By Eric Wolf Schoen
So we have the latest lifeguard to protect us from sharks! Governor Hochul announced on Monday that the state was beefing up patrols at Long Island beaches with overtime for lifeguards, lifeguards in boats and drones to be on the lookout for sharks. There has been some 5 or so shark attacks over the last two weeks.
It took the good Governor this long to act? Like everything else the sharks, natural to our waters are blamed by some on global warming and some on cleaner, warmer waters with smaller fish for the sharks to eat. Remember, we are invading on the turf of sharks and fish, they are not invading on our turf. Lots going on the week!
The Yonkers Scooter Affair
Three cheers for the Yonkers Police Officers who stopped the illegal food delivery driver driving one of those illegal scooters. These devices have to to registered and have plates or otherwise as the law states. There are way to many of these scooters flying around the streets of Yonkers, Westchester and throughout our region. The delivery of items via them is a good idea, but their owners must follow the laws.
This particular episode saw two police officers getting ready to impound an illegal scooter. The owner comes out, says she has approval from the delivery company to use the scooter, the officer asks for the scooter’s license and registration, the owner cannot provide it, and she attempts to get on the scooter and drive away from the officers who tell her to stop. They take her down, using legal techniques.
The stupidity of the scooter owner getting into an altercation with the police amazes me. Just a note. If you are the friend of the person committing the crime, unless you have something to offer mind your business and get out of the picture.
What impressed me most other than the actions of the Police Officers was the Body Cam footage, clear as a whistle which showed everything that took place. If you want to learn about how body cameras work, look at the footage captured in this incident. Sure made me a believer in them.
Kudos to COMMISSIONER Chris Sapienza and the department for their fast, correct response to this incident.
Congestion Pricing
Did I hear that Congestion Pricing in New York City would bring the cost of a trip from WESTCHESTER to the Big Apple to $35 in tolls. New York lacks tourists from the suburbs now, the subways are unsafe and they are going to charge motorists $35. Asinine!
Good time to call your state legislators and Congresspeople to tell them to stop this unfair, inflexible toll scheme. We pay enough for the crappy, crater like pothole filled roads we ride on now. Not one dollar from congestion pricing will be used to fix the roads. All the money will be used for mass transit. Ridiculous.
Speaking of calling your Congressperson, in January Congressman Bowman reported receiving a mere 447 phone calls for the month. That’s less than 15 phone calls a day. That seems like an awfully small number. Remember, though you may disagree with him philosophically if you need the services of his Congressional office his number is (718) 530-7710 in the Bronx, (914) 371-9220 in Mount Vernon and (202) 225-2464 in Washington, D.C.
Bail Reforms
Many of you have written to me upset about what the Governor and State Legislature have done about bail reform and the in and out cycle of individuals committing crimes, many not spending a night in jail. I agree with you the system is broken.
I would like to see a poll of voters in Senator Stewart-Cousins, Senator Mayer’s and Assemblyman Sayegh’s district to see how strongly these legislators constituents feel the need for bail reform is. If one exists bring it to my attention.
I would venture to say that the vast majority of constituents in these and other WESTCHESTER districts are against bail reform even with the changes the Legislature made after their first botched attempt. And after the poll is out, we need to force the legislators to change the laws back to what they were for a more civilized society. We, The People elect our legislators to work for us, and they should be representing our opinions in their votes as members of the Senate and Assembly and Governor for that matter.
Penn Station Rehabilitation
Who hasn’t gone through Penn Station in New York City. And been horrified at what they saw? Governor Hochul put together a package to build a long overdue Penn Station where so many trains from around the country enter New York.
Maybe we need Joe Biden, our Amtrak loving President to ride the train from Delaware into Penn Station New York to see what an absolute disgrace it is, call it a third world train station (it’s worse) like he did La Guardia Airport and something will get done!
Litter on the Parkways and Highways
I can’t believe how much litter is on our parkways especially coming from Rumsey Road taking the turn onto the Cross County Parkway. Who are the pigs out there who throw crap out of their windows. It’s disgusting and has to stop. The County can’t keep up with the amount of litter strewn about, and frankly they shouldn’t have to. It’s time people take pride in their neighborhoods and stop disposing of their cans and bottles and other assorted garbage on our roadways.
Robocalls have to Stop
How many calls do you get each day from Mary at the dealer service center trying to sell you an extended warranty. Or John, the paid caller from the sham Police or Fire Association asking you for a donation. Or Lucy from the credit card department offering you low interest rates that are not what they seem to be. Or a poll asking you if you support George Washington or Abraham Lincoln for President?
I thought we were done with these robocalls if we opted out. How come we are still getting them on our cell phones and land lines. And those without unlimited minutes are paying the bills for these unwanted calls. Congress through the FCC has to put better controls in place to stop this annoyance, particularly when the out of state caller uses a local number to try to get you to answer the call.
Hochul Airlines
Looks what’s up in the sky. It’s a bird, no it’s a plane, no it’s Governor Kathy Hochul crisscrossing our State in a State paid for helicopter. This while you and I pay $4.75 a gallon for gasoline. And sit in traffic. We have to get out of the mind set that the gasoline we gas our cars up with is bad. Electric cars with their limited mileage just don’t cut it. Remember no energy and we can’t eat, unless you want to eat like a squirrel does!
Breaking good News at Press Time!
Alvin Bragg, the crazy District Attorney in Manhattan will not prosecute the Jill Biden bogada, no bodega owner attacked with a knife in New York City who in self defense killed the customer who with his girlfriend were going after him. And former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio has pulled out of the Congressional race representing his Park Slope, Brooklyn neighborhood because 49% of his neighbors said they would not vote for him. Yes, there is a God.
In closing, the price of bread is skyrocketing yes, thanks to the war in the Ukraine and higher prices for the ingredients in baked goods. Three bargains in this crisis. The boiled then baked bagels and bagel twists at GOLDBERG’S on Central Avenue priced are $1.10 and $1.75 respectively. The tea biscuits at DeLite Bakery, gigantic, filled with golden raisins and priced at a reasonable $3 each. It’s ok once in a while to cheat on the diet!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen on the Westchester Rising Radio Show alternating Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, WVOX.com click listen or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
