Yonkers Insider: Yonkers City Councilwoman Corazon Pineda Isaac 2nd District: Term Limits - Public Comment Session on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

At the City Council’s Rules Committee meeting of Tuesday, November 15^th, a new Local Law was introduced which would allow the increase in term limits for elected officials from 3 terms (12 years) to 4 terms (16 years).

 

Let’s put this into context:

Term limits in Yonkers were limited to 2 terms (8 years total) prior to 2018. 

 

In 1994 and in 2001, the proposal for a change in term limits was brought to Yonkers residents by way of referendum. Both times, the proposal for a change in term limits failed. 

 

In 2018, in an effort to avoid another defeat by referendum, a Local Law was introduced that would increase term limits from 2 terms (8 years) to 3 terms (12 years). Despite the controversy this generated and the public uproar it created, the Local Law was adopted by the City Council by a vote of 5-2. 

 

Fast forward to 2022 – Again, a last-minute Local Law was introduced to again extend term limits, but this time from 3 terms (12 years) to 4 terms (16 years). Many items that come before the Council go into committee for discussion before going to a vote. This allows time for the council members to fully understand what is being proposed, gives them time to consult with their constituents, gives them time to ask questions and make any necessary edits. However, this is not the case with this most recent proposal to increase term limits. Instead, this item was put directly onto the City Council agenda for a vote at our next meeting, which is set to take place on Tuesday, November 22^nd at 7:00pm, despite a crowded Council Chambers demonstrating how divisive of an issue this is. In my opinion, this proposed increase in term limits is being rushed through unnecessarily. 

 

 To set the record straight, while I was not opposed to 3 four-year terms, which is consistent with term-limits for our County Legislators, I voted against the extension in 2018 because the people of Yonkers were stripped of their right to vote via referendum as they had in 1994 and 2001. It is disheartening that the Local Law before us today is, once again, being rammed through the Council at the last minute – right before a holiday weekend. I vehemently oppose this overreach by the Mayor and the City Council to bypass and disenfranchise the voters of the City of Yonkers yet again. Rushing this to a vote is outrageous and undemocratic. The people spoke loud and clear in 1994 and 2001 and decisively rejected any change beyond the 8 years that had been previously established. I stand by my previous position and believe that the people/voters should decide -- not 7 elected officials. 

Whether you support or oppose an increase in term limits, I encourage you to come to the Yonkers Riverfront Library on Monday, November 21^stat 6:30pm for a Public Comment Session and let us know your thoughts before Tuesday’s vote on this item. Please call the City Clerk’s office at (914) 377-6022 to sign up to speak. 

Hon. Corazon Pineda-Isaac

E-mail: corazon.pineda.isaac@yonkersny.gov

Tel: (914) 377-6312​

Yonkers City Council | 40 S. Broadway, Suite 414

Yonkers, NY 10701