YONKERS, N.Y. Shelley Mayer of Yonkers is running unopposed to represent the 90th District in the New York state Assembly.
Name: Shelley Mayer
Age: 59
Family: Married to Lee Smith; three adult children Aaron, Julia and Arthur Smith.
Occupation: lawyer
How long have you lived in town: I was born and raised in Yonkers, and returned to Yonkers to live in the house in which I grew up.
Party affiliation and ballot lines held: Democratic Party, with the Democratic, Independence and Working Families ballot lines.
Years in office: Elected in a special election, March 2012.
Other elected positions held: Yonkers Democratic district leader.
Civic organizations: current member Yonkers Lions Club, Westchester Womens Agenda, New York State Bar Association, Yonkers Lawyers Association, Westchester Womens Bar Association; past board member, Jewish Council of Yonkers/Westchester Community Partners, Yonkers Public Library.
1) What are the three biggest issues facing your district?
The three most pressing issues facing Yonkers are: ensuring our students have access to a quality education, ensuring good jobs for residents of Yonkers and improving Yonkers fiscal situation.
2) How would you address those issues?
One of my top priorities is ensuring the Yonkers public schools have the resources they need to provide our children a first-rate education. Over the years, the Yonkers taxpayers increased their investment in the public schools, and we need the state to do more to address persistent underfunding. Second, we need to ensure smart investment and development in Yonkers that will provide good jobs for our residents and expand our tax base. To that end, I have organized a small-business resource forum to connect small-business owners with state and local resources, and will continue to fight for working people of Yonkers. Third, the fiscal strength of Yonkers is dependent upon the continued improvement of our schools, as well as expanded economic activity. In addition, we need to work with all our elected officials city, state and federal to help address the structural challenges facing cities like Yonkers.
3) If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements?
I have been in office since March of 2012. I am proud of what I have achieved so far. I have secured an additional $750,000 in funding for sports to the Yonkers public schools. I assisted in obtaining $1 million additional bullet aid for the Yonkers schools. I convened a meeting of labor unions with the NYS Department of Labor about several prevailing wage concerns. I put together a group on flooding to ensure that all residents voices are heard at the county level on this issue. I organized the first annual Young Womens Leadership Summit to encourage Yonkers young girls. With Sen. Stewart-Cousins and Mayor Spano, I convened the first Yonkers Business Forum with state and city small-business leaders. I have held monthly open houses to ensure all residents had access to my office and its services. I personally met with the CEOs of the largest Yonkers employers to hear their concerns and get to know them better.
4) Westchester is among the highest-taxed counties in the nation. What would you do to lower the tax burden?
To the extent we can find efficiencies and consolidate services, we should look to do so, and find ways to encourage and incentivize this activity. In addition, we should shift a greater share of expenses, particularly Medicaid and education, to the state and away from municipalities.
5) Why should people vote for you?
Residents of the 90th Assembly District should vote for me because I will continue to be a strong voice and advocate for Yonkers in Albany, and I have the experience and expertise to achieve meaningful results. Whether we are talking about education funding or ensuring our veterans are recognized and supported, I am a staunch and principled advocate for the residents of Yonkers. I grew up in Yonkers, and I am honored to represent the people of Yonkers and the state of New York. I will work with anyone of any party to achieve results and put the people first.
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