On Monday January 1, 2024, officials in Yonkers took their oaths administered by Chief Judge Arthur J. Doran III in the Riverfront Library and began their new terms in municipal government.
A legislative change into electoral victory
Mayor Mike Spano was officially sworn in for his 13th consecutive year in office. This solidifies his status as the longest-tenured mayor in the city’s history. His unprecedented incumbency comes on the heels of a decisive victory in November’s general election, besting Republican City Councilman Anthony Merante. However, the path to this re-election emerged only as a result of a legislative change the prior year. In November 2022, the City Council extended the amount of terms an officer could serve. This became the second time the Council had extended term limits for Spano.
Mayor Spano, expressing gratitude and humility on the inauguration, considers this achievement the greatest honor one could attain.
Today, we came together to celebrate the best of Yonkers and continue our civic responsibility of the offices you, the people, have placed in our hands.
Mike Spano – Mayor of Yonkers
Looking ahead to 2024, Mayor Spano outlined his priorities like increased investment in public schools and reducing crime.
City Council remains constant
Also being sworn in for the fourth time was Republican City Council Member of the fifth district, Mike Breen. The Minority Leader of the 5:2 council accordingly expressed optimism about working in a bipartisan manner to propel the office forward over the next four years. Breen’s counter-part, Majority Leader Tasha Diaz, took her oath on Monday to start her second term. Diaz vows to continue her record on “transparency, accountability, and results” over the next four years. And newly-elected Deana Robinson joins the City Council as the representative for the first district. Robinson succeeds her former boss, Shanae Williams. Williams likewise takes her seat on the Westchester Board of Legislators this week.
Yonkers City Court Judges Arthur J. Doran III and Karen Beltran took their oaths to continue their service as well.
With exclusively familiar names continuing their service in government, the residents of Yonkers can likely expect continuity and little change in the coming years.
