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PEEKSKILL As in some neighboring communities, the fight for so-called third party endorsements has been more dire than usual this election year. On Wednesday, the New York Court of Appeals upheld a decision by the state Supreme Court which invalidated petitions that put members of the Peekskill Democratic Party on the Independence Party line in this falls election.
The lawsuit, filed by former Peekskill Councilwoman Cathy Pisani, stated that the person who had had gathered the signatures had put down an incorrect city address, an accusation the courts eventually agreed with. Infighting between the Westchester Independence Party leaders and the administration of County Executive Robert Astorino led to Democrats getting the majority of Independence endorsements in the county.
The Independence line will likely now remain empty in Peekskill with the exception of Democrat Darren Rigger, who was added to the ticket after signatures in question were gathered. The Westchester Independence Party can still spend money supporting the Democrats in the race.
The outcome leaves Republicans without a line they could often, along with the Conservative Party, count on for additional votes just as Democrats often get the Working Families Party line. To help offset the loss, Peekskill Republicans have created a new party, Progress4Peekskill.
Peekskill GOP Chairman Vinnie Vesce said the third line would not help the Republicans financially but may help get votes from disgruntled registered Democrats and independent voters. There are certain people who, for force of habit, cant find themselves voting for the opposite major party, Vecse said.
There is precedence for local parties being formed in Peekskill as recently as 2009, when Leesther Brown, former chairwoman of the Peekskill Housing Authority, made an unsuccessful run for mayor with a political group made up of residents called the Peekskill Populace. The group has since disbanded.
Republican Mayoral candidate Tony Washington said the new party was aimed at attracting voters who might not be likely to vote Republican or, for that matter, Democrat. He said that dissatisfaction with the status quo and the fighting between the two parties in the city left many voters unhappy.
Our motto is progress for Peekskill, not politics, Washington said. We wanted another party line which exemplifies what were about. It has everything to do with giving people a place to vote thats something different than what theyre used to seeing. Im more concerned about the citys health and the citys future and less concerned with political machinery, which is what the Democrats have created, and were seeing how well thats worked out.
Peekskill Democrat Committee Acting Chairwoman Marina Ciotti said Wednesday that the party was not surprised by the newly created group since the GOP had lost the Independence Line and likely needed to make up votes. Ciotti also accused the GOP of turning to controversial community leader Darrell Davis, who has led numerous protests during City Council meetings against what he claims is racist treatment of some employees and residents, to help get voters from the new party. Washington said he would not confirm or deny the charge.
Davis said Wednesday he was unaware of the newly-formed party and was not involved with organizing or setting it up. This is the first time Im ever hearing about this, Davis said. Good for them. Ill consider supporting them since I dont support whos in there now.
Davis said he had no intention of stopping his protests because the city government has not been responsive enough to his accusations. Theyre quick to say well investigate but we need action, Davis said.
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