Yonkers OKs millions for urban renewal-Firefighters And Cops Still Laid Off

[x635 4,066]

Yonkers OKs millions for urban renewal, city schools

By Ernie Garcia • elgarcia@lohud.com • December 16, 2010

YONKERS — The new year will bring reopened libraries on Saturdays, longer parking-meter hours, planning for a new Gorton High School and a requirement old mattresses be wrapped in plastic when disposed of as an effort to fight bedbugs.

Those were some of the actions taken by the City Council at its final meeting of the year on Tuesday, when it approved $217.7 million in future spending on school buildings and $50.8 million in borrowing for immediate city projects.

It's great that the City Council approved all this funding for "Urban Renewal" in their recent council session, but have they rehired the firefighters that have been laid off?

Hopefully, since the City somehow came up with all this cash, they will find the money to rehire the laid off firefighters (and cops too?), as well as fill all the other open slots. And a training center would be nice too. Also, maybe hire more Police Officers if they want to attract people to Yonkers and not make them prey for the criminals.

They are going to bank all this money on "Urban Renewal" as their Hail Mary, I hope that they also plan for future public safety and emergency services needs if they percieve this to be a success.

[M' Ave 1,466]

It's great that the City Council approved all this funding for "Urban Renewal" in their recent council session, but have they rehired the firefighters that have been laid off?

THAT's the big question! What happened to that story?

[AMISHFF 26]

Our brother firefighters still demoted, several unemployed. PD facing more cuts in January, cancellation of a Academy class, over 60 officers short already. More staffing cuts and the city has money for this B#@L S@#T. I dont know how these guys do it. Someone is going to get hurt or killed. Stay safe brothers.

[x635 4,066]

I hope you are kidding? How do they expect this "urban renewal" to be succesful if the city is not safe?

Are all these construction and other jobs this "urban renewal" is going to create going to be given to city residents and city-based companies? And required to give the laid-off city workers jobs first (if needed).

They funded for all these school improvements, but still have teachers laid off?

And why does Yonkers need it's budget approved by the State?

[velcroMedic1987 330]

Different pots of money. The big projects like construction come from bonds and you're not allowed to bond for salaries.

[x635 4,066]

Different pots of money. The big projects like construction come from bonds and you're not allowed to bond for salaries.

Yup. But Yonkers wants to build all these projects, including schools, yet doesn't have the City services needed to make these projects work. I think it's a slap in the face to the unions to build all these projects yet not fiscally forecast and plan for them.

They are ripping at the unions, demonizing them, while courting and giving these millionare developers everything they want, including things that will cost Yonkers millions out of pocket, on a silver platter. That includes tax incentives that will affect their ability to pay the salaries of police, firefighters, teachers and other blue collar Yonkers workers, who,if these projects succeed, they will need more of but not see the taz benefits from these projects for 10-20 years.

Kind of like what White Plains did to themselves. They made dramatic improvements and revitalized the city, but now it's costing them.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

I am willing to bet money that this "urban renewal" will only increase crime and fire duty in YO. Gonna be the South Bronx in the 70's. Only instead of The Bronx is Burning its going to be Central Ave is Burning. Good Luck Brothers.

[Bnechis 3,961]

Different pots of money. The big projects like construction come from bonds and you're not allowed to bond for salaries.

Yes it is 2 differnent pots and bonds can not pay for salaries. But the money to pay for the bonds (which almost always start within 1 year) comes from the general fund. The same general fund money that is used to pay salaries.