The group that wants to eliminate  Westchester County government reminds me of the villagers in the old Frankenstein movies who, armed with farming implements and torches, chase the monster into the old windmill and light it on fire. The “monster” in the eyes of many taxpayers is Andy Spano and/or Bill “Boss” Ryan and they are certainly feeling the heat.

This is a slash and burn movement, and any county official who scoffs at  at it does so at their own peril.

Last night, I went to the Rethinking County Government group’s meeting in White Plains and it was interesting to see that at least one higher up in the Spano Administration, does, indeed, take them seriously. Larry Schwartz, the deputy county executive and political-strategic brain behind the county regime, listened intently and could be seen furiously taking notes.

It’s an eclectic bunch, to say the least. Many of the organizers are renegade Democrats from the No-Spano-Zones of Greenburgh and Yonkers e.g. Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Yonkers City Councilwoman Joan Gronowski. Another leading figure was White Plains City Councilman Glenn Hockley. Others in attendance included Yonkers City Councilman Liam McLaughlin and former city councilman Dennis Robertson.

Another interesting character was Sam Zherka, the publisher of the Westchester Guardian and noted strip-club owner. He was invited to come up to the microphone where he talked up the idea of having “thousands” of protestors marching against county government in White Plains. Hence, my Frankenstein imagery.

In any event, this group is soliciting for money…and Zherka was the only one I saw who has deep pockets.

Spano dismisses the leaders of this group as “disingeneous.” Feiner, for one has had to raise taxes in his town considerably in recent budget years. Gronowski’s city of Yonkers is facing layoffs of up to 300 employees.

“That may be a cover,” Spano said. “This may be a cover for that.”

The battle is on. If you believe Feiner, antagonism will reign. Among other things, he wants to recruit 17 “pests,” one for each member of the county Board of Legislators, to watch every move the make and every vote they take and report back.