VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 9
COMPLIMENTARY
JOSEPH SPIEZIO
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
BLACK WESTCHESTER
FEATURES
SHELLEY MAYERS RUNS FOR PIVOTAL NYS SENATE SEAT IN SPECIAL ELECTION BY AJ WOODSON
PAGE 23
APRIL 2018
A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY BY DAMON K JONES
Joseph Spiezio has bamboozled the citizens of Mount Vernon. In order to have the 21st Century Policing Model, you must begin with the first step; Legitimacy, Transparency, and Accountability. How can you have Legitimacy, Transparency, and Accountability when the mayor appoints a Deputy Police Commissioner like Spiezio who is not legitimate, and has no prior police experience? During his press conference A.G. Schneiderman addresed this, when he stated in his announcement of the charges; “Individual 1,” as well as RTIC, paid Thomas’ personal American Express (“Amex”) bills. After his inauguration, Thomas appointed Individual 1 to a high-ranking position with a City agency that deals with public safety, although Individual 1 had no prior law enforcement experience...” (continued on Page 14)
LOUIS A. MOLINA
WESTCHESTER’S HIGHEST RANKING HISPANIC IN LAW
NRA, RACISM AND GUN CONTROL
BY DAMON K. JONES
PAGE 10
SIX MONTHS LATER PARTS OF PUERTO RICO CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
ENFORCEMENT BY AJ WOODSON
Westchester County Executive George Latimer named Louis A. Molina as First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Corrections at a news conference in White Plains, Thursday, March 1st, making him the highest ranking Hispanic in Law Enforcement in Westchester County. Latimer said: “Both Joe (Correction Commissioner and former union president Joseph Spano) and Lou will work to make the Westchester County Jail a nationwide model facility. These are serious men, taking on a serious job. I look forward to working with them, and our entire Corrections staff, to solve the unique challenges that face a jail of our size.” First Deputy Commissioner Molina who brings his specialized training to improve the agencies he is assigned to, said: “The Westchester County Jail should be a model for jails around the country to look at and learn from. This is exactly what Joe and I intend to do and I look forward to delivering.” (continued on Page 15)
PAGE 9
BW COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: REV. DR. MOTHER KHOSHHALI, OWNER OF THE SADHANA TEA HOUSE
BY SAMANTHA HUNTER PAGE 22
SHARPTON: “THIS IS NOT A LOCAL MATTER, THEY’VE BEEN KILLING YOUNG BLACK MEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY” PAGE 24
WESTCHESTER THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE BLACK LIVES NEW YORK AGAINST DON’T MATTER TO BLACK GIRLS OF RICHARD THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THOMAS ROCK PAGE 16
By AJ WOODSON PAGE 7
BY DAMON K. JONES PAGE 23
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2 BLACK WESTCHESTER
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APRIL 2018
Office of the Attorney General
ERIC T. SCHNEIDERMAN www.ag.ny.gov
IN COLLABORATION WITH
THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANTHONY A. SCARPINO JR. COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER
Community Gun Buy-Back
$25.00 for non-working and antique firearms $75.00 for rifles and shotguns $100 for handguns $150 for assault weapons Payment will be made by Debit Card at the site Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do I bring a gun to the drop off site? Guns must be UNLOADED, and placed in plastic, paper bag or box. 2. Can I transport the firearm in a car? Yes, but it must be UNLOADED and in the trunk in a plastic or paper bag, or box. 3. When do I get the debit card for the firearm? After the UNLOADED gun is received and screened by the officers you will be issued a debit card in the appropriate amount. 4. Can I surrender a non-working rifle or shotgun or pistol? Yes, all are accepted. 5. How many firearms can I surrender? As many as you wish to provide. 6. Can any member of the public surrender a gun? Licensed gun dealers, and active or retired law enforcement officers are not eligible for this program. 7. Do I need any identification to turn in a firearm? No. This is an Amnesty program and no questions are asked of the person dropping off the firearm.
Friday, April 13, 2018 — 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. Mount Hope AME Zion Church Reverend Gregory Robeson Smith, Senior Pastor 65 Lake Street in White Plains, NY 10605 Onsite parking available
For More Information, please contact the Office of the Attorney General at 212-416-6044 or Intergovernmental.Affairs@AG.NY.GOV Get Black Westchester Delivered To Your Home For $25 a year - www.BlackWestchester.com/subscribe
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FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES AJ WOODSON Published by URBANSOUL MEDIA GROUP 455 Tarrytown Rd., Suite 1318 White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 979-2093 www.BlackWestchester.com
Email:
BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @BlkWestchesterM Instagram: @BlackWestchester Facebook: /BlackWestchesterMagazine
Publisher DAMON K. JONES
As Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine (BW), I would like to thank everyone for their support of our efforts to bring information to the people of Westchester County. As we embark on a new chapter for BW, we hope to continue to empower the reader on issues in their communities. Independent media like BW has become more than a mere institution; instead, the independent media acts as a direct participant in the traditional three-branch system of governance. What many fail to realize is that independent media serves a fundamental role in making democracies run efficiently, even though there are frequent clashes. Independent media system thus often “reflects the political philosophy in which Democracy indeed functions”. This being said, BW will not be disregarded as a trivial player in the responsibilities of being a check and balance system in the political process of the Black Communities of Westchester. BW’s purpose is not only to address the political process that affects the everyday lives of communities of colour in Westchester County. BW’s mission has also been to shine a light on the brilliant culture, morals, values and elegant lifestyle of Black people. It’s time to change the narrative on how Black people are perceived in media. As Publisher of BW, our doors are open to the public. From the publication, the website, our radio show and now the newspaper; our doors are open to the people. We do not do this for any grander position or status; we do it for the people.
A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Welcome to the April 2018 Edition of Black Westchester!
Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON
As you can see from the front cover, this issue deals with the arrest and arraignment of Mount Vernon Mayor Richard W. Thomas, Monday, March 12th on criminal charges including grand larceny as part of a corruption probe by the A.G.’s Office into campaign finance irregularities, the Attorney General’s press conference explaining the corruption charges and the Board of Ethics report that came out ten days later accusing the mayor of collecting more than $100,000 as a trustee of the Amani Public Charter School in violation of state education law, that followed (page 6).
Copy Editors Kamilah Glover Brenda L. Crump
We also deal with the Spiezio factor (pages 14-15). How is he involved? The A.G.’s office even discussed him at that press conference but refused to name him by name but alluded to him being a major campaign contributor who was appointed to a high postition in public safety despite having no law enforcement experience. We will have to wait to see how that plays out, but Black Westchester will be monitoring this case very closely. Once again I urge all not to rush to judgement as we are all innocent until proven guilty.
News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Lorraine Lopez (Latino Empowerment) Yas Hurston Paul Feiner Theresa Vega Samantha Hunter
We also covered two great Women’s History Month events, The Women of Essence Award Brunch (page 18) and the Westchester Black Girls Rock event (page 16). Yas Hurston gave us her latest offering from her Single Mom’s Chronicles (page 19), Lorraine Lopez with her monthly Latino Empowerment column (page 20). We have a great BW Community Spotlight on Rev. Dr. Mother Khoshhali, owner of the Sadhana Tea House and Wellness Center by Samantha Hunter (page 22) and as always Town Supervisor Paul Feiner gives us his Greenburgh Report (page 7). Can not forget our other cover story, on Louis A. Molina, Westchester Highest-Ranking Latino in Law Enforcement (page 15).
@DamonKJones
@BWEditorInChief
Photographers AJ Woodson Stephen Paul, A Plus Photography Cynthia Turnquest-Jones Shawyn Patterson-Howard
Unfortunately we deal with another unarmed Black Male, Stephon Clark, a black father of two killed by the police in Sacremento, California (page 24). Clark was shot 20 times in his grandmother’s backyard armed with just a cell phone. At his funeral, Rev. Al Sharpton disputed the White House position that this it’s just a local issue (page 23). And while the officers who killed Alton Sterling will face no federal or state charges, one of the officers was fired.
Thank you to all our supporters, advertisers, distributors, writers, photographers, editors and everyone who had a hand in us bringing you another edition on Black Westchester. Send us your feedback and let us know what you think of this issue and let us know subjects / topics you would like to see us cover in the future by sending an email to BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com. Peace and Blessings AJ Woodson Editor-In-Chief
Graphic Designers AJ Woodson Paula S. Woodson For Advertising Rates AdvertiseWithBW@gmail.com Letters To The Editor BWEditorInChief@gmail.com
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BW NEWS
BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AGAINST RICHARD THOMAS BY AJ WOODSON
NYS Attorney General Schneiderman and Comptroller DiNapoli have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. They have brought charges against dozens of individuals implicated in public corruption schemes around the state – resulting in the return of over $11 million in restitution to taxpayers through these convictions. His latest corruption case is against Mount Vernon Mayor Richard W. Thomas for allegedly stealing campaign funds and lying about money he diverted from his inaugural committee for personal benefit.
Mayor Thomas was arrested and arraigned Monday, March 12th on criminal charges including grand larceny as part of a corruption probe by the A.G.’s Office into campaign finance irregularities. Mayor Thomas, the youngest City Councilman in Mount Vernon history who unseated Mayor Ernest D. Davis in 2015 Demcratic primary to become the youngest mayor of Mount Vernon, surrendered at the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, accompanied by his lawyer. Thomas was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, and filing a false instrument. He is accused of stealing more than $12,000 from Friends of Richard Thomas, his campaign committee, and lying about it on his campaign finance filings. He is also accused of failing to report on his city ethics disclosure money he received from individuals and his inaugural committee, which he used to pay credit card bills for personal expenses. While innocent until proven guilty, Mayor Thomas could be forced out of office if convicted of a felony per the City Charter. Mayor Thomas has proclaimed his innocence since the charges were filed immediately following his arraignment in a 90-second press conference outside City Hall and again a few days later at his State of The City Address in the City Council Chambers. “The Allegations are not true,” Mayor Thomas accompanied with his wife, attorney, few clergy members and supporters, said at the very brief press conference in front of Mount Vernon City Hall. “And I want to reassure the people of Mount Vernon that this has nothing to do with my service in office, as it relates to the campaign.” Carl Bernstein, the Mayor’s attorney stated the mayor’s claims charges against Thomas were
unfounded.” “The allegations announced today by the Attorney General are unfounded and Mayor Thomas strongly proclaims his innocence. The mayor’s 2015 campaign never, in any way, intended to violate the law and expects that, through the justice system, his name will be completely cleared of any wrongdoing. These charges relate to his campaign and have absolutely nothing to do with his performance as a mayor in Mount Vernon where he has done an extraordinary job.” The ironic part of the story is it was then Councilman Richard Thomas who was calling for the Attorney General’s office on several occasions to come investigate and clean up City Hall in 2015. Calling for
investigations into the Comptroller’s office and for the removal of then Mayor Ernie Davis who had just pled guilty to tax evasion, for failing to report the profits from the sale of property in his personal income taxes. It would appear as a be-careful-whatyou-wish-for-scenario, the AG’s office decided to take a close look at Thomas once he was elected mayor, since he contacted them about the alleged corruption in City Hall several times. Ten days after his arrest, Board of Ethics accused Mayor Thomas of violation of state education law. The judge ordered the mayor to surrender his passport. He is due back in court on May 1st.
BOARD OF ETHICS ACCUSES MAYOR THOMAS MAYOR’S ARREST MARKS SAD DAY FOR THE OF VIOLATION OF STATE EDUCATION LAW CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, OFFICIALS SAY! BY AJ WOODSON
When you make history as the youngest City Councilman and then again four years later as the youngest mayor of a city and then two years later get accused by the NYS Attorney General’s office for allegedly stealing campaign funds and lying about money you diverted from your inaugural committee for personal benefit, your arrest is bound to be national news and everyone is going to have an opinion. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard W. Thomas found that out, Monday, March 12th. The story went viral on social media, every news outlet covered it from every angle and every current and
former elected official was asked their opinion. Regardless whether they were friends, foes, fans or critics of the mayor, they were all in agreement on one thing: It’s was a bad look for the city of Mount Vernon’s image and its residents. “It’s a sad day for Mount Vernon,” Westchester County Board of Elections Commissioner Reginald A. Lafayette, told The Journal News when asked his thoughts. “But until we get a clearer understanding of the facts, I won’t comment on it.” “He’s a young man who needs a life after this, regardless of what happens,” said Lafayette, who is also the Westchester County and the Mount Vernon City Democratic chairman. “He’s got a young family. He has a very bright, intelligent wife who’s an attorney herself. So, I feel sorry for anybody’s family when they’re in the midst of something like this.” “Let us not forget, Mayor Thomas is innocent until proven guilty,” Councilman André Wallace, who has been one of the mayor’s strongest critic, shared with Black Westchester after the press conference. “We will have to sit back and let all the facts come out before rushing to judgement. It’s a sad day for Mount Vernon, but we must go about doing the business of the city and let this situation play out in court.” Former Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis, who lost a re-election bid to Thomas in 2015, and Thomas then a city councilman, was among those calling for Davis to resign at the time had this to say on his weekly WVOX radio show; “I told everybody that this young man was not ready for prime time,” Davis shared with his audience. “But he has exceeded even my worst expectations.” Former City Council President Roberta Apuzzo is among those who thinks Thomas should resign. “Some people may believe him when he says it was a mistake. I don’t and I think he should resign,” she told The Journal News. Another former mayor, Clinton Young, who also ran and lost to Thomas in the 2015 mayoral primary, said Thomas’ arrest was “sad and unfortunate, both for the mayor but particularly for the city of Mount Vernon.” While many others have had a lot to say, they didn’t want to go on record, but the general sentiment was they wish to reserve comment until after this plays out in court.
BY AJ WOODSON
Accusations of impropriety continue for Mayor Richard W. Thomas, who is already facing corruption charges as the Mount Vernon Board of Ethics has accused the mayor of collecting more than $100,000 as a trustee of the Amani Public Charter School in violation of state education law. Once again Thomas proclaims his innocence saying the BOE Report is “Fictitious and Vicious Lies.” Debra Stern, Amani’s executive director said the mayor has never been paid by the school. And his lawyer, who did not cooperate with the board’s investigation of the mayor, has assailed the board’s probe as reckless and incompetent. In a report given to the City Council Thursday, March 22nd, the board cited Mayor Thomas’ financial disclosure forms submitted May 2017 on which he listed his position as Amani trustee and Category F, signifying more than $100,001. Specific payment amounts are not required on the forms, only a dollar range from Category A, under $5,000, to Category F. The report, issued Monday, March 19th and made public Thursday, March 22nd comes ten days after Thomas was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with stealing nearly $13,000 in campaign funds and failing to report on his city financial disclosure forms more than $75,000 he received from individuals, companies and his inaugural committee. The arrest was cited as the reason the Board of Ethics wanted its report made public. The board also asked the city council to provide copies of the report to the Attorney General and the State Education Department. In a statement released hours later, Mayor Thomas said that the city’s payment to Amani was in fact what he had been referring to. He called the claims made against him in the ethics report “as unfounded as they are preposterous”. He cited the report as a reason the city council should fund an inspector general position that he has advocated for. “Every dirty trick in the book is being used to stop me from serving you,” Mayor Thomas starts off his statement. “Each day we get closer and closer to revealing who has been stealing millions from Mount Vernon, causing property taxes to spike and services to suffer. You elected me to wage this great battle and I will not stop fighting until corruption is rooted out of City Hall. We cannot allow the politics of the past to bring our great city down. While I know the attacks from the old guard may be disheartening, do not lose faith. My administration and I will continue to work to move Mount Vernon forward. The latest lie is as unfounded as it is preposterous.” An official told Black Westchester that the “report speaks for itself.” City Council members didn’t want to comment, but said the ethics report had been turned over to the attorney general and officials in the state Department of Education.
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BLACK WESTCHESTER7
COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER SIGNS IMMIGRANT PROTECTION ACT
NEW LAW IS BACKED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PASSED BOARD OF LEGISLATORS WITH BI-PARTISAN VOTE
BY AJ WOODSON
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed the bipartisan Immigrant Protection Act flanked by law enforcement, immigration advocates, legislators and Westchester County residents. The measure, which passed the Board of Legislators on March 12, aims to increase trust and cooperation between all Westchester residents and law enforcement. Latimer said: “The Board of Legislators came together in a bi-partisan way, with the assistance of law enforcement and immigration advocates alike, to craft a law which fully complies with federal law while offering humane peace of mind to our immigrant brothers and sisters. This law makes all Westchester residents safer by increasing trust between communities and allowing Westchester law enforcement officials to focus on their job – not the federal governments.” The Immigrant Protection Act outlines what information County law enforcement will require from those they interact with and how this information is shared with all levels of law enforcement. The Act holds that: Detainees must be made aware of various immigration status issues; Detainees may not be held without a criminal warrant; County agencies and employees shall not perform the duties of Federal Immigration Authorities, engage in the enforcement of federal immigration law, or accept requests by Federal Immigration Authorities to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The measure is supported by the County Departments of Public Safety, Corrections and Probation. A study done by the University of Illinois at Chicago entitled “Insecure Communities: Latino Perceptions of Police Involvement in Immigration Enforcement,” found that 45 percent of Latinos stated that they are less likely to voluntarily offer information about crimes, and 45 percent are less likely to report a crime because they are afraid the police will ask them or people they know about their immigration status. Additionally, fear of police contact is not confined to immigrants. For example, 28 percent of US-born Latinos said they are less likely to contact police officers if they have been the victim of a crime because they fear that police officers will use this interaction as an opportunity to inquire into their immigration status or that of people they know. Acting Department of Public Safety Commissioner Martin McGlynn said: “Our job is to keep Westchester residents safe – regardless of their background. This law, which will enable a greater level of trust between our officers and the large immigrant population in our communities, will make our job easier. Increased cooperation between residents and our officers helps make our County safer for everyone.” (Continues on Page 19)
THE GREENBURGH REPORT BY PAUL FEINER to walk along and across Route 119 - Provide a safe and continuous bicycle path - Enhance multimodal access throughout corridor - Address parking, snow removal, maintenance needs - “Quick Build” techniques - Attract people using the New NY Bridge path to shops and restaurants. We’re glad residents, developers and government officials have been meeting to provide their insights at the study’s first round of public meetings.
Residents of Greenburgh who live in Fairview, Parkway Gardens and Parkway Homes or in some apartments along Route 119 should be pleased to know that the Route 119 corridor will be upgraded. I n recent month town leaders have been working with a group of officials, residents, cyclists, pedestrians, environmentalists who would like the Route 119 corridor to become more pedestrian/bicycle friendly. A study is taking place that takes a look at the corridor from Route 9 (South Broadway) in Tarrytown to Route 22 (South Broadway) in White Plains. Greenburgh includes a large portion of the Route 119 corridor. The plan, when finalized and implemented, will provide safe, inviting facilities for people of all ages, abilities and modes to travel along and across Route 119. The goal of the study is to develop a complete streets plan that will: Provide a safe and integrated pedestrian network, and connected to
food scraps 3-4 times per week. Therefore, it is suggested that residents also have a larger bin to TRANSFER food scraps into for weekly storage. This larger bin can also be used for transportation of food scraps to the drop-off site at Anthony F Veteran Park. Anything that holds around 5-6 gallons and has a lid will work. It is recommended that food storage bins be kept indoors – either in the house or in the garage.
Refill compostable bags are also available for purchase, $2 for 3-gallon and $5 for 13-gallon. What happens to the food scraps? The food scraps are hauled to a commercial compost facility in Ulster County, NY. They are mixed with yard waste and turned into nutrient-rich soil amendment - compost!
3. BRING your transportation bin to the food scrap Want to learn more or volunteer? recycling drop-off bins at Anthony F Veteran Park Email Rachel Carpitella at foodscraprecyto dispose of your food scraps as often as needed. cling@greenburghny.com
Display Boards: https://rt119complete.org/docs/route119-complete-street_january-meeting_ Accepted Items boards.pdf ALL food waste, including: • Fruits and Vegetables (remove stickers, rubber bands, twist ties) Route 119 Complete Street Design Plan • Meat and Poultry (bones ok) • Fish and Shellfish https://rt119complete.org/ (shells ok) • Dairy Products • Bread and Pasta A more attractive 119 will enhance property • Rice and Grains • Egg Shells • Chips and Snacks values for many readers of Black Westch- • Nuts and Seeds • Leftover, Spoiled and Expired ester who live along the corridor! Food (cooked ok) Please join fellow town residents in recy- Other Items (If in doubt, ask before contaminating cling food scraps. your food scrap recyclables): Greenburgh Recycles Food Scraps! • Coffee Grounds (paper filters ok) • Tea Bags (no Greenburgh accepts resident food scraps staples) • Paper Towels and Napkins for recycling at no charge. • Cut flowers (not landscaping waste) • ComThe food scrap drop-off site location and postable Bags hours are as follows: Anthony F Veteran Park, 11 Olympic Lane, Items Not Accepted Hartsdale, NY 10530 It is important not to include the following items, Open every day, 8am - 8pm as they will contaminate your food scrap recyclables: • Plastic Bags • Baby/Hand Wipes • Diapers • How to Recycle Food Scraps Glass, Metal or Plastic • Pet Waste or Kitty Litter 1. COLLECT your food scraps in a counter- • Styrofoam • Yard Waste top pail; all food is accepted, but should not be mixed with non-food or non-composta- Where and When to Get a Starter Kit bles, as described in the ‘Items Not Accept- Starter kits include a 2 gallon kitchen countertop ed’ section below. Although not required, pail, a 6 gallon transportation bin, a resident inyou may line your pail with a compostable struction guide, and a 25 count roll of 3-gallon bag – please no plastic bags. Collection compostable bags. Please bring a check for paystarter kits including everything you need ment (cash/credit is not accepted). are available for $20.00 at Anthony F Veteran Park and Greenburgh Nature Center, Greenburgh Nature Center, Welcome Desk, 99 details in the ‘Where and When to Get a Dromore Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583 Starter Kit’ section below. Anthony F Veteran Park, Administration Building, 2. Most residents will fill the countertop pail 11 Olympic Ln, Hartsdale, NY 10530
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TOWN SPRING AND SUMMER PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS? Subscribe to our elist for daily reports or visit our website: www.greenburghny.com. Email me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com if you’d like to subscribe to our e list--frequent updates about town programs, initiatives, issues. STUDENT INTERNS WANTED. Town Clerk Judith Beville, Town Attorney Tim Lewis and I sponsor a student internship program during the summer months. This past summer student interns hosted their own cable TV news programs, interviewed local residents who have achieved national and international recognition - including J.T. Rogers, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play (OSLO) and Joe Queenan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal, among many others. The students have been involved in research, organizing special projects, helping with the operations of town government. If your son or daughter would like to learn about government and interact with other officials please advise. We promise them a fantastic experience. Please have your son or daughter e mail me at pfeiner@reenburghny.com. Students do NOT have to reside in Greenburgh to benefit from this internship experience. Today’s interns will become tomorrow’s elected and appointed officials. PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh Town Supervisor
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SURROUNDING AREA NEWS
NEWS ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA, DUTCHESS & PUTNAM COUNTIES, LONG ISLAND & THE FIVE BOROS
ED CHARLES, MEMBER OF 1969 ‘MIRACLE METS’ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, DIED AT 84
Ed Charles, a beloved Met, poet and key component on the ’69 Miracle team, died Thursday, March 15, 2018 at his home in Elmhurst, Queens, at the age of 84 after a long illness. Charles, nicknamed “the Glider” for his smooth play at third base, only played three seasons with the Mets, 1967-69, yet achieved a kind of iconic status with the fans because of his spirited play at third base and his leadership qualities that endeared him to his teammates. All the years after his career ended in 1969, he made frequent appearances around the city, representing the team, and after passing a civil service exam, he worked with troubled youth in the Bronx. Inspired by Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier in 1947, Charles signed with the old Boston Braves in 1952, where he spent eight seasons in the minors waiting behind Braves Hall of Fame third baseman Eddie Mathews.
“Ed Charles, our beloved Glider and Poet Laureate of the 1969 Mets, was one of the kindest and warmest people ever to be a Met,” the Mets said in a statement. “His essays and poems inspired his teammates to the improbable World Series championship. “With Jackie Robinson as his role model, Ed perpetuated a legacy of making a positive impact on other people’s lives. Everyone at the Mets are sending condolences, thoughts and prayers to Ed’s longtime companion Lavonnie Brinkley, his two sons Edwin and Eric, sister Virginia Charles and brother Elder.”
Charles, though, finally made it to the big leagues with the Kansas City Athletics, where he spent the prime of his career from 1962-67 before being traded to the Mets on May 10, 1967 for a reserve outfielder, Larry Elliot. He was 29 by the time he made his major league debut in 1962 and had a standout rookie season with the A’s, hitting .288 with 17 homers and 74 RBI in 147 games. Charles, who was born into the segregated South, made his major league debut with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962 after spending eight seasons in the Braves’ farm system. He was traded
to the Mets in 1967 for Larry Elliott and $50,000. Charles arrived to a team that was a perennial National League doormat before shocking the world in 1969. Charles, who shared third-base duties with rookie Wayne Garrett, hit .207 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 61 games that season. He also appeared in four World Series games against the Orioles. In the movie “42” a young Charles is depicted placing his ear to the tracks saying he can still hear the train carrying Jackie Robinson.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (UGRR) LEGACY IN GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, WESTCHESTER COUNTY/NYC, NY & NEWARK, NJ. BY THERESA VEGA
The ongoing lawsuit in Greenwich, CT over the Byram Cemetery must be seen within the larger context of historical erasure of both Native- and African-American history. Cemeteries are (1) testaments to our ancestors’ very physical existence in this world, (2) tell the story of our ancestors’ lives in communities over time, and (3) allow us a place to visit and connect with our ancestors over generations. The fact that Nativeand African-American enslaved ancestors could not afford the luxury of tombstones or grave markers or, that some were buried in Quaker cemeteries, does NOT make those cemeteries any less valid. For over 10 years, I have been knee-deep in doing groundbreaking genealogical research on the Lyon-Green-Merritt line of which I am a descendant. As descendants of Native-, African-, and Euro-Americans, my extended family all engaged in abolitionist activities that firmly place them within the larger 19th century national Abolitionist Movement and included other nationally renowned abolitionists. To date, our extended family includes three Underground Railroad stationmasters on the Green-Merritt line and several Lyon family abolitionists; among them our distant cousins Seth, Gilbert and Benjamin Lyon. These cousins harbored a formerly enslaved man, Peter John Lee, for 6 years in the Thomas Lyon Jr. House before he was captured and re-enslaved in the South. The Byram Cemetery is one of five sites of significance to the UGRR in Greenwich. The other sites include the Thomas Lyon Jr. House, the oldest unaltered house in Greenwich; Union Cemetery where the 29th Connecticut Colored Troops and other ancestors are buried; the Bethel AME Church, the first African-American Church in Greenwich; and the Green-Twatchman House, an historic home, built by my 3rd greatgrandfather, Allen Green, in 1845. My extended family is linked to Westchester County, NY going back to 1640 when our ancestor, Thomas Lyon, founded the Byram section of Greenwich. Depending on how geographical boundaries expanded or contracted, Byram was also known as “East Port Chester” and as “Rye”, NY. I have compiled archival documentation that illustrates how a UGRR route went directly north of the historic and recently resurrected Native- and African-American community of Hangroot in Greenwich and continued to North Castle (Banksville), New Castle, Ossining, Yorktown, Cortland, and Peekskill. My extended family also has historic ties to Harrison (The Hills), Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Yonkers, and White Plains. When my 2nd great-grandparents, George E. Green and Catherine Thompson, married in the early 1870s, they united two early Black Abolitionist AME Zion Church families. Both Jacob D. King of Newark, NJ and Hawley Green of Peekskill, NY were UGRR stationmasters who actively harbored self-emancipating African-Americans in their homes as early as 1830. Jacob, along with his brothers, Rev. John A. King and Abraham O. King, and Hawley also worked directly with famous abolitionists like Rev. Christopher Rush, Deacon Jonas Mead, James Birney, Rev. Samuel Cornish, Rev. J. W. Pennington, Arthur and Lewis Tappan, Gerrit Smith, William Lloyd Garrison, and Rev. Samuel Ringgold Ward. That my Lyon ancestors routinely worked with individuals within the same abolitionist network makes for a very compelling addition to the historic record of Greenwich, CT, Westchester County, NYC, Newark and other parts of the tristate area. In addition, when my 3rd great-grandfather, Cato Thompson married his 2nd wife, Rosetta Dungy, daughter of Rev. John A. Dungy and Sarah Heady Dungy, he united two other early Black Abolitionist families – The Thompson family of Newark, NJ and the Heady/Hedden family of Yorktown, NY. The Dungy family are the descendants of
Thomas Haddon (also spelled Hedden, Heady, and Heddy), a white man who died in 1761 in Scarsdale, NY. When he died, unlike Thomas Jefferson, he left a five page will whose “first” three pages were devoted to his “Negro wench Rose” and their “mulatto” children. He emancipated them all, left an inheritance in the form of property and money, and provided his children with a trade. The “last” 2 pages were for his “white” wife and their children – all of whom knew and accepted their half-siblings. Cato’s sister, Catherine, was also married to Thomas Matthias Hedden, a son of Lazarus Heady, Sr. and a brother of Sarah Heady Dungy. Like the extended Lyon family of Greenwich and Westchester, NY, both black and white Heddens/Headys operated as one abolitionist family unit. The Newark Thompson and Hedden families were also founding members of the Colored Presbyterian Church there. The Newark Heddens were later buried in the Heady Cemetery in Ossining, NY along with their other kin. Rosetta’s sister Nancy M. Dungy went on to marry Rev. George Weir, Sr. of NY. They eventually moved to Buffalo and Rochester, NY and routinely shepherded newly selfliberated African-Americans safely to Canada West. Their son, Rev. George Weir, Jr. was considered a radical Black abolitionist as were his parents. One of my Lyon cousins also has ancestors who were British Loyalists, who ended up in both Upstate New York and in Canada West at the behest of John Graves Simcoe, the first Lt. Governor of Upper Canada and a noted abolitionist. The full story of the Lyon-GreenMerritt extended family history has yet to be told. The Lyon-Green-Merritt family history came out of the darkness of Northern slavery personified in the Byram (East Port Chester/Rye) section of Greenwich. It is my goal to render visible and bring to light all those patriotic Greenwich, CT and Westchester, County/NYC, NY, and Newark, NJ people who worked together to make this country far greater than it was before. They may have been considered ordinary then, but history should remember them as anything but. This is a history worthy of remembrance and worthy of preservation.
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NEWS WITH A BLACK POINT OF VIEW SIX MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE MARIA, PARTS OF PUERTO RICO CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
PUERTO RICO IS STILL IN A BW WORLD NEWS ‘FRAGILE STATE’ A little more than six months after Hurricane Ma- “After Hurricane Maria, people saw pictures of what’s
ria pounded Puerto Rico, the island still has a long recovery and continues to struggle as hurricane season begins in less than four months. Maria’s massive devastation in no longer in the media cycle but many are still without electricity and still do not have homes to go back to. Portions of Puerto Rico is still without power, particularly in the mountainous and rural areas, and occasional outages still plague larger cities like the capital of San Juan. Some residents still lack basic needs like clean drinking water and adequate health care, and tens of thousands of jobs have been lost as a $74 billion public debt continues to loom over the island. Of the roughly 40,000 small businesses on Puerto Rico — which employ more than 80% of private sector workers, or about 556,000 people, according to the Small Business Administration — about one-fifth remain shuttered due to the storm. The social cost has been heavy, too. A report released in March by the City University of New York’s Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College estimates nearly 136,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to the U.S. after Hurricane Maria. Florida saw the largest influx of people with 56,477, followed by Massachusetts with 15,208, Connecticut with 13,292 and New York with 11,217. And even suicide rates on the island have spiked, which some officials, including San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, blame on post-Maria despair. Figures released by Puerto Rico’s Department of Health in December show there were 253 suicides last year compared with 196 in 2016, a 29% increase. Hurricane Maria is regarded as the worst natural disaster on record in Dominica and Puerto Rico. The tenthmost intense Atlantic hurricane on record and the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide of 2017, Maria was the thirteenth named storm, eighth consecutive hurricane, fourth major hurricane, second Category 5 hurricane, and the deadliest storm of the hyperactive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. At its peak, the hurricane caused catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across the northeastern Caribbean, compounding recovery efforts in the areas of the Leeward Islands already struck by Hurricane Irma. Maria was the third consecutive major hurricane to threaten the Leeward Islands in two weeks, after Irma had made landfall in several of the islands two weeks prior and Hurricane Jose passed dangerously close shortly afterwards, bringing tropical storm force winds to Barbuda. While no two hurricanes are alike, you could see a major difference in Trump’s response to Puerto Rico and Houston. Hurricanes Harvey and Maria were vastly different storms that struck areas with vastly different financial, geographic and political situations. But a comparison of government statistics relating to the two recovery efforts strongly supports the views of disaster-recovery experts that FEMA and the Trump administration exerted a faster, and initially greater, effort in Texas, even though the damage in Puerto Rico exceeded that in Houston. Within six days of Hurricane Harvey, U.S. Northern Command had deployed 73 helicopters over Houston, which are critical for saving victims and delivering emergency supplies. It took at least three weeks after Maria before it had more than 70 helicopters flying above Puerto Rico. Nine days after the respective hurricanes, FEMA had approved $141.8 million in individual assistance to Harvey victims, versus just $6.2 million for Maria victims.
happening and felt compelled to do something,” Julio Lopez Varona, a senior adviser on Puerto Rico at the Center for Popular Democracy said. “But after two or three months there was an expectation that things would be better, and that is not the truth and the media has gone on to another story.” The next few months mean getting flood control in place for the coming rainy season, equipping critical infrastructure such as hospitals with generators and training and certifying state and local government officials in emergency management while keeping pace on the decadelong job of rebuilding electrical and other infrastructure. Let’s not be fooled that since Hurricane Maria recovery is no longer the sexy topic for the press, politicians and preachers that everything is all good. It’s been exactly six months since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, and the island is still a long way from recovery. One big reason for that is that people are struggling to get federal grants to repair their damaged homes. It’s complicated because a lot of people can’t prove they own their houses. Denial letters reading, “Can’t prove ownership,” are what many are dealing with. Some have been denied a repair grant more than four times, frustrated but still fight, hoping and praying FEMA will eventually approve their applications as FEMA aid is running out for families fleeing the devastation left by Hurricane Maria. You may need read or see it on the news nightly anymore but the truth is six months later, about 100,000 Americans on the island are still without power, thousands of blue tarps cover damaged roofs on homes, and over 130,000 Puerto Ricans have moved away.
PORTIONS OF PUERTO RICO STILL IN DARKNESS While there are evident signs of recovery in parts of Puerto Rico, progress overall has been slow and frustrating for many of those who live in Hurricane Maria’s path. Six months after the Category 5 storm pummeled the island, more than 100,000 of them still remain in the dark and there are frequent power outages. From the immediate aftermath to today,
According to the Access to Justice Fund Foundation, only 0.11 percent of Puerto Ricans who applied for FEMA assistance received the maximum allowable amount of $33,300. The average amount received by applicants was $3,000.
RUSSIA HAS EXPELLED 60 US DIPLOMATS AND CLOSED THE ST PETERSBURG CONSULATE IN A TIT-FOR-TAT RESPONSE TO US ACTION OVER A SPY POISONING CASE IN THE UK
R ussia’s foreign minister said other countries that expelled Russians could expect a
“symmetrical” response. It comes amid a row over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in southern England. The White House said Russia’s move to expel its diplomats had been “not unanticipated”. It marked “a further deterioration in the United States-Russia relationship”, it said in a statement. Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury on 4 March, and the UK government has blamed Russia for the attack. Russia has vehemently denied any role in the Salisbury attack. Mr Skripal remains in a critical but stable condition. His daughter’s condition is said to be improving. More than 20 countries have expelled Russian envoys in solidarity with the UK. Among them is the US, which earlier this week ordered 60 diplomats to leave and closed the Russian consulate general in Seattle.
Whom is Russia expelling? Russia declared 58 US diplomats in Moscow and two in the city of Yekaterinburg to be “personae non gratae”. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said US ambassador Jon Huntsman had been informed of the “retaliatory measures”. “As for the other countries, everything will also be symmetrical in terms of the number of people from their diplomatic missions who will be leaving Russia,” he added. Later, a US state department spokeswoman said America reserved the right to take further action. The Russian foreign minister also accused Britain of “forcing everyone to follow an anti-Russian course”. He said Moscow was responding to “absolutely unacceptable actions that are taken against us under very harsh pressure from the United States and Britain under the pretext of the so-called Skripal case”. He reiterated Russian calls for consular access to Yulia Skripal - a Russian citizen. Russia, he said, was also seeking a meeting with leaders of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to “establish the truth”.
How did the tit-for-tat expulsions begin? Following the incident in Salisbury, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced a series of sanctions, including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats alleged to be intelligence agents. The Kremlin responded by expelling an equal number of UK diplomats and closing the country’s British Council. Then - in what has been cited as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history - more than 20 governments expelled diplomats in their countries. UK National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill, speaking in Washington on Thursday, said expulsions by Western countries were aimed at rooting out covert Russian intelligence networks.
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REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
NRA, RACISM AND GUN CONTROL BY DAMON K. JONES We are only three months into the new year and according to gunviolencearchive.org, there have already been 12,688 incidents involving guns and 50 mass shootings in the US. For the last several decades, the debate regarding both the restriction and availability of firearms within the United States has been characterized by a stalemate between an individual right to bear arms based on the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the responsibility of government to prevent crime, maintain order and protect the well-being of its citizens. Political arguments of gun politics in the United States center around disagreements that range from the practical – does gun ownership cause or prevent crime? – to the constitutional – how should the Second Amendment be interpreted? – to the ethical – what should the balance be between an individual’s right of self-defense through gun ownership and the People’s interest in maintaining public safety? Political arguments about gun rights fall into two basic categories, first, does the government have the authority to regulate guns, second, if it does, is it a useful tool for public safety. In the wake of several high-profile shootings — The shooting of students in Parkland, FL., many of them children. Devastation like this would shock the conscious of any God-fearing person or politician to make common sense gun laws. We still remember the shooting in Conn. Since then, there have been at least 239 school shootings nationwide. In those episodes, 438 people were shot, 138 of whom were killed.
According to the report, called “Target on Trafficking, New York Crime Gun Analysis.” Among the 52,915 guns used in crimes that law enforcement in New York State recovered from 2010 to 2015. Of those guns seized, 46,514 could be traced to their purchase site, and three-quarters of those firearms were initially bought outside New York, A report called “Protect Children, Not Guns”, by the Children Defense Fund, in 2008, 2,947 children and teens died from guns in the United States, and 2,793 died in 2009 for a total of 5,740—one child or teen every three hours, eight every day, 55 every week for two years. In 2008 and 2009, gun homicide was the leading cause of deaths among black teens. High populated cities in Westchester like Yonkers and Mt. Vernon have had a long history of gun violence. In 2008 and 2009, Mt. Vernon has averaged a homicide a month. Homicides in big cities like Chicago have outpaced the murders of US troops in Afghanistan. The U.S. gun homicide rate for teens and young adults 15 to 24 was 42.7 times higher than the combined gun homicide rate for that same age group in the other countries.
Law Enforcement Hand in Hand with the NRA
On January 15, 2013, the New York State government passed historic gun control legislation. The signing made New York the first state to enact tighter restrictions on guns after the December 14, 2012, massacre in Newtown, Conn. On January 14, 2013, as a representative of a National Law Enforcement organization, I attended the sessions in Albany along with representatives from the National Latino Officers Association and the Grand Council of Guardians as the guest of Senator Malcolm Smith. We met with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Majority Counsel, Senator Jeff Klein, Governor Cuomo’s aide Larry Schwartz and we attended a press conference to show our support of the legislation. What was notably absent were the masses of police unions and organizations in support of legislation that would keep illegal weapons off the street. You would think that legislation that includes “life without parole sentence for anyone found to have killed a first responder”, many law enforcement unions and/or organizations would be in attendance. This wasn’t the case, there was complete silence from Law Enforcement unions throughout the State of New York. Illegal guns in Black communities across the nation have become more American than Apple Pie. Not only there has been public silence from many Law Enforcement unions, police unions were noticeably AWOL on the issue of illegal guns and any state legislation on gun control, especially here in New York. There are many Law Enforcement Management that will speak out on the issue of gun control. But the reality is that the core body of America’s Law Enforcement are active members or belong to some type of affiliate organization that has the same core beliefs of the NRA. You have never seen national organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) come out against the efforts of the NRA or lobby for tougher gun laws, even when it addresses the safety of Law Enforcement Officers. Police unions have been hand in hand with Republicans on the local, state and federal level. The support of Law Enforcement Labor Unions and the majority of white Law Enforcement Fraternal Organizations has historically gone to the Republican party even though the Republican party platform has been anti-collective bargaining and labor rights. According to the National Review, the FOP asks presidential candidates to pledge that “the Second Amendment is sacrosanct and will in no way be modified in their administration.” And that “gun control laws are not the answer to gun violence.” The NRA
couldn’t have written a stronger statement. February 2018, was the 20-year anniversary of the historic shootout of two shooters heavily armed with automatic weapons against the LAPD. Two armor-clad figures standing calmly outside a bank were spewing machine gun fire at a swarm of police officers shooting back with pistols from behind car doors and trees. For 44 minutes, police officers were out-gunned against two bank robbers. The shootout ended 30 — dead in the street. Eleven officers were wounded and two bank robbers killed. After the incident, law enforcement across the country raced to have the heavier firepower of Patrol Officers giving them high-powered rifles that are now common in police cars. Street cops were trained to use those weapons so they wouldn’t have to wait for SWAT. But the state still failed to address common sense gun laws even after this tragic incident. Thanks FOP! The FOP who has been recognized as the premier law enforcement organization in the nation will not support a candidate if they are in support of gun control. This is a slap in the face to all families, police and civilians who have lost a loved one to gun violence throughout the county. The fact of the matter is; the NRA was pro-gun laws when Black men were using their constitutional rights to carry weapons. This contradicts the NRA’s current stance and stranglehold on elected officials when common sense gun control laws are proposed. The Mulford Act enacted in 1967 under Ronald Reagan, who was Governor of California. This act efficiently restricted citizens from carrying guns in public and created one of the country’s most strict gun control regulations. Many say that the Mulford act was in direct response to the Black Panther Party. The NRA was supportive of gun control in the 1960s during the Black Panther Movement. Adam Winkler writes in Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America. “After the Civil War, even the Klan and other violent racist groups sought to reaffirm white supremacy, which required confiscating the guns blacks had obtained for the first time during the conflict.” Even though the NRA has Black members, like many organizations that take black folks money, they fail miserably to protect the same laws for Black people as they do for White people.
The Narrative Always Changes when the Gun carrier is Black or White When it comes to White men, the narrative always changes from crime and violence to mental illness, especially when it comes to the plethora of mass shootings across the U.S. According to a Mother Jones database of U.S. mass shootings since 1982, 54 percent of the 97 mass shootings have been carried out by white men. Black men accounted for roughly 16 percent of the total incidents during the same period, raising the question of why white men are over-represented in these incidents and why law enforcement and media are reluctant to profile them for these heinous crimes. All killings should be accounted for but historically the media, white law enforcement experts have looked for mental health problems when a white person commits a heinous crime, but automatically fall to terms like “terrorist” or a “thug” or some type of street gang violence and overlooked any possibility of mental health issues when a brown or black person commits the crime. The lack of the same defense of explanation of the facts gives credit to the notion that there is evidence bias or deep-rooted racism on how each race is portrayed in these types of crimes.
Do Black Lives Matter to the NRA?
Why haven’t our United States Congress or the NRA questioned how many youths in the poor and black communities across the nation can buy Uzi sub-machine guns, AK-47 rifles, and other assault weapons that would fuel deadly gang turf wars, drive-by shootings, murders and robberies? In Black communities across the nation, even with the national outcry on gun control, it is easier for black youth to get an illegal gun faster than they can get a legal job. The NRA was utterly silent about the case of Philando Castile, a black man who was pulled over by police and then fatally shot in 2016 because he was breaking the law at the time of his death. Amid outrage over the acquittal of the officer who shot and killed Philando Castile, many activists and gun owners seem to agree on one thing: The NRA should say something or do something. But they remained silent. With all the homicides of children and innocent people organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to lobby against any legislation that is designed for public safety. The NRA has gone to great lengths (and spends a huge sum of money) to defend the right to bear arms. It is opposed to virtually every form of gun control, including restrictions on owning assault weapons, background checks for gun owners, and registration of firearms. Between 2001 and 2010, the NRA spent between $1.5 million and $2.7 million on federallevel lobbying efforts. During the 2010 election cycle, the NRA spent more than $7.2 million on independent expenditures at the federal level — messages that advocate for or against political candidates. These messages primarily supported Republican candidates or opposed Democratic candidates. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Congress candidate Deborah Ross topped the NRA’s list of “targets” in 2016. The NRA spent a total of 34.5 million dollars against Democrats in 2016. Unfortunately, the NRA is not so generous or sensitive to families of victims of gun violence. In the wake of many mass murders across the country, the organization has had no response. Even after the high profile shooting in Florida, when a 19-year-old used a legally obtained AR-15 to open fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 people and wounding at least 16 more on Feb. 14. There has been a national outcry and a record-breaking March on Washington and the NRA continues to stand their ground against any new gun law. Dana Loesch, a spokeswoman for the influential gun lobby group, told ABC News: “The NRA doesn’t back any ban. Instead of addressing how to stop weapons of war from being available illegally, Ms. Loesch suggested there had been errors by local law enforcement agencies and a lack of action by politicians According to a Daily News report, months after pretending to empathize with a Harlem mother, Mrs. Jackie Rowe-Adams whose two sons were victims of (Continues on Page 19)
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COVER STORIES BW COVER STORY
JOE SPIEZIO BY DAMON K. JONES
DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER JOSEPH SPIEZIO III, MAYOR RICHARD W. THOMAS AND MVPD UPPER MANAGEMENT [BLACK WESTCHESTER]
In 1988, professor Peggy McIntosh used the paper White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, to describe White Privilege as a set of unearned assets that a white person in America can count on cashing in each day, but to which they remain largely oblivious. This is the case with “Alleged” Deputy Police Commissioner Spiezio. In my first editorial about “Alleged Deputy Police Commissioner Spiezio, I ask the question, ‘what was the function of his position as Deputy Police Commissioner?’ Since his appointment, there was a number of homicides of young black adults, increased number of police complaints and lawsuits under his command. In the NYS Attorney General’s Complaint against Mayor Richard Thomas states:
WHITE PRIVILEGE & C
DO NOT QUALIFY YOU COMMISSIONER IN THE When a White man who has no Law enforcement experience questions a Black man who has 27 years in law enforcement and has been recognized by organizations and associations like the United Nations Associations and NAACP Legal Defense Fund in having a clear understanding of police policy practices and procedures, there’s a problem. To think that the white man’s experience of being in Waste Management “out Trumps” the Black man’s experience in Law Enforcement leads the observer to believe that this can only happen because the white man thinks he has “White Privilege.” Even though the White man is not qualified, he is still better than the Black man who has qualifications. That’s what happened with me and Mr. Spiezio. This Black man had the unmitigated gall to challenge a white man on his credentials in Law Enforcement. Not only did Mr. Spiezio attack me but he also attacked my wife. Unfortunately, it’s an old cliché when it comes to thinking a Black man can have more knowledge about law enforcement than a White man. The Black man must be Superman, while the White man only has to be Clark Kent. While unprecedented nepotism, racism and harassment of city employees, and in 2016 there was approximately 13 homicides under the watch of “Alleged” Deputy Police Commissioner Spiezio. Spiezio attitude for black people is I can do what I want to do because your black people are not strong enough, smart enough or rich enough to do anything about it. But in the case of “Alleged” Deputy Police Commissioner Spiezio’s ignorant racist, homophobic rant against Councilman Andre Wallace. Mr. Spiezio made a statement that Councilman Wallace couldn’t afford a truck like the one he owned. Why would Mr. Spiezio make a statement like that? Is it because Councilman Wallace is a Black man how could he afford it? What gives him the right to call a Black man homophobic slur? What is White Privilege? It is a term for societal privileges that benefit people identified as white in Western countries, beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people.
“Shortly after taking office, THOMAS appointed Individual-1— the same person who had paid over $8,000 towards the Thomas AMEX account — to a high-ranking position with a city agency that deals with public safety, although he had no prior law enforcement experience.” In my opinion, Mr. Spiezio’s appointment is a quidpro-quo appointment that has led to the downfall of the reputation of the Mount Vernon Police Department. This wouldn’t happen in any other municipality of Westchester County. We should not think because Mt. Vernon is a predominately Black city, to have unprofessional and unqualified people in decision-making and policy-making position in law enforcement should be acceptable. It is unfortunate enough that Mr. Spiezio is an illegitimate Deputy Police Commissioner because of his lack of any law enforcement policies and procedures, but in his words in his Facebook response, his interview on High Noon radio show on WVOX, hosted by Phil Reisman and Mark Lungeriellio, actual police duties are not his task. Mr. Spiezio failed in his response to explain or give a list of any work that he has accomplished or why he was appointed the position. Joseph Spiezio III, the owner of R&S Waste and has lucrative city contracts around the county as well as Westchester County government contracts, has bamboozled the citizens of Mount Vernon. To have the 21st Century Policing Model within any police department, you must begin with the first step; Legitimacy, Transparency, and Accountability. How can you have Legitimacy, Transparency, and Accountability when you have a Deputy Police Commissioner like Joseph Spiezio who is not legitimate,
who has no prior police experience? His actions have only put the hard-working officers of MVPD and the community at risk, leaving the city with way too many lawsuits and judgments and taxpayers footing the bill. For County, State and Federal authorities to allow someone like Mr. Spiezio to use the power and influence of an appointed badge for his agenda and not the safety and well-being of the city’s residents give a false sense of security to those officers who would cross the line and violate city and departmental policies and procedures. The illegal appointment of Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio, a major campaign donor, a civilian, with no law enforcement background and has inserted himself into homicide investigations. Jeopardizing homicide investigations should cause alarm for all residents in the city of Mt. Vernon and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. It is evident from audio and video produced by the People Before Politics Radio show that a false report on the facts of Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio made physical threats to City Councilman Andre Wallace. When government administrators and law enforcement make false statements, they become no different from the criminal element in our communities. In essence, they are organized criminals. Under Mr. Spiezio, the police department is used as a vehicle of retaliation and to turn a blind eye to city laws and ordinances. The alleged cover-up of Mr. Spiezio’s company R&S Waste, who’s truck was recorded on camera being involved in a hit and run of a Mount Vernon resident’s vehicle..
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BW COVER STORY
& CAMPAIGN DONATIONS
OU TO BE DEPUTY POLICE
HE BLACK COMMUNITY
DEPUTY COMMISIONER LOUIS A. MOLINA THE HIGHEST RANKING HISPANIC IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY BY AJ WOODSON
W
Mr. Spiezio has also violated Election Law -ELN-17-110:
1. Uses or threatens or attempts to use his official power or authority, in any manner, directly or indirectly, in aid of or against any political party, organization, association or society, or to control, affect, influence, reward or punish, the political adherence, affiliation, action, expression or opinion of any citizen; or 2. Appoints, promotes, transfers, retires or punishes an officer or member of a police force, or asks for or aids in the promotion, transfer, retirement or punishment of an officer or member of a police force because of the party adherence or affiliation of such officer or member, or for or on the request, direct or indirect, of any political party, organization, association or society, or of any officer, member of a committee or representative official or otherwise of any political party, organization, association or society; Mr. Spiezio, through the use of his authority systematically punished my wife, who is a Mount Vernon Police Detective, with a bogus seven months suspension without pay in retaliation against me, for her affiliation with my organization and my relationship with Dr. Cavallo of the Westchester Independence Party. As a community, we should take personal threats and derogatory slurs to elected official very seriously. As a representative of a national law enforcement organization, I have demanded multiple investigations of Mr. Spiezio’s conduct for unbecoming an officer of the law and conducting himself out of the scope of the Mt. Vernon City Charter, by performing property seizures without proper certification from the City Clerk’s office of being a Deputy Commissioner. This election law violation is also in MVPD Code of Conduct under Legislative Restriction Placed on Police Officers. But under Mr. Spiezio’s command, another blind eye toward violations of his personal agenda. It has been alleged that Mr. Spiezio has given unlawful orders to rank and file for his gains. A false report is a crime governed by federal and state laws, involving a person who, with intent to deceive, knowingly makes a false statement that is material to the criminal investigation of a crime. It is essential that officers know that they have a right to refuse an unlawful order. They must remember they are the ones that took the oath, not Mr. Spiezio! Mr. Siezio, who is an untrained civilian, campaign donor, with lights, sirens and a badge holding an illegal Law Enforcement position and has unfettered access to systems like New York Statewide Police Information Network NYSPIN. The NYSPIN system is for official use only and may only be used for criminal justice purposes. He also has access to The National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Criminal justice agencies enter records into NCIC that are accessible to Law Enforcement agencies nationwide. With a click on a computer, Mr. Spiezio can gain anyone private and personal information, current investigations for his gain. The appointment of Mr. Spiezio is not only a threat to the public safety but a questionable threat to national security and needs to be investigated immediately. As I stated before, the essential part of Police structure is the Leadership. Police leadership is the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. The Police Command is the persons in authority in the Police service that lawfully exercises the mission of the police department which is to keep our community safe. Under Mayor Thomas’ Illegitimate Deputy Police Commissioner they have failed the primary purpose of the Mount Vernon Police Department miserably. It is imperative that the Westchester County District Attorney, The New York State Attorney General’s Office and The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York set a clear example that this type of abuse of power by a campaign donor will not be tolerated. If not, they will set a precedent that a police department in any city can be bought and sold by any campaign contributor.
DAMON K. JONES AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LOUIS A. MOLINA [BLACK WESTCHESTER]
hen County Exec. George Latimer, announced new 1st Deputy Commissioner Louis A. Molina at a news conference at the county office building Thursday, March 1st, history was made. Molina became the highest ranking Hispanic in Law Enforcement in Westchester County and one of only two Commissioners of color in the County as well, (MVPD Police Commissioner Shawn Harris being the other.) Molina has had several positions in New York City, including stints in the Brooklyn District Attorney office and the city’s Dept. of Correction. Most recently, he served in the enforcement arm of New York’s Taxi and Limousine
Commission. Former correction commissioner and union president Joseph Spano is back heading the county Department of Correction. The appointment of Molina is a campaign promise kept by Latimer who promised to have more diversity in leadership positions in law enforcement. Many thought it was just lip-service to get elected when a local blog posted a story that Latimer had appointed all white commissioners. Latimer took to Facebook immediately to dispell the rumor. The appointment of Molina was fulfillment of the promise. Sgt. Hector Lopez, a 20-year-veteran at the WCDOC, welcomes the much needed diversity in leadership. “As the highest ranking Hispanic in Law Enforcement In Westchester, Deputy Commisioner Louis A. Molina will be a great asset to the Westchester County Department of Corrections,” Sgt. Hector Lopez, President of the Westchester Hispanic Law Enforcement Association (WHLEA) shared with Black Westchester. “His impressive background and experience will most certainly be put to use. CE Latimer’s appointment of Louis brings the much needed diversity that Westchester Government had been lacking throughout the years. We look forward to working and developing a positive relationship with Louis and congratulate both he and Commissioner Joe Spano on their new positions.” Brooke Jones, President of Westchester Correction Association agrees about the much needed diversity in leadership. “It is very important and very promising to have diversity in leadership,” Jones shares with BW. “DC Molina’s experience and background will be a leading force in our department. A fresh change is what is needed. We welcome DC Louis Molina. I’m looking forward to working with him.” Molina, a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, comes to Westchester County after serving New York City and the United States Government in numerous leadership roles. Beginning as a New York City police officer, Molina has spent his career working to provide safety to all of the organizations and people he has represented. This includes time as a Senior Police Advisor and Instructor in Puebla, Mexico for the Department of State and Assistant Director, and Campus Operational Readiness Transition Manager for New York University’s Abu Dhabi Campus. Molina, served 13 years with the NYPD, where his assignments included stints in the Organized Crime Control Bureau, the Internal Affairs Bureau and the 6th Precinct detective squad. Senior Advisor to STRIVE, an organization that provides transitional support and workforce training to inmates and jails, Dan Gonzalez said: “I have known Lou Molina a long time and am certain he will provide the type of leadership in Westchester that will be replicated around the nation. He is a man of the future who understands the importance of transitional practices, to ensure jails are providing proper rehabilitation so that inmates are released back into the community with the skills they need.” Molina is on the executive board of the National Latino Officers Association, whose chairman, Anthony Miranda, called Molina “one of many up and coming Hispanic leaders.” BW salutes 1st Deputy Commissioner Louis A. Molina!
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16 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
APRIL 2018
WESTCHESTER BLACK GIRLS ROCK SISTER TO SISTER INTERNATIONAL & DR. “TEA” TRACI E. ALEXANDER PRESENTS
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018
IONA COLLEGE - MURPHY AUDITORIUM, NEW ROCHELLE
“It was an awesome opportunity to be in the midst of a beautiful collection of Westchester’s most dynamic young ladies, trailblazers and legends. It is a moment in history I will cherish and savor— an unforgettable Sistagirl moment—building our bond and sharing our pearls!” - Dr. “Tea” Traci Alexander, Host & Producer DrTeaTV’s Book Alive and CEO Mz. Mom.
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APRIL 2018
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18 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BW COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
COUNCILMAN ANDRÉ WALLACE PRESENTS
APRIL 2018
2018 ANNUAL WOMEN OF ESSENCE AWARD BRUNCH SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 THE EMBASSY MOUNT VERNON
WORDS BY AJ WOODSON Councilman Andre Wallace celebrated Women’s History Month by hosting the “Women of Essence Awards Luncheon” on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Embassy, located at 28 East 1st Street, Mount Vernon. In its second year, the luncheon recognized the barriers that women of color have overcome and celebrate their accomplishments throughout the nation’s history. Special recognition was given to women of color in law enforcement: Officer Bridget Brown (Westchester County Probation); Officer Kathleen Callicutt (Westchester County Department of Corrections); Officer Shaina Jacobs (Yonkers Police Department); Detective Montika S. Jones (Mount Vernon Police Department); Detective Yadilene Machado (New Rochelle Police Department) and Officer Crystal Reveron (New York City Police Department). The Women of Essence Awards Luncheon was attended by over 100 women in law enforcement, elected officials, as well as women in the fields of business, entertainment, arts, and government. The Honorable Judge Arlene Gordon-Oliver of the Westchester County Family Court, was the Keynote Speaker.
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APRIL 2018
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SINGLE MOM CHRONICLES:
PEOPLE YOU MUST AVOID TO BE SUCCESSFUL Many associates have often commented on my ability to move forward and overcome the many obstacles that have been placed in my path. I have heard comments and questions like, ‘Despite the odds, you made it’ or ‘How do you push through the BS?’ Where there is no easy answer, I always keep my focus on being successful. Every successful person has ambition and often surrounds themselves with people who are focused. Mark Twain was very accurate when he said, “keep away from those people who try to belittle your ambitions, small people always do that. But great ones make you believe that even you can make it”. In short, your friends will influence your attitude towards life. The people you surround yourself with, either healthy or unhealthy, will determine your output. For you to avoid toxic people, you will have to recognize them. Here are six people you should put at bay because they will make it incredibly hard for you to succeed: THE OPPORTUNIST Opportunists are people who are in your life to basically gain something from you, often at the expense of morals. They don’t look at you as a friend but as an opportunity for them to get their personal agenda achieved. Frequently, they will disguise themselves as a friend and even do you favors but after achieving their goals you get disposed. You don’t need such people in your life. You should not have time for people who are not genuinely loyal. Be involved with people who love success and never feel intimidated or jealous of others’ success. NARCISSISTS Narcissists are people who have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. They often can’t see the good in you. They will habitually interrupt a conversation and always be the one talking. Narcissists will always demand attention to themselves and generally won’t understand your feelings. They will have a sense of entitlement, thus expecting you to provide for them without being considerate of your welfare. Your journey to success is
NRA (CONTINUED FROM PAGE10) fatal shootings. The National Rifle Association’s CEO Wayne LaPierre was a no-show at a rally against gun violence in Harlem, New York which NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Rep. Charlie Rangel attended. Mr. LaPierre gave his word to work with Harlem mothers that children have been killed by gun violence. “I feel it’s disrespectful of him to say he was going to work with Harlem mothers, and he never answered any of our calls,” Jackie Rowe-Adams told the Daily News. “That is rude and unforgettable and unforgivable.” Public Safety refers to the welfare and protection of the general public. It is usually expressed as a governmental responsibility. It is up to the government to ensure a balance between the right to own a gun and legislation that will keep illegal guns off the street. Organizations like the National Rifle Association should be at the forefront to ensure that less illegal guns are in communities across the nation. Instead, the NRA has used their influence against public safety legislation while illegal guns kill thousands of men, women and children each year..
LATIMER SIGNS IPA
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7) Department of Corrections Commissioner Joe Spano said: “This law enables us to do our job, coordinate with all authorities and build a stronger relationship with Westchester residents. That is a win on all fronts. Our Department has, and always will, treat everyone we encounter with the same level of dignity and respect.” Department of Probation Commissioner Rocco Pozzi said: “Westchester County law enforcement officials, including my Department, stand behind this law because it is the right thing to do for our community. The Immigrant Protection Act allows us to do our job and maintain the level of respect and trust needed for us to effectively interact with all Westchester residents.” Westchester County Police Benevolent Association President Mike Hagan said: “Our officers appreciate the conversations that we were a part of during the drafting of this law. The input we had in this thorough process allowed for a measure that will allow us to do what we are tasked to do while ensuring the safety of Westchester County residents.” President of the Westchester Superior Officers Association Bruce Donnelly said: “I appreciate the Board of Legislators extending an invitation for Westchester County Corrections Superior Officers Association to be part of the conversation on this important topic; the safety of all residents
BY YAS HURSTON
already tough enough, therefore do yourself a fa- interests at heart. They intentionally create an imbalance vor and cut off people who will make you miserable. of power and use that to exploit you for their own agenda. Avoid those people who will try to manipulate you. THE GOSSIPER The fact that someone helped you at some point in life Listening to gossip can be irresistibly juicy, yet, it can does not give them an entitlement over your life. In your badly hurt someone’s feelings. Make it intentional not to journey of success, you will need to definitely eliminate gossip and the one major step you can take is by cut- those people who will try to sow a seed of doubt in eveting off gossipers from your life. Gossiping doesn’t add rything you have worked hard for. value to your journey to success– on the contrary, it only It takes a lot of energy both emotional and physireduces it. Gossipers tend to find pleasure in someone cal to reach your goals and you can go fastest minus the else’s downfall and chances are, they are also talking toxic people around your neck. Totally avoid the people about you behind your back. At this time and age where listed above, because they will always try to find fault you have realized you want to be more successful, you with you and remind you of your mistakes. They are not need loyal friends, not gossipers. only bad for your success but health too. Don’t put up with them. A tip: make a list of the friends you communiTHE PESSIMIST cate with constantly, then ask yourself whether you are For you to be greatly successful, there are risky and dif- nearer or further from your dreams courtesy of that relaficult decisions that you will have to make. Since you tionship you have with them. Good luck! can’t see the outcome of your decisions before you Yasmin ‘Yas’ Hurston is the Exec Promake them you will require a lot of positive energy and ducer of OnPoint! Experience radio show self-belief. For that reason, you definitely wouldn’t want and President of SAY YAS Prods., a multto have a pessimist as your core adviser. It is important media production company that creates to look at both sides of the coin but be sure to surround messages, conversations, views and yourself with reasonably optimistic people rather than opinions of the public through radio, film, those who are pessimistic through and through. television and public events. Check out Yas Hurston’s blog Single Mom ChroniENVIOUS PEOPLE cle at http://onpointradioshow.com/blog/ Jealousy is a feeling that can sometimes be hard to control, yet the power is definitely within your reach. Mostly jealousy is derived from an inferior mindset. It is very dangerous to be surrounded by envious people because they are dissatisfied with most things about themselves. They will influence you into trivializing your achievements. It will never be good enough if you are always comparing your achievements to someone else’s, and OnPoint! Experience is a two-hour radio show that is also streamed live this will always limit your potential to be successful. every Saturday morning. Through conversations with leaders and proTHE MASTER MANIPULATOR Manipulators are very hard to get rid of because they are mainly people who have helped you before. These people always make you believe they have your best
fessionals, we aim to empower and educate our listening audience on current events, lifestyle matters and political/community issues with a twist of humor, intellect and tough love. It is our intent to provide a unique platform for those professionals that are exceeding expectations and making a difference in our society – hence being OnPoint!
living and working in the County is of the utmost importance.” Chair of the Board of Legislators Ben Boykin said: “It is wonderful to see our new County Executive George Latimer signing into law this common-sense measure which protects the safety and security of all Westchester residents. It’s important for people to know that this does not make Westchester a ‘sanctuary’ County. In fact, it requires that County law enforcement complies with all state and federal laws. This law ensures that people living peacefully and productively in our communities can continue to contribute to the life in Westchester, without fear of reaching out to law enforcement when they have been victimized.” Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia said: “Thank you County Executive Latimer, for reaffirming Westchester’s values as a welcoming community that believes in equal justice for all by signing the Immigration Protection Act. Thank you to the many hundreds of activists, stakeholders, and residents who partnered with us to pass this legislation.” Westchester County Legislator Virginia Perez said: “As a Hispanic immigrant, this is an emotional moment for me; it’s also a historic moment for Westchester. The Immigrant Protection Act delivers on our values, making Westchester the welcoming place we want it to be for hard working immigrant families who have come here in pursuit of the American Dream. But it also delivers the safety and security we want for all residents by lifting the cloud of fear that keeps immigrants from reaching out to County officials if they’ve been victims of a crime or if they have information about a crime.” Director of Consumer Protection, and former County Legislator, Jim Maisano said: “The Immigrant Protection Act is a good law which went through an extensive drafting process. The law received input from both sides of the aisle, law enforcement, immigration advocates and Westchester residents who all had the same goal in mind – to make Westchester County safer for everyone. I am proud to stand here today after our many months of hard work.” Neighbors Link Executive Director Carola Otero Bracco said: “Neighbors Link considers the Immigrant Protection Act to be a crucial element for the safety of the entire community, and we are deeply gratified that the Westchester County Legislature has passed this measure. This is a stronger and more durable bill thanks to hard work of so many, in particular, Legislator Catherine Borgia. We congratulate Westchester County Executive George Latimer for signing this historic legislation – the first legislation of its kind in Westchester County. We are proud to stand with the coalition of supporters and advocates who made it happen. It is a step forward in acknowledging that Westchester County represents welcoming communities that
are strengthened by the richness of our diversity.” The New York Immigration Coalition, based in midtown Manhattan also applauded CE Latimer for signing the IPA and calls for Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick A. Russo to follow suit and put public safety above ideology.
Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo, a Republican, signed an agreement with ICE that 74 other sheriffs refused, drawing ire from Democrats, immigration activists and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s office in Albany is not far from the sheriff’s in Troy.
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20 BLACK WESTCHESTER
APRIL 2018
LATINO EMPOWERMENT
12 QUESTIONS WITH GRACE C. BORRANI BY LORRAINE LOPEZ
Yonkers Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Grace C. Borrani chops it up with Latino Empowerment’s Lorraine Lopez to answer 12 questions about the Chamber, the need for more Latino leadership, some of the biggest problems in the Latino Community, what motivates her and much more. Grace is a highly accomplished Business Owner and lifelong resident of Yonkers. Grace is been a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the Yonkers community, its residents and its business owners. She served in leadership roles with organizations including Yonkers Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, YWCA of Yonkers, Westchester Business Connections, The Women of Westchester Business Connections (Founder), Le Amichi, and First Fridays Women’s Group and epitimizes Latino Empowerment! proper paperwork, file for grants and overall help them with any advice.
4. What are your goals?
My goals are to empower every business owner to achieve a successful business. We are part of the American Fabric and we should be able to grow as much as we can. To be able to empower my own community in any aspect, situation or in any issues that presents itself. If we have a much educated business community we have a much powerful community we will be reckon with.. Our powerful diverse community in Yonkers should be able to own their own homes, succeed in business and create a powerful voice of entrepreneurs in our great City. This is the goal of the Chamber and it is also my own personal goal
5. What motivates you?
In Business what Motivates me is being the Best in my field. I continue to go for various Realestate Designations, so that I will stand out from the rest and specialize in niches within my business. I am a SRES A Senior Realestate Specialist, I am an ABR, an Accredited Buyers Representative, and an EcoBroker- Certified, Energy and Environmental Designation. My Personal motivation is having my Parents see me Succeed. They can be proud that their efforts for coming to America for a better way of life for them and their children was a success. Their sacrifices paid off.
6. What do you see as one of the biggest problems in the Latino Community? I think our Latino Community needs to be more Loyal to one another. They need to stand together in order to stand strong.
7. Is there enough Latino leadership?
We need more strong Hispanic Leaders with a strong voice that are not afraid to speak up on important issues in our community. powerful community we will be reckon with.
1. Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for a living?
I am Born and raised in Yonkers. My Parents migrated here from Guayaquil Ecuador over 50 years ago. I grew up in Realestate as they became Realestate investors. I am the Broker/ Owner of Borrani Realty in Yonkers. I have been in the industry over 19 years. I specialize in Residential, Commercial Realestate and Property Management. I am a bilingual respresentative servicing Westchester, Putnam, and the Bronx.
2. Tell us about the organizations you belong to.
I Participate in various boards here are a few: (President) of The Yonkers Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, (Vice President) of The YWCA of Yonkers, (Founder) of The Westchester Business Connection, (Founder) of The Women of Westchester Business Connection, (Board of Director) of The Community Planning Council of Yonkers, (Past Chair Woman ) of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board, (Board of Director ) of The Yonkers Hispanic Cultural Foundation. (Board Member) of the Broker/ Owner/Manager Committee for The Westchester Board Of Realtors. (Member) of BNI, Le Amiche and (Past President) of the First Friday’s Women’s Group.
3. Tell us about the Chamber. What are some of the things the Chamber has done? What are the goals of the Chamber? How many members? When was it created and why? The Chamber was created in order to give the Hispanic Business a voice, a chance to come to the table and be represented by an organization that understands the needs of the Hispanic Community. Many of our business owners need help. I help them in Preparing the
I do believe in the Immigration Act. Especially the Dreamers we educate them we should be able to keep them. It’s not fair that after we educate the, they live in fear od deportation, since they call America their home.
10. What would you like folks to know about you?
If you need help or advice on a start up business or would like to get more involved with the Chamber please contact me directly. If anyone is looking for help in their realestate needs whether it be selling, buying, investing, please do not hesiatate in reaching out to me as well.
11. What advice would you give to a young Latino?
The advice I would give the Young Latinos is to stay in School. Give it your all. Life is hard but when you have your Education that’s something no one can take away from you. Help someone in your community that might not be so fortunate, give back to your community as much as you can. I believe life comes in a full circle. Today I might help you but tomorrow you might be helping me.
12. How can folks contact you?
Contact me at: www.BorraniRealty.com Grace@BorraniRaalty.com 914-376-0303 Grace is a highly accomplished Business Owner and lifelong resident of Yonkers. She started Borrani Realty Corporation in 1999, specializing in residential and commercial real estate. She grew her business from start-up to a highly successful enterprise including a referral network of CPAs, attorneys, lenders, and builders. Grace expanded her expertise through multiple certifications and accreditations, which includes CBR, SRES, ABR, and ECO
We are slowly making progress.
Grace’s involvement in local communities has centered on empowering individuals and business owners, providing them with strategic business skills and benefiting the City of Yonkers through a community of successful entrepreneurs. Grace’s commitment to Yonkers business owners is part of a broader economic development strategy that ultimately benefits all Yonkers residents through the creation of a favorable business climate.
9. What is your opinion on the Immigration Protection Act? Are you for or against it?
Grace earned her Bachelors degree in Accounting from Mount St. Vincent’s College and resides with her family in Yonkers.
8. What are your views on todays politics/politicians towards the Hispanic community both National and Local.
WESTCHESTER BOARD OF LEGISLATORS PASS IMMIGRATION PROTECTION ACT BY LORRAINE LOPEZ
Westchester County Legislators approved an Immigration Protection Act on Monday, March 12, 2018 by a vote of 11-3. The Bill limits the information the County can share with Federal officials, specifically ICE. It also prohibits Westchester County officials from using their resources to assist in Federal investigations. The chamber was filled with an overflow of supporters of the Bill holding signs. They let out a loud cheer and began clapping when the Bill was passed. But opponents such as County Legislator John Testa stated that it would protect criminals and potentially put law enforcement officers, such as Correction Officers in jeopardy. The author of the Bill, The Honorable Catherine Borgia told Black Westchester that “This Act will make everyone in Westchester safer. Currently, both documented and undocumented immigrants feel reluctant to interact with law enforcement when they are victims or witnesses to crimes. We want everyone in Westchester to know that county employees are here to help them and that we are a county that values equal justice for all,” Go to BlackWestchester.com to see the entire Bill for yourself so you can make up your own mind. Get Black Westchester Delivered To Your Home For $25 a year - www.BlackWestchester.com/subscribe
APRIL 2018
SPIRITUAL MINDED
BLACK WESTCHESTER21
KEEP HUSTLIN’ (IT AINT OVER FOR ME) A HIP-HOP DEVOTIONAL BY AJ WOODSON
Look this is my life, and it’s a battle within I gotta survive, even if I’m sinnin to win And if I show no remorse I reap the devil’s reward He said he’d, give me riches but I’m lookin for more… (Keep hustlin) It ain’t over for me, no it ain’t over for me (Keep, flowin) I’ma step my game up and get what’s comin to me
Terrence Howard (DJay) – Hustle And Flow (It Ain’t Over)
One of my favorite films to watch, when I need some inspiration to keep hustling, to keep focused and stay focused on my task at hand is Hustle and Flow. I watch Terrance Howard’s character DJay dealing with the battle with in, trying to survive, like the lyrics say even if he’s sinnin’ to win. You don’t truly do not to want do wrong but you trying to eat by any means necessary. You want to do right, but no one will give you a shot. You find you do not fit in any lane, so you try to create your own lane. Even when you know what you doing is wrong or atleast what you should be doing,those bills keep coming in, faster and faster and it seems like you just sinking and need a break from the everyday struggle of life. There is this one part in the movie where DJay and Anthony Anderson’s character Keyes are kicking it in the car and Keyes talks about all the dreams he had when he was younger. Owning his own studio and having his own record label and now its like he is doing what he doing just to pays bills. He questions if he was just talking a good game when he was younger. Well that’s exactly where I am, that’s exactly what I have been going through the last few years. I had madd dreams of where I would be by now. And instead I have worked every odd job I can find. I mean I wasn’t exactly working women on the streets or selling drugs but still the same I knew everything I was doing wasn’t what I was suppose to be doing and not always right. The closer I got in my Christian walk the worst my
financial situation got. I didn’t feel right doing some of the hustles I used to, but I was torn what to do because I keep feeling that temptation to go out there and get that money so I would not have to struggle so hard. While I know that money was out there I did feel like God had bigger plans for me. Then the line that I felt the most in the movie was when Keyes says, ‘this right here gotta work, cause it aint over for me.’ There was also a line in Eminem’s semi-autobiographical joint, 8 Mile, where he says, ‘if its gonna happen it needs to happen now.’ Now I know Gods time frame isn’t the same as mine, and He can see the bigger picture. Sees the dangers ahead and where I will be even though I can’t. We want, what we want now. We feel we been through enough and are just about ready to do whatever is necessary. Well that’s what I have always done and more times than not it ended up not necessarily being the best look for me. I couldn’t wait for God, I had to make it happen on my own. The fact of the matter, a good part of the reason it was taking so long was that I was too busy trying to make moves and getting in God’s way. I was too busy trying to do it my way. I wasn’t being obedient to what God wanted me to do but wanted Him to bless me with what I wanted. Knowing that is half the battle, but it doesn’t make it any easier. It doesn’t make the struggle any less hard. But when I took time to actually look at the situation in hindsight, what I was going through more times than not was the best thing for me. Was what I needed to go through to prepare me for what was ahead. Before given my life to Christ and I didn’t necessarily know any better, I just did what I had to do. But now I have that battle within, the battle of what I know I am suppose to do and what I have always done and what’s readily available for me to pay the bills, (even if I’m sinning to win.) Today is one of those days, this is one of those weeks. I know what I should do but I know where I am and it gets harder and harder to do right. But I try to do what God has for me to do. Today instead of getting on the phone or hitting the streets getting my hustle on, today I do what God wants me to do. That’s share this testimony with those of you
out there going through the same thing. For me to tell my story so others that’s going through it can feel me, because they know I feel what they are going through. To share my God given gift of writing to inspire, uplift or encourage someone out there today. Even this very minute while I write these words, God has my preaching to myself. So I walk that tightrope or doing His will and keep hustling man, because I know like the chorus to that song, ‘I gotta… (Keep hustlin) It ain’t over for me, no it ain’t over for me / (Keep, flowin) I’ma step my game up and get what’s comin to me.’ I didn’t survive all I went through for nothing, God has spared my life for a reason. I hope someone out there reading this is inspired to keep living their dream, to keep hustling and grinding for what it is there are tryna do. But in doin so know that God hasn’t brought you this far, too leave you now. In closing I say to all reading this; Keep Hustlin, Keep Flowin, Keep Dreaming and most important, Keep The Faith. Cause It Aint Over For You, It Aint Over For You Know God has plans for each and everyone of us. And he gives us dreams and visions and if you can see it you can achieve it. No matter what’s goin on in ya life don’t ever lose the fight in you Don’t every give up your dream or lose sight of your goal. Cause it may be hard out there for a Pimp But it’s even harder out there for a Christian! You aint know!!! ©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON HIP HOP JUNKIE 4 LIFE From the book, SPIRITUAL MINDED - da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation, available online as an e-book.
SPIRITUAL MINDED AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT- GOD’S PRECIOUS JEWEL:
A GUIDE TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE FIRST PRECIOUS YEARS BY ROSE DIXON “God’s Precious Jewel...” is an informative guide to help parents navigate the initial developmental stages of their children’s early years. This is Ms. Rose Dixon’s first published book released, Thursday, March 15, 2018 through the CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform available at Amazon.com as a paperback. “I wrote this book God’s Precious Jewels, because as an Early Childhood Educator/Childcare Director, I have seen many parents struggle with their children when it comes to their child’s milestones,” Rose Dixon shared with Black Westchester. “It is my desire to educate and help to give solution to those parents, grandparents, and potentials parents. Throughout this book, I will showcase the various milestones parents need to be aware of and share with them how to overcome and face challenges through the initial developmental stages.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ms. Rose Dixon began her career as a lead toddler teacher and later on obtained an Associate in Arts degree from Empire State University in New York. She is currently enrolled in school to obtain a bachelor’s degree and will pursue a PHD in Child Psychology in the future. Ms. Dixon currently works for a child care center as an infant/toddler teacher. The Brentwood, NY native, Atlanta, GA. transplant loves working with children and seeing them grow to reach their goals in life. Her philosophy is children will learn and grow by interacting with their peers and having play time. Ms. Rose is also a person that likes nature, horse backing riding, dancing and reading God’s word.
Author Ms. Rose Dixon
[Paula Woodson/ PS Visually Speaking]
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APRIL 2018
BW COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: REV. DR. MOTHER KHOSHHALI, OWNER, THE SADHANA TEA HOUSE AND WELLNESS CENTER BY SAMANTHA HUNTER How does it feel to be honored?
I’m not accustomed to people honoring me. I’m a behind-the-scenes person that gets things up and moving – the foundation that’s deep, deep – and then everything else blossoms. So it feels awkward, but it also feels wonderful as an “elder” to have people show their appreciation. It’s kind of overwhelming, because I just want to get to work and mind my business, so to have people come out and appreciate me, it’s kind of overwhelming, so I try to keep it in the background and keep on moving, doing my destiny.
How long has the Sadhana Tea House and Wellness Center been in existence and what is your mission and vision?
Rev. Dr. Mother Khoshhali, owner of the Sadhana Tea House and Wellness Center
W
hen you step into the Sadhana Tea House and Wellness Center, located at 65 Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon, you know you’ve entered a special place, a healing place. The visionary behind this local treasure and landmark establishment, Rev. Dr. Mother Khoshhali, is an often-times stern-faced, seemingly no-nonsense, wise warrior woman who took her childhood passion for knowledge and quest to heal and turned it into a successful business that gives back to the community almost daily doses of information and remedies to support them in their efforts to cleanse, restore and maintain the body on all levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The task of healing and restoring a community to wholeness is not for the weak or wisdom lacking, and it is one that Khoshhali, respectfully called “Mother” by her patrons and clients, takes very seriously. Her hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed and unappreciated; Mother is being honored for her 26 years of service and dedication to the Mount Vernon community as a traditional healer, health consultant and master herbalist on April 7th at the Harlem Yacht Club on City Island. This tribute will feature a special musical performance by the all-women’s jazz, blues and contemporary musical ensemble SAGE, whose members have appeared with Ray Charles, Denzel Washington, Jessye Norman, Hugh Masekela and many others. I felt honored and privileged to sit with Mother recently and listen as she shared how she came to her calling as a healer from a child, and how she was led to open the Sadhana Teahouse on Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon 26 years ago. My appreciation for Mother grew that afternoon, and I’m grateful to have her as part of the Westchester community. Her story is one of passion, purpose, and a mission to offer a community the tools to achieve health and wholeness. Thank you, Mother…
This year makes 26 solid years we’ve been here, six days a week from 10am to 6:30pm nonstop unless it snows. To me that’s awesome. How many people get to be at the same job for 26 years? It has grown… I just have to be open to the Holy Spirit for guidance on how, when and where to implement certain changes. I remember my destiny/mission started at nine years old when my mother explained to me that drugs are not going to work on me because I have a very high intolerance for that. She was more into the natural remedies as the Southerners would be. By the time I evolved to 10 and 12 I was knee-deep into herbs and healing, mixing certain things together, and people would come to me for what I would call “intuitive holy spirit suggestions” or advice. I was always into nature. I’m on a mission, and my mission is to fulfill my destiny. My mission destiny is to make sure that people know how to maintain the integrity of their body to the maximum. There will always be things that might come and go like a colds, cramps or whatever, but we can minimize or completely eliminate a lot of things and we don’t necessarily have to use the excuse that it’s heredity, it’s in my family, it’s genetic. We can look at that aspect of our physical, mental, spiritual, psychological, emotional anatomy – we can look at all of that and learn what works for us and how to supersede, elevate and eliminate a lot of success and disease. It doesn’t have to hold us down. .
How did you come to open your store in Mount Vernon?
could save up $18,000. So I saved up and then the voice came and said, “I’m going to give you a dream.” The vision came, and it said look for 65 Mt. V, Mount Vernon. So I got up, I called a friend, and I say take me to 65 W.P., White Plains. Disobedient. I didn’t want to come to Mount Vernon, because when I grew up, there used to be a Carvel’s and all these places here, we would take the bus over, and this is no lie, please forgive me, I would say, Black people don’t have money, I’m going to be poor. I’m going to be broke. I’ve been with all of these major companies and now you’re going to send me to Mount Vernon? Is this a setup for failure? So I did the 65, but in White Plains. But it didn’t feel right. So I prayed, can I please have the dream again? I went to bed and the dream came, exactly. So I woke and I called a friend and I said it’s 65 Y, Yonkers. We went and it didn’t feel right, so I’m like Lord, one more time, please. Normally, three strikes and you’re out, so I went back to sleep, and the instructions were get out your steno pad and write the vision, make it clear, and at any time when you disobey go back and see the vision. I actually drew it out – 65 Mt. V, the cobblestone, a beautiful arch… So I say, one more time friend, let’s just go to Mount Vernon, so we come down, off the highway, down Gramatan, and it felt right.
What do you want people to know about the store and what you offer?
We always have music going, because when you come in I want it to be a very subtle, incognito healing sanctuary. I want people to come in, see the environment – once people step over the threshold in here, some type of healing that they need at that particular time will happen. When you come in here, the whole atmosphere is healing you on what you need whether you realize that for acknowledge it or not. This is my healing ministry. People see the reverend and the doctor and the mother. This is my church, my sanctuary. I’m on a mission to make sure that whoever comes in, in some way, they leave out a little bit better mentally, physical, emotionally or whatever they need. Not what they think they need, but whatever they need. You can watch Mother on her TV program produced by the Town of Greenburgh, New York, “Traditional Healing With Mother Nature.” Follow The Sadhana Tea House and Wellness Center
on Facebook for news and updates. For more info on SAGE visit www.lewisandkirkmusic.com To purchase tickets to the event honoring Mother, I always worked for corporations in Personnel, now they
call it Human Resources, taking care of the benefits — health insurance, etc. My academic business high school in Yonkers taught us life is not nine to five, so I always created my own health consultations to see clients on Fridays and Saturdays. As I grew older I did workshops in Harlem and Manhattan on Fridays and Saturdays, but I wouldn’t let me left hand know what my right hand was doing. Then I started packing the herbs that I would recommend and I started shipping them out to people for free. Then I’m like, what am I doing, at least let them pay for the product. One day the Holy Spirit, the voice, came through and said don’t buy anything except food, shelter, and your utilities—other than that you have everything you need, and you’ll be very surprised at not buying any clothes, any shoes, any stockings for a whole year, you
call 914-837-1995.
Members of the all-female musical ensemble SAGE
MAN IN MOTION: FITNESS TRAINER TROY BROOKS MOTIVATES & INSPIRES BY SAMANTHA HUNTER
How do you define the word diet and what does yours consist of? Do you believe in cheat days? I define the word “diet” as a fad, something temporary that isn’t sustainable long term. I don’t believe in diets, I believe in portion control and balance. I loathe the phrase “Cheat Day” – it has such a negative connotation attached to it. We are adults, why are we looking at indulging in certain foods as cheating? It’s all about moderation and balance. That’s the only way to sustain a healthy, quality-filled life.
It’s hard to imagine that Westchester resident and LIFTONIC instructor Troy Brooks, a highly energized, dynamic force who could take on the world and win on any given day, used to struggle with his weight. Brooks not only transformed his body, he now makes his living helping others achieve their dream bodies and better themselves. Brooks is a wonderful example of someone who is a living example of how what can be accomplished when you make up your mind to make moves and make it happen. Brooks shared with Black Westchester Magazine what keeps him motivated, the true fountain of youth, and how to get started if you’re looking to start a fitness routine. What advise would you give to someone who is embarking on instituting a physical fitness routine right now? How do they begin? I would encourage them to understand that it takes a serious amount of consistency and dedication. So commit to this without an end goal.
How has your personal fitness journey informed your work as a fitness instructor & trainer? I would say it’s really given me the ability to relate to so many people from so many different walks of life. I didn’t play Division I sports in college, I was an every day guy who got tired of feeling and looking a certain way that I wasn’t used to. I got depressed, I got comfortable and let myself go. Going through all that and finding the light at the end of the tunnel taught me to be empathetic. What in your experience do you perceive as the biggest challenge people face with body image? The problem I see is that everybody wants to look like someone other than themselves. I’m an advocate for self-love. It’s time to truly embrace the skin we are in. Why is it so important to be active? Honestly it’s the only true fountain of youth. Some of the healthiest and energetic people I know are over 50 years old, moving and shaking with a great level of mobility, flexibility and strength. As we get older it becomes even more important to keep our cups full so we can pour into the cups of others. I say it all the time, I stay active because I personally want to be able run around with my kids one day. (Continues on Page 23)
APRIL 2018
REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
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BLACK LIVES DON’T MATTER TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION! BY DAMON K. JONES
The shooting deaths of African-Americans by police officers that have prompted nationwide racial tensions are local matters to be dealt with by local authorities, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters... The remarks by the White House press secretary Sarah Sanders in response to the White House position on the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Stephon Clark of California. Mrs. Sanders replied, “when it comes to the deaths of Black men at the hands of police, Trump believes those incidents are a “local matter” that “should be left up to the local authorities.” In other words, let the states deal with the issue or code word for “States Rights”. States’ rights have been invoked to defend some of the most despicable institutions in American history, most notably slavery and Jim Crow. Press Secretary Sanders might as well have said, when it comes to the killing of black men by police, let racists be racist. President Trump’s appointment of United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has systematically withdrawn many police consent decrees — court-enforced settlements between the Department of Justice and cities that are intended to eliminate the use of excessive force and racial profiling in policing. We should not forget the scathing evaluation of Coretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mrs. King’s 1986 letter criticizing the Jeff Sessions in his nomination of Federal Judgeship being a slap in the face on the principals, values and morals that the King legacy stands on. “I do not believe Jefferson Sessions possesses the requisite judgment, competence, and sensitivity to the rights guaranteed by the federal civil rights laws to qualify for appointment to the federal district court. Based on his record, I believe his confirmation would have a devastating effect on not only the judicial system in Alabama but also on the progress we have made everywhere toward fulfilling my husband’s dream that he envisioned over twenty years ago.” Coretta Scott King 1986 The Washington Post’s reported that as of March 15, police officers had fatally shot 212 people this year, according to The Post’s police shooting database. While President Trump And his Attorney General have shown an evident disinterest in civil rights of people of color, it gives an insulting pass to the racists DNA that exist in Americas Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement continues to inflict most of their criminality on minority groups, especially Blacks. The fact of the matter is; Black people make up only 13 percent of the population, yet they are the victims in 26 percent of all police shootings. A young black male is three times more likely to be killed by a Law Enforcement than their white counterparts. The recent shooting of Stephon Clark, who was unarmed and shot at twenty times by police continues to prove that Police Shootings of unarmed Black men is
is more American than Apple Pie. In 1994, Congress empowered the Department of Justice to act in civil court cases against police misconduct. The Trump Administration has slowly dismantled constitutional protections that will ultimately deprive Black people of any proper protections through the law of racist police policies, patterns, practices and procedures. On his campaign trail for President, then Candidate Trump was supported by many local police unions encouraged police officers to be rougher on suspects they arrest. Under the Trump administration, the slogan “Blue Lives Matter” has turned into official policy. With the support of Republicans, the push to legislate “Blue Live Matter” laws to make it a hate crime to kill a law enforcement officer while ignoring the cry of “Black Lives Matter” supporters for justice of victims of police criminality throughout the nation. President Trump’s administrative actions in office have been consistent with the agenda with the Fraternal Order of Police, one of the largest law enforcement organizations and a big supporter of Trump. The FOP issued “The Trump Administration: The First 100 Days,” a list of recommended actions the president should take. FOP has directed Trump to reverse the ban on racial profiling by federal agencies, repeal Obamacare, restore the use of private prisons by the federal government, enact hardline anti-immigration measures and scrap the recommendations made by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing that recommendations directly affected policies relating to police and black communities relations. As Black law enforcement, when a questionable shooting arises to black people throughout America, we also feel the pain. As Black Law Enforcement, we are three degrees of separation when controversial police shootings happen. In many cases we know the victim, the victim is a family member, or we are the victim. What is discouraging, as Black Law Enforcement, when we see our brethren from our birth communities shot, shot at or killed and there is a clear violation of policy, procedure and training and there is no proper oversight; the more significant part society has failed. The media, community leaders, and our elected officials all the way to the White House have ignored a historical problem and now are reinforcing through policy the natural cause of police violence against Black people which is Racism, Racism and more Racism!
SHELLEY MAYERS WIN WOULD BE PIVOTAL TO A DEM CONTROLLED STATE SENATE BY AJ WOODSON
The seat is considered pivotal to control of the state Senate, where Republicans hold a slim one-person majority with two seats open. There is talk that Democrats can put aside their differences and retake the Senate majority with wins in those two seats. The 37th District has been held by a Democrat for three decades and Dems outnumber Republicans by 30,000 voters according to state Board of Elections numbers. Still, it has been a target of Republicans in expensive campaign battles in recent years and is expected to once again be viewed as a target seat by the state GOP.
MAN IN MOTION TROY BROOKS (Continued from page 22)
What are your thoughts on body shaming? Is there any such thing as the perfect body? Shelley Mayers on the People Before Politics Radio Show [Black Westchester]
A
ssemblywoman Shelley Meyers, who represents the 90th Assembly District that comprises much of the City of Yonkers, where she was born and raised, and is proud to call home, stopped by the People Before Politics Radio Show, recently to talk about her candidacy for George Latimer’s vacant State Senate seat. She is running a special election for Senate District 37 on April 24, 2018, which could decide whether Democrats take control of the state Senate in 2018. “Now, more than ever before, we need united and strong progressive leadership in Albany,” Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer shares with PBP Radio. “We cannot let the bigoted and hate-filled leadership in Washington take hold in Westchester. Democrats will continue to come together and rise up against those who try to use fear and hatred to undermine our unity.” Senate Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told BW, Mayer will be “an invaluable” member of the Senate Democratic Conference and hopes a special election will be called as soon as possible. “With her support, we will be able to finally take action on ensuring New Yorkers have access to good paying jobs, real mandate and tax relief, high-quality public education, and affordable health care,” Stewart-Cousins said on PBP Radio. Mayers said she hopes, “Democrats get to a majority and Senator StewartCousins becomes the leader. I’m on that side of the group.” New York Dems are hoping to keep this seat vacated by County Exec. George Latimer. Mayers win will be one step closer to Sen. Cousins officially becoming the leader, making this Westcheter County special election a very important race in New York State.
Body shaming is horrible, I don’t respect it nor do I condone it in my space at all. As someone who’s lost over 90lbs how could I ever judge another’s walk? I’m here to give love to all. And I’m also here to support those who want to change. The perfect body is a body that is respected, appreciated, maintained and loved by its owner.
What personal fitness goals are you working on in 2018 and what accomplishments from 2017 are you most proud of?
My personal fitness goal for this year is to become more flexible. To me, that’s a true sign of strength. Bamboo blows but it never brakes. Mobility, flexibility, recovery – with those in focus I can do this my entire life, and that’s the goal. 2017 was huge! I became an ambassador for lululemon, my favorite fitness brand. I got an amazing coach position at one of NYC’s top gyms. I had a full-page fitness spread in AM New York, which my grandpa told me I’d get right before he passed. Also, I surprisingly got featured on the Men’s Health website and Instagram five times. I am honored and grateful for it all.
Do you ever work out in Westchester and if so where and what? What gems does Westchester offer in terms of fitness and health that you’ve uncovered? I’m new to Westchester but I have a membership and Lifetime Fitness. Outside of that I have an awesome time at Orangetheory Fitness on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. Also, I love the Barry’s Bootcamp in Scarsdale. They have both provided a fun, safe yet progressive environment with tons of good energy – definitely gems.
How do you relate to the expression, your health is your wealth?
There is no doubt about it, one of the best quotes ever said! Your health truly is your wealth, I agree 100%. Connect with Troy Brooks on Instagram at Troy_brooks & Facebook at TB Elite Fitness
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APRIL 2018
REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
SHARPTON; “THIS IS NOT A LOCAL MATTER -- THEY’VE BEEN KILLING YOUNG BLACK MEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.”
Al Sharpton speaks at Stephon Clark’s funeral, as his brother, Ste’vante Clark, raises his fist. (Jeff Chiu-Pool/Getty Images) During the service In the eulogy, Rev. Al Sharpton strongly disagreed with White Thursday, the Rev. Sharpton House spokeswoman Sarah vowed to press for justice as he Huckabee Sanders, who was delivered the eulogy for Clark at asked by a reporter why Presi- Bayside of South Sacramento dent Trump has not commented Church. “We will never let you on recent stories regarding the killing of unarmed black men, forget the name of Stephon Sanders responded Clark’s Clark until we get justice,” shooting was “not something for Sharpton told mourners. The sanctuary overthe federal government to weigh in” on. “This is something that is flowed with so many people that a local matter and it’s something some sat outside as the funeral that we feel should be left up to took place. Sharpton and other the local authorities at this time.” “No, this is not a local speakers at the funeral told the matter -- they’ve been killing 300 people who packed the young black men all over the Bayside of South Sacramento Church as well as the overflow country,” he said. Sharpton also pointed crowd of some 600 who waited in out that protests over Clark’s the midday sun outside, that they were determined to prevent Clark death have been peaceful. “They’re not being vio- from being forgotten. Sanders lent. They’re asking for you to said the president remains comstop being violent to them,” mitted to supporting police and Sharpton said. “They’re not try- did not see a role for himself in ing to hurt anybody. They’re try- the multiple high-profile incidents of African-Americans being killed ing to express their pain.” during interactions with police.
OFFICER WHO KILLED ALTON STERLING FIRED, COP WHO PINNED HIM DOWN GETS SUSPENDED
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul announces the disciplinary decision
Alton Sterling
BY AJ WOODSON Baton Rouge Police Officer Blaine Salamoni, who shot and killed Atlon Sterling July 5, 2016 was fired Friday, March 30th. Police Chief Murphy Paul said Officer Salamoni violated the department’s use-of-force rules. “These actions were not minor deviations from policy,” Chief Paul said. “And they contributed to the outcome that resulted in the death or another human being.
Chief Paul went on to say: “Fear cannot be a driver for an officer’s response to every incident. Unreasonable fear within an officer is dangerous.” The firing of Salamoni after a disciplinary hearing determined he had violated the department’s policies, comes three days after the Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said the officers involved would not be charged with state-level crime. Ten months earlier The Justice Department declined to seek federal civil rights charges back in May 2017. The disciplinary decision came amid tension and protest over another police killing of Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old unarmed Black Male in Sacramento, California, who was shot more than 20 times by police in his grandmother’s backyard on March 18th. A second officer involved, Howie Lake II, who wrestled Sterling to the ground but refrained from firing his gun, received a three-day suspension, Friday, March 30th. Chief Paul stressed his decision “was not based on politics, it was not based on emotions,” but rather on facts, eye witness testimony and recommendations from board members. The department also released extremely graphic video evidence previously unseen by the public, as well as police reports and other documents as required by the state’s pubic records law. The videos include footage captured by convenience store surveillance cameras, two police body camera videos and dashboard camera video. Paul explained the rational for the officers’ differing fates: “We have two officers in involved in one incident. The same incident with two different responses, two different perspectives. And they perceived the threat differently.” In the case of Lake, the administrators concluded he had violated the department’s policy on “command of temper.” But Paul praised him for attempting to use de-escalation techniques consistent with training. An investigation into Salamoni found he had had violated “use of force” and “command of temper” regulations. Paul said the officer’s termination became effective Friday.
HUNDREDS ATTEND STEPHON CLARK’S FUNERAL IN SACRAMENTO; DEMONSTRATORS GATHER DOWNTOWN AFTERWARD
Stephon Clark laid to rest in Sacramento amid protests over his killing SACRAMENTO — Hundreds of mourners joined Black and Muslim leaders at a church in California’s capital on Thursday, March 29th for the funeral of Stephon Clark, a black father of two whose shooting death by the police 11 days prior has touched off protests around the country and opened a new rift of public anger about police use-of-force and the killing of unarmed Black Males. The approximately 300 people who packed the Bayside of South Sacramento Church were joined by an overflow crowd of some 600 who waited in the midday sun outside. And though they had come to grieve, the anger and tension that have spilled over into NBA basketball games and city council meetings at times simmered beneath the surface. Speaking during the funeral, Dallas-based Imam Omar Suleiman noted that Clark, whom police shot at 20 times, “had almost as many bullets put into him as the years he’s been on this earth.” Clark, 22, converted to Islam several years before his death. Muslim leaders said that his body was in such bad shape after the shooting and autopsies that they were
unable to give it a ritual washing for the burial. “The tools of dehumanization are eerily similar in how they are employed against Muslims and African Americans,” said Suleiman. “The vilification of these figures after they are killed is to plant the message that this isn’t a person worth fighting for, this isn’t a community worth fighting for.” On Wednesday, March 28th, Sacramento-area Muslims held an emergency town hall with community leaders, the NAACP, and members of Clark’s family to discuss how his death has impacted the city. Clark’s body was transported to St. Mary’s Cemetery to be buried next to his brother, who also died from gun violence. The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy that encouraged protesters and slapped back the assertion made by the White House that Clark’s death was a “local issue.”
“No, this is not a local matter,” Sharpton said. “They’ve been killing young black men all over the country.”
Sharpton spoke into the microphone while being hugged by Clark’s brother Stevante, who had just interrupted the service with an emotional plea to never forget his brother. After the funeral Sharpton told reporters: “We’re here for the family to get justice and to get answers.” “The nation needs it,” he said. Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing the Clark family, said police “chose violence to stop the existence of Stephon Clark in this life.” “We know after this funeral the people are going
BY AJ WOODSON
to have passionate emotions, and we ask that everybody remain nonviolent,” Crump said, referencing the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He said police killed Clark “5 feet from where his grandmother sleeps every night.” “So, that is what the battle is for, to give her peace of mind, to give their family peace of mind ... and give America peace of mind,” Crump said. After the funeral, more than 100 demonstrators gathered in downtown Sacramento for the latest protest in more than a week of unrest. They briefly blocked the intersection of I and 8th streets, snarling traffic during rush hour. At one point, Stevante Clark led the group in chants. “I am!” he shouted. “Stephon Clark!” the group yelled in response. Aisha Pride showed up with her children, holding signs they made at home. “I have three young sons and I want to make sure they see change in their lifetime,” the 31-year-old said. “If we keep being quiet, nothing is going to change.” Shortly after 6:30 p.m., the crowd began to disperse. Soon after, the Sacramento Kings game began at the nearby Golden 1 Center. On two previous nights since the shooting, protesters have blocked fans from entering the stadium. While he will forever be remembered as another unarmered Black Male killed by the police, Clark was affectionately known as “Big Papa” by friends and family. He loved football and dedicated his life to his fiancee, Salena, and his sons after his youngest boy, Cairo, was born last year. He loved making oatmeal for his sons in the morning before school and watching Netflix shows with their mother on the couch.
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Control property taxes and oppose the Trump tax hikes
Pass stronger gun laws to keep us safe
Protect voting rights and expand access to the ballot
Demand tougher laws against sexual harassment
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins Sen. Democratic Leader
Ken Jenkins Deputy County Executive
Special Election! Vote Tuesday, April 24! Paid for by Shelley Mayer for Senate
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