Larry Sharpe

BRONX – Representatives from the New York State Libertarian Party handed in 31,615 petition signatures on August 21 to the New York State Board of Elections, ensuring Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe will appear on the November 6 ballot for New York Governor.

Sharpe’s campaign said in a media release that by turning in more than double the signatures required to obtain ballot access, it has insulated the grassroots candidate from possible legal challenges by the two major parties.

“Moving past this milestone allows Sharpe, the only candidate not funded by special interests or lobbyists, to focus on policy and continue his relentless trek across the state to engage voters,” the campaign said in a media release.

According to the campaign, Sharpe is a Bronx native, a Marine Corps veteran, an entrepreneur, and a management consultant with 15 years of experience mentoring international executives, entrepreneurs and sales people. He is also a teacher, previously serving as a guest instructor for business management and leadership at institutions such as Yale University, Columbia University, Baruch College and John Jay College.

Sharpe’s platform as candidate for Governor includes making education more effective through innovation, reforming the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation, and building an economy that works for all of New York State.

For more information about Larry Sharpe’s plan for New York, visit www.LarrySharpe.com.

Image from www.facebook.com/andrewcuomo

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo will remain in office for four more years.

That after voters across New York went to the polls on Tuesday to vote for the top office in New York State – along with several other statewide, regional and local offices.

With nearly all election precincts reporting by the end of Election Day, Cuomo had collected about 54 percent of the statewide vote, with Republican challenger Rob Astorino of Westchester County picking up 41 percent and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins coming in a distant third with just over 5 percent.

Shortly after the close of the polls on Tuesday, the Associated Press declared Cuomo the winner. During his victory speech, the governor focused on his campaign’s rhetoric – playing up his accomplishments of the last four years, which include legislation involving property tax assistance, new jobs and on-time budgets. The governor also promised those in attendance that he was just getting started and that New Yorkers “ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The governor said during the next four years he will focus on raising the minimum wage, improving public education, fighting the local property tax burden, passing the Women’s Equality Act and passing the DREAM Act.

Schneiderman, DiNapoli Win Re-Election

In addition to Cuomo’s victory, the two other state-wide office holder also picked up re election wins for their respective offices. Both Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli will serve four more years in Albany following wins on Election night.

Schneiderman defeated Republican opponent John Cahill 58-39 percent, while DiNapoli bested his Republican opponent Robert Antonacci, 61-36 percent. It was the first re-election for both Democrats.

Reed Cruises to Third Congressional Term

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) with his family following news that he won re-election on Election Night, 2014. (photo from www.Twitter.com/TomReedCongress)

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) will remain in office for at least two more years. The two-term Republican from Corning easily defeated his lone challenger – Martha Robertson (D-Dryden) from Dryden New York – by a margin of nearly 63 to 37 percent. The unofficial Election Night total from CNN had Reed picking up more than 105,000 votes across the 23^rd Congressional District, while Robertson was able to pick up just over 63,000.

Reed fared especially well in the western section of his district, which includes Chautauqua County. He picked up an estimated 40,600 votes in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties compared to the 20,000 that Robertson Received. The only county Robertson won was her home of Tompkins County – where she received over 14,000 votes compared to just 5,700 for Reed.

GOP Retakes State Senate

While Republicans were unable to win any of the three statewide offices, the GOP did find some success in the state’s upper legislative chamber.

It appears that Republicans will once again have sole control of the state Senate with candidates picking up enough wins to attain the required 32-vote majority.

Statewide, there were enough GOP victories rolling in around 11 p.m. on Election Night for Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos to declare in a statement that “New Yorkers have chosen balance and bipartisanship over an entire state government made up of Democrats from New York City, and placed their trust in Republicans to lead the Senate.”

Democrats later conceded that they weren’t going to win the majority.

It remained unclear whether members of the Independent Democratic Conference, led by Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein, would once again join forces with the Republicans, as they have for the past two years, or ally with their minority-conference Democratic colleagues.

Locally, Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) picked up her fifth term in office after running unopposed.

In the State Assembly, the Demcrats picked up a seat and increase their majority with 99 of the 150 seats.

Goodell, Gerace and Piazza win County-Wide Races

Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R-Chautauqua) and Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace (D-Jamestown) both won re-election, while Jeffrey Piazza was a four-way race to be the county’s new Family Court Judge.

In the Local elections here in Chautauqua County, it was a big night for the two candidates who hold county wide offices.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who’s 150^th district covers all of and only Chautauqua County, cruised to a third term in office after easily defeating democratic challenger Barrie Yochim. With all districts in the county reporting, Goodell picked up 75 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace cruised to a sixth term in office, defeating Republican Challenger Russell Payne from Frewsburg by a margin of 63 to 37 percent.

In the race for the newly created second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge position, republican Jeffrey A. Piazza of Jamestown easily defeated his three opponents. Piazza picked up 59 percent of the votes throughout the county. In addition to running as a Republican, Piazza also ran on Conservative and Independence party lines.

Democrat Sally Jaroszynski, picked up 28.5 percent of the vote, Fredonia Republican Michael J. Sullivan, who ran on the Green Party line, picked up 6.6 percent of the vote while Working Families candidate James J. Spann, received 5.81 percent of the vote.

Rankin Defeats Kresge in District 12 Special Election

The Chautauqua County Legislature will have a new member serving on the panel. Republican Elisabeth Rankin won the special election for the District 12 seat which cover the north side of Jamestown, picking up nearly 52 percent of the votes. Rankin was challenging Democrat Beth Kresge – who was appointed to the seat earlier this year after it was vacated by Fred Larson, who had to step down after being appointed as the new Jamestown city court judge.

Rankin picked up an unofficial election night total of 746 votes, compared to Kresge’s 691.

All Three State Propositions Pass

State voters were supporting all three ballot propositions, according to unofficial returns on Tuesday night.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1 – the amendment that would retool the state’s redistricting practice, the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political districts.

And Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Smart Schools Bond Act, Proposal 3, which would generate $2 billion to improve classroom technology and other elements of educational infrastructure, also saw approval, as did Proposal 2, the constitutional amendment that would eliminate the need for legislative bills to be printed and supplied to every lawmaker before being considered.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (left) and his Republican Opponent Rob Astorino.

BUFFALO – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo squared off Wednesday night against three of his opponents in this year’s election, including Rob Astorino – the Republican County Executive from Westchester County.

The only debate to feature four of the five candidates that will appear on the ballot on Nov. 4 took place in Buffalo and was televised on PBS and also broadcast on several public radio stations across the state.

Joining Cuomo and Astorino were Libertarian Michael McDermott and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. The other person who will appear on the Ballot – Steven Cohn from the Sapient Party – did not attend the debate.

Cuomo and Astorino spent much of the debate attacking each others record. Astorino explained that Cuomo is connected to corruption in Albany and uses his business tax break policy to secure sweet heart deals with companies that will support him and his campaign. Cuomo, meanwhile, noted that Rob Astorino’s views are too conservative to lead New York state. He also pointed out that during Astorino’s time as County Executive, Westchester County has seen this highest property tax increase in all of new York state and currently has the highest property tax rate in the nation.

McDermott – the libertarian candidate – used his time to criticize the major-party candidates and urged voters to carefully consider their options. He also said his focus will be on less government involvement for residents and businesses across the state.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins voiced opposition to hydraulic fracturing and said the state needs to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Astorino supports hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, while Cuomo has said he wants to wait for a study on fracking’s health effects before deciding whether to allow the drilling practice.

Polls show Cuomo leads Astorino and the three other candidates by double digits.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (left) and his Republican challenger Rob Astorino.

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Republican opponent in this year’s election says the governor should debate him several times in in the weeks building up to Election day.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino says the governor owes it to voters to debate him on the issues. According to the Astorino Campaign, it is especially important that several debates take place, based on his claims that New York has the highest taxes in America, the worst economic outlook, and its state government ranks as the most corrupt in the nation.

Astorino’s campaign says the governor should debate the Republican challenger a total of eight times, with each debate taking place in a different region of the station. The governor has said that he would look into scheduling a debate with Astorino, but so far has not committed to a specific time or location.

Astorino is one of several candidates running against Cuomo in this year’s election. Others include Howie Hawkins (Green Party), Michael McDermott (Libertarian Party), Jimmy McMillan (Rent is Too Damn High Party), Steve Cohn (Sapient Party) and Michael Carey (Life & Liberty Party).  Election Day is Nov. 4.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo easily defeated upstart liberal challenger Zephyr Teachout in Tuesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. The victory by the incumbent governor sets up a November race against Rob Astorino, the Republican candidate and current executive of Westchester County.

Cuomo had over 60 percent of the votes and Teachout, a Fordham University law professor, had just over 34 percent. Drug law activist Randy Credico came in third.

Teachout was largely unknown to voters, but her presence on the ballot nonetheless served as a liberal rebuke to the popular incumbent, and highlighted his sometimes uneasy relationship with his party’s base.

In Chautauqua County, Cuomo received more than 65 percent of the vote while Teachout received just over 26 percent.

Cuomo’s running mate, former Buffalo congresswoman Kathy Hochul, also won Tuesday, beating Columbia University law professor Tim Wu.

Highlighting this year’s primary is the race for governor and lieutenant governor for the Democratic party, with three candidates on the ballot for governor and two candidates on the ballot for lt. governor.

• COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES ON THIS YEAR’S LOCAL BALLOTS

THREE VIE FOR DEMOCRATIC ENDORSEMENT IN GOVERNOR’S RACE

In the governor’s race, incumbent Andrew Cuomo (Kisco, NY) will facing upstart challenger Zephyr Teachout (Brooklyn, NY) and fellow challenger Randy Credico (New York, NY). Teachout is a Fordham University professor who’s garnered a lot of attention after winning a court decision that would allow her name to remain on the ballot following a challenge by Cuomo’s campaign. Credico is a Comedian and considered a long-shot candidate.

In the Democratic Primary race for Lt. Governor, Kathy Hochul of Erie County has been tapped to be governor’s Cuomo’s running mate, replacing current lt. Gov. Robert Duffy of Rochester, who announced earlier this year he would not be seeking a second term as lt. governor Hochul is running against fellow democrat and Teachout running mate Timothy Wu.

FAMILY COURT JUDGE RACES HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL PRIMARIES

In addition to the democratic primary for governor, there will also be six party primaries in the newly created office for a second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge. A total of four candidates will have their names on the ballot, with all of them vying for at least one of the six party endorsement.

In the Democratic Party primary for that office, Falconer attorney Sally Jaroszynski, who is currently Ellicott Town Justice, will be facing Westfield attorney James Spann Jr. – who currently serves as the Westfield town justice.

For the Republican Party, Jamestown attorney Jeffry Piazza will be running against Fredonia Mayor and attorney Michael Sullivan.

In addition, Piazza, Sullivan and Spann will be competing for the endorsement of the Conservative Party.

Both Spann and Sullivan are candidates for the Working Families Party.

For the Independence Party, Piazza, Spann and Sullivan are all running for endorsement.

And for the Green Party, Spann and Sullivan are running for endorsement.

DISTRICT 12 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FEATURE INDEPENDENCE PARTY PRIMARY

There is also a primary for Jamestown residents who live in district 12 for the Chautauqua County Legislature. That seat is having a special election in November, since current legislator and Democrat Beth Kresge was only appointed to the seat earlier this year. She’ll be facing Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin in the November general election. However, both candidates are also vying for the Independence Party endorsement on primary day – meaning any registered members of the independence party that live in District 12 will have the opportunity to vote for one of the two.

Primary day is on Tuesday, Sept. 9. All Chautauqua County poll sites will be open from Noon to 9 p.m.  Voters can find their personal voter information at www.votechautauqua.com.

Westchester County Executive and 2014 NY Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino.

HAWTHORNE, NY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino will outline his plan to improve public education in New York State at a news conference Tuesday morning outside of Hawthorne Elementary School in Westchester County.

Astorino is the two-term Westchester County Executive running for New York governor on the Republican ticket. He began his public service career as an elected school board member, with all three of his children currently attending public school. His wife, Sheila, is also a special education teacher in Westchester County.

Both Astorino and Democratic Party candidate Zephyr Teachout have been critical of current governor Andrew Cuomo and the way his administration have rolled out the controversial Common Core teaching standards.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino has actually lost ground in the polls, just two months into his campaign to unseat Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

A poll released Monday by Siena College has Cuomo leading Astorino by  36 percent. Cuomo receives support from 57 percent of those polled, compared to 21 percent supporting Astorino. That number’s down from the 28 percent Astorino received in an April poll.

The poll found 63 percent of New Yorkers view Cuomo favorably, which is up from 57 percent in April.

As for Astorino, 69 percent of those surveyed say they don’t have an opinion of the Westchester County executive. That’s up from 66 percent in April. Astorino has a favorable rating of just 18 percent

Westchester County Executive and 2014 NY Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino.

ALBANY – The man who wants to be New York State’s next governor says the state capitol is a cesspool of corruption that needs to end.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was in Albany on Friday as part of his statewide tour following his announcement that he will be seeking the Republican party’s nomination for governor. During his stop in the state capitol, Astorino said that things have gotten so bad in Albany that he wouldn’t let his two daughters work in the Capitol.

According to the Times-Union, Astorino said that if elected he would push not only push for term limits in both the Assembly and Senate, but he would also push for other ethics reforms. He also said if he is elected he would work to repeal the SAFE Act and would also finally lift the moratorium on Horizontal Hydrofracking.

If Astorino receives the republican party’s endorsement, he’ll likely square off against incumbent Andrew Cuomo in the November general election.

Among the most noticeable change will be the number of legislators at the meeting. Due to the downsizing of the legislature, there will now only be 19 representatives on the panel, compared to the 25 that had been on the legislature since it was first created nearly four decades ago.

Also, the GOP will have a firm grip on the panel, with a super-majority of the members being members of the Republican Party. There will also be several new faces on the panel, including Jamestown Democrat Fred Larson, Jamestown Republican Dave Wilfong, Ellicott Republican Lisa Vanstrom and Frewsburg Republican Ron Lemon. In all, there will be seven new members on the panel.

Although the size and make up of the legislature has changed, one thing will remain the same. Ashville Republican Jay Gould will continue to serve as legislature chairman, presiding over all meetings for the next two years.

Among the items to be taken up tonight is a politically-motivated resolution, denying the state permission to use the seal of Chautauqua County for purposes related to the New York SAFE Act – a controversial gun control measure that has been met with opposition here in Chautauqua County and throughout much of upstate New York.  The full text is of the resolution is as follows:

RES. NO. 20-14: Denying the State of New York Permission to Use the Name and Seal of the County of Chautauqua and County Officers for Purposes Related to the SAFE Act

By Public Safety Committee:

At the Request of County Legislators Runkle, Borrello, Scudder, Gould, Tarbrake, Vanstrom, Lemon, Wilfong, Wendel, and Niebel:

WHEREAS, the State of New York has passed a gun control law referred to as the SAFE Act; and

WHEREAS, the SAFE Act clearly indicates that the enforcement of this law is the responsibility of New York State; and

WHEREAS, the State has indicated an interest in using the Seal of the County of Chautauqua and the names of the offices of the Chautauqua County Sheriff and the Chautauqua County Clerk in pistol permit recertification notices; and

WHEREAS, the Chautauqua County Sheriff and Chautauqua County Clerk have voiced their strong objection to the State’s use of the County Seal or reference to their offices; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Chautauqua County Legislature denies the State of New York permission to use the name, seal, letterhead, or address of the County or of any County officer regarding permit recertification or for any other purpose associated with the SAFE Act, and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution should be transmitted to the office of the Governor of New York State, the Superintendent of State Police, New York State Senator Catharine Young, New York State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, the New York State Association of Counties, and the legislative body of every county in the State of New York.

Signed: Wendel, Niebel, Keefe, Ahlstrom, Tarbrake

In addition to the SAFE Act resolution, the legislature will also act on several reappointments, including the reappoinment of Jamestown Attorney Ned Barone to serve as Public Defender for both 2014 and 2015, with a salary of $75,000 per year.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the legislative chambers and will be open to the public.