Westchester County NY Government

Good Evening.  It is my absolute pleasure to stand here before you, and give you a report on the state of Westchester County.

I’ve heard many State of the County speeches here in the Chambers, but this is my first State of the County as County Executive.  When I was thinking about this speech – the first order of business was to secure the location here in the People’s Chamber – and so thank you to the County Board Members and staff, for so graciously allowing me here tonight to present to you. Chairman Ben Boykin, this would not be possible without your leadership and for that I give you my gratitude.

I also want to recognize our County Clerk Tim Idoni, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, former County Executive Andy Spano, the legendary Herman Geist and other elected officials who have joined us this evening.  I want to thank the Transition Team for all the work they have done.  My senior team Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Director of Operations Joan McDonald, County Attorney John Nonna, Director of Communications Catherine Cioffi and my Chief of Staff Andrew Ferris.  And, I want to thank my incredibly dedicated staff.

Some of you are watching this at home on FIOS 1or News 12.  Or you are tuning in on Facebook live or the County Webpage. We also have hundreds of people joining us who are seated on the 9^th floor of this building, parties hosted by Hispanic community members, Indivisible Westchester, Labor groups and other dignitaries. Some of the people watching on the 9^th floor are listening to me in Spanish through a translator, “buenas tardes.”  For that matter – “buonasera” and “bonne nuit.”  Friends – the point is at this moment in time we are all united here on this patch of land – together as one Westchester. 

And my friends… What I am here to deliver tonight is news that it is a new day in Westchester County. A day of new opportunity, a day of new ideas and approaches and a day of new growth. And friends - the State of our County is moving forward.

We are all united together, tonight, here in OUR Westchester, and it reminds me of a Nigerian proverb I once read – “In a time of crisis, a wise man builds bridges and a foolish man builds dams.” Right now in this Country we are divided, but here in Westchester County we are committed to building bridges.  Bridges between people, cultures, political parties, different ages, time and beliefs. 

We started this evening with the Nepperhan Community Gospel Youth Choir from Yonkers.  Children’s voices filled this chamber, and more youthful faces are serving as our ushers tonight.  The students here in the chamber are high school students from Mamaroneck High School and Pelham High School who fought hard to have their voices heard.  They want stricter gun control laws – and they are fighting for it. 

Among them is Violet Massie, a Pelham high school student who led a student walkout from her high school to protest the inaction of lawmakers at every level of government on gun control legislation and school safety. Violet started the hashtag “me next.” And motivated students across the Country to stand up for what they believe in. 

While I believe that we need stricter national gun control laws, until that day the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will continue to provide tremendous leadership and training for local law enforcement and School Resource Officers. This ensures that the best information and best practices are available to those who work in our schools.

The Department of Emergency Services is also engaged in similar efforts - for fire and emergency medical personnel. 

I hope the day comes when the words “school violence” will not be used together.  But until that day comes we will all keep fighting and working. Violet and all the students in this chamber please stand.  I am committed to helping you in any way I can. 

Another issue that impacts young people here in Westchester, and across the country, is drug abuse.

County Legislator Gordon Burrows from the start expressed the importance of suing the pharmaceutical companies for the opioid crisis, and in January that suit, on behalf of the County, was filed.

On the law enforcement front, multi-agency partnership is also at the core of the Westchester County Heroin and Opioid Task Force. The task force comprises detectives and undercover officers from the County Police Narcotics Unit; assistant district attorneys, investigators and crime analysts from the District Attorney’s office; and detectives and officers from the Croton-on-Hudson, Mount Pleasant, Port Chester, Peekskill, Yorktown and Yonkers Police Departments. 

On the physical health side…. In March 2014, the County Department of Health became a State Registered program, partnering with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services approved to provide training on how to administer the lifesaving drug Narcan to non-medical persons in the community.

On the Mental Health side… I recognize that Opioid use is frequently connected to mental health needs, Westchester County’s Department of Community Mental Health is racing ahead to address the issue of Co-occurring mental health and substance disorders.

Along with making the County Safer - I am also working to make it cleaner from the Hudson River to the Sound to our many watersheds….. 

I am proud to announce, a few days before Earth Day, that Westchester County will be signing on to the Paris Agreement – and joining other local governments to adhere to the guidelines. 

County Legislator Damon Maher’s personal commitment to the environment is inspiring – and I’m happy to say that we will be buying an entire fleet of electric vehicles for the County.

To date we have:

• Reinstated the airport groundwater monitoring program

• Refocused our commitment to parks and open spaces

• Initiated a study to develop a Countywide approach to food scrap recycling and

This County has a long tradition of environmental leadership.  We will create an Environmental Management Council – whose first order of business will be to develop a climate action plan to protect our existing air and water resources. 

On what is now my 105^th day in office – my administration has worked hard to deliver Westchester County Government back to the people. If you follow the County’s official Facebook page, or my personal Facebook page, you know that I have taken that goal quite literally. Westchester is home to 19 Towns and 6 Cities – 45 municipalities in total when you count the villages - all with unique characteristics that make them who they are – and on my 83^rd day in office, the 25^th of March, I was proud to say that I attended at least one event in each town and city during the month.

While showing up is not the job, meeting with residents in all four corners of the County and listening – goes a long way to developing the type of cooperative relationships we need to move Westchester forward – together.

I have met individually with Democratic Majority Leader Catherine Parker and with Republican Minority Leader County Legislator John Testa - across party lines we are working for what’s best for the County.  Just this past Saturday I hosted a Coffee and Conversation with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz in New Castle.  Before that I’ve hosted them with Legislators Nancy Barr, MaryJane Shimsky, Catherine Borgia and Kitley Covil. Sitting down and having a cup of coffee with the residents of this County – across party lines – is the way to build bridges.  I want to see your community, through your eyes and work with you….

What my administration is here to do is create a Westchester we all have a stake in. That promise is that whenever your County Government is considering a major project in your backyard, you will have input and all of your residents are welcome to become part of the process. We call it the Good Neighbor policy.

It is our goal to make a Westchester County government that is a partner to every municipality in Westchester – not just another bureaucratic layer on top that only cares for what it is contractually responsible for.

The new Good Neighbor policy was recently used when deciding the fate of the Miller House in North Castle.  The Community and the County came together and soon – the Miller House, which will be staying in its current location, will be restored to its former glory.  An educational classroom building will also be constructed on the property. 

I can’t wait for the day that I see school children tour the building and learn about George Washington and the Revolutionary War.  Legislator Margret Cunzio, I hope to greet those children with you – congratulations on your work on this historic project.

Among the stops that I have made in Westchester are stops to visit our senior population– you know I love visiting senior centers and come this November I will officially be one..

Recently we announced affordable housing for seniors as we broke ground on the Vienna Senior Housing complex in Rye.

Also the County has partnered with Senior U.  Senior U is run by Concordia College in Bronxville and the Wartburg Center in Mount Vernon – together they are offering classes that build a curriculum that will enable retirees to earn college degrees.  Thank you to Legislator David Tubiolo for being an advocate for seniors.

Among the many people that live in this great County are veterans.  Westchester County is home to approximately 40,000 veterans.  And I intend to do everything in my power to never stop thanking them for their service.

Today we sent an email out to all County employees asking them to self-identify themselves as a veteran.  They served their Country and now they serve their County – and we want to recognize them.  Going forward, in the County Directory all veterans who work for Westchester will have an American flag by their name.  It is a small gesture – but one that shows them – we have not forgotten their service.  Three veterans that we have on staff, that are here tonight,  are our Director of Veteran Affairs Ron Tocci, our Consumer Protection Director and former County Legislator Jim Maisano and County Attorney John Nonna– please stand.

I am also working to bring a Veterans Court to Westchester County. Director Tocci has been hard at work with Chief Administrative Judge Kathy Davidson to bring this life-changing program to our County. What the Vets Court does is allow for Westchester veterans who find themselves in legal trouble to have an opportunity to rehabilitate their lives under close supervision of our judicial system.

Our work does not stop there - we are close to the creation of a Woman’s Wellness Center for female veterans – at Westchester Medical Center. Through our veteran’s affairs agency, we are close to finalizing this first of its kind health clinic aimed specifically to assist female veterans – who make up nearly 15% of all vets – a number which experts say could double within 5 years.

This move doesn’t boost services just for Westchester’s female veteran population but rather all female veterans in our region. No longer will female veterans have to travel long distances to receive the care that they require – nor will they be forced to sacrifice what they need because the services are not provided.

Another area where we have to err on the side of history and morality is - Affordable housing. We will continue our commitment to the development of affordable housing not because an outside entity tells us we have to, but because it is the right and just thing to do and essential to the growth and development of this County.

We will be undertaking a housing needs assessment to determine where the demand is greatest as well as the condition of our housing stock.  I have re-established the Westchester Urban County Consortium in order to restore our eligibility to receive federal HUD funding via the CDBG, HOME, and ESG grant programs.  Our Planning Commissioner and I recently met with representatives from municipalities across the county to engage them in this process

While we have big plans….to move the State of our County forward together – we must understand where our fiscal house stands. And much to my chagrin – the numbers right now do not look pretty. Our County’s finances have fallen victim to “sweep it under the rug” economics for too long. 

Just take for example the countless number of hard working men and women of Westchester County. While contract negotiations are a difficult, careful process – leaving this undone, has accumulated over 7 years of gridlock, and that hurts Westchester’s workers, taxpayers and overall fiscal standing.

A path forward lies in working with our brothers and sisters in labor and building a Westchester we are all proud of. Together we can revive Westchester’s economy and workforce with jobs and policies aimed to boost Westchester’s work force.

I’m pleased to announce tonight that we are also chipping away at our backlog of Capital Projects. When I took office the County had a backlog of about 1.5 billion dollars in projects.

Under my Director of Operations Joan McDonald’s leadership we are working to eliminate that.

Joan has been working with DPW, DEF and Budget to get things moving. I am happy to announce that as of today we have many projects that are getting off the ground:

DEF projects include: 

• Sewer Rehabilitation in:

• Blind Brook,

• Mamaroneck,

• Ossining,

• and along the Saw Mill.

DPW projects include:

• Work at Sprain Ridge in Yonkers,

• Old Albany Post Road over Sprout Brook  in Cortlandt,

• and maintenance to the HVAC System and replacement at the Valhalla Campus.

We are also working to identify projects that will go to bid this construction season and accelerating projects that are in design so we have a robust 2019 construction season.

I am set on building bridges between different cultures and people.  As I stand here before you I have not forgotten my roots. I am a man born and raised in Mount Vernon, and the grandson of Italian and Irish immigrants.  Westchester County was built on the backs of immigrants – from the Kensico Dam to bridges over the Hutchison River Parkway to the Old Croton Aqueduct - we can never forget that.  And just last month I signed the Immigrant Protection Act into law. 

I am proud of the County Board for passing a bill that protects law abiding Westchester residents and I’m proud they got insight and support from law enforcement.  This law does not make Westchester a sanctuary County – but what it does do is put Westchester on the right side of history, humanity and morality.  And, I will not replicate the climate of anger and hatred expressed towards Italian and Irish immigrants of 100 years ago, now directed towards today’s immigrants.  They are all united in one thing – a better life for them and their families.

I want to thank County Legislators Catherine Borgia and Virginia Perez, please stand - you led the County’s efforts on this front. Westchester, as a County, stood up and said – we will be the bridge– and I could not be prouder.  

Here in Westchester we know how to take a stand, and we know how to make business grow.  We live in global economy and Westchester has among the most educated people in the Country – that is a fact.  When businesses come here – and grow here – they can’t help but thrive here. 

I am committed to making Westchester County as attractive to businesses as possible - from suburban to urban needs – I am focusing on all corners of the County from Somers to Yonkers.

I’m meeting with the Westchester County Association, The Business Council of Westchester and Non- Profit Westchester.  The business organizations in Westchester understand the unique business environment in our County. We have a combination of major corporations, as well as “mom and pop” shops and small businesses that each face unique challenges. The County needs to listen to the difficulties that face these businesses, in order to tackle those challenges in the future. We want to partner with our businesses, large and small, to meet their employment needs and their technology needs.

We know that Minority and Women Owned Businesses are an engine of economic development for Westchester. And I want to ensure that the goals of MWBEs are being met, and we will establish an office to oversee and enforce this.

The bottom line is this – we need to attract businesses and keep business here in Westchester to keep our economy thriving, when our businesses thrive our County thrives. 

IBM’s headquarters on Pines Bridge Road in New Castle is in the Ossining School District – when they do well the schools do well.  And I will do everything in my power to support that.

It has been said that a government’s budgets show a government’s priorities. And my Administration promises to deliver a budget that provides the services all Westchester residents rely on while being ever cognizant of the expense to hardworking Westchester taxpayers.

But friends – when times are tough – friends look at each other and speak the truth. And to provide the services that all Westchester residents rely on – and I mean all of us – we must remember that we all have a stake in Westchester County. And to move forward we must all do it – together.

Whether its providing high quality, low cost child care to hardworking families or making sure the men and women of the Westchester County Police Department are staffed at proper levels to keep Westchester residents safe or providing assistance to municipalities in need during unprecedented storms – Westchester County government’s goal is to deliver for Westchester County taxpayers each and every day.

To continue to move Westchester to a place of positive fiscal footing, to improved bond ratings and improved credit outlooks – we must strive to build better relationships with all Westchester County stakeholders.

From federal, state, and local lawmakers to nonprofit and business leaders to labor and civic heads – fostering relationships provides savings to taxpayers.    After the March nor’easters all levels of government came together to call on the utilities to review their responses to the storms – over 60 elected officials and representatives from the local, state and federal level, and both political parties, including County Legislator David Tubiolo, spoke in one voice and asked what can we do better for Westchester residents.

In my first 100 days in office, I paid visits to Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. – our Counties have shared needs and desires.  Our residents don’t see boundary lines – and we want to work to not see them either, but to work together and bridge our communities.

My administration is hard at work in creating a new shared services plan that provides relief to Westchester resident’s wallets. When the idea of County wide shared services was first implemented by Governor Cuomo – Westchester was at the bottom of the pack when it came to plans and generated savings. We are hard at work to turn that around.

I support that because I know that taxes are perhaps the most sensitive topic here in Westchester County.   The people of Westchester pay, in the aggregate, some of the highest taxes in the Nation – 65 cents of every tax dollar going to our schools and 20 cents of every dollar to County government.  You have my commitment to protect your wallet while providing quality essential services. 

The truth is the prior administration left us in a difficult financial position. 

As our County’s Budget Team is preparing the review of the first fiscal quarter, it is clear that issues once deemed resolved for the 2017 and 2018 budgets – were not. Expenses stemming from recently approved contracts making sure the hard working correction officers in our jails are fairly compensated and much needed upgrades to our information technology systems were underfunded in prior years and now it is up to my Administration to find a way to amend previous budgets to fix this mess.  The fiscal situation we are looking at it is not pretty – but together we can restore the level of services Westchester taxpayers have always relied on.

I am currently awaiting a full State Comptroller’s Audit of the County’s finances.  New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has the authority and expertise to provide our County with an accurate independent assessment and future guidance on our finances. Now, it is incumbent on us to return Westchester County to solid financial ground.  After eight years of one-shot deals and reliance on shaky revenues, we will work closely with our partners in government to provide an honest assessment of where we stand as a County. 

In my first budget, which will be voted on in December 2018, we will look to consolidate services, maximize aid from Albany and Washington, eliminate waste by terminating pay-to-play contracts, and find creative solutions to best spend tax dollars.

Specifically with shared services - Westchester needs to take on a leadership role in finding areas to eliminate the duplication of services, and share best practices to ensure local property taxes are lowered.

This will allow Westchester County and all of the communities and school districts to work together, to improve services and reduce the tax burden.

Everything I do, every step of the way I plan to be as transparent with you as possible.  From my press conferences, to Board of Acquisition and Contract Meetings everything is recorded and placed on the County’s YouTube channel and often streamed lived on the County’s Facebook page. This is my commitment to you – total transparency.

Many elected officials throughout the country have lost the faith of the people and we have to renew that trust.  I expect nothing but honesty in my administration – corruption and dishonesty will not be tolerated. 

In the spirit of transparency – let’s talk about a few topics people love to ask me about……Playland and the Airport.  No, we have not made final decisions. 

With the Airport we are reviewing this critical county asset and we will not rush but we will do what is best for the people keeping in mind the sensitive environmental and noise issues.  County Legislator Nancy Barr has raised a number of concerns and we are going to look into them – as we should.

As for Playland - there will be a report coming on Playland next week.  On that issue as well, County Legislator Catherine Parker raised a number of concerns, and we as responsible County government must look into them.  My team is currently reviewing the deal and we will make the findings public when they are complete.

Overall we are committed to looking at all the deals and all the programs the county has to make sure we are doing what is best for the people.  Just because the prior administration started a program or brokered a deal does not mean we will automatically dissolve it.  We are committed to looking at everything.

The Liberty Lines contract is a perfect example – County legislator Lyndon Williams raised concerns about the deal. We took that contract opened it up and are making sure the County is doing the right thing.   I am here vowing to protect your interests and your wallets.

Recently I spoke in solidarity with the 2018 Pride Works Youth Conference.  I was proud to tell these young people “I hear you, I see you and I am with you.” And thus, it is true for every combination of Westchester residents: you are to be respected and valued as people. 

For years County Legislator Alfreda Williams has advocated for a stronger more proactive Human Rights Commission.  I am proud to say – that day has come.    The reenergized Human Rights Commission has new committed personnel – and is now a vibrant and active force in our community. With a new wave of intolerance sweeping our nation and our County, it is imperative that our Human Rights Commission be fully operational, and prepared to protect the rights of people in our community. 

I have recently made eleven appointments- thanks to County Legislator Christopher Johnson’s diligent work and skill we were able to get these appointments working for the people.  Twelve of the new members, and one re-appointment, will join the two members currently serving in an effort to make the Commission accountable to the people it serves. This sends a message that hatred and intolerance have no place in this County.

All of the projects and programs that I mentioned here tonight would not be possible without the incredible workers the County has.  These are people who have committed their lives to working for you – to making this County better. 

Long hours, holidays, snowstorms and power outages – Westchester County has one of the most committed staffs and I would like all of them here in this room to stand up.

I personally want to give a special thanks to my staff. Since before taking office I have been very focused on filling the positions on my team with the best people for the job.  Because I was looking for the best people I ended up with an incredibly diverse team.

When you walk along the 9^th floor you will see men and women, all different ages and all different ethnic backgrounds. It is a beautiful group and one that I am incredibly proud of.  Last month, to celebrate Woman’s history month all the women on my team sat for a photo.  Out of the Executive branch team 22 members are women – and 12 are men – 65%.  They serve in all different roles – including senior leadership.  The photo of these smart and accomplished women was given to me framed as a gift and I have it in my office.  The social media manager on the Communications team said it best – “George celebrates woman’s history month everyday – by hiring women.” To you- I applaud and thank you.

Ladies and Gentleman – I stand here tonight and ask for your help and ask for your support – we are all in this together.  The state of our County is growing, changing and moving forward.  We have many hurdles to overcome…but we will overcome them.  And, we will do it together. 

50 years ago - the iconic year of 1968 - we heard that America was coming apart at the seams: the war in Vietnam, inflation, riots on college campuses, riots in our urban centers, riots in the streets at political conventions and assassinations.  Since then we have had hostages taken in France, recessions on Wall Street, terrorist attacks on 9-11, hurricanes and floods devastating New Orleans, Houston, the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico. And, through everything, we came together, through crisis after crisis.

We stand tall because we are Americans, not liberals or conservatives, not black or white, male or female, straight or gay – but Americans – all of us.  One nation, E pluribus unum; out of the many – ONE. 

The state of this County, our Westchester, is determined.  Determined to meet our challengers, to work together – successfully.  To achieve and overcome.  We are the greatest experiment in self-governance ever attempted.  Flawed - but constantly seeking improvement.

We look forward with clear vision to the problems we face, and clear determined to succeed, for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, and for all of Westchester, both Westchester today and  - Westchester yet to come.

Thank you.