By Dan Murphy
Yonkers City Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac recently completed one of her many annual community events in her Second City Council District, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that brings many different groups that make up the rich diversity of Yonkers together to play some hoops. This event is one of many ways Pineda-Isaac, now in her sixth year on the council, has used to get closer to her constituents and bring the people of the second district of southwest Yonkers, closer together.
Last week Yonkers Rising ran a story about the upcoming new City Council’s 5-2 supermajority, and the healthy debate going on over who should serve as the next majority leader, replacing outgoing Councilman and Majority Leader Michael Sabatino.
First, let us say how refreshing it is that two young, intelligent women have stepped forward to seek the majority leader’s post. Councilwoman Shanae Williams and Councilwoman Pineda-Isaac are both qualified, and have their ear to the needs and desires of the people of Yonkers, and the democratic constituents they represent.
Williams explained last week how she believes democrats should elect their next council leader, based on the fact that five democrats now make up the council, and based on the fact that in today’s political climate, democrats should pick their own democratic leader.
Pineda-Isaac said: “My goal has always been to work within my own democratic caucus, but the current rule is that the leaders are selected by all seven members of the council. I would be honored to be chosen as majority leader, but the five democratic members just recently met and will keep on meeting until we reorganize in January. I am proud of my progressive record on the council, and serving as a true democrat. Nothing will change that. I have grown on my six years on the council.”
While the selection of the next council leadership is more than two months away, based on our conversations with council members, it appears that Pineda-Isaac has the four votes needed to become the next majority leader. Currently, Pineda-Isaac has the support of Councilman John Rubbo, now a democrat; and republican Councilmen Mike Breen and Anthony Merante.
One fact that has not been highlighted is that Pineda-Isaac has six years of council experience, while Williams has two. Usually, council leadership is selected based on years of experience on the council. The minority leader of the City Council is Breen, who is the longest serving republican councilmember.
Pineda-Isaac, if selected by her peers, would have the most council experience of her democratic piers. This is no knock on Williams – just a belief that in this case, experience matters and Pineda-Isaac has that experience.
The other issue of whether the leadership positions on the City Council should be made only by members of each party is a decision to be made Jan. 2 at the annual reorganizational meeting. The arguments, both for and against this process, have merits.
There is a history of having all councilmembers select the majority and minority leaders. We also understand that Yonkers is undergoing a political and cultural change. Over the past eight years, Mayor Mike Spano has served by leading the city in a bipartisan manner, in a cooperative spirit. We would like to see this cooperation continue, regardless of who is selected to be the next council majority leader.
The views and opinions of City Council President Mike Khader are also important, as the other citywide elected official.
“For the first time in history, Yonkers has a democratic mayor and super majority on the City Council. Our leadership should be chosen by the members of the council democratic supermajority. Republicans should not choose the democratic leader.”
Yonkers Democratic Chairman Tom Meier added: “Experience does matter, and that’s the way it usually goes, to the person with the most experience in the council, or any government body. As Democratic chairman, while it’s totally up to the council to make their decision, I recommend that the most experienced person get the job. We have a great opportunity to lead the city and let’s get to work.”
