Thursday, February 7, 2008

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Announces Dobbs Ferry Hospital Will Remain Open

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D- 35th District) joined State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., today at Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry to announce that health care services will continue to operate under the sponsorship of St John’s Riverside
Hospital, as it has for many years.

“It is the right decision to keep this excellent health-care facility open to serve its community. I have made it a priority to keep this hospital open because there is a clear and demonstrated need for an emergency room and a primary health-care facility in the Rivertowns part of Westchester. I am thrilled that the proposed emergency room will have better and broader-based services – and additional outreach training which will even extend to community-based EMS personnel. This will also allow St. John’s hospital to continue to operate the many health care services it offers to the many low-income patients it serves in Yonkers,“ Senator Stewart-Cousins stated.

“The expansion of the superb Ashikari Comprehensive Breast Care Center is a significant and welcome part of this plan. Preventative breast
care services and early detection and treatment of breast cancer are essential components of women’s health care that would not otherwise be readily available to women in our community. The significance of the continued and expanded presence of the Ashikari Comprehensive Breast Care Center in our community cannot be overstated,” the Senator added.

The Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry, a 50-bed hospital slated to close by the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century, would be re-opened by St. John’s Riverside Hospital, which will pilot an innovative health-care delivery model – designed to reduce hospitalizations and integrate primary care in the emergency room.

“Except in rural areas, New York has no financially viable health care delivery models that tailor services to target the needs of communities,“
Commissioner Daines said. “We need to shift the focus from institution based planning to patient-centered delivery systems. This Rivertowns community presents an optimal forum to test an alternative model for the health care: It’s a small community where health outcomes can be monitored and improvements can be measured.”

Chairman of the Board of Community Hospital, Gregory M. Fisk and Ronald J. Corti, Chief Executive Officer of Community Hospital said jointly, “We are grateful to the many people whose efforts contributed to keeping Community Hospital open. Most of all, we are grateful to Senator Stewart-Cousins, who led the charge from the anxious beginning to this happy end on behalf of the hospital and our community. For the many times you listened and made sure that our voices would be heard – by the Department of Health, by the Commission, by anyone who could help our cause – we thank you, Senator. Because of your leadership and advocacy we announce today that we will be here to serve our community for years to come.”

Andrea v. Nick...Here We Go Again?

Last week’s election was probably one of the more important elections in many years. Many Americans were feeling that stuck in a war that they never asked for. Many were speaking out against the present

Administration’s civil rights violations, including illegal wiretapping. Few would argue that the middle class is rapidly becoming extinct, and fewer still would dispute the probability that recent elections were stolen, and our nation’s finances have very seriously deteriorated under a President who has shown little respect for our Constitution. The American people would appear to have shown President Bush that they’re fed up with ‘business as usual’ by their behavior at the polls. As a result, Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate.

The election resulted in a virtual reversal of fortune for the Bush White House. As a result, voters are now anticipating greater accountability, expecting newly-elected members of both the House and Senate to stand up to Bush and Cheney. John Hall was elected for just that purpose.

Election night I covered Hall’s campaign at the Colonial Terrace Ballroom in Cortlandt Manor for the Westchester Guardian. Hundreds of people were gathered to watch the election returns while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There were people from all over the entire 19th Congressional District, and several from other districts as well. Many were people who had worked and campaigned hard for Hall.

Mingling with Hall’s supporters, I had the opportunity to speak with several about their support for him, and their expectations come January. From a group of 20 Local 1199 SEIU members, I spoke with a Ms. Lisa Brown who said she was there to support Hall, “because of his stance on Healthcare.” Dennis Rivera, Union President of Local 1199, had endorsed Hall for Congress. Arnie Paglia, a Cortland Manor resident and owner of the Division Street Grill in Peekskill, declared, “Sue Kelly didn’t have peripheral strength to stand up for the right thing.” He was happy to see the unseating of a complicit incumbent.

In his victory speech Hall spoke about “taking our country back” and said, “we as US citizens have a right to air our grievances with our government.” Taking a moment to thank his supporters, staff, family, and music industry colleagues, Hall said, it was “People-power which overcame $2 million in special interest money,” and, “Truth overcoming lies which sent him to Washington.” He told the crowd, “ We’re on the move to take back the country and returning power to the people from Corporate America.”

Being a founding member of the music group Orleans, Hall also felt that the power of music gave his campaign a spiritual recharge which lifted his drive to succeed in the election. Appropriately, he ended his speech singing, “I Am A Patriot” as the crowd joined in with jubilation.

The 19th Congressional District which encompasses Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Westchester and Putnam counties, was grossly under-represented by Republican Congresswoman Sue Kelly for the past 12 years. Sensing her impending loss, as a last-ditch effort Kelly’s campaign, aided by the Republican National Committee, literally bombarded voters with constant negative phone calls about John Hall, to the point where some complained that they were being called at least 10 times a day. It would appear that plan backfired.

Of course Jay Townsend, Kelly’s campaign spokesman, claims that she lost because of anger over Iraq, which he referred to as “a Democratic tsunami.” Townsend went on to further speculate, “it’s a six-year itch, when one party is in control of the White House for six years, it is normal to lose seats.”

It would appear, however, that there were more reasons. Kelly had voted to go to war in Iraq but in June voted with most Republicans to reject a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops. She refused a series of face-to-face debates, having voted along with the GOP for tax cuts to the wealthy and having expressed her belief that Indian Point did not need to be shut down. Furthermore Kelly, having held her seat for 12 years was seldome seen by the people in her district except on television at election time or when showing up for photo-ops with Republican office-holders at ribbon. As of last Thursday, Kelly had not conceded and was challenging the outcome of the election

Sentiment amongst most voters in the Hudson Valley was that John Hall had won. Hall expressed his belief that when all of the votes are tallied, he will be victorious. He had promised more visibility and accountability upon going to Washington.

The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg

Here We Go Again?
State Supreme Court, White Plains
Acting Supreme Court Justice Francis Nicolai Presiding

White Plains, Thursday, November 9th, attorneys for Andrea Stewart-Cousins, apparent winner in the race for State Senate in the 35th Senatorial District, and incumbent Nicolas Spano, appeared in State Supreme Court to file motions before Judge Francis Nicolai in connection with the documentation of the outcome of the election.
Present in the courtroom were Attorneys Henry Berger, and Jeff Pearlman, representing Stewart-Cousins, and John Ciampoli, and Anthony Mangone representing Spano, and Rosemarie Panio, Westchester County Republican Chair, respectively.

Also present were Democratic Election Commissioner Reginald LaFayette, his counter-part Republican Commissioner Carolee Sunderland, Democratic Deputy Commissioner Jeanie Palazzola, and her Republican counter-part Melissa Nacerino, as well as Assistant County Attorney Gallagher.

Prior to the arrival of Judge Nicolai, Commissioner LaFayette, responding to a reporter’s question, indicated, “Nothing has been opened yet.”

Commissioner Sunderland, asked about how many absentee ballots had been received, stated, “There are more than twentyseven hundred so far, with more coming in until next Tuesday.”

Immediately upon entering Judge Nicolai offered, “I would suggest that what might be best at this time would be a brief adjournment until we see what develops.”

Attorney Berger responded, “I think that we can wait until next Thursday.”

Attorney Ciampoli agreed, however asking the Court if he might have “a survey of all the
paper ballots.”

Judge Nicolai expressed a willingness to go along with the request, and set Thursday November
16th, at 3pm for reopening of the hearing.

Outside the courthouse, remembering the record-setting, more-than-three-month election dispute between Stewart-Cousins and Spano following their contest in 2004, The Westchester Guardian asked Republican Attorney Ciampoli, “So, we’re not anticipating a protracted litigation, are we?”

Ciampoli responded, “I never anticipate anything. We’ll see what happens.”

Confronted with the same inquiry, Attorney Berger responded with an immediate, “No.”

Spano Asks County Executive to Create Inter-Agency Task Force

State Senator Nicholas Spano, responding to his opponent Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ call for Justice Department
poll monitors for next week’s coming election, stated that he had already approached County Executive Andy Spano in a letter two weeks ago, asking him to set up a task force in cooperation with the Justice Department to insure that no voters are disenfranchised.

Spano complained two years ago that people were bused in from the Bronx and elsewhere, into the 35th District. Those allegations were never substantiated.

Stewart-Cousins Writes Justice Department For Poll Monitors

Last Monday Democratic candidate for State Senate from the 35th District, Andrea Stewart-Cousins held
a press conference at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, in part, to announce that she had sent a letter to
the Department of Justice in Washington requesting poll watchers for the upcoming election, in light of the irregularities and difficulties encountered by voters in her contest with Nick Spano in 2004.

County Legislators Jose Alvarado, and Lois Bronz were both present. Alvarado charged, “All we have in our polling places in my district are bullies.” Lois Bronz complained,“Irregularities two years ago surely impacted the outcome of the election.”

Stewart-Cousins, stepping to the podium, declared, “In 2004 there was a lack of poll workers equipped with maps to direct voters to the right polling places, and overaggressive Republican poll watchers intimidating voters
in some areas of Yonkers.

Sen. Nick Spano Selects Tricia Business Image.Com to Receive State Senate’s “New York WORKS!” Award

New York State has 1.4 million small businesses and small business owners. The “New York WORKS!” Award was created by the State Senate to recognize our State’s small businesses and the hard work of local small business owners. Small businesses are part of the fastest growing sector of our economy and are responsible, either directly or indirectly, for providing jobs and career opportunities.

Senator Nick Spano (Westchester) said, “I am pleased to select Tricia Business Image. Com to be a recipient of a “New York WORKS!” Award. As a full-service web design and development firm, Tricia Business
Image.Com is a cutting-edge ‘help-mate’ that translates business goals and strategies into working web-based applications thus providing businesses with the tools that they will need to compete, survive and excel in the twenty-first century.”

‘Tricia’ participates in the growth of New York’s economy by indirectly growing jobs through the use of a variety of consultants that are hired based on the specific needs of each individual project that ‘Tricia’ undertakes”.

Senator Spano continued “I am pleased to select Tricia Business Image.Com for this Award as an cknowledgement of the company itself and the contributions of its founder, Patricia McDow, who balances
running ‘Tricia’, with being the 1st District Councilwoman, Majority Leader of the City Council and a board member of a number of local organizations.”

In conclusion, Senator Spano said “Selecting September 22, 2006 as the presentation date gives me the opportunity not only to present the “New York WORKS!” Award, but also to acknowledge and congratulate
Patricia McDow on the day that has been designated American Women’s Business Day.”

Andrea Stewart-Cousins Blasts Republican Opponent

Democratic State Senate Candidate Declares “Albany is Still Broken” and Claims Republican Senator Spano Asleep at the Switch

Democratic State Senate Candidate Andrea Stewart-Cousins emerged victorious in a debate with 20-year Republican incumbent Nick Spano, calling for fundamental reform and blasting Spano for 20 years of failure in Albany.

“Republican Nick Spano is clearly still asleep,” said Stewart-Cousins. “Albany is still broken, yet he continues to defend the status quo at every turn. We need a State Senator who from Day One will work with Eliot Spitzer to bring new leadership and real change.”

Republican Spano, throughout the debate, repeatedly defended the status quo:

• Although Albany remains the most dysfunctional legislature in the country, Spano mentioned “reform” as one
of his three greatest accomplishments.

• Although Yonkers still ranks dead last among the Big 4 cities in school funding, Spano repeatedly defended the state’s school funding formula.

• Although the Journal News rebuked Spano for his misleading attack ad that doctored several of the newspaper’s articles, he continued to mislead voters, grossly distorting facts and unfairly criticizing Stewart-
Cousins for a decision in which she played no role.

By contrast, Democrat Stewart-Cousins called for meaningful reform:

• She called for an increase in education funding and emphasized the importance of targeting high-needs districts first, as expressed in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision.

• She pledged to fight to lower property taxes and restore fiscal responsibility to Albany, demanding an end to the unfunded mandates passed down by a state government that spends recklessly and sticks counties with
the bill.

• She asserted that she will work with Eliot Spitzer to transform Albany’s “pay-to-play” culture that benefits lobbyists and insiders at the expense of the rest of us.

Democrat Stewart-Cousins is running for State Senate in a rematch of a fiercely contested 2004 campaign against Republican State Senator Nick Spano. In 2004, Stewart-Cousins came within just 18 votes of defeating
her Republican opponent, an 18-year incumbent, despite being dramatically outspent.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins Announces Three-Point Plan to Combat Voter Disenfranchisement in Sept. 12th Primary

Democrat Stewart-Cousins, Addressing Newly Relocated Polling Places, Calls on Board of Elections to Ensure
that Voters Know When, Where and How to Vote

Yonkers , NY — Democratic State Senate candidate Andrea Stewart-Cousins today called on the Westchester Board of Elections to implement a three-point plan to ensure that every vote is counted in the September 12th primary election.

Stewart-Cousins stated: “In 2004, thousands of votes were thrown out due to voter confusion; that could have -- and should have -- been prevented. This Primary Day, we must do everything possible to make sure that voters understand when, where and how to vote. We must ensure that every vote is counted.”

In 2004, thousands of voters were disenfranchised due to a lack of “Street Finders” at polling locations -- books that tell voters the proper Election District in which to vote -- and a lack of staff directing people to the correct voting machines.

This year, the Westchester Board of Elections has moved several poll locations to allow for handicapped accessibility.

To ensure that the confusion that disenfranchised thousands of voters in 2004 does not occur on Primary Day, Stewart-Cousins introduced her Three-Point Plan:

1. Westchester Board of Elections should send out a follow-up mailing to all voters assigned to new poll locations, stating in large font that the location has changed, and providing the address of the new location.

2. Adequately staff all polling locations and assign individuals to help direct voters to the proper voting machines.

3. Ensure that Street Finders are placed at every polling location. The Stewart-Cousins Three-Point Plan will help eliminate confusion on Primary Day and represents a crucial first step in ensuring a fair and honest election
on November 7th.

Democrat Stewart-Cousins is running for State Senate in a rematch of a fiercely contested 2004 campaign against Republican State Senator Nick Spano. In 2004, Stewart-Cousins came within just 18 votes of defeating her Republican opponent, an 18-year incumbent, despite being dramatically outspent.

SPANO CHAIRED INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE PROBES UNDERAGE DRINKING EPIDEMIC

Investigations Committee Probe to Include Testimony on New York’s liquor laws and regulations, the State Liquor Authority’s role, efforts and effectiveness in enforcement, the use of optical scanning devices to check identification at ‘cabarets’, the use of Lottery terminals as a ID-checking mechanism, mandating training for holders of ‘on-premise’ licenses, training and licensing of servers, and training and licensing of all ‘bouncers’.

“From the activity that has been going on since I first announced that today’s hearing would be taking place, it appears that we have hit a nerve.” said Senator Nick Spano (Westchester), Chair of the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations. “Not only has there been activity at the highest levels of the State Liquor Authority, but we have also seen The Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association unveil a new plan to train bars, taverns and other establishments that hold liquor licenses.”

Continuing, Senator Spano stated “Obtaining some movement on this critically important issue in advance of our Public Hearing is a definitely a positive sign. There is no doubt in my mind that everyone knows the severity of the underage drinking problem --- whether it be in New York City, the suburbs or other regions of our State.

Now, using a combination of better licensing, up-to-date training and state-of-the-art technology, our job is to
convert this knowledge into a positive, concrete plan of action.”

“The State Liquor Authority needs to adhere more to community input and enforcing existing laws, like the 500 foot rule and they must accept more responsibility for their licensed facilities so that the nature and character of our neighborhoods are protected and preserved.”, stated Senator Frank Padavan (Queens).

Senator Marty Golden (Brooklyn) stated, “I commend my colleagues Senators Nick Spano and Frank Padavan, for addressing an issue that threatens the safety of all New Yorkers. As a former New York City Police Officer, I have witnessed first hand the harmful consequences of underage drinking, and other violations of State law. New York State’s Liquor laws must be enforced in order to allow for all of us to live in a society that is respectable and secure. I believe that communities throughout New York will be for the better because of these hearings and subsequent legislative action.”

The focus of the Senate Committee on Investigations & Government Operations Public Hearing is New York’s liquor laws and regulations, the State Liquor Authority’s role, efforts and effectiveness in enforcement, the use of optical scanning devices to check identification at ‘cabarets’, the use of Lottery terminals as a ID-checking mechanism, mandating training for holders of ‘on-premise’ licenses, training and licensing of servers, and training and licensing of all ‘bouncers’.

The following individuals are slated to speak at the Public Hearing:

Robert Bookman, General Counsel, New York Nightlife Assoc.

Daniel Boyle, Chairman, New York State Liquor Authority

Brian Conroy, Deputy Chief, Commander of Vice Unit, New York Police Dept.

Honorable Richard N. Gottfried, Member, New York State Assembly

Susan Howard, Lower East Side Alliance & Norfork Street Block Assoc.

E. Charles Hunt, Executive Vice Pres. NYS Restaurant Assoc. (NYC Office)

Honorable Christine Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council

Carol Sears, Chapter President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) West. Cty.

Scott Wexler, Executive Director, NYS Restaurant & Tavern Assoc.

The Committee on Investigations and Government Operations’ Public Hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., September 7, 2006, at 250 Broadway, New York, in the 19th floor Senate Hearing Room.

Senator Nick Spano Expands Public Hearing Scope on Liquor Laws, Regulations & Bars

Spano Chaired Investigations Committee to Take Testimony on Five Additional Areas of Interest and Concern
Public Hearing Scheduled for September 7, 2006

Senator Nick Spano (Westchester), Chair of the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, announced on August 28 that he has expanded the scope of testimony that will be heard at the September 7, 2006, Public Hearing.

In addition to probing New York’s liquor laws and regulations and the State Liquor Authority’s role, efforts and effectiveness in enforcement, testimony will also be taken on the use of optical scanning devices to check identifi-cation at ‘cabarets’, the use of New York State Lottery terminals as an ID-checking mechanism, mandating training for all holders of ‘on-premise’ licenses, training and licensing of servers, and training and licensing of
all ‘bouncers’.

Senator Nick Spano said, “After seeing firrsthand the condition of some Chelsea area club patrons at closing time, I am more determined than ever that New York has no time to lose in putting the brakes on liquor law violations that are evidently going on inside these clubs. However, before passing laws that may seem appropriate on their face but, for some reason, may not be feasible or workable, I have expanded the scope of testimony that will be accepted at the Committee’s September 7 Public Hearing.”

Andrea Stewart-Cousins Blasts Nick Spano For Misleading Attack Ad

Negative Ad Reveals Spano’s Confusion About Geography Of His District

Yonkers, NY – On Monday, August 28, Democratic State Senate candidate Andrea Stewart-Cousins blasted Republican State Senator Nick Spano for reaching a “new low in dirty campaigning” by unleashing a new, misleading attack ad. The ad attempts to link Democratic Stewart-Cousins to pedophiles and sex offenders in “our backyard”, while showing pictures of children and suburban neighborhoods. The ad tries to justify the linkage by attacking her for failing to oppose the placement of a homeless shelter in Senator Spano’s district.

Stewart-Cousins, however, does not represent the district into which the shelter was moved and the Westchester County Legislature, where Stewart-Cousins serves, had no role in the decision to relocate the shelter.

“Republican Nick Spano is following the classic Karl Rove strategy of making misleading charges against his opponent to attempt to distract voters from his record of failure in Albany,” said Stewart-Cousins. “Apparently,
after 20 years in office, Sen. Spano still does not understand where his district is. His ad criticizes me for failing to oppose the placement of a shelter in his own district. I do not represent that district – he does. When I came within 18 votes of defeating him in 2004, he said that it was a ‘wake up call.” Well, he’s apparently hit the snooze button.”

Republican Sen. Spano’s ad refers to the movement of the Grasslands homeless shelter from the county airport to the town of Valhalla. Sen. Spano represents Valhalla. Stewart-Cousins does not.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shelley Mayer Call For Passage Of Civil Confinement Law

Last Thursday, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, candidate for State Senate in the 35th District, and Shelley Mayer running for State Assembly in the 93rd District, held a joint press conference in front of the Westchester County Courthouse to renew their call for immediate passage of a strong Civil Confinement Statute to deal with dangerous sexual offenders. Former United States Attorney Denise O’Donnell accompanied the candidates, making an introductory statement that the passage of a civil confinement statute, “is not a law enforcement
issue.” Declaring, “It’s the fault of the Legislature that we do not have the legislation we need,” O’Donnell endorsed Mayer for Assembly and Stewart-Cousins for State Senate, as “the people we need to breakup the gridlock and get the bill passed.”

Repeatedly stressing that the Senate and Assembly versions of the bill are very similar, candidate Mayer, a former Assistant Attorney General, asked, “When we have two bills that are very close, why can’t we get the bill
passed?” Mayer concluded, “We simply need the Assembly and the Senate to get together.”

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, stepping up to the podium, remarked, “Amongst the many bills Governor Pataki will be signing today, there is one bill that is not on the Governor’s desk, the Civil Confinement Law.” She continued, “Failure to enact that legislation is unacceptable because we must make some Due Process occur for people who pose a danger to our families. They must be processed and assessed.”

Railing against “the dysfunctional Legislature,” and “Albany Gridlock,” Stewart-Cousins opined, “Despite two bills that are very similar we still do not have a bill that can be passed.”

She responded to a reporter who asked “If you’re elected as a Democrat, will you face gridlock given the dominance of Republicans in the State Senate?” Stewart-Cousins observed, “Change happens when you change the people. When I arrive in Albany, the message will be loud and clear. The People will have spoken, and I will be working closely with a new Democratic Governor, and together we will help bring about change.”