Yonkers City Council Budget Chair Johnson’s Budget Update Wasn’t By HEZI ARIS
The promise of an update to the City of Yonkers Budget was nothing more than a regurgitation of circumstances that seemed to track the process by which Mayor Mike Spano’s Proposed FY 2012-2013 Budget was shepherded, with dramatic hiccoughs along the way, to eventually win final approval. Lest anyone has forgotten or was not privy to the process, the first budget approval request was met with denial by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The second attempt won his approval. The PowerPoint presentation, replicated in print for take home, was a recapitulation of events that went to further sanitize the histrionics of a “crisis” that continues to get kicked down the road toward its unsustainable end. The one-shots that permeate every aspect of this budget, when one scratches the surface, is replete with creative fiscal tricks that are hidden behind spin-ups, borrow against anticipated revenue, robbing from fund balances, defining revenue streams that are non-existent or simply wishful thinking, all the while asserting fiscal prudence and spending as if there is no tomorrow.
Adoption of the budget segregates the city from the imposition of a Financial Review or filing for bankruptcy. Council Christopher Johnson presentation was nothing more than a media event that wasn’t. The conference room on the second floor of the Yonkers Riverfront Library was the venue, which was filled by Yonkers Firefighters, only one self-proclaimed resident of Yonkers, and a few members of local media.
The “update” follows the press release which advised that the City of Yonkers faces approximately $500 million in total deficits by the end of Mayor Mike Spano’s first term. The one-shots that went toward filling the $90 million in the FY2012-2013 budget will not be available next year. The FY2012-2013 budget should be close to this year’s budget gap, while years 3 and four are twice that and more. While the doom’s day scenario is kept fresh in our consciousness, no attempt has yet been divulged by Mayor Spano’s Administration, the Yonkers City Council, or any other “credible” office that has suggested remedy to the city’s travail.
The outcry of doom is a constant high-pitched harangue heard throughout the city. The most recent stars of the Yonkers stage are Richard [Brodsky] & Richard [Ravitch], a vaudevillian act, if ever there was one. Can you feel the cold? Hint: Brodsky Ravitch…BR… br.
Rather than throwing our collective hands in the air, let us get an update on the 108 HUD loans that are in arrears. When will the contractual agreements among friends and family be clawed back? When will those in arrears on real estate taxes face foreclosure? When will illegal residences be fined for being operated? When will development projects pay a fair share for operating with the City of Yonkers? When will subsidies be rescinded benefitting some restaurants, and other businesses? When will City Hall stop hiring misfits of friends and family to no show jobs? When will $120,000 a year hires do more than play video games on the second floor? When will the waste be let go?
When will the Budget Chair receive the Yonkers City Charter stipulated mandate for a quarterly report? Two quarters have expired and still no quarterly report. When will the amended budget be completed? When will it go online?
Why do all grant applications have to go through Yonkers City Hall? What is the purpose of these new directives? If they are so important, why aren’t they explained?
What is the plan that br… br… Brodsky and Ravitch suggested they would help Yonkers find? What is Yonkers vision?
Why is Yonkers City Hall not using federally funded FEMA sponsored funds to fill the vacant positions on the Yonkers Fire Department? Why does the budget, demanded by NYS Comptroller DiNapoli to move the almost $3 million SAFER fund grant afforded the Yonkers Fire Department from a contingency designation to a salary line. The 35 vacancies derived through attrition have caused an overtime (OT) crisis that will find the budget AGAIN out of alignment before year’s end. Why is this permitted? Has the NYS Comptroller been duped to sign off on a document that he will not be able to stand behind in a few months time because the numbers are not what were promised they would be?
Why are there no voices to demand fiscally prudent conduct be employed by Yonkers City Hall? Are there no fiscal thinkers within CoY who know what must be done? Why is too much kept quiet? Must Yonkers burn while those that could change things for the better in Yonkers remain silent? Enough is enough.
More Amicon tricks from Spano. There's no mistake about it, in the next few years somebody will have to bite the bullet and trim the payroll. It's where the money is. Either way it's coming.
Posted by: Reality bites | July 21, 2012 at 17:47
Its all a sham. City hall is being filled with carptet baggers. Almost everyone given jobs, and there are quite a few of them being given out, are to Larry Schwarz aka county has beens. One guy runs EBAY sales.LOL some budget crisis. The BOE takes more than half the overall budget and no one knows where it is all spent. They keep building surpluses when every one else is told to cut but its all for the kids right? SOS.
Posted by: GUS | July 21, 2012 at 18:25
Everyone voted for Spano because he is so "nice." Dumb, but nice. Look what we got.
What qualificiations does Johnson have to chair Budget? Being the Valet to the Scarf Lady? He is supposed to help guide us from disaster?
Help.
Posted by: anon | July 21, 2012 at 18:32
Johnson's only job prior to the Yonkers City Council gig was Chief Valet to the Scarf Lady-never had a real job-has lived in Yonkers less than two years & was elected by the nimwwits in his district.
Posted by: anon | July 21, 2012 at 19:02
These people are not idiots. They know exactly what has to be done, which is everything Hezi wrote about. The leaders of this city kust dont care, its all a show being funded by the employees of this city and the taxpayer. Keep hiring more no show jobs, we dont have enough.
Posted by: Taxed Out | July 21, 2012 at 19:20
hire 30 new firefighters, when hell freezes over.
Posted by: Mayor Spano Says | July 21, 2012 at 21:35
Dont worry pal they are going to jire firefighters..its already in the works...
Posted by: Ricardo | July 21, 2012 at 22:52
We're doomed, doomed I tell ya.
Posted by: Arthur Mitchell | July 22, 2012 at 12:04
Mayor Mike,
How about a 10% across the board salary cut
for ALL CITY AND BOfE personnel? You need to
start leading by example!
Posted by: retired said | July 22, 2012 at 16:31
There is nothing more dangerous than stupid people with power.
Posted by: You get the gov. you deserve. | July 22, 2012 at 20:29
NEVER. Commissioner pigano will side with the mayor...... Yes, I said pagano.
Posted by: 30spots | July 22, 2012 at 23:15
They are already doing residency checks..its a done deal.the class is going through probably mid August .no way they can keep paying oT to fund the mini9mum level needed....GAME SET MATCH Yonkers residents and YFD victorious again and rightfully so
Posted by: Ricardo | July 22, 2012 at 23:49
nope not yet.
Posted by: they're broke | July 23, 2012 at 00:25
this is no different than having an unqualified fat cow in charge of downtown development committee...who can't pay her f#cking parking bill.
thank chuck
Posted by: take'm to task | July 23, 2012 at 00:41
No way they bring back the GED diploma Pigano
Posted by: rit | July 23, 2012 at 08:54
Why not? They elected the GED diploma Mike Spano.
Posted by: GED | July 23, 2012 at 16:13
FDNY coming real SOON Firewoman watch out GAME OVER. May get a hire but the union will never run the job again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hahahahahaha
Posted by: FDNY sounds so nice | July 23, 2012 at 21:11
they should do a residence check on the deputy mayor
Posted by: Mike E | July 23, 2012 at 21:30
Enough really is enough, Hezi!! Everyone knows the big developers owe millions in tax dollars to the city but won't be paying a dime any time soon because they are clients of Nick Spano's lobbying firm. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | July 23, 2012 at 21:39
Well wait And see I guess...... But I'd say it highly unlikely. :)
Posted by: 30 empty spots | July 24, 2012 at 00:21
BINGO!
Posted by: you got it | July 24, 2012 at 02:17
Maybe something could happen at last minute it is yonkers..but an awful waste of cops time checking out residences if true.....
Posted by: Ricardo | July 24, 2012 at 10:05
I dont think the union should run the job..but morons like Spano and the bitch should not dictate FD policy or manning, or anything FD related also.....there is already a comparable report by a DC on YFD now stating that the YFD are undermanned compaired to same size cities on the East Coast from Rochester to Bridgeport, to MAssachussetts FACT
Posted by: Ricardo | July 24, 2012 at 10:09
If an FDNY guy came in here to run job it would be a blessing...he would laugh at the politicians now and demand more staffing when he saw how actually undermanned the YFD is administratively....he would wonder aloud "HOW THE HELL DO YOU GUYS DO IT AND HAVE DONE IT THIS WAY FOR SO LONG ?"
FDNY has 2 extra guys on rigs for ladder companies, and one extra per engine company....I guess fires are hotter in NYC Sheesh
Posted by: Ricardo | July 24, 2012 at 10:12
How about the mayor release the FD and PD manpower study done under the past administration? Why is evertyhing a secret? Release the study in its entirety and let the chips fall where they may. The people of this city deserve to see the truth, we paid for it.
Posted by: Blueman | July 24, 2012 at 17:55