Thursday, May 29, 2008
Yonkers City Council President Lesnick Reaches
Out For One More Democratic Councilperson
Lesnick Declares The “Drive For Five” Starts Right Now
Too often, the four Democrats on the Yonkers City Council have passed progressive legislation like the Living Wage Bill, but can’t muster a fifth vote to override a mayoral veto. Since three current council members are term limited -- Annabi (D-2nd), McLaughlin (R-4th) and Barbato (R-6th)-- we must find good Democrats to run in those districts in 2009. We need to retain the 2nd District and capture one of the
other seats to get five Democrats on the Council. I will be seeking the Democratic designation and nomination for reelection to a second term as Council President in 2009.
Th e Democrats we nominate in 2009 will be designated by the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, which consists of two District Leaders
selected from each Election District (ED) City-wide. These District Leaders are chosen in the “even” years for a 2-year term and will be designated this month so that they can carry petitions starting June 3, 2008 for all of our candidates who run this November.
Any registered Democrat from Yonkers can run to be a District Leader in the Assembly District in which he/she resides. While we try
to put district leaders in the ED in which they live, sometimes it is necessary to shift people to other districts if there are more than two interested Democrats in any particular ED.
It is possible to have a Democratic primary in contested EDs, but we try to coordinate with the party leadership to avoid conflicts. The responsibilities of a District Leader are to help qualify the candidates by carrying petitions each year to help designate candidates at conventions. They then support the candidates and the Party by volunteering on campaigns and/or contributing financially. As with anything else -- the more you put in to it the more you get out of it.
I need your help. If you are a registered Democrat and would like to participate in the process by serving as a member of the Yonkers Democratic City Committee, please email back with your address and contact information.
If you are already a District Leader, I thank you. If you would like to register to vote or become a Democrat, please let me know and
contact the Board or Elections at 914-995-5700 for a voter registration form or click here.
With all of the enthusiasm that the Democratic Presidential candidates are generating this year, NOW is to time to strengthen our party
with new voters and new activists. The “Drive for Five” starts right now! Please join me.
Sincerely,
Chuck Lesnick,
Yonkers City Council President
Showing posts with label Council President Lesnick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Council President Lesnick. Show all posts
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Yonkers City Council News...
From Counsel President Chuck Lesnick
Capital Budget Approved
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) finally got the five votes it needed to pass the $98 million capital budget.
Almost half of the money, or about $50 million, will go to repairing the city’s schools to address some $300 million in needed repairs and construction costs. The remaining $48 million will go to city projects, including $4.8 million to address sewage flows into local rivers.
Also contained within the CIP is money to rehabilitate several existing parks and to plan a new one at Purser Place next to the PEARLS Hawthorne School.
We plan to delay half of the borrowing until the projects are ready to begin construction as a cost-saving measure. It is my belief that the projects will pay for themselves in the long run with updated schools, flood control, better public safety, and other services.
Yonkers Deserves a Living Wage!
The Mayor held a public hearing on our Living Wage Bill on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
The City Council passed this bill last March only to have the Mayor veto it. Now in its second go-around, this was the time to make our voices heard on this issue!
Here are some basic facts. We are calling for all entities receiving at least $150,000 in government benefits for doing business in Yonkers to pay their workers a minimum of $11.85 per hour plus $1.50 for health benefits.
We feel this is not only a fair trade, but a necessary one especially given that almost 16 percent of the city’s residents exist below the national poverty level of $19,350 for a family of four. In addition, more than 10,000 families in Yonkers grossed less than $25,000 annually when the U.S. Census Bureau made that report in 2005.
Leaf Blower Ban
The City Council made history by unanimously voting for a permanent ban on leaf blowing from June 1 until
September 30. The bill was passed on a one- year trial basis last spring.
This is an important moment for Yonkers as it’s the first piece of public health-based environmental policy to go before the Council since the formation of the Green Policy Task Force and the signing of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.
Yonkers is also setting a precedent for other municipalities proposing similar legislation.
From Counsel President Chuck Lesnick
Capital Budget Approved
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) finally got the five votes it needed to pass the $98 million capital budget.
Almost half of the money, or about $50 million, will go to repairing the city’s schools to address some $300 million in needed repairs and construction costs. The remaining $48 million will go to city projects, including $4.8 million to address sewage flows into local rivers.
Also contained within the CIP is money to rehabilitate several existing parks and to plan a new one at Purser Place next to the PEARLS Hawthorne School.
We plan to delay half of the borrowing until the projects are ready to begin construction as a cost-saving measure. It is my belief that the projects will pay for themselves in the long run with updated schools, flood control, better public safety, and other services.
Yonkers Deserves a Living Wage!
The Mayor held a public hearing on our Living Wage Bill on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
The City Council passed this bill last March only to have the Mayor veto it. Now in its second go-around, this was the time to make our voices heard on this issue!
Here are some basic facts. We are calling for all entities receiving at least $150,000 in government benefits for doing business in Yonkers to pay their workers a minimum of $11.85 per hour plus $1.50 for health benefits.
We feel this is not only a fair trade, but a necessary one especially given that almost 16 percent of the city’s residents exist below the national poverty level of $19,350 for a family of four. In addition, more than 10,000 families in Yonkers grossed less than $25,000 annually when the U.S. Census Bureau made that report in 2005.
Leaf Blower Ban
The City Council made history by unanimously voting for a permanent ban on leaf blowing from June 1 until
September 30. The bill was passed on a one- year trial basis last spring.
This is an important moment for Yonkers as it’s the first piece of public health-based environmental policy to go before the Council since the formation of the Green Policy Task Force and the signing of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.
Yonkers is also setting a precedent for other municipalities proposing similar legislation.
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