Thanks Rev. Richardson for getting Black People to support Separatist Astorino

According to Webster’s dictionary a Separatist is one who is an advocate for racial or cultural separation. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has refused to adopt any legislation that will ban discrimination against residents who pay their rent with government vouchers. The Astorino administration has not strategized how to eliminate local zoning laws that make it impossible for some Black and Latino families to find housing in the county. The media has now reported that the county was notified that it would lose $5.2 million in federal community development grants from 2012 if it didn't reverse its long-standing contention that local zoning is not an obstacle to diversifying Westchester communities. An analysis of local zoning is a requirement of the settlement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Astorino’s response was, " the $5.2 million, or any amount of money, wasn't worth giving up local control over zoning.” In essence, the Astorino Administration has promoted and are willing to maintain a Separatist mentality in our county and no amount of lost money in governmental grants will changed his mind. Unfortunately, Astorino’s opposition to HUD or supporting a segregated Westchester didn’t stop Rev. Richardson a resident of Scarsdale or many other black pastors in Westchester from supporting him this last election. According to news reports, Richardson’s reason why he supported Astorino  wasn’t social justice or equity in government or even fiscal responsibility. He noted that Astorino had made available $45,000 for Grace Freedom School (Taxpayer money) Now that Astroino has been reelected as County Executive and has basically abandoned his post to campaign for Governor. The Democrats of Westchester with no direction from party boss Reggie Lafayette have no game plan to hold Cuomo to a win in Westchester in November. The Westchester Democratic Party who has executed one of the most embarrassing campaigns and loss with Noam Bramson by losing many of the so-called influential black vote now call on Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network to go on attack. Unfortunately, there is a little flaw in their strategy. A little talked about fact is that Rev. Richardson is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Al Sharpton National Action Network.

Rev. Richardson was conveniently  absent when Al Sharpton first called out Astorino at Grace Baptist Church. He was also absent at the recent press conference. Rev. Richardson has never had any problem standing with Sharpton in the past.

What Al Sharpton and Rev. Richardson are doing is sending mix messages to the Westchester community, Westchester County Democrats, the black community and the Westchester membership of the National Action Network. How can your Chairman support Astorino and months later Al Sharpton condemn him? If the Democratic Party really wants the Westchester Community and the black community to really think that they are sincere and not just another political ploy. Next time have Rev. Richardson and Al Sharpton stand together and condemn Astorino and then we might think the Democratic Party is really serious and not just another photo op! As  Democrats, we are opposed to any win by Rob Astorino and he should be held accountable for failing to abide by the housing settlement.  As Independent Democrats we demand our Democratic leadership to stop sending confusing messages that only discourage the masses of Democrats from participating in the process of elections.