Dennis Robertson for City Council: He’s In, Then Out — Now He’s Back In
3rd District council candidate Dennis Robertson
The race for City Council in the 3rd District took an odd turn when former Councilman Dennis Robertson, who got the Democratic nomination at the convention to run for his old Third District City Council seat in May. He bowed out of the race last month, telling Yonkers Rising, “my heart’s not in it.” Now, in an odd turn of events for the race for the Third District, Robertson is now back in the race for his old seat.
Here’s what happened; Robertson’s name was placed on the Democratic Party’s petitions along with their candidate for mayor and other council seats. When Robertson bowed out, it put the Democratic Party leaders in a difficult situation. They either had to woo Robertson back into the race, or pick another candidate to fill the vacancy created by Robertson’s departure.
There were three candidates that the Democrat’s Committee to Fill Vacancies (comprised of Democratic City Chair Symra Brandon, former Chair Pauline Galvin and Board of Elections Deputy Commissioner Jeannie Palazola) could have chosen to replace Robertson. They are Mike Rotanelli, Michael Sabatino and Sam Borelli.
While Rotanelli and Sabatino are actively campaigning, Borelli is not and wanted to be handed the place on the ballot. After speaking with several Democratic leaders, we found that the party was NOT convinced — or satisfied — that Rotanelli, Sabatino or Borelli could win in the fall.
Two members of the City Democratic Executive Committee commented on how bringing Robertson back “would get us off the hook” of having to pick his replacement. After Borelli had the lead from the several ward leaders in the 3rd council district, a decision was made to reach out to Robertson and have him stay on the ballot. The last day that Robertson could have declined to run was Monday, so he is officially on the ballot in the Democratic primary in September.
One reason given was that the 3rd council district — formerly held by Republicans John Spencer and Richard Martinelli — is a conservative district with many Democratic Catholics, who would not vote for Sabatino.
“I have great confidence that the constituents in the Third District are long past old bigotries and will judge me on my qualifications, accomplishments and abilities,” said Sabatino
Another reason dandied out is that Robertson has experience on the city council and that, if Council President Chuck Lesnick is elected mayor, Robertson could be appointed interim council president and run for that office, keeping it in democrats hands.
We do not agree with the decision of the Democratic leadership and believe that they have missed an opportunity to support either one of the two candidates actively running in this race, Rotanelli and Sabatino. We think that both candidates are qualified and can win in November. While we also think that Borelli is qualified, he did not actively campaign or circulate petitions.
We also know and respect Robertson’s service toYonkers, his qualifications and his political skills. If Robertson made a decision in June to get out of the race, he meant it and is only returning for reasons other than serving his constituents to the best of his ability.
One Democrat said “the consensus is this was an example of bad leadership in the party” and we agree.
Editor’s Note: We did speak to several leaders of the City Democratic Party, but did not speak to Brandon or Robertson.
Editor’s Note: In this week’s issue of Yonkers Rising, we said that the executive committee was convinced or satisfied—it should read was NOT convinced or satisfied and corrected above.
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Murphy you omitted large parts of the REAL story here. The reason Dems begged Dennis to come back is because they have no faith in Sabatino or Rotanelli winning over Bryant. You also failed to include why —because Sabatino is Gay! and Rotanelli is a bad candidate.
I disagree with Yonkers GOP’er. the reason robertson was called back was to set up the democrats on the council and maintain their majority. this seat will tip the balance to either party, plain and simple, and Jenkins doesn’t want to lose the majority.
you are correct-also involved in decision is who will be next council prez if chuck wins. While Robertson is supporting both Richie Martinelli and Mike Spano, he should want Chuck to win because if he wins, Dennis is the next council president.
this is a slap in the face to Terrero who is next in line to be council prez without Dennis in the mix.
Mr. Murphy i agree with your analysis. I believe that Michael Sabatino can win and would make a great councilman. I do not know Mr. Rotanelli but would like to know more about him before I decide who to vote for in primary. I will not be voting for Dennis Robertson, although I have voted for him before.
I have heard nothing about the republican candidate in the race-can you do a story on it please?
Murph-what is going on with conservative party and how long will they wait to endorse for Mayor?
The Conservative party has already made their endorsement in the mayoral race. Unfortunately they endorsed Richard Martinelli, the furthest thing from a conservative both fiscally and morally. The whole thing was forced by Vinni Restiano and Hugh Fox just tucked his sack back and let her step all over his manhood. Maybe he should start going by Mrs. Fox. As a conservative, I am personally upset with the decision and I know many other conservatives are as well. However my people have told me that someone collected enough Conservative signatures for an Opportunity to Ballot on the conservative line. That person would need write in votes to take the line off Rihcard which is a long shot, but I know many conservatives that will refuse Richard so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
to self serving–I haven’t heard that the county conservatives endorsed Martinelli, Rich didn’t put out a press release, only that Vinny and Yonkers conservatives had endorsed him. I agree with you on Fox and was hoping that Murtagh would get the line.
oh yeah, Hal, Murtagh’s a real conservative…never met a budget he didn’t like – especially the 15% increase he OKd in 2006.
http://yonkerstribune.typepad.com/yonkers_tribune/2011/06/conservatives-back-martinelli.html
Here’s the story. While they didn’t make an annoucnement, he filed conservative petitions by the deadline and accepted the nomination. Unfortunately I might add. Carlo is the only conservative of the bunch.
Dennis would do well to remain out of elective office in Yonkers given his contractual arrangement with the City’s most significant employer, Yonkers Racino/Raceway. There’s certainly the potential for conflict of interest. Besides a candidate without the fire in his stomach is no candidate at all; more like a stand-in for John Spencer.
Dennis wasn’t a serious candidate when he ran for mayor, but managed to burn through a lot of dough.
Republican, Democrat, Conservative.
Who cares.
There are only two real parties in this race:
The Spano Party and the Martinelli Party
The two most corrupt parties in Westchester with decades of history.
Yet we read about a new day for Yonkers and fresh and new and all that bull. All I see are Nick Spano and Angelo Martinelli laughing.
You want fresh and new?
The new season of Dallas with JR Ewing starts next year. It might as well have been shot in Yonkers as Southfork Ranch. Because that is what we are going to get. Nick Spano in a ten gallon hat and pockets full of your money.
Anon is probably right. And, besides, few things are more dull than speculating about who amongst a field of dullards will accidently emerge to hold office in Yonkers.
So Dan, here’s a more thought provoking subject, one that is sure to get a rise out of Mr. Anon, and perhaps set bloggers to thinking about the true dynamics of power in Westchester these days.
Everyone knows that Janet, unlike Jeanine, is really dumber than dirt. So, it simply stands to reason that if one is to understand the ongoing injustices that define the County Court, continuing to keep innocent persons in state prison despite Janet’s claim of a “Second Look Program,” one must investigate Janet’s mace, her ‘husband’ Dennis Glazer.
Word has it that his corruptive influence extends right up to the New York State Court of Appeals; influencing decisions in her favor, not surprising given what the New York Times reported about his attempted interference in the election process during Janet’s run for DA in 2005.
This is a man, after all, who had the ear of George W. Bush merely by picking up the phone. A little solid investigative journalism Dan, will quickly pay off big time by putting events into truer perspective given what is about to come down regarding major players in the Westchester criminal injustice system. The Nassau County scandal is bland by comparison to what’s on the horizon here in Westchester.
to conservative–the hezi story you refer to is the Yonkers Conservative Party endorsement, which means nothing. Hugh Fox, the County Conservative Party Chair, makes the call and has not yet.
I agree with mr murphy’s post but there is more to this story that we aren’t getting. Don’t know what it is but this is not like either Dennis or Ken Jenkins to do politically. Why not keep Dennis in the race to begin with?
Many of you are living in the past if you don’t think Sabatino can win. Marinelli and Spencer haven’t represented the district in almost 20 years. Dennis and Joan Gronowski were both elected recently, and Sabatino can and will win.
I’ll bet you two tickets to the gay parade in NYC that Sabatino never wins.
Martinelli last won in 2001. In 2003 there was no Republican running, and in 2007 Joan won in a 3 way race. Thats not actually the best argument for saying that a Democrat will win the 3rd district considering Republicans have recently carried it i.e. Astorino, Amicone, N. Spano, M. Spano.
What does being gay have to do with Sabatino’s run.Thats down right bigotry. He should be voted on his merits and his accomplishments in his community involvement in the city. There is nothing he could legislate on that involves gay rights on local government and after the passage of the marriage bill there is nothing to legislate even if he could. Its a Shame people are making judgments based on sexual orientation. Grow up people and look at the capabilities of the people that are running. Its about time to have some new faces in Yonkers politics and not the same retreads.
no comment