YONKERS, NY – March 17, 2020 – Due to the national COVID-19 outbreak, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced Yonkers City Hall, located at 40 S. Broadway,  and its annex locations will remain open but with limited access to the public.

After New York State Governor Cuomo recently declared local governments must operate with fifty percent of its operating staff with essential employees only, the following city departments’ services will be available with limited access or by appointment only, effective immediately:

• Engineering Department: closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-377-6210; visit www.yonkersny.gov for permit application information
• Housing & Building Department: closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-377-6500; visit www.yonkersny.gov for permit application information
• City Clerk Office: closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-377-6020
• Tax Office: Accepting in-person payments but encouraging checks or payment by credit card; credit card fees will be waived and appear as a credit on next payment due.
• Tax Assessment Office: closed to walk-ins; e-mail CityAssessor@yonkersny.gov or call 914-377-6200 to schedule an appointment; visitwww.yonkersny.gov/assessment for information
• Office of Constituent Services: closed to walk-ins; for assistance call 914-377-6010  or the Mayor’s Helpline at 914-377-HELP (4357) after hours
• Office for the Aging (435 Riverdale Ave.): closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-376-6822
• Veterans Affairs (120 New Main Street): closed to walk-ins: call ahead to 914-377-6700
• Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation (285 Nepperhan Ave.): Closed to walk-ins, call ahead to 914-377-6450; for permit applications and updates on recreational sites visit www.yonkersny.gov
• Yonkers Career Center and New York State Department of Labor (28 Wells Avenue, Bldg 3, 4^th Fl): closed to walk-ins; call center number and New York State Department of Labor 914-461-9077 for assistance
• Consumer Protection Bureau (87 Nepperhan Ave): Closed to walk-ins; all hearings postponed; call ahead to 914-377-3000; visit Forms page at www.yonkersny.gov to download applications
• Planning & Development Department (87 Nepperhan Ave.): closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-377-6150
• Parking Violations Bureau (87 Nepperhan Ave.): Open 8:30am-4:00pm for payment; no Wednesday evening hours until further notice; all scheduled parking, red light camera and code enforcement hearings have been cancelled; a new date to appear will be sent in the mail once hearings resume; submit  requests for a hearing by mail and to make ticket payments online at www.yonkersny.gov, by phone at (866) 377-9665 or by mail directly to Yonkers PVB, 87 Nepperhan Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. 10701
• Yonkers Parking Authority (8 Buena Vista Ave.): closed to the public Monday, Wednesday and Fridays until further notice; call YPA office with questions at (914) 965-2467 on those days; all permit transactions can be done on-line from the 15^th through the 27^th by visiting  permit www.YPAPERMITS.YONKERSNY.GOV or in person Tuesdays and Thursdays (8:30am-4:00pm); evening office hours will be cancelled until further notice
• Yonkers Police Department: All four precincts closed to public as well as the Records Division  (914) 377-7232; Commissioner’s Office (914) 377-7200; Property Clerk (914) 377-7941 *(Open on Wednesdays to public access); Community Affairs Division – (914) 377-7375; and Traffic Unit / Hack Unit – (914) 377-7387; members of the public are requested to conduct as much police business over the telephone; if immediate assistance or a police response is needed, call dispatch at (914) 377-7900 – emergencies dial 9-1-1.
• Yonkers Fire Department: All fire stations and fire headquarters closed to public; public asked to call for assistance.  Fire Prevention (914) 377-7525 or email FirePrevention@yonkersny.gov; Fire Commissioners Office (914) 377-7500; if immediate assistance or a fire response is needed, call dispatch at (914) 377-7900 – emergencies dial 9-1-1.
• Yonkers Public Library: All three branches closed until March 31 and possibly longer
• Yonkers Public Schools: Closed until March 31 and possibly longer

Residents are encouraged to call the Mayor’s 24 hour Helpline at 914-377-HELP (4357) with any questions.

Award Ceremony Held Annually in Yonkers to Commemorate Women’s History Month

YONKERS, NY – March 2, 2020 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced that the City of Yonkers is accepting nominations for the city’s annual “Women of Distinction” Award, presented each year during March to celebrate Women’s History Month. The annual “Women of Distinction” Award recognizes Yonkers women who have served their local community and positively impacted the lives of Yonkers residents.  Nominations for a Woman of Distinction can be submitted at www.YonkersNY.gov.

“So often our women give so much of themselves to ensure Yonkers becomes a better city in which to live, work and play. They are our community leaders, educators and agents of social change,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “I encourage our Yonkers residents to nominate the heroes in their lives for our Women of Distinction Award.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, March 18; the award ceremony will be held on Friday, March 27 at 6:00 pm at Yonkers City Hall (Ceremonial Courtroom, 4^thFloor).

About Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month originated in 1981 when Congress passed a resolution requesting President Reagan to commemorate “Women’s History Week.” The President proclaimed the week beginning on March 7, 1982 as the first Women’s History Week and the nation continued to designate a week in March as Women’s History Week until 1987 when the month of March was officially declared “Women’s History Month.”  Learn more atwww.womenshistorymonth.gov.

Starting March 1, Food & Beverage Establishments in Yonkers Prohibited from Providing Single-Use Plastic Straws

Yonkers Public School students will join Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and City Council President Mike Khader Thursday, February 27 at 1 PM at Paideia School 15as they sign a new city ordinance prohibiting food and beverage establishments in Yonkers from providing single-use plastic straws, unless requested by customers.

Last year, Paideia School 15 students advocated city officials to move forward with the ban of plastic straws in an effort to combat the negative environmental impacts of the manufacturing and disposal of the straws. Yonkers City Council approved the legislation in recent weeks resulting in the plastic straw ban, effective March 1, 2020.

Plastic drinking straws are among the top 10 contributors to marine debris pollution. Most plastic straws are not biodegradable and instead break down over years into smaller microplastics, releasing chemicals into the soil, air, and water that are harmful to animals, plants, people, and the environment.

***Interviews and Photo Opps***

WHO:            Mike Spano, City of Yonkers Mayor

                        Yonkers City Council

                        Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools

                        Paideia School 15 students, teachers and staff

WHAT:         Signing of Plastic Straw Free Yonkers Legislation

WHERE:        Paideia School 15

                        175 Westchester Ave.

                        Yonkers, NY

YONKERS, NY – January 15, 2020 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada today launched the 2020 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poem/Essay/Video Contest. Yonkers students are encouraged to submit essays, poems or videos reflecting this year’s Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Vote,” as it speaks to the ongoing struggle on the part of both black men and women throughout American History.

“Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1957 speech ‘Give Us the Ballot’outlined a strategy for justice that extended through the 1960s and beyond,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “African Americans faced official and unofficial restrictions until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was established. However, today we have federal protections that help to ensure every American has an equal voice in the political process. This year, in particular, I’m excited to see how students will be able to express their views on voting rights while incorporating Dr. King’s message through a poem, essay or video.”

The Mayor’s African American Advisory Board select one poem from grades 1-4, one essay from grades 5-8 and one video from grades 9-12. The winning poem, essay and video will be displayed at Yonkers City Hall and online for Yonkers residents to enjoy. Winners will be presented a certificate from Mayor Spano and will be asked to present their work at the City’s Annual Black History Month Celebration at Yonkers City Hall on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:00 pm.

Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools stated, “As educators, we have the responsibility to assist our students in finding their voice, expressing their opinions and to be relentless in standing up for tolerance and civil rights.  Dr. King, Jr. will forever be the beacon for nonviolent protest, unyielding in his commitment to civil rights for all people.  The Mayor’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poem/Essay/Video Contest provides an opportunity for Yonkers children to research and emulate Dr. King’s work.”

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poem/Essay/Video Contest is open to all primary and secondary Yonkers students; only one poem, essay or video may be submitted per student. Guidelines and specifications for the contest can be found at https://www.yonkersny.gov/mlk. Poem and video submissions are due Friday, February 14, 2020 and may be emailed tocontest@yonkersny.gov, dropped off to the Mayor’s Office or by mail to MLK, Jr. Contest, Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701. Winners will be notified on February 21.