Yonkers, NY, Thursday, July 1st 2010 -- Management devoid of leadership skills, and lack of planning have exacerbated the plight of Yonkers, a city deserving more than a “good enough” concern for its well being from Mayor Amicone and his non-existent “team. Under his direction, or lack thereof, they have squandered the city’s coffers for failed lawsuits, econonomic development schemes, and failed incentive programs in support of non-existent overall growth. After so many years in office, there is not one project in Yonkers that can be called a success under the reign of deputy mayor and now Mayor Phil Amicone.
Yonkers Mayor Amicone had invited some union leaders only yesterday to negotiate an accommodation that would relieve the deficit-slammed city. Upon arrival at the table, Mayor Amicone asked for give-backs, but he will not guarantee demanding even more give-backs at a future date if he so chooses. It was after those pronouncements that Mayor Amicone’s contmept for the negotiation process was revealed. The value of a contract signed by him will no longer be viewed as credible. Mayor Amicone is conducting a monologue; not a negotiation. Mayor Amicone wants; he will not cut a dime out the expense exacted by his bloated second floor entourage . He won’t cut their perks: or the cars they drive, the subsidized fuel, the cell phones, or the continuing employment office for the “Friends and Family Network.” While Amicone talks to selective media to claim he is doing all he can under dire circumstances, he does not admit to his failings as a manager of the soon-to-be recognized third largest city in the State of New York. He has single handedly gutted services for which Yonkersites pay taxes. His financial mismanagement is his cry for a Control Board. This mess he has gotten Yonkers into is way over his pay scale. That being the case, he too should accept a reduction in pay.
Mayor Amicone has devised a plan that moved Fire Truck 75 to Station 14 and disbanded Ladder 70. In the process he has placed all residents and businesses from the Bronx River on the eastern side to the Saw Mill River Road on the western side, and from Tuckahoe Road on the souther side to the northern city borders in harms way. The response time for anyone within those borders will prove to increase from a 4 to 5 minutes response time to 12 to 15 minutes response time. Property will be destroyed; lives will be lost. Marge DelBeni, who lives near the firehouse which once housed Truck 75 is devastated. She is appalled and disgusted by Mayor Amicone’s cut in services.
Ms DelBeni, and woman of mental clarity yet frail in body recollected the devastation she has witnessed under Mayors Martinelli, DelBello, Spencer, and Amicone of the City of Gracious Living. Ms DelBeni claimed the disbanding of Ladder 70 and the moving of Truck 75 is a “done deal.” “I know Phil, this is the way he does things. It’s a done deal.”
DPW crews failed to collect all the garbage under the once a week collection plan devised after many hours of reflection by Commissioner John Liszewski. People from every district have complained. Some were served, others were not. Those not served were more likely to see the burgeoning rat population among those rats scurrying from plastic back to another, cutting holes through the plastic to get to the rat cuisine inside.
Police have also been decimated.
Mayor Amicone's only accomplishment is to have exacted pain, strife, bigotry, and financial decay upon a population who deserve a leader with the skills to grapple with the issues of the day and lead a proud city toward solutions underwritten by thought, resolutions, and an ethical and benevolent compass.
