CARMEL – A week ago today, Putnam County’s Conservative Party nominated right-winger Tatiana Brahimi for Putnam’s top elected position over incumbent County Executive Kevin Byrne, who ran four years ago unopposed with Republican and Conservative backing.
The third person in the race is Democrat Brett Yarris.
Hours later, the chairwoman of the Putnam Democrats, Jennifer Colamonico, accused Byrne of making a false accusation that she made a promise to retain the current county attorney Compton Spain, should the Conservatives endorse Yarris, which she called “completely untrue.”
Late Thursday afternoon, Spain issued a memorandum saying he had never met or spoken with Colamonico. “There was no meeting, no conversation, no promise and no agreement. I am not an officer of the Putnam Conservative Party, nor do I speak on behalf of the party or its members,” he said.
Spain said Byrne was entitled to “his political beliefs. He is not entitled to manufacture facts.”
Spain added, “Rather than spending the remaining months of his administration advancing unfounded accusations, misinformation and personal attacks against those with whom he has political or professional disagreements, the county executive would be better served focusing on the responsibilities of the office he currently holds and the people of Putnam County he was elected to serve.”
Spain reminded Byrne that the County Attorney’s Office was “not a political bargaining chip. We are a professional law office whose attorneys and staff serve the entire county government, not anyone elected official, political party or administration. My staff should not be dragged into political disputes or have their reputations diminished for political purposes. I will not permit Mr. Byrne to falsely portray this office or the professionals who serve within it, otherwise.”
Byrne fired back, saying, “This appears to be the latest effort to split the conservative vote and ultimately help surrender Putnam County to the same radical political forces that have seized control of New York City.”
Byrne alleged that “questions about this maneuver go back months. Earlier this year, our county attorney shared with me and members of my office that Ms. Colamonico had ‘offered’ him re-nomination as county attorney if he assisted their endorsed candidate.”
Byrne went on: “Now the Conservative Party has replaced its original candidate with Ms. Ibrahim, who is wholly unqualified to serve as County Executive. Her erratic conduct and rhetoric are well documented and should concern anyone who expects serious, stable and responsible leadership.”
Spain reiterated there was no deal. “Fatal to Mr. Byrne’s assertion is that I have every intention of leaving the office of county attorney at the end of this year.”
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