The City of Yonkers celebrated 2020 with the inauguration of elected officials at the Riverfront Library and with a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Yonkers City Clerk Vincent Spano was the master of ceremonies and welcomed the officials to the stage with their friends and families.
City Court Judge Elena Goldberg Velazquez was sworn in by New York State Appellate Court Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. City Court Judge Brendan McGrath was sworn into office by Mayor Mike Spano. City Councilwoman Shanae Williams was sworn in by State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
City Councilwoman Tasha Diaz was sworn in by NYS Supreme Court Judge Janet Malone. City Councilman Mike Breen was sworn in by City Court Judge Michael Martinelli. And Mayor Mike Spano was sworn into office by Judge Hal Greenwald
Spano took the oath of office for a third term, which is unprecedented in the recent history of Yonkers. During his address, he said: “We set out on a goal to re-energize our city, and to bring new and better solutions. We have changed the face of Yonkers.
“Look at what we have accomplished over the past eight years. We are the safest city of our size in America. We have the highest graduation rate of any big city in NYS. We have attracted over $3.5 billion of private investment and have the lowest unemployment rate in 20 years in Yonkers.
“We are seen as a leader in county and state issues like reducing our carbon footprint and fighting the opioid epidemic,” continued Spano. “We have changed the way that others have spoken about Yonkers. More great things are happening in our city on a daily basis. And our diversity is our strength and what is driving the renaissance in Yonkers.”
Spano also answered the question that many had asked last year when term limits were modified to allow a third term for the mayor.
“We are not finished yet,” he said. “Yonkers has yet to achieve its fullest potential, and my promise to the people of Yonkers is that I begin my third term with the same vigor to drive our city and make it better for future generations. Let’s double down on the improvements we have already made.”
