Two of Westchester’s longest serving Mayor’s, from two of the county’s largest cities, made announcements about their political future. New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson announced that he will not be running for re-election next year after serving for 18 years, and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is considering a fourth term for Mayor of New York State’s third largest city after the Yonkers City
Council extended their term limits law to allow the Mayor and Council to run for a fourth term-16 years.
In a letter to the New Rochelle community on Nov. 21, Mayor Bramson expressed a “deep sense of gratitude– for the partnership of colleaguesin government, for the energy, wisdom, and generosity ofsupporters, and, above all, for the trust and confidence of the people of New Rochelle.”
When his term concludes at the end of 2023, Bramson will have served New Rochelle for nearly three decades – eighteen years as mayor and ten years as a member of the City Council. He has won five mayoral elections, each by a landslide margin. Bramson’s legacy is wide-ranging. Under his leadership, New Rochelle is experiencing the most dynamic growth in a century, with unprecedented economic development throughout its downtown. Bramson was instrumental in advancing the City’s environmental goals by writing and adopting New Rochelle’s first sustainability plan.
Working with colleagues in the City Administration and Council, Bramson advocated for and approved record investments in infrastructure, parks, and capital assets. And Bramson was front and center in securing competitive national and state grants for innovative initiatives such as the LINC and NRVR.
In addition, Bramson led New Rochelle through some of its most challenging experiences: the Great Recession of 2008, which imposed enormous pressures on cities throughout America, and the COVID crisis, when the city was in the global spotlight as an initial epicenter of the viral outbreak.
“Our progress today is made even more gratifying by the memory of challenges overcome,” said Bramson. “Far and wide, New Rochelle is viewed now as an innovative leader with an exceptionally bright future. And through it all, we have preserved what is best in our civic character – an inclusive spirit that celebrates diversity and welcomes people of every tradition and circumstance.”
Bramson’s service was lauded by several colleagues and partners: State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Through years of dedicated and effective leadership, Noam has earned the respect of colleagues across Westchesterand New York State. He has been a strong voice for progressive values and has played a vital role in New Rochelle’s dramatic positive strides. I have been proud
to represent and work with Noam and know that he will continue making important contributions to
our community.”
County Executive George Latimer said, “Noam has been a friend and partner for nearly 30 years, highlighted by our work together the COVID-19 crisis. He has done an exceptional job guiding New Rochelle through a dynamic transitional time. We’ve been fortunate to have his leadership.”
Mayor Bramson’s tenure does come with recent allegations that he tried to influence his way into a job serving as Development Commissioner for the City, at a salary of more than $2000,000 per year, through “unlawful influence and coercion.” The complaint continues to be under review by the New Rochelle Ethics Board.
In Yonkers, the City Council decison to extend term limits from three terms to four terms by a 4-3 vote on Nov. 22 was met with chants of four more years from his supporters and let the people decide by Spano’s detractors, who wanted the matter decided by a referendum.
Before the council vote, Spano has been non-commital about running for a fourth, four-year term next year if term limits were changed. After the vote, Spano issued a statement which read, ”The Yonkers City Council’s decision gives voters more choices. Now that running for a fourth term is an option for Yonkers elected officials, it certainly gives me something to think about for myself. I love being mayor, but ultimately it will be up to the voters on Election Day as to who will lead our city for the next four years.”
Most political insiders now believe that Spano will run for a fourth term next year, but also that he will be faced with a democratic primary opponent and a republican challenger next November.
Views are mixed in Yonkers about who’s to blame. “Nobody stood up in Yonkers and said thanks Mayor Spano for your service of 12 years, but its time to move on. Many were waiting for the many prominent democrats in Yonkers to stand up and say that, or for someone to say I’m running for Mayor, but nobody did. That made it easier to push for a fourth term.”
Another Yonkers democrat told us, “Can you imagine, in today’s political climate, the voters even willing to consider their political leader serving for 16 years? It’s unheard of, but that’s because of the job Spano has done and the satisfaction that so many have in the direction of the city. Mario Cuomo and Andy Spano are two popular democrats who failed to get their 4th term.”
Many opponents to Spano and to extending term limits wondered why the Mayor’s supporters didn’t put the extension up for a referendum.”This could have been put up for a referendum in December. They decided to go in a different direction and have the council vote. That decision may have been a mistake if he can’t get reelected next year because of the backlash,” said a progressive democrat.
“If Mayor Bramson gets 18 years in New Rochelle, how come Spano can’t get 16 years? And if you disagree, then run against him next year?” said a Sound Shore Democrat.
