BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter
He was just elected to the Clarkstown Town Council in November 2025, and now he has to run again because of the new even year election law passed by the democrat led legislature and governor in Albany. So, Bob Axelrod held his campaign Kickoff event at Rocco’s Family Restaurant in New City.
He began by announcing all of the dignitaries and elected officials who were present at the approximate 100-person event. When he was finished with that “requirement” he went into his first of what is to be many campaign speeches. At times it was a comedic venture. He was relaxed and jovial with the assembled.
“I mean, this is so, so important. Last year, we did very well, obviously. We have a 5-0 board, Republican board, and I’d like to call us the Fab Five. We did really, really well, but we could do better and we need to do better. I’m telling you because last year, I mean, yeah, we won, but I’m still disappointed. We were basically going against ghosts, ghosts, and I mean it. These people, they never, they weren’t out there. Nobody knew who they were.”
“Now what a lot of these people don’t realize is that this is where the education comes in, and this is where everybody else needs to come in as well. People have to be notified what local government means to them. We’re hearing that people are not going to vote for Republicans because of Trump. You know something? Trump doesn’t work, run your daily life over here locally in government. We do. We do. The town board does. The town clerk does. The Superintendent of highway does. That’s every single day. Their lives are dependent upon in terms of tax, infrastructure, budgeting, services to the county, all the amenities that we have.” Axelrod stated.
“Clarkstown is an amazing place, amazing place. These opponents, these ghosts that we have constantly putting it down that we’re ruining the town. They say we’re ruining the town. We’re overtaxed.”
Axelrod responded to that accusation, How are we ruining the town? “No, the taxes have been basically stabilized. The taxes are not high in terms of, matter of fact, business, economic development. Clarkstown is probably helping every single person in terms of property taxes. Clarkstown accounts for over 60% of commercial rateables in Rockland County. That is incredible. In terms of development, amenities that we have, if I don’t know, in the summertime, you go around and see some of the parks we have.
“Now, this year, we have a lot, a lot of work to do. We really appreciate in terms of the funding that you that you help us with because it’s going to cost twice as much money. As a matter of fact, my wife, Sharon says it’s not a job. She calls me a volunteer. Oh, she calls me a donator, even more so. But that’s basically it. If we’re in two elections in a row, that’s what’s going to happen. If you’re spending twice as much as you’re making, that’s what you basically are. You’re a donor.” He joked.
He explained that everything that you do is helpful to us, but it’s not only helpful in terms of a campaign to get us elected, but it’s also helping to keep Clarkstown’s high quality of life that they all recognize and know here in Clarkstown. He added that the only way that’s going to happen is they win again and they continue to win.
“We need to get George Hoehmann, Don Francino, Mike Graziano and John Valentino back in there. We’ve got Lauren Marie Wohl back in there, as town clerk and Rob Sambevski in there, as Superintendent of Highways, and Bill Weber and Mike Lawler back where they belong.”
“So, I’ve got good people over there.” He announced Brett Yagel’s presence and that he is running for the 96th Assembly District. “We’ve got to get rid of Pat Carroll. Seriously, how are we getting rid of him? I don’t know what he does. He does NOTHING! All he does is campaign for everybody else. All right, so please, please help us be out there. Talk up what we do. Let people know that it’s the local government that, that’s significant in their everyday lives.”
Axelrod said that they’ll get out there and they’ve got a great team. Their team is like top-notch. “I love that my teammates and I’m, I’m just happy that we’re running again together. It gives him something to do.
Smiling, he said, “I’ve got to lose a few pounds, so petitions, walking door to door will help me do that.”
Barbara Chuck raised her and to ask a question. “Are you doing anything Saturday or Sunday?”
Axelrod made a joke? “Wait, my wife is here.”
She said that the Clarkstown Lion’s Club is doing a food drive Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2 pm at New City Stop and Shop. Can we show how Republicans care?
Axelrod thanked everyone for coming and helping the campaign and reminded everyone that this election cycle is major league important to Clarkstown and to get people out to vote Republican.