Charicature of a younger, better looking Publisher / Editor Hezi Aris.
Sensibilities have been displaced. The crisis came to light among the tight inner circle of members of the board of directors who remain mum on the issue as they distance themselves from a looming crisis to which they have been privy yet will not divulge in any arena other than to bitch among themselves. The tried and true subterfuge known all too well in Yonkers. The gauntlet was cast by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s Chief of Staff George Oros ,who in correspondence to the Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL) dated October 7, 2014, suggested that “there seems to be an effort in the City of Yonkers (CoY) to close… [shelter] facilities.” The reader should recognize that CoY’s sheltered homeless population accounted for 43.3 percent of all homeless families in Westchester County.
Yonkers’ City Hall, in a letter underwritten by the Commissioners of the Yonkers Police, Planning & Development, and Housings & Buildings Departments collectively assert that “there is no effort in Yonkers to close facilities serving the City’s (CoY’s) homeless population.”
City Hall asserts, “The closing of certain illegal occupancies at the Sharing Community’s 1 Hudson Street location,… was not unexpected or without cause, but rather a result of several material code violations and a paramount need to protect the safety of those utilizing the facility.”
CoY goes on to point out that the County should be aware that “the Sharing Community had an obligation to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for the homeless shelter. “ City Hall further asserts, “ the Sharing Community only had a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) for its office space,” which had expired. City Hall advises that, “in exercising its legal obligations and due diligence” regarding the Sharing Community, they discovered the Sharing Community was using the basement of the church (St. John’s Episcopal Church) as a shelter in violation of the existing TCO.” The basement area was not and is not approved as a habitable space. It was also further learned that the Westchester County Department of Health had not issued an approval for use on that space as a sheltering facility.
The findings and violations were presented to the Sharing Community in a notice dated September 23, 2014, noting “that the conditions identified were unlawful and hazardous, and must be discontinued.” The City emphasized that it “stands behind these actions.”
CoY stipulates the “County’s failure to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the suspension of the illegal occupancies at the Sharing Community facility prior to making the referenced written statement to County officials and community liaisons about this City’s intentions with respect to the care and support of the homeless populations within its borders is nothing short of inflammatory and reckless.”
CoY claims the County’s failure to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the suspension of the illegal occupancies at the Sharing Community facility prior to making the referenced written statement to County officials and community liaisons about this City’s intentions with respect to the care and support of the homeless populations within its borders is nothing short of inflammatory and reckless.”
At issue then is if a TCO is no longer valid, why are those who issued the “temporary certificate of occupancy” not lost their employment with CoY? This issue dates back to the days of former Mayor Phil Amicone! When will Mayor Mike Spano correct the error by firing Housing & Building Department Commissioner William Schneider and have him replaced by someone who will set in place a viable process by which to check issues and concerns recede.
Also, when will the Board of Directors of the Sharing Community reveal their concerns? Do they have any? IS everything OK? Does anyone know?
What is the next step? Who will defend the homeless population? Should they be defended? Do the members of the Board of Directors have a perspective that needs to be contemplated? If so, what is it?
Anyone have a clue as to what is “really” going on? Is there a funding shortage? Have funding sources been curtailed? Which ones were curtailed and why?
The letter to which this article is based was signed by Acting Commissioner of the Yonkers Police Department per procurationem (on behalf of) YPD Commissioner Charles Gardner, and Commissioner of Planning and Development Wilson Kimball. and Commissioner of Housing & Buildings Department William Schneider.
Comments 12
Jobless?
Marry a Spano for a city job with a take home car.
No,Just get knocked up by one
I had supported The Gospel Mission Home on lower N. Broadway by donating food. I was disappointed to find that the building was closed, at the holiday season. In addition to the $30,000 monthly operating expense, they had to defend themselves when trying to evict a “resident” who violated the rules. They were treated as landlords because the “residents” lived there. Thirty to sixty days before eviction! Yes, they were required to partake in religious worship but they were also trained to make a wage. I wish all the best and hope they are off the street.
I like that spreading the homeless around idea how about city of White Plains? didn’t they dump them all on Yonkers years ago when they started their revitalization? I hear old runaround Sue’s house is big enough to accommodate plenty homeless.
Good job Hezi. The county has tried to take advantage of the city of Yonkers for years. It is about time other areas of the county shouldered their responsibility. Maybe the deputy mayors community wants to help?
A simple fix. Change all the homeless people last name to Spano and the COY will hire them qualified or not (mostly not)
William Schneider does nothing without city hall approval
There are illegal occupancies all over the City, especially in the south west part of the City The only reason the City is cracking down on this facility is because they refused to hire Nick Spano as their lobbyist.
All of the buildings on caryl ave coyle pl south bway palisade and countless other are full the real $$$$$ makers are on st . casimir looks like time to get a couple more buildings.
The Spanos own these properties?
Mirrors
Put them all in city hall.