By Dan Murphy
Four Yonkers democrats have stepped forward to run for City Council President this year and are collecting signatrues to appear on the ballot for the democratic primary on June 22. Incumbent Council President Mike Khader is running for re-election, and is being challenged by Lakisha Collins-Bellamny, Peter Spano and Doug Gray.
Lakisha Collins-Bellamy is currently the most serious opponent to Council President Khader. Collins-Bellamy is a member of the Yonkers Board of Education and the Yonkers Police Reform Commission. She has also received the Working Families Party line and will be on the ballot in November regardless of the outcome of the Democratic Primary.
Collins-Bellamny said that getting the WFP line “was a tremendous boost to our campaign. People want change. The Working Families Party is the champion of working people and they see the lack of leadership and progress from the current council president. He attacks the school system rather than improve it. He prevents housing opportunities rather than create them.”
Collins-Bellamy called on Governor Cuomo to resign and tried to use the issue to contrast herself with Khader. “Why is Khader silent on this issue? Who is Khader obliged to that prevents him from calling out
these wrongs?” said Collins-Bellamy. The problem with her argument is that Mayor Mike Spano, County Executive George Latimer and many others have called for a pause on Cuomo until Attorney General Letiticia James complets her investigation.
Collins-Bellamy was appointed to the school board by Mayor Spano and was appointed to the Yonkers Police Commission review board by Mayor Spano. She currently works for the Municipal Housing Authority for the City.
A lifelong Yonkers resident, Collins-Bellamy is a graduate of the Yonkers Public Schools, an attorney, and if elected, would become the first African-American woman Council President. She has stated that she has filed more than enough signatures to get onto the democratic primary ballot.
The next Council President challenger to Khader has a famous Yonkers last name, but no relation. Peter Spano is making his first run for public office, and is a lifelong resident of Yonkers. His campaign announcement stated,”He has dedicated his life and career to making all of Yonkers a better place by improving the quality of life for every resident in his community. For nearly two decades, Peter has been involved with the Yonkers and Westchester Democratic committee and has served as a district leader. Peter coaches youth sports at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers. He is in charge of junior varsity team and an assistant varsity basketball coach. Volunteering is a passion for him in numerous nonprofit organizations including Feeding Westchester, Rotary, Kiwanis, Yonkers Community Action Program, Volunteers of America, Yonkers Family YMCA, Police Athletic League of Yonkers, Yonkers C.E.R.T. and the Office of Emergency Management in Yonkers.
“Peter is truly committed to improving Yonkers, always looking for new programs to assist and enrich everyone that he can. One of his most recent projects is the rebuilding of basketball courts and playgrounds throughout the city. Other initiatives include creating positive mental health and anti-bullying environments.In addition, he offers free programs to underserved residents and their families. New projects include designs for after school programs for kids and senior citizens, both online and in person when available. Peter sees that a greener and cleaner Yonkers is right around the corner,” end of statement. Peter Spano has no relation to the other Spano’s of Yonkers, that include Mayor Mike Spano, City Clerk Vinny Spano, former State Senator Nick Spano.
A fourth possible candidate for Council President is Doug Gray, former Executive Director of the Yonkers PAL. Gray’s name was not placed in nomination at the Yonkers Democratic Convention becasue he could not get a second to his nomination from any Yonkers democratic district leader. There is no informnation either online or on social media about his campaign.
