Yes, nepotism is real in Yonkers. I'm the mayoral candidate who can fix it | Opinion
Regarding "Nepotism has taken a hold of Yonkers," lohud.com, June 2:
The issues of nepotism and term limits have been the focal point of discussion amongst my three opposing candidates during the race for Yonkers mayor. The oxygen in Yonkers is currently being consumed with these topics. The current mayor has been a proponent of extending term limits and has not shied away from overextending his governance. This is evidenced by his attempt to diminish the importance of these issues with constant media appearances and the over-saturation of newsletters in our mailboxes every other day. Meanwhile, both candidates who are city council incumbents, Democrat Corazon Pineda-Isaac and Republican Anthony Merante, are clearly on the nepotism and term limit trains, attempting to derail the conversation about issues that leave our city vulnerable.
On Sunday, Jan. 15, during my announcement that I would seek the Yonkers mayoralty, I spoke about the importance of term limits in our city government and the 80-year history of the Spano dynasty. The validity of these topics have manifested as realities, which have continued to plague Yonkers’ politics for decades.
This is nothing new.
The only candidate running for mayor that can speak with fidelity on either issue is me. It is I who has no familial ties neither present or past working within the the City of Yonkers. And to be perfectly clear, nepotism has no place in any of our governmental institutions.
Earlier perspective: Nepotism has taken a hold of Yonkers
Mike Spano: I'm the mayor of Yonkers. This is why I'm looking forward
In full transparency, my husband, the Rev. Frank E. Coleman Jr., along with other courageous and civic-minded leaders of Yonkers put their livelihoods and reputations on the line to defend democracy with a lawsuit against the city’s attempt to usurp the will and voice of the people in direct response to the legislative bodies overreach of extending term limits for the second time on the behest of the mayor. It is important to note that both Pineda-Issac Merante failed our city by not signing off on this lawsuit to show solidarity for our community.
Furthermore, I call this rallying cry a mere smoke screen from the real issues impacting Yonkers’ residents. Both Pineda-Isaac and Merante have been disingenuous with the residents of Yonkers. Although Merante has said he has one family member who is employed within the city government, neither has disclosed their entire familial ties within governmental positions. Since both have positioned themselves against extension of term limits, the voters have the right to know. Not only should both give their stance on term limits and disclose their own family ties, but Pineda-Isaac, specifically, should provide the back story regarding her consecutive 3 termed incumbency as councilperson.
Here are the are real issues plaguing Yonkers:
Housing: The lack of affordability and the ability to have upward mobility of homeownership.
Education: The lack of equitable educational opportunities for all students.
Public Safety: The lack of personnel and equipment required to meet the safety needs and concerns of our growing urbanization.
Infrastructure: The lack of resources to meet the crumbling infrastructure and environmental and health injustice issues.
It is time for new leadership that can be responsive to all the citizens of Yonkers — no more deflections from the real crisis plaguing our city.
Subscriber exclusive How Lenny Spano rose to assistant DPW commissioner in Uncle Mike's Yonkers administration
Both councilpersons should have dealt legislatively over the tenure of their incumbencies to stop the train at the gate. We, as Yonkers, as one community can finally make the right choice.
Starting June 17, running through June 25 and again on June 27, Yonkers residents should vote no on deflective rhetoric and sidebar issues that don’t house, feed or keep the community safe.
Margaret Fountain-Coleman, a Democrat, is a candidate for Yonkers mayor.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yonkers NY mayor race 2023: Nepotism can be fixed
