At a time when we see instability in the world, and dysfunction in Washington DC and in Albany, it’s clear that in Yonkers, Mayor Mike Spano has been able to work with all Yonkers residents to move New York’s 3rd largest City forward.
Based on Spano’s ability to control crime, improve education, and bring smart development that also provides affordable housing, we endorse Mayor Mike for reelection. Early voting starts on Oct. 28, and Election Day is Nov. 7.
When necessary to protect the people of Yonkers, Spano has stood up to people in his own party, like he did when he expressed his opinions on the need to change bail reform and change raise the age legislation, or when the City recently sued NYC and Mayor
Adams for housing migrants in a Yonkers hotel without paying occupancy tax to the City.
Stability and trust on critical issues like crime, education, taxes and development are the reasons why the people of Yonkers trust Spano to continue to serve.
Yonkers is the safest large City in New York and the 8th Safest in the United States. Graduation rates continue to climb in the Yonkers Public Schools. And with development has come affordable housing required with each project.
Mayor Spano has also kept his budgets under the tax cap for 11 of 12 years. The financial condition of the City is the best it has been in many years.
The issue of term limits is also a part of this election. Spano is seeking a fourth, four-year term after the council made the change last year. When we speak to people in our travels around Yonkers delivering Yonkers Rising, very few put Term Limits at the top of their list. Crime, education and taxes are the three issues we hear most about.
Overall, the people are satisfied with Spano’s performance and results as Mayor. They trust his judgement, his demeanor, and his management of the city with no drama.
The overall quality of life for the people in Yonkers has improved over the past 12 years, and unlike other communities, Yonkers has not seen problems with crime or other quality of life issues.
Yes, Yonkers has its share of problems, like every other City. But overall, Mike Spano has done something most elected officials can’t do; Govern in a bi-partisan manner and put the interests of the people first.
Spano’s opponent is republican Councilman Anthony Merante. Merante has run an active campaign and should be commended for giving the voters a choice.
Merante has had difficulty walking the fine line between criticizing the mayor for his decisions when, as a member of the City Council, Merante supported many of those initiatives and budgets.
Merante has served on the council as a fiscal watchdog, and we look forward to him continuing in that role.
During the last debate, Merante pointed to his achievements as taking down trees and filing potholes. While these are good accomplishments for a council member, we had hoped for more of a vision for the city.
We thank Merante for the opportunity to highlight his campaign.
But Mayor Spano has proven himself to the voters as an effective, reasonable leader of New York’s third largest city. His overall interest is the people of Yonkers. We see the future of Yonkers in stable hands with the reelection of Mayor Mike Spano.
