Westchester County on Tuesday, when Republican Rob Astorino beat Democrat Andy Spano by a resounding 58 to 42 percent.

“Today the voters agree — we can do better,” Astorino said at his victory celebration at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains. “This victory is much more than about me, it’s a movement. People can’t afford to live here anymore, but that will change.”


Astorino’s victory, which was heard throughout New York State, came from voter discontent and outrage over property taxes, with Westchester being named for the second year in a row as the highest taxed county in the nation. His message of reducing the size of county government and looking to save taxpayer money, hit home.


“We will face the tax crisis head on, and the decisions may not be popular, but I will make them because they have to be made,” said the county executive-elect.


Spano ran for a fourth term as county executive, and, after 12 years in office, voters grew tired of him — as they have of Mario Cuomo and others. 
The recently approved federal housing settlement, which requires county government to build 750 units of low-income housing across the county, was the last straw for many homeowners and taxpayers, with most voting for Astorino as a result of Spano’s handling of the case. 
Astorino, gracious in victory, thanked Spano for his “30 years of service to Westchester,” and also thanked “the voters from all across Westchester County, for their vote. We will do what is best for Westchester.”In the end, this race was about Spano and taxes. Voters in Westchester were fed up with both and elected Astorino, who ran a perfect campaign. His message in a nutshell? — Say no to Spano taxes.

Astorino’s victory also means that despite a huge Democratic enrollment edge in Westchester, voters cast their votes based on the candidate and not the party. Astorino’s presence on the Independence Party line was huge, and the 8 percent that he received on that line may have been the margin of victory.

The voters of Westchester have spoken — they want change. In the other two big countywide races, incumbent District Attorney Janet DiFiore won re-election with 53 percent of the vote. Republican Dan Schorr received 36 percent and Independence Party candidate Tony Castro got 10 percent.

In the race for county clerk, incumbent Democrat Tim Idoni won reelection, defeating Robert Morabito, 52 percent to 46 percent. Idoni’s victory was much closer than most had expected.

Voters in the second, fourth and sixth City Council districts elected new leaders to represent them at City Hall on Tuesday, with Wilson Terrero, John Larkin and Dennis Shepherd victorious.

Terrero, a Democrat, defeated Virginia Perez 53 to 47 percent in the Second Council District, representing southwest Yonkers.

In the Sixth District, Republican John Larkin (63 percent) easily defeated Democrat Ted Winnicki, representing northeast Yonkers.

In the Fourth District, Republican Dennis Shepherd (54 percent) beat Democrat Mario DeGiorgio (39 percent) with John Rubbo a distant third (7 percent).

If Jim Castro-Blanco holds onto his lead for council president over Chuck Lesnick, Re

publicans will hold a 4-3 majority on the City Council. In the one competitive race for County Board in Yonkers in the 17th County Board District, Democrat incumbent Jose Alvarado defeated Sandy Annabi, 57 to 43 percent.

The election results are a big victory for Mayor Phil Amicone, who supported Terrero, Larkin, Shepherd and Castro-Blanco, and who now has a working majority on the City Council to help pass his plans for smart development.

Democrat Council President Chuck Lesnick appears to have fallen victim to the tidal wave of anti-tax, anti-incumbent, and yes — anti-democratic, fervor that hit Yonkers and Westchester on election night.

As of press time this week, Castro-Blanco holds a 121-vote lead over Lesnick, out of over 23,000 votes cast. This close margin will trigger an automatic recount of all voting machines starting Monday.

Both Castro-Blanco and Lesnick remained cautiously optimistic. “It’s still too early, but when the smoke clears and all the votes are counted, I hope that I’m the next council president,” said Castro-Blanco.

Lesnick pointed to the fact that all of his last three elections have been nail biters, decided by a couple of hundred votes. “This year, a lot of incumbents lost, but we are holding our own. I’m looking forward to the recount and I’m hopeful that I will be the winner.”

Mayor Phil Amicone, who was a big winner on election night in Yonkers, said,  “I’m confident that Jim [Castro-Blanco] will be elected and give us someone who is a strong leader on the City Council who will get things done and help move Yonkers forward.”

Several factors aided Castro-Blanco’s apparent victory. First, the Republican tidal wave in Westchester — led by county executive winner Rob Astorino — and the underlying theme of voters who are fed up with high taxes, fueled turnout in Yonkers, with most voting for Castro-Blanco.

Second, a high voter turnout in the Republican, and anti-tax, communities of east and northeast Yonkers — which both had competitive City Council races — resulted in large numbers for Castro-Blanco.

Third, Lesnick’s showing in the Democratic-rich communities of southwest Yonkers was lower than expected, with Lesnick and Castro-Blanco running neck and neck in the Second Council District, which is overwhelmingly democratic and Hispanic.

A Castro-Blanco victory would result in a Republican majority on the City Council, and an unofficial supermajority of council members supportive, or at least receptive, to the mayor’s vision for Yonkers.

We Endorse Tim Idoni for Westchester County Clerk

 
Tim Idoni is running for re-election as Westchester county clerk. He is nearing the completion of his first four-year term as county clerk and has a record of accomplishment to run on.
Idoni has presided over a county clerk’s office that has delivered more information and accessibility to the people of Westchester, while at the same time has cut his staff and budget. He has delivered more with less —the epitome of what county government needs to do.
Idoni has traveled the county to highlight and promote the services that his office provides. And, as homeowners face the uncertainty of home foreclosure, Idoni has provided residents with information and statistics to help keep them secure in their homes.
In September, Idoni defeated Robert Morabito in the democratic primary for county clerk. In November, county voters face the same options with Morabito re-appearing on the Republican line.
Morabito failed to lay out a clear rationale as to why voters should elect him over Idoni in September, and the same problem continues to exist in his campaign.
Idoni is the most qualified candidate for county clerk, and he deserves another four-year term.
We endorse Tim Idoni for county clerk.

We Endorse Janet DiFiore for District Attorney

One of the most important votes that the people of Westchester will make on November 3 is to select the county’s next district attorney (DA). As the chief law enforcement officer for all of Westchester’s 950,000 residents, the DA presides over the prosecution of most criminal cases, and ensures the safety of all Westchester families.
There are three choices for DA before the voters this year —Janet DiFiore, Dan Schorr and Tony Castro. DiFiore, the incumbent Democrat, is completing her first four-year term as Westchester district attorney. She has a record of achievement and accomplishment in keeping Westchester safe, and the people of Westchester are comfortable and satisfied with her record.
Schorr, Republican candidate for district attorney, is an interesting prospect for DA. He has brought to the debate worthy topics of review, including a review of DiFiore’s record of plea bargaining. But these issues, along with Schorr’s lack of leadership experience, leave us wanting more.
Castro was not qualified to be district attorney when he ran in 2001 and 2005, and lost again in September’s democratic primary against DiFiore; he remains unfit today. Castro toyed with the idea of leaving the race to run for a position as Republican Supreme Court judge, in a foolishly planned attempt to give Schorr the Independence line. In addition, Castro tried to punch holes in DiFiore’s record, all without properly highlighting his qualifications, and ideas, to protect and serve the people of Westchester.
Several recent prosecutions by DiFiore point to the challenges that the DA must face every day in order to keep county families secure: The recent conviction of a persistent and violent burglar in Yonkers will result in the perpetrator’s going to jail for the next 16 to 25 years. The conviction of level two sex offender Eugene Feeney, who raped and imprisoned his former girlfriend, will result in his facing 25 years to life in jail. Andre Ferguson, who lured teenage girls and then raped them, will —thanks to DiFiore’s successful prosecution —face up to 29 years in jail.
DiFiore’s recent conviction of criminals involved in a multi-million-dollar cigarette ring, as well as a prostitution ring bust, point to her well-rounded abilities and strong prosecution team.
In addition to her record of four years of accomplishment as DA, DiFiore has decades of experience in service to the people as a judge and prosecutor. She represents Westchester as a working mother and wife, and has earned the trust of the people of the county she has called home for decades.
We endorse Janet DiFiore for district attorney

We Endorse Rob Astorino for County Executive

 
Westchester County is at a critical juncture, with most of its 950,000 residents feeling pain from the consequences of the economic crisis. As Wall Street thrives —and dives —so too does Westchester, with thousands of residents once employed on Wall Street, and in financial services and banking, now out of work.
For the second year in a row, Westchester County has been named the most expensive county in the United States in which to live, with homeowners paying the highest property taxes in the country.
Westchester residents will go to the polls on November 3 and select the new county executive. They have two clear choices —between incumbent Andy Spano and challenger Rob Astorino.
Spano has served as county executive for the past 12 years, and before that, eight years as Westchester county clerk. His 20 years of service to the people of Westchester should be commended. During the past two decades, Spano has delivered what the people of Westchester wanted, and needed, which was a robust county government, catering to the desires of thriving residents who were not affected by ever-rising property taxes.
But the Westchester of 2009 is a lot different from the Westchester of the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Property taxes have more than doubled for a Westchester homeowner over the past 10 years. Yes, 80 percent of a county resident’s tax bill comes from school and local taxes (village, town or city), but 20 percent of that tax bill also goes to county government.
For most, this results in a total property tax bill of $1,500 or more —which many Westchester residents are having difficulty paying.
The people of Westchester need a leader who will look first to cut the county budget, find ways to consolidate services and look to save taxpayer money.
To accomplish this difficult goal, we endorse Rob Astorino. We believe that Astorino is best suited to help the middle class Westchester homeowner, taxpayer and family.
Astorino has made it clear that he will look to reduce the budget, and he can start by eliminating the hundreds of positions in county government that are unnecessary and/or are no more than patronage jobs —how many Gary Krisses are buried in the county budget?
Astorino is well qualified to lead Westchester and preside over a different and difficult time in the county’s history.
But this election is more about Spano than Astorino, and voters will have to make a decision about whether or not they want four more years of a Spano Administration.
The political history of Westchester, and New York State, points to the electorate’s wanting a change after 12 years of most any candidate — Republican or Democrat. We feel this sentiment this year in Westchester, and respectfully argue that it’s time for new leadership.
If you are content with paying the highest property taxes in the country, then your vote for Spano is understandable, but realize that you should not expect anything different this term.
If, however, you believe, as we do, that we can do better as a county and must attempt do more with less, then a vote for Astorino is well deserved. It’s time for a change.
We endorse Rob Astorino for county executive.

We Endorse Jose Alvarado for County Legislator 17th District 

                 
                We endorse Jose Alvarado for re-election to the County Board, representing southwest Yonkers in the 17th District. We endorsed Alvarado in his narrow victory in the Democratic primary over Sandy Annabi, and we endorse him again on November 3.
                Annabi is running on the Conservative and Independence Party lines. She has served on the City Council for eight years and is term-limited from a return, so she decided to challenge Alvarado.
                Alvarado remains the best candidate to represent the district, which has a large majority of Hispanic residents and voters. Alvarado is deeply involved in the southwest Yonkers community, and works well on the County Board in returning funding back to his district. His personal assistance for those in need, including families struck by tragedy in southwest Yonkers, is another aspect of Alvarado’s public service.
                For the past eight years, Jose Alvarado has served the residents of southwest Yonkers well. Annabi has provided no rationale to serve on the County Board, other than the fact that she is term-limited from running again for City Council.
                We endorse Jose Alvarado for County Legislator in the 17th District on November 3.

We Endorse Chuck Lesnick for City Council President 
 

 
                The biggest race in Yonkers on November 3 is the race for City Council president, with incumbent Democrat Chuck Lesnick running against Republican Jim Castro-Blanco.
                This race has been a spirited one, with both Lesnick and Castro-Blanco laying out their vision of Yonkers with each providing a logical rationale to vote their way. Their exchange at the Yonkers Rising debate was professional and spirited, with each demonstrating his grasp of the issues facing the city.
                This race is more about Chuck Lesnick than Jim Castro-Blanco, and the question before the voters is: Does Chuck Lesnick deserve a second term?
                We believe that the answer to this question is yes, and endorse Chuck Lesnick for re-election as council president; here’s why:
                First we will address concerns we have heard from many Yonkers residents that Lesnick takes too long to review and approve legislation, that his leadership on the council has been ineffective and that he tries to please and appease everyone, and, in doing so, pleases nobody.
                Lesnick presides over a diverse and difficult City Council, and has done a good job building consensus among a very independently minded body.
                Yes, Lesnick has taken time in reviewing and debating legislation —most notably the Struever Fidelco Cappelli (SFC)redevelopment plan —but this review ensured public input, and at the end of the day, the council did approve a modified SFC project, which Lesnick would argue —and we would agree —is a better deal for the city.
                Yes, Lesnick does work with, meet with and listen to almost every community group in the city, and the fact that he wants to accommodate all sides is, in our view, a positive, not a negative. If you have people on both sides of an issue angry with you —than you are probably somewhere in the middle, which is we believe is the best place to be when making decisions that will affect Yonkers.
                Lesnick is seen and heard at almost every event in the city, another of his positive attributes. We have spoken to numerous groups and residents who appreciate the fact that Lesnick shows up and listens to what they have to say. Nobody does this better, and it’s an important part of serving Yonkers in a citywide office.
                Simply put, Lesnick is a good politician and he loves it and believes in public service. He has made mistakes (such as removing Patricia McDow from her majority leader’s post), but there is a record of accomplishment that points to a leader who can get things done.
                We were intrigued by the candidacy of Castro-Blanco when he first announced at the beginning of this year. Castro-Blanco vowed to campaign throughout the city and bring together those who were unenthused with Lesnick’s tenure as council president.
                Until very recently, Castro-Blanco’s campaign has appeared stalled, with the people of Yonkers unaware of who he is and what he believes in.
                His recent activity, including the endorsement by the Yonkers Police Benevolence Association (which some view as politically motivated because of Lesnick’s cuts to police overtime) and his strong showing in several debates, have given Castro-Blanco’s campaign some life.
                But it’s far too little too late. In order to beat an incumbent, you need a knockout, and Castro-Blanco has failed to deliver that punch.
                Castro-Blanco also falls victim to a split Republican Party in Yonkers, with defections and infighting hurting his chances.
                Lesnick has a record of four years as council president, during which time the city has taken positive strides in development and education. He stands poised to become a leader in Yonkers, not only for another term as council president, but possibly for years to come. And he has earned that leadership position.
                We endorse Chuck Lesnick for City Council president on November

Note-here is our most controversial endorsement, let the blogging begin

We Endorse Mario DeGiorgio for City Council Fourth District 

                The race for City Council in the Fourth District, representing east Yonkers, has Democrat Mario DeGiorgio running against Republican Dennis Shepherd. Independence Party candidate John Rubbo is still on the ballot, but no longer actively campaigning.
                The real choice is between DeGiorgio and Shepherd —both good and qualified candidates. But we endorse DeGiorgio, and here’s why:
                DeGiorgio is the people’s candidate, running as an outsider who has stated again and again in the campaign that he is not beholden to anyone. We like to hear that, and with at least three new councilmembers being elected this year, an independent and non-political voice on the council will be an asset.
                DeGiorgio’s business experience would be another key addition to the City Council. His work for Kid City clothing stores, with two Yonkers locations, gives him a background in meeting a payroll and understanding the difficulties of running a business. He can use this experience to examine the business that is the City of Yonkers’ $900 million budget.
                DeGiorgio has other business experience with the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District (BID) in the Bronx. There has been some criticism of the fact that DeGiorgio’s work has been in the Bronx and not Yonkers, but we see it differently, and believe that this experience will help him serve on the council and work with the Yonkers Chamber and BID in the future.
                DeGiorgio is a down-to-earth, “regular” guy that Yonkers needs on the City Council. Moving forward, Yonkers needs fewer politicians and more public servants. DeGiorgio fits this mold.
                Shepherd has run a credible council campaign, and his work with the Hyatt Association is a positive. His two big issues —controlling taxes and encouraging development — are both issues that Yonkers needs to work on. Both Shepherd and DeGiorgio performed well in the Yonkers Rising debate held last week.
                Shepherd has one strike against him that is not his fault —a non-unified Republican Party behind him. Despite support from Mayor Phil Amicone, the Yonkers GOP is deeply split between factions, some of whom don’t want the mayor’s supported candidates to win.
                DeGiorgio has the support of the Democratic Party, and has the experience of running, and showing well, against term-limited Councilman Liam McLaughlin four years ago.
                We endorse Mario DeGiorgio, who is running on the Democratic, Conservative and Working Families Party lines, for City Council Fourth District on November 3.