Endorsing the Best Across Party Lines By Hezi Aris

 Inclusive of Senate Districts 34, 35, and 37 and Assembly Districts 87, 88, 91, 93, and 99

34th Senate District: Democratic incumbent Jeffrey Klein has proven himself effective in governance and highly capable in being ahead of the curve with regard to the financial crisis that impacts everyone. He is open, amiable, energetic, and extremely organized, required traits for being effective in Albany and among his constituents. Republican candidate Daniel Fasolino is the declared opponent, yet someone from which we have not heard. Jeffrey Klein is a listener and refined thinker. He is the most qualified for reelection.

35th State Senate District: Incumbent Democrat Andrea Stewart-Cousins is not prone to boast of her own accomplishments preferring a demure demeanor instead. As a first term incumbent she can count on some accomplishments too often overlooked by media and the public alike; her outspoken support to maintain the doors of Dobbs Ferry Community Hospital open, and her partnership with the Albanydelegation in securing funds for Yonkers schools. Andrea Stewart-Cousins must get another term; she is an effective spokesperson for her diverse constituency. Her voice must be heard; she can make the voice of her constituency more prominent. Andrea Stewart-Cousins has exhibited a tenacity of resolve few would have expected her to endure. We expect much of her and believe she can deliver.

John Murtagh is the Republican challenger for the 35^th Senate District in name only. John Murtagh has used upwards of $300,000 Republican State Committee funds to feign a campaign against incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins. John Murtagh has used the opportunity born out of the November 2008 election process to embellish his personal recognition factor in Yonkers in order to be better known when he is expected to run for Mayor of Yonkers. In the process of toying with the electorate, basically denying the public a credible choice, he has soiled himself. For that alone he does not deserve a second look.

The 35^th Senate district is comprised of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Mount Pleasant, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, and Yonkers.

37th Senate District: Incumbent Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer is seeking reelection for her thirteenth term. Republican Liz Feld is her challenger. While political agenda will rationalize the vote for some, Yonkers Tribune endorse Liz Feld, present Mayor of Larchmont for her capacity to best express the economic concerns of the district she hopes to represent. As much as some will salivate at the prospect of Democrats winning a majority at the New York State Legislature it is important to recognize that Liz Feld maintains a more open and engaging demeanor with the public and the press. Liz Feld exemplifies the moral and ethical compass many speak of dismissively maintaining a solid footing on issues most relevant to the community. She will be the balance of power at the state legislature by her effective oratory and passion of conviction to serve the public good. Her most exemplary trait is her ability to balance conviction with the thirst to learn, comprehend, and inculcate new ideas and concepts for the public good. Liz Feld is the definition of the true public servant.

Feld is running on the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines; while Oppenheimer is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

87th Assembly District: J. Gary Pretlow, an eight-term incumbent Democrat is a quiet man passionate in serving the public good. It is Gary Pretlow’s ability to hone in on the issues, undeflected by the hurdles of process or naysayers that result in effective legislation and a capacity to build a cohesive, productive network of fellow legislators to win the day. Gary Pretlow’s opponents are Working Families Party candidate Ernest Boaten and Ralph Pearson, the Conservative Party candidate. Neither have effectively espoused anything of relevance to the public, preferring to use the election process to grow their recognition among the public for future political office, albeit ineffectively at present.

88th Assembly District: Democrat Amy Paulin has earned her credentials as one of the most prolific in creating laws that resonate among her constituency and of value to the state. Her focus on domestic violence and human trafficking issues impact every voter. She should be returned to the NY State Legislature to continue her efforts upon the pic’s behalf.

Challenger Anthony Pilla is almost impossible to reach, and not strictly by this publication. His effort to have sway within the public discourse has atrophied to his detriment. Reelect Amy Paulin to office.

91st Assembly District: Democrat incumbent George Latimer is being challenged by Rob  Biagi. George Latimer is an erudite legislator, mindful of his constituents’ concerns, capable of shepherding concepts and ideas commensurate with his ability to win support among the New York State Legislature. He too lusts for knowledge, incorporating the complexity of various subject matter and expertise on issues as diverse and as personal as the economy, taxes, school funding, and the elderly. George Latimer share his thoughts openly, candidly, and chock full of facts. Rob Biagi has taken a page from his personal experience as a former prosecutor, deflecting attention from needing to share “how to” solutions with the public by pandering instead to the public’s concerns about the growing economic crisis. George Latimer is thoughtful, energetic, prudent, and didactic; Rob Biagi is a one-trick pony, incapable of presenting a salient position because he has not pondered any to their conclusion. These times demand more than Rob Biagi’s brash  demeanor; these times demand the steady mind of George Latimer.

Latimer has the Republican, Independence, and Working Families Party lines; Rob Biagi has the Republican and Conservative Party lines.

93rd Assembly District: Michael Spano is running for reelection as a Democrat in 2008 having changed party affiliation. He has a passion and concern to serve the public good. With the Democrats favored to sin a majority in the state legislature this year, Mike Spano is sure to promote his constituency’s concern over domestic violence, child abuse, education, and human rights. His heart and focus is to serve the public good. He has proved his service in the past and must be reelected to maintain his vigilance for the public good.

James Faulkner is challenging Mike Spano to represent the 93^rd Assembly District. James Faulkner has a history for running as a fill-in for any seat that remains unchallenged. The same for this year. Some of James Faulkner’s concepts should be further explored. James Faulkner may wish to review these same concepts and find a way to make them palatable to glean and worthy of consideration. Faulkner is not ready for prime time. I give him an “A” for his political resiliency.

99th Assembly District: Incumbent Republican Greg Ball won election espousing issues that resonated with the constituency he would come to serve. When challenged by Bewster Mayor John Degnan in the GOP primary, Degnan was trounced by his own self destructive campaign assault on Greg Ball. Political tenets evidently mean little to John Degnan; he will now challenge Greg Ball in the November 4^th election wear the banner of a Democrat. How convenient.

Greg Ball has been able to effectively distill the issues of concern in his community, challenging stagnant status quo with valid perspective and proposed solutions. His demeanor is dramatic in comparison to the more often staid and reclining elected officials too often afraid to replicate the desire of their constituents. Greg Ball does not cower; he is a voice listened to, despite the rhetoric otherwise. 

The 99th Assembly District includes the towns of Yorktown, Somers, North Salem, Southeast, Patterson, Carmel and Pawling.

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Comments

excellent endorsements Hezi. You are right on. Excellent.

Your endorsement of Cousins is repugnant. She has done nothing. Murtagh has done plenty. Yonkers needs an effective voice, no matter what party they are in. She isn't it.

I am really surprised that you would make such a silly endorsement.

Hezi..you got it exactly right

murtagh is nothing but a clown on the city council - murtagh has raised taxes and spending

Murtagh is fine for Yonkers, not for the state scene. He should relax.

FRIENDS OF NICK SPANO COMMITTEE
PO BOX 908
YONKERS, NY 10703 $5,000.00 18-AUG-08 PEOPLE FOR MURTAGH 2008 32PG C State Senator 35

FRIENDS OF PHIL AMACONE
PO BOX 823
YONKERS, NY 10702 $1,000.00 07-AUG-08 PEOPLE FOR MURTAGH 2008 32PG C State Senator 35

FRIENDS OF PHIL AMICONE
PO BOX 823
YONKERS, NY 10702 $1,000.00 02-OCT-08 PEOPLE FOR MURTAGH 2008 11PG C State Senator 35

FRIENDS OF PHIL AMICONE
YONKERS, NY 10702 $400.00 26-JUN-08 PEOPLE FOR MURTAGH 2008 JULY PERIODIC C State Senator 35

what a waste of money ?

Poooooor Murtagh laughing my ass off. He doesn't know how to play with the big boys. He had this idea that he could just sail in without doing anything. It is laughable. He couldn't raise money and half the time didn't even try and then he goes and raises taxes. Lol this guy needs to pick another career the boys just don't like him. Who the hell designed those signs. Looks like he is selling houses you can't even read them. Time to move on Murtagh you didn't get it done. Tsk Tsk.