Harrison REVIEW THE
August 11, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 32 | www.harrisonreview.com
GOP primary nixed; Giordano knocked off ballot By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
fit as a fiddle Sophia Gigante has battled through physical ailments, including multiple surgeries, at a young age to become a certified personal trainer. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/PTSophia
Immigration policy passes Legislature; Astorino to veto By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Shortly after the Westchester County Legislature approved a bill to set forth a policy on immigration enforcement, the county executive pledged to veto the legislation with support from top public safety officials. The bill passed through the county Board of Legislators in a 10-5 vote on Aug. 7 after mounting political pressure from the county’s Democratic Caucus. Known as the Immigration Protection Act, it aims to prevent the county’s emergency services from aiding the federal government in investigations made on the basis of race, gender, sexu-
al orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin. The act comes in response to Republican President Donald Trump’s effort to deport undocumented immigrants. Despite approval from two Republicans lawmakers, David Gelfarb, of Rye Brook, and Jim Maisano, of New Rochelle, the bill failed to capture a supermajority vote, which would have prevented the legislation from being vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. “I’m opposed to this act because it puts public safety at risk,” the county executive said, explaining the legislation would put the county at odds with the federal government, and would
ultimately dub Westchester as a “sanctuary” county for undocumented immigrant; one that limits its cooperation with the national government’s effort to enforce immigration law. Astorino said the policy would cost the county an estimated $13 million in federal funding. “It all adds up to be a dangerous idea, and for those reasons I will veto this legislation,” he added. The Immigration Protection Act was first pitched by county Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, in February after uncertainty over whether or not Astorino would repeal an existing executive order relating to immigration status that was signed by former County Ex-
ecutive Andy Spano, a Democrat, in 2006. In Westchester government, the incumbent county executive can legally repeal any executive order made by one of his predecessors. The new legislation, in addition to piggybacking the current policy, would also prevent law enforcement officials from honoring requests made by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Customs and Border Protection, which do not give rise to probable cause. Additionally, it would protect Westchester from liability due to false arrests and imprisonments. IMMIGRATION continued on page 8
In a hotly contested receiver of taxes race in Harrison, the Westchester County Board of Elections has ruled that candidate Michael Giordano will not be able to force a Republican Party primary ballot in September after finding his petitions invalid. Giordano filed a challenge to the county Board of Elections’, BOE, determination in state Supreme Court, However, on Aug. 7, the court validated the BOE claims and rejected Giordano’s appeal, bringing his controversial candidacy to an end. Doug Colety, the Republican commissioner of the BOE, said the candidate was removed from the ballot after more than half of the objections that were filed by a Harrison resident were upheld; some of which included petition signatures that incorrectly listed the proper municipality and signatures from residents that are not registered in the Republican Party. The BOE sustained 200 objections of 377 petitions in total, leaving Giordano short of the required 285 signatures needed to trigger a primary against Rosa Mastrogiacomo-Luongo, the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate. Giordano, who currently works in the Harrison tax receiver’s office, collected only 177 valid petition signatures. “Everything about [Giordano] running for the position is inappropriate at this point, from collecting the STAR exemption in Brewster to pretending to live in West Harrison,” said Joe Angilletta, Mastrogiacomo-Luongo’s campaign manager and uncle. “This is not what a public servant should be. It’s a smack of dishonor at every level.” Earlier this month, Giordano’s candidacy was called into question after the Review discovered that he owns a home in the village of Brewster in Putnam County in addition to his home at 14 Wood-
side Ave. in West Harrison. Despite claiming to live in West Harrison while his wife and children live in Brewster, Giordano indicated on tax forms that his primary home is his Blossom Lane property in Brewster. Under that residence, he has been receiving a School Tax Relief Exemption, known as the STAR exemption, since 2001. According to the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance, multiple-property owners in the state must collect a STAR exemption only on the property they consider their primary residence, defined as the location where they spend the majority of their time. Additionally, Giordano has only been registered to vote in Westchester with his West Harrison address since Aug. 16, 2016. Before that, he was registered to vote using his Brewster home address, according to the Putnam County Board of Elections. The focus will now shift to the general election where three candidates will battle for the elected position, which pays $101,050 annually. Rosa Mastrogiacomo-Luongo will face off against Maria Mioli Pennella, a registered Republican, who is running on the Democratic line, and Helen Pesce, who has launched a run for the seat as an independent candidate. Pesce’s petitions to run as an independent candidate do not need to be submitted to the BOE until Aug. 21. Giordano could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com