The first town hall to discuss the proposed map for the new City Council districts was held tonight, Jan 23rd. The second floor meeting room of the Riverfront Library was half full with about 60 residents who came to speak and listen to the council members and the consultant who has been charged with redistricting Yonkers. What transpired over two hours was a rare sight when 100% of Yonkersites agreed on something – that these maps and this process is flawed.
The meeting commenced on-time at 6pm. Mike Ramondelli from the City Clerk‘s office emceed the event and kept an orderly house in a roomful of dissatisfied and vocal residents. The agenda began with a presentation from the consultant hired to draw the new maps. Andrew Beveridge, PhD was given this contract virtually at the last minute when there were no other options available. Beveridge presented the proposed map on screen in a room surrounded with large printed copies of the same. He discussed the legal requirements that needed to be met and the February 16th deadline which is legally mandated.
Within about 20 minutes residents began to approach the microphone to make statements and ask questions of the expert and council members. There were familiar faces like Eileen O’Connor and Justin Tubiolo providing remarks. But, this meeting also turned out the politically nascent populace that is appearing to swell after the heated term limits debate last November.
At first, most grievances were hyper-specific relating to the representative destruction the proposed map could have on certain neighbors. As this meeting was on the west side, most complaints pertained to the first, second, and third council districts. Residents described how communities have formed around specific geography as well as their composition of high density housing like apartment buildings vs single family homes. These new maps appear to swirl everything together in a manner that serves to check off boxes instead of serve the people who actually live (and vote) in these districts.
Beyond the map itself, the matter of process emerged as an underlying concern that is becoming common with this current city council. The map was only distributed by the council via the clerks office on late Friday afternoon via their email distribution list. The Monday and Wednesday town halls were also concurrently announced. However, between these town halls is the Rules Committee meeting on Tuesday. It is at this meeting where the council may choose to advance this map to a full vote by the council on the following Tuesday, January 31st. So, the residents expressed their skepticism at how much thought has gone into the maps if the public review process is so slapdash.
Whether it was a complaint with the map itself or of the process, 100% of the 25+ residents spoke against what the council has presented. City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy did a serviceable job of addressing her constituents while very clearly taking notes on what was being said. No other council member gave any remarks. Though, the aforementioned Rules Committee meeting will likely see some debate. We expect Council Member Anthony Merante of the sixth district to speak. It is his district that appears to be the most transformed by this proposal.
The next and final town hall will be held at the Grinton I.Will Library on Wednesday Jan 25th at 6pm.
