By Dan Murphy
During his ten years on the Yonkers City Council, Minority Leader Mike Breen has been known as someone who will seek compromise and solutions to solve the issues facing New York’s third largest city.
Now Breen sees dysfunction in Albany and wants to serve the people of Yonkers as the Assemblyman in the 90th District, which includes 90% of Yonkers. But in order to accomplish that, Breen must defeat the incumbent Assemblyman Nader Sayegh on November 8.
“There needs to be change in Albany, and if Albany isn’t going to change, then we need to change the people in Albany,” said Breen.
A look at Breen’s Facebook page Breen4NY, focuses on the issues of concern to him and the reasons for his campaign. “Bail reform, raise the age, clean the slate, and now a parole system for those who killed cops. It is all part of a pro-criminal agenda that is destroying our state.”
Breen is hoping for a Red Wave to come out and vote in November, and is receiving a positive message when he is out knocking on doors. “I plan on visiting with every voter we can and win this race. This was once a republican assembly seat, and we need to send someone to Albany who isn’t afraid to say something about the problems facing our state.”
“The crime that we see in other communities is what we all see on TV, but in Yonkers, we have a great Police Department that is doing a great job in keeping us safe, but we have had two smash and grabs in Yonkers, and police officers have been stabbed and shot. I’m not afraid to call this out, my opponent is not saying a word about the problems we face.”
Breen’s campaign will answer the question, can a republican still be elected citywide in Yonkers? And can the republican candidate for Governor, Lee Zeldin, pull up an upset in November, and how will Zeldin fare in Yonkers?
Breen explained that if Zeldin is elected, he needs 8 more republicans in the Assembly to prevent the democrats from overriding any veot that may come from the Governor. “We need 51 republicans in the assembly to help Zeldin if he is elected, and I think that Zeldin can win and I can help him.”
Breen added that if elected, he would oppose any plans to override local zoning laws, “I don’t want out zoning dictated by Albany,” and he also opposes a bill that enforces “Comprehensive Sexual Education for grades K-12” which he says is currently in Albany awaiting a vote from the NYS Legislature.
“I am against comprehensive sex education in early grades, it’s inappropriate. I am also opposed to boys playing on the girls softball team.”
Breen would also oppose any efforts to force homeowners to change to electric heat. “We can’t afford it and we are not ready for it.”
Finally, Breen re-iterated the cry against Albany underfunding Yonkers. He called it the Big Lie. “Whenever its budget season, the bean counters in Albany say that Yonkers comes begging for money, but its our money.
“But since 2019, we have sent $450 more to Albany than comes back to Yonkers. We are a cash cow for the state-wait and the money flows one way.”
Breen said that a lot of Yonkers voters are concerned about the future. “People want change, and are fed up, and have had enough. Here in Yonkers we have seen catalytic converters stolen and car break ins. It’s not on the scale of NYC, thank God our police department is on top of things.”
“I would ask the people of Yonkers if they want change in Albany. If the answer is yes, then I say, if we Albany won’t change, let’s change Albany by sending someone else to represent us.”
Something has to change, if we don’t vote for change on the ballot, then alot of people will vote with their feet, and get out of Yonkers and NY State. I’m running to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
