Introduction: The Yonkers Ledger sent its questionnaire to all 7 City Council President Candidates. Six of the seven candidates sent in responses which are posted online without editorial comment and with light edits for clarity. The Yonkers Ledger will conduct follow up interviews with each of the six candidates who responded.
Former City Council President Chuck Lesnick qualified for the Democratic Primary on June 24, 2025. His answers are listed below.
Overview- What is your view of the State of the City?
No reply
How do You View Large-Scale Development in the City?
In general, I am happy with the large-scale developments in Yonkers particularly those on the waterfront. As Council President in 2006 we took the lead in the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) which recommended allowing 3,000 units of housing between the Yonkers and Greystone Train Stations on Alexander Street with higher densities and taller buildings closer to the Metro-North Stations. We invited public participation. Some new developments have been within those areas and others require new zone changes. I am sensitive to the views of the councilmember who represents the area. I would have followed the lead of the councilmember and allowed for more time on the approval of the project at Leak & Watts so that she could have secured a better Community Benefits Agreement. I also would have followed the lead of the councilmember to approve the Empire Casino Proposal in a timely manner so that we are approved by the state.
What is your view (or explain your previous vote) on the 10% Affordable Housing Ordinance?
I proposed a 20% Affordable Housing Ordinance in 2013 and was pleased to have at least got the 10% I would push for 20% again and would be open to negotiating the best ordinance that will receive four votes and the Mayor or five votes.
Do you support zoning reform for different neighborhoods, for example, mixed-use in Northwest Yonkers or ADU (accessory dwelling units) in East Yonkers?
Yes to both. At separate times my parents and I have lived on upper Warburton Avenue and I would like to see cafes and small grocery stores within walking distance.
I would also support taking our “heads out of the sand” and recognizing the illegal two and three family homes that already exist and allowing for a brief amnesty period to apply for approvals as “existing non-conforming uses”(if safe) and to re-assess the properties so that they pay for the full use of City Services.
What do you think are the most important parts of the Budget and would you advocate for any changes to the 2025-2026 City Budget?
We need to continue our “maintenance of effort” for Education and I would make sure that there are no cuts to Arts, Music & Sports and Special Ed. I would maintain a good Quality of Life with public safety and alternative programs like SNUG to keep guns of the streets. I would continue Capital Funding for Parks and the Hudson River Museum. I would also fund and seek funding for a first time affordable homeownership program.
What else do you think should be a budget priority for the City of Yonkers Administration and City Council
The City needs to protect the immigrant Community in Yonkers especially those who are now citizens or have green cards and might be inadvertently swept up by an overzealous Federal Government.
What is your position (or explain your past vote) on extending Term Limits through the City Council?
My position has been that the voters of the City put term limits in the City Charter, they should be the ones who change it. I personally favor twelve (12) years and would support a ballot referendum to institutionalize that. If elected I would not serve more than twelve more years.
What role do you believe the City Council should play in ensuring ethical, honest and transparent government?
The City Council should serve as a place for convergence, breathing life into locally grown initiatives and a source for putting teeth in our policies through funding and resource allocations. A well-functioning City Council is transparent and demonstrates that through thoughtful engagement practices to include and activate local residents into civic participation. The City Council should focus on bringing as many residents as possible in whatever way they can, into conversations about policies and actions that impact them the most directly. The action is not only about public relations, it’s about authentic intention! Inclusion is about intentional processes that make space for more people to participate by meeting them where they’re at. While inclusive processes may take longer, they will enable the City Council and its President to hold up and deliver on authentic promises which deliver results that are long-term and sustainable.
How should the City Council engage with the Yonkers Inspector General and the Ethic Board?
When I was Council President, I often sought advice from the Inspector General and/or the Ethics Board to determine whether a conflict existed BEFORE it became an issue. I sought their opinion before we hired AKRF to conduct the Alexander Street GEIS given their other work that they had done for the City, and I sought an opinion as to how to structure my law practice to avoid an appearance of impropriety. I also used my power to request that the Inspector General conduct periodic audits of Community Benefit Agreements and other promises that developers made to the City and/or the IDA to see whether they are doing what they said they promised and whether they would trigger any “claw back” provisions that might have been negotiated
Read more about Chuck Lesnick here: https://lesnickforcitycouncil.com/
Read other candidates’ answers:
Mike Khader
Pete Spano
