The many officially unnoticed meetings conducted by the Charter Revision Commission at the behest of Yonkers Mayor Amicone under the aegis of Chairman Julius Walls to formulate protocol for accession to Mayor of Yonkers were concluded on August 2, 2010. The catalyst that brought about Mayor Amicone’s request for a “revision” to accession to the mayoralty outside the standard Election Day voting process was Mayor Amicone’s one-time interest in challenging incumbent New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her seat. Mayor Amicone’s negative polling numbers dashed his political desires. Mayor Amicone reluctantly sidelined his political aspirations but not his demand of the Charter Revision Commission. The rationale for changing the charter for a paradigm other than the one in place seemed a superfluous indulgence until acid-tongued bloggers could make sense of it. Strap yourselves in folks, this is a wild ride.
The deputy mayor’s position was designated the most prudent individual to fill the seat of Mayor of Yonkers by his inherent knowledge of the day to day function of Yonkers. Deputy Mayor William “Bill” Regan, would accede to office of mayor rather than the self promoting argument postulated by Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick’s argument, meritorious or not, for his acceding to the mayoral position failed.
Finding Chairman Julis Walls and Vice Chairman Robert Gottschall in agreement on a position was not anathema to the “norm", but finding Jean Broderick, and Mssrs. Joseph Tinelli and Martin Ball on the opposing argument was almost too much to swallow. And it turns out, as some extremely astute acid-tongued bloggers surmised and which thereafter was attested was that something was afoot.
It is a brilliant tactical and political maneuver.
Mayor Amicone, desirous to depart his sinking ship will abdicate by year’s end initiating the accession by Deputy Mayor Bill Regan to Mayor of Yonkers for 90 days. A special election will be called for by the end of March 2011, though I personally prefer April 1, 2011. The accession protocol precludes the now “incumbent Mayor Regan to be challenged in a “primary", think former Yonkers City Councilwoman Dee Barbato and present Yonkers City Council Minority Leader John Murtagh. With one move, Mayor Amicone will have exacted the political blow to extinguish the political aspirations of both fellow Republicans. Now, who was it that said Phil Amicone is not a “political animal”?
Democrats, who so often adopt a couch potato demeanor to off elections of any kind are likely to stay at home, but Republicans, and almost all those employed by City Hall will get out the vote for their new “leader” to continue their employment. Double the interest and concern to re-elect the “incumbent" by those still employed who need a few more years to reach retirement age. Such is reality.
The 2010 Election Day challenge to Assemblyman Mike Spano winning triumphantly against his opponent will divulge the strength of the present incumbent vis-a-vis his ability to challenge the then Mayor Bill Regan in the end March, April 1, 2011 special mayoral election. Will potential front runners among Democrats for Mayor of Yonkers,specifically Chuck Lesnick, be ready to challenge then Mayor Bill Regan? President Lesnick will need to fatten his coffers. The very accession of Bill Regan to Mayor of Yonkers should make it much easier tfor his administration to “shake down” the power brokers among Yonkers political elite. The fight between Regan, Spano, and Lesnick will be fought over who possess the largest wallet. Yonkers City Councilwoman Joan Gronowski, should she decide to run for Mayor of Yonkers, could eclipse all others on a record of credibility and fairness proven by her years of office. The money to support her candidacy will be given upon her say so. The perfect scenario for Yonkers’ lust for blood. Oh yeah!
In an article written March 14, 2007, in the Journal News by David McKay Wilson at the time of Arthur Doran Jr.’s run for Mayor of Yonkers, Amicone spokesman David Simpson refers to Doran’s relationship with Yonkers Democratic City Committee Chairman Ralph Arred, who was sentenced to two years in federal prison for tax evasion, by stating “Judge Doran is a throwback to the days when political bosses like Ralph Arred ran City Hall and picked judges,” said Simpson. “I’m not sure if – at a time when the city is moving forward and Ralph Arred is behind bars – that people want to go back there.” Present Deputy Mayor Bill Regan learned to emulate Ralph Arred’s “strong arm” tactics by his side. Conduct learned at the then owner of County Site Development Corporation. Regan moved up the political ladder by serving a well-connected contractor who landed lucrative jobs despite allegations of organized crime ties and bankruptcy. Bill Regan served and learned from the likes of Ralph Arred, John Zakian, and Mayor Angelo Martinelli. Bill Regan also learned to take time off his “job” responsibilities to conduct the re-election efforts for those he was directed to support by Ralph Arred. Bill Regan is a hack from the good ole’ days, promoted then to the dislike of everyone about he. His violent demeanor remains unchecked to this day. Perfect mayoral fodder for Yonkers blood lust
The above scenario is contingent on the legitimacy of the work conducted by a Charter Revision Commission whose work was conducted illegally by their not giving full and complete public disclosure to the specific dates and times of the meetings that they profess were legally noticed. That is an utter distortion of the facts. David Simpson, who was charged to complete the “public notice” notices to the designated media outlets failed in his effort. He has no proof of all the meetings claimed or the last minute time changes to any or all the meetings. That being the fact, the effort of the august Charter Revision Commission effort is moot, null and void. their concluding vote can have no bearing on calling for a Public Hearing on August 16, 2010 on the issue they hope to place on the November 2010 ballot for adoption on Election Day.
Inspector General Dan Schorr must immediately find claimed validity to the process claimed by Yonkers City Hall or exact a cease and desist order upon the attempt to circumvent the Public Trust by the Executive Branch of Yonkers government.
The need to follow-up the legality of this issue of protocol and adherence to the law is exacerbated by the pending August 16th deadline date.
Acid-tongued bloggers have learned that Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone [ReadGood Monday Everyone BY I.M. Cob] has agreed to accept the position of Municipal Development Counsultant with Harris Beach, bond counsel and legal counsel, respectively for the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency and for the City of Yonkers. Sweet icing on a seven-layered cake. Hmm, hmm, good.
