“The people are in favor of this legislation and in favor of continuing the progress,” Councilman John Rubbo
By Dan Murphy
Hundreds of Yonkers residents showed up Monday night to voice their support and opposition to a plan to extend term limits from the current eight years to 12 years for the mayor and members of the City Council. As the City Hall clock tower struck midnight, the council was still debating the issue, in the end voting 5-2 in favor of modifying the existing term limits law.
The law was sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Sabatino and Minority Leader Mike Breen, and had bipartisan support. Councilmembers John Rubbo, Anthony Merante and Shanae Williams joined Sabatino and Breen in voting “yes;” Council President Mike Khader and Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac voted “no.”
The bill now goes to the desk of Mayor Mike Spano, who is expected to sign the measure. The new law allows Spano to run for a third term next year, should he decide to do so; it is widely expected that Spano will soon announce his intentions for a third term and run again in 2019.
A special meeting of the City Council was called Oct. 29 in an attempt to pass the law before Election Day, Nov. 6. Some legal opinions said that the law must be passed by Nov. 6 so that councilmembers and the mayor who are term-limited could now run for a third term next year.
To allow for public input, a Town Hall meeting was held before the council meeting and almost 83 speakers commented on the new law. Council President Mike Khader made sure that every Yonkers resident who was at the meeting and wanted to speak got that chance.
After the Town Hall gathering, but before the council meeting, discussions were held with councilmembers to entertain a possible amendment to the law that would have allowed or permitted a referendum to be held next year on extending term limits. That amendment was never proposed at the council meeting.
All council members commented on the proposed law and change.
Majority Leader Michael Sabatino said: “The public did get a chance to speak and all of the speakers were articulate and passionate about their position. Personally, I realize the progress made in the city under this mayor and this City Council. Today, we had the sale of Chicken Island and last week we came to an agreement with MGM on the sale of Empire Casino to pay the city $8 million in transfer fees.
“I am personally proud of these accomplishments and we want our constituents to have the option to continue the momentum in this city going forward. There is still a lot of work to be done and I hope to be able to continue that work with you.”
Minority Leader Mike Breen said: “No one can deny the accelerated growth and development we have seen in the city, and now is not the time to dismiss the team that brought us to this point. Many of the negative responses to extending term limits tonight referred to past failed efforts to abolish term limits. For the record, we are not abolishing term limits.
“In Westchester County, only two governments have term limits, Yonkers and the County of Westchester. Some citizens have suggested that this will bring about voter suppression. We still have term limits and, in fact, we have term limits while our elected officials in Albany and Congress don’t have them. We are way ahead of the curve, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.”
Councilman Anthony Merante said: “I will reluctantly make a vote to extend term limits tonight. I think two terms are enough, but many residents have asked me to allow for Mayor Spano to continue the city’s progress. I have also been asked to leave the law like it is. I took a poll, and 67 percent are in favor of Mayor Spano and the job he is doing, but on term limits. my constituents are split 50-50. The people deserve the opportunity to vote for Mayor Spano again. It is just an opportunity because there is an election in 2019.
“This is by no means an endorsement of Mike Spano. You don’t have to vote for Mayor Spano next year. This vote eliminates any criticism from democrats that we stopped Spano from running again. I have faith and trust in the voters to make their own decision.”
Councilwoman Shanae Williams waited until the last minute to tell the public which way she would vote. “I wanted to take some time to hear you and I have heard from people in support, opposed, confused and with no opinion,” she said. “It appears that many who are opposed are concerned with the process and not having a referendum. I want to apologize on behalf of the City Council for this process. I’m not happy in the position I’m in and I feel and understand those opposed who want a referendum. What I can do is to vote on the issues that come before me.
“The people in my district feel neglected and that we haven’t made the progress they would like to see. I want to see those things change and I do believe that Yonkers is on the rise. I will vote in favor because doing the right thing is giving the people the opportunity to vote for whoever they choose. It takes 10 years to completely master a job; there is no other profession that makes you stop after eight years.”
Councilman John Rubbo said: “We heard overwhelming support for the extension of term limits. I personally believe in term limits but have advocated for an extension from eight to 12 years. For those who are never happy with any administration, I’m sorry. For those who believe that Mayor Amicone or Mayor Spencer or Mayor Spano is corrupt, we will never satisfy you, and every one of those mayors has left the city better than when they got into office.
“The people of Yonkers have never voted on this. In the past we voted to abolish term limits and the word of the people was spoken. We are not abolishing term limits tonight. Public notice was given, and it was introduced in a bipartisan way. The people are in favor of this legislation and in favor of continuing the progress, but the final determination will be by the people.”
Councilwoman Corazon Pineda Isaac said: “I will not be supporting this because I’m not happy with the process. Twice before the public was allowed to vote on term limits and twice they made a decision. I’m not opposed to the council being able to serve for 12 years, but I am opposed to having something proposed without having the public involved and not having enough time for the public to process it and really tell us how they feel.
“I just don’t feel that I have enough time to see how people feel, which makes me feel this is not transparent. We are responsible to be respectful of all of the people in our district and city, and I don’t know that this process was respectful of them. That’s why I can’t support this,.”
Council President Mike Khader said: “Emotions were high, and this is a very important issue. After careful review and listening to people and the way it was handled, I cannot, in good conscience, vote for this legislation.
“This is not a decision that I took lightly. There is bipartisan support and I do try to find common ground, but after listening to everyone, and the emails I received, I know I am making the right decision. After the people voted on this in 1994 and 2001, I believe that any change or amendment should come directly from the people.
“There is progress created by the current administration, and I’m not opposed to the 12 years. I’m opposed to the process from the way it was proposed and carried out. The seven members of the council cannot make this decision for 200,000 people.”
