04/24/11 PORT CHESTER TAXPAYERS GET STUCK WITH A $225,000 BILL AS THE REPUBLICAN PATRONAGE MILL ROLLS ON AND ON AND ON .....

Why Are We Paying This Guy $775 Per Hour?

Rye Town Supervisor Joesph Carvin's Brother Looks Like A High Paid Legal Moron; As He Gets Slammed In Federal Court

Earning His $775 An Hour: Republican Michael Carvin is pressing forward with a Port Chester voting rights appeal, even though a federal judge says he can't

A federal judge has told Republican Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin's brother that he has no right to appeal the Justice Department's successful voting rights lawsuit against Port Chester — but apparently, that won't stop Micheal Carvin from trying.

A clueless Michael Carvin seems to be unaware that the Village of Port Chester signed a consent decree barring the old system and ushering in a new, cumulative-voting method.

Judge Gardephe wrote that Port Chester has no basis to appeal because of its own action.

"The law is clear that matters within the scope of a consent decree or consent judgment can generally not be appealed," Judge Gardephe told Michael Carvin

The Port Chester Booard Of Trustees The Board of Trustees has been sharply divided over the appeal and the $225,000 set aside for Republican Micheal Carvin.

Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla said he would try again to halt what he calls a losing battle.

"If the judge's ruling doesn't make it clear how small our chances of success are, then I don't know what does. It's a waste of time, it's a waste of money.", said Mayor Pilla

Despite public opposition to the expense, the board Republican dominated board of trustees voted 4-2 in February to hire attorney Michael Carvin of the Jones Day law firm at fees of up to $775 an hour.

READ MORE:

http://ryetownroundup.blogspot.com/2011/04/042311-rye-town-supervisor-joesph.html

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03/13/11 Richard And Jananne Abel Throw Former Westmore News Columnist Bart "The Bigot" Didden Under The Bus In A Hard Hitting Editorial That Tells It Like It Is

Forget About Bart Didden: Westmore News Endorses Mayor Dennis Pilla For Third Term In Port Chester

Re-elect Dennis Pilla For Mayor 

To Keep Port Chester Moving Forward

Two bright but starkly different candidates are running for mayor of Port Chester on Tuesday, Mar. 15. Both incumbent Democrat Dennis Pilla and Republican-Independence candidate Bart Didden, a village trustee since July, are motivated to do what they think is best for the village. Because of their sharply contrasting ideas on almost every issue, we need to keep them both on the Board of Trustees for a healthy balance of ideas. We therefore advocate returning Pilla, a moderate, to office for another two years. Didden, a registered Conservative, still has two years left on his term.

Since Pilla has been mayor over the past four years, the village has been going in a positive direction with a good management team, transparency in government, strong finances, a solid, comprehensive code enforcement program for the first time in the village's history, a good working relationship with neighboring communities and a forward-thinking attitude. Corruption is being routed out and the rebuilding has begun. There is no compelling reason to upset the apple cart.

The current board is comprised of strong personalities who, when they're not fighting, have had some healthy discourse on appealing the voting rights case decision and whether to use money left over from old capital projects for the purpose for which it was originally borrowed or return it to contingency are a few recent examples. Diverse opinions and healthy discussion make for good decisions. Eliminating Pilla's pragmatic voice and leaving an empty seat on the board which might not be filled until the next election in two years would be a huge mistake for the village.

Putting his career on hold and devoting all of his time to the job of mayor, Pilla has used his skills as a former management consultant to tackle the multitude of problems facing Port Chester. He took the lead on developing a downtown revitalization strategy being funded largely by grants which has only partially come to fruition. It includes new lights, trees, sidewalks, signs, trash receptacles, a facade improvement program, rezoning the central downtown district to eliminate industrial uses, enhancing the sidewalk cafe ordinance and entertainment regulations.

Pilla is also innovative, forging a first-time partnership with Purchase College and the MTA on a train bridge art project which is in the works. In addition, through his efforts, talented Purchase College graphic arts students are designing gateway signs to the village. Both of these projects will be paid for with grants and need Pilla's guidance to see them through.

Both candidates have their failings. Pilla's is a drunk driving arrest in New York City back in June 2009 for which he later apologized. That was a onetime personal issue. Didden's is the controversial 2007 flyer he authored which was deemed by the federal judge hearing the village's voting rights case to be a racial appeal. Much has been made of that flyer during this election campaign. However, it's not just the flyer and whether or not Didden apologized for it that should be considered here. It's a mindset of inclusion of all races, and we don't believe Didden has that mindset. He might be on his best behavior and trying to reach out to all segments of the community during this election campaign, but how would he treat new immigrants once in office acting as an ambassador for a village that is more than 50% Hispanic?

To Pilla, on the other hand, married to a Colombian, inclusion comes naturally, and he never fails to mention in a positive light the beautiful mosaic that is Port Chester and makes it so appealing.

Pilla has a forward-thinking attitude while Didden looks to go back to the way things were appealing the voting rights decision, for instance. Maybe that works in the short term during an election campaign but certainly not when it comes to the long-term health of the village.

We disagree with appealing the voting rights decision and wasting the taxpayers' dollars with little chance for success. We agree with Pilla that we'd be far better off negotiating with the Department of Justice to get staggered terms, for instance, than gambling on a very unsure bet.

Even though the majority of families living in the village have an income of $80,000 or less and would qualify for affordable (not low-income) housing, Didden is opposed to creating any more affordable units in Port Chester. He's even for doing away with the required 10% set-aside of affordable units within newly-constructed buildings of 10 units or more in residential zones which is currently on the books. Pilla is for changing but not eliminating what he calls an ineffective ordinance. He's for creating an incentive for developers to build affordable units rather than making it punitive and establishing an “in lieu of” fee which would go into a fund to promote single-family ownership and provide home ownership assistance. Didden's close-minded attitude could prevent the village from getting future federal Community Development Block Grants through the county which have been so important to Port Chester's forward momentum.

Village government has never been more open than it is today under the Pilla administration. The Board of Trustees, Planning Commission and Zoning Board meetings are broadcast live on cable TV and streaming live on the internet. We are concerned about the future of open government under Didden who often advocates for topics to be discussed in closed rather than open session.

Additionally, Didden has demonstrated that he won't work well with neighboring communities. He seems to have a contempt for them rather than an interest in seeing how they can work together for the benefit of each. In this day of federal and state budget cuts and a greater need than ever to share services, that attitude is short-sighted to say the least.

Pilla, on the other hand, was instrumental in getting the villages of Rye Brook and Mamaroneck and the Town of Rye to partner with Port Chester on applying for a $50,000 state Local Government Efficiency Grant to study whether to dissolve the Town of Rye. The grant was received and bids for a consultant to undertake that study are currently being sought. Even if the decision is made not to eliminate the Town, the study should be useful in identifying additional shared service opportunities across the participating communities.

Lastly, how can we elect a mayor who is unable to deal with the largest property owner in the village, downtown developer G&S Investors? Didden has been advised by village attorneys not to even discuss or vote on anything relating to G&S because of his ongoing lawsuit involving the developer. Pilla has been instrumental in that regard, encouraging G&S to do faux painting within the fake windows on the facade of its building on South Main Street, paving the way for the developer to finally improve the intersections for which it is responsible this spring, and working with G&S to help come up with a reasonable solution to the collapsing bulkhead behind Costco. Delegating such important authority to another trustee, as Didden has said he will do, is scary, especially when we don't know who that individual will be.

The Pilla administration has been the village's most productive in years even though, as the mayor himself admits, there's so much more to do. Based on his past record, Mayor Pilla deserves the chance to continue the positive momentum he has started for another two years.

PLEASE ALSO SEE:

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011

03/10/11 Journal News Slams Bart Didden And Endorses Mayor Dennis Pilla

On Election Day Tuesday, Port Chester Voters Should Help Put The Past Behind Them, And Re-elect A Mayor Who Knows How To Look Forward


The race for mayor in Port Chester, one of Westchester's most closely watched villages, should be no contest at all — Mayor Dennis Pilla has done that outstanding a job the last four years, and as a trustee earlier. That it is, indeed, a race may say more about the resiliency of bigotry, mainly of the thinly concealed variety, than about his stewardship. Village voters should make a plain statement Tuesday that they support smart, fiscally responsible and progressive leadership, and vote to return Pilla for a third term. The alternative, Trustee Bart Didden, really is no option at all....

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03/12/11 Extremist Tea Party Lunatic And Mayor Wanna Be Bart "The Bigot" Didden Tells African American Judge He Is A White Casualty And Port Chester Gets Cumulative Voting And Flushes 1.2 Million In Tax Dollars Down The Toilet

Bart Didden Uses His Own Words To Explain To Port Chester Taxpayers How Port Chester Got Cumulative Voting.

Federal Judge Stephen Robinson And Bart "The Bigot" Didden Read A Racist Email Rant Set Out Over The Servers Of USA Central Station Alarm In Port Chester.

Judge Stephen Robinson: The next sentance in the paraghaph says,"Let's call the judge." Does that mean me.

Bart Didden: Yes, sir

Judge Stephen Robinson: "Let's call the judge or are we the same as Rubino?" What does that sentance mean?

Bart Didden: I think that it's evident from my prior comment.


Judge Stephen Robinson: Let me just stop you. It is not evident, because I have listened to everything you've said and I don't know what that sentance means. That's why I am asking you.

Testomony Continues .....

Judge Stephen Robinson: You being a white casualty?

Bart Didden: Me being a casualty.

Judge Stephen Robinson: White Casualty. That's not my phrase, that's your phrase.

Bart Didden: And I wrote that.

Judge Stephen Robinson: No question about it, because I am looking at it. It meant something to you. You intentionaly put the word white in there to mean something, didn't you.

Bart Didden: Probably to highlight that a Hispanic candidate is no different than anyone else in the village of Port Chester.

Judge Stephen Robinson: That's what you think the paragraph means to somebody other than you in your head.

Bart Didden: I hope so

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03/10/11 Journal News Slams Bart Didden And Endorses Mayor Dennis Pilla

On Election Day Tuesday, Port Chester Voters Should Help Put The Past Behind Them, And Re-elect A Mayor Who Knows How To Look Forward

The race for mayor in Port Chester, one of Westchester's most closely watched villages, should be no contest at all — Mayor Dennis Pilla has done that outstanding a job the last four years, and as a trustee earlier. That it is, indeed, a race may say more about the resiliency of bigotry, mainly of the thinly concealed variety, than about his stewardship. Village voters should make a plain statement Tuesday that they support smart, fiscally responsible and progressive leadership, and vote to return Pilla for a third term. The alternative, Trustee Bart Didden, really is no option at all.

Democrat Pilla, who has worked in information management for major corporations, has spent the last years improving the financial picture for Port Chester, in the annual budget, reserves and capital plan; those efforts have been recognized by the ratings agency Moody's Investors Service with three upgrades — no small achievement amid economic recession. Even while serving in the political minority, Pilla has succeeded in pushing through an agenda that has promoted smarter development and planning; improved quality of life through vastly stepped-up code enforcement, a major issue in neighborhoods struggling with density and illegal apartments; and helped bolster professionalism in a village administration tainted by corruption.

Port Chester's commercial district — a vibrant mesh of big-box stores, ethnic restaurants and much more — continues to take root as a destination for those looking to try different cuisine and culture. Revitalization efforts advanced on Pilla's watch hold promise for improving the downtown core, Fox Island, and neighborhoods. All the credit certainly isn't his. Credit Pilla, however, for bringing smart ideas to the table and, time and again, reaching across neighborhoods and interests to include everyone in the discussion. Those are imperatives in Port Chester, easily one of the most diverse communities in the Lower Hudson Valley, by race, ethnicity, culture, economics and business diversification.

Even where there have been sharp differences in approach or opinion, Pilla has demonstrated an ability to lower the volume, while at once entertaining divergent views, and dispensing his own, usually smart, advice. That is progressive leadership — leadership not always in evidence on the current board, and the kind that Port Chester so richly deserves and needs. Republican challenger Didden, a village trustee since summer, is likely to disappoint on that score. He has the dismal track record — memorialized in sworn testimony — to prove it.

The owner of a village business, Didden played a leading role in the Justice Department's Voting Rights Act lawsuit against Port Chester, wherein a federal judge concluded in 2008 that the village's system for electing trustees unlawfully disenfranchised Hispanics. When the lawsuit was filed in 2007, Hispanics had never been elected to anything, despite making up about half the population. One of the proofs in such an action is whether past elections had been marred by blatant racial appeals. It was Didden who helped supply that proof — in the form of an anonymous flier sent to village residents prior to the March 2007 mayoral vote.

It complained that "The Hispanics are running the show already"; that then-mayoral candidate "Pilla will sell us out"; and said that "what (Blanca Lopez, Pilla's campaign manager and future school board trustee) cares about is only Hispanic." It implored recipients to "elect people who care about our history, heritage and what our kids will be told about us in the future." Didden, who in the court action admitted his role in disseminating the flier, has apologized. But that is hardly enough. The court case has already cost taxpayers more than $1.2 million and so much lost energy in recriminations. And the tab is growing: Didden and the board's conservative majority recently approved spending another $225,000 to appeal the mess he helped make.

Ironically, the revised election system suggested by Port Chester and OK'd by the court — so-called cumulative voting — ended up producing the most diverse village board Port Chester has ever had.

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03/07/11 Stupid Is As Stupid Does: Bart "The Bigot" Didden And Sleazy Sam Terenzi Should Reconsider Vote To Appeal Voting Rights Ruling

Extremist TEA Party Lunatic Bart "The Bigot" Didden And Sam "Welcome To PORK Chester" Terenzi's decision to appeal the federal voting rights ruling is short-sided and a big mistake, both for the people of Port Chester and for this dumb and dumber duo. 


The majority of Port Chester residents, are not in favor of Didden and Terenzi's desire to appeal.


Do these two Port Chester wing nuts really think that they can appeal this and win and have voting return to the way it was before Bart Didden's racist flyer.


What will these two Port Chester wing nuts do when the Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin's brother reaches the funding cap without a decision?


Drop the Case?


Spend More Money?


The $225,000 spending cap at Michael "Ka Ching Ka Ching Ka Ching" Carvin's outrageous hourly rate of $775.00/ Hour equates to approximatively 290 hours.


What The Dumb And Dumber Dou Of Didden and Terenzi wont tell you that 290 hours is not even close enough hours for Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin's brother to prepare an appeal, let alone present it and defend it.


This is just a down payment on another million dollars being flushed down the Port Chester Republican Party Patronage toilet.


Who can blame Rye Town Supervisor Joe "The Harvard Educated Fool" Carvin's brother for not passing up a $225,000 Port Chester taxpayer funded and the likely off additional massive payments for his friends and family members.


How can Michael Carvin pass this by?


Port Chester voters are going to Punish Bart "The Bigot" Didden, Sam "Welcome To PORK Chester" Terenzi And Joe "The Harvard Educated Fool" Carvin in this and up coming elections.


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03/06/11 Reader Submitted Comments: It Is Time To Move On And Leave The Back Room Deals And Corruption Behind

Dear Editor,

In the last village election I gave all my votes to one candidate.

I think the compromise that the village of Port Chester came up with is terrific.

Commutative voting has been very good for Port Chester.

The new voting system opened things up for a lot more village residents.

Village Hispanics benefited, as well as, other minorities and independents.

For the first time the village board had a real cross section of Port Chester residents.

I just can't understand why Sam Terenzi and Bart Didden want to destroy a system that leveled the playing field and opened up government in Port Chester.

It is just foolish for Terenzi and Didden to want to take Port Chester back to the old days of back room deals and corruption.

The Journal News and the Westmore news have done a poor job of explaining that the goal of the cumulative voting system was not to elect a Hispanic, but to only create a system whereby the Hispanic community would be able to nominate and elect a candidate of their choice.

That candidate of choice could be a Hispanic or it could be a non-Hispanic.

By leveling the playing field we have created a system where all Port Chester residents have benefited - Hispanics, African Americans, Conservatives and Independents.

For this I give Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla a thumbs up.

Personally, I would like to see a Right to Life candidate run and win in Port Chester.

In Greenwich, they are proud to have something special.

It is called the Representative Town Meeting. That's where 230 elected citizens hold a monthly meeting to decide town issues.

Greenwich owes much to a very high degree of citizen participation both in its government and in many non-governmental bodies that contribute to the quality of life the Town enjoys.

Indeed, volunteerism is a hallmark of Greenwich life.

The RTM is where many of its citizens get their start in civic involvement; equally, it is where many who have served the Town in other capacities continue to contribute to it.

In Rye Brook they are proud that there is no Republican or Democratic parties on the local ballot. They only have local independent village parties and write in candidates.

Now in we have something special in Port Chester.

Let's keep it and build upon it as we bring all the citizens of Port Chester together to solve our common problems.

Please withhold my name.

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03/03/11 The Raw Port Chester News Feed

News Reports About Port Chester, NY

Robbery suspect outed friend during interview Greenwich Time Dominick Glowacki, 27, of 363 Wilett Ave., Port Chester, NY, voluntarily agreed to speak with police after he was caught while fleeing on Greenwich Avenue and ordered to the ground at gunpoint. Glowacki, who was found with 924 OxyContin pills and a BB ...

Blog Posts About Port Chester, NY

Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich: Serving Norwalk and Stamford since 1958 Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich is a full-service Mercedes-Benz dealership serving the Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Port Chester and Rye areas of Connecticut and New York. For more information on new or used ... Transportation - Latest News - http://www.prlog.org/cat-transportation/

Recently Updated Web Pages About Port Chester, NY

Four-alarm fire in Port Chester | Video Library | The Journal News Six families were displaced and shops destroyed in a four-alarm fire on Midland Avenue in Port Chester March 1, 2011. Video by Frank Becerra Jr. www.lohud.com/.../Four-alarm-fire-in-Port-Chester

Port Chester Police | Flickr - Photo Sharing! On March 1st, 2011 at approx 1:30pm, the Port Chester Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire. Unites arived on scene to find a 3- story ... www.flickr.com/photos/42030424@N08/5490327603/

Port Chester voting rights appeal to get lots of scrutiny - Topix Inspectors Jeffery Bonds, left, and Dan Sussman, center, explain voting procedure to Luis Catalan of Port Chester in the trustees election June 15 at the ... www.topix.com/.../port-chester-voting-rights-appeal-to-get-lot...

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03/02/11 The Raw Port Chester News feed

News Reports About Port Chester, NY

Fire in shops, apartments on Port Chester's Midland Avenue The Journal News | LoHud.com Port Chester firefighters battle a 4-alarm fire that destroyed businesses and apartments on Midland Avenue in Port Chester today. /  Frank Becerra Jr. The Journal News  PORT CHESTER — Firefighters are battling a fire at two shops with apartments above ...

Grab and Go Kids Planner Patch.com By Lisa DiCarlucci  7:32am  Where/When: Knights of Columbus, 327 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573. March 6, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm  Why Go: If your child is a boy scout or girl scout, come out to celebrate these great organizations ...

Review: Batali brings big-city taste The Journal News | LoHud.com Photo: Antipasti, Farro with Pomegranate and Mint, Beets Agrodolce, Octopus with Baby Potatoes and Sweet Peppers "al Forno" at the Tarry Lodge in Port Chester. Tania Savayan The Journal News  The J Dining tables in front of ...

Recently Updated Web Pages About Port Chester, NY

Firefighters battle massive fire in Port Chester business district ... The fire on Midland Avenue is sending thick smoke into the afternoon sky. www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=275081...

All Things Reform: Port Chester [NY] Roundup: 02/25/11 The Brother ... Port Chester [NY] Roundup: 02/25/11 The Brother Of The Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin Has No Shame As He Takes $200000 From Port Chester Homeowners ... www.allthingsreform.org/.../port-chester-ny-roundup-022511-...

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02/28/11Port Chester Topix News Group: Port Chester voting rights appeal to get lots of scrutiny

Port Chester - News February 28, 2011 See Port Chester Weather Port Chester voting rights appeal to get lots of scrutiny (The Journal News) Inspectors Jeffery Bonds, left, and Dan Sussman, center, explain voting procedure to Luis Catalan of Port Chester in the trustees election June 15 at the Don Basco Center. Legal Scholar Speaks Out: No need to refight a lost battle (portchesterroundup.blogspot) On Monday, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Port Chester will consider a resolution to hire a Washington, D.C., law firm to represent the village in an appeal of the decision of United States District Court Judge Stephen Robinson that the village's at-large election system violated the federal Voting Rights Act. While the village has every right to pursue whatever legal avenues are available to it, I strongly urge the village to close this chapter in its history and move on. As the vote will be taken at a public hearing, it is critical that the voices of the community in Port Chester be heard before the board commits to a fool's errand. The chances of a successful appeal of Judge Robinson's opinion are slim to none — and slim left town a long time ago. As in most voting rights cases, the trial was contentious, divisive and exposed the underbelly of an ugly, racially tinged politics in the village. The district court found that in 10 trustee contests between 2001-05, the choice of the Hispanic community was defeated nine times. In fact, prior to the election of June 2010, only one Hispanic had been nominated to run for the position of village trustee by any political party in the history of Port Chester. The court found that during the 2007 mayoral election, a blatant racial appeal was made in an anonymous flier — subsequently learned to have been authored by Bart Didden, now a trustee and Republican candidate for mayor — distributed to more than 1,000 homes in the village. In the flier, former trustee and current Mayor Dennis Pilla was called a sellout because of his apparent support of issues of concern to the Hispanic community. In fact, the flier charged that "The Hispanics are running the show already." The court found that the political process leading to nomination was essentially a closed club that allowed limited access to outsiders or upstart candidates. At the time of the trial, no Hispanic had ever been elected to any public office in the village. The court also considered a videotape of two public hearings regarding a proposal by the Justice Department to establish districts. At one public hearing, attorney Aldo Vitigliano, who was later appointed to serve as special counsel to the newly formed Voting Rights Commission in the village, suggested that the village's congressional delegation should introduce legislation to exempt the village from the Voting Rights Act..... Rethink support for Bart Didden (LoHud) Rye Town Supervisor Joseph Carvin and Port Chester Trustee Joseph Kenner have both endorsed Republican candidate Bart Didden for mayor of Port Chester. More Port Chester News...

Copyright (C) 2011 Port Chester Roundup All rights reserved.

02/28/11 Upcoming Editorial Journal News Video Spotlight Interviews

Candidates for Port Chester mayor, 1 p.m. Thursday.

Portchester Mayor Dennis Pilla faces Bart "The Bigot" Didden

To watch, go to lohud.com/editorialspotlight.

You can submit a question by engaging the "CoverItLive" blogging device.

Here is a great question for Bart "The Bigot" Didden ....

Mr. Didden can you tell us the names of the two former elected Port Chester officials, that you say helped you create the infamous racist flyer that caused the village to lose the voting rights case?

From Rye Brook Roundup:

A Racist Comes To T And J Villaggio Trattoria In Port Chester And Everything Is Flame'

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02/27/11 The Topix Message Board: As Seen In The Journal News: Rethink Support For Bart Didden‎

Port Chester - News February 27, 2011 See Port Chester Weather As Seen In The Journal News: Rethink Support For Bart Didden‎ (lohud) Rye Town Supervisor Joseph Carvin and Port Chester Trustee Joseph Kenner have both endorsed Republican candidate Bart Didden for mayor of Port Chester. Carvin, who often speaks about everyone getting along in our community and is a member of the group Building Community Bridges, has stated Didden's (past) racist flyer regarding Hispanics was not racist — it was "race-baiting." Oh, I now see the light. In Carvin's world, it's OK to endorse a race-baiter.  As for Kenner, he has been advocating that Port Chester appeal the voting rights case ruling because, "We can remove the shameful and unwarranted stigma of the judge's ruling, which affects how others view us." Kenner does not seem to worry how other communities outside of Port Chester will view us if we elect a mayor who authored a racist flyer. A racist flyer Didden sent out anonymously, told the media he knew nothing about, and then finally told the truth only when under oath during the voting rights trial. I respectfully request that Supervisor Carvin and Trustee Kenner rethink their endorsements of Mr. Didden. If they both believe in building community bridges and are concerned about who is elected as our ambassador (mayor) to other communities, then they should withdraw their endorsements. If they continue to support Bart Didden, Carvin and Kenner are building a bridge of intolerance.  The Westmore News Won't Stand Up For Port Chester Tax Payers, But The Journal News Will (portchesterroundup.blogspot) JOURNAL NEWS EDITORIAL Port Chester refuses to heal It is disappointing but not surprising that the conservative-minded majority that controls the Port Chester government would vote to reopen an old and costly wound: the 4-year-old legal battle with the U.S. Justice Department over the village's system for electing trustees. Fighting ideological demons and good sense, several trustees over many months had made plain their aim to reopen the case, notwithstanding the uncertainty inherent in any appeal and the dim chances for improving either local governance or civility. What is surprising is that the trustees driving this community-splitting train — Republican Joseph Kenner and Conservatives Bart Didden, Sam Terenzi and John Branca — so glibly sent the village on this course, which could cost Port Chester more than just dollars and cents. The four trustees on Tuesday ignored sound advice from a host of taxpayers and village leaders who implored them (1) not to waste their money and (2) to move on. "I wouldn't vote for 10 more cents" to be spent on the case, former Republican Trustee Domenick Cicatelli told the board Tuesday. "This is a black eye on Port Chester," resident Gary Sullivan said of the Justice Department's successful challenge, under the Voting Rights Act, to the village's system for electing trustees. "It is healed. So now you're going to pay to walk into another punch in the eye?" Apparently so. By a 4-2 vote, the board agreed to pay a Washington, D.C., law firm as much as $775 an hour, up to $225,000, to appeal a U.S. District Court ruling that forced the village to change its system for electing trustees. This followed a trial in which U.S. District Judge Stephen C. Robinson, after hearing evidence of a litany of wrongful conduct, found the village unlawfully disenfranchised Hispanic residents. At the time the suit was filed, the village had never elected a Hispanic candidate to anything — neither to the village board nor school board — despite Hispanics making up about half the population. Among Robinson's findings was that during the 2007 mayoral election, a blatant racial appeal was made to voters — in the form of an anonymous flier distributed to 1,000 homes — disparaging of Hispanics and crudely complaining of their influence. One factor routinely considered in voting rights cases is whether past political campaigns have included overt or subtle racial appeals Westmore News Publisher Richard Abel Is Busted On Cable TV (portchesterroundup.blogspot) Port Chester Newspaper Publisher Richard "The We$tmore Snooze Publisher" Abel is caught stealing copies of the True Blue Conservative Review. We are not sure if Richard "The We$tmore Snooze Publisher" Abel is trying to keep Port Chester the single family homeowners of Port Chester from learning that his father Bernie "I forgot To Pay Over 100 Property Tax Bills" Abel was currently being taken to court by the fiscally responsible Rye Town Board Of Trustees.  Virginia Geldart, who is related to a Port Chester Police Chief came to the last Port Chester Board Of Trustee's meeting and said she saw the little weasel who publishes the We$tmore $nooze taking all of the newspapers from the only True Blue Conservative Review Newspaper box.  Watch Ms. Geldart's complaints about Richard "The WeStmore Snooze Publisher" Abel on the cable vision government channel or go to the Port Chester website to watch the streaming video.  Also listen to how Virginia Geldatrt witnessed up to 11 Port Chester and Rye Brook police cars responded were dispatched, because the True Blue Conservative Review Publisher Was Filling His Newspaper Box.  Perhaps Richard "The Westmore News Publisher" Abel is trying to keep Port Chester Residents From Learning About The Fraud Waste And Abuse In Port Chester Government.  Richard Abel Has Repeatedly Supported The Politicians That Have Repeatedly Robbed The Hard Working Taxpayer Of Port Chester.  Mayor Gerald Logan and his Republican board raised Port Chester property taxes more than 50 % in a three year period When is Richard "I Own A Property Tax Funded Newspaper" Abel going to start writing Westmore Snooze articles about their close friends on the Port Chester School Board and the outrageous 13 ½% School Tax increase.?  The Westmore New's Failure To Report The Truth Is A Big Part Of The Problem.  Richard Abel's Cover Ups And Failures To Report The Truth Allow Fraud Waste And Abuse To Exist In Port Chester. Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin's Brother Has No Shame: He Takes $200,000 From Port Chester Taxpayers (portchesterroundup.blogspot) Attorney Michael "Ka Ching Ka Ching Ka Ching" Carvin, brother of Rye Supervisor Joseph Carvin Sam Terenzi And Bart Didden Are Once Again Engineering Dirty Deals That Hurt Port Chester Taxpayers  Long-time Republican insider and the brother of Rye Town Supervisor Joseph Carvin, has been hired by Port Chester's Republican trustees for $750 an hour. Thanks to Sam Terenzi and Bart Didden, Port Chester taxpayers are on the hook for a total cost of $225,000 to fight the Department of Justice this week. Port Chester Homeowners and responsible local leaders are crying foul. Micheal Carvin, of the firm Jones Day, will now prepare to appeal a federal judge's decision that declared Port Chester in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Port Chester's initial legal battle with the justice department cost the village $1.2 million. Opponents of the decision to appeal say the new $225,000 legal bill could balloon and eventually rival what Port Chester has already spent. The decision to hire Michael Carvin comes as the Town of Rye – which includes Port Chester – is taking a look at its own ethics policies. They had to get the Rye Town Supervisor's brother hired before the spotlight was put on government ethics policies. Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla has said the village policy requires a minimum of three bids, and the four Republican and Conservative trustees who voted for the appeal–Kenner, as well as Trustees Bart Didden, Sam Terenzi and John Branca–should have interviewed more than the minimum three candidates to dispel even the appearance of nepotism or a conflict-of-interest. The Port Chester purchasing policy is very clear it says that need at keast three bids. Hiring Michael "Ka Ching Ka Ching Ka Ching" Carvin could hurt Port Chester's case since the original decision painted Port Chester as an exclusionary village that disenfranchised minority voters in favor of insiders and a majority voting bloc.  Republican insiders keep getting rich off these failed voting rights cases. Last time, the losing attorney representing Port Chester in the case was Anthony Piscionere, the former chairman of the Rye Republican Party. This case is about the Port Chester system looking closed. Port Chester Events - Mayoral Candidates To Debate This Wednesday (portchesterroundup.blogspot) A Port Chester mayoral candidates' debate will be sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, March 2 at the Port Chester High School.  The starting time is 7:30 p.m. Extremist TEA Party Lunatic Bart "The Bigot" Didden and Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla will discuss the issues in the upcoming March 15th election. The forum will be broadcast on Port Chester Public Access TV and lets see if the League of Women Voters are brave enough to address Bart Didden's racist views.  Tips For Bart "The Bigot" Didden 1. Repeat question to buy yourself more time. 2. When questions come up about your racial views on Hispanics read from the index cards the Republican Party has given you. Stick to the script. "It was four years ago","I was a political neophyte", "I now have come to regret those comments", etc., etc.  3. Does the question have any of the words that Sam Terenzi made you memorize. If so, then give a canned response, even if it ignores the League of Women Voters question. 4.. Try not to appear angry on cable TV as you lose the debate. More Port Chester News...

Copyright (C) 2011 Port Chester Roundup All rights reserved.

02/27/11 The Port Chester Topix News Message Board

As Seen In The Journal News: Rethink Support For Bart Didden‎

Rye Town Supervisor Joseph Carvin and Port Chester Trustee Joseph Kenner have both endorsed Republican candidate Bart Didden for mayor of Port Chester. 


Carvin, who often speaks about everyone getting along in our community and is a member of the group Building Community Bridges, has stated Didden's (past) racist flyer regarding Hispanics was not racist — it was "race-baiting." Oh, I now see the light. In Carvin's world, it's OK to endorse a race-baiter. 


As for Kenner, he has been advocating that Port Chester appeal the voting rights case ruling because, "We can remove the shameful and unwarranted stigma of the judge's ruling, which affects how others view us." 


Kenner does not seem to worry how other communities outside of Port Chester will view us if we elect a mayor who authored a racist flyer. 


A racist flyer Didden sent out anonymously, told the media he knew nothing about, and then finally told the truth only when under oath during the voting rights trial......


More at Lo-Hud.com and Topix.com.

Port Chester Topix Message Board

http://www.topix.com/city/port-chester-ny/2011/02/as-seen-in-the-journal-news-rethink-support-for-bart-didden-8206

LoHud.com - Westchester County Journal News

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110227/OPINION/102270339/-1/PHOTO-GALLERY--RYE-HS-GRADUATI/Rethink-support-Bart-Didden?odyssey=nav|head

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