It’s A Lobotomy! Spano Administration Loses ‘Brain’
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- January
- 22
Today’s political shocker is that Larry “The Brain” Schwartz, the deputy county executive is leaving the cozy confines of Westchester County to work for Gov. David Paterson.
Schwartz is called “The Brain” after the cartoon character because he provides most of the thought process for the incumbent emperor, County Executive Andy Spano, aka “Pinky.”
No more Larry…It’s hard to believe. We loved his crazy office memos and his diatribes, known as “Larry Grams,” which he fired off to editors and various political opponents.
What will Spano do now? The Brain did just about everything, short of tying Andy’s shoes.
And now, he’ll be first deputy secretary to the governor, which is very high up in the food chain. This tells us that Paterson’s office is in a state of disorganization and needs a fix-it. Here comes The Brain with a wrench!
Word has it that Schwartz will be replaced by Sue Tolchin, and that her post as chief adviser will not be filled. Here’s a bet: They do replace her at some point down the line, but change the title.
The following is the full press release sent out today from the county’s Office of Propaganda.
DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE LARRY SCHWARTZ TAKING STATE JOB;
SUSAN TOLCHIN APPOINTED AS REPLACEMENT
Larry Schwartz, who has served the Spano Administration from the start in top positions, is leaving his job as deputy county executive to take a high-level position in the administration of Gov. David A. Paterson.
Schwartz, a resident of White Plains, will serve as first deputy secretary to the governor, reporting directly to Paterson and Secretary to the Governor William J. Cunningham III as they work to address the range of issues affecting New York State.
“I make this announcement with mixed emotions,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “Larry has been someone I have relied on every day, and the people of this county have benefited from his work. He is someone with the highest ethical standards and has been a personal friend. But this is a tremendous opportunity for him. The county’s loss is indeed the state’s gain.”
Spano announced that Susan Tolchin, who is currently both chief advisor and director of communications, will replace Schwartz as deputy county executive.
“Like Larry, Susan has been with me since I first took office. She knows county government and I have always relied on her wise counsel,” Spano said. “She is highly respected by those who work with her, and I have total confidence in her to help lead this administration through these difficult times.”
Victoria Hochman and Donna Greene, presently deputy communications directors, will be appointed co-communications directors. The position of chief advisor will not be filled.
The changes are effective Feb. 2.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm by Phil Reisman.
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Phil Reisman is a veteran journalist and native of Westchester County. He began his career in 1977 as the head copy boy of a startup New York City newspaper that quickly went belly up. Reisman was not to blame for the newspaper's failure, or so he claims.
