L-R-Councilman Mike Breen,former County Legislator Ruth Walter, Chris and Marisa Kaufman, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Armour Villa Neighborhood Association President Steve Wagner, Senator Shelley Mayer, Symra Bradon, representing Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh welcomed to Yonkers New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who is conducting a statewide tour to hear from local officials and residents. Assemblyman Sayegh took Heastie on a walking tour in the Armour Villa neighborhood adjacent to the Bronx River and Bronx River Parkway to view flash flooding problems. Heastie told residents that Yonkers was not the first place he has visited this summer where Climate Change, Flash Flooding and Storm Damage are serious challenges.
“For Armour Villa residents, climate change is not a distant problem for future generations, it’s impacting their lives today,” said Speaker Heastie. “I want to thank Assemblyman Sayegh and the Armour Villa community for showing me the impact these extreme weather events are having on their homes and storm water drainage systems. The Assembly Majority is committed to working with our neighborhoods to reduce the severe impacts of climate change and helping build the infrastructure needed to prevent future damage.”
“I was honored to have Speaker Carl Heastie join us in East Yonkers today to see the devastating impact climate change is having on our homes and community spaces,” said Assemblyman Sayegh. “It has been a summer of severe weather, and we can no longer wait to protect our community from its impact. By working with partners across all areas of government, I’m committed to ensuring our neighborhoods are prepared for the next storm as we continue to fight against the impact of our ever-changing climate.”
Armour Villa Neighborhood Association President Steve Wagner introduced Speaker Heastie to residents whose homes have been flooded as recently as this month, including Chris and Marisa Kaufman. Their house has sandbags running along the street and around utilities in their basement. Also joining the walking tour were, Senator Shelley Mayer, Councilman Mike Breen, County Legislator James Nolan and other officials.