Willis Stephens
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Hon. Willis “Will” Stephens Jr. (born 1955) is a Republican politician representing the 99th District in the New York State Assembly. Stephens made national headlines after a June 2005 guff when he referred to his constituents as "idiots". After serving his constituents admirably for the past 12 years, Assemblyman Stephens has risen to the leadership of the Republican Caucus. He is one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood . Mr. Stephens, his wife, Ginny, and their three children reside in Brewster, New York.
Political Career and Background
Assemblyman Stephens represents the 99th District of New York which encompasses the municipalities of Patterson, Mahopac, Carmel, Southeast, Putnam Lake and Brewster, in Putnam County; Yorktown, Mohegan Lake, Somers, and North Salem in Westchester County; and Pawling in Duchess County. His family has held the seat nearly continuously for eighty years: his grand-father, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Mr. Stephens himself has served from 1994 to present day.
Mr. Stephens is a member of the law firm of Stephens and Charbonneau, in Brewster, New York. He was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from St. John's University school of Law in 1980 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1977.
Assemblyman Stephens currently serves as the Minority Leader Pro Tempore, and sits on the Ways and Means, Rules, and Judiciary Committees where he participates in negotiation of the yearly budget as well as every bill that has a fiscal impact to the State of New York. While serving as a member of the Assembly Ethics Committee, a small group of bipartisan and bicameral legislators who discussed and oversaw any violations of the ethics law in the New York State Legislature, Mr. Stephens was cited by watchdog groups after using campaign contributions for personal expenses, including a clown for a birthday party.
For the first time since taking office in 1994, Stephens is currently involved in a heated primary campaign for the Republican nomination in the 99th Assembly District.
Controversy
The discussion group, called "Brewster10509", has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast . After realizing his mistake, he issued an apology to the users of the message board to which he said, "In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described."
Re: Comments on Stephens Campaign Website
more interesting crap.
I'm "on" 10509 to monitor what is going on in Brewster. I do not post anymore. Just watching the idiots pontificate. Keeping informed is important and it also gives me a window to what GB and some of his supporters are thinking.
Let me know how you think we should proceed with the website. I'd like to get it up and running before too long and don't want to hurt Michele and Jay ... I like them and they are talented. Maybe a collaboration of some sort? I'll let you be my guide.
What's the scuttlebutt on the election ... is Hauser circulating a Conservative petition ... are you going to do an opportunity to ballot on the "D" line? How about an independent line ... like the Save Pawling Party or "Chicks with Balls Party" or some such thing?
If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0 ) ... I don't think I'm around this weekend for Guinans ... sounds like a blast though.
Got pozzi's announcement in the AM and then its back to the Law Office .... I feel like I've been away for a month!
Later, Will
Stephens' e-mail also included what some might consider to be offensive remarks directed towards his intended recipient, Coursen.
"If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0) ..." he added.
Assemblyman Stephens apologized publicly to the members of the group as well as the entire district.
References
See also
External links
- [Official Homepage: Assemblyman Willis Stephens, 99th District of New York]
- [Brewster10509 Listserv]
- [Project VoteSmart - Assemblymember Stephens]
- [Political Graveyard - Stephens Family of New York]
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