Small Businesses Will Rebuild Our Economy, Not Politicians

Small businesses are what will help turn around our economy as President Trump leaves office and we exit the most robust economy in history. Promises by the newly elected have been made to wantonly return to the mantra of raising taxes again after a 4-year hiatus. However, the 2017 tax cut under President Trump had reinvigorated the economy and freed up billions in capital for private businesses to invest in growth, expansion, job creation and product development. 

So, even with proof that tax cuts, and not class warfare and pandering to keep taxing the rich (who are leaving our Town and State, see below), the elected officials continue to practice failed politics. This is the perfect time for them to recognize that deregulation, eliminating tariffs, fees and regulations and such will move our economy forward, providing real jobs with real salaries. Mr Feiner and his ilk continue to ignore what works and fall back into the same old rut they’ve been in during his lifetime tenure as Supervisor. In fact, the administration has proven to dislike the residents so much, that they’ve hidden their secret approvals for developers over the concerns of the citizenry.

Anyone who still believes Greenburgh residents (or New Yorkers) don't mind high taxes or heavy-handed governance should consider the obvious recent population estimates from the US Census Bureau or tour our Town and view the overabundance of vacated buildings displaying For Sale or For Lease signs throughout the Town. Residents are voting with their feet! Landlords are unable to sell or rent their spaces because of increased taxes. And yet Mr Feiner and his Board keep green-lighting developer’s proposals that seek first floor retail space with other renters above that. This is a failed model they simply ignore once a proposal hits Mr Feiner’s desk. They also insist on telling us that Millennials don’t own cars or drive, which is also simply is not true.  

According to a report entitled NYC, Downstate Suburbs Account for Most of NY’s 2018-19 Population Dip, by the Empire Center's E.J. McMahon, New York could be on its way “to its first population decline in any decade since the 1970s.” Its headcount fell by a whopping 126,355, or 0.65 percent, to a total of 19,336,776 over the year that ended July l, the estimates indicate - the biggest drop of any state, both as a percentage and in absolute numbers. 

Concurrently, over the decade, the state’s population plummeted by 41,326, or 0.21 percent, even as the nation as a whole grew nearly 7 percent. The big winners: low-taxing Florida and Texas, growing 16 percent and 17 percent, respectively, since 2010. COVID and the extreme local lockdowns from our democratic governor and mayors have surely helped drive New Yorkers to leave. 

As we’ve seen and participated in during the COVID pandemic, the newly expanded work-from-home models for employees mean many won’t return to their offices – and why should they? New York’s extremely high tax burden are among the nation's highest - and state lawmakers are now racing to make it worse. Make no mistake.This exodus promises grave consequences for Greenburgh due to New York withering tax base and a loss of two of its 27 US House seats. 

Get set for even less clout in Washington - and less funding from it. And, since Mr Feiner relies so heavily on grants to pay for many projects, except when he’s taxing Unincorporated Greenburgh residents to pay off his guilty-verdict fines, we don’t see much money coming through to us. Greenburgh and in particular Mr Feiner and his Board must change. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.

The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.

The post-emancipation period known as Reconstruction (1865-1877) marked an era of great hope, uncertainty, and struggle for the nation as a whole. Formerly enslaved people immediately sought to reunify families, establish schools, run for political office, push radical legislation and even sue slaveholders for compensation. Given the 200+ years of enslavement, such changes were nothing short of amazing. Not even a generation out of slavery, African Americans were inspired and empowered to transform their lives and their country.

Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.

The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a community space where this spirit of hope lives on. A place where historical events like Juneteenth are shared and new stories with equal urgency are told.

-The National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian

Westchester County Fire Chiefs Seeking Donations To Help Hurricane Victims

Ardsley Residents Victorious Against Jefferson

In a rare residential upset, Ardsley residents who organized the “Say No 2 Jefferson” campaign, will be celebrating after a hard fought battle and a sweet victory against The Jefferson. Originally in contract with Akzo Nobel, the leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals giant that used to own the property, the Jefferson’s original plan was to build a 296 units of single and two-bedroom apartments for Millennials, empty-nesters and first-time owners. After meeting with some representatives from the community, the Texas-based company scaled back the quantity to 272 units, to be located at Lawrence Street between Saw Mill River Road and the Saw Mill River Parkway.

Once the neighborhood got wind of the size and scope of the project, there was a backlash that was unforeseen from numerous players: residents, school board members, Village Board members and the Mayor. Normally, Mr Feiner and his Board will approve any project from almost all developers and residents be damned. But with roughly several hundred residents packing the Town Hall meeting, another conference room and the cafeteria, he couldn’t ignore their pleas.

An email to Mr Feiner stated the following:

Paul Feiner,  

This email is to inform you that Akzo Nobel has terminated contractual relations with a prior potential purchaser of its site at 1 Lawrence St. in Ardsley, NY and has commenced marketing the property for Commercial or Industrial development.

Regards,

Rick Rucoba 

Public Affairs Manager

Akzo Nobel

Not to be outdone, Mr Feiner did an email blast, using the GBList that he was ordered to turn over to the Worthington Woodlands Civic Association, announcing this update. Many other Civic Associations as well as the Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations had worked closely with leaders of the Ardsley community to assist them in the fight. Several of the issues were significant traffic congestion in Ardsley, parking problems, impact to the schools and flooding. We congratulate the Ardsley community for their steadfastness, spirit and resolve.