The race for City Council in the 6th District will be one of the most watched on election night, as republican Councilman Anthony Merante is running for re-election against democrat Tim Hodges.
Merante is running as “the people’s councilman,” and someone who enjoys serving as a fiscal watchdog over the Billion dollar + Yonkers budget. Merante, a CPA with offices in Yonkers, is running on his record over the past four years on the council.
“My job is to make sure that we use all the money efficiently to get thing done without having to go back to the taxpayers. Over four years, we raised taxes twice, 2% and 6%, and I wasn’t happy about it.”
Merante makes a good point when he asks, “If I weren’t on the council, how high would the tax increases be? I look at the numbers and I understand how budgets work.
In addition to watching the City’s finances, Merante continues to work on the quality of life issues for the district, including street repaving and public safety.
“I also work to make sure that we are safe and that the police and fire departments are fully funded, staffed, trained and equipped to keep us safe when we have to call 911. Some of our crime issues have to do with state policy, and the police are having troubles with repeat offenders. I think we have done a good job over the past four years, and I want to continue the work.
Tim Hodges brings a lifetime of experiences in Yonkers, and more than 30 years in the Yonkers Police Department, to his first run for city council. Hodges has been actively campaigning and is qualified to serve on the council.
But Hodges has not articulated a reason for running, or why the voters in the sixth district should vote for him. His knowledge of City budgets, based on his involvement in the Yonkers Police Department budgets and in testimony before the City Council, gives him broad knowledge, but we haven’t been told for what purpose if elected.
Hodges has called himself a conservative-democrat, which is a unique and difficult political label to wear today. We respect Hodges lifetime of service and his willingness to continue to serve the people of Yonkers. Most, upon retirement, leave Yonkers for greener pastures. Hodges isn’t going anywhere, and he loves this city.
Hodges has criticized Merante for not being accessible enough to the people of the district. But we find that Merante has gotten involved in issues affecting the district, like opposing the UPS expansion on Tuckahoe Road. And when contacted for help, Merante is there and responsive.
Merante also brings a political independence to this race. He is funding his own campaign, and says he isn’t beholden to anyone but his constituents. We like Merante’s independence, but we also appreciate his ability to negotiate and compromise at the end of the day, for the good of the city.
Finally, we believe that Yonkers needs both democrats and republicans serving in government, whenever possible, but only if that candidate is the best for the job, regardless of party. We need checks and balances, but also different viewpoints on city affairs.
Councilman Anthony Merante has served the people of the sixth district well over the past four years and deserves another four years to continue the work.
Yonkers Rising endorses Anthony Merante for City Council, 6th District.
