Astorino Wins Debate
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- October
- 28
The best thing about tonight’s debate between the candidates in the Westchester County executive’s race is that it was over before the start of the first game of the World Series. So I watched the whole debate.
If I were forced to give a peformance grade to the combatants, I’d say that Rob Astorino, the Republican challenger got an A-minus grade and Andy Spano, the incumbent Democrat got a “gentleman’s C.” I know I give Spano a hard time, but by any objective analysis Astorino clearly won the debate that was aired on Cablevision’s News 12.
Astorino came across as polished, prepared and pugilistic—the three “P’s.” Spano came across as, well, tired. He sounded like he was mailing it in.
The most annoying thing about Astorino’s message was his constant reference to his Web site. Spano’s mantra was that Astorino was “divisive.” Most interesting, however, was that Spano, knowing he was on TV, mightily restrained himself from coming across as a grumpy, old codger—which is the way he appeared in previous untelevised debates.
The result was that Astorino got the aggressive upper hand. He started out the debate by telling the viewers what Spano was going to tell them. For instance. he said Spano would complain that the county’s high property taxes aren’t his responsibility. Also, Astorino predicted Spano would claim credit for the county’s a triple bond rating. without explaining that the rating is high because the local municipalties are responsible to make good on the prioperty tax collections. And he was right—Spano couldn’t veer from his script and he mentioned most of the things Astorino said he would.
And he kept pounding Spano on taxes, on Playland, on the affordable housing settlement and even on Spano’s driver-bodyguards. Spano still hasn’t come up with an answer to that one.
Spano seemed lost at times. When he tried to score on a Fair Campaign Practices Committee that faulted Astorino, he garbled the answer with an inside-baseball explanation that must have been lost on the average viewer.
Astorino also got off a good one-liner, maybe the best one of the night. As he has all through the campaign, Spano read aloud the breakdown on Astorino’s property tax bill to make the point that the county portion of the bill isn’t high. This was an effective “gotcha” in the first debate between the candidates. But this time, Spano garbled it.
Then in an aside, Astorino leaned over to Spano and said. “It’s a little creepy that you’ve been snooping around in my taxes.”
Phillies Win Game 1
Astorino Wins Debate 3
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 7:42 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.
Phil,
Astorino may look younger, which he is, but do one liners, barbs, and hubris win a local debate. I hope not.
Here’s my assessment of the debate. Whether you love or hate Spano personally, Westchester County is in good shape. Counties, states, and many local governments across the country are out of money and in dire financial shape. Westchester County is an exception. Spano should at least get credit for running a sound county.
Astorino’s is hanging is candidacy on the madness of Spano’s taxes which are driving families from Westchester County. Spano was right in pulling Astorino’s tax bill. I strongly suggest everyone do the same as you will find that Astorino’s claims are completely and totally without merit, fact, and have no basis in reality.
Here’s the breakdown of my property tax bill. For 2009 I paid a total of $14,167. $10,977 was paid to my school district and $3190 went to State, County, Town, Highway, and Fire Department Taxes. Now I’m not sure how much of the last number goes directly to the county but I’m sure the state and my town take a good chunk. But that aside, let’s say that the county kept that $3190 and Astorino was able to reduce Westchester County taxes by 20% despite that he has no experience running any part of government. That would save me $638 per year.
Is this what Astorino’s making all this noise about…saving me $638 a year which assumes he never raises taxes.
This sounds like smoke and mirrors to me which I now find insulting. Astorino looses in my opinion.
I watched the same debate and couldn’t help but notice that Spano at least had a grasp of the facts and supported his position with examples and statistics. Astorino offered hubris and your, preferred, one liners with no clear direction of how it might accomplish his promises. When Astorino was asked how he was going to save the county millions if he became County Exec. he offered driving himself to work, staff attrition, and not much else. Does he really know how he would reduce expenses in the county that would result in a reduction of taxes? I wonder?
The most telling part of Astorino, is the fact that his main campaign strategy is to hammer home high taxes which should be blamed on Spano. I personally pay my property tax bill, not my bank. What Spano said is 100% accurate. Our crazy taxes in Westchester County are not due to County taxes at all. My bill for example for this year was $15,897. My school taxes amounted to $10,977,
I’ll gladly take the $638 if you don’t want it.
$638 buys me fifteen weeks of gasoline for my Chevvy. Nice start. Furthermore, the uber liberal mind-think of Andy Spano and his champions are the reason that school taxes are in the stratosphere and will continue to escalate.
What about Spano’s mortgage recording tax? It’s criminal.
It cost me a house full of furniture. Ate up my entire budget. It was a nice welcoming tax from Andy Spano.
He has to go.
Andy Spano is like a car that was full of gas in 1998 when he took office with lots of ideas for county government – and 12 years later that car is out of car and in bad shape. I am not sure that Astorino is perfect guy for job (Rep legislators like Oros & Maisano would have been better), but he certainly will bring fresh ideas and energy to the job. It is pretty hard to argue that this county government does not need change. If Obama was correct that the federal government needed change, Astorino is correct that county government would benefit from some change. I am a moderate voter and have voted for Spano in past, and Astorino is a bit conservative for me, but I am definitely giving him a chance next week. Number 1 reason: It is unquestionable that the Spano Administration’s handling on the federal funds that led us to that false claims lawsuit was blatantly incompetent, and it was even worse to enter into a terrible settlement rather than fight to protect the taxpayers.
Key and succinct word here is “creepy.”
Playland is an absolute, precious treasure. I would be willing to bet it is the single most beloved park in the county. That is what makes it all the more outrageous that this park continues to operate at the published rate of a 3 million dollar loss per year, over the last 12 years. When you consider what this gem has to offer and the considerable advantages it enjoys, it is almost beyond comprehension that it can not at least break even.
Playland has the most scenic location in Westchester County, the view of Long Island Sound is breathtaking.
It has a fabulous boardwalk, beach and pool complex. The County swim championships are held at the pool and the Westchester Triathlon begins at the beach.
Playland has a wonderful ice rink, once practice home to the New York Rangers. This facility host’s private parties, college and high school games as well as open skating sessions.
The Edith Read Sanctuary is located at Playland park, this fabulous wild life sanctuary is a major stopping point on the east coast for birds migrating south for the winter. It also offers a quite, scenic trail around Playland lake.
There are boating, barbecuing and picnicking opportunities around the lake as well, or you can fish and kyack, just a stones throw away on Long Island Sound.
If you are into miniature golf you can do that as well.
The park is also an historic landmark, the first amusement park of its kind in the nation with historic rides like the Dragon Coaster.
The location is easily accessible right off 95 and has plenty of parking. It is also serviced by public transportation. Not to mention it is within easy reach of one of the most densely populated regions of the country.
They have a great Gazebo that can handle large groups for outdoor private affairs.
Playland offers wonderful fireworks and has free concerts.
Playland has virtually no competition within easy reach that offers anywhere near the multiple recreation opportunities Playland does.
I don’t know for sure but do they even pay property taxes.
The County sure has spent enough on consultants, of course that seems to have been a colossal waste of money.
What private corporation would ever allow someone to operate a similar facility, with all of the above advantages at a loss, for as many years as Playland has been losing money for, and still allow that person to retain their position. The current administration has had more than it’s fair share of chances to prove they were up to the task. Time is up!
Check out the poll results from RNN-TV and Siena.