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 Phil 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 northeast

There are two competitive races in the fourth and sixth districts, which will fuel a high turnout. The Dem races in southwest Yonkers will be decided in a primary – Jenkins will breeze in and so will the Dem nominee in the second.

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

The Independence Party Lost in Space in Yonkers Council Races

 

  Dr. Giulio Cavallo-strange bizzare behavior in yonkers council races 

Who will be the nominee’s of the Yonkers Independence Party for Council President, and City Council in the second, fourth and sixthDistricts? The answer remains a mystery, thanks to the shady operations of the Ind Party in Yonkers, led by Chair Dhyalma Vazquez.

First, let us clarify that as of now, nobody mentioned below has the line, and that’s the way Dhyalma and her #1, Dr. Giulio Cavallo, want it.  

For council president, all signs lead to Chuck Lesnick getting the endorsement over Jim Castro-Blanco, with Lesnick the safer choice, and Castro-Blanco, a former US Attorney, not willing to beg or offer anything to try to take it away from Chuck.

In the Sixth District, look for Democrat Ted Winnicki to get the line over Republican  John Larkin.

In the Second District, we are hearing that Virginia Perez will get the Independence line. This is another coup for Perez, who could have the Ind and Cons lines in her battle against fellow Democrat Wilson Tererro in this overwhelmingly Democratic, and Latino district.

In the Fourth District, things have gotten out of control. Dhyalma and the Ind party offered the nomination to Mario Degorgio and he accepted. We were informed of Degiorgio’s nomination and put it up on the blog.

After reading our blog, Dhyalma blew a gasket, saying that she didn’t want any information out until she issued the release, so she took the line away from Degiorgio. We actually think that Vaquez used our blog as an excuse to take the line away from Mario.

Vazquez and Cavallo are currently at odds with Nick Spano and Mayor Phil Amicone, for reasons unknown, but likely to do with the rejection of a job plea. So any candidates supported by either Nick or the Mayor are persona non grata with the Ind party.

Degiorgio, although a Democrat, is being perceived as having the support of Nick Spano, and Dennis Shepard having the support of Amicone. This is the real reason why Degiorgio got the line yanked from him and why Shepard isn’t getting the Ind line.

So who do the dynamic duo of Cavallo and Vazquez turn to? — John Rubbo. See the next Rising Times post for more.

Political Conspiracy Gives Andy Spano Conservative Line

Andy Spano-Conservative?

This ain’t 2001 folks — the times they are a changin’.

On Thursday,  the Westchester Conservative Party met secretly, and in a scene reminiscent of the prior Westchester political escapades, endorsed Andy Spano for re-election as County Executive.

The Conservative’s endorsement for county exec was hijacked by its own chair, Gail Burns, who held the proxies of district leaders necessary to hand the Liberal Democrat Andy Spano the Conservative Party’s nomination.

Although warned about this possibility for weeks (and we shared our warnings with our readers), the fact that it actual happened is still shocking. While we are embarrassed that this is happening again in Westchester, we are overjoyed with the response from rank and file Conservatives, and also from believers in fair government in general.  This ain’t 2001 folks, and the times they are a changing.

Let’s break this endorsement down three ways: Why it was made, Who were the real dealmakers and what happens next.

Why would Gail Burns, a lifelong Conservative, whose father Anthony Aurrichio served as County Conservative Chairman before her, give the endorsement to Andy Spano, a lifelong Democrat, who fired Aurrichio from his county job years ago. Why would she go against her party’s ideology, her fellow district leaders and local chairs, and go against her conscience?

It’s clear that Gail wouldn’t make this rash decision on her own, although that’s what she will probably tell you. Gail worked in the office of former State Senator Nick Spano before landing her current job a few years ago after Nick’s loss to Sen.  Andrea-Stewart Cousins, at Yonkers City Hall in Mayor Phil Amicone’s office.  

Somebody whispered in Gail’s ear to give the Consservative line to Andy.  Who was it? Nick Spano and Mayor Amicone are the two likely culprits because of Burns’ employment situation and loyalties.

Mayor Amicone had nothing to do with Burns’ decision, and wanted the exact opposite to happen, and is feeling the heat to fire Burns (more on this later). Which leaves Nick Spano  as suspect #1.

Why would Nick Spano want Andy to get the Conservative line?  Because Nick is seeking Andy’s support for Nick’s brother Mike Spano, and his quest to become the next Mayor of Yonkers.  Assemblyman Mike switched to a Democrat two years ago, and Andy’s support, and Andy’s ability to get others out of the race, would be a good help to Mike and Nick.

So Nick gives Andy the Conservative Party line, in return for Andy’s support of Mike Spano in two years.  So Nick reaches  long-time political ally Gail Burns, who endorses Andy.

Some bloggers, like Bob Fois, have this conspiracy reaching up to Albany, with former Deputy County Exec Larry Schwartz, who now works for Governor David Paterson, getting the governor to intervene and make a phone call or two.  This also makes sense and could be a result of Nick Spano, with 25 years of experience in the capital and his new role as lobbyist, getting Albany involved.

Burns’ benefit will be a county or state job if she is fired from Yonkers City Hall. This endorsement puts Mayor Amicone is a position he didn’t want to be in and had nothing to do with. Amicone is under pressure from Republicans, furious at Burns for endorsing Andy and not Rob Astorino for county exec and want Burns fired yesterday.

The mayor doesn’t want to start a fight with the Spano by firing Burns, and has his own slate of Republican council candidates this November that he wants elected. If the Mayor ticks off the Spano, they may either not help the GOP candidates or actively work against them.

 

Dealmakers: Nick Spano, Andy Spano, Gail Burns and Larry Schwartz

What Happens Next: 

It appears from the initial backlash that this plan will backfire on Andy Spano and negate any benefit he gets from the Conservative line. Real Democrats are upset that Andy took the line, Independents may be swayed by the appearance of another “fixed election” and vote Astorino.  Republicans and Conservatives may be fired up to make sure Andy doesn’t win and rally to Astornio. This is best case for Astorino.

Another option is that Andy rides out this storm like the others over the years, and this is forgotten about over the summer. He rides the wave of a 100,000 Dem enrollment edge to re-election.

Although these actions are not criminal, we wonder what impact if any, this has on the US Attorney’s probe of political corruption in Westchester, long overdue to pop.

This endorsement not only hurts Astorino, but his supporters, or the anti-Andy crowd. County Independence Party Chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo stuck out his neck and supported Astorino.  The Rethinking County Government crowd, led by Sam Zherka, cannot be pleased with this result.

One closing thought: can we all agree to this rule about minor party elections — the same candidate should not have both the Conservative Party and Working Families Party line for any election. Their political ideologies are at complete opposites, with both trying to rub out the others existence.

Yet, Andy Spano will have both lines this November.

All Signs Lead to Mike Spano for Yonkers Mayor

 

Mike Spano-the next Mayor of Yonkers?

  Nick Spano working hard for brother Mike for mayor in 2011?

The recent political shennanigans in Yonkers and in Westchester are being viewed by many as having one desired goal — the election of Assemblyman Mike Spano as the next Mayor of Yonkers in 2011.

The Mike Spano for Mayor talk has been tossed around for some time, but lately the Spanos, led by Nick Spano, have been hard at work laying the groundwork for Mike’s run for mayor in two years, as a Democrat (remember Mike switched parties two years ago, some believe to run for mayor.)

The recent possibility that Andy Spano will get the conservative party line has much to do with Mike Spano for Mayor – -many believe. The scenario has Nick pow wowing with Andy, and Nick reaching out to longtime ally Gail Burns, the county conservative chair, to give the Conservative line to Andy. In return, Nick gets Andy’s help in two years in Mike’s mayoral run.

It appears that Nick Spano was ready to run for county executive if Andy didn’t run this year; Spanos never challenge Spanos. Nick still has his eye on the county exec’s seat four years from now, and we have also heard that Nick is considering switching party’s for that run!

There are two obstacles in Mike Spano becoming the next Yonkers mayor. One is Council President Chuck Lesnick. If Lesnick wins re-election this year, he becomes the front runner for mayor, if he wants it. If he had his pick, Lesnick would like to replace Nita Lowey as Westchester’s congressman when she retires.

The second obstacle is Ken Jenkins, county legislator and Yonkers Dem Chair. Jenkins, the rising star in Westchester politics, may want to run for mayor in two years, but has other options — including becoming the next chair of the County Board, and/or the next County Dem Chairman. Ken will be encouraged by the Spano camp to set his sights on White Plains instead of Yonkers City Hall.

Mayor Phil Amicone’s choice as his next successor will also play a role. Remember there is no love lost between Phil and Mike, with Amicone beating Mike in a bloody GOP primary for mayor six years ago.

Republican CCP Race Still Up in Air; Nick Spano Said to Control Majority of District Leaders

Here’s an update on the Republican race for City Council president (CCP), for the right to face off against Democrat City Council President Chuck Lesnick in November.

The two Republican candidates are Councilman Liam McLaughlin and Jim Castro-Blanco. Castro-Blanco, a first-time candidate, announced early and is running as the political outsider to fix a failed City Council.

McLaughlin, who entered into the race only recently, is running as the candidate with the experience to move the city forward.

Here’s the latest: Three weeks after McLaughlin’s announcement, the candidate who will gain a majority of ward and district leaders at the GOP Convention on May 27 is still a mystery. We recently spoke to Yonkers GOP Chairman John Jacono, who is staying neutral for the moment.

We also spoke to former State Senator Nick Spano, who still holds wide sway over the hearts and minds of Yonkers Republicans. Spano first disputed a prior post we wrote that had him calling district leaders on behalf of McLaughlin — this was an inaccurate statement and we stand corrected.

Spano is also staying neutral for the time being, to make time to get a better feel for how the rank and file Yonkers GOPers feel about the CCP race.

While the Senator was modest about his role and input in this race, it appears that a majority of the Yonkers GOP district leaders are former Spano allies, many of whom are undecided and waiting for marching orders.

We also hear that another key supporter in this race will be Councilwoman Dee Barbato. Rumors have been swirling for weeks that Barbato either has supported or will support McLaughlin, but there has been no public announcement made. A public endorsement of McLaughlin by Barbato could help push McLaughlin over the top in the Republican rich northeast Wards of Yonkers.

Castro-Blanco has the support of Mayor Phil Amicone and Councilman John Murtagh, and has a sizeable chuck of district and ward leaders in his camp.

We have also heard that some Republican council candidates are holding back their support to see which way it all turns out.

We finally hear that back room discussions have begun to try and work this out before the convention.

Bottom line is this race is still up in the air, with most waiting to see where the support of Chairman Jacono and leaders close to Nick Spano end up.  

Cavallo Takes on the Spanos to Get a Job for Dhyalma Vazquez

Westchester Independence Party Chairman Dr. Giulio is getting desperate to find a cozy job for his right hand, Dhyalma Vazquez, the Yonkers chair of the Independence Party.

Cavallo is feeling the heat from the campaign of County Executive Andy Spano, who is running for re-election and wants the Independence line. Vazquez currently works for the county DSS, at a salary of over $100,000. The Spano forces are leaning on Dr. C to stop his alliance with Sam Zherka and Dave Spano — Andy’s son.

Cavallo is in a pickle, and has completely flipped on politicians he has supported, and benefitted from, in the past — most notably Andy Spano and District Attorney Janet DiFiore. He needs to appease Zherka and sees $$$.

While Dr. C has already pitched a Vazquez job at City Hall, he has been rejected. But Cavallo has returned to Yonkers in another effort to secure a job for him, and he is once again using the Independence Party to get it.

Cavallo now wants Vazquez to be appointed a deputy city clerk, and is demanding that the current deputy, Vinny Spano, be replaced. Cavallo is using his Ind. line endorsement to “lean” on members of the City Council to appoint Vazquez. (Kudos to Hezi for getting this information  first — I confirmed it and add the following:)

This pits Cavallo against the Spanos, incluidng Nick Spano, who is another old Cavallo ally now on his s*** list.  Dr. C has been ranting about Nick lately, and the attempted removal of Nick’s brother, Vinny, is an indication of flip flop on all the Spanos — Andy, Nick and Vinny.

The Democrats on the City Council control who gets appointed deputy clerk and what, if any, changes are made. While it is unlikley that the council will buckle to Cavallo’s demands, Cavallo can use the Ind line endorsement against Council President Chuck Lesnick, who is running for re-election and wants the line.

Isn’t there a saying about playing both sides and getting burned in the end?