Republican Response to Mayor Spano’s State of the City Address By JOHN J. LARKIN
Good
Evening.
As Minority Leader, and on behalf of the Republican City Council, and the people we serve, it's my pleasure to offer our response to Mayor Mike Spano's 2013 State of the City.
As City Councilmembers, we recognize the responsibility that the people have placed in us. That responsibility is to do what is in the best interest of our city, our homeowners, and taxpayers. For far too long we have allowed partisan politics and personal agendas to stifle that progress. What better example of that than our Federal Government which is often unable and even unwilling to communicate and compromise.
As the Republican Members of the Council, we are committed to doing what is in the best interest of our city, regardless of who receives the credit. Because in the end, it's a win for all Yonkers residents.
Budget
Our first priority must be to address a serious budget deficit of approximately $80 million dollars. This is going to take a collaborative effort of all stakeholders. This will involve our Mayor, City Council, State Elected Officials, Board of Education, Unions, Parents, and most importantly you the Taxpayers.
This cooperation began last year when the City Council addressed a large deficit and passed a budget with a 7-0 vote.
All this was done while adhering to the 2% tax cap which the Mayor and we as Republican Councilmembers support.
Education
It is our responsibility to provide a solid foundation for our children. It is imperative that this begin with a full day Pre-K Program. The reality is: dividing $25 million among the school districts within our State will not provide Yonkers with the funding needed for our children.
Our school buildings are in desperate need of repair. The State reimburses Yonkers approximately 61 cents on the dollar for repairs, whereas cities such as Buffalo and Rochester are reimbursed close to 100%. This is unacceptable- we must call on our State Legislators, beginning with Gov. Cuomo, to give Yonkers its fair share for Pre-K and building construction.
Municipal Workers
They are second to none. Their dedication, hard work, and genuine concern for the residents can be seen every day. They keep our neighborhoods safe, clean and insure our central services run smoothly. They accomplish this every work day despite the fact that they have been working without contracts for the past four years. It is our hope that discussions will continue regarding contract negotiations.
Development
We heard the Mayor speak about development and mentioned rebuilding our tax base by utilizing economic development as a revenue source. Yes, we do need economic development but we need development that is right and fits the needs of the neighborhoods and residents. The Mayor mentioned future development projects such as Glenwood Power Plant and Boyce Thompson Project. The adaptive reuse of these buildings are innovative and exciting. Both will create an infusion of revenue for the city, and with community input will provide a positive addition to our neighborhoods.
Development in our downtown is critical to the success of our city. Creating foot traffic is essential. Teutonia Hall and the Collins Project will provide that needed foot traffic.
Small Business
While large retail-residential development is good, more emphasis needs to be placed on our small businesses, our mom and pop stores and restaurants which generate a large number of jobs and revenues for our city. We need a program which will streamline the process for small businesses to open. Waiting 6 to 9 months to open a small business or restaurant hinders and can sometimes be a financial blow to the owners. We must not cut corners on safety, but we need to reduce the wait time for permits, licensing, and certificates of occupancy. We need to create a better small business friendly environment.
Zoning
Our city has zoning laws for a reason - to protect residents. Often times, a development may look good on paper, but may have a far reaching impact throughout our city.
The proposed zone request for the Austin Ave. project is a planned multi-use development, or a PMD. This would allow just about anything within the zone: commercial, office, retail, and residential. Austin Ave. does not meet the requirements of that zone. We must be careful not to dilute the protection in place for the residents.
Empire City
We fully support and advocate for a full service casino at Empire City, increasing jobs with added tax revenues for Yonkers.
Yonkers IDA
The Yonkers IDA is a critical component to attracting business to Yonkers. We believe that a Project Labor Agreement should be a requirement for all projects that receive financial assistance from the Yonkers IDA, with consideration given to the hiring of Yonkers and Westchester County residents. A position on the IDA should be afforded to a building and trades representative, similar to Westchester County’s IDA Board.
In conclusion, it is the opinion of the Republican Councilmembers that we must work in a bi-partisan manner to do the very best for the citizens of our city, the people who have given us the privilege to serve. We look forward to working with our Mayor and Democratic Colleagues in order to move the City of Yonkers forward.
I ask that we invoke God's guidance and blessing upon the residents and our great City of Yonkers. Thank you and good night.
Yonkers City Councilman John J. Larkin is the Minority leader. He represent the 6th District.
You are wasting your breath, Larkin.
You are outnumbered by the Spano machine and they will not rest until they redistrict out just one Republican.
A super majority is their goal.
Total control over the city is their end game.
Just look how well it worked for 0bozo.
Now look at the state of our country.
We’re fucked…………….
Posted by: What, me worry? | March 20, 2013 at 20:22
You call this a response? Did Levy write it for you? Is there any check and balance left in Yonkers?
Posted by: Where is the loyal opposition? | March 21, 2013 at 00:41
i was thinking the same.
as a poster above stated "We're fucked......."
Posted by: sameoldbs@gmail.com | March 21, 2013 at 01:08
Great job mayor and great job to Larkin!! What a crazy idea to actually do what's right for the ppl and not for the party!!!
Posted by: Good man | March 21, 2013 at 01:21
Great job Mayor?
Are you stoned?
He has done nothing but waste money.
Posted by: Slurpy slurp | March 21, 2013 at 10:39
No one is talking about how poor our educational programs are in Yonkers. We are at the top 5% in performance throughout New York State. Fixing buildings is just a deflection for not responding to poor performance. Nothing is happening in our schools. It's in the worse situation we have ever been in.
Posted by: Educator | March 21, 2013 at 14:10
You know what this city needs?
Making what WOULD be all of the city's biggest taxpayers tax-free, so we go broke.
Like you idiots did under the last two guys.
Posted by: AliciaD | March 21, 2013 at 23:50
What give's Larkin the right to "God's guidance and blessing upon the residents of Yonkers" and what makes him think that they want that blessing?
Posted by: Separation of Church and State | March 22, 2013 at 00:07
THE FIRST AMENDMENT GIVES HIM THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT HE SAID JACKASS!
Why don’t you blow it out your ass for "GODS" sake!
And you wonder why our society is in the shitter? It is because people like you! Why don't you read what "Separation of Church and State” really means you babbling boob?
This is one of the biggest lies perpetrated by the progressives (like yourself.) “Separation of Church and State” is a misnomer and appears nowhere in the United States Constitution.
People who scream the loudest for tolerance are in fact, the most intolerant among us! Let me give you a civics lesson MORON:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
That would be the First Amendment. There is nothing in it about church or state. Stop smoking pot, listening to NPR, and get your head out of your collective ass.
More progressive collectivism……..Just what the world needs!
Posted by: Hey Jackass | March 22, 2013 at 07:53
No, the exact phrase "separation of church and state" isn't in the 1st Amendment. It's in a letter from Thomas Jefferson EXPLAINING the 1st Amendment.
"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." - Jefferson
Isn't it funny how "strict constructionists" say we should interpret the Constitution by the "original intent" of the Founding Fathers, but ignore the founding fathers own interpretations?
The Supreme Court in 1879 wrote that wrote that Jefferson's comments "may be accepted almost as an authoritative declaration of the scope and effect of the First Amendment." Reynolds v. United States
I DO however agree with you about one thing. The guy who signed himself "Separation of Church and State" is a jackass. It doesn't mean that politicians aren't allowed to mention God. That's just stupid, and a violation of the freedom of speech part of the 1st Amendment.
Posted by: SammyScorp | March 23, 2013 at 08:40
Sammy:
"That would be the First Amendment. There is nothing in it about church or state."
I meant this as an answer to the question as to what gave Larking the "right" to mention the "G" word.
This right stems from the First Amendment.
I know about TJ's letter and I'm glad there are still some people who know what they are talking about like you. I can see where my statement was confusing. My blood was boiling when I went on a tiff.....
As for Larkin, I can honestly say that he “gets it” and is trying real hard to represent the homeowner/taxpayer.
All’s I know is that I would probably throw Lesnick out of a window after the first 10-minutes of a meeting with that asshole.
Thank GOD Lesnick the Liar will be gone soon.
Posted by: Jackass | March 23, 2013 at 19:34