http://www.westchestergov.com/boe99/link22.aspx

This is free and open to the public.  The Happy Hour is a great way for Domenic Volpe to
meet with the people of Peekskill and talk to them about the future of our city.

To learn more about the Peekskill Democratic City Committee please visit www.peekskilldems.com or make a secure online contribution at http://www.actblue.com/page/peekskilldems

JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF VOLPE; TESTA LAWSUIT THROWN OUT OF COURT

-         Testa’s attempts to harass and intimidate candidate’s wife and son blocked by County Court Judge -

-         Volpe: "What this lawsuit reaffirmed is the mean-spirited and vicious way John Testa conducts himself "

A Westchester County Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the John Testa campaign yesterday that accused his wife and son of election fraud. The lawsuit, a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate and harass Volpe and his family, contended that members of the Volpe family committed fraud by collecting petitions for a candidate on the Independence Party line. Both Volpe’s wife and son are members of the Independence Party.

“In the end, justice was served,” said Domenic Volpe, a local businessman. “But what this lawsuit reaffirmed is the mean-spirited and vicious way John Testa conducts himself. Residents of Peekskill have had a ringside seat to Testa’s political style for years, but now the residents of Cortlandt and Yorktown get to see first hand the temperament of a man who wants to serve them in the county legislature. John Testa will do anything to get elected.”

Almost a dozen witnesses, many of them senior citizens, were hauled into court by Testa’s lawyer/Independence Party Chairman/former employee Dan Pagano. The Testa campaign, as reported in the Journal News and North County News hired a New Jersey-based private investigator to help trump up the charges. In each instance when the witnesses took the stand they contradicted the claims that Testa and Pagano made in their lawsuit.

“John Testa needs to learn there are some things in politics that are simply off limits, and my wife and my children are one of those things” continued Volpe. “The fact that he would harass and intimidate my family for political gain speaks to his character as both an individual and as a politician.”

Legislative District 1 encompasses Peekskill, Cortlandt, and Yorktown on the Westchester County Board of Legislatures. Volpe is running on the Democratic and Working Families Line.

Domenic Volpe (D-WF), candidate for Westchester County Legislator and County Legislator and Board Vice Chairman Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), were joined by Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster (D-WF), angry local residents and business owners, at a press conference today outside the Westchester County's Department of Social Services Building on Washington St. in Peekskill to present a year-end 'report card' on the performance of the NY State Senate. "While the Senate fiddles, Westchester taxpayers are getting burned," said Domenic Volpe, candidate and local businessman. "Residents of northern Westchester County depend on their state senators to carry local legislation that supports town and city budgets. It's time to put the politics aside and get down to business." "The cost of the State Senate's immaturity and inaction is going to translate to real dollars for the taxpayers of Westchester County in an already struggling economy," said Kaplowitz, the immediate past chair and current member of the County Board's Budget & Appropriations Committee. According to Kaplowitz, it is appropriate that the NY State Senate receive a report card, similar to students, at the end of the year's legislative session. Given the stalemate in Albany, and the incomplete assignment of doing the people's business, it is no surprise that Kaplowitz gave the dueling state lawmakers a big, fat 'F'. "Passing these bills is serious business - the people's business - and our state senators must stop this madness and get back to work," stated the democratic county lawmaker. "Just like in school, if you don't complete the assigned work within the scheduled school year - or in this case, legislative term - then you must go to summer school," continued Kaplowitz. "Enough is enough.
The taxpayers are relying on their state representatives to discharge their duties and bring the relief they promised to Westchester County residents. They can fight and play games on their own time," he concluded.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ YOU CAN HELP!

Please visit Mike Kaplowitz's Legislative website and sign this important petition. You can send a powerful message to the NYS Senate.

Visit this link to sign the petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/letrsquos-get-the-senate-back-to-work

Watch CBS Coverage of the News Conference here: http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=129642@wcbs.dayport.com