Politics & Government

Yorktown Democrats Announce Supervisor, Councilmen, Highway Superintendent Endorsements

Yorktown Democratic Committee members have announced their slate of candidates for town supervisor, council member, highway superintendent and county legislator seats.

Long-time Yorktown Councilman Nick Bianco received the endorsement Monday night as candidate for town supervisor. The assembled district leaders gave him more than 90 percent of the vote, according to co-chairman Ron Stokes.

"Over the past 18 months I’ve been increasingly dismayed and worried about what’s happening to Yorktown,” Bianco said in a statement. “I hate to see all the hard work we’ve done to improve this town get destroyed.”

During his time as councilman, the town has added more than 3,000 acres of new parkland and several new ball fields, according to a statement from the Democratic Committee. Bianco has also been pro-business candidate. In 2011, he developed a plan for the town to offer tax incentives to landlords, provided they pass the savings along to new tenants of the commercial spaces which are sitting vacant.

Democratic Party co-chairman Brendan Tully said he was "thrilled" to have Bianco  heading their ticket in November. 

"When it comes to serving the people of this town, he has no equal," Stokes said. "Everyone knows that they can call him anytime, and he’ll be there for them right away, regardless of party affiliation.”

There were four candidates whose names were placed in nomination Monday night, but two of them – former town judge Ilan Gilbert and Steve Steenick – refused to accept. Instead they supported Bianco once they learned of his candidacy. 

“I’ve known Nick [Bianco] for years,” Gilbert said. “I can’t think of anyone better qualified to be Supervisor, or who’s over the years done more for the people of 
this town."

Bianco and his wife Virginia have lived in Yorktown for almost 40 years. They have two children and eight grandchildren. Bianco waa law enforcement officer serving in Yonkers and for the past 10 years he has been an investigator with the Westchester County Legal Aid Society.

The Democrats also filled out the rest of their slate, nominating incumbent councilman Vishnu Patel and former town board candidate Rich Campanaro for councilmen.

Patel and his wife have raised two children in Yorktown who are both now serving in the United States Army after completing their studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Patel is a retired IBM scientist who has made contributions to numerous organizations and donated computers and scholarship money.  

Companaro is a Lakeland High School graduate. He has served the community for the last 12 years as a youth baseball and football coach and as Baseball Commissioner. For three years, he served as President of the Yorktown Athletic Club. He and his wife have four children in the Yorktown school district system.

Long-time Yorktown resident Thomas Diana received the party's endorsement for highway superintendent. He and his wife raised two daughters who went through the Lakeland school system. Diana spent more than 25 years as a law enforcement officer serving Yorktown, Cortlandt and Westchester County. He also has heavy mechanical and equipment experience which he has developed since he was 19 years old. 

“These nominations round out the strongest possible Democratic team for this fall's election," Democratic Party vice-chair Elliot Krowe said. 

In the county-wide races, committee members also endorsed incumbent Michael Kaplowitz for County Legislator in the 4th legislative district and Duane Jackson, making his first run in the 1st district.


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