex and provides counseling to small business owners.

Alexander Street Renewal Monies

$175,000 will be added to existing funding of $320,000 for the expansion of design and analysis services for the Alexander Street Urban Renewal Area which will now include the JFK Mariana, Trevor Park, the Hudson River Museum, JFK Memorial Drive, proposed new residences and the MetroCenter at iPark.

Cable Channel 78 Video Server

The city-run cable station—Channel 78, as per its franchise agreement with citywide provider Cablevision—will also be upgraded with a new computerized video server. The server will replace two mechanical tape decks on manual timers and will now allow the city to automate its lineup of informational programming and add additional community announcements and bulletins. The server is anticipated to cost just over $30,000 and marks the most significant upgrade to the cable channel in years.

Sidewalk Repair

$600,000 was earmarked on the contract agenda for repair of city sidewalks across the city. City Engineer Andy Api said the repairs were a normal expenditure for the city, which must replace broken sidewalks when notified by residents as a safety precaution. Most sidewalk repairs occur when trees uproot and break apart existing concrete, he said.

City Council Attorneys

Democrat Harvey Kaminsky and Republican Mark Constantine have been hired as the Majority and Minority Counsels, respectively, to the Yonkers City Council. Both men served previously as attorneys for the City Council, but have now swapped positions as Majority and Minority Counsels since control of the Council changed from Republican to Democrat at the beginning of this month. Kaminsky will be paid $225 per hour, not to exceed $90,000 for the two year term; Constantine will be paid at the same rate, not to exceed $60,000 for the same two years.

Posted By Yonkers Newswire Editor Brian Harrod 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY: The scalding parents from Yonkers, New York plead guilty

The scalding parents from Yonkers plead guilty.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet Difiore announces that David Maldonaldo & Luz Arroyo have pleaded guilty to manslaughter & homicide charges today.

David Maldonado Sr. pleaded guilty to two felony counts of second-degree manslaughter and one of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and Luz P. Arroyo, also known as Lucy Cruz, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of Elijaha Santana and his half brother, David Maldonado Jr.

Elijaha was two weeks shy of his third birthday and David was 20 months old when the elder Maldonado placed them both into a tub in their apartment at 77 Locust Hill Ave., turned on the hot water, then passed out to sleep off a drug binge. Arroyo was also sleeping after doing drugs.

Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by a maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison, while criminally negligent homicide carries a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11 before acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea.

This was senseless & disgusting to happen to the children. We need Parents who take the real responsibility of being a parent. We need parents who are ready to be parents. We also need to reform the way that CPS does business. But that was where the District Attorney’s office works with DSS. Hopefully, Janet is a team player, unlike Jeanine Pirro. Our children don’t deserve less protection. They deserve more protection. Elected Officials need to do more to put laws in place to protect children from abuse. We also need to protect children from bad parents.

Posted By Brian Harrod - Yonkers Newswire Editor-At-Large 

NEW YORK STATE: Assembly Republicans Press Release

Assembly Republicans Press Release.

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS WIN MEGAN’S LAW AGREEMENT

Assembly Republicans today hailed the bi-partisan agreement on Megan’s Law that was achieved in a joint conference committee between both houses of the state legislature.
Assembly Republican Leader James Tedisco (R-C-I, Schenectady, Saratoga) called the agreement “a victory for children and families.”

“There are a lot of people congratulating me for this victory because my conference was hammering away on this issue but the fact is the victors are the children and the families,” said Tedisco. “In the end, both houses and both parties came together along with the Governor and did the right thing.”

Under the agreement, the most serious sex offenders, Level 3 offenders, will continue to register for life under Megan's Law Sex Offender Registry. In addition, Level 2 sex offenders will now face lifetime registration requirements.

Under the agreement, Level 2 sex offenders who are currently required to register for just 10 years will now be required to register for 30 years. Once registered for a minimum of 30 years, they may petition a judge to be removed from the registry.

Level 1 sex offenders, the lowest-risk offenders who now are required to register for 10 years, must be required to register for 20 years, twice as long as the current requirement.

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-C-I, Onondaga, Oswego) who served on the Joint Conference Committee said, "The quick consensus on this issue is a credit to the importance the Joint Conference Committee has. I am grateful to have played an instrumental role in today's results. This is how Albany should work."

The first 168 Level 1 and Level 2 sex offenders (129 of the 168 are Level 2 or moderate risk) were due to drop off the Megan’s Law registry on January 21, with the total jumping to 226 by the end of the month. Now that will not happen.

Tedisco said passage of a strengthened Megan’s Law was his conference’s first goal regarding sex crimes but that there is more action needed to protect children from pedophiles and sex predators.

“Civil commitment of pedophiles is next,” said Tedisco.

NEW YORK STATE: John Spencer for US Senate Press Release

John Spencer for US Senate Press Release.

For Immediate Release
January 18, 2006
Another day and no apology! Senator Clinton hides behind racist attack.

Yonkers, NY: Today, Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Spencer called on Senator Clinton to do the honorable thing and apologize for her racially divisive comments.

"Senator Clinton's race baiting by comparing the U.S. Congress to a plantation exploits those who suffered under slavery and it trivializes the brutality of a dark period in American history." Said Spencer, "People make mistakes, and when they do, honest people quickly recognize it and apologize. For Senator Clinton not to apologize over 48 hours later can only lead voters to think she really meant and stands by these racially divisive remarks. This is very sad that Senator Clinton stubbornly refuses to make amends and apologize. She should do it in writing and on the Senate floor."

"This is not the first time that Senator Clinton has slandered the Republican Party with racial attacks. To compare the U.S. Congress to slave holding plantation owners is despicable. Senator Clinton must apologize today."

NEW YORK STATE: News from Richard Brodsky

News from Richard Brodsky.

Thanks to all who contributed to the campaign before the important financial deadline! Your help is critical to our success.

We wanted to keep you up-to-date with the campaign. The campaign continues to gain ground and win supporters. We still need your help. Sign-up your friends, send them the link to our website and volunteer. You will make the difference!

In Other Campaign News...

Richard Introduces Amendment to Protect Personal Privacy

Richard recently introduced an amendment guaranteeing the right the privacy in the State Constitution. Richard was joined by various legislators from around the State, Family Planning Advocates, Citizen Action and the NYCLU.

The constitutional amendment is crucial to protect our civil liberties against recent actions by the Bush Administration that have whittled away at personal privacy rights through the increasing power of the unitary executive – the theory that the executive may exercise unlimited power. Richard has been an advocate of privacy rights whether it is reproductive choice, sexual orientation, online privacy or health privacy.

Gaining Ground in Central and Upstate New York

In central New York Richard's work fighting mismanagement and corruption in public authorities, his comprehensive pack of government and election reform and his experience winning big cases is getting noticed. A major Progressive blog, NYCO, recently endorsed Richard's campaign 

NEW YORK STATE: News from Eliot Spitzer

News from Eliot Spitzer.

By now you've likely heard that Eliot has asked Senator David Paterson to be his running mate. I wanted to share some of Eliot's thinking on this important decision, which will be announced formally within a few days.

David has all the attributes you'd look for in a running mate: intelligence, good judgment and integrity. He's one of the warmest and most engaging people you'll ever meet. In addition, his personal story in overcoming disability is truly inspiring.

These factors alone would commend him as a partner in any important endeavor. But something else was the determining factor for Eliot.

Put simply, David has been brilliant as leader of the Democrats in the State Senate. During his tenure, the Democrats have significantly narrowed the margin of Republican control in the Senate, and they are poised to make further inroads. David has achieved this by emphasizing the need for sweeping reform in Albany.

That is what appealed most to Eliot. Changing the status quo is what Eliot is about, and it is what this campaign is about.

Eliot believes that David will be a tremendous asset in helping to build consensus for change in the State Legislature. In David, he has a trusted partner who can deftly work the halls of the state Capitol. This is critical because to a large degree an executive is only as effective as his ability to unite others in working towards a common goal.

David Paterson -- highly respected in the Legislature and known throughout the state as a reformer -- will help Eliot achieve great things in Albany. He'll be a true partner in the reform effort and a significant force in a Spitzer administration. David Paterson will be a lieutenant governor who will take the lead for Eliot on many of the important challenges facing our state.

We're thrilled by this new partnership. We hope you are too.

-- Ryan Toohey
Campaign Manager
Spitzer 2006

NEW YORK STATE: News from Campaign for Fiscal Equity

News from Campaign for Fiscal Equity - (CFE).

GOVERNOR IGNORES CALLS FOR SPENDING $2 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS ON SCHOOLS

Dire Needs of State Education System, Compliance with Constitution Both Trumped by Governor's Cynical Political StanceGovernor Pataki's proposed education budget for 2006-2007, unveiled today, puts forward the same less than minimal "sound basic education" plan that has been definitively rejected by both the legislature and the court. The proposed budget shortchanges New York State's schools by almost $2 billion at a time when poor children across the state are receiving over $2,000 less per pupil than their more affluent peers. Despite calls to the governor last week from city hall and legislative leaders to deploy a $2 billion budget surplus to comply with a court-ordered remedy for underfunded schools, the governor has instead made a negligent choice to continue undermining the rule of law."He's taking a $2 billion surplus that could fully fund the court-ordered CFE remedy for poor and minority schoolchildren this year and is using it to further his own political ambitions. It's an outrage, and his failure to obey a direct order of the highest court in the state and to remedy the severe educational inadequacies in New York State is contemptible," said CFE Counsel Michael A. Rebell. "They'll be no whitewashing or spin-doctoring this one because everyone can see that the compliance money is sitting there ready to go, and he's just walking away."The deadline for compliance with the Court of Appeals order in the CFE case to provide an adequate education for all the state's schoolchildren is over 500 days past due. The governor has made no new attempts to comply. Last June, the assembly made inroads when it introduced Bill A-100, the Schools for New York's Future Act, which calls for just over $2 billion to fund the first year of statewide funding reforms."Just last week Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Silver made strong statements urging Governor Pataki to dedicate the surplus toward funding a CFE remedy, and Majority Leader Bruno called for new efforts at negotiation to resolve the CFE issue," said Rebell. "By not advancing ball, the governor is making a mockery of our entire judicial and legislative processes."

NEW YORK STATE: John Spencer for US Senate Press Release

John Spencer for US Senate Press Release.

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2006
Senator Clinton plays the race card

Yonkers, NY: Yesterday, in a speech in Harlem, Senator Clinton dealt from the bottom of the deck and played the race card by saying that the House of Representatives "has been run like a plantation. And you know what I'm talking about."

"Senator Clinton's racially motivated comments are shameful and deserved to be repudiated. It appears that Senator Clinton's extreme makeover needs some more work." Said Spencer. "On Martin Luther King day it is sad to see that Senator Clinton has forgotten the New York tradition of Senators like Robert Kennedy and Pat Moynihan who brought people of different races and cultures together. Senator Clinton is now dividing people based on race to try to help herself politically. It is wrong and she owes all New Yorkers an apology."

NEW YORK STATE: Senator Klein Assails Deal to Weaken Megan’s Law

Senator Klein Assails Deal to Weaken Megan’s Law.

" Senate Democratic Conferee calls compromise “a defeat for all New Yorkers”

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

ALBANY, NY—In response to a Senate-Assembly compromise announced today to extend Megan’s Law without strengthening its notification provisions, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Westchester/Bronx), a member of the Senate Codes Committee and the Senate Democrats’ conferee, issued the following statement:

“Today’s backroom deal is a defeat for all New Yorkers concerned about protecting our families from sexual predators. While I am relieved that no sex offenders will be falling off the list this year, the Senate Majority, in their zeal to take a public curtain call rather than hold the Assembly’s feet to the fire and negotiate a compromise that requires mandatory community notification for level 2 and level 3 sex offenders and the option for free email updates, have missed an opportunity to enact meaningful reforms to the state sex offender registry.

“For 10 years, Megan’s Law has been one of our most important tools in protecting the community from repeat sex offenders, but inadequate notification procedures have blunted its effectiveness. I had truly hoped the Senate and the Assembly would be able to reach a meaningful resolution of this problem, not simply one that allows the Senate and Assembly majorities to save face and move on. Never has the case been stronger for the need to dramatically reform the way business is done in Albany.”

Klein, who was an original co-sponsor of Megan’s Law in 1995, has long been a leader in the fight to keep New Yorkers safe from repeat sexual predators. Throughout his 12 years in the Legislature, he has been an advocate for enhancing the state sex offender registry, elimination of the statute of limitations on rape and a strong civil commitment law to keep the most violent sexual predators confined to mental facilities and off our streets.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY: Why Did Peter Viviano leave the Westchester County DA’s Office?

The question is why did Peter Viviano leave the Westchester County DA’s Office today under the title of the commander of the 38 District Attorney investigators Squad? There are many questions behind this scenario. Also we give Yonkers Tribune kudos for getting this scoop.

Viviano & Difiore have been "Good Friends" for some time. Viviano & Difiore clearly have had a deep friendship.

Viviano issued a statement that "When delving into open cases and other briefings, that Viviano recognized potential conflicts of interest and possible perceptions of impropriety which might be inferred by his very involvement". Viviano also said that he chose to resign from his post rather than tarnish the respect and friendship he nurtured over many years with District Attorney DiFiore. Why did he resign? What open cases & other briefings? What potential conflict of interest or possible perception of impropriety? These questions must be answered & cleared up by Viviano? How would these issues tarnish his respect & friendship with DA Difiore? What happened in the City of White Plains? What is the story with the White Plains Police Dept? Many questions of Mr. Viviano? Will he answer these questions? Will we ever know why he left? If DA Difiore does know any of these issues, it is incumbent for her to come forward & tell us what are these potential issues?

Note: Sources tell News 12 Viviano is believed to be related to restaurant owner Luis Gigante. Gigante, who owns Mulino's in White Plains, was recently indicted on charges of tax evasion. He is also the nephew of the late mob boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante. At this point, there is no evidence to suggest that case would have come before Viviano.

NEW YORK STATE NEWS: Pirro gets support from GOP and Minor Parties

Pirro gets support from GOP and Minor Parties.

Jeanine Pirro, Former Westchester County District Attorney & current candidate for NYS Attorney General received backing from the GOP & Minor Parties. It was the backing of the GOP, Conservative & Independence Parties.

Pirro received backing from among others like, Westchester GOP Chairwoman RoseMarie Panio, Rockland GOP Chairman Vincent Reda, and Westchester Conservative Party Chairwoman Gail Burns.

These endorsements come as Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan, Jr. is considering the Attorney General race.

Another endorsement came from another influential GOP Leader from Onondaga County in Bob Smith who said in a statement - "For a long time I have respected Jeanine's accomplishments as a prosecutor. I would be pleased and happy to have her protecting my family and children as Attorney General. I heartily endorse her moving forward with this campaign, " This women wants to talk about her accomplishments & prosecutions. The Yonkers Insider can’t wait for her to tell all, how she has persecuted these innocent victims. What about Richard Diguglielmo, Jing Kelly, Jessica Hutchinson, Steven Nowicki & countless others.

These endorsements are coming from the corrupt Republican machine & are coming from Nicholas Spano controlled minor Parties. Gail Burns works for the senator. We know the Independence Party is for sale to Nick Spano. Nick Spano is protected by Pirro. He wants to keep the crooked cabal in place. Nick is the leader of the corrupt Republican Machine. This is the year that Nick & Jeanine are shown the door by the public.

Posted By RoundupNewswires.com Editor Brian Harrod 

YONKERS, NY: Mayor Amicone Press Release

Amicone Names Former WCC Dean to Board of Education

Yonkers, N.Y.—Calling him an “exceptionally qualified and eminently respected member of Westchester’s academic community,” Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone today named John Flynn, Ph.D., the former Dean of Academic Affairs at Westchester Community College (WCC) for more than two decades, to fill a vacancy on the Yonkers Board of Education.

Flynn’s appointment will fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Capt. Thomas Spaun of the Yonkers Fire Department last month, whose injury on the job prevented him from filling out the duration of his term. In accordance with the city’s charter, the appointment was made by the Mayor and does not require approval of the City Council or of the Board of Education. Flynn will fill the remainder of Spaun’s term, which expires in May of 2008.

“This new year will bring several needed changes to education in Yonkers and I’m confident that none will meet with higher regard or with greater acceptance than the addition of Dr. Flynn to the Board of Education,” Amicone said at a noon news conference at City Hall. “Dr. Flynn has been a professional educator in our community for more than 30 years. No one is more qualified or more eager to help guide the course of public education in our city.”

Dr. Flynn, 62, is a Yonkers resident and holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Columbia University and an A.B. from Fordham University where he graduated Cum Laude. He began his career in education with brief stints at Barnard College as a teaching assistant, and as adjunct faculty at Brooklyn College, Adelphi University and Dowling College in the late 1960’s. He joined the faculty of WCC in 1972 where he became Dean of Academic Affairs in 1982, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2005.

“I am humbled by the confidence the Mayor has shown in me and assure both he and the people of Yonkers that I will live up to the expectations placed upon me,” remarked Flynn. “I am eager to begin the task with which I have been entrusted—making quality public education a dependable and exemplary resource for this city’s many youth.”

Flynn will join a board that faces tough challenges in the year ahead, but with renewed promise. Just last week, the board selected Bernard Pierorazio as the school system’s new Superintendent, a choice met with wide acceptance from city officials as well as critics of the Board of Education. Also last week, a tough new ethics law designed to prevent the kinds of problems that have plagued Board of Education officials in the past was enacted by Mayor Amicone.

“We are entering a new day for education in Yonkers, and the appointment of an esteemed professional like Dr. Flynn is symbolic of that new day,” exclaimed Amicone. “This administration is strongly committed to making the necessary changes and tough decisions to put education on a better track for the children of this city.”

Posted By Yonkers Newswire Editor Brian Harrod