“The Yonkers Federation of Teachers is proud to endorse Mike Khader for City Council President,” said Pat Puleo, President of Yonkers Federation of Teachers. “As a public school parent and product of the city’s school system, Mike Khader understands the needs of teachers and their students. We know that with Mike in the City Council, the YFT will have a strong friend and ally.”
“Yonkers needs a City Council President who makes our public schools a priority,” said Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, YFT elementary VP and Staff Director. “Mike Khader is someone who understands our needs and is willing to work with us to secure the educational services that are desperately needed for our students.”
“Mike Khader is a breath of fresh air,” said Florence McCue, YFT executive board member and Grievance Chair for the local. “His candidacy is inclusive and expansive, involving all of the city’s various constituencies and not just a select few. The students, parents, faculty and staff of the public schools will be well represented by Mike. This is what the students and teachers have always needed.”
“It’s an honor to have the endorsement of our city’s public school teachers,” said Mike Khader. “My wife and I send our three children to public schools because we believe in providing them with the tools to succeed, grow and contribute to their community. This is the promise that the Yonkers Federation of Teachers fight for day-in and day-out to uphold; securing the resources that will allow every child to reach their full potential.”
Through its affiliation with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) , the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association (NEA), Yonkers Federation of Teachers represents the city’s nearly two thousand public school teachers and over 1,300 retirees. For many decades, the union has led the fight to improve school funding.
The YFT’s endorsement comes full-circle for Khader, a lifelong resident of Yonkers who attended Lincoln High Schooland now sends his three children to local public schools in the city. The Democrat and first-time candidate is a successful business litigation attorney and the first in his family to graduate from college. Khader also served in the CIA, signing up for the renowned agency after the September 11th attacks in order to serve his country.
The YFT’s endorsement of Mike Khader, and Teamsters Local 456 reveals the disgruntled and angry electorate that had at one time clung to the promises expressed by Liam McLaughlin years ago. It took quite awhile. It is now recognized that McLaughlin’s words were hollow. They lacked integrity and heart.
2017 is the year that is bringing about the change people dared not contemplate. It is becoming the change Yonkersites can believe in because Yonkersites are no longer asking for respect, they are demanding it. Yonkersites are no longing hoping for better days, they are making it happen by controlling the process of the change that is now taking place.
Teamsters Local 456 and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers scaled the mountains. Who will be next to change the demeanor in Yonkers? Will Yonkersites coalesce around Mike Khader? The momentum is strong and daunting. Are these the beginning days of a new dawn for Yonkers?
http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2017/04/yonkers-federation-of-teachers-yft-endorse-mike-khader-for-yonkers-city-council-president-by-hezi-aris
http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2017/04/yonkers-federation-of-teachers-yft-endorse-mike-khader-for-yonkers-city-council-president-by-hezi-aris
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