Biagi Kicks Off Race Against Latimer for NY Assembly

by Judy Silberstein

(July 3, 2008) New Rochelle Republican Rob Biagi kicked off his official run to represent New York Assembly District 91 on Monday, June 30 with a jab at the incumbent, two-term Democrat George Latimer from Rye. Mr. Biagi, 36, an attorney with Cohen, Kuhn & Associates, called for the passage of a tax cap as presented in a June 3rd report from a commission headed by Nassau Executive Thomas Suozzi and backed by Governor David A. Paterson, both Democrats.

Mr. Biagi said, “We’re getting crushed by massive property tax increases that keep going up and up,” and accused Mr. Latimer of “blocking the tax cap” and voting “'yes' to tax hikes, unfunded mandates and pork-laden budgets lest he incur the wrath of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Wizard of Oz-like character who rules with an iron fist.” (Read the entire Biagi press release.)

Mr. Latimer immediately stabbed back, calling Mr. Biagi “another wannabe ideologue who thinks that hot, angry rhetoric is a substitute for thoughtful, hard work.” He listed his own efforts on behalf of Larchmont and Mamaroneck, which includes fighting for $250,000 in school aid funds to close a gap and $800,000 for flood mitigation. (Read the entire Latimer press statement.)

In a separate release, Mr. Latimer, 54, announced the third year of Star Tax Rebates, which he noted offset property tax increases for those making under $250,000. He said a “cap” of 4% would, in fact, insure an annual increase of at least 4% without a vote, and he urged focus on “what really matters – cutting mandated costs, and thereby reducing spending.” (Read the entire Latimer press release.)

Mr. Biagi’s official announcement was accompanied by a photograph of him with Larchmont Mayor Liz Feld, a Republican running against Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, and former Assemblyman Ron Tocci, a Democrat who declined to run for a 21st term when Mr. Latimer declared his intention to contest the seat in 2004.

Rob Biagi is flanked by Mayor Liz Feld and former Assemblyman Ron Tocci.

The 91st Assembly district includes the towns and villages of Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont, Port Chester and Rye Brook as well as the cities of New Rochelle and Rye. Mr. Latimer is expected to announce his candidacy is September.

Over the summer, the Larchmont Gazette will open its political pages where the candidates will be invited to post biographies and press releases.

Front Page

Print This Page
Email this page