Candidate Wants Bronxville to "Go Greek"

BRONXVILLE, N.Y — While trading exotic cars differs from politics, Theo Moustakopoulos says voters should see his job as a credential because the car industry is tough.

“And I have survived one of the hardest hit industries,” he added. “The exotic end of it.”

Running with Democratic and Independence party backing, Moustakopoulos will challenge incumbent Gordon Burrows, a Republican, in the November election for county legislator representing the 15th District, which includes Bronxville and part of Yonkers.  A third candidate, Delfim Heusler, is running on the Working Families line.

Moustakopoulos, 30, was born in Long Island from Greek parents. After he got a degree in psychology at the University of South Florida, he said he was supposed to take over her mother’s psychotherapy private practice, but instead he remained in the exotic car business.

“I love medicine, but my passion is cars,” said Moustakopoulos, who is single and lives in Yonkers.

Moustakopoulos, whose only experience in politics so far consisted of working on a couple of campaigns, one of them for state Sen. Suzi Openheimer, said he never considered running for office, until people suggested it to him.   

“I looked at my competition and saw that the position definitely needed a change,” he said.

In his opinion, Burrows disrespected his constituents when he was arrested last year, along with a friend, for snorting cocaine inside a car, police said.

“You can’t be making legislation and then break them,” Moustakopoulos said.

Repairing roads and mitigating floods are among Moustakopoulos's priorities, and to solve problems he said he is willing to work with all parties.

"I am offering bipartisanship," he said. "Work together, get the things done. Enough of the BS." 

He also promised to fight to preserve Rye’s Playland, “the only county-owned theme park that speaks volumes.”

“It’s dear to my heart. I want to see Playland stay,” he said.

As for how he, being young and new to politics, plans to dislodge an established politician like Burrows, now in his third term, Moustakopoulos said that he has a large fan base behind him and the support of the police, the firefighters and the unions. He mentioned the Civil Services Employment Association (CSEA), which does endorse him in its website.

“People are tired,” he said. “People definitely want a change.”

Moustakopoulos speaks proudly of his Greek origins, even though he also calls for the county to reduce taxes and spend more wisely, something the world is saying the Greeks are not doing.

The Greeks are a bit relaxed by nature, he said. “But they have passion. When they work, things like the Parthenon pop up,” he said, highlighting that the famous temple has been standing for thousands of years. “Go Greek. You won’t be disappointed.”

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