Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
-
The 1997 Town and County Elections promise to be one
of the most interesting races in the last decade. The County
Executive's seat is up for grabs with some
very formidable suiters.
- From the City of Rye, Mayor Ted Dunn has also shown a
tremendous ability to raise funds for what promises to be one of the most
expensive elections in the history of our County. A self-made millionaire,
he and his wife have begun campaign fundraising in 1996 and have amassed
a substantial resource to mount a highly visible race.
- On the Democratic Ticket, announced candidate Andrew
Spano (no relation to the Spano political family of Yonkers) awaits the
decision of other Democratic hopefuls. Waiting in the wings are Assemblyman
Richard Brodsky from Greenburgh and Ron Tocci from New Rochelle.
- April 3rd, 1997 - At a closed meeting of the Westchester Republican
Committee Leaders of the towns and cities of the county, Ted Dunn of Rye
was voted the nominee for Westchester County Executive. In a vote of 23
in favor of Dunn, 3 in favor of Restiano, and 4 abstensions, Dunn is clearly
the choice of the party.
April 15th, 1997 - Vinni
Restiano, Republican candidate for County Executive has announced her intentions
to drop out of the race. Noting as one of her main reasons, the delay in
her nomination by the Westchester Conservative Party until after the GOP
nomination in May, she has decided to seek re-election as Yonkers City
Council President.
County Clerk
- As of late, the only announced candidate for County Clerk
is the ever-popular Leonard Spano. Running for his second term, Mr. Spano
is credited with bringing the Clerk's office out of the Dark Ages with
the Online access to County Records. More as this race develops.
County Legislator
- The Eastchester (and parts of Mount Vernon and New Rochelle)
representative for County Legislator, Andy Albanese is not expected to
run for re-election. As a member of the County Board of Legislators since
its inception, Mr. Albanese is the senior-most member. If he does decide
to step down, he will be remembered for his many great achievements and
abilities to bring both sides of the aisle together on many, many issues.
- One announced candidate brings a very interesting twist
to this year's race. For the first time in a long time, Democratic candidate
Vito Pinto brings a challenge to the seat that truly warrants close attention.
As a member of the Eastchester Town Council since the mid-1980's, Mr. Pinto
is greatly loved by his constituancy, both Democratic and Republican alike.
- April 28th, 1997 - Marcia
Lee, former Mayor of Bronxville, has announced her intentions to run for
County Legislator in the 10th LD
Eastchester Town Supervisor
- Incumbent, 2-term Supervisor, Jim Cavanaugh declined
an opportunity to join the race for County Executive to continue his mission
of improving the quality of life in our humble community. He announced
in February, his intentions to campaign for a third term. To date, he too
remains unopposed.
- Having to deal with the fiscal bombshells dropped on
the community by his predecesor, Mr. Cavanaugh has managed to keep our
local taxes well under control. Despite the certiorari refunds made to
compensate for the aggregious increases by then Supervisor Doody, Mr. Cavanaugh
has kept town tax increases well below the rate of inflation.
Town Council (2 seats)
- With the anticipated vacancy by Vito Pinto for his race
for County Legislator and the rumors of Town Councilman Tom Doherty not
seeking re-election, this race of non-incumbents also has an interesting
air about it.
- Tony Colavita, Jr., son of former Town Supervisor Anthony
J.Colavita, is a favorite for one of the two seats to be filled. An attorney
in the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C., Mr. Colavita, Jr. is Council
to State Senator, Guy Valella of the Bronx. He also is chairman of the
Eastchester Library Board. Active in many civic organizations, Mr.Colavita
Jr. has certainly won the hearts of much of the community.
- April 30th, 1997 - Eastchester
Supervisor, Jim Cavanaugh, announced that councilman Tom Doherty will not
be running for re-election in November. As Governor Pataki's Secretary
of Appointments, Mr. Doherty finds himself in Albany 3, 4, and sometimes
5 days a week. His attendance at the Town Board Meetings has been impeccable
dispite the demands on him at the State level.
