Democratic Primary June 25
By Dan Murphy
The conclusion of the petitioning process in Yonkers has resulted in three candidates making the ballot for a democratic primary for mayor to be held June 25. Mayor Mike Spano, who is running for a third term, and former PTSA President Karen Beltran and community activist Ivy Reeves will all appear on the ballot.
Reeves is a graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree, Cum Laude, on the President’s List and among Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She has worked for Pace University School of Law, Syracuse University, Marist College and Hampton University. She was an auditor for the Ninth Judicial District of the Unified Court System and worked for the environmental and land trust organization Scenic Hudson as a liaison for the City of Yonkers.
Reeves has continually attended City Council meetings since 2006. This involvement helped her to strengthen her bond with large and small businesses, as well as churches and developers by suggesting policy makers be mindful of the environmental impact the development might have on the Yonkers residents and the importance of open, public and green space.
Reeves has developed several programs for youth, seniors and women. She teaches etiquette, manners and life skills and has facilitated the Bias Seminar/Workshop for the Eleanor Roosevelt Girls Leadership Work shop for nearly 10 years. She volunteered several years to developing community and school programs and has given several scholarships in her family’s name to graduating high school seniors. Reeves continues to volunteer her time to raise awareness in the city of Yonkers.
Her previous position as legislative aide to a Yonkers City Council leader has given her a practical and budgetary understanding of a councilperson’s office. While there she was able to help get Vineyard Avenue paved, and stop signs replaced after development was complete.
Reeves has also assisted with nutritious meals, transportation and advocating for better health care for seniors, and was instrumental in having benches made for seniors to sit while waiting for transportation. She is an advocate for clean streets and neighborhoods, more garbage cans, cleaning up lots and holding merchants responsible for sweeping of sidewalks from their building to the curb.
Reeves has volunteered in the community by serving with several organizations, including on the board of the Girls Scouts of America, Taconic Resources for the Disabled, Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, Magic Box Production NYC, Westchester Educational Opportunity Center at Westchester Community College, and the Hudson River Community Association in Yonkers. She is the founder of the Important Values for Youth Etiquette and Life Skills Program, and is named in the Who’s Who of Professional Women.
“As the mayor of Yonkers, I believe that transparency and inclusion is the key for a growing and healthy city,” said Reeves. “After all, the city belongs to the citizen, and every district has important needs. My job as mayor will be to include and educate the residents of Yonkers on what happens in making ‘the City of Hills’ a better place for all the people, by the people.”
Three additional issues that Reeves will focus on are providing more open, green and public spaces; helping the disabled, and recognizing that people with disabilities should be treated as equal members of society, and by honoring and recognizing the veterans who put their lives on the line to protect all of us; and recognizing and assisting with the homeless population in the city.
Karen Beltran, who is making her first run for office, will also appear on the ballot in June. Beltran recently announced that she received the endorsement from Run for Something, a progressive group that seeks to help new candidates win elected office.
“I am excited to announce that I am on the ballot,” she said. “My name will appear on the ballot on Primary Day, June 25, 2019. Thanks to all of the volunteers that braved the weather in March to collect signatures. I could not have done it without you. I appreciate your time and efforts. We submitted more than double the number of signatures needed.
“I am proud to receive the endorsement of Run for Something, the groundbreaking organization that recruits and supports strong voices in the next generation of progressive leadership. I am inspired, excited and honored to receive the Run For Something endorsement. Governing is not reserved for a self-selected few. A regular, qualified and capable citizen can run, win and lead. Thank you to RFS for believing in me. I’m ready to campaign, debate, win and govern,” said Beltran.
“RFS endorses candidates on two major criteria: heart and hustle. That’s what defines viability to us,” said Ross Morales Rocketto, RFS co-founder. “These are candidates who are going to work hard to run grassroots, community-led campaigns. We are in a critical time in history and the momentum these candidates generate will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
Beltran, an attorney in the County Attorney’s Office who served as president of the Yonkers PTSAs for two years, said: “I think Yonkers is due for a fresh start, and I believe I am just as capable and qualified to lead the city, and now the people of Yonkers have a choice at the ballot box. People are interested that our education system continues to improve, and to make sure that we attract developers who contribute to our city and benefit the community. They also see the need for more affordable housing.”
“There are qualified leaders ready to lead the city and expand on the improvements, and bring new ideas. I’m qualified to make that happen, and people do want to see a change in leadership in our city,” said Beltran.
Mayor Spano received the endorsement from the Yonkers Democratic Party to run for a third term. His early campaign for mayor is to go about the business of serving the 200,000 resident of the city. He recently submitted his budget for the next fiscal year and has to work with the City Council to balance the interests of the taxpayers with a $17.6 million hole that remains in Yonkers Public Schools.
Neither of the three democratic candidates for mayor challenged each other’s petitions. One political observation on that strategy, according to a Yonkers democrat, is that in a three-way contest, the candidate with the largest, or greatest base of support can win. Some say that with three candidates in the democratic primary for Mayor 40 percent could win it.
