This is a lesson in Yonkers politic 101 via the Spano Family dynasty which still operates under the aegis of former Senator Nick Spano (upper right) through its only visible “head” Assemblyman Mike Spano.
Yonkers Politics 101 is learned by study of the Spano family dynasty which in the past and to this day operates under the aegis of former Senator Nick Spano through its only visible “head," that is, Assemblyman Mike Spano. Nick Spano’s mission is to retain power. he accomplishes this through elective office and / or control of one or more political parties which thereby offer a ballot line. Funds only come if you have one or more of these positions.
It wasn’t too too long ago we witnessed Assemblyman Mike Spano’s (left) “electric slide” from Republican to Democrat party affiliation when prevailing political winds gifted a rudderless boat to dock elsewhere. Since the only philosophy Nick Spano has ever adhered to is the retention and expansion of the Spano Dynastic Empire, brother Mike had to move further left politically. Nick “controls” Assemblyman Mike Spano and former Amicone mayoral aide and Westchester County Conservative Party Chairperson Gail Burns. By the way, the political remnants of the Spano “machine” are all comfortably and safely ensconced by way of New York State grants in an institution on Park Avenue situated across the street from the old Yonkers General Hospital; some will remember it as the old Blessed Sacrament School.
Nick needs his brother Mike to win one more state assembly election so that Mike will be positioned to run for the greatest prize of Yonkers politics, that of Mayor of Yonkers in November 2011.
In his present assembly race, Mike was assured the Democrat line on the ballot by virtue of his conversion to Democrat tenets. He also garnered the Conservative party line by virtue of Gail Burns (left) hold on the party. Those two initial endorsements were automatic, despite Mike’s historical voting record and philosophy being at odds with the Democrats in Albany, and diametrically opposed to the Conservative party and its principals. On top of that, Mike received and accepted the Working Family Party (WFP) endorsement and ballot line. The Working Family Party have sheltered the infamous ACORN related group under their umbrella. ACORN is the same party affilliate presently being investigated by the United States Attorney. Can anyone in their right mind rationalize the Democrat, Working Families Party and Conservative Party under one roof? The most flagrant discord is among the Working Families Party and the Conservative; they are akin to oil and water – they do not mix under any circumstances.
If this scenario wasn’t enough for Nick to maintain control of the election outcome, the Yonkers City Republican Committee put up a “straw” candidate in the guise of Mike Ramondelli (right). They wouldn’t do that if they didn’t have to explain it to anyone. Mike Ramondelli is understood to understand that he has the “line” but nothing else. Mike Ramondelli should abide by the adage perfected in Yonkers not to campaign too hard or take it too seriously. Except, of course, that this is the year on an anti-incumbency movement.
No matter what, Nick likes to win. So what else can he do to insure his brother’s re-election? Knowing the animosity between himself and Dr. Giulio Cavallo (left), chairman of the Westchester Independence Party, Nick speaks to his Democrat friends. They in turn employ Dr. Cavallo under the guise of constituent services for the benefit of the New York State Senate Committee. This is in and of itself ethically outrageous and unconscionable conduct; but not New York State, and certainly not in Yonkers. For a measly $55,000 per annum, Dr. Cavallo looks the other way and instead of endorsing Republican designate Mike Ramondelli with a second ballot line, that of the Independence Party, Dr. Cavallo insinuates a third candidate into the mix, that of Jodi Mosiello (right), who won the Independence Party ballot line. Democrats and Republicans alike respectively avoid three-way races because they are hard to predict and more difficult to control. Some poltical pundits have conjectured of late that the three-way race is the outcome of weakening poll numbers discerned by Nick Spano obsessive-compulsive polling regimen. That being the case, it stands to reason the three-way race was resurrected to help the Spano cause. So much for change and removing the dysfunctional from Albany.
To the informed voter who must and should vote there is only one choice – the Republican Mike.
A vote for Mike Ramondelli will get “change” and stop the Spano “electric slide” toward City Hall next year.
The Ramondelli candidacy is a long haul and a long shot, but not impossible. Don’t be distracted. When you vote for the Republican you vote out the Spanos, Burns, and the liberal Democrats.
Then again, there is the likeable Mike Spano, the newly minted Democrat, who may ride the wave of incumbency back to Albany with three party ballot lines to Ramondelli’s one and Mosiello’s one.
Comments 33
Lets cut to the chase here.Mike R seems to be a nice guy with a few bucks to spend on a campaign that the republican knows he cant win.Mike R should run for City Council first to see how effective he can be in that capacity first.I feel he is being used and will get some support but not nearly enough to be a contender against a man like Mike SPANO who has done so many great things for our community.I learned one thing you should treat him solely on him not on his family .He is a good family man and finds time to balance things very well without being full of himself.
MIKE SPANO WINS HERE. MURTAGH, SHEPHERD, AND THE MAYORS PUPPET WILL GO HOME WITH HIS TAIL BETWEEN HIS LEGS. MIKE R IS A NICE GUY BUT HE IS BEING USED BY THE LIKLES OF THE ABOVE.
Wow as soon as someone says something about Mikey’s “relationship” the long knives come out and accusations fly about FIRST statement about Mikey’s “relationship” (I would never use that tawdry phrase used by the previous poster)
Well spanoites? any response on that issue?
Hmmmmmmmmmm
the point about nick winning yonkers is extremely
important because it totally debuncks the notion
that the spano’s (nick and mike) are somehow unpopular in yonkers which is not the case..and there is no
connection between and andy spano loss and a nick
spano loss…andy was a democrat who democrats did
not turn out for…nick lost only because the lockstep
liberals in greenburgh voted for cousins…that won’t
happen again
NO WAY NO HOW – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SINKS MIKE ROMANDELLI (RUMOR I HEARD) FROM THE GIDDYUP. MY GUESS IS HE GETS OUT OF THE RACE WHEN THIS COMES OUT. ALSO SOME INTERESTING NEWS ON HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER AND HIS FAMILY. HMMM ITS GOING TO GET INTERESTING AROUND HERE.
Follow the lead people, The Spano’s corruption must end.
http://risingtimes.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/will-2010-mark-the-end-of-the-spanos-in-westchester-politics/#comments
and from what i hear mike romandelli has a domestic abuse charge. anyone know anything about this. i also heard something bout stalking
So why is Mike R qualified again?What has he done?What does he do all day?We no nothing about him he has no ties to anybody or any involvement in any community.I think people forget how much money the Spano family has brought into our schools and how since he left office Yonkers has lost MILLIONS of dollars that came from the state that he has lobbied for.Mike R had a paper route .Do you see the difference?
Mike Spano is listed as one of the weasels who slashed funds from the MTA:
These pols slashed transit funds then blamed the MTA
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/06/28/2010-06-28__the_great_train_robbery.html
Yeah Mike Ramondelli has no familY, but atleast he isnt f**king his chief of staff…
The problem with Mike Ramondelli is that he has NO EXPERIENCE AT anything!No wife no kids no political experience does not no what the world is like .Mike R only knows about a single man lifestyle which revolves around HIM.We need someone who knows life and dificulties in the state Mike R is not that man SORRY Mike R go for councilman first to see what you could do, We need someone in assembly with experience in these crucial times.
Oh please – No way Roamdelli beats mike spano – just not going to happen. the only people who think that are tied to shepherd, mayor and murtagh. Everyone else including the GOP thinks this guy is a nut job with a bad history of violence.
And to the person who keeps saying that Nick lost – he did lose but not in yonkers. check the boe website. nick beat andrea in yks but lost bad in greenburgh. as for andy the man is not related.
Mike spano is a well liked guy around here and hes does his job well for the city he loves.
he will be re-elected
Mike Ramondelli will count in the Assembly, he’ll help break the Democratic super-majority. If the Rep. pick up a few more seats they’ll have veto power.
And if Mike Spano wins he’ll just begin to concentrate on the Mayoral race and neglect his duties as Assemblyman.
ramondelli has to first get thru a GOP primary..
It has been 18 years since Mike Spano was first elected to the State Assembly. 18 years ago.
Anyone who’s seen the list of tax hikes Mike Spano has voted for in that time knows how vulnerable he is.
For those of you who believe that Mike Spano is immune from the anti-incumbency sentiment, I have a bridge to sell you.
First Nick Spano was voted out, then Andy Spano was voted out, and this year, Mike Spano will be voted out.
The Spano Taxes MUST be stopped.
PLEASE! NO MORE SPANOS. WE’VE HAD IT WITH BACK ROOM DEALS AND CHANGING PARTIES WHEN IS SUITS THE CANDIDATE. OUT WITH THE OLD (SPANOS) AND IN WITH THE NEW. (ANYBODY ELSE).
CAN’T WAIT TILL MIKE SPANO IS MAYOR. SPANO IS GOING TO CLEAN ROMANDELLIS CLOCK THIS TIME AROUND. HE IS BEING USED BY MURTAGH AND CALVI. TOO BAD..
AS SURE AS GOID MADE LITLLE GREEN APPLES – SPANO WINS THIS RACE 64% – 26% – 10% MOISIELLO
I agree Anti, a vote for any one other than Joan is a vote for the status quo.
Why would Mike step down to run for Mayor. He did not last time. Lesnick will not step down from Council President eityer.
A Vote for Spano, is just throwing your vote away, for he’ll step down once the mayor race begins….and Hopefully it will be Joan Gronowski, running for mayor. she is the only one who can save Yonkers.
easy spano victory here
spano 57% ,Ramondelli 33% ,Mosiello 10%
can we please concentrate on what counts
whether ramondelli wins or looses is of
no moment it will not change the makeup
of the democratic assembly…but by removing
both stewart cousins and oppenheimer it
could very well return the senate to republcan control and stop one party rule
in new york state
this could of been a win for the GOP . but ramondelli is the wrong candidate, he is unstable and weak..
Ramondelli is anything but a fresh face, he has run for office before and dropped out.
Elvis… that would be correct, IF, the Republicans weren’t poised to reclaim the Senate. Your analysis is flawed
Just the facts, you just made the case for why we should re-elect Adrea Stewart Cousins. I am sure she appreciates your reasoning.
You think Mike Ramondelli will bring lower taxes and change the state around? What a joke! He would be the lowest ranking member in the Assembly as a republican in the minority. He would have absolutely no power to do anything to lower taxes in Yonkers, let alone pass a bill. Think Yonkers gets screwed now – that would be a disaster for this city. Lets just be realistic here. Change is great as long as its not for the worse.
you got that right he is a fresh face and will work to turn this state around if the voters want change vote the bums out if they want whats going on now well next yr you will have the same problem
I AM FOR MIKE
not quite
we’re looking to vote out AND not elect everyone of these greedy MF bastards.
Mike Ramondelli will win this race. The voters have had it with the Spanos and Mike Spano will suffer the same crushing defeat as Nick and Andy Spano.
Of course there will be the usual naysayers. The Mike Edelmans of the world will continue to shill for the Spanos. They foolishly believe that Nick and Andy Spano’s unpopularity will not rub off on Mike Spano. They do not recognize that the political landscape has changed with the election of Rob Astorino.
Mike Spano represents everything the voters want to reject this year. He’s a longtime incumbent with an ultra-liberal voting record of tax hikes and spending increases, not to mention ties to corrupt political bosses like his brother and puppetmaster Nick Spano, not to mention a rubber stamp for Sheldon Silver.
Mike Spano could have all the ballot lines and all the money in the world, and it will not make a difference, no matter what Mike Edelman says. When the voters are ready to throw the bums out, they will vote on any line and no amount of direct mail or TV will convince them otherwise.
All the money Mike Spano will spend will just remind voters that they want to get rid of him, just like they wanted to get rid of Nick and Andy Spano.
Mike Ramondelli will win because he’s a fresh face who will fight for tax cuts and reduced spending. He’s exactly what the voters are looking to vote for.
Mike Spano is exactly what the voters are looking to vote out.
Isn’t nick. A partner with a real estate broker who controls many millions in a brown field cleanup company operating in yonkers and is also convicted felon?
Yeah out with all these bastards
Gee thanks Vox. I believe this exact scenario was layed out by a poster 2 days ago. The only good in this is it becomes easier and easier to see where Nick goes before he goes there. The key to Ramondelli’s race is to pry the I line from Jodi by knocking the petitions out. CB did that to Lesnick but still lost because republicans Spano, Spencer and Martinelli groups all worked against him or stayed home.
If Ramondelli can get the I line then NYS republican party will give enough $ to help sink Mikey Spano’s ship.