By Eric Schoen
Potholes and Infrastructure
I had just driven on the stretch of Central Park Avenue in front of the old Ground Round between Palmer Road and the Cross County when I heard President Trump was going to talk about Infrastructure investment. For those of you unfamiliar with this stretch, drive over it and you feel like you are on the moon, driving over all the potholes, some big and some really big.
If you are not careful, say goodbye to your tires, your alignment and the underside of your car!
Several nights before I drove on the Major Deagan by Yankee Stadium and encountered a moons worth of potholes. At least 20 cars were on the southbound side of the road on the shoulder, axles busted, tires flat, cars having hit other cars. It looked like a demolition derby.
And people are questioning the need for money for infrastructure? Or the President’s method which it to use a combination of federal, state, local and private investment to fix our infrastructure ills? This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. This is an issue that affects each and everyone of us!
The President talks about how long it takes for public works projects on to get done. Look how long it took to fix and rebuild the exit ramp off the Saw Mill River Parkway north at Ashford Avenue exiting to go to Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry. How many days or months did we pass the exit and see no work being done. Credit to County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky and County Executive George Latimer for getting this project finally finished.
Look at the construction on the Major Deagan in front of Yankee Stadium. Every morning an accident because of the crazy road patterns. Are they building the Taj Majal or are they trying to repair a road. For days, years you will see nothing going on until they have to change the lanes for drivers. They sure do that fast!
When you head to the FDR driver from the Willis Avenue Bridge right where you can enter the Triborough Bridge, look at how long they have been repairing that stretch of roadway. And they change the lane patterns more often than people change their underwear. When are they going to finish that stretch of roadway which backs up cars and causes people to be delayed every day?
How about the stretch as you exit the Major Deagan south and head to the Triborough Bridge between the exit ramp and the bridge. Are they building a country there? That road has been under construction forever. Same for when you come south over the Triborough and try to exit for the Major Deagan or FDR Drive. The construction and lane changes never end.
Why does it take so long for all of these projects. And Trump talks about all the permits the contractors have to get. Are they to keep us safe or raise money for cash strapped municipalities. I’m no Bob the Builder but does an electrician in Yonkers require different skills than an electrician in Staten Island. Does a Welder in Washington Heights require different skills than a welder in Washington, D.C.
And we all know how the permit process to do work on your home or your business takes forever. Much of this is due to cutbacks and staff to process permits and do inspections. 99% of our inspectors and permit staff and Board and Commissions approving work are honest. But in some places in the country I think a lettuce sandwich get the process moving for you.
I’m no fan of Trump and the craziness going on in Washington, D.C. But let’s remember, the Wollman Skating rink in New York City was costing millions of dollars with cost overruns to build and no one able to take a spin on the ice. In a matter of months Trump got the ring up and running. Future Olympians can thank him!
Yonkers Public Schools Pass the 80% Graduation Rate
The administrators, teachers, civil service support staff and students should be very proud that for the first time the district has surpassed the 80% graduation rate of student finishing high school in 4 years. This after several years ago the district and other large cities requesting a 5th year to allow students to complete graduation requirements.
Kudos to current Superintendent Edwin Quezada for being humble and stating that the increase is due to 10 years of hard work. That includes the Superintendencies of Bernard Pierorazio, Michael Yazurlo and Quezada. He is to be commended for giving credit where credit is due and not trying to take all the credit himself for this true Yonkers miracle.
This week students, parents, teachers, administrators and Trustees were brought up to Albany to try to squeeze more dollars for education for the Yonkers Public Schools. This is a yearly process. Though it teaches students how government works, they should never be used as pawns for elected officials who want to get their pictures taken to show the folks at home how hard they are working for them.
And just because the graduate rate has risen, that doesn’t mean there is no need for additional resources for students. School buildings are still crumbling but there is hope that funds allocated in the state budget through the diligence of State Assemblywoman and Senator to be Shelley Mayer and other legislators representing Yonkers will begin the long process of addressing this problem.
Guidance Counselor to student ratios are way to high, and Yonkers is the only school district in Westchester that does not put on a musical every year for the community, students and their families to enjoy. When I see the schedule in the Journal News of all the Westchester High Schools and the wonderful musical productions they will present in the spring, my heart breaks that Yonkers is never on the list.
Students will not have the opportunity to play Officer Krupke in West Side Story as I did in the spring of 1978 at Yonkers High School. A student production brings the whole school community together. It doesn’t cost a lot of money but it brings pride to those involved.
New York Needs Early Voting
Thirty seven states have early voting which came about after the hanging chad mess in Florida. Only 51% of eligible New Yorkers vote. And you tell me there is no need for early voting in New York and same day registration? And major changes to the archaic New York voting and elections rules and regulations! Kudos to the Governor. Let’s get moving State Legislature!
Final note: Please say prayers for the New York City Corrections officer beaten brutally At Rikers Island last weekend. Mayor DeBlasio who started the program these inmates were in deserves full blame for this tragedy.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or WVOX.com and click on listen live.
