By Dan Murphy
The people of Yonkers, and voters who want choices when they go to the polls this year, should applaud the efforts of several residents from diverse backgrounds who have stepped forward to run for office. These candidates have emailed us their information and we are happy to report on their candidacies to you.
Community activist London Reyes announced last week that he is running for county legislator in the 17th District of Southwest Yonkers. Reyes ran two years ago and lost in a democratic primary to Legislator Virginia Perez, who is not running for re-election this year, creating an open seat which Reyes, who is founder of the AAA All-Stars, hopes to fill.
Some of Reyes’ supporters and campaign team members from two years ago urged him to run again.
“I couldn’t let them down – they did such a great job last election and proved that prior political experience was not necessary to run a campaign,” he said. “We collected 3,000 signatures and received more votes in that district than any challenger. It was an amazing experience and I’ve been delighted to see the community continue to support me and encourage me to throw my hat in the ring again.”
Reyes, who is president of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Cultural Parade of Yonkers and district leader of Ward 2, will face off against former County Legislator Jose Alvarado in a democratic primary. Reyes portrays himself as “being a megaphone for those without a voice. I want to alter politics by bridging the gap between the community’s needs, and the services the government provides,” he said.
Reyes has been a champion for youth for two decades and has worked to foster better relations between the police and the community in Nodine Hill. He has also rallied for public school education funding in Albany and hosted the South Broadway Business Improvement District’s Double-Dutch Expo, which went viral online.
Two first-time candidates have also announced their candidacies.
Terence Miller is running for City Council in the first district and, in a surprise to many, received the endorsement of the Yonkers Democratic Committee over incumbent Councilwoman Shanae Williams.
Miller is a lifelong Yonkers resident with almost 10 years of experience in advocacy, government relations and community development. He is a graduate of Yonkers Public Schools and is passionate about the issues that affect his city. Inspired by the historic election of President Barack Obama in 2008, he changed his educational track from computer science to political science, and committed himself to getting the necessary education that would allow him to go back into his community and bring much-needed change.
As a student at St. John’s University, Miller was an intern for Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. There, he worked to connect Yonkers residents to resources and information necessary to help themselves and their families in the areas of housing, education, employment, immigration and health care. Thereafter, he worked for State Sen. Gustavo Rivera and focused on constituent case management – again, working to identify resources for individuals and their families so they may improve their quality of life.
Making good on his promise to pour back into his community, Miller returned from school and began to do the work. He was elected a district leader in the first ward of the first council district in 2016. He is also currently a member of Community Voices Heard – Yonkers Chapter. In this capacity, Miller works with Yonkers residents to hear their concerns and uses the organization’s resources to address them.
For example, he has been advocating to have the Yonkers City Council raise the current affordable housing ordinance to 30 percent, so that more families can live and thrive in the city of Yonkers without the burden of high rental costs.
Miller loves this city and is passionate about being someone on the council who will fight hard for the first district, voicing their true concerns every step of the way. He is most proud of the values instilled in him by his grandmother, Edith Allen, a Yonkers business owner and educator who taught him the importance of perseverance and fighting for those most in need.
Miller is Yonkers born, Yonkers raised, and Yonkers proud.
Democratic District Leader Olasubomi Macaulay announced her candidacy for City Council in the third district. A lifelong democrat, she is an active member of the Yonkers Democratic party who served for eight years on the Yonkers Board of Assessment Review.
She also brings a wealth of community participation, and volunteerism, in a number of organizations. Macaulay is a member of the Untermyer Performing Arts Council, treasurer of Sister to Sister International, treasurer of the Williamsbridge Club, publicity officer for National Council of Negro Women, first vice president of the Yonkers Chapter Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, and a board member of Greater Centennial Federal Credit Union at AME Zion Church.
Macaulay is running on an agenda of better schools and affordable housing for everyone, and keeping Yonkers as a safe haven for immigrants. Macalay will hold a meet-and-greet event Sunday, March 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at JR Travel & Dream Center, 27 E. Third St., Mt. Vernon. For more information about her, visit subominacaulay.com.
Macaulay will be running against former Councilman Dennis Robertson, who was endorsed by the Yonkers Democratic committee.
More candidates next week. If you are running, send your information to dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com
