By Dan Murphy
City Council President Mike Khader kept busy this summer by trying a new way to reach out to his constituents in Yonkers, through a virtual Town Hall online, and by renewing a yearly event to collect donations of backpacks for Yonkers students in memory of his nephew Jonathan Maldonado.
Khader held the virtual Town Hall with the help of Ru Ros, editor of the online website Yonkers Voice. While it is difficult to get the attention of many residents in Yonkers who, like all of us, use the summer to reconnect with their families and take a vacation – if possible – the virtual Town Hall, which the Yonkers Voice called the first virtual Town Hall in Yonkers, was considered a success. “Mr. Khader once told me, ‘If it matters to you… it matters to Mike,’” said Ros.
“We want to make our platform a place where your voice is heard and our guests are respected regardless if you agree or disagree with what they have to say. Let me take this opportunity to invite any/ all elected offi cials to sit with Yonkers Voice and talk about issues affecting their own districts.”
Khader said the virtual Town Hall was a continued effort by his office “to try something new and find new ways to connect to the people. I have held Town Halls in every district over my first year and a half in office,” he said. “Usually, attendance was low or it was the same residents showing up.
“I recognize that people have different schedules, so we took a chance and with the help of Yonkers Voice tried something different. It was a success and we will do it again. Many of the complaints were items that my office is working on, education issues and quality of life.”
Khader also continued a tradition that keeps the memory of his nephew alive and attempts to remember a tragic day by serving others. Jonathan Maldonado, 21, a teacher’s aide in Yonkers Public schools, was killed Nov. 29, 2017 in Hartsdale while in custody of Greenburgh police. The circumstances surrounding his death are under review, and the family has fi led a wrongful death lawsuit.
Friends and family of Maldonado continue to gather in his memory to make sure they don’t forget his bright life, which ended too soon. “Losing Jonathan was the hardest thing our family has ever dealt with,” said Khader, who now every year before the first day of school collects backpacks and school supplies in memory of Maldonado. “My nephew had dreams, which he will now never be able to accomplish.”
“(I’m) thankful and appreciative for my brother, City Council President Mike Khader, for honoring my son Jonathan in a second annual book bag/school supply drive for children in need,” said Nancy Maldonado, Jonathan’s mother. “If interested in donating, please contact the number on the fl yer.”
Khader’s “backpack to school” event will benefi t the students at School 22. Requested items for donation include backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pencils, glue, scissors for kids, index cards, loose-leaf paper, erasers and highlighters. Donations can be dropped off at Yonkers City Hall during business hours, or call 914-377-6060 or email councilpresident@yonkersny.gov.
Khader also volunteered this summer cleaning up the Oak Street neighborhood in the Nodine Hill area of Yonkers, with Luz Casanova-Moreno and her dedicated team of volunteers from Greyston.
“I’ve been vocal about the dumping and litter in our city, and the best way to lead is by action,” said Khader. “That’s what this summer has been about – getting people engaged and involved. We are all citizen legislators and I want civic engagement.”
Khader also continued a tradition of past council presidents and many elected offi cials in Yonkers – reading to young learners at the Riverfront Library for the annual JCY-Westchester Partners Reading Buddies program.
