“We’ve got a woke squad guy (Rep. Bowman) that’s in Congress in our district,” Phil Reisman.
“And he got arrested again,” Matt Richter.
“Well, listen, they should have arrested him for his vote on the infrastructure bill…. I’m a very hardcore moderate. I’m very much in the middle,” said Mayor Mike Spano
The Reisman-Richter Report, WVOX 1460 AM radio Feb. 3, 2022
Comments keep pouring in on our story about a WVOX Radio interview with Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, in which he said that he was “taking a look” at challenging Congressmember Jamaal Bowman in a primary. But Spano’s sarcastic comment that Bowman “should have gotten arrested for his vote against the infrastructure bill,” has resulted in a number of email letters.
Yonkers Rising feature columnist Eric Schoen emailed us saying, “I have known the Spano family for over 50 years. To try to label Mike Spano a racist is like calling Swiss Cheese American Cheese. In a month Mike Spano has done more for black, brown and the people in Yonkers as Mayor and New York State as an Assemblyman than Jamaal Bowman has done in his lifetime.
“I encourage new voices to be heard in our community, but Mike has done more for the communities represented by his critics then all of them combined together. Senator Biaggi’s beloved grandfather, a longtime friend who despite his legal issues I admired and respected for his love for this country and the people he represented is rolling over in his grave over her comments. News reports that she is seeking higher office explain her attempt to stir up a nonexistent issue.
“Jamaal’s vote against the infrastructure bill hurt this Country including the residents of his district. Fortunately responsible Democrats and Republicans in Congress voted to give Americans jobs, improve our country’s crumbling infrastructure and put food on the table of families crippled by a pandemic and a troubled economy.
“Mike Spano and I have had our differences over the years. But to label him a racist? The political discourse has reached a new low!,” writes Schoen, whose upcoming column in Yonkers Rising this Friday should be a great one.
County Legislator Christopher Johnson stated, ““The ignorant comments made by Mayor Spano in reference to Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s vote on the infrastructure bill and bail reform are unacceptable” says Majority Leader Christopher Johnson. “Black people are 5 times more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts, even when they are not committing a crime. For the Mayor to suggest, even in poor judgement, that Congressman Bowman be arrested for taking a vote on a bill is racist. It’s hurtful, particularly to people who live in this city who look like Congressman Bowman and I, who face those unjust realities everyday. I have disagreed with Mayor Spano over many issues, but have never resorted to calling for his arrest. A full apology needs to take place immediately.”
Indivisible NYCD-16, released a long statement, which reads in part, “The Steering Committee of NYCD16-Indivisible denounces the assertion by Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano that Congressman Jamaal Bowman should have been arrested for his “no” vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
“It is troubling to hear Mayor Spano make such provocative statements. Remarks from him about putting our Black Congressman in jail stoke fear and anger in certain communities. We have yet to understand what he means by “changing bail reform.”
“Most constituents look to our democratically elected officials for reasoned and calm governance in these troubling times. Dog whistle statements from Yonkers Mayor Spano don’t reflect the type of leadership that we need from him. We expect him to demonstrate a more considered and respectful approach in the future.”
Indivisible NYCD 16’s letter also included their defense of the existing bail reform legislation, which has been a major topic of disucssion across the state. More on that story in the days to come.
