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 Yonkers, NY - Mayor Phil Amicone has announced his appointment of local businessman and community leader James L. Simmons, Jr. to the Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority (MHA) Board of Commissioners, the body responsible for governing the city's substantial public housing stock.
Simmons is the Executive Director of CURE Development, an affordable housing development firm founded by Simmons' family that focuses exclusively on projects that will improve the Yonkers community and hire local workers. CURE Development currently has several projects underway in Yonkers including the Lily Pearl Homes on Warburton Avenue.
"In every way imaginable, James Simmons is truly a pillar of our community: a successful businessman, a community leader, a philanthropist and a dedicated family man. I have known James for several years and have had the pleasure of working closely with him on a number of important initiatives he and his family are undertaking that will make a marked improvement on the quality of life of our local residents. He's a man of character and vision and I know his talents and dedication will be of great benefit to our Municipal Housing Authority," remarked Mayor Amicone.
Simmons attended Pace University School of Business and was a child protective services counselor with the Westchester County Department of Social Services before entering the construction and development industry.
MHA is the second largest public housing authority in Metropolitan Area next to New York City, with a total of 18 developments and 2,029 Conventional Public Housing apartments throughout Yonkers. In addition, the Section 8 Program in Yonkers has 1,850 apartments leased with 780 private landlords.
The MHA Board of Commissioners is constituted by Section 30 of the New York State Public Housing Law, which calls for a board of not more than seven total commissioners: two elected by MHA tenants for two- year terms and three to five appointed by the mayor for five year terms. There is no requirement for City Council approval of mayoral appointments.
The following is a complete list of the present MHA Board of Commissioners:
- Donald Christopher, Chairman, term expires 6/23/2011
- *Roberta Allen, Vice-Chairman, term expires 9/30/2009
- Theresa Drain, Member, term expires 6/23/2010
- John McDonald, Member, term expires 6/23/2013
- Dalphine E. Meadows, Member, term expires 6/23/2009
- *Agnes Scott, Member, term expires 9/30/2008
- James L. Simmons, Jr., term expires 9/2/2013
(* indicates elected tenant representative)
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