Yonkers Tribune

Lesnick Suggests Redistricting Task Force Keep Yonkers’ Senate District Undivided

Risk of Losing Influence and State Aid if Plan Goes Through

YONKERS, NY --  January 31, 2012 --  Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick today testified before the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment at The Bronx Museum of the Arts and voiced his concern and the city’s need to keep the state’s senate district representing Yonkers undivided. A proposed plan before the state legislature would divide Yonkers into two separate districts and create the opportunity for a non-Yonkers resident to be elected to represent the fourth largest city in New York State and the largest in Westchester County. 

Below is Lesnick’s statement to the task force:

Council President Lesnick’s Statement on Resolution That Settles Guevera, Et Al. V. Philip Amicone, Et Al

“We must Always be Vigilant to Protect the Freedoms we Cherish

YONKERS, NY --  November 22, 2011 – After costly litigation to represent the City and Mayor Philip Amicone as defendants in the lawsuit known as Guevera, et al. v. Philip Amicone, et al., the City Council tonight voted 5-2 to approve paying $393,338.00 to settle the case. Voting against the measure with City Council President Chuck Lesnick was Councilmember Joan Gronowski.

STATEMENT:

Council‭ President Lesnick’s Statement Regarding Mayor Amicone’s Call for Ethics Investigation

President Lesnick Welcome Review of All Contracts, Especially‭ ‬Those with Ties to Mayor’s‭ ‘‬Friends‭ & ‬Family Club‭’ 

Yonkers, NY, March 17, 2011 -- “I am pleased that the Ethics Board and Inspector General [Dan Schorr] will be looking into all of the possible conflicts of interest between those who awarded the towing contracts and those who received them," said Yonkers City council President Chuck Lesnick. "Specifically,‭ ‬the relationship between the Wuestenhoefer family that owns A.P.O.W.‭ ‬Towing and who’s relatives also catered personal events for the mayor‭ (Reference: ‬ Best In Gourmet‭ testimonial by Mayor Amicone's Chief of Staff Lisa Mrijaj)‬,‭ ‬his own inaugural celebration,‭ ‬and despite the fact that the business is Connecticut-based and not in Yonkers,‭ ‬was contracted by the City to cater Yonkers Business Week.‭” 

Reference: Click to read BOCS_April_28_2010__Annotated_Agenda_Rev.04.28.10     

Council President Lesnick’s Statement on IG Schorr’s Report on Yonkers Vehicle Tows and Impounds

Yonkers, NY, March 15, 2011 -- Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick said, “Time and time again, we hear from various authorities that the City has a bad track record with respect to accurate record keeping and control measures. Whether it is a past IG report on the misuse of the city’s gasoline supply, the state Comptroller’s report on the IDA or this report, it is clear that the City must do a better job in maintainingtransparency.”

Council President Lesnick Introduces Resolution to Repeal State Mandates Before Legislature Approves Property Tax Cap

Lesnick Calls for State to Make Fiscal Changes to Prevent City Layoffs and Service Cuts 

Yonkers, NY, March 2, 2011 -- Returning to Yonkers from the NYS Assembly Hearings on the proposed Property Tax Cap, Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick yesterday introduced a resolution before the City Council that would have the State of New York repeal its mandates to the city before it imposes a proposed property tax cap for localities.

Democratic Response to Mayor Amicone’s Final State of the City Address By Chuck Lesnick

After Years of Rising Overtime and Mismanagement Under Republican Mayors,Democrats Pursue Shared Sacrifice, Reform and Consolidations 

We have just heard the last State of the City address from Mayor Amicone, who has served over 15 years in City Hall as both deputy mayor and mayor. We thank him for his many years of public service.

 Tonight, though, is not about taking a victory lap but rather to enact an agenda for the future; that ensures our city will be a safe, vibrant and diverse community, where families can work, educate their children, and grow old gracefully.

Council President Lesnick Applauds Governor’s Proposed State Independent Redistricting Commission

Calls for Similar Commission for Yonkers to Promote Reform, Transparency and End ‘Gerrymandering’ 

Yonkers, NY-- February 18, 2011 --  Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s announcement to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission to permanently reform how congressional and state legislative districts lines are drawn in New York, Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick today pledged to support a local Independent Redistricting Commission in order to draw lines for Yonkers in advance of the 2013 elections according to the similar principles.       

Council President Lesnick Statement on Attempted Assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

“The senseless and brutal killings that took place today in Tucson, Arizona, illustrate the final breakdown of civility in American politics.    

 “Everyday, police officers risk their lives facing down the danger of a growing violent criminal and arsenal of weapons. We must redouble our efforts to get guns off the streets but also to take hatred out of the hearts of people who may share a different point of view. Responsibility starts in the home. Parents must engage their children with open communication and a basic concern with who their kids are hanging out with and how they are doing in school.     

Working Towards a Budget BY CHUCK LESNICK

The time for posturing is over.  While minimizing increases in state taxes, our state legislative delegation has squeezed out every last drop to get us most of the municipal aid that the Mayor had assumed in his April 15 budget proposal.  While we are still waiting for the State to finalize its budget with respect to the school budget - and we need their assistance to save full day pre-K from the chopping block - the Mayor needs to recalculate his proposed budget and get it to the council as quickly as possible.

“More Money, More Money, More Money, Yes, More Money" By Hezi Aris

Yonkers, NY -- May 7, 2010 -- Adam Brill, Director of Communications for Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick, has been approved for a  $14,000 per annum salary increase, bringing him from $66,000 to $80,000 yearly. Amen, I mean ahem! Pop out the champagne bottles and those luscious cupcakes for next week’s celebration when Mr Brill gets the check. Adam hasn’t mentioned he will pay for the soiree, but now everyone in Yonkers knows he can. It seems the salary increase has been in the works for almost three months. 

Democrat Response to Yonkers Mayor Amicone’s State of the City Address By Chuck Lesnick, President of the Yonkers City Council

 I want to share with you some thoughts on the many challenges that the City of Yonkers faces today. We are in the midst of a painful economic crisis.

Mayor Amicone’s Statement on Election Results By Chuck Lesnick

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone this week released an official statement (Voters Message Heard Loud and Clear By Phil Amicone) that purported to set priorities for the City Council’s legislative agenda in January 2010. While I commend the mayor’s congratulatory tone towards our recently elected members, I think it fitting that the City should also recognize the dedicated service of its departing members: Majority Leader Sandy Annabi, Minority Leader Liam McLaughlin and Councilmember Dee Barbato. Under our legislative watch, this year’s budget was trimmed by $7.1 million and an agreement with the SFC developers was brokered that brings an additional $100 million to the City over a 30-year period. 

Yonkers City Council President Lesnick Responds to Mayor Amicone’s 2009-2010 Proposed Budget

Yonkers, NY --  “The budget put forward today by the mayor is both telling and very “ troubling. In his asking for Yonkers’ residents to increase their property tax share by 7.8% for the 2009-10 fiscal year, Mayor Amicone has asked all of us to continue to dig deeper at a time when the economy is so painful. In scores of municipalities across the nation, towns and cities are reducing their workforces, withholding salary increases, working on budgets with zero-based tax increases, and taking the opportunity to restructure government.  

Democratic Response to Yonkers State of the City Address By Chuck Lesnick

Good evening. I am Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick with the Democratic response to the State of the City.

We have just heard Mayor Amicone give yet another explanation of how the bad economy will adversely affect our upcoming budget. While this is true, the City needs to take responsibility for its finances.

Personnel Pay in Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick’s Office

 

Richard, Rachelle “Rocky”

$112,727… 32.6% increase from 01Jan’06

 

Bengis, Carol  

$64,000… 62.0% increase from 11Jan’06