Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was sworn-in for his second term as the 42nd mayor of the city of Yonkers and Richard William Thomas will be sworn in as 26th Mayor of Mount Vernon, NY, on Friday, January 1st.
![The inauguration of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Friday, Jan 1st. [News 12]](http://www.blackwestchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/spano.jpeg)
“Philipse Manor Hall served as Yonkers’ first City Hall over 100 years ago so we thought it would be fitting to honor the manor’s rich history by holding this year’s inauguration there,” Spano said in a statement.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, won a second term, potentially setting him up to run for Westchester County executive in two years against Republican incumbent Rob Astorino. During Spano’s first term, the city of Yonkers saw balanced budgets, with large investments in Yonkers public schools.
“Mount Vernon is a community that exemplifies family bonds and coming together to succeed,” said Thomas whose wife, Cherish, a former prosecutor also address the crowd  at the New Year’s Day ceremony. The husband and wife team, young and attractive, along with their two young children send a powerful message about the city’s future.
“Today marks the first steps in making Mount Vernon a better place to live and a place where everyone can prosper. My campaign focused on bringing people together to unite as one for Mount Vernon. I am bringing the same community involvement and engagement into City Hall and I am excited for Mount Vernon’s future” Thomas said.
Mistress of Ceremonies was none other than Robin Harmon-Myers who sits on the Advisory Board for the Thomas Administration. Thomas nephew, Steven Thomas Jr, sang the National Anthem, JB Smoove made the crowd laugh and DJ Myte entertained the crowd ont he one’s and two’s The Call To Worship and Welcoming Remarks was performed by Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor of Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church. Other clergy to participate in the ceremony included Bishop C. Nathan Edwers of Friendship Freewill Baptist Church (Invocation), Rev, W, Franklyn Richardson of Grace Baptist Church (Scripture) and Pastor Ronell D. Fuler & The Faith Christian Assembly who sang their popular unifying anthem, “Unite Our City.”
Elected officials in attendance to give remarks at the ceremony included Senator Jeffrey Klein, Westchester County Exec. Rob Astorino, Senator Chuck Schumer, and newly elected Mount Vernon Councilpersons Lisa Copeland and Andre Wallace.
Copeland and Wallace installed as members of Mount Vernon City Council, Monday at the Annual Statutory Meeting in the City Council Chambers. Councilman Marcus Griffith will be installed as Council President for the second year in a row, Monday as well.
Yonkers and neighboring city Mount Vernon are the fourth most populous city and the eighth most populous city in the State of New York, respectively, both bordering the New York City Borough of The Bronx and make up a Democratic stronghold in Westchester County.
