Charter mandates annual message; no address delivered, no date announced
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 28, 2026) — Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert has not delivered a State of the City address in 2026, now nearly five months into the year, despite a City Charter requirement that the Mayor present an annual message to the public.
Section 10 of the New Rochelle City Charter states that the Mayor shall “present an annual State of the City message.” No address has been delivered and no date has been announced.
Section 10 The Mayor.
Amended by Local Law No. 1-1993 (March 2, 1993); Local Law No. 1-1996 (December 19, 1995).]
At the general City election held in 1995, and at such election in each fourth year thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor who shall serve for four years from the first of January following his or her other election.
He or she shall preside over the Council, represent the City in intergovernmental relationships, present an annual State of the City message and perform other duties specified by the Council as allowed by the Charter.
He or she shall be recognized as the head of the City government for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the serving of civil processes and by the Governor for purposes of military law. In time of public danger or emergency, the Mayor shall, if so authorized by vote of the Council, take command of the police, maintain order and enforce the law. During his or her absence or disability, his or her duties as Mayor shall be performed by another member of the Council appointed by the Council.
Talk of the Sound has covered every State of the City address since the site launched on September 1, 2008. The only exception was 2020, when the address was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramos Herbert delivered addresses in both 2024 and 2025.
The SOTC is traditionally delivered in March. Ramos-Herbert pushed her first SOTC to April and her second to May.
May 8, 2025 at New Roc City
State of the City 2024 (Yadira inaugural SOTC)
April 11, 2024 at Remington Boys & Girls Club
State of the City 2023 (Noam farewell)
March 9, 2023 at New Rochelle City Hall
State of the City 2022 (YouTube video only)
February 28, 2022 in New Rochelle Mayor’s Office
State of the City Address 2020 (postponed due to pandemic, never given)
March 5, 2020 cancelled
State of the City 2019 (look back to 1969)
March 21, 2019 at New Rochelle City Hall
State of the City 2018 (School violence and murder) March 2, 2018 at New Rochelle City Hall
State of the City 2017 (Noam weeps over Trump victory) March 9, 2017 at New Rochelle City Hall
State of the City 2016 (Noam apologises to regular CBTH speakers)
March 7, 2016 at Davenport Club
State of the City 2015 (postponed due to major snowstorm)
March 24, 2015 at Davenport Club
State of the City 2014 (mourning Echo Bay & County Exec defeats)
March 20, 2014 at Davenport Club
March 18, 2013 at Davenport Club
March 2, 2012 at Davenport Club
March 10, 2011 at Davenport Club
March 11, 2010 at Davenport Club
March 19, 2009 at Davenport Club
Talk of the Sound submitted questions to the Mayor asking whether she plans to deliver an address, why none has been scheduled, and whether she is aware of her charter obligation. She did not respond prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound.com (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.