Primary Candidates Capodanno and Acker Donate To Democratic Opponents?

It now appears that Republican and Independence Party Primary’s will take place this September 10th. Former Huntington Republican Councilman Mark Capodanno will challenge Republican Party nominees Councilman Mark Mayoka and Commack Attorney Josh Price. Independence Party member Harold Acker will challenge Supervisor candidate and Independence Party member Eugene Cook.

Both Acker and Capodanno are Town of Huntington employees. Acker, of Centerport, was the Maritime Services Director prior to his retirement. After his retirement, Acker returned to work for the town of Huntington as it’s Harbormaster.  The Town of Huntington is paying Acker $30,000.  Additionally Acker is collecting a pension through the New York State Retirement System. According to public records, Acker’s pension is approximately $92,851 annually. Mark Capodanno, presently works for the Town Recreation and Parks Department. Capodanno was hired by Supervisor Frank Petrone after he lost in the 2005 election to Stuart Besen. Multiple sources have told us that his job in the town is a part time position. He is making $50,000.

If Acker should “win” the September Independence Party primary then he will challenge his present boss, Supervisor Frank Petrone in the general election to be held on November 5th, 2013. If Mark Capodanno should win the Republican Town Council Primary then he would move on to face Democrat Mark Cuthbertson and Tracy Edwards in the general election. At the same time Robert Lifson is set to primary Eugene Cook on the Republican line. Cook, Mayoka and Price will still have the Conservative Party line even if Acker, Lifson and Capodanno win their primary’s. This scenario would make a win for Petrone and Cuthbertson in November much more likely.

In reviewing political campaign contributions between the period of 2006 through July 2013, it appears that both Mark Capodanno and Harold Acker have contributed significantly to their potential November Democratic opponents Frank Petrone and Mark Cuthbertson.

According to New York State Board of Election records, Capodanno has contributed to both Petrone and Cuthbertson on ten separate occasions. Capodanno has contributed a total of $800 to Frank Petrone and $1150 to Mark Cuthbertson for a total of $1950.00. The period of time that these contributions were made is 2009 through 2013.  Capodanno just recently contributed $200 to Petrone on 2/25/2013 and $150 to Cuthbertson on 3/5/2013.

Harold Acker has contributed to the political campaigns of both Frank Petrone and Mark Cuthbertson on fifteen separate occasions.  Acker has contributed a total of $1900 to Frank Petrone and $2650 to Mark Cuthbertson for a total of $4550.00. These contributions were made from 2006 through 2013. Acker contributed $250 to Petrone on 2/25/2013 and $300 to Cuthbertson on 2/12/2013.