Richard W. Baldwin, of Riverdale and Yonkers, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2020, at Calvary Hospital, after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 83.
Born Sept. 24, 1936, in Yonkers to Gladys and George Baldwin, he was a devoted husband to wonderful wife and best friend of 60 years, Susan.
He also was a beloved father to Richard Jr., and Keefe (deceased). He was a faithful brother to Marie and her children Bill, Eileen and Kathy.
He attended Yonkers public schools where he excelled in academics, sports and was voted “best personality” in his senior class.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, from which he was honorably discharged after three years of active duty.
He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree from New York University’s University College in three years while working full-time.
He founded a campus civil rights group and picketed Woolworth stores for their discriminatory practices.
He was granted a scholarship to NYU Law School, from which he graduated second in his class, again while working full-time. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1965.
His career highlights include being a partner at Cardillo & Corbett, where he conducted arbitrations and litigations. He was president of Diesel Machinery International.
He was brokerage and management president and later deputy chair of Toisa Ltd., a Bermuda company which owned a fleet in excess of 40 oil tankers, dry cargo ships and offshore support vessels.
His community service included president of Riverdale Neighborhood House, a commodore in the Riverdale Yacht Club, director of Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, a trustee at Horace Mann School, and honors from both the Riverdale Neighborhood House and Bronx Arts Ensemble in 2005 and 2001, respectively.
He loved practicing law, arguing cases and being right. His favorite hobbies included hiking, travel, tennis, platform tennis (he was on several championship teams), basketball, reading non-fiction, fine wines, and collecting Adirondack art.
His greatest love was his family, to whom he was a constant source of strength, wisdom, integrity, guidance, generosity and love.
CHICKEN ISLAND PARKING LOT: Economic Impact Study Finds Union-backed Initiative Will Add 30% to Private Development Projects Receiving State Incentives Killing New Projects and Jobs at Dangerous Economic Time
Prevailing Wage legislation included in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2020 State Budget would increase the cost of major construction projects by 30 percent and effectively bring the redevelopment renaissance taking place in downtown urban centers such as Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Peekskill and communities across the state to a halt.
The dramatic finding is included in an in-depth Prevailing Wage Economic Impact Study prepared by Weitzman Associates, a respected nationally recognized real estate advisory services firm. Weitzman evaluated major new projects statewide. Its findings come at a time when the state is facing enormous economic uncertainty as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation, backed by construction unions, would artificially inflate the fair market value of wages paid on privately financed construction projects receiving state funding incentives by requiring the wage scale paid on state-funded infrastructure projects such for highway and bridge construction.
Most private sector projects receive financial assistance from sources as Industrial Development Agency (IDA) incentives. Without the incentives, few, if any, of the large-scale residential and commercial projects that are transforming long-ignored urban centers in cities across the state would move forward.
The study compared construction budgets for specific projects based on prevailing wage (union) and open shop contractors. Financial feasibility analyses were conducted to determine paying prevailing wages would render the project economically unfeasible.
The study concluded there would be a 30% average increase in construction cost that would make most major projects fiscally unviable, offsetting any benefit of the incentives.
The negative financial impacts of the proposed legislation stretch well beyond the project development companies. Using the “multiplier effect,” for every $1 million spent in construction, an additional $540,000 of economic value is created, thereby compounding the economic loss if projects don’t go forward.
Putting in perspective, the nearly $10 billion generated by the $6.4 billion in 200 IDA-funded projects in 2018 would be wiped out if the projects were not built as the result of having to pay Prevailing Wage.
The study concludes that “there is a great deal at stake if projects are rendered financially infeasible due to Prevailing Wage requirements.”
The study was funded jointly by six business and economic development groups from Westchester to Buffalo with a shared concern for the future of the economic revitalization, particularly in the urban centers. The members are committed to a strong line of communication with their local unions and to working to create sustainable training programs to make local hiring a priority. Members of the Statewide Coalition for Smart Growth are:
The Business Council of Westchester
The Business Council of New York State
The New York State Economic Development Corporation
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership
The Associated General Contractors of New York State
The Capital Region Chamber of Commerce
Imposing the Prevailing Wage on hundreds of projects across the state would have a devastating impact on the economy, and particularly on our cities,” said Marsha Gordon, Business Council of Westchester President and CEO. “And it could not come at a worse time, considering the economic fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic that is unfolding. Minimally, we implore Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to shelve the legislation until 2021 when we can assess the economic devastation that inevitably will result from the pandemic.”
Mike Elmendorf, President and CEO of Associated General Contractors of New York State, said “the study confirms what we have long known from the economic development community and our industry: Mandating Prevailing Wage on private projects that receive economic development assistance will mean far fewer projects, period. That means fewer jobs for our industry both union and open shop, and fewer opportunities for all New Yorkers. That any serious person is contemplating it now in this reality is beyond comprehension. We should be removing barriers to rebuilding and recovering, not erecting them.”
Dottie Gallagher, President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, said: “As the study clearly demonstrates, the expansion of Prevailing Wage to private construction projects at this time would be a serious drag on the economy of our region and the entire state. “Addressing this as part of an expedited state budget when our economy is under severe stress and dire uncertainty is reckless, plain and simple.”
Ryan Silva, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council, said the study provides new, relevant data that confirms the impact a Prevailing Wage expansion would have on the state’s economy. We need every tool available to address current and continuing economic challenges we are facing and opposes any further mandates that will harm economic development efforts in the state.”
Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of the Business Council of New York State, said: “In looking at the cost data from recent projects, this study illustrates the real-world adverse impact that a Prevailing Wage mandate will have on economic development and private sector investments. The state is in uncharted economic waters today. It makes no sense to pass legislation that erodes the value of the state’s economic development incentives.”
ANYONE BUT TRUMP: There are Yonkers voters who are still strongly with Bernie Sanders, but there certainly is a lot of renewed interest in Joe Biden In the city of hills
Like it Or not, but in 29 days there will soon be an important election, where Yonkers voters will chose local and congressional leaders, as well as, help determine who will be the nations chief executive.
President Donald Trump’s chaotic response to the Coronavirus outbreak has many Westchester and Yonkers families seriously looking at who would be best to replace our current commander-in-chief.
About four years ago, as news about Hillary Clinton’s emails and other concerns clouded her presidential candidacy, a Joe Biden boomlet began focusing on the outgoing vice president.
Could Barack Obama’s running mate save the day should Clinton falter? Might he even prove a better candidate?
But it just wasn’t meant to be.
However this time around Biden’s new surge in the nation’s presidential primaries has reignited enthusiasm in Yonkers and Westchester County.
Just a few weeks ago, support sprouted all over Erie County and New York State for Biden, Sanders, Warren, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and others.
Indeed, Yonkers mayor Mike Spano was strongly backing Bloomberg.
Now many Yonkers and Westchester County officials are remaining silent on who should be our next leader, now that the nation is in crises.
That probably stems from the same silence of New York’s top Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Let’s cut our governor some slack – he’s been busy the past few weeks dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and its ramifications.
But it remains unlike him to avoid the politics of the day, especially after his early expressions of admiration for the former vice president.
Still, with or without Cuomo, New York is showing signs of coming together behind Biden. Rep. Max Rose of Staten Island, a major name once on the Bloomberg supporter list, is now with Biden after the former mayor’s withdrawal from the presidential race.
The tide has turned, and people that vote are paying attention, before the April 28 primary.
One wonders if Mayor Mike Spano will become a supporter of Uncle Joe, before the primary.
Biden’s new strength now raises major questions about the relevance of New York and its primary.
Sanders has said he will not withdraw, which has greatly pleased the Yonkers indivisible crowd over in the Ludlow section of Yonkers.
But he sounds resigned to finishing second again and helping Trump win a second term in middle of a national economic and health crises.
But, it could be all over by April 28.
Moreover, with the coronavirus outbreak in Westchester County, it’s possible that Yonkers Dems may not feel much inspiration for a trek to the polls.
In the meantime, Democrats around New York look to their governor to clarify the situation.
Maybe he’ll make a courageous pronouncement on April 27th.
Due to the national COVID-19 outbreak, The City of Yonkers 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.
· Office for the Aging (435 Riverdale Ave.): closed to walk-ins; call ahead to 914-377-6822
· 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, 4th 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 15th through the 27th 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.
Electronic Learning is available on the Yonkers Public Schools website and on your child’s school website.
Schools are open today, March 18 and tomorrow, March 19 from 9:30AM – 12:00 PM Only for parents/guardians who do not have access to technology to pick up hard copies of instructional materials. School principals provided details in phone calls last evening.
Schools are observing social distancing guidelines, and will limit the number of families entering the building at one time.
Grab and Go Lunch and Breakfast begins tomorrow, Thursday, March 19 in 10 schools.
The schools are:
Enrico Fermi School, 27 Poplar Street
Eugenio Maria de Hostos MicroSociety School, 75 Morris Street
Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 135 Locust Hill Avenue
Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies, H.S., 631 Tuckahoe Road
Scholastic Academy, for Academic Excellence, 77 Park Hill Avenue
School 5, 118 Lockwood Avenue
School 13, 195 McLean Avenue
Thomas Cornell Academy, 15 St. Marys Street
Yonkers Montessori Academy, 160 Woodlawn Avenue
Yonkers Middle High School, 150 Rockland Avenue
These are challenging times, together we will prevail, and together we will accomplish amazing things that will benefit children.
fya, a Yonkers-based nonprofit which delivers medical supplies to underserved locations globally, has formed a partnership to assist New York Federally Qualified Health Centers in Westchester County and New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic
There is a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers in New York City and Westchester County who have submitted lists of essential and necessary health items that are needed to provide safe healthcare.
The Hudson River Health Care Center in Peekskill has agreed to serve as the key donation site, and will coordinate distribution and sharing of supplies with other FQHCs in the region.
Harlem United, a long-term partner of Afya, will receive pallets of supplies to support their ability to deliver primary and diagnostic care to their local catchment area.
“This is about AFYA’s ability to respond to any need, anywhere,” according to Danielle Butin, founder and CEO of The Afya Foundation, which recovers medical supplies and diverts them from local landfills Afya sorts and prepares the supplies for shipment to many countries, from Wuhan, China to Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.
Now Afya has joined in the domestic effort in New York.
“We are helping locally where help is needed,” Butin said. “Our shipments are possible because of our remarkable partners, UJA- Federation of New York and Regeneron. They are helping us to pack and send truckloads of supplies from our warehouse to local sites in need of supplies as rapidly as possible.”
“This is a call to action,” Butin continued. “We have experienced health emergencies in many places near and far. Now it is our time, in New York, to respond.”
The Afya Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals throughout the world who suffer needlessly due to a lack of access to basic medical supplies and equipment.
Afya collectssurplus medical supplies, hospital equipment and humanitarian provisions from health care facilities, businesses and private donors to support both on-going and disaster-related initiatives.
Since its founding in 2008, Afya has recovered and shipped more than seven and half million pounds of donated supplies to more than 72 countries.
The organization has been recognized by the Greater New York Hospital Association, Eli Lilly, GreatNonprofits and the United Nations.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Check Out And Download Sunday’s Issue Of The “Yonkers Free Press”
BREAKING NEWS: Yonkers’ Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told Democratic senators in a call Saturday to expect the unexpected and to be prepared to take action on a fiscal plan by the end of the week….
