By Eric Wolf Schoen
When I pulled into the parking lot at Cross County Shopping Center on Tuesday to get my coffee at Panera and write this week’s column, I saw many more cars than I would normally see on a Tuesday morning. This truly woke me up to the fact that Christmas is upon.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and the elves are busy putting the finishing touches on all the presents he will deliver through the chimney on Christmas Eve to be ready when the children wake up yes, this coming Monday morning. Rudolph with his nose so bright is getting ready to lead the reindeer to take Santa on his trip to visit our homes. The baking has begun on the cookies, treats we will leave out for Santa and the reindeer to thank them for their yearly visit.
Tell me where did this year go? I guess it’s true the older you get the faster time flies. It’s seems like we just put our winter wardrobe away for the season. If you haven’t taken those warm winter jackets and ear muffs back out of the closet by now, you are walking around shivering as you partake in the many wonderful winter activities and holiday celebrations the gracious city of Yonkers and quaint Westchester county have presented this month.
So much has happened in the year we will leave behind in a little more than a week. And we know a lot of what to expect in the new year. I will touch on some of the highlights, but please don’t throw any snowballs at me if I forget something that tickled your fancy.
Yes, the Yonkers City Council did pass those massive salary increases several days after they were announced. Included in the raise package was retroactive pay for the Mayor. The way this occurred is no surprise to the vast majority of Yonkers residents use to a City Council that never fails to amaze us! Your last and only opportunity to express your feelings to the Mayor who will give thumbs up or down to the raises is Wednesday, January 3 at 5:35 p.m. at a Public Hearing at Yonkers City Hall. If you can’t make it call the Mayor at 914-377-6300 by the January date to tell him how you feel.
Voters approved term limits for the Yonkers City Council and the Mayor and twice the Council has extended the limits doubling them from those voter approved. Will the Mayor or City Council appoint a Charter Revision Commission to examine this issue and put it on the ballot for voter review, or will they collectively not stir up the pot. Stay tuned!
Spring 2024 is when Congestion Pricing is scheduled to start in New York City, a toll for cars including those from Westchester who drive south of 60th Street in the Big Apple. The money will not go toward road improvements desperately needed but to mass transportation. Fewer people from the suburbs are coming into New York City since the pandemic. Expect even fewer when this ridiculous toll kicks in. Though the matter is pretty much set in stone, it’s not to late to call your State Legislators and the Governor to put a stop to it!
A big question as we head from 2023 to 2024 is who will represent us in Congress come 2025. State courts have put the matter back in the hands of an Independent Redistricting Commission that will again attempt to draw legislative district lines for approval by the New York State Legislature.
Will we in Yonkers and Westchester have the fire alarm pulling, Congressionally censured Jamaal Bowman on our ballot in a primary with Westchester County Executive George Latimer? Will the district lines be redrawn to take Yonkers or Westchester or parts of both out of the district currently represented by Congressman Bowman. Bowman, who so early in his term of office voted against an infrastructure bill that had then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit the district and say she was upset with him! I’m afraid we will probably have to wait until late Spring for this issue to be settled.
While we are discussing things in Washington, D.C., 2024 is a Presidential Election Year. During 2023 we have learned everything we need to know about those running to lead our country, and in 2024 we, the people will make the decision. Though it looks like President Biden will compete against former President Trump, anything is possible in this great land of ours!
Flooding on Westchester roadways will continue to be a problem in 2024 as it was in 2023. Just this week the usual suspect roads like the Saw Mill and Bronx River parkways were closed due to heavy rains. Will anyone come up with a solution? Is there a solution?
Same thing goes for trucks too high entering roadways with bridges too low causing damage and traffic jams for miles. Everyone knows that the way to stop this is to put physical barriers up to prevent the trucks from entering the roadways, but New York State refuses to approve the solution.
It seems like every time we go to the grocery store prices have increased. Will this continue in 2024? Is there truly a reason for these increases or are manufacturers and the stores that sell us goods just taking advantage of consumers. Sadly many among us suffer.
We pray for Peace in the Middle East and an end to war and the tragic loss of lives. There are so many columnists more versed on this topic than yours truly so I will not compete. As I asked you to do, I put a menorah in the window of my apartment and a Happy Chanukah banner on the front door. To support the people of Israel I have purchased products made there as many of you have.
As you get ready for some well deserved time off this holiday season, let me recommend some films you may enjoy at the multiplex or via streaming services. Maestro starring Bradley Cooper is a biographical film that centers on the relationship between American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife. Willie Wonka is back in WONKA, the story of a young chocolatier who manages to change the world one delectable bite at a time. The Holdovers is a comedy about a bad tempered history teacher forced to chaperone a handful of students during Christmas break. Napoleon, a film that depicts the rise and fall of French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte. All worthy of watching.
Yes Virginia, Target came to Yonkers this year!
It’s that time of year when we remember those killed in the fire at the Yonkers Jewish Community Center on December 20, 1965. Nine children and 3 adults killed. Largest number of lives lost in a Yonkers fire.
Please remember to throw a dollar in the Salvation Army Kettle as my dad did every time he saw a bell ringer ringing the bell. All year long and particularly at this time of the year, the Salvation Army helps those in need providing things you and I take for granted.
Thank you again this year for welcoming me into your homes each week for my take on what’s going on in our planet. Kudos to Editor Dan Murphy and his assistant Bayan Baker for producing the Rising Media Group Newspapers providing you with news about you and your neighbors.
Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa. Happy , Heathy New Year in a world of Peace! Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com, or friend him on Facebook Eric Schoen…just look for him in the picture with Joan Rivers!
