Gronowski learned of her exclusion from the planned Thursday sessions following the Yonkers Councilmembership’s biweekly Leadership Meeting with the Mayor.
The LDA is a critical element of the SFC Yonkers Inc. review process, defining the terms for the transfer of properties to the designated master developer (SFC Yonkers Inc.) that upon approval will allow SFC Yonkers Inc. to design and develop the project.
Gronowski blasted the mayor for what she rightly
recognizes is his most recent overt retaliatory effort in an attempt to
marginalize and impede her effectiveness on the Yonkers City Council
and thereby dismiss the over 30,000 residents she represents.
recognizes is his most recent overt retaliatory effort in an attempt to
marginalize and impede her effectiveness on the Yonkers City Council
and thereby dismiss the over 30,000 residents she represents.
“I have been to every Real Estate Committee
meeting since taking office, despite the fact that I am not even a
member of the committee, and have done everything possible to review
the proposed SFC Yonkers Inc. project to the best of my abilities,”
emphasized Councilmember Gronowski. “Furthermore, this latest attempt
by Mayor Amicone, denying her participation with her colleagues at this
critical stage of the review process is demeaning and a blatant effort
to denying my elected office, and thereby my constituency, the vital
information needed to vet the most crucial aspects of this project.”
meeting since taking office, despite the fact that I am not even a
member of the committee, and have done everything possible to review
the proposed SFC Yonkers Inc. project to the best of my abilities,”
emphasized Councilmember Gronowski. “Furthermore, this latest attempt
by Mayor Amicone, denying her participation with her colleagues at this
critical stage of the review process is demeaning and a blatant effort
to denying my elected office, and thereby my constituency, the vital
information needed to vet the most crucial aspects of this project.”
Gronowski recently cited the Amicone
Administration for its refusal to allow departmental representation at
a Town Hall meeting she held and conducted in the Northwest section of
the 3rd District last Wednesday, despite its past practice of affording
this courtesy to other Yonkers Councilmembers for their respective
district meetings. Gronowski further noted that when the mayor was
approached by several colleagues this summer to discuss the cuts made
to several police posts, he refused to include her in the talks
asserting, “She didn’t vote for the budget.” Mayor Amicone also
refused to allow the City Assessor to appear on a segment of a local
television show hosted by a colleague, were Gronowski also invited to
appear. Gronowski was not permitted to appear as a guest.
Administration for its refusal to allow departmental representation at
a Town Hall meeting she held and conducted in the Northwest section of
the 3rd District last Wednesday, despite its past practice of affording
this courtesy to other Yonkers Councilmembers for their respective
district meetings. Gronowski further noted that when the mayor was
approached by several colleagues this summer to discuss the cuts made
to several police posts, he refused to include her in the talks
asserting, “She didn’t vote for the budget.” Mayor Amicone also
refused to allow the City Assessor to appear on a segment of a local
television show hosted by a colleague, were Gronowski also invited to
appear. Gronowski was not permitted to appear as a guest.
Councilmember Gronowski is contacting the New York
State Office of the Attorney General for guidance regarding these
issues and will ask the Office of the Inspector General in Yonkers to
conduct an investigation into Mayor Amicone’s conduct to ascertain if
his conduct falls within acceptable parameters of governance.
State Office of the Attorney General for guidance regarding these
issues and will ask the Office of the Inspector General in Yonkers to
conduct an investigation into Mayor Amicone’s conduct to ascertain if
his conduct falls within acceptable parameters of governance.
ADDENDUM:
Mayor Amicone permitted this reporter a last minute meeting and discussion after concluding the Yonkers IDA meeting over which he presides to delve into the assertions made by Councilmember Gronowski. Mayor Amicone differs in his understanding of her demeanor. Recognizing that Councilmember Gronowski has been contrary to every initiative of his administration, Mayor Amicone believes he has extended himself and his staff to be inclusive of her in all meetings and deliberations. He does point out that her voting record has been negative toward the administration and asserts that she has not kept an open mind on past and future concerns. Despite their differences, Mayor Amicone said that he been meticulous in responding to the needs and concerns of the 3rd District as his administration would the other five districts in the city. Mayor Amicone does point out that he has lost patience with Councilmember Gronowski but will show all respect to her requests and will not deny her access to his office, that of the Deputy Mayor, or his Chief of Staff through which request are made.
Mayor Amicone permitted this reporter a last minute meeting and discussion after concluding the Yonkers IDA meeting over which he presides to delve into the assertions made by Councilmember Gronowski. Mayor Amicone differs in his understanding of her demeanor. Recognizing that Councilmember Gronowski has been contrary to every initiative of his administration, Mayor Amicone believes he has extended himself and his staff to be inclusive of her in all meetings and deliberations. He does point out that her voting record has been negative toward the administration and asserts that she has not kept an open mind on past and future concerns. Despite their differences, Mayor Amicone said that he been meticulous in responding to the needs and concerns of the 3rd District as his administration would the other five districts in the city. Mayor Amicone does point out that he has lost patience with Councilmember Gronowski but will show all respect to her requests and will not deny her access to his office, that of the Deputy Mayor, or his Chief of Staff through which request are made.
Mayor Amicone said he needed to focus on the concerns of the city overall because it the issues of development, financial constraints, among others that consumed his time. Mayor Amicone emphasized again that he has not excluded Councilmember Gronowski from any meetings or discussions.
Overall, Mayor Amicone believes the conduct of the individual council members fall under the aegis of City Council President Chuck Lesnick. President Lesnick will make the decision to include Councilmember Gronowski or not.
President Lesnick in this morning’s interview after that of Mayor Amicone noted that at times of agreement communication flows easily between his office and that of the mayor. When issues are heated, communications too often break down. President Lesnick believes Mayor Amicone would be making a mistake to dismiss Councilmember Gronowski, no matter her stated or inferred political positions and decisions.
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