Politics on the Hudson

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone issued a press release earlier this week in which he claimed to clearly hear voters’ message on Nov. 3 and he outlined his priorities for the City Council, while taking a shot at City Council President Chuck Lesnick. Today Lesnick responded, challenging Amicone to “lead by example

and truly took to find solutions” to the city’s fiscal problems. Here’s what Lesnick wrote.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S RESPONSE TO MAYOR AMICONE’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON ELECTION RESULTS

Yonkers, New York: November 20, 2009 – Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone this week released an official statement that purported to set priorities for the City Council’s legislative agenda in January. While I commend the mayor’s congratulatory tone towards our recently elected members, I think it fitting that the City should also recognize the dedicated service of its departing members: Majority Leader Sandy Annabi, Minority Leader Liam McLaughlin and Councilmember Dee Barbato. Under our legislative watch, this year’s budget was trimmed by $7.1 million and an agreement with the SFC developers was brokered that brings an additional $100 million to the City over a 30-year period.
While I am pleased with the mayor’s new focus and his recognition of the economic pain the taxpayers struggle to live with, this City Council has been aware of the recession for some time. This year’s budget process ended only when the council approved a budget over the mayor’s veto that went a little further to ease the fiscal strain upon our taxpayers. During the council’s review of the $900 million budget, we looked to the mayor’s office for cooperation and direction. At that time, we encountered an administration that was silent and made no offer to identify cost savings.
If the mayor is serious about “making sacrifices and finding new efficiencies,” he should lead by example and truly look to find solutions. I recommend a few measures to get the momentum moving:

*Reduce the city’s fleet of vehicles and eliminate usage of non-hybrid SUVs;

*Merge the city’s vast fleet maintenance shops into one central location;

*Consolidate various city departments;

*For budget purposes, classify personnel who perform constituent service work into one department and those classified as “Special Assistants to the Mayor” into the Mayor’s office;

*Use federal money to subsidize the unfunded position of director of sustainable growth and development to maximize our utilization of energy efficiency subsidies and to lower our carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption and costs;

*Monitor and reduce police overtime;

*Work with our leaders in Albany on pension reform;

*Work with our leaders in Albany to secure more money for our schools and education – especially for capital expenses; and

*Work for a county-wide revaluation and reassessment of all real property to save Yonkers taxpayers from paying an unfair and disproportionate share of taxes, not only with respect to other taxpayers in Yonkers, but also with respect to their countywide taxes, to eliminate costly certiorari settlements.

Going forward, it is my hope that the City Council and Mayor Amicone will work together to provide for our residents and our city’s great employees. For generations our residents have worked to build homes and businesses here and families have educated their loved ones in our fine schools. With new development and jobs returning to Yonkers, our City is once again on the cusp of greatness. There is no reason why our elected officials cannot govern cooperatively. Think of what we can accomplish with a true spirit of cooperation.

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