Yonkers, NY -- "There's a term for people who purport a public image under false pretenses when their actions prove them to be something else: fraud," states the opening line in a press release issued after Noontime today. "And in Yonkers politics, no one meets the definition of a fraud quite like Sandy Annabi," continues the public rebuke by Mayor Phil Amicone.
The press release contines, "A day after issuing public statements demanding more police posts in southwest Yonkers, Councilmember Annabi was revealed as exactly that—a fraud—by Mayor Phil Amicone who called her demand an 'utter sham after she failed to deliver adequate police resources in the current city budget."
"Councilmember Annabi is unbelievably brazen to call for more police after she voted against a budget that would have provided adequate public safety not only for her district but for the whole city. The fact is, when she had the chance to make sure that the police department was fully funded, she voted ‘no,’ and now, only a month later, she wants people to believe that she's really committed to keeping Yonkers safe. This kind of outrageous political posturing reveals her as nothing but a total fraud," said Mayor Amicone in response to Annabi’s public statements.
Annabi’s comments were made in the aftermath of recent gang activity in southwest Yonkers.
“We need to give [the police] the proper resources they need.”
-Councilmember Sandy Annabi on Cablevision’s News 12 (July 29, 2009)
Mayor Amicone continued to call Annabi to task for votes she made to cut the police department.
“Where was Councilmember Annabi’s concern for the people of Yonkers when she refused to fund overtime and equipment that would keep this city safe? The truth is she was silent when it really mattered. Not only did she vote against that budget, but she has done nothing in her position as councilmember for southwest Yonkers and as majority leader to make any proposal that would strengthen the police department or give the police the resources they need to protect the public.
“What’s more, it is shameful that Councilmember Annabi would exploit victims of gang violence by seeking out television cameras in the aftermath of a crime. In reality, the people southwest Yonkers are as much a victim of Sandy Annabi’s political irresponsibility as they are anything else,” Amicone concluded.
FACT: Annabi voted against a budget proposal that would have fully funded the police department including overtime patrols and special anti-crime details for southwest Yonkers
FACT: Annabi's failure to fully fund the police department has caused serious cuts to police units including:
-Precinct anti-crime units
-Neighborhood foot patrol posts
-Domestic violence unit
FACT: Annabi also failed to fund vital equipment for the police department in the capital budget including:
-Bulletproof vests
-Service weapon upgrades
Source for the Press Release from City Hall: Special meeting of the City Council, June 16, 2009; vote on the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget
SOURCE: Yonkers City Hall
UPDATE: A quick response was made by Ms Annabi by email at the request of Yonkers Tribune which follows. A full response will be made later tonight:
"I'm outraged by the Mayor's language and appalled that he would stoop to this level. This is purely political and clearly looks like a campaign piece. The Mayor continues to blame the City Council for his failures and poor fiscal management, and this time has made it personal. He has failed on every level - high taxes, high crime, high spending, and failed economic development. The Mayor should take the salaries of his political hacks who are housed in City Hall and funnel those dollars into the Police Department. The Mayor has no one to blame but himself. Shame on you Mayor - the people of Yonkers deserve better."- Majority Leader Sandy Annabi
