The Yonkers City Council, under the leadership of Council President Mike Khader, met after the inauguration of three of its members – Tasha Diaz, Shanae Williams and Councilman Mike Breen – for its bi-annual reorganization meeting. During this meeting, the new rules of the council were adopted and leadership and committee chairs were voted on.
Yonkers Rising was once again named the official weekly newspaper for the City of Yonkers. We thank the council for putting their trust in our papers for another two years, and we look forward to providing the people of Yonkers with the news from all seven councilmembers.
The current make-up of the council has five democrats and two republicans. Traditionally, the leadership positions of majority and minority leader have been chosen by all seven members, democrats and republicans alike.
However, with democrats now holding a supermajority of five councilmembers (after John Rubbo switched parties last year and democrat Tasha Diaz was elected last November), two democrats, Council President Mike Khader and Councilwoman Shanae Williams, said democratic councilmembers only should select the next majority leader.
Two democrats, Corazon Pineda-Isaac and Rubbo, and two republicans, Minority Leader Breen and Anthony Merante, joined together and selected Pineda-Isaac to become majority leader for the next two years.
A debate ensued, with both sides articulating their positions.
“Despite the diligent efforts of the elected democrats on the council, today’s vote was dictated and controlled by the elected republicans,” said Khader. “The majority leader (Pineda-Isaac), relying on the support of the three elected republicans to get her elected majority leader in exchange for the Budget and Real Estate Committee chairs that were handed to the republicans. I cannot abandon the democratic principles and the majority vote of the citizens”
Khader voted “no” on the rules package, which included electing Pineda-Isaac majority leader. Khader also referenced the fact in his comments that Merante was named chairman of the Budget Committee and Rubbo was named Real Estate Committee chairman. In past years, both of these posts are the most desirable and powerful committee assignments on the council.
Williams also voted “no” on the rules for the same reason.
“The democrats have a historic supermajority on the council,” she said. “We should get to choose our own leader, instead of a backroom deal that puts aside all of our needs to appease the republicans. We are handing over important committees to them and this is a slap in the face to democrats who want to have a say in how we choose our leaders.”
Williams had also sought to become majority leader.
Majority Leader Corazon Pineda-Isaac said: “The law states that the rules are voted on by seven people, and I got four votes, and I accept it proudly as a bipartisan effort. It was not a backroom deal; it came to be through discussions and conversations. Today’s vote doesn’t change the type
of democratic I will be. I have now a different title but with the same democratic values.”
Minority Leader Councilman Mike Breen said: “It’s been my pleasure to serve with Corazon for six years, and I have watched her grown into a great leader. I am voting for the best person to be majority leader.”
Pineda-Isaac has served for six years on the council, while Williams has served for two. Traditionally, the councilmember with the most seniority is selected for leadership positions on the council.
Councilwoman Tasha Diaz said “I’m new to the council and I think it’s in my best interests to abstain. I’ve always been independent and I wasn’t elected to play party politics, but to honestly and zealously represent the district and be the voice of the people. She (Pineda-Isaac) chose to go
across the aisle for her votes before she sat with her democratic colleagues. I was elected to implement changes. My conscience is telling me to abstain.”
The final vote on the rules and leadership was four “yes,” two “no,” and one abstention.
Councilman Anthony Merante said: “I will be supporting the rule and Councilwoman Pineda- Isaac for majority leader, just as I did two years ago with Majority Leader Sabatino. He was the best qualified and had the respect of the council. Corazon has been here for six years and she has the leadership skills to do the job.”
Councilman John Rubbo added: “Councilwoman Pineda-Isaac asked me for her support –nobody else did. She reached across the aisle, but don’t be fooled she is a proud democrat. I hope that this partisan tone that has been set today will die today. Democrats and republicans have
worked together for years to get things done and that’s why as you look across our city you see all the positive things that are happening.”
Pineda-Isaac also announced the committee chairs for the council. Merante will be chairman of the Budget Committee. “As budget chair, I plan on working with everyone and will leave no one out of the discussion,” said Merante. “In past budget discussions we put Yonkers first and did what we had to do, and I look forward to a productive and hardworking relationship on the budget.”
Pineda-Isaac said she chose Merante, a republican, to chair the Budget Committee because he is a CPA and has a tax background, and “he wanted to use his expertise to chair this committee.”
Breen will chair the Government Operations and Public Safety Committee, Rubbo will chair the Real Estate Committee, Diaz will chair the Education Committee, and Williams will chair the Community Services and Mental Health Committee.
Council President Mike Khader serves on all committees, but the council majority that approved the new rules eliminated a committee created by Khader two years ago, the Government Oversight Committee.
