Official and Unofficial Changes to the Guard at the Yonkers City Clerk’s Office By Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY -- It was only a few days ago that oblique public notice was made that longtime Yonkers First Deputy Clerk Barbara Flatley is to retire in September. This circumstance will set into motion a changing of the guard. The City Charter requires that the Clerk and her deputies be of different political parties. In the case of Ms. Flatley, a registered Democrat, there will be a flurry of resumes gathered for consideration under the aegis of Majority Leader Sandy Annabi.

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The intrigue revolving about Ms. Flatley has simmered quietly behind the scene for months. Former City Councilmember Symra Brandon has been promoted to be Ms. Flatley’s appointed replacement. Knowledge of intent of her political appointment has earned the consternation of many in the know.

Ms. Brandon has no background or experience that could be construed as applicable for this position. With City Clerk Joan Deierlein at the helm, ably assisted by Second Deputy Clerk Vincent Spano, one can contemplate having to endure the on the job training Brandon would need to immerse herself. To be fair, all those who are entrusted with the City Clerk position undergo an on the job training process; yet these times are most demanding of Yonkers.  

But things are not what they seem. Yonkers Tribune acid-tongued bloggers have sadly corroborated that City Clerk Joan Deierlein has recently learned that she must engage medical attention in order to survive a recently diagnosed ailment. Were Ms. Deierlein able to oversee a newly appointed clerk onto her staff, ably assisted by Mr.  Spano, the public might quietly submit to having a political retread and present has-been her opportunity at Yonkers expense. Instead, knowing of Ms. Deierlein’s personal travail demands a functional City Clerk. She with undergo medical attention for at least 60 to 90 days.

The City Clerk’s office must diligently focus on the ancillary issues demanded of economic development concerns, the upcoming November 2008 election, while still maintaining an eye over the other responsibilities of the Clerk. To have an absent City Clerk Joan Deierlein due to her medical concerns, a newbie replacing the retiring Ms. Flatley because of her medical issues, would leave the well versed and experienced  Second Deputy Clerk Vincent Spano overwhelmed under a barrage of paperwork for which only he is capable of managing. As the top echelon of the Yonkers City Clerk’s office implodes under its own weight, Yonkersites can be comforted in the knowledge of the expedient, efficient, and proficient back office personnel who have greased the function of the office for years.

Mr. Spano should be moved up the ladder within the City Clerk’s office. A “newbie” required to replace the retiring First Deputy Clerk Barbara Flatley must be proficient from day one; Yonkers cannot afford a “newbie’s” learning curve, nor the lack of over sight that person would require during these challenging times.

Comments

Brandon makes a $100,000 pension and she needs to work? The Democrats are as bad as the Republicans

Besides she doesn;t even know the first thing about the clerk's office.

Suck the taxpayers dry -- i don't know how these people hold their heads up. They must have no shame

Gee, maybe the city will forget about political paybacks and do whats right for the city and hire the most qualified person for the job?

Did she get this pension from working for the city?

it maybe a good time for joan
deirline to retire, she has
been there for over 15 years
and that office needs new
blood and leadership.

So what how long she has been there, she is a survivor working with all parties and people just like Mosylowski did. It doesn't need new leadership, the woman knows what she is doing. Better off with someone that has been there for years that new people.

Wishing Dierlein good health and a speedy return, people are entitled to get sick and not get dismissed.

the office needs to be updated
with new technology and innovation,
joan lacks those skills.

I must say Joan Deirlein has one good skill and that is on the phone all day gossiping with party leaders and elected officials.

This is not about Joan. It's about that hack Brandon, who is as dumb as a rock.

whether its a dem hack or a rep hack , the taxpayer is still getting screwed.

Unfortunately this is not about Joan or Brandon or qualifications. It’s emblematic of how Yonkers is run by a government of Immature brats and maniacal egos (take your pick). Control and favors where nothing ever gets solved other than political appointments, pay raises... and of course tax increases.

The old “I got mine” point of view of the world with regard solely to self preservation.

YONKERS: the definitive example of a non-working corrupted government.
With no limits or end in sight.

sounds like a bully wants back into the play yard. Whatever the bully says goes, right? So some processing decisions will be "because I said so, that's why."
Ugh, no, the city of Yonkers deserves way better than this. Let's get someone tested properly for the job and who'll function professionally for all.

And what's this about a hefty pension? Where is that from, and can a person get a job like this while the pension flows?

You can collect a state pension, and work for the municipality you worked for prior to retiring, however you cannot earn more than $30,000. If you are to earn more than $30,000. you need to obtain a waiver showing that nobody else is qualified to take that job. It must be approved by the NYS comptrollers office. This info is posted on the NYS comptrollers website.

957 poster
please post the link

crap i can't even get my lease renewed downtown. you think i'm worried about a city clerk? yonkers is corrupt to the core

is it tru that brandon gets 100,000 dollars a year as a pension? anyone know if that is true?

About two months ago the Albany Times Union newspaper posted the larger pensions on its website, including YPD, etc. That data may still be available by searching its website.

Joan does a good as did mrs. Flatley and as does Mr. Spano - This office helps all who ask and i trust that city council will make the right move to make sure that this continues.

Word has it that Annabi, McLaughlin and Gronowski are championing GED Spano with other retreads for the 3rd deputy position such as Phil Gille and Letty Intervallo, the latter having flipped around to one politico -- Mike & Nick Spano, Janine Pirro, Vinny Restiano etc. -- after another.

McLaughlin aside, although it appears he pulls their strings, what's with Dems Annabi and Gronwoski supporting Republicans and Conservatives? Besides, aren't the positions supposed to reflect different political parties? With the names mentioned it seems they're all Republicans or Republicans in disguise. Jenkins must be having a hissy fit that he can't control his Dems.

Letty?

How could that be possible?

letty - you must be joking - brandon would do a better job.

Hezi, you are wrong on Spano. He is belong to a minority nobody party that should have to part or parcel in the City Clerks Office.

As for learning curves, filing and noticing meetings, hardly rocket science material.

As for Brandon if, she's collecting a huge pension then she shouldn't be allowed to work as well. And if so she should not be able to collect twice from the taxpayer. It's either Paycheck or Pension, but not both. And that should be enshrined in law, (mind you all of these laws are irrelevant anyway, because they are never designed to make public officials accountable, because it's these bastards that make the laws in the first place.)

BRANDON GETS A $102,887.00 ANNUAL PENSION FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY. IT IS POSTED ON THE ALBANY TIMES UNION WEB SITE.

What the heck did she dpo to get a six figure pension?

This is why this State and County is so messed up and we are going broke.

What kind of salary did she make to afford her a pension of over $100,000?

Must have been a Yonkers Cop!!!