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!!

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

Borkowski and Ball get it on illegal immigration. Guys like that will continue to get my vote.

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.

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!!

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..

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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!!)