Ball:No run for Congress
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- November
- 21
Just days after touting a poll that he argued showed him within striking range of Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, state Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patterson, today said he’s changed his mind and will now run for the state Senate. Ball this afternoon said he intends to run for the 40th state Senate District, a seat now held by Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson. For his part, Leibell today said it’s no secret he’s thought about running for Putnam county executive. That seat, now occupied by County Executive Robert Bondi, is also up for election next year.
Hall, Ball and Leibell were all together this afternoon at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Peach Lake sewage treatment plant. Hall knew of Ball’s decision before the event got underway. Leibell said he found out at the ceremony. The state senator said he would make a decision in the coming weeks about what seat he will run for in 2010.
Ball, as you may recall, announced his intention to run for Congress back in May. This week, he released a poll showing him within five points of Hall. The poll was subsequently criticized for not sampling the entire Congressional district. The poll only took in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, not the Rockland and Orange county portions of the 19th C.D. Parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess are, however, in the senate district.
Read Ball’s press release after the break. You can also check out The Hill’s story.
BALL RUNS FOR SENATE
Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) today told supporters he has decided to run for the New York State Senate’s 40th District in the 2010 election.
Ball issued a statement reflecting on the extraordinary session of the legislature this week which read:
This week, I attended ‘extraordinary session’. Rank and file members were kept in the dark while Albany’s insiders refused to take decisive action. This great state is being destroyed by a handful of insiders; insiders intent on using their public position for their private benefit.
As an Assemblyman in the minority, I headed to Albany to fight: Fight against the backroom deals, the systemic corruption, and the infamous dysfunction that is costing New Yorkers billions and forcing small businesses out of this state.
As a candidate for State Senate, I look forward to returning to Albany not simply to fight, but to lead.
The local elections on November 3 illustrated, quite clearly, that there is a huge opportunity to reclaim this state, to rebuild New York in the image of smaller and more efficient government while proactively reversing our state’s openly hostile business climate.
In the State Senate, I intend to do exactly that.
From the overwhelming grassroots support to our continued fundraising successes I am thrilled at the community’s response to my campaign. Yet as I have gone door to door, discussing national issues with voters throughout the Hudson Valley, the conversations have always come back to kitchen table issues.
Folks don’t believe that their kids will have a better future than they have had. They are worried about making their next mortgage payment. They are drowning in debt and property taxes, and many are a few payments from having to sell their home or business and leave New York.
In 2006 I promised to head to Albany and shake things up, and I have by voting against billions in taxes, standing up to career politicians on both sides of the aisle, exposing irresponsible budgets and using my position in the super minority of the Assembly to be a voice for millions in New York who feel voiceless.
But the job is not done.
From property tax reform to corruption in government, the job I set to do in 2006 is still incomplete, and it can only be accomplished by continuing to tackle our nation’s most dysfunctional legislature.
“I have had the privilege of working with Assemblyman Greg Ball over the last eight months as he has pursued his dream of serving in The House of Representatives,” said Chairman William DeProspo of the Orange County Republican Committee. “Greg’s decision today, to set aside his own personal ambitions and aspirations speaks volumes of his character and integrity. His candidacy for the New York State Senate is an exciting one for all New Yorkers and one I personally look forward to seeing become a reality. He will have my full support.”
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on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 5:14 pm by Mike Risinit.
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ball is an easy winner in that senate district..and vinny
will easily become county executive…
My wife and I both gave Greg Ball some money for his congressional campaign. Went to a couple events, etc. Nothing serious, maybe a thousand bucks or so.
What really gets me going is that I have to learn that he’s dropped out of the congressional race by reading it on a blog. Thanks for the call, Greg! You’ve really displayed your character and class on this one.
– A (former) Supporter
Biggest Winners are:
John Hall – now he may have an easier win for re-election
Vincent Leibell – easy win for County Executive
Greg Ball – easy win for NYS Senate
Dan Birmingham – Easy win for NYS Assembly
Biggest losers are:
George Oros – candidate? for NYS Senate
Mike Kaplowitz – candidate? for NYS Senate
Those who donated to Greg Ball’s campaign for Congress
Let’s look at the big picture, Bondi retires and Leibell takes over as County Executive, Ball takes over as Senator, Birmingham takes over as Assemblyman, does that leave a seat in the county Legislator for Neuringer? Stranger things have happened.
Matt Neuringer will move into Birmingham’s district and run for county legislator if Birminigham wins the Assembly seat.
If you gave money to a candidate to run for a certain office, and he changes his mind, do you get your money back?
i don’t think the biggest winners are really winners at all.
hall – still has a self-funding multimillionaire candidate running against him in a year that’s not expected to be great for dems (good luck congressman!)
leibell – who says he’s ok with this? he’s now forced to run for county executive or otherwise deal with a primary from ball. and who says leibell is going to have a clear shot at county executive? has anyone spoken with bondi (the incumbent ce) or what about don smith? word is he’s running next year. this race could get very interesting.
ball – in actuality, the make-up of the 19th congressional district is slightly better for a republican than the 40th senate district. if kaplowitz – who’s rumored to be running again – decides to go for it, ball could be in for a rude awakening. kaplowitz is a smart street fighter who has the potential to self-fund and he can raise lots of cash. not to mention the senate dems will be fighting tooth and nail for this one. short of kaplowitz, the dems don’t seem to have a plan b so if he doesn’t run i think ball cruises to the senate.
birmingham – who? i would at least expect someone from westchester to step up to plate. and what about the dems? what about if kaplowitz decides to run for assembly instead? this race is far from decided… they don’t even know who the candidates will be.
as for the “losers”
oros – definitley was f*cked on this deal. let that be a lesson: you play with fire and you’ll get burned.
kaplowitz – he’s still kicking. see above.
If this was part of a deal between Leibell and Ball, Leibell just sealed his coffin. Bondi is out? Perhaps.
But Don Smith is still around and with some pretty powerful people behind him that could spell trouble for the “good senator.” Leibell knows this which makes it all the more curious that he would consider ditching the Senate.
Even a Democrat could beat Leibell next year, especially since Leibell has enemies in both the Independence and Conservative parties that will prevent him from getting those lines.
Honestly, he should have known to quit while he was ahead, and maybe he will.
is it easy for ball and leibell? let us go back to the phone number issue. the paper should review this matter including the political records of leibell and ball. the joe bruno trial should hopefully answer some questions as to what bruno and the rest of the state senate republicans knew about illegal activities and their vast spending on their own. all at taxpayers expense. leibell should not be county ex and ball should take on leibell at all costs and make him answer for the past.
What I’d like to know is WHY Ball is leaving the Congressional race???
Kind of sad that the most honorable one being discussed in these comments is Oros and he looks to be left out. I was hoping that Oros would be the State Senator and I would then know that there is at least one ethical politician in that Albany cesspool. Ball should shake things up, but sometimes I think he is more about being provocative and less about getting things done. Leibell is a gentleman and works hard for district, so I hope he winds up as CE. And to those Democratic kool-aid drinkers, Kaplowitz is OK for a Dem, but he could never beat Ball is that district. He will probably run for open Assembly seat and may make a race of it.
Ball showed a fear today, Ball showed that he did not want to primary a strong woman. In political terms he flinched and showed a weakness, Ball may be thinking he can walk right through the Senate race, but if Leibell decides to stay and fight I think the people would select Leibell over Ball in a heartbeat. As far as the County Executive seat, if Leibell wants it, it is his. Smith showed his weakness against Borkowski when Borkowsi had him running nervous. Leibell is still a well liked politician who the people feel closeness to. People are still very apprehensive of Ball.
Kaplowitz can not beat Ball, he would lose 60% to 40% easy.
Does Ball have to give the money back to all those people he accepted money from to run for Congress? I wonder how Art Fleisher feels now that he was used by Ball.
As far as Neuringer is concerned, he is as dead as they come, he political life is over.
I agree with Dapper except that I do think Mike Kaplowitz can defeat Ball. The 40th Senate District is about 50/50 Republican vs. Democrat registration-wise. The person who wins is the person who is able to win cross-over and independent support. That has been Vinnie Leibell for many years but that person is not Greg Ball. Ball has shown that he can win support amongst Republicans by talking like a gun toting right-winger but his support with Democrats is non-existent and his support with independents is minimal. That’s Greg Ball’s real weakness. It was never exposed in a Republican-rich district like the 99th but in the 40th or 19th Ball will have a real problem.
Your points are well taken Dandy, maybe I am wrong. Never the less Ball is a hard out for anyone, he will campaign like a mad man, attack you and your family with lies, he will make undoable promises, he will talk to the issues that are currently on people minds, taxes, people losing homes, transparency in government, big government, etc…
Opponents like Kaplowitz have records and have been in office long and voted to raise taxes many times, these issues kill Kaplowitz. The real question is are opponents like Oros and Kaplowitz up to the fight?
If Leibell seeks reelection Ball will have a difficult time attacking him, people seem to like Leibell and respect his kindness and years of service.
Another thought!
The number one issue that should come out of this announcement is how and when is Ball going to reimburse the people who donated to his campaign for Congress? Ball should set up a website for people seeking reimbursement and allow them to submit their request for payment immediately. Raising money under the premise of running for Congress and using the money somewhere else seems on the surface to be criminal.
its not criminal but ball has a moral obligation to return
the money …contributing to congressional races to change
the national balance in the congress..is not an indication
that the same contributor would even be interested in
contributing to a local senatoral race.ie the contribution
may have more to do with health care then with state business etc
Don’t think Ball can transfer the money raised from a Congressional race. Supporters should expect a call to change.
Mike Kaplowitz will be able to mix it up with Ball should be a fun race to watch. Kaplowitz can dance circles around Ball fiscally and can match him on the level of campaign.
Don’t count Oros out, maybe Liebell is pissed that Ball is pushing him and helps Oros in a primary. Still good for Kaplowitz.
Though I was bored with all the hysterical rhetoric going back and forth last year about Ball’s military record, I’m now at the point where I’d like to see it, calm and easy. Anything that a politician uses to publicly promote himself should be open to the voters’ scrutiny. If all is in order, more power to him. If not, we deserve to see it and make our own judgments. This goes for all of them.
Ball is not running for Congress, because he would lose. He has wanted to run for that office before he ran for the Assembly. Simple Fact. He likes the Limelight that elected office brings him. He has issues now that he never had before.
Ball is the LOSER.
Ball wants a job. That is all he wants He is afaid to lose. He should stay as an Assemblyman.
Who are you Ball?
What do you stand for?
What do you believe in?
Changing your mind, does not say good things about you.
You have lost all your credibility.
If people donated to Ball’s congressional run against Hall and now Ball decides to run for 40th senate..maybe those people who do not live in the 40th senate area, may want their money back.
How do they go about getting it??????????? Ball has used them.
almost a year before the election greg ball has every right
to change his made…he certainly wasn’t irretrievably committed to the congressional race..and in fact I believe
he started an exploratory committee only..notwithstanding
the fact that he should at least offer to return the
congressional money for two reasons.1 using federal
money might violate state campaign finance laws. and
2. its the right thing to do, greg is far more likely
to win the senate seat ..and you can take it to the bank
that vinny knew in advance and agreed to the ball
announcement..there will be no primary here and no
bad feelings…greg will support vinny for county
exec…and vinny will support greg….its that simple
and those ball haters on this site will have to live
with those republican choices….frankly ball may be a
breath of fresh air in the senate where dean skelos
had the timerity to do business with pedro espada
and monsterrat…two people that republicans should have
nothing to do with ….as for the hall race, nan hayworth
has the field wide open but remember…she has to be
trained properly before making statements so she doesn’t
become a second janine pirro page 10 burlesque moment..
so far we havn’t heard anything substantive from her
other than she is self funded…she should be in dc as
we speaking at the rncc learning the issues..
If Ball has any sense of honor or integrity, he will post a notice on his website for those who want a refund.
What is the interest earned on investing in Balls possible run for congress? Now that he has decided not to, money should be returned plus any fees people had when donating through paypal or other method.
I laugh at all these Ball haters. Ball wins every election he runs in. He made mince-meat of the fake republican John Degnan, who’s part of that dying Will Stephens faction in Southeast. Despite all of Leibell’s interference, Ball won handily. I doubt very much Ball did this without calling Vinny.
Truly amazing how much back and forth vitriol is spent discussing a paltry minority member of an even more pitiful assembly of dunces.
“that dying Will Stephens faction in Southeast.”
You mean that same faction that just trounced Ball’s hand-picked candidates for town board 2 to 1 in the GOP Primary? Is that the same “dying” Southeast faction you’re talking about?
Look, Will Stephens was unprepared for Ball. It wasn’t hubris, it was a lack of a concern for the politics. Stephens is a policy wonk – a true statesman.
Will probably now knows what it takes to win. He learned a hard lesson. That’s what losing does; it either breaks your spirit or teaches you to become better. Will could very well run again for the Assembly and win. Many even felt he could have defeated Ball had he run again in 2008.
Fundraising was never a problem for him and he knows the issues like the back of his hand. (Oh, and by the way, he was championing reform measures while Ball was still sleeping with goats!!)
And the beat goes on…
Interesting point Downer, Ball has won every election he has run in. Things have now changed. He would have been slaughtered against Hall. That is why he ran that other way. Now he wants to run for Senate. There is no secret that Leibell is not going to run for re-election. If Ball and Leibell went head to head Leibell would win 60 to 40. Ball is the Loser here.
This last election cycle Ball’s candidates for town board in Southeast did lose 2 to 1.
The Senate race, Ball will have a primary with George Oros, let us not forget George was the minority leader in the Westchester County Legislator. He has a lot of friends and he is a good campaigner. This race will be to close to call, but George currently has the advantage. In the general election both parties will want that seat. Kaplowitz will run as a democrat and win 55% to 45%.
A Star which was so bright will now be put out.
Oros OR Kaplowitz – one a conservative Rep, the other an iconoclastic Dem, are still class acts compared to Ball Boy. They have done stuff in Westchester, Ball has done zippo in Albany.
The latest from a conservative columnist at the North County News:
IN MY OPINION: Kaplowitz gets the message
By Anthony Bazzo
Mike Kaplowitz has won re-election to a seventh term to county District 4. Having been on the board since 1998, Mike has shown when it comes to fiscal matters, he is the smartest person in the room. He can quote the ins and outs of the county budget. He is a numbers man. As a leading Democrat on the board, he has been the voice of reason knowing that it is the residents above I-287 whose pockets are picked to pay for the whims and social programs of the county executive and legislators whose districts are below I-287. Being a loyal friend, Mike has granted me the privilege of his first exclusive interview since the election. Here is the interview:
Anthony Bazzo: Andy Spano was soundly defeated. However, you received your usual 14 percent victory margin. What do you take from the results of this past election? Do you think the rest of your governmental colleagues, including those on the Board of Legislators, got the message?
Legislator Michael Kaplowitz: I remain humbled by the job and the challenges ahead. What I take from this past election is a clear mandate from the voters: property taxes! Voters have had enough and they demand more fiscal responsibility from their elected officials — at every level. Any elected official, whether they were challenged or unopposed, had to get the message. It could not be any clearer. Taxpayers don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat; they want someone on their side. I believe that is why, as an independent and fiscally conservative moderate Democrat, I was able to survive the Election Day storm.
I do fear that some, including current board Chairman Bill Ryan, just don’t get the message and, like the dinosaurs, will become extinct. Spending recklessly and without regard for voters in these tough economic times will make for a short political career. Moreover, the more liberal and free-spending legislators at all levels must understand that with government revenues down and taxpayers maxed out, government programs and expenses must also come down. This is just sound fiscal policy.
A.B.: How do you view the debate on the upcoming budget?
M.K.: The debate on the upcoming proposed county budget should be an interesting one. There will be very difficult decisions to make, but they must be made. The county budget is 70 percent mandated and 30 percent discretionary. None the less, we still must make cuts. However, there is more than one way to cut spending. These financially difficult times demand creativity.
For example, I recently expanded a shared services program in the county’s Department of Community Mental Health, which will combine/streamline services with other departments, such as Social Services. This will ultimately provide more efficient service with significant savings to the taxpayers. For example, this program, in its infancy, has already saved taxpayers over $530,000 against an investment of $176,000 with much more savings to come.
I will continue to lead the charge for fiscal conservatism. Every week, as a member of the Legislature’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, my mantra has been “No…unless you can convince me to say yes.” Meaning, there must be merit to the request and it has to make ‘cents’ for me to agree to spend taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with Mr. Astorino to find ways to reduce our structural and employee costs.
A.B.: Do you think this election is a bell-weather for next year’s governor and state Legislature election?
M.K.: I believe this was a Category 2 electoral hurricane, and next year will be a Category 5. In 2010, it will be the state and federal governments’ turn to answer to the public. The reason I think next year will be even worse is because the economy is not getting healthier anytime soon; people have lost their home equity and have lost, or are in fear of losing, their jobs and they are maxed out on their property taxes. It is at the state and federal levels where our tax problems lie, and the electorate will throw out the existing bums to send the clear message that those governments must do better. Why, for example, do we still spend $200 million per year in New York state member items, pure political pork only there for electoral bribery, when we are running $15 billion deficits? Next year voters will say, “Enough! Stop stealing our money from the left pocket and giving us our own crumbs back in the right pocket.”
A.B.: Speculation is that you and fellow Legislator George Oros are going to vie for the state Senate seat presently held by Vincent Leibell. Is any of that true? If so, how do you see the debate?
M.K.: I am certainly open to this possibility. If my experience and financial discipline skill set can be of use in Albany, then I would welcome that challenge. We need independent-minded individuals of all parties to turn back the liberal New York City-centric mind set and press the needs of the suburban voter. As a legislator and small business owner, with my independent governmental record of standing up to leaders in both parties and finally my financial background in private industry and municipal finance, I believe I would be the best person to make a difference in the state Senate. I know I can be a more effective senator, especially in a state that has the reality of having almost 2 million more Democrats and has a state Senate that will likely remain in democratic hands. We need someone in the majority who can fight for us from within, yet has an independent, taxpayer-first focus.
A.B.: Congratulations on your win, and as this recession worsens, it is my belief that your resolve should be able to keep the spendthrifts on the Board of Legislators in check. We, who live above I-287, are counting on that.
This is my opinion, you may beg to differ.
You can read more Bazzo on politics in the “Let’s Talk Politics” blog on NCNLocal.com.
YES, that DYING will stephens faction in Southeast. How hard did Ball really try to get anyone elected? Give me a break. He made to no effort to elect anyone but himself, and Ball has shown a history of doing well for himself only, but no riding of the coattails. And Stephens taking on Ball? Are you out of your mind? It’s like one of those boxing fights where one fighter beats the living daylights out of his opponent. Even though that fighter may come back to fight again, he can never fight that guy who beat the daylights out of him. And I beg to differ, it WAS hubris that lost it for stephens. He believed right till the end that his name would carry him, and he would take Ball down in a couple of debates. Ball destroyed him there, too. By the time Stephens woke up, Ball had him completely boxed in. And of course let’s not forget the HUBRIS of going to the US OPEN tennis matches the weekend before the election while some volunteers made phone calls for him. His volunteers have never forgotten.
Just chiming in here… Greg Ball ran his hand-picked candidate Michael Rights for Southeast Supervisor in 2007. Rights is the Supervisor who was twice arrested and convicted for drunk driving. Ball also supported his staffer Matt Neuringer (who lost) and Dwight Yee for the council positions.
This year, Ball again ran Neuringer for the town council and Ball also ran political newcomer Joe DePaola. Both of Ball’s candidates lost by at least 15%. It wasn’t even close.
Not to mention Greg Ellner in Carmel. Another Ball sycophant whose campaign bit the dust.
There are others…
Candidates drop out of races all the time. Money is rarely returned. Thats the risk you take with donating. Stop acting like Ball should somehow have to act differently to be “classy” when no one else ever did what you are asking.
Hey Balls, I know some people who have DUI’s. I guess that affects my credibility too right? I suppose you segregate yourself from people with DUI’s…
ball did a palin
the new york observer is reporting that ball dropped out because the national republican congressional committee told him to get out of the race. this was the final straw for ball who was already afraid of having to primary fellow conservative nan hayworth with her well-financed campaign.
Ball ran, he would have beat Nan Hayworth 55% to 45%, but to win the primary he would have to destroy a respectable woman in the process. He then would have to deal with the backlash of beating up a woman.
Hall would have handly beat Ball in the general election 65% to 35%. Ball had no where else to turn. He knows Leibell will not be seeking re-election.
Bad move Greg Ball.
I agree. Ball knew he couldn’t beat John Hall. Not now anyway.
Good point, I know I couldn’t beat Mike Tyson. But someday you never know.
Since Ball is now associated with the State Dinner Crashsers, maybe they could loan him money or support one of Balls fund raisers…interesting how we find out who Ball associated with to begin his fund raising in DC.
Heck, he should have them to one of his own and charge big bucks for autographs of the couple. What a joke this Ball saga is turning out to be.
This aint the half of it. When James the RAT Borkowski lost the republican primary for sheriff, he went BEGGING for a job to the Sheriff Smith camp. Can’t wait till Jimmy the RAT denies it, like he denies EVERYTHING. Can you believe the hubris? Maligns Smith and his family like there’s no tomorrow, destroys andy’s family for no reason, knowing he was destroying a family, and the biggest thing on his mind is getting a job for HIMSELF? Par for the course with Borkowski. You folks haveto realize the REAL Borkowski, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is me, me, me, ME. What’s in it for me and only me? And this guy wants to represent people? A horrifying thought to say the least.
Mr. Risnit, do a story on Borkowski’s little trip over to the Smith camp, begging to be the UNDERSHERIFF, to throw Peter Convery in the street. Sorry Jimmy the RAT, not everyone is like YOU. Some people actually have compassion and loyalty, two qualities you know NOTHING about.
And now it’s on to Borkowski for Legislator? Put it to rest.
Borkowski work for Smith? Give me a break! That’s about as believable as Greg Ball being hired as Leibell’s Chief of Staff (don’t laugh, it’s another one going around the Putnam rumor mill).
I paid pretty close attention to the Primary for Sheriff this year and I can’t seem to remember when Borkowski “maligned Smith and his family like there’s no tomorrow”. Perhaps the above poster could elaborate… Or is this just more fantasy? All I remember is Borkowski pointing out time and again how Smith failed to lead on law enforcement’s response to illegal immigration (which happens to be an accurate criticism) This out of the blue attack on Borkowski just sounds like sour-grapes from the Smith camp.. Sore winners… there’s nothing worse.
As for Andrew DeStefano. The man is convicted criminal. Even if you want to believe the BS that he was the “victim” of a political back-room deal or undue “influence” with the state police… why then did he PLEA GUILTY? Common sense dictates that if DeStefano were being set-up he would fight the charges. Instead he pleads guilty, cuts a sweetheart deal for himself with the prosecutor and disappears under the radar with two misdemeanors when he allegedly committed hundreds of felonies..
alot of us voted for borkowski. unfortunately with that wacko andy in the race he split the non-incumbent vote and smith won with less than 50% and by just a hundred votes or so. less than a percentage pt. if that other guy wasn’t in the race, which he later proved he never belonged in the first place, borkowski would have won hands down.
the people wanted change and they still do. borkowski helped us send a message that put entrenched incumbents on notice. and he had an amazingly strong show of support from the public and i hope he decides to throw his hat in the ring again. we the people need a real conservative leader and reformer like jim borkowski in office!!
Greg Ball is a political coward period. He is an embarrassment and a discrace to whats left of the Republican Party. He came knocking on the doors of the Dutchess County Republicans, took our money and then ran back to a district that he knows he is going to need big money to win. Greg Ball deserves to lose and we deserve and DEMAND our money be return ASAP!!! We will not forget that you lied and used us.
Sorry to break your heart but i got the inside knowledge on the “Destefano matter” as you called it. Jim Borkowski knew he was losing the race badly so he needed a iron horse, no matter if he would destroy a family. This is what happened. Borkowski wrote letters to his friends in the New York State Police repeatedly BEGGING them to start a an investigation. Out of nowhere, a dozen investigators desceneded on Putnam like a ton of bricks and started going door to door verifying signatures. If you don’t think this is extraordinary, then point out another time this has happened? You can’t. Then Destefano got the call and was told that if he pulled out of the race, nobody on his team would get arrested and it would go no further. Of course, Borkowski gets on the phone like a degenerate devil and says makes all these demands, he wants the ads out of movie theaters, he wants all the signs down, he wants ads out of newspapers, etc. At Andy’s lowest moment, Borkowski continues to hit him. Then Borkowski injects humor by nervously asking, “Um, will Andy retaliate against me”? Uh, no Jimmy, he’s going to put you on his Christmas list. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU IDIOT?! He’s already done it. Then Andy is given a chance to avoid any trouble for himself but NO, Andy says he will stand up and take the entire hit for his team. When Andy goes down to the DA’s Office, the order was already given: “DO NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT BORKOWSKI. HIS NAME IS TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COST”. Andy tells a funny story, he says every time he mentioned the name Borkowski he would get this swift kick on the shins, like 5 times, and the last time Andy yells WHAT THE FUK? Andy tells it funny. Then the State Police ask when they should return to investigate the fraud committed by BORKOWSKI, and the DA’s office panics and says we’ll call you. The state police are still waiting for the call. I hear Borkowski has a high amount of fraud on his petitions. Andy was told they dont want to go after borkowski because he’s a one-way street, if he gets picked up, he won’t take the hit like Andy did but rather he’ll rat on everyone he knows. The DA said it’s bad publicity for him. I’m surprised Borkowski knows none of this.
Anyway Borkowski tried to get a job with the Smith administration. What a loser. And I don’t know what you mean but Andy gave a speech somewhere this past weekend and got a standing ovation. Maybe you should know the story before you try to spread a false one to make yourself look bigger than you really are. Ask andy about the kicks in the shins, it’s hilarious. Clearly they’re protecting the Bork.
Oh, and something I heard Saturday and I hope it isn’t true. When Andy got forced out of the race because of the Borkowski calls to the State Police, the weekend before the primary, Andy gets a call from his attorney. Both the DA AND Borkowski called the attorney, wanted to know if Andy would join in a combined effort to remove Andy’s name from the ballot, thus helping Borkowski tremendously. Andy said said YES. After all that was done to him, after everything Borkowski did to destroy Andy and his beautiful daughter, and Andy helped him? I heard the story and I really hope it aint true. And then Borkowski just continues to talk trash about Andy. What a loser. And now they’re saying Borkowski wants to run for county legislator. Talk about musical chairs! Borkowski was kicked off his last elected job as a traffic judge.
Hey throw em all out does that include you too? Because the deal you tried to strike with smith sounds mighty corrupt to me. I know…it’s not corrupt if YOU do it. Right? I just read your post again, your funny. You still believe you lost because of “Andy in the race?”. The same thing you said on election night? Convinced of it, huh? Andy had no right being in the race? Check it out…Andy wasnt even in the race and he got almost 400 votes from what i remember, despite those stupid ugly signs you put up saying “destefano withdrew from the sheriff race”. remember that? Or that wasnt you right? Right. Smith spent nothing, never campaigned, and he still beat you by a comfortable margin. Is that why you were recently spied on the Metro-North, crying like a child that you lost? “People don’t understand me!!??”, you were heard wailing. Man you must’ve been abused as a child, either that or you were bullied for sure. You call andy wacko, and your nickname in Putnam County is roadrage, because your in a constant state of roadrage. Screaming at people because they have an opponent sign in their window? Forget it jimmy, I’ve heard 8,000 stories about this alrerady all over the county. I dont know why you continue to attack andy when he did nothing to you, and when he could have had you arrested for petition fraud in july or august he said No, he’s got a family. And look what YOU did to HIM. And during the race all you did was attack andy, because you knew you were losing badly, say what you want, or whatever you’ve convinced yourself of. I also heard something else, and take this to the bank because it came right from the horse’s mouth. When andy went down to the new york state police that day, the state police investigators cornered andy when his supposed lawyer wasn’t around, and they said to andy “off the record, you know you got the goods on borkowski, and we got the goods on borkowski, is this true?” and Andy says “correct”. And the state police detective says “what the helll are you waiting for? why don’t you move on it and press the issue”? and Andy said “Because borkowski’s got a family”, and the state police investigators went nuts, saying “yeah so? you got a family too!? And look at what HE did to YOU!!!” And Andy said, “Well, maybe that’s the difference between me and him. I don’t want to hurt his family”. And the investigator assured him that this was one investigation he wouldn’t mind doing. That’s a true story.
He saved you jimmy and you know it. You can say what you will on this anonymous blog, but he saved you and your family, and you should be thankful he doesn’t push it to higher levels.
And NO, I aint Andy, who’s getting ready for serious stomach surgery and who’s daughteer is very sick & and am very sure he’s got better things on his mind than you. Just read this nonsense and thought it should be corrected. Keep up the bashing, people have come to expect the hatred from you.
Wow, that’s the rambling of a mad man. I live in Westchester so I naturally (and thank God) have no horse in any Putnam races. But, come on! Defending that creep Destephano? The guy was arrested and convicted. That’s indefensible.
Borkowski and Ball get it on illegal immigration. Guys like that will continue to get my vote.
I really wish all putnam county politicians would be investigated – from the county level on down to local town councils. They are all incredibly corrupt.
And as for Ball? Please…he’s all show, no substance. This is what campaigns are all about now – lots of big talk and then nothing. Why? Because they owe everyone under the sun once they get elected. And trust me, Westchester county governement has been just as corrupt. Wait until it all comes out
aw give it a break would ya? these low life politicians arent worth your breath. as far as im concerned nobody is above the law..nobody. but the above poster seems to think that because some guy has a family that he shouldnt be held to account for his criminal behavior. hey weddingplanner..for someone who claims that youre not destefano nor know him you sure know alot of personal and intimate details about the guy. maybe your his alter ego? just throwing it out there. if it is you realize that you broke the law and that the system caught you and you were punished. stop complaining. like i said..nobody is above the law. not you or anyone else. grow up and face reality..you are a criminal with a criminal record and no amount of complaining or whining on a blog will ever change that.
jim borkowski is has all the benefits of greg ball without the baggage. he’s a conservative reformer, tough on illegal immigration and all that.
alot of us voted for borkowski last year. unfortunately with that wacko andy in the race he split the non-incumbent vote and smith won with less than 50% and by just a hundred votes or so. less than a percentage point. if that other guy wasn’t in the race, which he later proved he never belonged in the first place, borkowski would have won hands down.
the people wanted change and they still do. borkowski helped us send a message that put entrenched incumbents on notice. and he had an amazingly strong show of support from the public and i hope he decides to throw his hat in the ring again.
we the people need a real conservative leader and reformer like jim borkowski in office!!
You forget, Jim has a lot of his own baggage. He made a lot of enemies during the last election. What he should do is lay low for a few years and then come back. People might forget and except him at that time.