By Dan Murphy
Tim Hodges, the democratic candidate for Yonkers City Council in the 6th District, served in the Yonkers Police Department for 34 years. Usually, upon retirement, Police Officers move to Florida or wind down in some other way. Hodges, who has lived in Yonkers all his life, isn’t going anywhere, and wants to continue his public service through elected office.
“I’ve worked in the police department for 34 years. I have always been a public servant, it’s in my family’s blood. My brothers and sisters worked for local government, it’s the way we are built. I believe that I can serve the people of the 6th District, and the city, as a council person.”
Hodges has been actively campaigning by knocking on doors and meeting voters. And he is vaccinated. “I’ve already signed up to get the booster. It would frighten me if I weren’t vaccinated. It’s a great thing that we had it so quickly.”
“I’ve been getting a good vibe going door to door. When we first started in the winter, getting signatures, if was hard to get people to open the door. But now people are coming out more and telling me we need change. Many people in the district haven’t had a knock on their door from our councilmember. I make a point of going to one hundred homes per day.
Hodges opponent is republican City Councilman Anthony Merante. “A lot of people don’t know who represents them. I’m going to want everyone to know who I am and how I can be reached. We need more communications on quality-of-life issues, like potholes, and even wildlife.”
Hodges issued a statement on the need to address the growing number of Coyotes in the 6th District, which was criticized by some animal rights activists. “I have spoken to people in Runyon Heights and Homefield who get up
at 4 in the morning and there are three coyotes in their back yard. We need to tranquilize them and relocate them.”
If elected Hodges would be the first retired police office on the City Council in a long time or ever (someone can look up this fact and let us know). “I worked closely with the council when I was police Chief and had to testify on our departments budget. I know the intricacies of the police department because I have held every rank. I’ve also seen how government works and have worked with other departments like DPM and Parks. I have the experience already.
Hodges was born in the Bronx, but his family moved to Carrol Avenue in Yonkers. He has lived on Warburton Avenue and now off Palmer Avenue with his wife, Patty. “I love Yonkers. I have always lived four miles from work. Some cops drive 80 miles a day to work, I don’t drive 80 miles a week, and I love the opportunity to be in NYC in 30 minutes by train. It’s my hometown and I will be here forever. I have also seen great positive change in our city. I can remember a time as a police officer downtown when there were car break ins and prostitution. Now the new development and restaurants are amazing. It’s nice to be able to go out to the waterfront. The transformation has been incredible.”
One issue that Hodges wants to work on is the excessive speeding, and noise, from cars late at night on the Sprain Parkway and Central Avenue. “We need to push for speed cameras and for a way to control the noise, which is out of control and leading to deaths. I have responded to hundreds of accidents. We have to tackle this.”
Hodges says that he is “more personable” than his opponent. “I’m going to listen and hear everyone out. I’m more plugged into the community and will be much more approachable
Hodges said that he doesn’t dislike Merante and isn’t about negative campaigning. “I don’t think it benefits the voters. They should know more about you and what you are about. I don’t read the negative pieces I get in the mail. I prefer to know the positive things that our officials are doing.”
Some people have commented that the City of Yonkers needs political balance, and that Merante, a republican is one of two remaining republicans in Yonkers government. “I will be a different democrat. I’m a conservative democrat and I’m also running on the conservative line. And on the council, I plan to be a conservative voice,” said Hodges, who asked for the vote on the people of the 6th District.
“I will be there for the people and help Yonkers do the right thing. It’s the way I was raised and its’ the way we do it in Yonkers. We help others and I want to continue to serve.”
Hodges recently got the endorements from the Yonkers PBA. “Being a police officer has been such a large part of my life, and when elected I will continue to fight and stand with our brave law enforcement officers. Yonkers has one of the best police departments in the country, and having their support means so much to me. The residents of District 6 need someone who has the backing of our wonderful police force to ensure public safety, and these endorsements speak for themselves.”
