Yonkers is a lively city near New York City. It is known for its own way of running things. We are going to take a close look at how Yonkers is run. We will see how leaders might get bigger paychecks. We will also see how New York’s laws affect Yonkers, especially about fixing power lines. There are important people to know about. Like the person who leads the Yonkers IDA and the City Clerk. It is important to understand how these people and rules affect the city. This helps everyone who lives there or is interested in Yonkers. Let’s start exploring Yonkers and how it works.
Yonkers Officials Eye Big Pay Hikes
In Yonkers, big changes are coming for city leaders’ paychecks. On December 12, the City Council will decide on this. If they agree, the Mayor and Council Members will get much more money. Starting January 1, 2024, every Council Member’s salary will go up. If there is a delay, they will still get the new salary from that date. Mayor Mike Spano’s pay increase is even bigger. Right now, he gets $156,100 a year. With the new plan, he will get $228,500. That is 46% more. According to The Yonkers Ledger, for 2023, the cost-of-living went up by 8.7%. But this raise is much higher.
The Council Members, who work part-time, will also get more. Their pay depends on their job in the Council. For example, City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy will go from $74,000 to $88,000. The Majority and Minority Leaders will get $73,000, up from $63,000. Other members will get $58,000, a $10,000 increase. If they lead a committee, they get an extra $15,000. For comparison, Buffalo’s Mayor will get $178,519, and its Council Members will get $84,473. New York City’s Mayor earns $258,750. That is $0.03 per NYC resident versus $1.09 per Yonkers resident.
In Yonkers, the average salary is about $60,000. But city government employees make much more. In 2022, their average was $131,070.20. This includes different jobs, from Fire Department Captains to clerks. These raises mean the Mayor’s new salary will be more than what most Yonkers residents make in a year. If you have thoughts on this, the City Council meeting on December 12 is the place to share them.
Latimer vs Bowman in Dem Primary
In Yonkers, a big political race is heating up. George Latimer, the Westchester County Executive, is running for Congress. He is aiming for New York’s 16th Congressional District. He filed the necessary papers on Monday. This starts his campaign and fundraising.
Latimer, who is 70, will face Jamaal Bowman. Bowman is 47 and a progressive. He is been the district’s representative for two terms. He won the seat in 2020 by beating Eliot Engel. The 16th District includes parts of Westchester County and the Bronx. It is mostly Democratic. There is a redistricting process going on. Latimer’s Deputy Executive, Ken Jenkins, is leading it. Latimer has been in politics for 35 years. He is been a state senator and county legislator. He can’t run again for County Executive because of term limits.
Some people want Bowman out. They don’t like his views on Israel and Palestine. But this race could cause a split in the Democratic district. In 2022, Democrats lost seats in New York. Some worry that fighting within the party could lead to more losses. Latimer is running despite these concerns. This race could affect the Democratic Party’s power in Congress. It is a small district, but it could have big effects.
NY’s New Law for Quick Power Line Fix
New York has a new law to keep people safe during storms. Governor Kathy Hochul signed it. Now, utility companies must quickly fix downed power lines. Before, they only had to act fast if a city official reported the problem. But things have changed.
The new rule was announced on November 22. It says utility companies must respond to reports from residents. They have 72 hours to act after the emergency ends. Governor Hochul says this law is about safety. Downed power lines are dangerous, not just inconvenient. People should report them. The law makes sure utility companies fix them fast and safely.
Assemblymember Nader Sayegh from Yonkers helped make this law. He wants communities to help keep everyone safe. Sayegh says the law makes emergency plans better. It puts public safety first. State Senator Shelley B. Mayer from Yonkers also supports the law. She says neighbors often see downed wires first. Now, they can make sure their concerns are heard. This law is a big step for New York. It helps residents and utility companies work together in emergencies. It is all about making things safer when power lines go down.
Dual Role for Yonkers IDA Chief
In Yonkers, James Cavanaugh has two big jobs. He is the head of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Now, he is also the acting Commissioner of the Planning & Development department. Mayor Mike Spano chose him for this in August. This was after Lou Albano, the former Commissioner, retired. Cavanaugh has a long history in local politics. He started in the late 1980s. He worked for New York State Senator Nick Spano. Then, he became Eastchester’s elected Supervisor in 1994. He also worked in Manhattan at the Battery Park City Authority.
In 2021, Mayor Spano made Cavanaugh the President/CEO of the Yonkers IDA. This agency helps bring investment to Yonkers. They work with land sales and tax breaks for developers. Now, Cavanaugh is also running the Planning & Development department. This department handles things like affordable housing and city planning. He took over this role without a formal announcement. He is getting the same salary as the former Commissioner, $197,737 per year. He is not taking his salary from the Yonkers IDA right now.
Some people are asking if it is okay for Cavanaugh to have both jobs. The City of Yonkers says it is fine. They mention similar situations in other places. But, there are concerns about power being in the hands of just a few people. Cavanaugh and his wife, Wilson Kimball, have big roles in Yonkers’ government.
Cavanaugh’s role in the Planning Department is temporary for now. The city did post the job online. But they took down the posting two months later. No new candidates have been named. Mayor Spano will look at all his cabinet positions before his new term. This includes Cavanaugh’s role.
Nolan Reacts to Hochul’s Clean Slate Act
Westchester County Legislator James Nolan has strong opinions about the Clean Slate Act. Governor Kathy Hochul signed this law on November 16, 2023. It was debated for over a year. Here is what the law does. It seals criminal records after a certain time. If someone committed a misdemeanor, their record is sealed after three years. For a felony, it’] is eight years. But this doesn’t apply to the worst felonies or sex offenders.
Nolan, from Yonkers, Eastchester, and Bronxville, doesn’t like this law. He thinks it is bad for victims of violent crimes. He says it protects people who did terrible things. Nolan voted against a resolution supporting this law. He is thankful to others who also voted against it. He calls it a pro-criminal, anti-victim reform. Nolan thinks it is a foolish move.
Spano’s Third Term as Yonkers City Clerk
Vincent “Vinny” Spano is the City Clerk of Yonkers again. The City Council just re-appointed him. This is his third five-year term. He has been in government for 20 years. The City Clerk’s Office is important. It keeps vital records. It gives out licenses and permits. This includes marriage licenses and birth certificates. They also handle unusual things like Bingo licenses. The City Council chooses the City Clerk and two Deputies. They help run the office. The office also takes care of Council meetings. They schedule them and keep records.
Vinny Spano has been in this role since 2013. He wanted to improve and modernize the office. And he did. The office now offers more services. Like passport applications and E-Z Pass tags. They even remodeled their office in City Hall. Under Spano, the office’s revenue doubled.
At the meeting about his re-appointment, everyone agreed. They praised his work. John Rubbo mentioned how the office stayed open during COVID-19. Shanae Williams said Yonkers is leading the way. She ran for County Clerk because of this. Spano thanked everyone for their support. He is proud of his team. They are professional and friendly. He is committed to making more improvements. To learn more about the City Clerk’s Office, visit their website.
Conclusion
Our journey through Yonkers’ local governance and legislation has been eye-opening. We have seen big changes and challenges. From officials’ pay hikes to new laws for power line fixes, Yonkers is always moving. The political scene is lively, with Latimer and Bowman’s race heating up. The dual role of the IDA Chief shows how complex local government can be.
Nolan’s reaction to the Clean Slate Act highlights different views on justice. Spano’s third term as City Clerk shows commitment to public service. Each story gives us a glimpse into how Yonkers works. It is a city that balances progress with tradition. Yonkers’ story is about people making decisions for their community. It is about laws that affect everyday lives. And it is about leaders who shape the city’s future. As residents or observers, understanding these dynamics is key. It helps us appreciate the efforts that go into running a city like Yonkers.