By Dan Murphy
Two members of the Yonkers City Council, republican Anthony Merante and democrat Corazon Pineda-Issac, announced their campaigns for Mayor over the past week. The two join Margaret Coleman, an educator and community leader, and Prince Robinson, a comedian, as announced candidates for Mayor. All four will challenge Mayor Mike Spano, who has announced that he is running for a fourth term.
Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Issac’s decision to run for Mayor came as a surprise to some. Pineda-Isaac has been considering a run for Mayor for almost a year, and on Feb. 1 she emailed her supporters, writing “I want you to be the first to know that I have made a huge decision. I am running for Mayor of Yonkers.
“As one of the youngest women ever elected to the City Council, I made it my purpose to be a leader to other young women of color who haven’t seen themselves represented. Part of what makes Yonkers special is the diversity that flourishes here, and we need public officials in whom our city can see itself. I am very proud of what we have done together. I have dedicated myself to keeping Yonkers affordable for the countless families that have lived here for generations and pushed for Yonkers to become a welcoming place for new families who want to call our city home.”
Margaret Fountain Coleman announced on Jan. 15 that she is a candidate for Mayor outside City Hall. “ I am both proud and excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Yonkers. Democracy is in jeopardy and will continue to see a mass exodus of Yonkers’ residents because of fiscal irresponsibility and lack of affordable housing and employment opportunities. Voters in Yonkers have so few options, it’s time for the election of a “new voice” that will appropriately address the issues that plague our city. It’s time to make Yonkers ONE community. “
Several fellow educators in the Yonkers Public Schools supported Coleman in her run for Mayor. “Margaret Fountain-Coleman is an innovative and efficient leader that represents what Yonkers needs for its students and this community,” said Bryan Boyd, Yonkers Teacher.
Comedian Prince Robinson said that he is the political outsider in the race for Mayor. “I want to make a change and I have a vision. Some people are afraid to embrace change, but some people want change. I’m in it to win it.
“I’m going to be more hands on Mayor. I want to be on the streets making sure my city is working, and identify where the problems are. Let’s attack the drug problem and the homeless crisis. I want to bring a New Year’s Eve celebration to Yonkers. I am not a politician, and I think our elected officials should come from different walks of life. If you give me a chance, I can be an asset to Yonkers.”
Merante made his announcement last week to a crowd at the Mt. Olympus diner. Merante told the crowd “I have not forgotten you.” Merante stated as mayor he will be committed to focusing on “quality of life” issues which sadly have been lacking in Yonkers. Critical issues such as neighborhood safety, housing that is affordable for our seniors, workforce and others on modest incomes, limiting City spending , going after Albany politicians to get our rightful share of funding for our City and for our public schools, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure such as our sewers which are constantly flooding and water pipes that are consistently breaking, repairing deteriorating roads that wreak havoc on our vehicles and green lighting only smart development that lifts our neighborhoods.
Merante added “Yonkers cannot flourish without a strong core infrastructure.” He concluded his remark with his mantra “ Let’s Build A Better Yonkers Together.” We interviewed Merante, and hope to post that story online at Yonkerstimes.com next week.
More on other candidates running in Yonkers in the weeks to come.
