By Joseph Berger, John P. O’Leary Northwest Yonkers Republican Club co-founder, member and guest writer. When taxpayers pay more but continue to experience uneven delivery of basic city services, it is appropriate to examine not just policies, but the structure of government itself. Yonkers currently operates under a system of six City Council districts and a City Council President, a structure that emerged from court-ordered changes in the 1980s. Prior to those changes, Yonkers had a...

By Joseph Berger, John P. O’Leary Northwest Yonkers Republican Club co-founder, member and guest writer. Yonkers currently operates under a Strong Mayor form of government, where executive authority is concentrated in a single political office. For taxpayers, this means major decisions about hiring, city services, and operations are largely controlled at the top, with limited independent oversight. While this structure can provide clear leadership, it also carries risks when accountability is...

Local government works best when elected officials clearly explain not just how they vote, but why. In Yonkers, recent budget discussions involving former City Councilmember Anthony Merante highlight how important that clarity is — especially at a time when residents are feeling the impact of higher taxes and rising living costs. Former Councilmember Merante has consistently voiced concerns about the city’s operating budget, casting a “no” vote based on his belief that the plan places too...