Politics on the Hudson

Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick testified today on redistricting the state’s senate district lines and he asked that Yonkers not be split in half by two senate districts.

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.

Here is the full text of his statements: (more…)

Two Yonkers City Council members released statements yesterday on the council’s vote to have the city pay for Mayor Phil Amicone’s $393,338 First Amendment settlement with the Westchester Guardian newspaper.

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”.

Mayoral candidate Robert Flower offered his congratulations today to Assemblyman Mike Spano for his apparent win in the Democratic mayoral primary last night.

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.

Assemblyman Mike Spano, D-Yonkers, announced today that he will receive a mayoral endorsement at 12:30 p.m. from the Black Democrats of Westchester and the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester at the steps of Yonkers City Hall.

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.

Yonkers mayoral candidate Robert Flower criticized the Westchester County Board of Legislators’ hiring of Conservative Party insider Gail Burns.

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.

Yonkers Assemblyman Mike Spano got a mayoral endorsement today from three of the Yonkers City Council’s Democrats.

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.”

City Council President Chuck Lesnick’s recent mayoral campaign e-blast criticized Assemblyman Mike Spano for mailings he’s done on the state’s dime.

Lesnick, who faces party-back candidate Spano and Robert Flower  in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary, said Spano is abusing his privileges.

“We find it reprehensible that a state assemblyman can use the public coffers to crank out campaign literature in the guise of official mailing during such bad fiscal times,” Lesnick’s email stated.

Spano campaign spokesman Jason Baker said that Spano’s mailing was done in July and that there are very strict deadlines that the Assembly has regarding mailings.

Baker said Spano issued three mailings about new laws and changes, which is something he does every year.

“There is nothing political. Everything is legislative,” Baker said of the flier. “This is just another attempt by Chuck Lesnick to divert attention from the real issues affecting Yonkers.”

Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick got an endorsement in his mayoral campaign from the New York League of Conservation Voters on Aug. 1.

“Yonkers need a leader focused on moving the city towards a more sustainable future,” said Nanette Bourne, chair of NYLCV’s Westchester chapter. “That’s why the New York League of Conservation Voters is proud to endorse Chuck Lesnick for election.”

Lesnick, who is not the Democratic Party’s official candidate, is running against party candidate Assemblyman Mike Spano and Robert Flower.

The Westchester County Board of Elections gave The Journal News a list of eligible primary candidates today.

Barring unresolved court challenges, here’s a list of the candidates who will appear on the ballot in the Democratic and Republican primaries:

Mayor

Carlo Calvi, Republican

Robert Flower, Democrat

Chuck Lesnick, Democrat

Richard Martinelli, Republican

John Murtagh, Republican

Mike Spano, Democrat

First City Council District

Brian Carter, Democrat

Mark Hynes, Democrat

Christopher Johnson, Democrat

Lawrence Sykes, Democrat

Third City Council District

John Bryant, Republican

Michael Francis Meyer, Republican

Dennis Robertson, Democrat

Michael Rotanelli, Democrat

Michael Sabatino, Democrat

Fifth City Council District

Michael Breen, Republican

Stephen Cerrato, Republican

Joseph Crotty, Republican

The County Board of Elections got petitions from 24 people for Yonkers mayoral and City Council races.

The deadline was July 14, but candidates can also mail in their petitions, so more could arrive next week. Here’s a list of the filers so far:

Mayoral petition filers:

Assemblyman Mike Spano

City Council President Chuck Lesnick

Councilman John Murtagh

former City Council President Richard Martinelli

Carlo Calvi

Robert Flower

Shirley Thompson

City Council First District petition filers:

Mark Hynes

Lawrence Sykes

Christopher Johnson

Brian A. Carter

Ivy Reeves

City Council Third District petition filers:

former Councilman Dennis Robertson

Michael J. Sweeney

Lamont Badru

Michael Rotanelli

Michael Sabatino

John R. Bryant

Michael Francis Meyer

City Council Fifth District petition filers:

Katherine Brezler

Kathleen Thomas

Joseph Crotty

Michael Breen

Stephen Cerrato