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Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Peekskill Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Peekskill
Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Peekskill City officials in Northern Westchester are calling for the resignation of a councilman who allegedly used his close relationship with a judge to get his friend out of a traffic ticket.  In a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said the majority of the city's Common Council believes that Councilman Ramon Fernandez should resign from his position following his alleged conduct with embattled Peekskill City Court Judge Reginald J. Johnson.  According to a report by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which filed formal…

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by Ben Crnic
News
City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now
City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now A city in Westchester will soon be commencing a search process following the sudden resignation of its manager.  The New Rochelle City Council approved City Manager Kathleen Gill's resignation in a special session held on Tuesday, April 9, officials announced.   Gill's resignation became effective on Tuesday, officials added.  In a statement, New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said Gill is looking to "pursue other opportunities." "She is grateful for her 27 years of service to the City of New Rochelle and is proud to have worked with so many hard-working and …

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run
Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run A city official in Westchester who has served more than three decades announced his intention to step aside and retire at the end of the year. Chuck Strome III, who has been the New Rochelle City Manager since 2002, announced to the City Council that he plans to retire, staying with the city through Dec. 31, 2022, to assist with the transition. In 1989, Strome began his career in New Rochelle before ascending to become the Assistant City Manager/City Coordinator three years later in 1992. He was appointed as Deputy City Manager in 1995, and active City Manager in April 2002 before taking ov…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Republican Wins Somers Supervisor Race, Democrat Takes Cortlandt Post, Peekskill Elects Mayor Republican Wins Somers Supervisor Race, Democrat Takes Cortlandt Post, Peekskill Elects Mayor
Republican Wins Somers Supervisor Race, Democrat Takes Cortlandt Post, Peekskill Elects Mayor The votes have been counted in Northern Westchester and there are several new faces set to take office. In Peekskill, Cortlandt, and Somers, new leaders have been chosen after they declared victory on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Earlier story - Republican Challenger Kevin McConville Defeats Robert Langley In Putnam County Sheriff Race In Somers, Republican Robert Scorrano topped Democrat Stephanie Keegan 3,668 to 2,412, while in Cortlandt, incumbent Councilman Richard Becker held his seat easily, taking 60 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Laurie Abbate Ryan. …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Mount Vernon’s top lawmaker is calling for an investigation of the city’s Board of Ethics chair following allegations that he made threats and sought to coerce a Councilperson. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard issued a statement late on Thursday, April 22 calling for Gregory Cannata’s resignation and a thorough probe into his actions after he allegedly targeted City Councilwoman Janice Duarte. Original story - Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival “The recent allegations and arrest of Board of Ethics chair Gregory Cannata r…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark
Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark With the closure of the College of New Rochelle and the planned sale of its 15.6-acre campus, concerned citizens are scrambling to make protect Leland Castle and have it officially named as a city landmark. The New Rochelle Preservation Committee, which includes local residents, neighbors of Leland Castle and alumnae of CNR are seeking the adoption of a City Ordinance that will grant local landmark status to the Castle. “Preservation of the architecturally unique exteriors of the Castle and other buildings depends on action by the City Council, as a private owner is not obligated to mainta…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is calling for a citywide ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarette products. Spano and members of the City Council announced the proposed ban, which would make Yonkers potentially the first city in New York State to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. “E-cigarettes are widely accepted as an addicting gateway drug targeted at our youth. We risk the health of an entire generation of young people who may become addicted to nicotine through the appeal of flavored e-cigarettes,” Spano said. 
“We need our federal and state leaders to take action to address this probl…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor A judge has reportedly ruled against former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ request for an injunction that would allow him to remain in office following his guilty plea to misdemeanor corruption charges. A hearing determined that Thomas is no longer the mayor, following a month of political strife and chaos at City Hall. Acting Mayor Andre Wallace officially took over following the decision on Wednesday, July 31. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to misappropriating nearly $13,000 in campaign funds and then proceeded to lie about them on government papers. Two days after that plea…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor The battle over who is in charge of Mount Vernon is heading to the State Supreme Court. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Andre Wallace, who was appointed acting mayor by the city council, will have their fates determined by a judge as they continue debating who is the actual mayor of one of New York’s largest cities. Thomas is currently seeking a restraining order that would block Wallace from performing mayoral duties and would nullify any actions taken by him, the City Council and City Comptroller Deborah Reynolds in the weeks the two have been jostling for power. On Monday, July 8…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor The New York Post is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to “end the Third World-like political chaos” that has overwhelmed Mount Vernon. For months, Mount Vernon City Hall has been in chaos, with the City Council, President Andre Wallace and Comptroller battling Mayor Richard Thomas. On Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup Chaos continues to reign supreme inside Mount Vernon City Hall, as the unprecedented controversy over who sits in the mayor’s seat rages into its second week. Last week, on Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to remove Thomas from office immediately, giving him 24 hours to vacate City …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office
Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office Who’s the boss? The battle between Richard Thomas and Andre Walker over who is the mayor of Mount Vernon hit a head on Friday, July 12, when Thomas was ordered to vacate his office no later than 8 p.m. Citing Thomas’ misdemeanor criminal convictions, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to replace Thomas and swore in his successor, Wallace, who was the City Council president, as the interim mayor. Councilwoman Janice Duarte was also named the council president. The Council quoted a section of the city charter that calls for elected official…

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by Zak Failla
News
Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation
Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation Is there hope on the horizon for the historic Memorial Field in Mount Vernon? Westchester County officials unanimously voted to take over renovations at the once-vibrant recreation hub, which has stood vacant and desolate for years. The field has been a topic of consternation between Westchester residents, local and county officials. Previously, the city had taken over renovation efforts, which came under fire when contaminated debris was illegally dumped at the field. The charge for change and the county taking over was led by Mount Vernon legislator Lyndon Williams, who said that the pa…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field
Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field There may be a light at the end of the tunnel that has become the Memorial Field debacle in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced on Tuesday that he has signed an amended agreement between the city and Westchester County involving the restoration of the once vibrant, historic, Memorial Field. Thomas said that the amendment “reiterates the city and county’s commitment to a competitive  eight-lane track, a field, and replacement of the decayed grandstands.” It amends the previous agreement, signed in December of 2008, between the city and the county. According to Thomas,…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is seeking dismissal of an indictment claiming that he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his use of inaugural funds during his initial run for office. Thomas was arraigned on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $10,000 from his campaign committee and lying about it on finance filing forms. The mayor was scheduled to appear before a Westchester County grand jury last month, but failed to do so. According to a lohud report, Thomas failed t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws
Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas called allegations that he collected more than $100,000 while serving as a trustee at a city charter school “factually wrong, grossly negligent and morally bankrupt,” in a statement released late on Thursday afternoon. The Mount Vernon Board of Ethics levied a claim against Thomas this week, stating that he collected more than $100,000 as a trustee at Amani Public Charter School - where he has served since 2011 - which would be in violation of New York State education laws, which state that trustees cannot be compensated for their work. In response to the c…

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by Zak Failla