The sun is setting
on three term limited members of the Yonkers City Council. The City Council
President, eligible to be reelected, faces a challenger, possibly two. The
Mayor of Yonkers is designated a “lame duck.” The days of his government are
waning; he is in search of a legacy. Yonkerites are being coaxed out of a
lethargic slumber by the scandals that have amassed over the years. Our meek
demeanor is infused with bravado only seen when we perceive a scandal in the
making. Yonkers flirts within
boundaries few recognize; it is an insider’s game. Most will need 30 plus years
residence to play. Yonkers is
rarely sullied by large-scale corruption. Our forte is slow, plodding, and
methodic. We have learned to enrage each other but only to a point. We have
become adept at pushing each other’s buttons and retreating when necessary.
We tend to concern
ourselves over sheer triviality; avoiding the issues that one would consider
most affect us. Garbage collection and pothole repair seem to trump all other
concerns, particularly if one attends the many Town Hall Meetings conducted by
Mayor Phil Amicone. The financial crisis that consumes the nation consumes Yonkers.
We won’t admit to it, instead, we search for a scapegoat to blame. Yonkers is rife with spinmeisters whose messages resonate with those employed directly
or obliquely by City Hall. No matter
ethnicity, religion, education, color, or sexual preference we all want to
belong. Our choosing a homogeneous ruling class has sanitized our ability to
fight our way out of a paper bag, much less to contend with the financial woes
that beset our City, State, and Federal government.
The ideological
divide that once drew people to City Hall, the State Legislature, and the White
House to change the world has been blurred by both parties who no longer fight
for the center ground, preferring to concoct a non-aggression pact of
convenience and the sharing of power. The fringe parties defined themselves in
palatable thought only to be betrayed by becoming patronage mills rather that
bastions of discourse and actions of democracy.
The strong mayor form of government in Yonkers has sucked the life out of the Legislative branch of government. The process has forced stalwart men and women to become meek party politicians in the hope that they may for a brief moment in time enjoy modest comforts. To assuage those desires, the mayor has chosen to permit the Yonkers City fleet togrow beyond that provided by the Yonkers City Charter.
With each intake of “new” politicians who
fill contested or vacated positions in government, the hope for a benevolent
maverick becomes dimmer.
The bloodletting in Yonkers has begun. Councilwoman Dee
Barbato was run over politically a few times to keep her out of the race for
City Council President. She is not a happy camper. The bloodletting in Yonkers 4th City Council District has escalated beyond a simple food fight. Daggers are
being thrown about. Dr. Ronald Volino was politically stabbed days ago. Justin
Tubiolo months ago. Geri Esposito got clobbered. John Rubbo returned from being
fired from the Second Floor to challenge Dennis Shephard in the Republican
Primary. The Republicans are squabbling and Democrat Mario DeGeorgio is
chilling.
The Democrats
reluctantly chose Chuck Lesnick their designee. The Republicans chose newcomer
Jim Castro-Blanco. Should Liam McLaughlin garner a line, this may be a three
way race.
Yonkers City Council
Minority Leader Liam McLaughlin, also Budget Co-chair, is not elated. Both Ms
Barbato and Mr McLaughlin will maintain their vote regarding the upcoming
Mayor’s 2009-2010 Budget Proposal, the SFC Yonkers
development projects, and so much more until December 31, 2009.
The Democrats chose
Wilson Terrero their designee. Virginia Perez and Jose Ramon have not accepted
that outcome. They will meet the designee in a Primary battle. The Republicans
chose not to contest for this seat.
Similarly, in the 6th
District the Republicans designated John Larkin, but the independent minded
Anthony Merante will return to battle again in the Republican Primary. In the
meantime, Democrat Ted Winnicki is chilling.
No matter the
protagonists before us today or those that stand before us tomorrow, I had
thought Yonkers would have crossed
the Rubicon this year. Instead, Yonkersites have retreated to the comfort of
petty concerns, seemingly deflected from the financial crisis, the increasing
tax burden, the lack of development, the financial viability of some of our
developers, some who have met their demise and others close to it.
Yonkersites are taking it all in stride; perhaps this too shall pass. They are not furious. Perhaps I should let it slide by as well. As I see it now.... Everything is at it should be. I keep saying, “I believe, I believe, I believe!” to myself, yet can't seemto believe it.
Truth be told, it
just doesn’t seem right to me. Is it right?
