VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 10
COMPLIMENTARY
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
MAY 2018
BLACK WESTCHESTER
FEATURES
M any claim the Black Power or Civil Rights era of 30 to 40 years ago but have forgotten their responsibility to the community, justice, and fair dealing today, while basking in SHELLEY MAYERS SWORN-IN AS STATE SENATOR OF 37 DISTRICT BY AJ WOODSON
titles and positions that on the whole have little importance or power. According to Dr. Claud Anderson’s book PowerNomics, one of the elements for a strong Black community is having a Code of Conduct and Group Accountability. A Black Code of Conduct is necessary to keep out the Destructive behavior that is so often evident in our communities. In Black Communities like Mt. Vernon wealth cannot and will not be built without an enforceable code of conduct. Unfortunately, this is evident in the lack of economic development within the city... (continued on page 16)
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THE MOBUTU SYNDROME:
WHITE PRIVILEGE OVER A BLACK COMMUNITY IS A
THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY BY DAMON K. JONES PAGE 17
KARL KANI RETURNS TO HARLEM
BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE/ COUNCILMAN ANDRE WALLACE NIGHT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 9TH 7PM
BY AJ WOODSON
BW MOTHER’S DAY DEDICATIONS AND TRIBUTES
PAGE 12
THE POLITICAL, LEGAL AND CRIMINAL DECIMATION OF BLACK AMERICA’S DAD BY DAMON K. JONES PAGE 23
PAGE 25
LIBRARY SQUARE PAGE 22
BW WORLD NEWS: BLACK GIRLS DISCIPLINES MORE HARSHLY IN SCHOOL - HEAVY RAINS BRING TO KENYA DRESS CODES PLAY MAJOR PART FLOODING BY AJWOODSON By AJ WOODSON PAGE 19
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Celebrated Places. Legendary Experiences.
Celebrate Pinkster ADD SPACE
MAY 19
The oldest African-American holiday
10am -5pm
Step into the rhythms and get swept up in this springtime event featuring continuous performances of African drumming, dancing, and storytelling.
at Philipsburg Manor Sleepy Hollow, NY
hudsonvalley.org or call 914.366.6900
BUY TICKETS ONLINE & SAVE!
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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 @DamonKJones
Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON
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 May 2018 Edition of Black Westchester!
Let me start off by wishing all the mothers out there a Happy, Healthy and Blessed Mother’s Day. A couple of quick annoucements, Black westchester is now on WVOX 1460 AM starting Monday, May 7th, and the first Monday, every month afterwards. In addition to that, come join us at Black Westchester Magazine/ Councilman Andre Wallace Night at UniverSoul Circus, Wednesday, May 9th at 7pm, Damon and I will be your ringmasters.
@BWEditorInChief
We also would like to salute all those who lost their lives in service of this country and as we enter the Memorial Day weekend.Yes it’s the unofficial beginning of summer and usual full of cookouts, social events and sales but let us not forget the true meaning of the day.
Copy Editors Brenda L. Crump
It took me four years to be able to write and share but check out the BW Mother’s Day Dedications and Tributes on page 12. I share memories of my mom, who passed in 2014. and a few members of the BW fam share a few words about their moms as well.
News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Lorraine Lopez (Latino Empowerment) Yas Hurston Rashad Bilal Paul Feiner Photographers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones N. Woodson-Berbick
I do not have alot to say this month except in addition to People Before Politics Radio every Sunday night you can now catch us on WVOX every first Monday. This is our tenth issue, we are coming up on the one year anniversary of Black Westchester, the newspaper, email us about special advertising rates for that issue. 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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6 BLACK WESTCHESTER
MAY 2018
BW NEWS
BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS YONKERS POLICE & WESTCHESTER DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCE BY GANG ARRESTS AJ WOODSON
Y onkers Mayor Mike Spano, YPD Police Commissioner Charles Gardner, and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. announced a series of arrests which took place Tuesday, May 1st throughout the City of Yonkers and surrounding jurisdictions, targeting known members of the Blood Stones gang as a result of an intensive four-month long investigation. ‘Operation: Blood Stone’ is a collaborative law enforcement effort between the Yonkers Police Department and the Gang, Firearms and Narcotics Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Members from the Yonkers Police Department, including the Emergency Ser-
vice Unit and with assistance from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and Departments of County Probation and State Parole, began executing arrests early yesterday morning, targeting twelve (12) offenders who have been the subject of this investigation. The majority of these arrests took place on the west side of the City. During the investigation, Yonkers Police detectives working in collaboration with our partners in the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, reviewed numerous incidents that were found to be connected to this group of individuals. Detectives conducted multiple interviews, debriefings, viewing of video recordings, physical surveillance and the execution of search warrants. Investigators were able to develop information targeting the Blood Stones gang, which was presented to a grand jury resulting in the indictment of these twelve (12) individuals. The defendants are facing felony charges of varying degrees including but not limited to Attempted Murder, Conspiracy, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Assault, and Gang Assault. The investigation is spearheaded by detectives assigned to the Yonkers Police Department’s Gang Unit, which is tasked with monitoring, investigating, and apprehending perpetrators of group violence, with assistance from the 3rd and 4th Precinct anti-crime units. “I commend the great work of our Yonkers Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their steadfast commitment to keeping our streets safe,” Mayor Spano said during press conference.
“We continue to work diligently to ensure our communities are rid of these type of criminals so we can provide for a safer City of Yonkers.” Police Commissioner Charles Gardner spoke of the shared cooperation on law enforcement agencies that was very instrumentl to the investigation. “These arrests demonstrate the power of collaborating with our law enforcement partners and our shared commitment to public safety by working together to remove dangerous individuals from our communities. Yonkers is one of the safest cities because of the resolute determination of our police officers and detectives. I applaud their work and thank the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for our continued special relationship in fighting crime.”
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. stated, “Our newly formed Gang, Firearms and Narcotics Bureau within the District Attorney’s Office is showing results with cases like this – where our prosecutors have worked closely with Yonkers Police detectives to build a strong conspiracy indictment against members of this gang. We commend the diligent work of the Yonkers Police Department and Westchester County Department of Public Safety for this collaboration which resulted in rounding up members of this violent gang, and in so doing, making Yonkers and our surrounding Westchester communities safer.” Nine (9) defendants have been apprehended with three (3) offenders still at large. The investigation is on-going. The YPD anticipates additional arrests.
CHRISTMAS MELEE AT MANSION SHOOTBIKE THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY ER SENTENCED TO 125 YEARS TO LIFE Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway, one of Westchester’s longestrunning and popular recreational programs, starts Sunday, May 6. The program is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program runs May 13 and 20, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, and September 9, 16, 23 and 30. No dates in July or August. Bicycle Sundays, a Westchester County Parks program, is sponsored by Con Edison, NY Presbyterian
Hospital, the Westchester Parks Foundation and Danny’s Cycles, with support from WHUD. During Bicycle Sundays, the parkway is open exclusively for bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers from Exit 22 at the Westchester County Center to Exit 4 at Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round-trip distance of 13 miles. The road is closed to automobiles in that stretch of parkway. Admission to the event is free. Parking is available at the County Center lot in White Plains for $7. For additional information please contact Westchester County Parks at (914) 864-PARK or visit parks.westchestergov.com
WESTCHESTER COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MARKS
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT (White Plains, NY) – April 27 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The law protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying or securing financing for a home, and states that individuals cannot be denied housing on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability and other variables. The Westchester County Human Rights Commission marked the 50th Anniversary with a celebration at Pace Law School in White Plains. The event featured notable speakers and special guests including Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, County Attorney John Nonna, Keynote Speaker Hon. Ruth Hassel-Thompson and the family of the Hon. Lois T. Bronz. Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The Fair Housing Act was put into place 50 years ago, but it is still just as relevant now as it was back then. Discrimination of housing choices must be eliminated, and it’s on us to get it done.” Special Advisor for Policy and Community Affairs, New York State Homes and Community Renewal Hon. Ruth Hassel-Thompson said: “Everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness, and happiness is more than just the things that make you laugh. It is about your life and where you sleep, your address. We need to make sure that the spirit of the Fair Housing Act is still alive.”
BY AJ WOODSON
Mount Vernon - Errol Hillary, the 41-yearold Christmans Melee at Mansion Nightclub shooter was sentenced to 125 years to life in state prison Monday, April 30th. He received 25 years to life for seconddegree murder in the killing of O’Neil Bandoo, 36 and 20 years for each of five counts of second-degree attempted murder, for injuring of five others at The Mansion nightclub, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced. Each of the 20-year sentences are to run consecutively. In addition, on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, Hillary was sentenced to 10 years in state prison to be
served concurrently with the other sentences. On Dec. 25, 2016, at approximately 2:50 a.m., the defendant entered “The Mansion,” a nightclub located at 4 North Third Avenue, Mount Vernon where a Christmas party was being held. While inside the club, the defendant became agitated and began to cause a disturbance. When security asked him to leave, the defendant began to fight with two members of the security team. Security attempted to forcibly remove the defendant by dragging him to the front door. O’Neil Bandoo, the co-owner and manager of the club, was standing outside with his friend who was the head of security at The Mansion, when they heard the commotion. The two men entered the club and asked Hillary to comply with security and leave. That is when the defendant walked toward the front door, grabbed a 9mm firearm from his person and began shooting back into the hallway. Hillary shot O’Neil Bandoo, 36, one time in the chest killing him. He continued firing his pistol and seriously wounded five others in the hallway. Some suffered multiple gunshot wounds and sustained life-altering injuries. While the defendant fired into the hallway he was tackled by the head of security who was able to disarm him. Mount Vernon Police officers arrested Hillary as he fled the scene. Hillary was convicted by a jury in Westchester County Court. Summations in the case were heard Friday, March 23, 2018 and the jury returned to court Monday, March 26, 2018 and delivered their verdict later in the day. At the time of this shooting, the defendant had been released on $200,000 bail for another shooting in the Bronx where he was charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. That case is still open and pending. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Hochheiser, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Deputy District Attorney Timothy Ward of the Superior Court Trial Division.
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MAY 2018
BW NEWS
BLACK WESTCHESTER7
JONATHAN LEWIS FOR CONGRESS RECEIVES LEGISLATORS JOIN LABOR LEADERS IN
PROTESTING FIRING OF SERVICE WORKERS MOMS DEMAND ACTION CANDIDATE DISTINCTION BY AJ WOODSON
Eastchester, NY — The campaign of Jonathan Lewis for Congress has received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction for his position on gun and school safety. Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (https://momsdemandaction.org) is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than four million supporters. “I’m deeply honored to receive this important recognition from Moms Demand Action,” said Mr. Lewis. “I feel passionately about the need for new approaches to school safety. We as a nation must protect our children and our communities, and as a Congressman I am committed to speaking out on this critical national issue.” Mr. Lewis’ policy paper, “Securing Gun and School Safety,” is available at https://jonathanlewisforcongress.com/safety and calls for, among other recommendations, creating a national commission to set standards for school safety and training, and the integration of school safety into the National Fusion Center System with an emphasis on the sharing of critical and timely information needed to keep our children safe. Mr. Lewis’ campaign looks forward to working with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and like-minded organizations to demand gun control laws that ensure a safe future for our children and all citizens. 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.”
AT ISSUE IS COUNTY’S DISPLACED SERVICE EMPLOYEES PROTECTION LAW
BY AJ WOODSON
(White Plains, NY) – On Tuesday, May 1st, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin, Majority Leader Catherine Parker and Majority Whip MaryJane Shimsky joined members of SEIU Local 32BJ and other local labor leaders to protest the firing of seven custodial workers at the office towers on 234-235 Main Street in White Plains. The workers lost their jobs when the building management hired a new cleaning contractor, Integrated Building Management. The fired workers have sued the building’s developer, Caspi Development Company (CDC), as well as the management company, alleging violations of a 2013 county law which protects the rights of displaced service and janitorial building workers to keep their jobs for 60 days under new contractors. Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City have passed similar laws. In addition, the National Labor Relations Board is investigating charges alleging that the building management company refused to rehire the seven workers because of their union affiliation. If true that would violate federal laws guaranteeing the rights of workers to organize. At a rally, located outside CDC headquarters in White Plains, one of the displaced workers described the hardships the sudden firings have caused his family; and labor representatives and elected officials recounted the numerous ways they tried, without success, to communicate with CDC to plead the workers’ case. After the rally, union representatives and Westchester legislators attempted to deliver a signed letter to CDC offices, but were briefly stopped by White Plains police. In the end, Majority Leader Parker and a union representative were escorted by police to deliver the letter, but CDC employees refused to accept it. One of those letter was signed by White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and a bipartisan group of county legislators -- including Boykin, Parker and Shimsky as well as Vice Chair Alfreda Williams, Legislators Kitley Covill, Michael Kaplowitz, Nancy Barr, Catherine Borgia, Damon Maher, Lyndon Williams, Christopher Johnson, Virginia Perez, David Tubiolo and Legislator-Elect Terry Clements. Chairman Boykin (D-White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) said, “The County’s Displaced Service Employees Protection Law was designed to protect workers in precisely this set of circumstances. We urge the building manager to meet with these displaced workers and their representatives and to make sure they are in compliance with the law. It’s our hope that the company will rehire these workers, or we urge the developer to bring in a company who will.” (Continues on Page 20)
THE GREENBURGH REPORT BY PAUL FEINER
WESTCHESTER, AND WESTCHESTER LOCALITIES SHOULD BAN PAY TO PAY AND ADOPT STRONG ETHICS LAWS
This column in Black Westchester won’t make me popular among fellow elected officials. But—I think it’s important and would like to encourage communities throughout Westchester to follow Greenburgh’s lead. I would also like to see Westchester County government, New York State and Washington adopt similar laws. In 2007 the Greenburgh Town Board approved legislation that helped keep local officials out of trouble. It also made life difficult for incumbent officials seeking to raise funds for our re-election campaigns. We adopted the nation’s strictest ethics laws which limit our ability to raise funds from those who seek favorite treatment from the government. The law is very liberating. Officials don’t care anymore what people think when applicants, contractors, consultants or developers want approvals or contracts with or from the town. If we say no we won’t get a contribution from them. And, if we say yes we won’t get a contribution from them. Our code has been reviewed by other communities and counties across the state. But, so far almost all government entities around NYS have been hesitant about adopting an anti pay to play law. Fundraising is the cause of many problems that elected officials around the state get in trouble with. When business leaders, lobbyists,
special interest groups attend fundraisers or birthday parties for officials they want something in return—a contract, a consultant agreement, an approval for a proposed development. Many times contributors to campaigns don’t even support the views of those they give money to. Strong ethics laws would signal a major shift in the way politics and governing occur. In the past major companies and their principals and associates contribute big dollars to incumbents –sometimes making the donation close to when they receive the contracts. Do you believe that there is no connection to their donation and contract approval? New York City has a law that was approved in 2007. It’s not as strong as the Greenburgh law but is tougher than laws in Westchester County or in municipalities located in Westchester. The law in NYC limits the dollar amount that companies and people with business can give to NYC officials in an election cycle. Those contributions are not eligible for matching funds. In 2013 companies that did business with the city contributed $1.3 million during the cycle. In 2001 companies that did business with NYC contributed $12 million (25% to 2%!). The NYC laws were challenged in the courts and upheld. The courts have ruled that limits on amounts that may be contributed to candidates are permissible if limits are designed to prevent quid pro quo corruption. The Greenburgh’s law, passed in 2007, is by far the strictest of any ethics law in the nation. It not only bans vendors from giving to any town office holders, but also prohibits donations by companies with development applications before the town board, both for a period before and after they file. The ban covers applicants’ lawyers or agents. OUR ETHICS LAW IS BELOW § 570-4 Standards of conduct. Except as provided in § 570-5 of this chapter, every Public Officer, Employee and Agency Member of the Town shall be subject to and abide by the following standards
of conduct: A. Gifts and solicitations. (1) Prohibited acts: (a) Except as provided for in § 570-4A(3) and (4), no Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from any person or Legal Entity on Town property, other than for and on behalf of the Town. (b) No Elected Officer shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from any Appointed Officer or Employee, and no Elected Officer shall, directly or indirectly, solicit any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from Agency Members. (c) No Appointed Officer shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from any Employee, and no Appointed Officer shall, directly or indirectly, solicit any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from Agency Members. (d) No Agency Member shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any gift or item of personal or real property or any contribution or donation from an Employee. (2) No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept, receive any gift or item of personal or real property or any Interest therein whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift or item of personal or real property or Interest therein was intended to influence her/him in the performance of her/his official duties; could reasonably be expected to influence her/him in the performance of her/his official duties; or was intended as a reward for any official action on her/his part. Contributions or donations solicited and/or received on behalf of the Town, naming the Town of Greenburgh as the recipient, directed to be used for the benefit of the Town, as provided for in § 570-4A(1)(a), shall be permitted, provided no Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member receives personal compensation, directly or indirectly, related thereto and such contribution or donation to the Town is publicly disclosed by
by resolution at a Town Board meeting in advance, except in the case of donations of food, beverages and related accoutrements made within seven days of a Town Board meeting in which case the donation shall be disclosed by an announcement on the final agenda of that meeting and by resolution at the Town Board meeting that follows. (3) Nothing in § 570-4 shall prohibit soliciting or accepting gifts or donations for fundraisers for the benefit of Internal Revenue Service Section 501(c)(3) organizations, provided that a Public Officer cannot solicit any such gift from an Employee; or from soliciting or accepting gifts or donations for special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, birth of a child, sickness, retirement, and holidays, provided that a Public Officer cannot solicit any such gift from an Employee and provided further that no individual shall gift or donate more than $75 for any one such special occasion. (4) Nothing in § 570-4 shall prohibit any Public Officer, Agency Member or Employee permitted to perform marriage ceremonies pursuant to the Domestic Relations Law from accepting a gift or benefit having a value of $75 or less for the solemnization of a marriage by such Public Officer or Employee any place within the territorial boundaries of the Town. B. Abuse of confidential information. No Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall use confidential information acquired by her/him in the course of her/his official duties for the purpose of furthering her/his Interests either during or after her/his term of office or period of service. C. Interest in Town Contracts. No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall receive Compensation or enter into any agreement in connection with or have an Interest in, directly or indirectly, any Contract with the Town or any of its Agencies unless such Compensation or Interest is first fully disclosed to and approved by the Town Board by a resolution at a regular public meeting. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) D. Disclosure of political contributions and Interest in legislation, (Continues on Page 20)
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8 BLACK WESTCHESTER
MAY 2018
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SURROUNDING AREA NEWS
NEWS ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA, DUTCHESS & PUTNAM COUNTIES, LONG ISLAND & THE FIVE BOROS
SHELLEY MAYER GETS SWORN-IN AS NYS SENATOR
BY AJ WOODSON
“I, Shelley Mayer, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and I will faithfully discharge my duties of the office of state senator according to the best of my abilities, so help me God,” Mayer said as Democrats broke into applause.
STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL IN THE STATE SENATE CHAMBER ON MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2018.
“I am honored to take the oath of office for the 37th State Senate District, and I thank the voters for their trust in me to serve them in the State Senate,” State Senator Shelley Mayer shares with Black Westchester. “I am very proud of the campaign we ran, which focused on the issues that matter to residents of the 37th Senate Districts: protecting property taxpayers, delivering for our public school students, passing common sense gun safety measures, and addressing outdated sexual harassment policies. I plan to focus on exactly these issues during my time in Albany. The district encompasses many different
ALBANY, NY-- State Senator Shelley Mayer was sworn in to represent the 37th State Senate District which spans from Bedford to Yonkers. Senator Mayer won in a special election held on April 24, 2018 to fill the seat left vacant by now County Executive George Latimer. Senator Mayer won with a margin of 58% to 42% and attributed the win to a “big tent blue wave”. The oath of office was administered by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul in the State Senate Chamber, Monday, April 30. Her win technically gives Dems a slim majority in the New York State Senate. But Republicans will maintain control of the chamber with the help of Brooklyn Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat who sits with the GOP.
communities and reflects great diversity. I look forward to serving the residents of the 37th district, as well as the people of New York State, to the best of my ability.” Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “I am thrilled to welcome Senator Shelley Mayer into the Democratic Conference and the State Senate. Her resounding Special Election win is proof that New Yorkers want real leadership from Albany and they trust Shelley to help provide it. She has worked tirelessly to serve her constituents, and all New Yorkers, and I know Shelley Mayer will
continue those efforts as a State Senator.” “Senator Shelley Mayer is the type of leader Westchester needs in the State Senate,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “Beginning today, our region can count on her to fight for what our neighbors believe in, and she will deliver on the agenda she has stood for throughout her entire career. With Senator Mayer, residents of SD-37 will be in good hands.” Mayer officially became the 32nd Democrat seated in the 63-seat New York State Senate, BW congratulates State Senator Shelley Mayer!
SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY HOLDS WALK FOR AUTISM AWARENESS AT HAFFEN PARK
BY AJ WOODSON
(BRONX, NY) NYS Senator Jamaal T. Bailey hosted his first annual Autism Walk at Haffen Park in the Baychester area of the district on Sunday, April 29th. The walk was in collaboration with Team Christian and Christopher’s Voice. Team Christian is a family in the community that advocates for autism awareness. The advocacy is spearheaded by Shonta Holmes, who’s son, Christian, is diagnosed with Autism. Christopher’s Voice is a non-profit organization that focuses on donating funds to low income families with children that have autism for any medical or legal expenses they may have. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 59 children are autistic. It is important to continue to bring awareness and support to this issue that affects our community in large numbers. “One of the most impactful quotes I have heard in regards to autism is ‘if you have met one person with autism, then you have just met one person with autism.’ We have to remember that people with autism are people first and should not be defined by whatever disease they may have. In my office, I have two staff members that have children with autism and they are some of the brightest and loving children I have ever met,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “This autism walk is personal to me, it’s about coming together as a community to bring awareness to people who are not familiar with autism or understand what it’s like live with autism or someone who is autistic. It is important to support each other and to empower and encourage those who may have it a little harder than others. I want to thank Senator Bailey and all the agencies who came and provided resources and support,” said Shonta Holmes. “It was an honor to be included and to have participated in Senator Bailey’s walk for Autism. We are humbled by the opportunity and look forward to working together in the future on behalf of our communities so that we can continue to support and help those with autism,” said Christopher Greco, founder of Christopher’s Voice. Money raised during the walk will be donated to the organization Christopher’s Voice. The organization provides GPS systems and locate systems to kids with autism. This was the third event that Senator Bailey’s office has held on autism. The office plans on holding the community autism walk annually.
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MAY 2018
ACROSS THE NATION
BLACK WESTCHESTER 9
NEWS WITH A BLACK POINT OF VIEW AT AGE 26, ASHLEY LAMOTHE
MADE HISTORY AS CHICK-FIL-A’S YOUNGEST BLACK FEMALE FRANCHISE OWNER. NOW SHE’S OPENING HER SECOND L.A. LOCATION
A
tlanta native and Spelman College graduate Ashley Derby will open her second Chick-fil-A Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles Ashley Lamothe, Chick-fil-A’s youngest African-American female franchise owner who opened the company’s first downtown Los Angeles location, well Thursday, April 26th was the official grand opening of her newest addition to her chain of stores in the downtown Los Angeles area. Derby left her current post as the franchise owner of the University of Southern California Chick-fil-A restaurant to take the helm of the new location at 660 South Figueroa Street. Chick-fil-A franchise owner Ashley Lamothe Derby, C’2006, was awarded the company’s Symbol
of Success, an honor reserved for Chick-fil-A operators whose businesses experience particularly high sales growth. Derby is the owner and operator of a Chick-fil-A near the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She began her career with Chick-fil-A at age 15 working at a restaurant in her hometown of Marietta, Georgia. After entering Spelman, she began working at a Chick-fil-A near campus. Noticing her work ethic, her restaurant operator pulled her aside and suggested that she consider a career in leadership with the company. She changed her major from theater to economics. After graduating from Spelman, she spent the next three years completing numerous Chick-fil-A management and development programs. In 2011, at age 26, she became the youngest African-American female franchise owner in the history of the company. Now, she encourages employees at her restaurant to never give up on their goals. and recommend a career in leadership. “I’d never considered it. Sometimes you just need someone to help you see your potential,” says Lamothe. She changed her major to economics to pursue owning her own Chick-fil-A restaurant - a dream she achieved in 2011, only five years after graduating from college. Perhaps it’s only fitting that Lamothe’s first restaurant was the Chick-fil-A restaurant across the street from the University of Southern California. This Spring, she will open the newest location in Los Angeles at 7th & Fig. Lamothe says her passion is to help her team grow. “I want to help them get to where they want to go, whether it’s a career with Chick-fil-A, or studying law or medicine, or anything. I want to help them make that next step, just like so many have done for me,” says Lamothe. Lamothe’s hard work is paying off. Most recently, she was awarded the company’s Symbol of Success, an honor reserved for Chick-fil-A Operators whose businesses experience particularly high sales growth. “It’s humbling to be honored. But I feel like I’m just getting started,” says Lamothe.
HEAVY RAINS BRING FLOODING TO PARTS OF KENYA BW WORLD NEWS
R aging floods that have hit Kenya’s low-lying plains since the onset of the long rains season in
mid-March could snowball into a humanitarian crisis unless robust interventions are put in place, relief agencies have warned. Kenya has been experiencing major flooding in recent days as torrential rains pound the country shortly after it had come out of a severe drought season marked by hunger and water scarcity. Data compiled by Kenya Red Cross indicate that an estimated 100 people have by April 30 died while thousands of households were displaced due to flooding in western, north eastern and coast regions. Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross Society, said in a television interview that a humanitarian crisis is looming unless solid interventions are rolled out. “It is undeniable we are staring at another humanitarian crisis as floods wreak havoc in many parts of the country. The toll of deaths is rising while
MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN HIT BY UNSEASONABLE DOWNPOURS, WHICH HAVE CAUSED TRAVEL DISRUPTION
destroyed crops could worsen food insecurity in the semi-arid regions,” said Gullet. Kenya Red Cross has partnered with state agencies to provide emergency assistance to flood victims in the worst affected counties in the coast region. Gullet said that the number of people displaced by floods in the coastal counties of Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River is rising, straining ongoing humanitarian interventions. “So many families in the coast region lack shelter, food and clean water after their homes were destroyed by floods. There is a humanitarian crisis already unfolding in this region and the ongoing rains could worsen it,” Gullet said. Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Eugene Wamalwa has been spearheading efforts to provide emergency aid to flood victims countrywide. Besides overseeing distribution of food rations, clean water and medicine, the cabinet secretary has also mobilized rescue teams from the army to help erect temporary shelters for victims of floods. Earlier forecasts by the meteorological department said heavy rains will continue pounding the country until the end of May.
WAFFLE HOUSE SHOOTING HERO RAISES OVER $185K FOR VICTIMS BBY AJ WOODSON
James Shaw Jr., the 29-year-old hero of the April 22 Waffle House shooting, has launched a campaign on a crowdfunding site to raise money for the victims of the deadly attack in a Nashville suburb. Shaw initially wanted to raised $15,000. The site had collected over $188,000 as of early Sunday, April 29th. “Please take the time to donate as all of the proceeds will be given to the families. Thank you again for your generosity and blessings!” according to a message from Shaw on the site, which ABC News has confirmed is authentic. The father of a 4-year-old girl recounted to ABC News how he hid behind a door near the Waffle House’s bathroom as he eyed the alleged suspect, Travis Reinking, who was reloading his weapon. That’s when Shaw said he sprang into action. He wrested the shooter’s AR-15 rifle away from him, throwing it over a counter and forcing the man to flee. Authorities said Shaw’s bravery saved numerous lives, but he has refused to call himself a hero, saying only that he stood up to the gunman to save his own life. “I never thought I would be in a room with all the eyes on me but, you know, I am very grateful to be here,” a humble Shaw told the Tennessee State legislature during a ceremony honoring him. “All I can say is ... this was a true test of a man. I do, once again, apologize to the people that lost loved ones, friends or family.” In addition to four counts of criminal homicide, Reinking was hit with four attempted murder charges and one count of unlawful gun possession in the commission of a violent felony, according to the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office. Reinking is on suicide watch at the maximum-security Metro Jail in Nashville, said Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall. SHAW’S FAVORITE PLAYER, DWAYNE WADE, SURPRISED HIM WITH A VISIT ON ‘ELLEN’ ALONG WITH A DONATION OF $20K Dwyane Wade is no stranger to doing good deeds and standing up for what he believes in. Earlier this year, following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Wade made a visit to the school to spend time with the students. He even dedicated the rest of the season to one of the shooting victims, who was buried in a Wade jersey. Wade’s latest act of generosity came this week when he made an appearance on the “Ellen” show to surprise the hero of the recent mass shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee. James Shaw Jr., who wrestled the gun away from the shooter, said Wade was his favorite player, and soon the man himself was sitting next to him. Wade told Shaw that he was a true hero and a role model, the type of person he tells his children to look up to. In addition, Wade gave Shaw a $20,000 check, matching the donation Ellen Degeneres made to help Shaw continue the charity work he’s begun following the shooting.
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REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
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Congressman Eliot Engel is always fighting for us. n 100% Civil Rights Record from the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights n Sponsor of the Fair Pay Act for equal pay for equal work for women n 100% Senior Record from the Alliance for Retired Americans n Sponsor of legislation to ban assault weapons, and the Disarm Hate Act to ban the sale of guns to anyone convicted of a hate crime n Successfully worked to secure millions in Federal education funds for our schools
Endorsed by the Black Democrats of Westchester. Vote June 26 in the Democratic Primary for Congressman
➧
➧Eliot Engel
Paid for by Engel for Congress
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BW MOTHER’S DAY DEDICATIONS DEAR MAMA, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU BY AJ WOODSON
Patricia L. Henderson (mom), AJ and Jerry Woodson (dad) [Black Westchester]
This is a tribute that it took me four years to be able to write and share with the world. May 2014, I came back to New York from Atlanta to take care of my mom, who was diagnoised with stage 4 cancer. I dropped everything with the single thought of taking care of my mother. During that time, Damon approached me with the idea of starting Black Westchester. At my mom’s bedside I would begin designing the website and framing the foundation for what would become the online
news magazine, Black Westchester. I had no idea where it would lead, what it would become and for that matter what we were doing. There was no blueprint for an African-American news magazine, we were just making it up as we went along to be honest. All we had was an idea and a willing to educate and elevate our people and help change the narritive of how we were portrayed by the media. We had no real budget to speak of, but we are living proof of how God will do much with very little. We made some mistakes along the way, but stood on the premise of informing our community in a way that had possibly never been done before. We ofcourse stand on the shoulders of the Westchester County Press who has been holding it down for decades by themselves and the Westchester Observer, a black weekly dedicated to Justice for all from 1948-1986. If there was a blueprint, it would be the Westchester Guardian. While we build on all three, our goal was to go to the next level. To all who were blessed to know my mother, knew she went out her way to help others. She was one of those people who knew she didn’t have all the answers but knew someone who did and would get you the informaton you needed. She became an advocate for senior rights in the senior building she lived in on Union Avenue in New Rochelle. She was a paralegal and a foreclosure specialist and helped many people who were facing foreclosure. She also helped people get the best deals and gave them advice when it came to homeownership. She was very active in politics, she worked the polls during the elections for over a decade and traveled to other states to register voters during the Obama elections. She was also very active in her church, St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church in New Rochelle. She was also a member of the International Women organization Zonta Internation (consisting of 30,000 members in 66 countries working together to improve the lives of women and girls.)
Querida Mother, you were not just a mom of 11, but a mom to every kid in the neighborhood. The holidays are not the same without you. You taught us all to be strong and persevere, we did mom. We all love and miss you so much... Love, Susie, Lori, and the girls. [Lorraine Lopez and family] Latino Empowerment Columnist
Here's my mommy, Azeeza Hurston at her 75th birthday party. She joined the angels in 2012. Lessons learned: Always keep your head up, do your best and ALWAYS HAVE FAITH. Yasmin ‘Yas’ Hurston Columnist ‘Single Mom Chronicles’
As we come up on the 4th Anniversary of Black Westchester Magazine and People Before Politics Radio and the one year anniversary of the newspaper, I dedicate this anniversary to my mom, who I feel passed the torch on to me to help my community. I share with you a poem I wrote for her for Mother’s Day 2014 and read at her funeral, “Dear Mama, I Will Always Love You!” You raised me to be a good dude, Lord knows I Love you like cooked food I thank God for your love – so unconditional, Even when I didn’t always do as you thought I should Dear Mama, The only one, who never gave up on me Cause in me, greatness you could always see Even when the world wrote me off, And I couldn’t see it, because things came so easily As I rewind my mind, I see every time, I went off track Like the prodigal son, you were there to pray God lead me back Even when you knew I was wrong, you gave me the space to do it my way Didn’t rub it in when I failed but introduced me to Yahweh Introduced me to He, you said was the only One greater than me And encouraged me, to always reach for the stars Mama always saw past my flaws, always saw past my scars Dear Mama, I will always love you, you’re my favorite girl Dear Mama, I was always love you, my first example of love in this world And even if God blesses me with another wife, in my heart, there will always be a space Where only you reside, no one will ever be able to take your place You believed, even when I didn’t believe, there was nothing your son couldn’t achieve If I applied myself, and used my God given gifts Seeing me waste my talents at times, I know it gave you fits But mama, you never stopped praying, never gave up on me I see, clearly now, how God showed His love for me Through all the years, even when I caused you tears Through you, God shows how He loves me unconditionally You bred in me, the skills to always survive This is my way of given you, your flowers while you’re alive I used to resent how it seemed; nothing I do was good enough you for But realized now, it was your pushing me, to equip me in times of trouble to get through Dear mama, I will always love you, you’re my favorite girl Love you more than all the words, in all the books, in all the world Even though this concludes the poem, and the words come to an end It only means, my writing is done, but I will never be done, loving you mama, love ya only son! Dear Mama, I Will Always Love You
My mom is my super hero. She taught me too many lessons to remember, but the most important thing that I learned from her is what a woman/mother/wife is. She didn’t have to tell me this, I learned it from her excellent living example. - Rashad Bilal, BW Financial Columnist
I would like to publicly give thanks to my personal Shero, my mother, Mary C. Buffaloe Jones. Without her I would never be who I am today. Without her I would never have had the love, respect compassion for my people without having her as an example. I salute, love, honor and respect this beautiful woman in my life. -Damon K. Jones Publisher
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1700
BY LESLY ZAMOR
Just last November, nearly 1700 citizens of this great city, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives and Independents, went to the polls and voted for a “NEW VISION” for Mount Vernon. Together, they believed that forming a strong and unified leadership, for the purpose of turning the trajectory of failure in this city, would be the only way to predict a brighter future for our citizens…by creating it. Unfortunately, we came up short, but now we are stronger and our numbers have grown. We the people, 1700 strong, crossed party lines for a greater purpose, our community! We witnessed the terrible consequences from decades of inaction, insufficient capacity and poor judgement in our elected officials and that the time for positive change is upon us. This grass roots movement began about 4 years ago when we stood up and made our voices heard. From the city halls to the classroom halls, the footsteps of change began to kick down the doors of indifference, nepotism, incompetence, corruption and visionless leaders that occupied our houses of government. There is no doubt that we have made a difference with our voices, our actions and yes, our votes! We successfully took over at the helm in the school district, and the “Big Turnaround “of the district began. We witnessed remarkable improvements in buildings throughout the district including Graham, Traphagen, Pennington, Columbus, MVHS, AB Davis, Thornton HS and more to come to every school and for every child! We began to change the conditions and the environment under which children learn. We hired Parent Liaisons so that parents stop getting the “Run-around” when they simply wanted the best education for their children. We felt a renewed spirit in the district and sensed the lifting of the dark clouds that hovered over our district! We made great progress in the schools, but these gains are so fragile and are now, once again, in jeopardy! We have been once again misled by elected members of the Board of Trustees who promised fiscal restraint while administering plans to resurrect the district. We vote for Trustees that should represent our interest and not necessarily those of the administration that for the most part don’t live here and experience what we experience living in Mount Vernon. We MUST NOT VOTE for a budget that increases our taxes merely because they can and not because they have demonstrated the need to dig further into the bank accounts of the already overburdened citizens of this city. The administration can better utilize assets available to them to reduce overtime and selective summer hiring practices that increases the pay of those favored by as much as 40 percent above their annual salaries. By using volunteers and students for summer work, we can save the 1.2 Million they are currently seeking in a tax increase. It is just too easy and common place in this city to call for tax increases rather than better planning and thoughtful use of funds. Just this year, the district received almost 7 million dollars from the state for next year’s school budget. This can accommodate contractual pay and inflationary increases. Also, each year, we buy out older teachers and hire new ones at less than half of what we pay the tenured teachers, producing even more savings. In addition, annually, we pay down nearly 8 million dollars of old debt that further reduces expenses. I have also noticed an annual pattern of teachers and staff that we never hire, resulting in a slush fund of sorts, of nearly 2 million dollars, that covers extensive overtime and summer pay!
VOTE DOWN THE BUDGET AND THIS UNNECESSARY TAX INCREASE! I have also advocated for a stricter nepotism policy while President of the School Board, to restrict the employment of Board Trustees’ families while they sit on the board. This has caused great conflict and has often resulted in poor performance by those hired, wasting tax payer dollars and setting the district back. The School District and the city has commonly been places where those that were in power willfully and recklessly sought jobs for relatives who were unqualified or sometimes even unemployable. We see that even the current board has three immediate Get Black Westchester Delivered To Your Home For $25 a year - www.BlackWestchester.com/subscribe
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COVER STORIES BW COVER STORY
TOLERANCE IS FOR COWARDS! INACTION OF BLACK LEADERSHIP
TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER IN AN AGE OF OPPRESSIVE GOVERNANCE
BY DAMON K. JONES
"When government and, or those within positions of government act contrary to law and ethical behavior, citizens are duty bound to speak truth to those wrongs and, or social injustices, both as individuals and as a collective community" - Robert Kelly, Former MVPD Public Safety Commissioner
A
three Metro North train stops and a few blocks away from two NYC subways lines. But there is a difference; the leadership has sold off what is considered our vibranium to the highest bidder and they have no interest in the people of Mt. Vernon; we wonder why things haven’t changed for the people of the city of Mount Vernon in over 20 years. Why do we allow our black leadership to continue to sell off our Vibranium? The Mayor made it clear from his acceptance speech that Joe Spiezio was his personal adviser, his 800-pound gorilla that was and is a presence in his administration. Since Mayor’s swearing-in many articles in Black Westchester Magazine and local blogs have reported, Mr. Spiezio, Roberta James, and the mayor’s brother Steven “Butch” Thomas raining terror on city employees and some residents who have been vocal on the hypocrisy of Thomas’ leadership. Many residents pointed out his replacement of many black high-ranking city officials who are from the Mt. Vernon community with outsiders (majority white) that have been alleged at the behest of a campaign donor, garbage man who he also made Deputy Police Commissioner. As a city that’s recognized as a Black-governed city in the state of New York, this is an embarrassment to black politics and the credibility of Blacks being able to govern in all aspects of the political process for the benefit of those who elected them in office. Would Joseph Spiezio, a garbage man with no law enforcement experience walk into a Police Department in Scarsdale, Eastchester, Pelham, Buchanan, Hartsdale or White Plains and give orders? Absolutely not! As a legendary professor of African Studies, Dr. Leonard Jeffries said many black elected officials are suffering from the Mobutu Syndrome. When Black politicians are back by campaign money from developers and corporations that do not have Black people’s interest at heart and have caused misery and despair of many black communities, Mt. Vernon is no different. Our tolerance is our cowardliness! Now that Mayor has been arrested, and there is an ongoing investigation by the New York State Attorney General. What is most deplorable is the “deafening silence” of the majority of the Mt. Vernon elitism leadership.
fter a local community activist’s car was firebombed for being critical of the alleged corruption of the current administration. Many of his detractors said he deserved this cowardly action. What they failed to see was the reality is it was an embarrassment to the essences of what we claim as being a Black community. Mount Vernon has a rich history of being a black city and governed by Black people. No matter what perception many might have, it’s one of the only city in the county that black people are in total control of its government operations. Mount Vernon reminds me of the fictional county Wakanda from the movie the Black Panther. For those who don’t know, Wakanda is a fictional African nation appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is the most prominent of several native African countries and home to the superhero Black Panther. What is important about Wakanda is that the county is positioned on the best part of land in Africa, similar to Mount Vernon having the best piece of land in Westchester. What made Wakanda unique was its Vibranium, a precious metal that can only be found in the Wakandan country. The Wakandians protected this metal by any means necessary that it wouldn’t fall into the hands of outsiders. I equate this to Mount Vernon of being one of the only cities in Westchester surrounded by major highways; They have been completely AWOL on the “public” discus- Many claim the Black Power or Civil Rights sion on what has been seen as an abusive, hostile and re- era of 30 to 40 years ago but have forgotten their retaliatory administration to Black people within its own city. sponsibility to the community, justice, and fair deal What many of these so-called leaders fail to real- ing today, while basking in titles and positions ize is when Mayor Thomas’ appointee Deputy Police Com- that on the whole have little importance or power. missioner Spiezio called Councilman Andre Wallace hom- In other ethnic communities, differences are ophobic derogatory names and threatened to do physical put aside when an outsider comes in and causes chaos harm to a Black official elected by the people of Mt. Ver- amongst the village or city. The disrespect of the curnon. Spiezio did not just disrespect Councilman Wallace rent Mayor’s administration by allowing outsiders to dishe disrespected every Black man in the city of Mt. Vernon. respect people in this city would not happen in an Ital With respect and love to all Black pastors in Mt. Ver- ian, Asian or Jewish community. They would not tolerate non, Wherefore art thou? What stance do you have? What it! But in the Black community, an outsider can feel it stance have you taken when the very members of your is business as usual. There is no secret, there is a canchurches have been disrespected, harassed and fired for cer, when public actions have tested the manhood of no reason other than because someone doesn’t like them? elected officials and leaders. As of now, we are failing. What have you said publicly to the disrespectful manner in We have been tolerant for far too long. To be silent how mothers of murder victims have been treated by those because of the belief that we are attacking another black in authority of the city government? Where was the col- person, following the false beliefs of black gatekeepers lective denouncement of the homophobic statements along of political leadership while a Black city goes to hell on a with the disrespect of a Black men, Black women that most rocket-ship. One thing should be clear. The current Mayor likely pay tithes to our local churches? While all disrespect- is not the cause of all the problems; he’s the effect of the ful actions to Black people in a Black city are directed by a problems! He is the result of several decades of Black exwhite man sitting on a garbage can. What faith should be ploitation of its own people with no accountability and in the pastoral leadership when the people of the city see silence among those who could make a change. contradictory actions of pastors to cover dirty deeds of a According to Dr. Claud Anderson’s book Powercity government? Would Jesus lie to protect Cesar? How Nomics, one of the elements for a strong Black community can you preach Jesus from your pulpits when you have lied is having a Code of Conduct and Group Accountability. A all day at your government appointed job! Black Code of Conduct is necessary to keep out the De What many of these so-called leaders fail to realize structive behavior that is so often evident in our communiif your Deputy Police Commissioner does not respect one ties. Black communities like Mt. Vernon wealth cannot and black man in this city who is an elected official, he has no will not be built without an enforceable code of conduct. Unrespect for any Black man in this city, no matter what title fortunately, this is evident in the lack of economic developyou hold or what your perceived position is. Or is the collec- ment within the city. Dr. Anderson also stated that this Code tive silence bought and sold for future promises? of Conduct must effectively discourage Uncle Tomism,
Samboism and I will add Negrotivity in our communities. This type of behavior by Black leadership and Black people are extremely detrimental to community building, economic development to communities that Black people are in control of the economic and political process. I say this out of love for every Black pastor, so- called community leader, elected official and the everyday Black man walking the streets; we all should be embarrassed, upset and want Revolutionary change in how our community is perceived and treated by the economic, business and political communities in the state of New York. But first, we must be like Micheal Jackson and ‘Look at the man in the Mirror and make that Change”. We should also see the need for Black people to be in control of the political process and governance of their city. We have failed the responsibility of not just to the people of Mt. Vernon but to black people throughout Westchester at the same time. Failed those that wonder why a black city governed by black people cannot and will not stand up on its own two feet and be the Wakanda of black culture, economics, and learning. This is a challenge to all those who have sat back and watched the attack of those who dare to question the status quo and speak truth to power. Will you stand up like men and women? Or will your Tolerance expose your cowardliness? The change that’s needed is not from behind a desk or a pulpit it’s in the streets with the people that have suffered from those who have no interest in this city but robbing our Wakanda it of its Vibranium. Our people are waiting.
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BW COVER STORY THE MOBUTU SYNDROME: WHITE PRIVILEGE OVER A
BLACK COMMUNITY IS A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY
BY DAMON K. JONES
BLACK LEADERSHIP CONTROLLED BY UNSEEN HANDS IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Historically, tyrants have tended to be insecure and to try to maintain their power through perverting or distorting policy or allowing appointees to be oppressive. What we see in the current Mount Vernon administration is unbroken accountability to the people through the framework the City Charter departmental policies and capitalistic control of politicians who have sworn to govern fairly and justly over the people. An apparent disregard for city, state and federal guidelines that protect the division of powers among branches and officials in a way that avoids concentration of authority in the hands of a few persons who might then abuse those powers. Instead of being a representative of the people, they developed a predatorial way of governing. When these actions are seen from Black Elected Officials, one of our great Black historians Dr. Leonard Jeffries calls it the “Mobutu Syndrome.”
Mobutu Sese Seko was the military dictator and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which Mobutu renamed Zaire in 1971) from 1965 to 1997. Mobutu is remembered for his suppression by jailing, torturing and killing thousands of his political opponents and the use of the military (police force) to do his bidding. While he suppressed his people, he covered his incomprehensible acts by promoting self-reliance and bringing in a new age of governance from the old status quo. What most distinguishes Black Leaders with a Mobutu Syndrome mentality from most others is how they react to situations that engender feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. With the recent events in Mt. Vernon, Mayor Richard Thomas has shown evident traits of tyranny and the “Mobutu Syndrome” through his execution of policies contradictory of the City Charter. The Mayor’s allowance of oppressive subordinate staff and given the police force over to a Campaign doner, Joseph Spiezio and the goahead to violate its own policies without any repercussion. There have been many reports formal and informal on the Thomas Administration reacting to a retaliatory nature against, employees and residents of Mt. Vernon that has been vocal against the actions. The residents of the City of Mt. Vernon are witnessing the first sign of the Mobutu Syndrome over the lack of accountability of Mayor Thomas for not publicly reprimanding his Deputy Police Commissioner for making homophobic statements and physically threatening an elected official that has been overwhelmingly chosen by the people of Mt. Vernon. Thomas has chosen the need not to address the situation. Mayor Thomas also failed and not reprimanding his Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Fatigate for making a false statement. Making false statements is a crime under state and federal laws. In the Phil Reisman and the Lohud Editorial Board interview, Mayor Thomas said he fired Robert Kelly because he committed a crime. But Thomas had sidestepped and refused to make any official statements on the criminal activities of his current Commissioners. Tyranny is always supported by its Military (Police Department), Thomas’s Mobutu Syndrome is no different. Former MVPD Commissioner, Robert Kelly’s recent 34-page response to Mayor Thomas recent lawsuit against him and other elected officials exposes from a law enforcement perspective and documented accounts of the pattern and practice of Thomas and Spiezio.
Law Enforcement Professionals take an “Oath” of a public affirmation of adhering to an Oath of Honor is a powerful vehicle demonstrating ethical standards. Two of the most neglected areas of police work are the code of ethics and oath of office. These two documents are the most important issues of truth and integrity a police department has to the community it serves. If this is true, then those who are in police management that have followed Spiezio down the rabbit hole of bastardising the Cod of Ethics and Oath of Office have fallen inside the Sunken Place and needed to Get Out. Even more evident in how they treated my wife, who is a Detective for the MVPD. From the very first day, it was known she was a target of Spiezio and Thomas. Sworn officers of the law, signed paperwork that was illegal, perverted policies, hid paperwork and files all unlawful orders carried out by sworn law enforcement Management to punish for seven months a decorated Detective because she is the wife of the Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine. This is clearly evident of Dr. Jeffries analysis of a system of White Supremacy that has backed many Black elected leaders for decades that there bidding is not for the people that elected them into office but for those who have “invested” capitalistic interest. The methods used to overthrow a constitution or order through city law and establish a tyranny are well-known. It is evident that this is what the people of Mt. Vernon are facing. However, despite this awareness, Thomas may have no intention of perpetrating a tyrant, but his actions speak for themselves, and he has fallen into the Mobutu Syndrome despite his best intentions. Tyranny does not have to be deliberate. Tyrants can fool themselves as thoroughly as they fool everyone else. History has shown us that only under tyranny that a leader allows its military (police force) that orders are contrary to the laws of the city, state and federal constitutions. As a national organization of law enforcement professionals, the police department rank and file would not (or should not) obey such orders. As someone with 28 years in law enforcement, I truly recognize the hard work of the officers of the MVPD and that have put their lives on the line every day. There is no doubt that they all should receive the highest praise for the work that they do. Unfortunately, as long as there is a Campaign Donor, Garbage man calling the tune to the piper, the respect the officers should get in the greater law enforcement community, they’re not, and they deserve better! In 2 years, Thomas has shown that his appointees are allowed to violate, lie and retaliate against those who are
opinionated of his administration. To allow his Police Commissioners to threaten, make homophobic statements and false reports that in any other normal functioning government are punishable offences. These are the methodology of a tyrant and symptoms of the Mobutu Syndrome. Where there is no Justice, there is no Freedom, and when people lose trust in authority and those who are in charge of the authority, they lose faith in the process of the system of Justice that has been their right through the Constitution of the United States. The people of Mt. Vernon must wake up and see clearly the Mobutu Syndrome tendencies toward tyranny in the Thomas Administration and suppress them before they go too far or become too firmly established. The people must never acquiesce in any violation of the city’s laws, rules, policies and regulations. The people must question why other representatives of Mt. Vernon stay silent and offer no corrective measures. Failure to take corrective action early will only mean that more severe measures will have to be taken later, perhaps with the loss of life and the disruption of our city government and our community in ways from which recovery may take decades!
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18 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BW COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
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MAY 2018
MAY 2018
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
BLACK WESTCHESTER19
SINGLE MOM CHRONICLES
SPORT PARENTS HAVE TO PLAY BY THE RULES TOO! BY YAS HURSTON
Its high time for youth sports and many of us love to get involved as parents. Being on a team can be an amazing experience for a child, and many children enjoy sports each season. If you’re considering signing your child up for a recreational sports team, be sure you give some thought to your role in the process. Here are 11 principles sports parents should consider. FOLLOW THE RULES. Too many parents think they don’t have to follow the rules of the team, the league or the coach. One of the skills your child is learning from being on a team is to respect authority and be responsible for following the rules. You are modeling just the opposite when you ignore the expectations of the coach and league. Make sure your child is on time for practices and games and is dressed properly with the necessary equipment. MAKE YOUR CHILD PART OF THE CHOICE. The decision to be on a team should be one made by you and your child together. If your child is adamant about not wanting to try a sport, being forced to play is not likely to end up being a positive experience. Have a discussion with your child about the benefits and responsibilities of sports. Be encouraging and positive rather than forceful. Once you sign up for the team, make the choice to stick with it for the whole season. BE COMMITTED AND EXPECT COMMITMENT. Commit to attending all practices, team events and games whenever possible. Don’t let your player opt out because the child doesn’t feel like playing that day. Teach commitment by expecting the child to put an honest effort into being part of the team throughout the season.
RESPECT THE COACH. Your child’s coach is an authority figure and deserves respect. Model this for your child by speaking positively about the coach. Don’t criticize the coach in front of your child. If you have a problem, set aside time to speak to the coach personally. If you’re going to help your child with the sport, be sure to use the same techniques as the coach. Don’t tell the child to ignore the coach because your way is better. Even if you have better ideas or even more experience,
you are not the coach. them out. At least shout using the team’s name or even Be clear that you expect your child to follow the just the color shirt the players are wearing. coach’s rules and directions at practices and games. Keep in mind that some kids won’t have parents or other adults there for support. Try to spread yours around. AVOID COMPARING YOUR CHILD TO OTHERS. You aren’t going to make your child try harder by point- DON’T MAKE IT PERSONAL. ing out that someone else is better. That’s not motiva- It often feels like your kids are an extension of you, and tion, only discouragement. Take your child’s focus off the their successes can be more important to you than your other players and direct it toward self-competition. True own. Try to detach and remember that it’s not about you. success is learning new skills and perfecting old ones, The way your kid does or doesn’t play a sport has nothing to do with whether or not you’re a good parent. regardless of what someone else is doing. You should also avoid statements about your child being the best player on the team or better than HELP OUT. someone else. Help your child find self-worth without Unfortunately, many team parents believe that writing the check is their one and only contribution to a child having to beat someone else. being part of a team, but having a great team experience requires effort from more than just the coach and players. PRAISE EFFORT. Stand up and see where you can help. Does the Instead of praising your child for winning or scoring a goal, praise strong efforts. In recreational sports, taking team need someone to bring snacks or extra water the shot is just as important as making it. Remembering bottles? Maybe they need help in the concession stand? to throw to first base matters more than making the play. Could the coach use someone to send emails or texts to Your child should come away from this experi- all parents with breaking news about schedule changes ence knowing that you are proud of the effort, no matter or weather cancellations? Find out if you can be that perthe results.They will influence you into trivializing your son. If a sign-up sheet goes around, put your name on it. achievements. It will never be good enough if you are always comparing your achievements to someone else’s, SHOW UP AND ENJOY YOURSELF. and this will always limit your potential to be successful. The most important thing you can do as a sports parent is to show up and let your kids know that you love watching them play. You have the ability to make your child MAKE LOSING OKAY. While you’re being casual about winning, remember to feel like a star, so take advantage of that. Attend games keep the same attitude about losing. Losing a game is with enthusiasm and smile, whether you are feeling it not losing at life. Losing a game is not losing at the sport. that day or not. Your presence and approval probably It just means your team made fewer points than the other mean more to your kids than you can imagine. team on that day. Signing your children up for recreational sports When your focus is on what is really important, helps them learn more than just how to play a sport. It your child will realize that losing isn’t the same as failure. gives them social skills, a better understanding of how a Failure comes when you don’t try at all. team operates and encourages personal discipline and Don’t blame other kids for a loss, and don’t allow responsibility. You can help your child get the most out of your child to do it either. these benefits when you follow these 11 commandments for sports parents. SUPPORT THE WHOLE TEAM. Yasmin ‘Yas’ Hurston is the Executive ProDefinitely be there to support and cheer on your child. ducer of OnPoint! Experience radio show Some kids will claim they don’t want someone screaming and President of SAY YAS Productions. In adfor them on the sideline, but most really do. dition, she is a football mom! Check out Yas While you’re rooting for your own kid, don’t forget Hurston’s blog Single Mom Chronicle at http:// the others on the team. If you know their names, shout onpointradioshow.com/blog/
ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT, BLACK GIRLS ARE 20 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL THAN WHITE GIRLS FOR THIS RACIST REASON
BY AJ WOODSON
It’s no secret that systematic racism is still alive and well in this country, even if many people want to act like it doesn’t exist. According to a new report from the National Women’s Law Center its not just in areas like law enforfcement or the inequality in wages between men and women, it can be found in how schools discipline our young ladies. In the new report which looked at public high schools in Washington D.C., it found that black girls are more harshly punished at school than white girls — and dress codes seem to be the major reason why. The report found that teachers and administrators often rely on gender- and race-based stereotypes to cite girls for dress code violations. They commonly write up girls’ clothing choices for being “unladylike,” “inappropriate,” or worse, “distracting” to the boys around them. Schools then punish girls by forcing them to put on extra clothes, pulling them out of class, or sending them home. For black girls, punishments are especially harsh: The report says they are 20.8 times more likely than white girls to be suspended, with racism and sexism at the core of those suspensions.
higher rates versus girls of any other ethnicity. A 2012 report also found that black girls get punished more because they’re seen as “more aggressive and less feminine” than white students, and a 2017 University of Kentucky report also found that minor infractions, such as dress code violations, affect black girls more often than anyone else.
The report’s authors write,
“One reason for this disproportionate punishment is that adults often see black girls as older and more sexual than their white peers, and so in need of greater correction for minor misbehaviors like ‘talking back’ or wearing a skirt shorter than permitted.” Don’t for a minute think this is just happening in D.C., either. According to a report by the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, black students get expelled over three times more often than white students. Black girls, in particular, also get suspended at
According to National Women’s Law Center, school dress codes tend to work against African-American girls. Nearly 70% of school dress codes in Washington, D.C. don’t allow “cultural items,” like head wraps and scarves, to be worn, unless it’s for religious purposes. Other parts of the country also ban hair extensions and certain hairstyles.
Furthermore, students are typically banned from wearing outfits that are “too tight or revealing,” which isn’t necessarily fair for girls with curvier bodies. As Sousa Middle School student and co-author of the study Samaria Short said, “The adults at this school say that if girls wear tight stuff, the boys think that it’s okay to touch them. I think everyone should keep their hands to themselves, no matter what anybody is wearing.” We all know how problematic school dress codes can be. But this is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to receive a proper education regardless of who they are and where they came from. While we do agree, some clothes have no business being worn in school by our boys or or girls, this practice of policing black girls more than anyone else is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. It should be noted that African-American girls’ bodies are often different from their Caucasian peers, and so a short skirt on a girl with curves is seen differently from one on a smaller girl. That would be because it’s the same damn skirt. What was most egregious, the report found that pulling black girls out of class or sending them home for these transgressions adversely affects their ability to learn in school. School should probably stop trying to police girls’ clothing choices, and work on giving our children a quality education. “If schools are places where we are supposed to be training to think ... we need to be treated as such,” said Grace, a 17-year-old black senior at D.C.’s Duke Ellington School for the Arts, to P.R. Lockhart of Vox.com. “There are far more pressing issues inside of schools than what a student wears.” Email us your thoughts on the topic to BlackWestchester@gmail.com
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20 BLACK WESTCHESTER
GREENBURGH REPORT BY PAUL FEINER
(Continued from Page 7) Contracts and official action. To the extent that she/he knows thereof, any Public Officer and/or Employee of the Town, and/or an Agency Member with respect to matters in which she/he participates or in which her/his Agency is involved in the decision-making process, shall specifically and fully disclose on the official record of the Town Board at a regular public meeting thereof the nature and extent of any direct or indirect Interest in legislation, Contracts or official action pending before the Town Board, the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals or before any Agency of the Town. Such public disclosure by the Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall include disclosure of any political contributions made to the Public Officer, Employee, or Agency Member by any Applicant or her/his Affiliates or her/his professional consultants or legal representatives or their respective Affiliates for the period commencing six months prior to the filing of the application and ending six months after a final decision has been made or the application is withdrawn. However, no disclosure shall be required at any time under this subsection of any political contributions made by persons who are not Applicants, or an Applicant’s Affiliate, or an Applicant’s professional consultant or legal representative, or their Affiliates. If, during the above-defined period, a contribution is solicited or accepted from any Applicant or such an Applicant’s Affiliates or from such an Applicant’s professional consultants or legal representatives or their respective Affiliates whose name is not on the list required by Section 7E of persons and Legal Entities from whom political contributions cannot be solicited or accepted, it shall not be a violation of this Chapter if: (1) The recipient could not reasonably have known the contribution was being solicited or accepted from an Applicant, Legal Entity or other prohibited contributor; (2) Any such solicitation ceased upon knowledge of the prohibited action; and (3) Proof such contribution was returned within 30 days of the date that such person’s or Legal Entity’s name appears on such list. E. Representation before Town agencies. No Public Officer or Employee of the Town shall receive Compensation in connection with, have an Interest in or enter into, directly or indirectly, any Contract to render or furnish any services in connection with any matter before the Town. No Agency Member shall receive Compensation in connection with, have an Interest in or enter into, directly or indirectly, any Contract to render or furnish any services in connection with any matter before the Agency on which she/he serves or which might reasonably be expected to come before the same. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) F. Interest in depository. The Supervisor, Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller and Employees in the Comptroller’s Department shall not have any Interest, direct or indirect, in a bank or trust company designated as a depository paying agent, registration agent or for investment of funds of the Town; provided, however, that a personal checking account or other personal
banking relationship maintained in the regular course of business on no more favorable terms than those extended to the general public shall not be prohibited by this section. G. Private employment. No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall engage in, solicit, negotiate for, promise to accept, accept or perform private employment, furnish goods or render services for private interests when such employment or service creates or may reasonably create a conflict with or impairs or may reasonably impair the proper and impartial discharge of her/his official duties. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) H. Post Town employment/service. No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall, after the termination of service or employment with the Town, and for a period of two years thereafter, appear before the Town Board, or any Agency of the Town on behalf of any person or Legal Entity or interest other than the Town or its Agencies in relation to any case, matter, proceeding or application, or for a period of four years thereafter, in relation to any case, matter, proceeding or application in which she/he participated in any way as such Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member, or, in the case of Employees and Agency Members, which was pending in or before her/his department or Agency during her/his tenure of office or employment. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) I. Investments; conflict with official duties. No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall invest or hold any Interest, directly or indirectly, in any financial business or commercial or private transaction which creates a conflict with or reasonably may create a conflict with or impairs or reasonably may impair the proper discharge of her/his official duties. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) J. Representation of private interests. No Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member shall receive Compensation, directly or indirectly, for representing any private interests before any Town Agency, nor shall any Public Officer, Employee or Agency Member represent an adverse party in any matter in which the Town is a party or complainant except that she/he may represent herself/himself in any matter in which the Town is an adverse party or complainant. This shall not prevent the Town Attorney or Deputy Town Attorneys from appearing in any court or before any administrative agency on behalf of the Town, its Agencies or on behalf of a person united in interest with the Town. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) K. Additional standards for Town Attorney. The Town Attorney and Deputy Town Attorneys are prohibited from exercising any discretion in any matter of Town Interest which shall involve any person or Legal Entity who or which was a client any person or Legal Entity who or which was a client any person or Legal Entity who or which was a client of her/ his or a law firm of which she/he was a member or Employee during two years prior to the time that said matter is handled by the Office of the Town Attorney. This, however, shall not prevent the assignment of such a matter to another attorney in the Town Attorney’s office who has had no Interest in such matter, provided that, in the event the Town Attorney shall be so disqualified, the Deputy Town Attorney to whom the matter is assigned shall report directly to the Supervisor with respect thereto. Any law firm of which the Town Attorney or any Deputy Town Attorney shall be a member, associate attorney, counsel or employee shall not practice before the Town or any Agency of the Town while such member, associate attorney, counsel or employee is an Employee or Appointed Officer of the Town.
BW FINANCE: LIFE INSURANCE:
3 INCOME TAX ADVANTAGES Most people probably don’t consider their life insurance policies when tax season rolls around. Perhaps they should. Life insurance, in particular whole life insurance, can help you and your beneficiaries avoid a hefty bill for the tax man. The advantages outlined here are particular to permanent life insurance, including whole life insurance policies. It’s possible for other kinds of insurance to have some of these features as well… but it’s not a given. 1. THE DEATH BENEFIT IS GENERALLY PAID OUT INCOME TAX FREE. That’s a pretty straightforward advantage for your beneficiaries. Life insurance policy payouts can be pretty hefty and avoiding a major tax bite can be consequential. By contrast, the government will typically tax most retirement plan proceeds when taken by beneficiaries. There are instances where federal and state estate taxes can kick in on the proceeds of a life insurance payout, depending on particular circumstances. If your life insurance policy is part of a large estate, talking to a financial professional might be worthwhile. 2. THE TOTAL CASH VALUE ACCUMULATES ON A TAX-DEFERRED BASIS. Whole life insurance builds up cash value over time as you pay premiums. This is money that grows without the IRS taking a bite. And it can become an important nest egg for your future. 3. YOU CAN ACCESS THE CASH VALUE OF THE POLICY ON A TAX-ADVANTAGED BASIS. Money borrowed or taken from the cash value of a life insurance policy is not subject to taxes up to the “cost basis” – the amount paid into the policy through premiums.
MAY 2018
REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
BY RASHAD BILAL
L. Additional Standards for Public Officers and Agency Members. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) (1) No member of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals shall participate directly or indirectly, including as an advocate for or against an application, in any decision involving any matter before the board on which she/he serves as a member, and in which she/he may have an Interest, directly or indirectly, or wherein she/he does or may have done business other than ordinary retail purchases of goods and services with the Applicant or her/his Affiliates or with any party having an Interest in such matter during her/his tenure as a member of said Board and for a five-year period prior to her/his appointment to such Board, except as provided in § 570-4L(3) below. (2) Immediately upon learning of such application or matter before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, said member shall promptly disclose her/his relationship with such Applicant or party having an Interest and withdraw from any participation in the decision-making process, including participation in any public hearing, informational meeting or any discussions at any executive session relating to such matter. (3) No Agency Member who has recused herself/ himself shall participate in the decision-making process or participate as a member of the public as an advocate before the Agency on which she/he serves for or against the application, except with respect to any property in which she/he has an Interest. (4) No member of the Town Board shall participate as an advocate before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals for or against any application, except with respect to any property in which she/he has an Interest. M. Additional standards for Tax Assessors. Public Officers and Employees of the Tax Assessor’s office shall not engage in the business of real estate or receive or benefit from, directly or indirectly, any fees or commissions involving the sale of real property in the Town or the disposition of any real property in the Town, including the settlement of tax certiorari claims. (See exceptions in § 570-5.) N. Additional standards for Building Department and Department of Community Development and Conservation Public Officers and Employees. No Public Officer or Employee of the Building Department or Department of Community Development and Conservation shall engage within the territorial limits of Unincorporated Greenburgh in the legal, real estate, insurance, building contracting or building materials, architectural, community development or planning or engineering businesses during her/his tenure or term of office. This shall not prevent such Public Officer or Employee who has a professional or real estate license or an insurance license in effect at the time she/ he became a Public Officer or Employee from continuing such license in effect. No Public Officer or Employee of the Building Department or Department of Community Development and Conservation shall exercise any discretion or act upon any matter of concern to the Town which shall involve any business or business matters in which she/he has an Interest. (See exceptions in § 570-5.)
LEGISLATORS JOIN LABOR LEADERS (Continued from Page 7)
Majority Leader Parker (D-Harrison, Larchmont, To understand how this works, take a hypothetical Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye) said, “To refuse a case of “Steve,” who bought a whole life policy in 1980. letter that politely points out a Westchester law may have been broken and that the developer can be a There are a couple of ways that Steve could ac- hero by communicating to the maintenance comcess his policy cash value during retirement: pany that the seven employees should be rehired, shows a blatant disregard of common decency.” First, He has a cost basis in his policy of $132,840 Majority Whip Shimsky (D-Ardsley, Dobbs (the total premiums that he paid). He could take a Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, partial surrender of the cash value from his policy Irvington) said, “I am very disturbed by the firing of up to this amount, and it would be income-tax free. these workers and of CDC’s subsequent behavior,” said County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky. “There In addition, Steve has the option to bor- may be a violation of the displaced workers law, and row against his cash value at any time. The there are serious allegations of unfair labor practicamount borrowed will not be taxable as in- es. CDC and Caspi have refused to discuss the matcome, even if it is in excess of his cost basis. ter with anyone who has reached out to them. Then Caspi kicked off of its property two peaceable repreCareful, though. A certain class of policies re- sentatives seeking to do no more than hand letters ceives less favorable tax treatment than what to one of their employees. The companies’ lack of ciis described above when taking loans and dis- vility and unwillingness to discuss the potential legal tributions and may be subject to a penalty tax. issues are stunning, and fortunately not representative of most businesses in Westchester County.” Also, tapping into the cash value of a life insurance policy reduces its value and death benefit and increases the chance the policy will lapse. And if a policy lapses with an outstanding loan in excess of the cost basis, it’s taxable. Again, if you are thinking of taking a distribution it might be worth checking in with a financial professional about your particular situation. Provided by Rashad Bilal, a financial representative with The Bilal Group LLC, courtesy of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
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MAY 2018
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
BLACK WESTCHESTER21
BW REMEMBERS JOHN HOWARD GRIFFITH AND ANTHONY ROBERT VALENTINO, MOUNT VERNONITES WHO DIED IN VIETNAM BY AJ WOODSON M
emorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Union war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Black Westchester is thankful for all those who fought for us and have given their lives so that we may live in freedom. This Memorial Day, The City of Mount Vernon honored two of its own, John Howard Griffith and Anthony Robert Valentino. “I am humbled by the sacrifice the Griffith and Valentino families have made,” Mayor Richard W. Thomas said in a statement, “and I know there are many more families who have felt the same pain in our Mount Vernon community.” Griffith and Valentino did not hesitate to answer the call when the time came to fight for their country. They headed to Vietnam where they served with honor and distinction. Sadly, both young men lost their lives while in battle. Now, on the 50th anniversary of their passing, the City of Mount Vernon will pause again to recognize them for their valor, bravery, and devotion to freedom. The city named its Third Street Fire House after Griffith and Valentino in the early 1980’s. “Being this the 50th anniversary of both Griffith and Valentino being killed in action we thought it would be in the best interest of the city and fire department to honor those young men who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and representing our city,” Former Fire Commissioner Ernest Richardson tells BW. “Especially having the 3rd St. Firehouse named after them.” John Howard Griffith (Panel: 04E – Row: 128 on the Memorial Wall), born October 21, 1946 was a private first class for the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He died on February 01, 1966 at the age of 19.
Anthony Robert Valentino (Panel: 05E – Row: 039 on the Memorial Wall), born June 12, 1944 was a private first class for the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He died on February 15, 1966 at the age of 22.
cemeteries. The real purpose of Memorial Day is often overshadowed by emphasis on barbecues and mattress sales. Even though I am too young to remember Griffith and Valentino personally (Griffith died four days before I was born and Valentino dies 10 days after I was born), as Editor-In-Chief I wanted to make sure Black Westchester saluted them publicly, along with all those who gave their life serving in the U.S. military. Let’s remember these brave men and woman always and not just on the last Monday in May. John Howard Griffith and Anthony Robert Valentino BW salutes you. BW would like to express our thanks to all who have lost their life defending this country.
HAS MEMORIAL DAY LOST ITS MEANING, TO MANY AMERICANS?
WHILE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS CELEBRATE THE LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AS THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER, SOME VETERANS AND LOVED ONES OF FALLEN MILITARY MEMBERS WISH THE HOLIDAY WOULD COMMAND MORE RESPECT.
After the naming in the firehouse, I can personally remember my mom telling me every time she took me to get my hair cut by my uncle, Kevin Clark at Modernistic Barbershop, or any other time we passed the firehouse, she would tell me about how the firehouse was named after these veterans who she said were among the first to die in the Vietnam War. She would tell me she went to school with at least one if not both of them. I would hear this every time we passed the firehouse, because my mom was one who always to make sure I knew the history and never forgot it. In July 2014, sadly my mom passed, because the first thing I thought to do when I saw the mayor’s statement of the honoring of Griffith and Valentino on Memorial Day was to pick up the phone to ask her more about them so I could share it today. Unfortunately I can not. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national
For far too many, the upcoming three-day weekend at the end of May, marks the beginning of summer. Many Veterans wish all would reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of those who have died in our nation’s service, which Memorial Day was intended to honor. General John Logan in his General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868 established what came to be known as Memorial Day when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890, Memorial Day was recognized by all of the northern states. It was not until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died fighting in any war – that Memorial Day truly came to unite all of our states in honoring our veterans. Some veterans say Memorial Day began to be watered down more than four decades ago when Congress changed the date from its traditional May 30 to the last Monday in May to give people a threeday weekend. Arguing that transformed a solemn day of remembrance into one associated with leisure and recreation, veterans groups have long advocated a return to May 30. For years, the late Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, asked Congress to change it back, to no avail. Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected.
In hopes of reviving observance of Memorial Day, and increasing travel and business, four federal three-day holidays were established in an by Act of Congress in 1971. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. The 2004 Washington D.C. Memorial Day parade was its first in over 60 years. To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks for all Americans at 3 p.m. local time to “ voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.” The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance.
Black Westchester salutes all our Veterans and those who lost their life in service of this country! HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! Let us never forget! Get Black Westchester Delivered To Your Home For $25 a year - www.BlackWestchester.com/subscribe
22 BLACK WESTCHESTER
MAY 2018
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
LIBRARY SQUARE - NEW DEVELOPMENT WITH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FACES OPPOSITION FROM MT VERNON CITY COUNCIL BY AJ WOODSON N orth of the Bronx, the Southern Westchester city of Mount Vernon is in many ways more similar
Proposed Development, Library Square, 20 South 2nd Avenue, Mt Vernon While many other developers are being given the go ahead by City Government to build what they want, where they want, without any regard to what’s best for the City and it’s residents or what the taxpyers want, Direct Investment Develoment and Comrie Enterprises are proposing development that could be good for the city, but they are facing opposition from the Mount Vernon City Council. There is a fight to hold on to ownership of the defunct YMCA building, that the organization, the YMCA sold to the City of Mount Vernon before making a mass exodus out of the city, like they are attempting to do in White Plains now, because it was too expensive to stay and operate in Mt. Vernon. So what is really going on? Let’s look at how we got here. The developers recieved a Memorandum of Understanding which is an agreement between two or more parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. The Memorandum was signed by then Mayor Ernest D. Davis in 2015. Then, City Council President Marcus Griffith said in Lohud, a transit-oriented development like Library Square fits into city officials’ desire for more housing near the Mount Vernon East train station. “We’re all about commuting into the city and that’s where we’re looking to make the city more dense,” Griffith said. “As far as the YMCA is concerned, there are different schools of thought as to what we should do. We think there may be something different we could do with that building.” Not surprisingly, the new propsosed developments are all transit-oriented, situated near Mount Vernon’s three Metro-North stations, two MTA subway lines, and six nearby highways. Westchester Magazine wrote in an article, “Is Mount Vernon the Next Urban Hotspot?” they stated: “With four different developers currently putting forth major housing plans there, the Southern Westchester city of Mount Vernon may just be the next big story in urban living.” The neighboring municipalities are thriving with new developement, Yonkers with the waterfront developement, Ridge Hill Shopping Center and Movie Theater, New Rochelle with New Roc City and the Downtown Business Improvement District. The Northern Bronx has Bay Plaza Shopping Center with a 13-screen multiplex movie theater, department stores, and a supermarket. Pelham Manor has a new Dave and Buster’s and shopping areas. Why is it that in the past decade, everything surrounding Mount Vernon is thriving with new business and development except Mount Vernon? To add insult to injury
to New York City than to anything else in Westchester County, with its dense housing stock and diverse population of African-Americans, West Indians, West Africans, and Brazilians, etc. Now it might soon be getting some New York-style density, in a new mixed-use development. This comes at a time when Mount Vernon taxpayers have been in a constant fight about unwanted development being built throughout the City of Mount Vernon, without no regard of what’s best for the city and a lack of a Master Plan for the city. Direct Investment Developement and Comrie Enterprises want to build Library Square — a mixed-use complex with parking, up to 249 units, retail and community spaces — at 20 S. Second Ave. The concept envisions renovating or razing the adjacent city-owned YMCA building but faces opposition from the Mount Vernon City Council.
Mount Vernon resident would have to go to one of the aformentioned municipalities or surrounding areas to get the services and recreation they can not find in their own city where they pay some of the highest taxes. It is inevitable, change is coming to Westchester’s Wakanda. But are our government officials making the best decisions for its residents or just selling off all of our vibranium? That’s a question the taxpayers need to start asking. So back to Library Square, after recieving the Memoradium of Understanding, the developers spent 1,000’s of dollars for research and studies and are now trying to find out why they are being turned down. The selling of the now defunct YMCA would having given the city $1.2 million dollars and this new development with the proposed services offered to the community at no cost to the taxpayers sounds like a win win. Especially after the adding of a Dollar Store in the new building on Gramatan, (we couldn’t get any other business, Mount Vernon is not in need of anothr Dollar Store.) Then there is the colorful legolooking building near Mount Vernon West Metro North Station. Also the 42 Broad Street project, a $90 million, 16-story mixed-use retail and luxury development with 249 market-rate units, that some residents of Fleetwood are still up in arms about, that the city approved despite their major objections and protest. With Library Sqaure you have a project that could actually be good for the city, what is behind the pushback from city government? Now while the current and former mayors very rarely see eye-to-eye on anything even Mayor Richard Thomas on Friday, June 2, 2017, joined by several major developers, announced a series of major projects coming which included the Library Square project. So what happened? One Mount Vernon resident emailed Black Westchester about her feelings about future development in the city as response to a previous story we ran. “The future is NOT in high rises...The future is in the hands of smart and sensible developments with an equally smart and sensible governing body and people of a City, Town, Village. Mount Vernon has choices and it should start by putting together a Comprehensive Plan and fixing the infrastructure. It makes absolutely no sense to anchor this City with ugly overbearing structures and land give away’s while the inner city decays. We should have business and residential development at the Mount Vernon
EAST train station making it the gateway to City Hall, the Library etc. and that should be developed sooner rather than later.” Is ths the kind of development Mount Vernon needs and wants, the taxpayers should let their voices be heard and let their elected officials know how they feel. So what would the Library Sqaure project bring to Mt. Vernon? What services would this development offer the community? I contacted Carlton Brown of Direct Investment Development, LLC and Marvin Church and Diana Williams of Comrie Enterprises, LLC to ask just that and they informed Black Westchester there will be 24,000 square feet of indoor amenities accessible to building residents as well as community residents. The Service, Classes and Activity Ameenities include: Black Box Studio Art Gallery Co-Working Spaces Dance Studio Yoga Classes Spin Classes Self Defense Classes Computer Support Accupuncture Massages Monthly Chef’s Table Happy Hour Meet Ups Book & Poetry Readings Live Performances Personal Trainer and much more. Now consider this. Are these worthwhile services that will be provided in the place of the defunct YMCA building that is closed and there have been reports of Black Mold. Yes we are told several hundred of dollars have been poured into the renovations, but the builing is still in need of much repair and the city does not have the money. Now the city can keep ownership of this dilapidated building or get $1.2 million dollars for it and allow these developers to build a mixed-use complex with parking, up to 249 units, retail and community spaces. You the residents should decide. The elected officials work for you not the other way around. You decide what goes into your neighborhood and you let them know, not the other way around! For more information on the Library Square look them up on Facebook @LibrarySq
A FEW WORDS WITH CARLTON BROWN OF DIRECT INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Black Westchester caught up with Direct Investment’s Carlton Brown, a change agent for regenerative communities who those familar with Harlem built the Kalahari project at 40 W. 116th Street with the Black Box Theater, The Mist. He informs Library Square will be much like that. Mr. Brown discusses why he decided to build this project in Mount Vernon. When we looked at the South Side of Mount Vernon, what we saw is that there was nothing being done in terms of Sustainable Development that contributes to Human Development. In other words, there was nothing making the South Side of Mount Vernon a better community. One of those things that we believe is that people do not live in buildings, they live in communities. Everything that has been done on the South Side of Mt. Vernon is in the way of Seniors and section 8, but no building that is going to strengthen the community. I like working with communities like this, because essentially. these are my people. Although I am not from Moutn Vernon, these would be my relative and neighbors if they lived in another city. My mission is to build strong Black and Brown Communities.
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REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
BLACK WESTCHESTER 23
THE POLITICAL, LEGAL AND CRIMINAL DECIMATION OF BLACK AMERICA’S DAD T
BY DAMON K. JONES
his article on Bill Cosby is not about his guilt or innocence. As a person that believes in accountability, it is only right for any person or persons who break the law, they should be held accountable. But when the law, the political and legal process is perverted, to convict a high-profile Black man but that same perversion of the law, political and legal process is not used against any high-profile White men, I have a problem. I have had always said one of the most important elected positions a Black person can vote for is District Attorney. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who led the prosecution against Cosby, ran his 2015 campaign for D.A. on a promise to prosecute Cosby for Constand’s alleged assault. Steele won the election and charged Cosby in December of 2015, before he was sworn in January 1, 2016, so the statute of limitations would not have expired. American history, most notably slavery and Jim Crow. Press There is a bigger picture of why Bill Cosby was found guilty! The legal constructs of America have always been double-sided when it comes to Black People. Every Black person in America should have some realization that this is a fact. If not, then you are truly in the Sunken Place. How can someone settle for 3.5 million dollars, seal the court documents, turn around ten years later and be the victim and key witness in a criminal trial? I have repeatedly asked for someone to show me any case-law or a previous criminal case or cases where these same actions have been taken. In 2006, Cosby made statements under the agreement he would receive a civil sanction but would not be prosecuted criminally, the judge agreed, and so did the victim. But Cosby has learned that what legal process prominent White Men are privileged to, a Black man is not afforded the same privileges in the political and legal constructs of the law. Every Black person needs to follow this complete trial of Mr. Bill Cosby because it speaks loudly to who owns this justice system. It is a clear example of who holds the direct power to determine someone’s faith. What we have witnessed is how the legal process is perverted, turned upside down to destroy Black America’s Dad and only Black America’s Dad. What happened to the multitude of prominent “White Media Men” who have been accused of the same actions? Are their actions not crimes as well? As Black people, Black Journalist and Black leaders, we should ask and demand the same laws be used against these powerful White Media Men. This is not a time for us to sing ‘Kumbaya’ with others on accountability. It’s our responsibility, our survival and our continuous struggle for fairness under the law to demand the prosecution of White Media men like Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Bill O’Reilly and hundreds of other prominent and wealthy White Men who have been alleged of commit
ting the same crimes, settled out of court for millions as Cosby and must be criminally charged as well. But collectively we will not do that; we will stay silent because those who have a voice will not speak the truth that’s needed for fear of being label anti-something and lose advertisement. Again, it’s not about Cosby’s innocence of guilt; it’s about the law and the continuous double standard in the law when it comes to Black People. We should never forget the Dred Scott case. On March 6, 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its controversial decision on Dred Scott v. Sandford — generally referred to as “the Dred Scott case.” The infamous, oft-quoted conclusion of the Supreme Court’s decision, written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, was that current or former slaves and their descendants had “no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” This Supreme Court ruling has Never been overturned! Only in America will a Black man be found guilty with no evidence! And only in America can white police kill Black men on video with witnesses and walk free. It took white media years to kill Black America’s Dad. Create enough uproar to produce a political agenda to jail him while ill-informed Black folks cheer on while they have legalized their own demise. No matter how we emotionally feel about the issue. They will try but fail to erase the cultural accomplishments that Cosby has done for black people. Mr. Cosby single-handedly resurrected Historical Black Colleges through the Cosby Show while encouraging young black boys and girls to continue higher learning. Cosby gave the world a vision of a positive Black family that is still the blueprint for black family shows today. They have systematically stripped Cosby but never what he will mean to Black America. Let’s sit back and see if these same tactics will be used for the powerful White Media Men and our Pussy Grabbing President…… I will wait!
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KARL KANI RETURNS TO HARLEM
WORDS BY AJ WOODSON
L
egendary street clothing guru Karl Kani, the Godfather of Urban Street Fashion came back to Harlem for a photoshoot and interview to introduce his new line, Saturday, April 28th. Damon K. Jones spent the day with Karl in the streets of Harlem, from the Big L mural to the infamous Rucker playground. At Holcombe Rucker Park located at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard across the street from the former Polo Grounds, Afro-Trinidadian, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress, model and reality TV star, Teyana Taylor poses in Kani gear for the photoshoot. Born and bred in Harlem, USA, Teyana gets love from many young females who see her as she poses with Karl. Karl Kani, the original Streetwear brand started out in Brooklyn in 1989. “I wanted to change the way the world looked at us in regards to fashion,” Karl tells Black Westchester on the People Before Politics Radio Show. “Basically growing up I used to design my own clothes and made people like what I like. It transpired to the international market. I have 10 stores in Japan and we are in 25 foreign countries. Now we’re ready to take over the world.” Kani has been worn by all the icons of Hip-Hop including Biggie and Tupac. Basically Karl wrote the blueprint for the urban fashion game, and many others followed the formula to success. While we have had many urban clothings lines, in the beginning it was just Karl Kani and Cross Colours and they have the battle scars to prove it. “They didn’t want us there,” Karl shares. “But the power of Hip-Hop and the power of the streets could not be stopped. We helped push the culture to the mainstream.”
PICTURES BY DAMON K. JONES
When Karl Kani started selling baggy jeans out of the trunk of his car in Brooklyn, N.Y., he wasn’t trying to rock the fashion industry. But he did! His success was phenomenal not simply because someone so young could fly so far so fast, but that in an industry dominated by white designers and manufacturers, a black man with no formal education not only competed, but was leading the way. Discovered by the Cross Colours apparel company in 1992, Kani developed his own line for the firm and left two years later. Hip-Hop magazine Vibe called Kani an “empire builder” who is “bringing his ghetto reality to the masses.” He also brought Black people to the boardrooms as well. “We were the only company that employed all Black Executives, all Black sales people, all Black managers, we were the only company doing that,” Karl recalls. “Before us, nobody did that. There wasn’t many black people in this industry, in fashion. Cross Colours and Karl Kani opened the doors up for many Black people in this business. There have been many others that came afterwards, but in the beginning it was just Cross Colours and Karl Kani, end of story, Game Over!” When we asked Karl to give us a glimse of where he is going with Kani and he quickly responded, Affordable Women’s Fashion. “The game is being changed as far as Women’s Fashion. Affordable Women’s Fashion is the direction of the way things are going,” Karl informs. “We are starting our own Fab Fashion line of Karl Kani. We are still going to give them great quality, but put out clothing that everyone can afford.” To find out more about Karl Kani, what’s new, where you can find the clothing line, etc., go to his website www.KarlKani.com and follow him on social media @KarlKani. 29 years later the brother from BK who wanted to do it his way is still leading the way!
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