Just Call Patronage Personnel

They All Do It

   Political parties all enjoy utilizing PACs and consider them an unlimited slush fund that’s untouchable by all but themselves. Typically, these PACs raise money independent of the parties they’re associated with and pay for ads, fund raisers, etc., for candidates running on their line. Interestingly, Paul Feiner has continually raised money for his elections and even paid for the advertising for his running mates. To them he probably says, Don’t worry about it. You’ll be able to do something for me later.” He’s tried to get money from all the party lines he’s run on. But he doesn't really need them, his developer friends take care of him very nicely. Feiner has hired numerous unqualified people as payback for support of some sort. It’s the hallmark of Patronage Personnel to the rescue!

Buy A Conservative Endorsement

   The Journal News had an article about the former Conservative chair Gail Burns, who was replaced as the party chair by Hugh Fox. Experience tells that Fox is unable to ever do the "right thing" and his gain is the true conservatives’ loss. Fox retired from his six-figure Yonkers Fire Department job as the fire union’s president, to step “up” into a higher union position in Albany - a state level union position. That fell through. But don’t feel bad for him, he only needed to contact Patronage Personnel with an offer to sell an endorsement.

   County Executive Rob Astorino, hired Hugh Fox as his Labor Relations Specialist at $90k+, proving that patronage is alive and thriving in Astorinoland. Fox getting his appointment to the 9th floor as a labor specialist is only because he's the Conservative chair and Astorino wants the Conservative endorsement in the next election! Done deal!

   Astorino press releases would have you believe he’s the pummeled golden boy of Westchester, regularly “beaten” by a County Legislative Board uninterested in fixing Westchester. When it’s in his best interest, Astorino can be the master of patronage.

Buy A Party Endorsement For The Future

   Astorino hired George Oros as his Chief of Staff after Oros was “stiffed” by the republican party. You didn't know? NY State Senator Vincent Liebell had told Oros he was going to vacate his position for a run at another position, leaving a position open for Oros to simply glide into. The republican party loves Oros and were gung-ho with this scheme. So Oros announced he would not be seeking re-election. Then Liebell got cold feet and decided to stay put, crushing Oros’ plans, leaving him out in the cold. Ouch! Not to worry. Patronage Personnel to the rescue! We’re sure Uncle Vinny will also get an offer once he’s released from prison.

   Astorino swore a pledge to the Call To Action group that insisted on promises to shrink county government and reduce spending. Most republican candidates signed on and most democrat candidates did not. He decided to slaughter much of county government’s lower level personnel with a broad brush-like stroke, resulting in a symbolic 1% reduction in taxes. The democratic legislature overrode his veto of cuts, saving county employee positions and reduced the taxes by 2%. Imagine what might have happened if they hadn’t been playing the partisan games and worked together?

   Former County Executive and democrat Alfred Delbello and his  partner, republican William Mooney started the Call To Action group. They dumped money into it and grabbed onto the TEA party momentum of cutting spending and shrinking government. It worked in some ways and failed in others. After Astorino got elected, he hired attorney William Mooney as his Senior Assistant to the County Executive. It also means there are junior assistants and others that help the county executive. For example, John Cerino, the republican party's “go-to” guy, was hired as Astorino’s Scheduler. Wouldn’t an assistant do scheduling? Coincidentally, Cerino’s sister Elizabeth works at the County Board of Elections. Hmmm.

A Puppet Regime
   Astorino hired attorney Kevin Plunkett as his Deputy County Executive, some say in the “Brutus” position. So what’s in it for DelBello? It’s simple really. Plunkett came from DelBello’s law firm. Bill Mooney and DelBello are working together with WCA. The Republican County Executive is now surrounded by democrat DelBello’s operatives. It’s why Astorino is positioning to announce his Westchester 2040 Initiative. It’s a major payback to the unions by eliminating volunteers in many areas that will require paid staffing. It will be patterned after the failed Westchester 2000 Initiative that tried to supersede local/home rule among other things. And, it was the brainchild of the last few democratic county executives. You don’t think that DelBello is legislating through a puppet regime, do you?
   How Many Others

We almost forgot that we were speaking of Gail Burns, the now deposed Conservative Party Chair who was ousted by Fox, et al. She would have found herself out of work, but she was given a job with the Spano Political Empire out of Yonkers. In spite of that, she was able to garner an appointment of a position at the Westchester County Board of Elections Employment Agency, a division of Patronage Personnel about a week or so ago. She did many of the same things that Fox has, although she just wasn't quite as "Foxy" about it. 
   Are there any others who have benefitted from Patronage Personnel? Sure. Republican Nancy Meehan, a District Leader 

in Mt. Pleasant, received a fat appointment right after her husband, attorney Robert Meehan, the former Mt. Pleasant Supervisor, received his appointment from Astorino as the County Attorney. Patronage Personnel has many success stories.

Both Sides Do IT:
 

   There are serious deficiencies in the political system in Westchester County. And for those who think republican Astorino or democrat Jenkins are any different, think again. Look at the appointments Astorino has made and you'll see patronage up the wazoo! 
Something Need To Change:

   When the electorate gets off their duffs and decide to get involved, we can start turning this system of corruption around. Should Republican and Democratic chairs be allowed to be the (political) bosses at the Board of Elections for $150k? No, but they do! Should they be able to run their side businesses from there as well? No, but they do.! Should they be receiving full medical benefits and retirement packages as well? No, but they do! 
   Get Involved. Everyone who is disgusted with this garbage must start to be more involved. Initially, get out and vote! Next, watch to see the inside shady operations and corruption of just any one town, riddled with illegalities. We prefer you come here as we dissect the illegal operations and operatives in Greenburgh. Regardless, you'll also see it’s not just one Town, but many. The time is now people. The cause is for you individually and all of us collectively! VOTE them out! But at least VOTE!

This is a guest commentary.