Sharpshooters and Heavy County Police Presence at Dem Convention

This one’s a few weeks old but worthy of a post.

Massive Police Presence at Dem Convention to protect Andy Spano from Who?

At the recent Democratic convention at the county center, many democrats in attendance told us about a heavy police presence for a politcal gathering.

A few follow up calls later, and we found that there were sharpshooters placed in and around the county center, and that a county police detail was taken off its usual assignment to go to the county center for the dem convention.

This is the improper use of the county police, and an overreaction by Andy Spano or whoever ordered the police presence. While the convention did have some interesting soap operas-Andy Spano vs his son Dave Spano and the DiFiore v Castro DA’s race, is it all really needed?

County GOP Chairman Doug Colety jumped on the Spano SWAT team and rightfully so. 

Westchester Republican County Committee Chairman Doug Colety today condemned County Executive Andy Spano for over-the-top security measures utilized at his nominating convention Wednesday evening at the Westchester County Center.

  

 

Westchester County Democrats gathered to nominate Mr. Spano, whose disregard for the taxpayers has been criticized over the past 12 years, and has caused a near-revolt of Westchester residents.  Security for the event entailed more than two-dozen county police officers, most receiving overtime pay and others pulled away from their regular posts to cover the event.  In addition to the uniformed officers, bomb-squad personnel, four DA investigators, and three officer-mounted horses were on hand for security.

  

 

Chairman Colety questioned who was paying for the county services for a political event and demanded that Andy Spano reimburse taxpayers for any costs associated with the convention. 

  

 

“Providing this level of security is a huge expense, not to mention an unheard of practice for a local political nominating convention,” stated Chairman Colety. “Westchester taxpayers deserve to know if they were stuck footing the bill.” Continued Colety, “You’d think the President was coming with all that security.  Is it any wonder that Westchester residents pay the highest taxes in the nation?  Westchester Republicans did not spend one dime of taxpayer dollars to nominate our candidates.  I ask that Andy Spano come clean about whether taxpayers had to pay for his convention.  If the answer is ‘yes,’ Mr. Spano must immediately reimburse Westchester residents for this outrageous abuse of taxpayer dollar

More Dirty Tricks Against DiFiore Backfire

The opposition to District Attorney Janet DiFiore’s re-election campaign is at it again. This time they used Memorial Day parade’s in Mt. Vernon and Yonkers to try and discredit DiFiore.

Paid operatives were placed at the parades carrying signs reading “DiFiore is Corrupt” and “The DA is a crook.” But instead of winning over those marching and watching the parades, they had the direct opposite effect.

Most found it distasteful to go negative at a Memorial Day parade, which honors those who served our country in war.

It is believed that the politcal operatives were paid for by Sam Zherka, the publisher of the Westchester Guardian and the target of a Manhatan DA criminal probe.

Zherka is a huge opponent of DiFiore, and is supporting Tony Castro, the two time Democratic candidate for DA who will likely challenge DiFiore, who got the West Dem endorsement for DA, in a Dem Primary in September.

While the Casto campaign was not behind the memorial day agitators, his link to Zherka doesn’t help his campaign. A previous attempt to disupt DiFiore’s campaign kick off byZhekra also backfired and didn’t help Castro’s campaign.

Is Andy Spano A Conservative? More Games Being Played with another county exec nomination?

 

Now that Rob Astorino has secured the Independence Party nomination for County Executive, the next battle is the for Conservative Party nomination for County Exec.

Let us again commend Independence Party Chairman Dr. Guilio Cavallo for giving the nomination to Astorino. Why Dr. C gave Astorino the endorsement is thought for another post.

The Conservative Party endorsement for County Executive should go to Astorino, he had the line four years ago, and is the true conservative in the race. For conservatives to endorse Andy Spano for county executive would be a travesty, and would further diminish the conservative party, which sees a continued decline in enrollment and power in Westchester politics.

90% of the Conservative Party leadership in Westchester County, in the town’s, villages and city’s, support Astorino. So what’s the debate?

Like the Independence Party, the Conservative Party is controlled by its county Chair Gail Burns, who will hold a large chuck of proxies going into their convention. 

Rumor has it that the Andy Spano campaign is hard at work trying to woo Burns to give the Conservative endorsement to Andy Spano, with the carrot being a county job if Andy wins again. Burns currently works for Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, and Gail maybe looking for her next position, if she decides to endorse Andy.

But this cannot be allowed to happen. Just as we railed against Cavallo and his use of the Independence Party line to secure or save a political job or two, we must do the same with the Conservative Party and its Chair Gail Burns. Party endorsements should not be used as tools to secure political jobs.

Astorino needs the Conservative party line to give him a real chance to beat Andy Spano, and that is what we should strive for in Westchester, competitive elections.

It would also be ironic and sad for Burns to give Andy the Conservative line when it was Andy Spano who removed Burns father Anthony Aurrichio from his county position years ago.

Don’t do it—-Gail!

Rob Astorino-Ind line gives him a shot

Castro-Blanco, Shepard and Larkin Get Yonkers GOP Nominations

 

The Yonkers GOP held their convention last night, with contested races for Council President and City Council in the 4th and 6th Districts. The biggest battle was for Council President with Councilman Liam McLaughlin facing Jim Castro-Blanco.

With just over 17,000 weighted votes here’s the totals

Castro-Blanco-10,900

McLaughlin-6,433

undecided-697

Castro Blanco secured the victory and thanked the crowd, with McLaughlin vowing a GOP Primary in September.

The votes of district leaders and proxies of the Nick Spano faction all voted for Castro-Blanco.

In the race for City Council in the 6th District, John Larkin soundly defeated Anthony Merrante

Larkin-4657

Merrante-83

In the race for City Council in the 4th District, Dennis Shepard was the nominee defeating Geri Esposito and Dr. Ron Volino

Shepard-1700

Volino-1600

Esposito-700

the 4th council race was so close that Volino may force a primary, but will be encouraged not to do so.

other convention notes

GOP Chairman John Jacono votes for Castro-Blanco

The District leaders and proxies loyal to Mayor Phil Amicone won the day with Castro-Blanco and Shepard getting the nomination.

Ward leader Justin Tibuolo supported McLaughlin for Council President and Volino for council in the 4th

Carlo Calvi voted for Castro-Blanco

a split in the Martinelli family with Richard Martinelli supporting McLaughlin and Angelo Martinelli supporting Castro-Blanco

Astorino Comes Out Smelling Like A Rose in Cavallo vs. Andy Spano Battle

The winners and losers in the battle between county ndependence Party Chair Dr. Giulio and County Executive Andy Spano are obvious.

Andy is the big loser and Astorino is the big winner, but Astorino’s victory here is more crucial than you may think.

As many of the wise politicos and bloggers like Mike Edelman have told us over the years, a Republican in Westchester can only win if they have the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines, because of the large enrollment advantage by Democrats in the county, over 100,000+

Astorino’s securing of the Ind line, basically keeps him in the race, and while we hear that Andy has been trying to get the Conservative line, we think Astorino will get it, giving him the 3 lines he needs to have a chance.

Four years ago, Astorino lost to Andy by a hefty margin, but last time Andy had the Ind line, and if you move the 4% over to Astorino’s column, its alot closer.

Also add to the mix a growing discontented Westchester voter, angry with their homes values down, their 401k’s down, and their budgets tightened, looking for a way to save a couple of bucks. 

For good measure, toss in Andy Spano running for his 4th term, (the magic number where voters get fed up with incumbents), and his dismal poll numbers, and you have an election here folks.

Maybe Cavallo got the OK to endorse Astorino from Zherka–anything to hurt Andy???

Esposito Joins Crowded Field in 4th Council Race-To Become Even More Crowded with Rubbo?

Fasten your seat belts folks for a wild election ride in Yonkers this year-and I can’t wait….

the busiest and most crowded race so far is in the 4th City Council District to replace Liam McLaughlin. the Democrats are unified behind Mario DeGorgio, who lost to Liam 4 years ago, but ran a good race and made a lot of connections with the voters that will help him this year.

Republicans are divided going into their convention in the 4th-with 3 announced candidates-including Geri Esposito who kicked off her campaign at Rory Dolan’s this week. Esposito is a strong candidate because of her experience in the Yonkers GOP and her name recognition in the district.

Joining Esposito is Dennis Shepard, a first time candidate and President of the Hyat Homeowners Association. Shepard is a no nonsense, tell it like it is, pro development candidate, who has had the backing of the pro-Amicone leaders in the Yonkers GOP.

Dr. Ronald Volino, a longtime Republican, is also in the race. Volino could write a big check to help his campaign if he wished, and is being backed by Yonkers GOP co-leader Justin Tubiolo.

this crowded field may get more crowded soon. John Rubbo an assistant to Mayor Amicone, is seriously considering getting into the race and has to do so before the GOP convention next week.

Rubbo’s name for council got hot only a few days ago. We spoke to Rubbo today who told us that he had submitted his resignation from his position with Amicone “to explore other career paths.”  Rubbo also said “I’m seriously considering running for City Council and will have an announcement shortly.”

The timing of Rubbo’s decision to step down from the Mayor’s office is to coincidental not to think that there is a disagreement on the Second floor of City Hall as to who should be the Rep. candidate for council in the 4th.

Sitting in the undecided camp are Yonkers GOP Chairman John Jacono, republicans loyal to Nick Spano, and Liam McLaughlin and his group of district leaders.

can’t wait for the convention save me a seat

Cavallo Endorses Astorino for County Executive Will Andy Spano Fire Dhyalma Vazquez?

Dr. Giulio Cavallo-Tells Andy To Shove It!

An early political shocker in the Westchester elections of 2009, with the announcement by the Westchester Independence Party that they have endorsed Rob Astorino for County Executive.

 

The West Ind Party, led by Chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo, had several different options in selected a county exec candidate-the most notable being incumbent Dem County Exec Andy Spano.

Another option was Andy’s son, David Spano, who has appeared out of nowhere to become a thorn in dad’s rear—joining forces with Rethinking County Government and Sam Zherka to advocate for eliminating county government. Dave announced his candidacy at the rethinking rally last month, and had his name placed in nomination at the Dem county convention last week, with no success.

Cavallo has bonded lately who Zherka, who wanted Dave Spano to get the Ind Line.

The Andy Spano campaign has been quietly leaning on Cavallo to endorse Andy, and threatened to have Cavallo’s #2 –Yonkers Ind Chair Dhyalma Vazquez lose her $100,000+ job with the county DSS.

Now that Cavallo has told Andy to shove it by giving the line to Astorino, will there be retaliation against Dhyalma. While Dhyalma’s supporters have emailed us claiming that Andy can’t fire her because of her connections, and that Dhy hasn’t been looking for another job—its not true.

We have confirmation from numerous sources that Cavallo has been looking around the county for another home for Dhy, including a lot of time looking in Yonkers City Hall. So far all inquires have been rejected, more on this story later.

Here’s the Ind Party statement.

The Westchester County Independence Party today announced that it has endorsed Rob Astorino for Westchester County Executive, hoping to “clear the stale thinking from the halls of county government with the fresh air of new and vigorous leadership.”

 

 Mr. Astorino is running for County Executive to reduce the tax load in Westchester County, by streamlining county services, and to restore a high standard of ethics in county government.

 

In endorsing Mr. Astorino for County Executive, the Independence Party is starkly rejecting the candidacy of incumbent County Executive Andy Spano, who previously ran on the Party’s line.

 

“These are challenging times that require new thinking and intellectual vigor, and those are the qualities we find in Rob Astorino.

 

“There are compelling reasons why change for Westchester’s highest elected office is necessary in 2009,” said Dr. Giulio A. Cavallo, Chairman of the Westchester Independence Party.  “One-party rule has effectively dismantled the system of checks and balances in the County Charter resulting in a bloated bureaucracy that continues to punish taxpayers.  Instead of a healthy tension between the two branches of county government, we have a mutual admiration society. As a result, Westchester families are hurting financially and the current administration just does not understand their pain.

 

“The people of Westchester are paying for it every day. Spano’s arrogance and recklessness have destroyed the dreams of thousands who have been forced to move or significantly sacrifice their life plans because of his high taxes.  Rob Astorino is an independent thinker with the vision and character to get this county back on track,” Cavallo continued.

 

“I thank the Independence Party for its endorsement,” said Astorino “and I look forward to justifying their confidence in me by delivering leaner, smarter and less expensive county government after I am sworn in on January 1, 2010.” 

 

“Our endorsement should send a clear message to non-affiliated voters and independent –minded Democrats that Rob Astorino’s vision of a retooled county government is the right vision for the future of this county,” Cavallo said.

SFC Needs 41 Properties to Complete Downtown Development Plan

Here are the 41 properties, and owners, that the SFC needs to complete their downtown redevelopment plan, from the front page of this week’s Yonkers Rising.

Address                                                                       Owner

58-70 Elm Street (a/k/a 60 Elm St.)             Antone and Jacqueline Daoud 

78-92 Elm Street (a/k/a 45 John St.)           Milio Brothers Inc. c\o Fanco Milio

78-92 Elm Street (a/k/a 45 John St.)           Milio Brothers Inc. c\o Franco Milio

197 Nepperhan Avenue                                    Victor M.M.Pedro

195 Nepperhan Avenue                                    Milio Brothers Inc. c/o Franco Milio

193 Nepperhan Avenue                                   Milio Brothers Inc. C/o Franco Milio

173 Nepperhan Avenue                                   Mt Carmel Baptist Church

78 Elm Street (rear) (a/k/a 46 John St.)   DP Riverside Realty Inc. c/o David Hackett

33 John Street                                                      33 John St. Realty Corp. c/o Charles Miller

33 John Street                                                      33 John St. Realty Corp. c/o Charles Miller

37 John Street (a/k/a 39 John Street)       Naber Njib & Ferial

45 John Street                                                     Milio Brothers Inc. c/o Franco Milio

155 New Main Street                                        Anton Meyer

151 New Main Street                                        Jose Rodriguez

149 New Main Street                                       Steven & Ralph Trizano

147-151 New Main Street                              Stephanie Cho

143 New Main Street (a/k/a 143-145 New Main)          Young Z. Choi

137 New Main Street (a/k/a 137- New Main)                 C & C New Main Corp. c/o Young Choi

135 New Main Street                                         CC South

8 Palisade Avenue                                            Palisade Avenue Realty Incorporated c/o Nader Sayegh

12 Palisade Avenue                                           CC South

2 James Street                                                     CC South

8 James Street                                                     CC South   

9 Ann Street                                                         131 New Main Street Incorporated

131 New Main Street                                        131 New Main Street Incorporated

129 New Main Street                                       127-129 New Main Street Incorporated

125 New Main Street                                      Hi Jong Lee & Soon Ja Lee

123 New Main Street                                       Richway Corporation c/o Hi Jong Lee & Soon Ja Lee

121 New Main Street (a/k/a 119 New Main Street)         Sun Gun & Geun Soon K. Lee

117 New Main Street                                      CC South

113-115 New Main Street                             CC South LLC

109 New Main Street                                     CC South LLC

110-114 New Main Street                            The Salvation Army

146 New Main Street                                      Bernice Cooper

49/51/53 Palisade Avenue                        Dri Management Corp.

45 Palisade Avenue                                       All County Homes

43 Palisade Avenue                                       PWN Associates

39 Palisade Avenue                                       Kawous Balazadeh

39 Palisade Avenue                                       Charles Bistany

229 New Main Street                                     KBB Enterprise

NY Railroad Spur                                           NY Central Railroad – MTA

 

Judge Rory Bellantoni Steps Down-Why? and Where is He Headed?

Judge Rory Bellantoni

The news late last week that acting Supreme Court Judge Rory Bellantoni was stepping down from the bench came as a complete surprise to almost everyone in Westchester. Rory Bellantoni, the son of former Judge Orazio Bellantoni, who served for 25 years, has the bench in his families blood.

Rory was first elected to the county court in 2003, and was recently made an acting Supreme Court Judge by Chief Judge Frank Nicolai to hear Civil Cases in the 9^th Judicial District. Prior to this appointment, he was presiding over the sex offender court for Westchester County.

Judge Rory was taken off the sex offender court recently, after his decision to free Richard DiGuglielmo, who served 10 years in prison for shooting Charles Campbell in the Dobbs Ferry Deli case. This brave decision by Bellantoni may have resulted in his transfer to civil court, and may have a role in his decision to leave the bench.

Judge Bellantoni said his reason for leaving the bench was because  Judges have not been given a  pay raise for 10 years.  But in an interview with Rising Media a few years ago, Bellantoni explained to this reporter that he had worked at a private law firm and earned a good income, but serving as a judge was his true love.

Things have changed in the years in between if you believe Rory’s reason for his departure.

The rumor in the county courthouse in White Plains is that Bellantoni will take a position in the law firm of Jonathan Lovett, which Lovett denied.

The other rumor is that Bellantoni has something to hide or is leaving the bench for other than financial reasons.  

One of Bellantoni’s biggest fans is Westchester Guardian editor Richard Blassberg and his boss publisher Sam Zherka. What if any role this friendship played in Bellantoni’s decision is unclear.

 

Harrison Race for Mayor Heats Up

The race for Mayor of Harrison is starting to pick up attention, with several candidates interested in challenging incumbent Dem Mayor Joan Walsh. Walsh is completing her first two-year term, after serving for many years as town clerk.

Walsh’s first term has received mixed reviews, with some pleased with her performance so far, and others critical of the budgets and property tax increases under her watch.

Walsh’s first term in office will be remembered for something completely out of her control — the Facebook Four scandal. Four Harrison police officers were caught making sexist and racist comments on Facebook about Walsh and President Barack Obama.

 

The stupid and indefensible act had, in my opinion, made the race for mayor this November, with Walsh cruising to re-election.

I was wrong —  there is interest to run against Walsh. Two candidates are most prominently named, and I give credit to Dennis Nardone for illuminating them on his radio show on WVOX 1460 about Harrison politics.

The first is Harrison Police Chief David Hall: Hall is the longtime chief of the Harrison Police Department (HPD) and  is well known in Harrison and popular. The Facebook scandal will certainly not help Hall if he runs, and he will have to do his best to explain that he wasn’t involved and move on. Several years ago, Hall ran – and won – a County Legislative race, but gave it up because he would have to step down as chief.

Hall is a viable candidate for mayor — he would have the support of the Harrison GOP, he is popular in town and he could likely raise enough money to give Walsh a serious contest.

The second candidate is Richard Berman — this one came out of nowhere. Berman, who recently stepped down as the president of Manhattanville College, has had his name tossed out as a possible candidate for Harrison Mayor.

Berman brings a new dynamic to the race. He comes from academia, and his years at Manhattanville give him a large list of Westchester friends and possible supporters and campaign contributors. Berman could also run as an outsider candidate, not responsible for the property tax increases and Facebook scandal.

Both will have to make a decision shortly, with the Republican conventions happening soon.

Steve Malfitano, the former mayor who was defeated by Walsh two years ago by a slim margin, is another name we have heard over the past few weeks. Malfitano’s name was originally tossed out as a possible Republican candidate for County Legislator, against incumbent Democratic County Legislator Marty Rogowsky.

But recently, Malfitano’s name has been tossed out as a possible candidate for Harrison Town Council. Another important fact to consider about Harrison, is the fact that in the Obama-McCain presidential race, McCain won in Harrison.