News from Westchester County.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Having recently paid your town taxes, some may be wondering where the money goes.  Westchester County receives 15 cents of every tax dollar you pay to your town for town taxes, and this money goes to a variety of things including Medicaid, Social Services, Public Health and Corrections, our Parks, Courts and Emergency Services. More locally, this year the County is using some of those funds for road paving, bridge repair, and improvements in parks and towns in District 2, including critical road repairs to Long Ridge Road and the bridge on June Road, necessary work which will stabilize the main building at Merestead Park, and funds for salt domes, which are critical for protecting our water, in Lewisboro and Somers.  Other projects currently under review include paving Hardscrabble Road, replacing the roof of the main building at Mountain Lakes Camp, and repairing buildings at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. This quarter, the County Board of Legislators also approved a repaving project at the Westchester County airport, purchased 78 hybrid articulated buses that will save taxpayers at least one million dollars in gas, and continues to encourage the sharing of services with other counties and municipalities to reduce overall expenses and taxpayer burden.  I was thrilled to connect BOCES and our school districts with Westchester County’s GIS (mapping services).  Their EagleView Connect Explorer program can be used by school districts at no additional cost to taxpayers to help make our schools safer. In addition, we have determined the need to update our Animal Abuse Law and Registry, and expect to vote on a new animal tethering law in May.  We will soon vote to ban polystyrene (Styrofoam, which cannot be recycled) in food service establishments, cafeterias, stores and mini marts.  We continue to move forward with discussions which were originally part of passing a Westchester County Reusable Bag Legislation, and are now discussing making the most out of New York State’s new plastic bag ban. We recently voted to require that employers grant safe leave time for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking who need time off to attend court cases or meetings related to such issues.  We continue outreach efforts to ensure that Veterans receive benefits they deserve by publicizing county services and offering assistance on matters before the VA. As your legislator, I have responded to constituent requests and concerns, ranging from helping wth HEAP and SNAP support, to installing traffic signs and filling potholes.  I’ve worked with local towns to facilitate an engineering study in Pound Ridge, sponsor a climate presentation in Bedford, support clean water and sewer projects in Somers and North Salem, and enlist the help of county planners for the Lewisboro Master Plan.  Together with local town officials, I have continued to press our utilities for improved storm services, and have seen increased tree trimming as a result, as well as continuing to press NYS, with the help of our State Senators and Assemblyman, to repave the intersection of 684 and the Saw Mill. I’ve been working hard on behalf of the County Parks within our district, both with county support and with efforts to find grant and other outside funding to help polish these jewels in our district. I helped to relaunch Art in the Park at Ward Pound Ridge. I’ve also been developing a new County Ethics Code that I will share with local town officials as we finalize terms and requirements. This quarter I have held joint town hall meetings with the Pound Ridge, Lewisboro and North Salem supervisors, with another one scheduled with Mayor Picinich of Mt. Kisco on May 11.  With the support of the Cornell Cooperative, I introduced “farm to table” concepts to Mt. Kisco Elementary School students, and have arranged for much needed funding for our local food pantry.  Our environmental focus will continue with an energy audit of county municipal buildings and a survey of food scrapping programs for our towns.  For those who follow my Facebook page, you will see that getting out to community events is a priority for me. It gives me an opportunity to see what is happening in our towns, support the organizations and people that make our towns what they are, and gives me yet another chance to meet face to face with as many of you as possible.  It’s been a busy time, and I appreciate the opportunity to advocate for our district.  Much has been accomplished and there’s much more to do!  Please reach out to me with questions or concerns.  Sincerely, | CE WELCOME | Calendar @ Westchester Parks   Playland Opens on Saturday! Come to Playland on Saturday, May 11 for Opening Day! New entertainment, food and rides await this summer. Safe Leave Act Passed County Executive George Latimer passes a law that gives paid leave to those affected by domestic violence and trauma.   Water Tasting Contest Westchester’s best tasting water flows from Elmsford! The village takes home the prize in the Health Department’s annual water taste test.   Did you sign up? conXpo is May 14. New workshops added! Come learn about different contracting opportunities, and how to make your business succeed in Westchester. Countdown to Clearwater 2019 Don’t miss your chance to buy tickets to Clearwater Festival 2019 – taking place at Croton Point Park from June 15-16. Bicycle Sundays 2019 The Bronx River Parkway is now open for Bicycle Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the County Center to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers.   Top 5 Arts Picks in Westchester Plan your week in Westchester County at one of the many cultural attractions supported by ArtsWestchester. Explore Events   ***MEDIA ADVISORY***   WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOSTS PLAYLAND RIDE AND FOOD SAFETY TOUR.   Thursday, May 9 2p.m. Playland Park 1 Playland Pkwy Rye, NY 10580   *PLEASE WEAR SNEAKERS OR SIMILAR CLOSED TOE SHOES AND PREPARE FOR RAIN*   WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TRAFFIC ADVISORY BRONX RIVER PARKWAY C.R. 9992 CITY OF WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER EVENT ROADWAY: Bronx River Parkway. LOCATION: Westchester County Center. WHAT: Nyack College Graduation Ceremony. IMPACTS: Bronx River Parkway will be subject to traffic disruptions at the above location due to the special event occurring at the Westchester County Center. Motorists are advised to avoid the Bronx River Parkway in the vicinity of the County Center (Exit 22). WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2019, between the hours of 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. WHO: Westchester County Parks. For additional information please contact Westchester County Parks at (914) 864-PARK or the Westchester County Center at (914) 995-4050.