Yonkers Tribune

Judge Agrees Board of Legislators’ County Contract Board Changes Needed Only a Permissive Referendum

Court Decision Contradicts Opinion by County Attorney Robert Meehan

WHITE PLAINS, NY - Westchester County Court Judge Barry E. Warhit agreed today that the lawsuit filed by the three leaders of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL)—Chairman Jenkins (D-Yonkers), Vice Chair Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) and Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah)—calling for County Executive Robert P. Astorino and his Administration to comply, implement and enforce the laws of Westchester can move forward.

Astorino Administration Pushes through Illegal “Approval” of $13 Million Contract

Unapproved Commissioner, Lack of Transparency Mar Acquisition and Contract Meeting

 

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- In yet another egregious and troubling example of County Executive Robert P. Astorino’s Administration operating illegally and without transparency, the County’s Board of Acquisition & Contract (A&C) “approved” a $13 million capital project today without first presenting it to Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL)—contrary to the laws set in the County Charter—for any discussion, vetting or due diligence whatsoever regarding the funding,  despite information about bonding options that could save the County over $1 million.

Westchester Legislators to Protest Cut Bus Route in Government Operations Committee Meeting

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- The Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL) plans to protest the application of Liberty Lines Transit, Inc., for service modifications of the Route 13 bus line in a special resolution, which will be discussed and voted on tomorrow morning at the meeting of the WCBoL’s Government Operations Committee.

The protest and resolution come in the aftermath of County Executive Rob Astorino’s abrupt cancellation of the Route 76 bus line service between Port Chester and Milton Point in Rye on December 27, 2011, with service officially stopping on December 31, 2011. Regular passengers of the 76 bus—and WCBoL members—learned that the service was being discontinued on Wednesday, December 27, during a week when many were taking a winter vacation between Christmas and New Year’s.

Westchester Legislators Sworn-in and Begin New Two-Year Session

The 2012-2013 Westchester County Board of Legislators: Front row: John Testa, Alfreda Williams, Bernice Spreckman, Sheila Marcotte, Judy Myers, Virginia Perez, Bill Ryan, Catherine Borgia and Michael Kaplowitz. Back row: Michael Smith, Gordon Burrows, Jim Maisano, Ken Jenkins, Peter Harckham, MaryJane Shimsky, Lyndon Williams and David Gelfarb. Photo by Tom Staudter and courtesy of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Jenkins and Williams Re-Elected to Leadership Posts

WHITE PLAINS, NY – January 10, 2012 --The Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL), including four new members, were sworn into office at a special ceremony tonight during its 2012 organizational meeting to mark the beginning of the 2012-2013 county legislative session. The ceremony, conducted in the WCBoL Chambers, was presided over by Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni and drew a standing room only crowd of family members, friends and supporters.

Westchester Legislators Deliver Zero Percent Tax Increase and Protect Jobs in 2012 Budget

WCBoL Chairman Ken Jenkins

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- The Democratic majority of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL) presented its 2012 County Budget yesterday, delivering a promised 0% increase in the County Tax Levy and restoring 187 jobs to the County workforce that had been cut in the County Executive’s proposed budget.

     After a day and night of negotiations with members of the WCBoL’s Republican caucus and with County Executive Astorino, the WCBoL’s 2012 County Budget was passed in a special meeting early this morning by a vote of 16-1. It now goes to the County Executive for consideration.

Virginia Perez Thanks her Supporters for Electing Her to the 17th District of the Westchester County Board of Legislators

Virginia Perez today thanked her many supporters, volunteers and the voters of her community for electing her to represent the 17th Westchester County Board of Legislators District.  "I am both honored and humbled by the overwhelming support that was given to me by the voters," she said.

Chairman Alvarado Pledges to Support Children’s Museum

Yonkers, NY – Westchester County Legislator Jose Alvarado, chairman of the Budget & Appropriations Committee pledged to work with the Board of Legislators to override the recent veto by County Executive Astorino of the lease for the Children’s Museum. 

On August 8, the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) unanimously approved a ten-year lease agreement for the operation of a children’s museum in the North Bathhouse at Playland.  In announcing his veto, Astorino cited fiscal concerns.  The County has previously invested an estimated $8 million into the facility.  The Children’s Museum will be self-sustaining, according to the museum work plan, drawing an estimated 200,000 additional visitors to Playland, mostly during non-summer months when the park attendance is down.

Westchester County Sales Tax Revenue Jumps Over Eight Percent from 2010 Figures

White Plains, NY – The Westchester County sales tax revenue jumped 8.67% over the same period last year, according to a report given by county budget officials during a Budget & Appropriations Committee meeting this morning at the Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL). 

Westchester County Executive Astorino’s Chief of Staff George Oros Belittles and Denigrates Two Legislators in Email Message By HEZI ARIS

Offended Legislators Call for Oros’ Dismissal

White Plains, NY – A derisive and mocking tone was taken by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s Chief of Staff George Oros (right) toward Board Majority Whip Judy Myers (D-Mamaroneck) when on May 10, 2011, at 4:02 p.m., Ms Myers received a suggestive and highly offensive email message from George Oros. Once colleagues of equal footing serving their respective constituents, Mr Oros’ defiled the trust earned between them over those years. The salacious tone Mr Oros expressed in writing to Ms Myers defiles his “vanilla” demeanor. 

Democrats Must Stand and Be Accountable to Taxpayers By Jim Maisano

After a series of exchanges at a Board of Legislators Committee of the Whole (C.O.W.) meeting this week, Republican Legislators today called on the Board to condemn the political poisoning of the CSEA lawsuit by Chairman Ken Jenkins and level with the public as to whether they are on the side of the union or taxpayers in the lawsuit. 

Pete Harckham Addresses False Statements Made in Astorino eMail to Supporters

White Plains, NY, March 18, 2011 -- Calling Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino’s recent email to supporters on his “Taxpayer Watch” website about the CSEA lawsuit against the County completely wrong and disingenuous, today, Westchester County Board Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) criticized County Executive Rob Astorino and demanded an apology for interjecting cheap political tactics by saying outright falsehoods using scare tactics on taxpayers.

County Legislator Williams Introduces Law to Make Permanent Memorial in Honor of Slain Mount Vernon Police Officer

Mount Vernon, NY, February 9,  2011 -- Westchester County Board of Legislators Vice-Chairman Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) has sponsored legislation for the County of Westchester to construct a permanent memorial in honor of Mount Vernon Police Officer Christopher Ridley on the plaza in front of the County Office Building located at 85 Court Street in White Plains, New York.  Officer Ridley was 23 years old when he intervened on behalf of a Westchester County resident, who was being brutally assaulted, in front of the County Office Building on January 25, 2008. The unfortunate turn of events resulted in Officer Ridley losing his life during his heroic efforts of saving the life of a fellow county resident.

Westchester GOP Legislators Release Minority Report to 2011 County Budget Process

Support Budget with Reservations and Ready to Vote to Sustain Vetoes to Improve Budget   

White Plains, NY -- The Republican members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators issued a report on 2011 County Budget announcing support for the 2% property tax reduction, while citing reservations about the flawed and rushed budget process, and that they are prepared to support vetoes to the budget by the County Executive that will make it more fiscally responsible. In the Minority Report (See Below), the Republican legislators cited detailed flaws in the budget itself and the process to approve it, and said the budget process was at odds with good and open government, when the additions and deletions to the budget for both expenditures and revenues were decided in the secrecy of closed door meetings of the Democratic caucus, with the public, press and Republican legislators shut out, as well as the Budget Director, Commissioners and County Attorney, and only shown to the Republican legislators just before votes were taken. Minority Leader Jim Maisano (New Rochelle) stated, “We have major concerns about the accuracy of the modifications to the budget.  It is unclear if these numbers will provide us with enough money to run the County in 2011.  The budget was clearly rushed, and the Republican legislators were denied a full and fair opportunity to review the additions and deletions prior to being forced to take votes on them.  The Republican legislators will support vetoes to the budget that will ensure it is balanced and fiscally sound.” 

County Legislator Pete Harckham on Westchester's DWI Vehicle Forfeiture Law Goes Into Effect December 15th

 

No One is Above the Law By Ken Jenkins

White Plains, NY, September 19, 2010 -- County ExecutiveAstorino is breaking the law. The County Board only took legal action after close to seven months of discussion. The County Board was forced to retain outside counsel because the County Attorney, who was appointed by Mr. Astorino, refused to enforce the law. The County Attorney’s own legal opinion concludes that Mr. Astorino is violating the law, but he refused to enforce the law against his boss. In a separate lawsuit brought on behalf of parents, Judge Collabella, issued a temporary restraining orderreversing the Administration's illegal actions.