Some Yonkers Dems Point to Lesnick Concerns

Chuck Lesnick

 

On paper, it appears that the race for Yonkers City Council President is a done deal—with Democrat incumbent Chuck Lesnick riding re-election with the wave of a large Democratic enrollment edge, and to put him over the top, the Independence line.

Combine that with a very quiet so far campaign from Republican challenger Jim Castro-Blanco, and this race is over, yes? Not so fast.

Some Dems have concerns about Lesnick’s leadership, or lack thereof they claim on the council, and the animosities between some Dems and Chuck over the years.

“Let’s remember Chuck didn’t win in 2005, Richard Martinelli lost and mailed it in. Also in 05, Chuck had the support of the Ridge Hill crowd, who now feel that he betrayed them,” said one prominent Yonkers Dem.

“ On SFC he’s been all over the map, trying to appease all, but annoying his base of landmarks and the anti-development crowd, who think he has done too much for developers, and the pro-development crowd, who believe he’s waited far too long to approve SFC.”

“He also voted for Mayor Amicone’s budget before he voted against it, passing a council based budget.”

“Castro-Blanco is quiet, but that’s on purpose, with the hope that Chuck shoots himself in the foot. 

Pat McDow and Ken Jenkins both don’t like Chuck. We also hear the county executive isn’t on board either. Chuck needs a big turnout in the Dem rich southwest Yonkers to combat the high turnout in the North east

There are two competitive races in the 4^th and 6^th Districts, which will fuel high turnout. The Dem races in SW yonkers will be decided in a primary, Ken will breeze in and so will the Dem nominee in the 2^nd.

“Will they throw Chuck under the bus and not work hard for him? Could the Spano’s-Mike and Nick-also want Chuck out of the way for Mayor Mike?

Some Opposition Among Yonkers Dems in Anointing Mike Spano Next Mayor

 

 While there has been a major push in recent months to lay the groundwork for a Mike Spano for Mayor in run in 2011, some rumblings and quiet opposition can be heard among Yonkers Democrats.

Some Yonkers Dems, like many Dems throughout Westchester County, were shocked and surprised that county executive Andy Spano, got and accepted the Conservative Party line. These Democrats do not believe that Dems should be taking the Conservative line, based on their social beliefs on abortion and gay marriage.

Most importantly, the several Yonkers Dems we spoke to said that they saw Andy’s conservative endorsement as a deal brokered between the Spano’s-with Andy getting the conservative line and Mike, with the help of brother Nick, getting Andy’s support for Yonkers Mayor in 2 years.

“I don’t want the Democratic endorsement for Mayor in two years to be based on some political deal made for the conservative party. It stinks,” said one prominent Yonkers Dem.

The two biggest and most likely Yonkers Democrats standing in Mike’s way are Council President Chuck Lesnick and County Legislator and Yonkers GOP Chair Ken Jenkins. Both Lesnick and Jenkins have re-elections this year, with Jenkins expected to win easy. More on the Lesnick race in next post

Feds to Take Summer Off in Westchester Political Corruption Probe?

OK-I will be the first to admit that I have been off in my predictions on when indictments would finally be handed down in the 3 year investigation of political corruption in Westchester. I have received several false alarms from my sources.

The biggest factor in no movement in these cases is the fact that there is no U.S. Attorney yet confirmed by the U.S. Senate. President Obama has nominated Preet Bharara, an Indian-American lawyer who is also NY US Senator Chuck Schumer’s  Chief Counsel.

Bharara’s ties to Schumber and his Harvard pedigree, will get him easily confirmed in the US Sentate, but when is anybody’s guess. and one of the many files waiting on his desk is the Westchester corruption probe.

It will be up to Bharara to decide what to do with the case, and until he gets confirmed, nothing will happen, this could easily stretch thru the summer and into September.

So we all have to wait some more—-

another tidbit we hear is that there is someone among us in Westchester politics, who flipped and gave the Feds evidence, and has now returned to Westchester and is doing business as usual?

Any suspects?

Some Dems Refusing to Carry Andy Spano Petitions-Idoni v Morabito Double Dip?

Here’s the latest election- petition news we have been hearing

Some Dems, in lower Westchester, are refusing and/or complaining about carrying petitions for County Executive Andy Spano. We hear that a few Dems carrying for Andy were critiqued by homeowners and property owners about sky high property taxes, focusing their blame on Andy.

Now while these few Dems will have no impact on Andy’s petition drive, which will put him way over the top of signatures needed-its worthy of a post for two reasons.

1-Andy’s campaign runs a tight ship and they do not apprecaite and signs of disloyalty to the big Westchester Dem-Andy, and they are not happy with the defections, howevery few they are.

2-It shows and points to this growing discontent among Westchester taxpayers about their government, and the cost to them and their families.

Idoni/Morabito Double Dip?

Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni will face a challenge from former Rye Supervisor Robert Morabito in November. Morabito, a Democrat, got the Republican line to challenge Idoni from County GOP Chairman Doug Colety. Colety has been criticized of late on this blog of not helping deliver the Independence party line for a lot of his republican candidates across the county.

Giving the GOP line to a Dem Morabito, is another Colety choice that we hear rumblings about from our Republican friends, who wonder why Colety gave the line for a countywide office to a Dem. Wasn’t their any Republican in the county willing to run for County Clerk.

Morabito is now attempting to get on the Democratic line for County Clerk, which would result in a Dem Primary between Idoni and Morabito.

Here’s where it gets interesting—Morabito is circulating a petition, that has his name on it for County Clerk, but also Tony Castro’s name for District Attorney.

Castro is challenging DA Janet DiFiore, both Castro and DiFiore are Dems and are headed to a Dem Primary in September, with the winner facing Republican Dan Schorr in November.

Castro has the support of the Independence Party and its county chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo. Cavallo has been twisting arms of Democrats who he gave his Ind line to to collect  Dem signatures for Tony Casto. Cavallo has jumped into bed with Sam Zherka, Guardian Publisher and admitted target of a Manhattan DA criminal probe. 

So a partnership between Castro and Morabito is upon us, with Cavallo and Zherka pushing behind the scenes.

We hear that both Castro and Morabito will have enough signatures to get on the ballot, which would give us two Dem countywide primaries in September-DiFiore v Castro, and Idoni v Morabito.

Council Overrides Amicone Veto and Passes Their Budget

The Yonkers City Council held a special meeting today and voted to override Mayor Phil Amicone’s veto of the city budget, which was amended by the council to include $7 million in cuts, and a reduction in the tax increase from 6.6 percent to 5.75 percent. The council cuts also eliminated the need to increase the unpopular income tax surcharge.

The council passed their version of the budget last week, with the mayor vetoing the budget this week, saying that he cannot sign a budget with the $2 million in cuts to police overtime.

Independence Party Candidates ‘Encouraged’ to Collect Signatures for Castro

We have heard a few complaints from Democratic candidates who also have the Independence Party line throughout Westchester, about the arm twisting they are receiving from County Independence Chair Dr. Giulio Cavallo, strongly encouraging them to collect signatures for Tony Castro, Democratic candidate for district attorney.

Castro has the Ind line, thanks to Cavallo and Sam Zherka, but he also wants to run in a Dem primary against Janet DiFiore and needs to collect a few thousand signatures in order to get on the ballot.

Dr. C has made it known that all Dem candidates with the Ind line need to help Castro get on the ballot. This puts these Dem candidates in a bad situation because the leadership of the party, and the rank and file, have nominated DiFiore.

Also what right does Cavallo have in telling the Dem Party how to conduct their primaries?

Another fact that points to serious involvement by Dr. C and Sam Z in the political elections this year in Westchester.

Dr. Giulio Cavallo

Council Overrides Amicone Budget, 5-2

The Yonkers City Council held a special meeting last Friday to override Mayor Phil Amicone’s veto of the budget passed by the council, who cut an additional $7 million to reduce the property tax increase to 5.75 percent and eliminate the income tax surcharge increase.

The mayor had vetoed based on the $2 million in cuts to police overtime. But the veto was a dangerous move because five members of the council had already approved the budget, and the same five voted to override.

So while this turned out to be a symbolic move for the mayor, it also allowed the council to override his veto and highlight the fact that they had passed a budget without the mayor’s support.

Here’s the council veto override release:

 

 

 

CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO OVERRIDE MAYOR’S BUDGET

 

 

 

Council’s Budget Lowers Taxes & Saves Jobs

 

 

 

Yonkers, New York: June 26, 2009 – The Yonkers City Council this morning voted 5-2 in favor to override the mayor’s veto of the budget that was passed by the council last Saturday and subsequently vetoed by Mayor Phil Amicone on Wednesday, June 24. Council members Gronowski and Majority Leader Sandy Annabi voted against the measure.

Today’s vote to override the mayor’s veto was the right thing to do in these hard economic times. When we requested this mayor to come to the table and make meaningful cuts to his own budget he refused to do so. Instead, he left the difficult work to the council to write a budget and manufactured a crisis.

This city council recognizes that many Yonkers’ families are struggling today more than folks have endured in several generations. Job losses, foreclosures and mounting bills are part of the new reality in Yonkers as they are across the country. In such times, it falls upon all elected officials to strike the necessary balance, between providing and properly funding necessary government services, while not adding further burdens upon the backs of our taxpayers. In such times, the ability to act and demonstrate true leadership is more than warranted – it is expected.

Sadly, this mayor made the unfortunate decision to blame the city council for its recent decision to pass what many consider a prudent budget that aims to lessen property tax increases and make the necessary minimum cuts. The council also stood firm against the mayor’s proposed 50% increase in the city portion of the state income tax surcharge which would have taken several hundred dollars out of the paycheck of just about every person who lives or works in Yonkers.

 

 

 

With the mayor’s veto, at his well staged press conference on Wednesday morning, he proved that he would rather continue to employ fear tactics that suggest that the council’s cuts will cause crime to rise with fewer patrol officers available to protect the city. Such allegations are not only unreasonable and worrisome — they are outrageous and irresponsible. Our citizens know that this city council has always recognized the need to staff our police and fire departments at more than just the acceptable levels. We have continued to approve police and fire academy classes to join our city’s ranks. And just as our public safety departments deserve to be properly staffed, we have taken our responsibilities to our communities equally serious and have worked together to expeditiously approve

grants and ordinances that have bettered our neighborhoods. Our resident’s safety has always been our top priority.

This year, our police commissioner recommended that the council pass $10.8 million in police overtime. This council passed a budget allocating $9.8 million in overtime – only one million less than what the commissioner requested. For the mayor to politicize this issue is both dangerous and reckless. In short, it is the mayor that failed to do what his office mandates — not the city council.

With the mayor’s veto of our city’s budget for 2010 this week, the mayor chose to play politics rather than make the tough decisions and played the politician’s blame game.

Rather than come to the table and negotiate, he chose to craft a public relations campaign meant to scare our citizens. Such behavior is shameful and unfortunate forour city, our residents and our workforce.

 

 

A Whole Lotto Love! Yonkers Woman Wins $41 Million Lotto

The luck of the Irish shined down on Niamh Finnan, a dental hygienist from Yonkers, who was given a $41 million winning lottery ticket from her husband, Donal, last month.

The couple recently returned to the location where Donal bought the winning ticket, Lotto Plus at 967 McLean Ave., and we joined by New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega and Gretchen Dizer to celebrate.

The Finnan’s, both born in Ireland, have lived in Yonkers for 25 years.

Yonkers Comes Out to Support PAL at Luncheon at Empire City

Despite the difficult economic times, the Yonkers community came out to fill the ballroom at Empire City to support the Yonkers Police Athletic League (PAL) at their annual luncheon held last week. The Yonkers PAL has faced cuts to their budget over the past year, losing city funding for police officers to work at the PAL. Since that time the PAL, through Chairman Angelo Martinelli and a hard working board, has been working feverishly in an attempt to raise funds to keep PAL as an important safety net in Yonkers for young adults.

Martinelli, former Yonkers mayor, was at his best at the luncheon, urging the crowd to help the PAL. “We are here to help keep the PAL alive, and your attendance today shows how Yonkers cares,” said Martinelli, who remembered three PAL board members lost over the past year: Mike D’Ambrosio, Sidney Sloves and Iris Walshin.

“Iris did so much for the PAL that our recreation center is named in her honor. Sidney always said ‘yes’ when asked to help, and Mike dedicated his life to the PAL. They will be missed.”

The winners of the PAL poster contest — Reina Mendez and Edward Curry — were on hand to receive their PAL jackets. Three students from Sacred Heart HS in Yonkers, Megan Matill, Daniel Salliente and Elizabeth Folinsky, accepted scholarships from the PAL for their outstanding student performance.

The two PAL honorees were Mayor Phil Amicone and Sal Corrente, boxing coach and PAL director. Martinelli called Amicone “the perfect mayor for the people of Yonkers during these difficult times.”
Amicone, the PAL’s man of the year, said, “Due to the unfortunate cuts that we had to make, so many people in Yonkers have stepped up to fill the void and help with programs, and be here today. I had no doubt that the PAL wouldn’t die because it’s so important to parents working late. The PAL is vital to the survival of our city and the people of Yonkers always step up to make a difference in children’s lives.”

In attendance were former N.Y. Giants, including George Martin, District Attorney Janet DiFiore, City Council President Chuck Lesnick, Police Commissioner Ed Hartnett, City Chief Judge Michael Martinelli, County Legislator Jose Alvarado, Councilwoman Sandy Annabi and hundreds of others.

The PAL also accepted checks from Assemblyman Mike Spano for $15,000 (with Mike’s father Len Spano delivering the check) and Hudson Valley Bank for $5,000, with James Landy, president of Hudson Valley Bank, at the luncheon.

With help, the PAL is continuing its programs for Yonkers kids. For more information about the PAL or ways to keep this crucial Yonkers program alive, call 914-377-7297.

McLaughlin and Barbato Remain Two Key Votes Needed to Pass SFC’s LDA

With the summer season upon us and a budget battle behind them, the City Council’s next big issue will be the Struever Fidelco Cappelli (SFC) $400 million development plan for downtown Yonkers. The council had been working for the past few weeks to amend and adopt a budget, and can now turn its full attention to SFC and the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA), which lays out the project’s terms, payments and benefits to both the city and the developers.

Currently, three members of the council — Council President Chuck Lesnick and council members Patricia McDow and John Murtagh —  appear to support the LDA, while councilwomen Sandy Annabi and Joan Gronowski are opposed. (McDow, however, has recently expressed concerns about the affordable housing component of the plan … more to follow.)

Republican council members Liam McLaughlin and Dee Barbato remain the swing votes, and the two votes needed to pass the LDA. Five council votes are needed because the LDA includes the sale of city property.

While negotiations continue between Mayor Phil Amicone, SFC and the City Council, both Barbato and McLaughlin remain on the fence with serious concerns.

“My concerns are all about the revenue streams in this project. This isn’t what we all signed on for, we thought this was going to bring in a definitive revenue stream,” said Barbato.

Both Barbato and McLaughlin’s concerns regard whether or not the LDA is a good deal for the people of Yonkers. Below are some of the pros and cons of the LDA, all of which are factors both Barbato and McLaughlin are considering.

Pro: The SFC project will create jobs, business activity and vitality to an economically depressed part of the city. The increased traffic could “lift the tide” of other businesses, creating more spending, and sales taxes, in Yonkers.

Con: The project is no longer a guaranteed $1.6 billion development plan. Due to economic conditions, a minimum development guarantee of $400 million is in the LDA.

Pro: The development of the SFC plan would give a boost to the downtown waterfront in Yonkers, the gem that remains underutilized. While there has been some development in the downtown/waterfront district there’s isn’t enough critical mass for a vibrant business and residential district. New office buildings on Main Street are up for sale, and other property owners are waiting and wondering what to do next. The SFC plan would give the boost to the downtown needed so that other projects can follow.

Con: SFC has to layout very little of their own money to move forward with the project under the LDA. Many of the upfront payments by SFC have been removed or modified in the LDA. 

Pro: The $400 million minimum development includes building River Park Center at Chicken Island, a new firehouse at the Cacace center across from City Hall and parking near and around City Hall and River Park Center. At least one residential tower will also be built, along with some form of Minor League Baseball stadium.

Con: One of the biggest pieces of city responsibility to the SFC plan is the $162 million in bonds the city will float to pay for the infrastructure improvements to the downtown. The total cost of the improvements is $212 million, with SFC using anticipated credits from the project to pay the $50 million.

Pro: The construction of residential housing, be it rentals at River Park Center, and/or condos on the riverfront, would bring in new residents, who live, shop and do business in downtown Yonkers. The residential component is currently lacking in the downtown, and a vibrant downtown has activity 24/7.

Con: According to the LDA, SFC has to attempt to secure financing for their project. If they cannot secure financing, they can sit on the two riverfront properties (H&I) that are considered the most valuable piece to the entire plan.

Concerns about how SFC intends to regulate the affordable housing portion of their residential plan have recently come to light. In the LDA, the affordable housing units would transfer to market rate housing after 15 years. McDow called the 15 years “absurd. Fifteen years is a blink of the eye, I was looking for 30 years, which is a good standard.”

“They [SFC] need to come back with something that’s workable for the city,” said McDow, whose vote for the LDA is crucial for passage.

Over the past few months of negotiations, SFC has remained silent, preferring to attempt to win over enough council votes behind closed doors. But the people of Yonkers are talking about SFC.

“I hear from a lot of people two recurring thoughts. One is that this a sweetheart deal for SFC. They are getting everything they want, but who is looking out for us?,” said an unnamed source in City Hall. “And two, how long will this go on for? When will the council vote on this, or when will SFC finally quit?”