Lesnick made his statements before the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, where said that a current proposal would create a situation in which a non-Yonkers resident could be elected to represent the state’s fourth-largest city in the senate.

The city is currently divided in two senate districts. Democrat Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins represents most of the city, while Yonkers’ southeastern corner is represented by Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx.

Here is what Lesnick said:

I am concerned that if the proposed senate districts are adopted Yonkers could lose its strong voice in the New York State Senate, and as a result, lose out on very much needed school aide that historically, had been restored by a powerful advocate in the Senate.

For many years, most of Yonkers has been in one senate district and that senator, be it Chippy Flynn, Nick Spano, or Andrea Stewart-Cousins, has worked hard to represent us on matters that concern our City.

The proposed lines, as they now stand, split Yonkers down the middle into two sections, and in such a way, that Yonkers would no longer to hold a majority in either district and thus, weaken our representation in Albany.

Good afternoon.

My name is Chuck Lesnick and I am the City Council President of the City of Yonkers, New York.

I am testifying here in the Bronx because unlike five of the six largest cities in New York State, Yonkers, the fourth largest, does not have a hearing scheduled in the City of Yonkers. Nor is there one scheduled in Westchester County or anywhere else in the Lower or Mid-Hudson Valley.

Yonkers is a city of some 200,000 people – the fourth largest city in New York State. We have a school district that serves more than 26,000 students and growing.

Approximately one half of our local population is non-white and 45% of our households include a language other than English spoken at home. Just under 14% of our residents live below the poverty line.

I am concerned that if the proposed senate districts are adopted Yonkers could lose its strong voice in the New York State Senate, and as a result, lose out on very much needed school aide that historically, had been restored by a powerful advocate in the Senate.

For many years, most of Yonkers has been in one senate district and that senator, be it Chippy Flynn, Nick Spano, or Andrea Stewart-Cousins, has worked hard to represent us on matters that concern our City.

The proposed lines, as they now stand, split Yonkers down the middle into two sections, and in such a way, that Yonkers would no longer to hold a majority in either district and thus, weaken our representation in Albany.

While I have no doubt that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who presently represents the 35^th District that covers Yonkers will continue to work for us with the same dedication and professionalism, the next senators from districts that include a divided Yonkers might not have the same interest.

Furthermore, the senate district that encompasses the east-side of Yonkers represents the area of the city with the lowest percentage of public school children and the area where constituents are typically less concerned with the funding of our public schools. Dividing a city that has spent significant effort in uniting its neighborhoods makes no sense.

Currently, nearly 75% of our school children come from the south-west area of the city. We must not and cannot afford to lose our voice in Albany to speak up for our kids.

While partisan politics clearly drove these proposed lines, the results are constitutionally flawed, in that the representation of cities like Yonkers were weakened to illegally create a new additional senate district.

The City of Yonkers needs and requires a state senate district that puts most, if not all of Yonkers into one district. I hope you understand our situation and will agree accordingly.

Thank you.

Murtagh, a Republican who served two terms on the council ending last month and who waged an unsuccessful bid for Yonkers mayor last year, will focus on business and civil litigation and he will help the firm grow its municipal law and government affairs practice.

“I look forward now to helping clients not only based upon my legal background but by having spent nearly a decade on the other side of the table. My years in office have given me another perspective which, I believe, will help me advise clients living, working and doing business here in Westchester,” Murtagh said in a press release.

The village of Ardsley is offering three property owners a total of $240,000 for portions of their properties along Route 9A for a road widening project.

The money comes from the $5 million settlement of a lawsuit by Ardsley, Hastings and the Town of Greenburgh against Westchester’s Ridge Hill. The communities had argued that the mall-office-residential complex would flood their streets with traffic.

The widening is expected to cost about $1.7 million.

Ardsley offer letters

Spano, a Democrat who took office three weeks ago, said in his statement that the numbers are based in part on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget. Spano also warned that the shortfall is expected to grow.

“This number is a current projection across the board,” Spano said in a press release issued this afternoon. “We are beginning the process of working with our State Legislative representatives in Albany. We will continue to partner with our labor unions and City Council to ensure we can maintain our budget to protect our work force and taxpayers. Additionally, our Education Redesign Team will further examine our budget to look for efficiencies needed to bridge the gap for our students.”

The city’s new fiscal year begins July 1 and Yonkers mayors traditionally unveil their proposed budgets in April because the state is supposed to adopt its budget on April 1.

The full text of the release is on the jump

YONKERS FINANCE OFFICE ANNOUNCES ESTIMATED

CITY BUDGET SHORTFALL TO BE $72.6+ MILLION

In Preparation for Tuesday’s State Budget Testimony, Mayor Mike Spano Announces Fiscal Challenges for Yonkers

YONKERS, NY – January 20, 2012 – After just three weeks in office, Mayor Mike Spano announced today that his Finance Commissioner John Liszewski determined the City’s estimated budget shortfall for 2012-2013 to be approximately $72.6+ million to remain status quo, including City and Board of Education funding. The announcement today comes as the Mayor prepares to testify to the State Legislators on Tuesday, January 24^th, in response to Governor Cuomo’s recent Executive Budget Proposal.

The current numbers are based in part on the Governor’s Proposed Budget. To remain status quo, meaning no increases in services or salaries, Yonkers is projecting a $50.6 million deficit on the City side for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, while the Board of Education’s is $22 million. The City deficit does not include expired or pending labor contracts/costs needed to increase services nor does it include restoration of previous Education cuts. This number is expected to grow.

“After much speculation, we now have determined the shortfall we face as we prepare next year’s budget,” says Mayor Spano. “The $72.6+ million is the challenge we’ve been given, but it is now our job to meet that challenge and ensure our City does not forego essential services.”

“This number is a current projection across the board,” he adds. “We are beginning the process of working with our State Legislative representatives in Albany. We will continue to partner with our labor unions and City Council to ensure we can maintain our budget to protect our work force and taxpayers. Additionally, our Education Redesign Team will further examine our budget to look for efficiencies needed to bridge the gap for our students.”

The City’s estimated breakdown of the deficit includes the following:

Board of Education Estimates                                                                                    22 mil

Special Taxes (on-going economic downturn/mortgage & income taxes)                1.3 mil

Payments in Lieu of Taxes (Spin Ups)                                                                         6.4 mil

Yonkers Raceway Impact Fees (Spin Ups)                                                                  2.7 mil

Sale of Assets                                                                                                              1.5 mil

City Departmental Expense                                                                                        8.6 mil

Fringe Benefits/Workers Comp/Life, Health, Dental Insurance                                6.1 mil

Tax Certiorari                                                                                                             9.5 mil

Debt Service Increase                                                                                               14.2 mil

“This number is a current projection across the board,” he adds. “We are beginning the process of working with our State Legislative representatives in Albany. We will continue to partner with our labor unions and City Council to ensure we can maintain our budget to protect our work force and taxpayers. Additionally, our Education Redesign Team will further examine our budget to look for efficiencies needed to bridge the gap for our students.”

Fuentes, who served on the council in the 1990s, noted U.S. Census figures from 2010 finding that almost a third of the city’s population is Hispanic.

Here’s his email:

January 11, 2012 (Yonkers, New York).   Former Yonkers City Councilman Fernando Fuentes (D- 2^nd District) is calling on Mayor Mike Spano to include Latinos to top level positions within his administration.

“Our Latino community has come a long way and for Mr. Spano to consider appointing someone as ‘Liaison to the Hispanic community’ is insulting,” said Mr. Fuentes.

According to the 2010 Census the City of Yonkers Latino population stands at 65,044 or 32.47% of the total population.  Under Mayor Terence Zaleski, a Democrat, the City of Yonkers had a Deputy Mayor of Hispanic descent and there were a number of Latino appointed to director positions.  Mayor Mike Spano has not appointed a Latino to any director, commissioner or deputy mayor positions.

“The City of Yonkers used to published a yearly Equal Employment Opportunity Report that gave an accurate picture of the number of Latinos that where employed by the city, now they won’t even make it available,” continued former councilman Fuentes.

In May 2012, the Mayor also has an opportunity to make appoints to the Yonkers Board of Education.

“So far you can see a large number of Latinos at night, when a private company is hired to clean city hall, you won’t see that many of us during business hours holding major positions that impact our daily lives,” added Mr. Fuentes.

“The City of Yonkers receives millions of dollars from the federal, state, and county government based on our Latino population and right now Mayor Spano is willing to receive the money, but not have us adequately represented,” ended former Counciman Fernando Fuentes.

Yesterday Perez cited unmanageable debt as the cause of her Dec. 28 chapter 7 filing in the federal bankruptcy court.

Here is a link to The Journal News’ story published today.

That’s the amount he owes Aiello & Cannick of Maspeth, N.Y., which filed a lawsuit against him in the state Supreme Court on Dec. 7, accusing Kriss of breach of contract.

The law firm is asking the court to order Kriss to pay $35,000 plus interest from June 16, 2010, the day of his sentencing, to the present.

Attorney Robert Aiello defended Kriss during his trial. Kriss, chief adviser to former county Board chair Bill Ryan, was sentenced on misdemeanor theft-of-services charges.

Kriss came under fire after a June 1, 2008, report in The Journal News found he had spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on books, software and electronics. The purchases included Hollywood scriptwriting software, a how-to program on Manga style cartooning, and a Kindle, with some of the items shipped to his South Salem home.

The controversy later prompted the 17-member county board to adopt changes in board spending and oversight policies.

Kriss was never charged with wrongdoing in relation to his county expenses, but was initially charged with four misdemeanors accusing him of having county graphics information technology specialist Sarah O’Brien work on personal projects for him and his wife, Patricia.

Among the projects that prosecutors said O’Brien worked on were a flow chart relating to Yale Divinity School, where Patricia Kriss was a student, and work relating to a referendum for the Ridgefield, Conn., Library.

Here are the statements from City Council President Chuck Lesnick, a Democrat, and Councilman John Murtagh, a Republican. Lesnick voted no; Murtagh voted yes.

Lesnick: We just heard prior to tonight’s meeting from our Finance Commissioner that the City of Yonkers is already overdrawn on its financial settlements account – and to pay this settlement would only place the city deeper in debt.
Over the past week the Council has spent many hours in executive session and in caucus being briefed by attorneys of different opinions as to whether this settlement will ultimately save or cost the taxpayers money going forward depending on possible subsequent appeals or actions. This settlement does not include more than $400,000 that the City has already spent in its own legal fees.
My fiduciary responsibility is to the taxpayers not only to stop the financial bleeding, but to also ensure that the City does not assume the obligation to pay for items for which it has no legal responsibility.
While I will not argue the law or revisit the case itself, it was clear that an order was given to city employees to remove certain newspaper boxes within the city of Yonkers from the public’s view.
Who gave this order and how it was carried out were at the heart of the trial issue.  No one from the City was ever fired or disciplined for giving the order. The jury found a preponderance of evidence to indicate that the mayor gave the order and by doing so, violated the federal constitutional amendment that allows the press the freedom to deliver information and opinions to the public in an uncensored fashion.
To approve a settlement with no individual accepting any responsibility for any mistake thwarts the intention of the jury’s punitive award, runs counter to the public policy that generally prohibits municipal indemnification of punitive damages and leaves the Constitution vulnerable to future violations from those who might take a chance thinking that they too will be bailed out by the taxpayers.
Potter Stewart, the late associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court once said that “censorship reflects society’s lack of confidence in itself.  It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.”
Having served many years in government, I respect the media and the press for the necessary function it serves – to keep the public informed of the actions of its elected leaders. While I do not always concur with its coverage or the angle of a story – and I too have been blasted on the front page of the Westchester Guardian – I have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution that protects the bedrock of our Bill of Rights, the First Amendment. And that means that no matter how seemingly fabricated, tainted, suspicious or slanderous some stories may appear to be, the press is to be protected in its efforts to report the truth.
The words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt are just as important today as they were when he uttered them amidst the great war that defined the American spirit to safeguard humanity and its finest principles, “If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free.”
While the dark days of totalitarian regimes are long behind us, we must always be vigilant to protect the freedoms we cherish and hold dear. For, even here in Yonkers, there will be those individuals, regardless of ranking and station, who may seek to grab hold of and maintain authority with any means possible.
To them I say, not on my watch, and not with our money.

Murtagh: “Make no mistake about it” Murtagh said, “what was done here in removing the Guardian newspaper boxes from the streets of Yonkers was wrong and indefensible. However, continuing this litigation at the cost of hundreds of thousands of additional dollars or even millions of dollars to the taxpayers with little likelihood of ultimate success would only make a bad situation worse”.

Murtagh, an attorney who has defended numerous such Section 1983 civil rights cases in his private practice, explained that the fact that the  Mayor has the right to insist that the City pay for an appeal and that such an appeal could risk bringing numerous other city employees back into court at substantial additional expense to the City made settlement now an unpleasant but financially sensible choice.  Realistic estimates of an appeal, cross-appeal by the plaintiffs and possible retrial range from the high six figures to over a million dollars with no assurance of success after years more of litigation.

“While it is offensive to have to spend a dime of taxpayer money as a result of this escapade, we are now in a position where the lesser of two evils is cutting off costs before they double or triple.  The taxpayers can either pay $393,338.00 now or, potentially, over a million dollars down the road.” Murtagh concluded.

Councilmember John Larkin echoed Murtagh’s sentiment saying that while he was outraged by the actions that led to the lawsuit in the first place he recognized that settlement, while unpleasant, was the fiscally prudent course.

Councilmember Dennis Shepherd said that the case was really an indictment of all that is wrong with the court system. “What was done by the Administration was clearly wrong” Shepherd said, “but that wrong was compounded by an abuse of the court system all of which left the taxpayers holding the bag”.

The committee met yesterday to hear a complaint by Rivers against Thomas for allegedly misleading voters by stating in his campaign literature that Conservatives and Republicans are to blame for closing the city’s Social Security office.

Here’s an excerpt from the committee’s unfair campaign practice ruling:

The Thomas statement: “Conservatives and Republicans closed our local Social Security office” could lead some voters to believe that local Conservative and Republican Party members played a role in the closure when, in fact, the office was closed by the federal Social Security Administration.  Mr. Thomas did not state in his literature what he said at the Fair Campaign Practices hearing: that he was referring to Republicans in Congress who overwhelming voted to cut funding for the Social Security Administration, which may have played a role in the decision to close the Mount Vernon office.

Here’s the committee’s complete rulingWESTCHESTER COUNTY FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMITTEE
914-834-0615/ faircampaign@optonline.net

October 26, 2011

Findings in the Complaint of
Samuel L. Rivers v. Richard Thomas, candidates for
City Councilmember, Mount Vernon

The Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee met on October 25, 2011, to hear the complaint of Samuel L. Rivers, against Richard Thomas, both candidates for City Councilmember, Mount Vernon.  Mr. Rivers and Mr. Thomas represented themselves.

COMPLAINT:
Mr. Rivers, a Republican-Conservative candidate, complains that campaign literature of Mr. Thomas, a Democratic candidate, misleads voters by stating that Republican and Conservative parties are responsible for closing the Social Security office in Mount Vernon.

FINDING: UNFAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICE
The Thomas statement: “Conservatives and Republicans closed our local Social Security office” could lead some voters to believe that local Conservative and Republican Party members played a role in the closure when, in fact, the office was closed by the federal Social Security Administration.  Mr. Thomas did not state in his literature what he said at the Fair Campaign Practices hearing: that he was referring to Republicans in Congress who overwhelming voted to cut funding for the Social Security Administration, which may have played a role in the decision to close the Mount Vernon office.

If a candidate or campaign wishes to quote from a Finding, the Committee requires that it be quoted in its entirety. The Committee regards selective quotation of its Findings as a violation of fair campaign practices.

Committee Members: Evelyn M.  Stock (Chair), Miriam Cohen (Coordinator), Dennis Chillemi. Dan Franklin, LaRuth Gray, Victor Goldberg, Susan Pace Guma, Milton Hoffman, Lee Kinnally, Robert Kirkwood, Polly M. Kuhn, Ernest Prince, Susan Schwarz, Lorelei A. Vargas.
Ex officio: Representatives of the Republican Party, Democratic Party, Independence Party, Conservative Party, Working Families Party.
The purpose of the Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee is to promote a climate in which candidates conduct honest and fair campaigns. The Committee encourages candidates to conduct campaigns openly and fairly, to discuss issues, to refrain from dishonest and defamatory attacks, and not to use campaign materials that distort the facts.
The Committee does not sit as a censor of political discussion nor as a body to enforce election law or make legal decisions. Its task is to accept written complaints about alleged unfair campaign practices and to determine whether the action complained about is indeed unfair. Among other things, the Committee will consider to be unfair any campaign practice that is a misstatement of a material fact or that misleads the public.
The Committee has no power to compel anyone to stop doing what it has found it be unfair. If the Committee acts on a complaint, it will release its findings to inform the public. The Committee may choose not to consider a complaint; in that case, a hearing is not held and the parties to the complaint are so notified.

Statement of Principles of the Committee, as stated in its Manual, available at www.faircampaignpractices.org. The Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee believes that candidates should conduct their campaigns in accordance with the following principles:
¬    The candidate will conduct a campaign for public office openly and fairly. The candidate will discuss the issues and participate in fair debate with respect to his/her views and qualifications.
¬    The candidate will neither engage in nor be involved with unfair or misleading attacks upon the character of an opponent, nor will the candidate engage in invasions of personal privacy unrelated to fitness for office.
¬    The candidate will not participate in or condone any appeal to prejudice.
¬    The candidate will neither use nor be involved with the use of any campaign material or advertisements that misrepresents or distorts the facts.
¬    The candidate will clearly identify by name the source of all advertisements and campaign literature published and distributed. (More)
¬    The candidate will not abuse the Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee process in order to obtain political advantage.
.
The candidate will publicly repudiate materials or actions from any individual or group that would violate this Statement of Principles.

It was the Spencer administration that struck the deal to build the 81-acre retail-residential complex which is expected to add 4,000 full-time jobs to Westchester County when it is fully built out.

With a smoker’s chuckle, Spencer said he was not surprised that he wasn’t asked to join in the ribbon cutting as he watched it from the crowd. Later during a ceremony and pyrotechnic show Spencer was asked to sit with dignitaries and he was acknowledged during the ceremony.

The Journal News asked Spencer for his thoughts on how Ridge Hill turned out.

Q: What do you think of Ridge Hill?

A:  I’m very happy that it’s finally come to fruition. It’s created hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs for people in Yonkers and the surrounding area. It’s going to provide revenue to the tax base of Yonkers to try to relieve some property taxes on the people of Yonkers and I’m thrilled that its putting good use to this land here called Ridge Hill.

Q: You were the target of criticism over how you handled the Ridge Hill project. Do you feel vindicated?

A: Of course…any time people come along, I guess people like me, who want to get things done, it causes acrimony. I think we did everything in a very professional manner. A very professional RFP (request for proposals). We had hundreds of public hearings and in spite of that, you’re always going to get some resistance, but time moves on and it gets developed, and I think now, as you see, people are enjoying the benefits of employment, getting a job and businesses hopefully continuing to prosper. I think it’s a great development. I’m very proud of it.

Q: Could you have done anything differently to have moved this project faster?

A: No, I really don’t. From day one we went through a very public RFP, opened up my conference room to everything. And then I remember the first time we had an announcement, we had it on a Saturday so citizens could come to it — civic groups and what not — to announce our intentions and to provide input. So we did all of that stuff, in spite of people saying we didn’t do it, we did do it.

At a candidates forum on Monday at Sarah Lawrence College, Republican mayoral candidate and Councilman John Murtagh, who voted against Ridge Hill in the City Council, told voters that he was part of a group of residents that filed a lawsuit seeking to block Ridge Hill.

Meanwhile, Murtagh said, Democratic mayoral candidate and Assemblyman Mike Spano worked for a high-profile lobbying firm promoting Ridge Hill while Spano took a break from elected office.

At the same forum, City Council Fifth District Republican cnadidate Mike Breen also voiced his long-standing opposition to Ridge Hill and he blamed the complex for worsening flooding after Tropical Storm Irene.

Breen promised voters that he will continue to monitor unresolved Ridge Hill issues over policing and over the construction of a new firehouse to serve the complex.

The city has not yet obtained property for the firehouse.

Alvarado, who has represented the 17th District in southwest Yonkers on the county legislature for almost 10 years, lost the September Democratic primary to Virginia Perez, leaving Alvarado with minor party ballot lines; he also faced a challenge from Republican candidate Carmen Gomez Goldberg.

“Alvarado thanked the members of the Yonkers Democratic Executive committee for their support and stated he is not actively campaigning. He wants to preserve the Democratic super majority on the Board and wants all our Yonkers Democrats to win,” Democratic party chairwoman Symra Brandon wrote in an email this morning.

Perez could not be reached this morning for comment about Alvarado, who also did not answer his cell phone; Gomez Goldberg said she was unaware of Alvarado’s statement to his party’s leaders.

“His name still remains on the ballot,” Gomez Goldberg said this morning. “As far as I’m concerned my campaign continues forward. It doesn’t affect me one way or the other. I think my message is clear and I think my reputation speaks for itself and I think I have the ability to bridge people together.”

In a statement she issued today, Gomez Goldberg said that the county plant in Yonkers is already operating beyond its capacity.

“The neighborhoods surrounding the facility have endured the stench from this overused plant for months now. Piping in more raw sewage from the New Castle communities of Random Farms, Riverwoods, the Yeshiva, and the planned community of Chappaqua Crossing is not only a poor idea but an irresponsible one,” she said in her statement. “It is time to upgrade the Riverwoods Sewage Treatment plant to accommodate the sewage from those communities. Yonkers can no longer be the dumping ground for the rest of the county’s sewage.”

In other campaign developments, Gomez Goldberg announced on Thursday that she received an endorsement from the Asian American Republican Committee.

Goldberg is challenging Democrat Virginia Perez and incumbent Legislator Jose Alvarado, who lost the Democratic primary to Perez.

Buchanan will speak with television pundit and journalist Eleanor Clift at the council’s annual dinner at the Hilton Rye Town, which starts at 5 p.m. with an invitation-only cocktail reception.

In his most recent column posted on his website, Buchanan writes about the legitimacy of killing Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born cleric killed by a drone attack on Sept. 30 in Yemen.

Gomez Goldberg is running for the legislature’s 17th District in southwest Yonkers, which is currently held by county Legislator Jose Alvarado, a Democrat who lost his party’s primary election to Virginia Perez.

Pataki called her a friend who he got to know when he was governor.

“She has a unique ability to handle problems diplomatically and effectively — one person at a time — one issue at a time. She is a consensus builder whose only objective is to get what her community needs resolved. With Carmen’s experience I have no doubt that she can and will persuade her colleagues to stop out of control spending, find a better way to streamline government and make it more efficient and accountable to the people,” Pataki said in a statement.

Amicone said Gomez Goldberg has been a friend and supporter.

“Carmen is passionate, honest and has the experience needed to serve the people of all Westchester County,” Amicone said in the statement. “What District 17 of Yonkers and Westchester County needs is an experienced professional who has lived, worked and is invested in this community.”

“It is a terrific victory for the people of our district,” Perez said in a press release issued earlier today.  “When we started several months ago few people gave us a chance against a long time incumbent supported by the party machine. But we had a message, and that message was that I would listen to the people of the district. That their concerns would be my concerns.  That their voices would be my voice in White Plains. I told them that I would be there for them. In return they came to the polls for me, and I am very grateful for the support of each and every person who voted for me.”

The race was too close to call Tuesday night because of an incomplete count, which was updated late yesterday.

Unofficial returns last night showed Perez with 932 votes and Alvarado with 800.

Perez will face Alvarado again in November because Alvarado has two minor party lines. Republican Carmen Gomez Goldberg will also be on the November ballot.

With 18 of 76 district still unreported, Comptroller Maureen Walker led former Mayor Ernest Davis by 121 votes in the Democratic primary.

Elections Commissioner Douglas Colety said Board of Elections staffers began unsealing the voting machines Thursday and uploading the voting information for a preliminary tabulation.

As of this afternoon, the complete voting data had not been posted on the Board of Elections’ website.

An attorney for Mount Vernon Comptroller Maureen Walker filed papers in court Wednesday seeking to participate in the recount.

Walker and Davis, or their attorneys, are expected to appear in the state Supreme Court on Friday at 10 a.m. before Justice Joan B. Lefkowitz to discuss the recount plan.

Here’s part of the statement Flower issued:

Democratic Mayoral candidate Bob Flower has personally spoken with his opponents, Mike Spano and Chuck Lesnick, to congratulate them on their honorable campaigns and to wish Spano success as the party’s candidate in the November election.

“I wish Mike and Chuck good luck in all their political endeavors,” Dr. Flower said.  “And I thank my staff and the community leaders who assisted my campaign for their hard work.

“While my vote numbers fell well below my projections, our two other campaign objectives seem to be falling in place and promising a better Yonkers,” he added.

These objectives are recognition and potential adaptation of innovative fiscal and economic programs, as well as the replacement of the current system of governance in Yonkers with a “mission first and people first” model rather than “career first” focusing.

Party-endorsed candidates Christopher Johnson and Dennis Robertson for the City Council’s First and Third Districts and county Legislator Jose Alvarado in the 17th legislative district were all in second place in last night’s initial returns, which varied from 62 to 79 percent of election districts reporting.

“I wouldn’t use the word embarrassing. We have one strong candidate and the numbers are still out,” said Brandon, noting party-endorsed Assemblyman Mike Spano’s clear numerical advantage in the Democratic mayoral primary.

Brandon said that even if her committee’s endorsed candidates don’t pull ahead, the party will welcome the candidates that prevail.

“You challenge the establishment, you win it and the establishment works with you,” said Brandon, adding that voter turnout in her party’s races was very low. “We coalesce around those people who come out of the primary. We’ll just move ahead and continue our job to win. It’s part of the democratic process.”

She then listed the Democratic party’s endorsed candidates—and no one else. Here is a screen shot of the email she released.

For the record, there are 19 candidates competing in tomorrows’ Democratic and Republican primaries for mayor, City Council and county legislature.

The candidates are:

Mayor

Carlo Calvi-R

Robert Flower-D

Chuck Lesnick-D

Richard Martinelli-R

John Murtagh-R

Mike Spano-D

City Council 1st District

Mark Hynes-D

Christopher Johnson-D

Larry Sykes-D

City Council 3rd District

Jay Bryant-R

Michael Meyer-R

Dennis Robertson-D

Michael Rotanelli-D

Michael Sabatino-D

City Council 5th District

Mike Breen-R

Stephen Cerrato-R

Joe Crotty-R

County Legislature District 17

Jose Alvarado-D

Virginia Perez-D

UPDATE: Two hours after McDow sent out her email about the Democrats’ endorsed candidates and an hour after Politics on the Hudson noted the e-blast, McDow’s office sent out an email listing some of the Republicans’ endorsed candidates.

UPDATE #2: By 4:55 p.m. McDow sent out an email recalling her previous communications. “They were sent in error,” her email stated.

The “We Vote” campaign encourages supporters to put up lawn signs saying “We Vote! Education #1, Our Children Deserve Better!”

Their press release stated:

The Yonkers Public Schools have been drastically cut once again in an annual budget battle that has left the schools without 241 certified teachers this year on top of the enormous cuts from last year and previous years. Our schools are left with over crowded classrooms, only 2 guidance counselors per High school, half day Pre Kindergarten, no elementary libraries or instrumental music and limited on secondary level, and modified or Junior Varsity sports and limited Varsity sports. This annual budget battle must stop!

Our city has turned a corner. Candidates are talking about Education. However, PTA believes they need to know that this MUST be their highest priority and they must hold firm to campaign promises. With over 26,000 children using our schools, we have become recognized as a political force with issues that MUST be addressed. Our parents and alumni are ready to vote in the September primary for the strongest pro public education candidate.

The donation for the signs is $5 and they are available from Kelly Chiarella 914-438-8694 or at the YCPTA’s Facebook page.

Meyer, 44, an art dealer, is a lifelong Yonkers resident who is married with three young children; two of them attend Sacred Heart Grade School. He will face Jay Bryant in the Sept. 13 Republican primary.

Meyer has never held an elected office and his community involvement includes coaching baseball and football for the North Yonkers Boys Club. That’s one of the reasons he’s running.

“I watch the gangs recruit the sixth, seventh and eighth graders right off the football field,” said Meyer, adding that there needs to be a greater police presence in his district’s streets to curb car break-ins.

“Each little area in the city of Yonkers has its own business district and there shoud be a policeman walking around,” Meyer said.

High taxes are another reason Meyer seeks a council seat. He said the city needs to evaluate all its programs and eliminate or change the programs that aren’t working.

He opposes “hostage taxes” like the city’s real estate transfer tax and “tax scams” like the red-light cameras that have been installed at intersections around the city.

“We actually have cameras watching us, but not the criminals,” he said.

Incumbent Councilwoman Joan Gronowski is not seeking reelection and a City Councilman is paid $37,905 annually.

The storm flooded about 25 homes’ basements in the area, as well as the 900 and 1000 Palmer Rd.

Yonkers City Council Fifth District candidate Mike Breen, the Republican party’s pick in the Sept. 13 Republican primary election, had eight to nine feet of water in his basement and today he said he’ll attend.

Breen said the area was devastated by a flood four years ago and no action was taken to prevent Irene’s flooding. Breen blamed new development at Ridge Hill.

“Something changed four years ago. That’s when they cleared Ridge Hill,” Breen said this morning. All that water is coming down.”

In a press release on the flooding that Breen issued last week, he called for dredging of  Crestwood Lake, Bronxville Lake and the Sprain Brook.

“There should also be an inspection of retaining walls constructed south of Palmer Road,” Breen stated in his press release. “The wall protecting the Sprain Brook Parkway is significantly higher than the one that should be protecting 900 Palmer and Brooklands residents, and that shorter wall is sending flood waters the wrong way. The question is, Why do they prefer protecting parkways over peoples’ homes?”

Spano, the Democratic-backed candidate, faces a challenge in the Sept. 13 primary election from Robert Flower and City Council President Chuck Lesnick.

“We are excited to join Mike Spano here today to endorse his candidacy for mayor,” said David Ford, Chairman of the Black Democrats of Westchester. “Mike’s commitment to protecting and improving our communities is exactly what is needed in Yonkers.”

Jose Roman, Vice Chair of the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester said, “Mike represents a new way of addressing the issues facing Yonkers. We believe his approach to providing for quality education, fiscal stability and local job creation will lay a new foundation for growth in Yonkers.”

In addition to their endorsement of Mike Spano for Mayor, the two organizations also announced their endorsement of Jose Alvarado for County Legislator in the 17th Legislative District. Both the Black and Hispanic Democrats of Westchester expressed their support for Alvarado’s continued advocacy on behalf of the residents in his district, Spano’s press release stated.

The incumbent Democrat faces a challenge from three rivals in the Sept. 13 primary.

Here’s what Young’s email from yesterday included:

“I love my hometown. I am in Mount Vernon often and I see tremendous progress. I am proud of the work Mayor Young has done. I support and endorse him. I ask you to do the same,” Oscar Winning Actor Denzel Washington said in the press release.

Young also announced today that he received endorsements from the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body, AFL-CIO and Mount Vernon Federation of Teachers.

Young’s campaign previously announced that the  Mount Vernon Fire Fighters Union Local 107 would endorse Young, but that endorsement has been postponed, according to Young’s campaign.

Young’s ther endorsements include outgoing Mount Vernon Councilman Steven Horton, state Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Bronx/Mount Vernon, Rep. Eliot Engel, state Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx/Westchester, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, D-Mount Vernon, County Legislator Lyndon Williams, D-Mount Vernon and County Legislator Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers.

Here is what Flower, who is challenging Democratic-party backed candidate Mike Spano and City Council President Chuck Lesnick in the Sept. 13 primary, said in his press statement released yesterday.

The recent hiring of long-time conservative activist Gail Burns as a County Board of Legislators administrative aide and the expectation that this will lead to write-in votes on the Conservative line for Mike Spano as Mayor of Yonkers  is one more example of the backroom politics that has hindered  progress in the city, said Democratic Mayoral candidate Bob Flower today.

“It’s a commitment to the same-old, same-old  politics that keeps those responsible for Yonkers’ problems in positions of executive and legislative responsibility,” Flower declared.  “How can residents of Yonkers break free of this bondage if the same people who brought the city to its current state of disrepute continue to shape its future.”

The lifelong resident of Yonkers is basing his campaign on an “after all the politicians, it’s time for competence” theme and is calling for someone with executive, rather than legislative, experience to head City Hall.

“The city needs new ideas and executive skills, not the failed policies and leadership of the past,” he said.

Crotty is challenging party-backed candidate Mike Breen and Stephen Cerrato in the Sept. 13 Republican primary.

Current Fifth District Councilman John Murtagh, a Republican, is term-limited and he’s running for mayor.

“The Irish American Republicans are proud to support Joe Crotty for City Council. Joe Crotty will stand up for the taxpayers of Yonkers and this state ” stated Grant Lally, national Co-Chair of the Irish American Republicans. “Joe Crotty will fight to keep Yonkers affordable and moving in the right direction.”

According to their press release, the Irish American Republicans are dedicated to building Republican support among the 45 million strong Irish American community, and have been a leading force in the national Republican coalition, since having been organized in 1868 and chartered in 1880.

The IAR has played leading roles in campaigns for Governor, Senate, Congress and President of the United States, and has been dubbed by Sean Hannity as the “GOP’s Delta Force.”

Spano, the Democratic party’s endorsed candidate, faces a Sept. 13 Democratic primary challenge from City Council President Chuck Lesnick and Robert Flower.

“Mike is the only candidate who can bring the strong leadership our city needs to protect education and provide new opportunity in Yonkers,” said Councilwoman Patricia McDow, 1st District. “He’s been an effective advocate for Yonkers as an Assemblyman and will be the effective Mayor our city needs now more than ever.”

“It’s time to bring change to the Mayor’s office and implement the reforms that are important to us all, such as improving our schools so our kids get the support they need,” said Councilman Wilson Terrero, 2nd District. “Mike Spano is the clear choice to get that done. He has the vision to continue what is right and fix what is wrong.”

“Our city cannot afford to continue to be run by crisis year after year while spending more than our revenues allow,” said Councilwoman Joan Gronowski, 3rd District. “Yonkers voters have a real opportunity this year to elect a Mayor who has the ability to make real progress for our city.”

The endorsements included the Rev. Franklyn Richardson of the Grace Baptist Church and the Rev. Darin Moore of the Greater Centennial AME Zion Church.

In a press release, the Young campaign stated that the endorsements are significant because the endorsing religious leaders represent more than 20,000 congregants.

Thomas, 29, is married and runs his own consulting business. He serves on the board of Amani Public Charter School and volunteers as a Peacekeeper, a group that approaches young people as a violence-reduction effort.

Thomas, the city Democrats’ endorsed candidate, is a former regional director for Gov. David Paterson’s regional office in White Plains.

The 11 a.m. event takes place in front of Ristorante Buona Sera in Mount Vernon’s Fleetwood neighborhood.

No incumbents are running for the two open seats in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary as Councilman Steven Horton will not seek reelection and Councilwoman Diane Munro-Morris was disqualified from the primary ballot.

The Democratic primary winner essentially wins the November election in this overwhelmingly Democratic city.