By Dan Murphy
City and State New York, an online publication with a monthly magazine, has quickly become one of the State’s most important reads for political insiders and those who want to learn more and know about the inner workings of state government, politics, unions, and other interest groups.
For the first time this year, City and State has delved into Westchester County, and expanded its top 50 Power list to include the top 50 from Westchester—they do the list for NYC and NY State for a few years—
Five people on the list are from Yonkers and have Yonkers connections. In order the members of City and State’s Westchester’s Top 50 Most Powerful from Yonkers are:
#6—Nick Spano-The former State Senator is now President of Empire Strategic Planning, a lobbing firm that City and State says, “is one of the fastest growing lobbying firms in New York State.” Spano’s firm represents a diverse list of clients, including hospitals, utilities, private sector companies and unions.
Spano’s work advocating for the disabled community continues, year’s after he pushed for more funding while in the senate. “Spano has spent much of his own life advocating for the needs of those with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, including back when he was the chairman of the state Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities,” writes City and State.
Even Spano’s critics admit that he remains a force in Albany, and the fact that his brother is Mayor of Yonkers doesn’t hurt.
#16-Ed Doyle—Doyle has served for many years as the President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam. “When people think of labor leaders in Westchester, they think Eddie Doyle. Doyle has spent his life working to improve the lives of working people. He is currently president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, but he spent the bulk of his career leading the Teamsters, including 20 years as business manager of Local 456. He is now trying to bolster the ranks of the unionized workforce while urging young people to consider the building trades,” writes City and State.
#17-Lou Picani—President Teamsters Local 456—Lou Picani has become the public face of the working man as head of the Teamsters in Westchester. UPS drivers, DPW workers in Yonkers are among the 6,500 members he leads. Picani “has risen through the union ranks in Westchester and now leads the Elmsford-based Teamsters Local 456… he has fought for workers’ rights, workplace safety and the right to organize.”
#27—Tim Rooney Sr. –” Tim Rooney Sr. has run Yonkers Racing Corp. since 1972, when his family bought the historic Yonkers Raceway, a harness racing track. After video lottery terminals got the green light from the state, Empire City Casino was born, opening its doors at the racetrack in 2006. But now, Rooney, whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, is selling both the raceway and casino to MGM for $850 million, which could go higher if the state allows sports betting,” wrote City and State.
One of Rooney’s memorable sayings is “Good business always starts with community.” A passionate philanthropist, Rooney is known for his quiet philanthropic involvement supporting hundreds of charitable organizations throughout Yonkers, New York and beyond, with contributions of more than $1-Million annually made in the form of sponsorships and donations supporting non-profits in the areas of education, hunger, the arts, medical research and more. He regularly makes Empire City Casino available for charitable functions and fundraising activities and provides continuous support of community programs and organizations year after year.
#32—Barry McGoey—City and State called McGoey, “one of the most outspoken and recognizable labor leaders in Westchester,” which may be an understatement. McGoey, President of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 628 in Yonkers, the county’s largest fire department, has been at the forefront of advocating for his firefighters and the job that they do risking their lives every day.
“McGoey fights for the interests of Yonkers’ bravest in the courtroom and as a fiery commentator on television battling what he calls “the enemies of labor in any arena.” As an attorney, he represents, defends and supports his members and others in the labor movement with a zeal like no other,” writes City and State.
In Yonkers, McGoey has become a thorn in the side of Mayor’s and Councilmembers who don’t adequately fund his members in the budget. He has also begun to organize and speak out for all of the unions in Yonkers. Now with his name on City & State’s Top 50, McGoey is getting recognition for his work outside of New York’s 4th largest City.
Congratulations to all of the most Powerful in Westchester from Yonkers. If we missed a member of the Top 50 from Yonkers, please let us know. There were no women from Yonkers on the Top 50, perhaps that will change sometime soon.
Other ‘interesting’ names on the Top 50 include former Andy Spano and Andrew Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz, and former Westchester DA and Fox News host Jeannine Pirro. Visit Cityandstateny.com for the entire list.
