• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

campaign

Up Close & Personal with Democratic Nominee for County Executive George Latimer

October 21, 2017 by Andrew Vitelli

It has been 13 years since State Senator George Latimer left county government to serve in Albany. Latimer spent 13 years on the county’s Board of Legislators before his 2004 election to the New York State Assembly, including two terms as board chairman. Now the Democratic nominee for Westchester county executive, Latimer calls a return to White Plains, and to a leadership position, a “natural fit.”

“It is the opportunity of an executive job not just to, as legislators do, advocate for ideas and sponsor ideas,” Latimer tells the Inside Press. “But to actually administer a government and to try to shape it in a direction that you think is positive.”

Latimer, a Mount Vernon native who has lived in Rye for 30 years, worked as a marketing executive for companies including subsidiaries of Nestle and ITT before entering politics. He was elected to the Rye City Council in 1987, then to the Board of Legislators in 1991. After four terms in the Assembly, he was elected to the Senate in 2012.

Latimer announced his candidacy for county executive in April, winning the backing of the Democratic committee and in September, defeating county legislator Ken Jenkins in the party’s primary. Now, he looks to unseat County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican who has convincingly won two elections in a Democrat-heavy county. While Astorino has highlighted his administration’s record of keeping the tax rate down, Latimer believes the incumbent’s overall fiscal record is flawed.

“What I am going to promise to do is to get an honest set of eyes to look at our fiscal situation,” Latimer says. He plans to ask the state comptroller to do a full audit of the county, he elaborates, and will then create a blue-ribbon commission comprising members of the business community, academia and others to chart a responsible path forward.

“If you think that we can run the county forever and never raise a tax because politically people don’t like taxes,” Latimer says, “then you are going to have to make some decisions about cutting everything and having no services.”

While the tax levy has held steady–even dropping slightly during Astorino’s term–Latimer claims the headline numbers do not paint a full picture. For example, the county has been too reliant on borrowing for recurring expenses, Latimer says, and may now be overestimating projected sales tax revenue in order to avoid a budget gap. Naturally, Astorino disagrees. “I think George has been in Albany so long he now has Albany math,” Astorino quips. (For a deeper look at Astorino’s policies and platforms, see the accompanying article about Astorino: https://www.theinsidepress.com/spotlight-on-republican-incumbent-rob-astorinos-final-bid-for-county-executive/)

Favors Consolidating Services

Latimer says he will look to generate alternative revenue sources or to save money by consolidating services before raising property taxes.

He does not promise to keep taxes flat, saying that he will need to see the 2018 budget and get a deeper look into the county’s finances, but notes that he has no intention of breaking the tax cap. “If we can deliver another 0 [percent increase] that would be good, but I don’t marry myself to any commitment until I know the specifics,” he says.

Similarly, Latimer acknowledges that bringing back every position cut by Astorino is unrealistic.

“On merit, you probably need to restore a ton of it. But the money isn’t going to be there,” he says. His priorities, he adds, are to strengthen the Department of Public Works, police services and the planning department. “Some of the downsizing that [Astorino] has done is probably sensible,” Latimer admits. “The question when you [make cuts] across the board is, are you throwing out the bathwater and the baby?”

In November 2016, Astorino announced plans to enter into a public-private partnership for Westchester Airport. The deal would have seen Oaktree Capital Management pay the county $130 million upfront for a 40-year revenue-sharing lease. Though that plan was stopped by the legislature, the county is now considering several competing plans to privatize the airport, which is located partially in North Castle.

Latimer sees privatization of the airport as more or less a nonstarter. Giving up control of the airport not only cedes a source of revenue, Latimer explains, but gives the county less control over decisions with environmental and quality of life implications.

“I don’t want those decisions on that asset being made by a private sector entity unless there is a reason for it,” Latimer says. “And there is no reason for it except that [Astorino] wants to fill a budget gap.”

Optimism in the Last Stretch

This race, Astorino tells Inside Press, will be his last run for the office he has held since shocking Andrew Spano in 2009. This means, in all likelihood, it will be the party’s last chance to knock off the incumbent, perhaps before he takes another shot at the governor’s mansion.

Democrats were optimistic four years ago when Astorino saw a challenge from New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. Obama won the county by 25 points the previous year, and Bramson looked to keep Democratic voters engaged with a focus on national issues such as guns and abortion. Astorino, focusing on taxes, won with 56 percent of the vote.

Latimer points to a handful of differences between his race and Bramson’s. Bramson, as the mayor of a city, was less well-known than Latimer, who represents a third of the county in Albany. And he notes, around 45 minutes into an hour-long interview, that so far in the conversation he’s spoken only about local issues. But, he continues, “there is the Donald Trump factor.”

Trump received just 31 percent of the vote, five points worse than Mitt Romney’s 2012 showing, in the county. Latimer has looked to tie Astorino to the president–a picture of the two Republicans together features on at least one of Latimer’s campaign mailers, while Astorino’s veto of a bill limiting the county’s cooperation with immigration enforcement was dubbed “Trump-like.”

“Donald Trump, as every day passes by, is giving more people doubt into what it is that he is all about,” Latimer continues. “I don’t know about Wisconsin, but he is definitely less popular in Westchester than he was a year ago, and I don’t see Rob distancing himself at all from Trump.”

Latimer does not seem to be going all-in on the Trump card. His campaign has centered on challenging the incumbent’s fiscal record. But he also does not hesitate to oppose, for example, the county executive’s decision to bring gun shows back to the Westchester County Center.

Latimer recognizes the challenge in taking on Astorino, whom he calls “a very sharp guy” and “a great communicator.” He points out, though, that he has been in tough races before. His 2012 election over Bob Cohen for the Senate seat vacated by Suzi Oppenheimer came two years after Cohen nearly knocked off Oppenheimer, a 14-term incumbent.

His contest in November will be his toughest yet.

Filed Under: Political Advertorial Tagged With: campaign, George Latimer, politics, running

Spotlight on Republican Incumbent Rob Astorino’s Final Bid for County Executive

October 21, 2017 by Jordan Stutts

In his third and final campaign for Westchester County Executive, Rob Astorino sat down with the Inside Press to explain how his administration has held firm on the conservative fiscal policies he brought to office eight years ago.

Every year since 2010, the two-term Republican has requested a county budget of around $1.8 billion, the same amount last requested by his Democratic predecessor Andrew Spano that also came with a 2.9 percent tax levy increase.

Astorino has instead reduced the tax levy by 2 percent. He’s also frozen the county property tax levy, something he’s quick to point out as a major accomplishment for his administration’s goal to “stop the tax madness.” All of this is so middle-class people have a “fighting chance” to live in Westchester and small businesses have a “chance to survive and thrive,” Astorino explained in our interview. He’s now betting his low-tax platform that won the 2009 election will translate into a positive message that says his administration can govern efficiently and effectively without big spending.

“We’ve just showed that you can do it better without having to be wasteful and having to go to the taxpayer every year saying we need more,” Astorino said in the interview.

But State Senator George Latimer, the Democratic challenger for county executive, said there’s more to Astorino’s tax relief record. “He is arguing that he has kept taxes at zero when in fact they levy is not the only thing the county does,” Latimer said.  (For a deeper look at Latimer’s policies and platforms, see the accompanying article about Latimer: https://www.theinsidepress.com/up-close-personal-with-democratic-nominee-for-county-executive-george-latimer/)

Sewer and refuse district taxes have ticked up during Astorino’s administration, Latimer notes, adding “all of a sudden it may not be that you actually paid less.”

Astorino counters that the county’s property tax levy has fallen from $560 million to $548 million under his watch. “Any increases in refuse or sewer district taxes Astorino continued, have paid for the expansion of necessary government services, like the launch of a household material recovery facility at Rye Playland.

The tax-friendly environment Astorino created helped insulate Westchester from New York’s first population decline in a decade, he said, with the county being one of the few to grow last year. It’s also helped 44,000 private-sector jobs in Westchester since he took office, Astorino said in the interview. “We’re inviting businesses to come in, which is making it attractive for people to come to Westchester to start a family, to start a career,” he explained.

Putting assets to work

Lower taxes means Astorino has had to manage the county in a way that finds new revenue and cuts inefficiencies.

He’s cut the government workforce by 16 percent, either through buyouts or “reorganization.” For example, Astorino said a contract he ended for the Planning Department to work on section 8 housing saved the county $1 million a year and put the workers under the state’s purview.

“You’ve got a smaller but more efficient county government,” Astorino told The Inside Press.

He has also hunted for new revenue streams, looking for county assets that can generate a profit with new development. For example, Westchester is allowing the construction of a “biotech village” on 60 acres of vacant land at the Westchester Medical Center campus that Astorino said will create high-tech jobs.

“You can’t sit idly by,” he said. “This is part of our philosophy: if we’re not going to ask taxpayers to pony up more, we still need new revenue to come in. So we’re going to use the assets that the county has and put them to work.”

This strategy led Astorino to announce in November 2016 plans to enter into a public-private partnership for Westchester Airport. Astorino wants to hand control of the airport to a private company for a $130 million upfront payment and a 40-year revenue-sharing lease.

Astorino is marketing the plan as a way to put the airport’s value to use without fully selling it to the private sector. “That’s how you pay for parks and police, daycare and all these other services that people want,” he explained during the interview.

The criticism his plan has faced, including from Latimer, is that the county will receive a one-off payment but lose out on revenue down the road, as well as losing control of airport management.

Another concern is that a private company will want to expand Westchester Airport for greater profit, disrupting the Armonk-North Castle area where it’s located. Astorino insists that no company can “build any major structure without county approval.”

“We want a better not bigger airport,” he said.

One question remaining

Astorino won’t say for certain he’s going to run again for New York Governor. In 2014, he tried to unseat Andrew Cuomo for the position and lost by 14 points. “My thoughts and everything is on election day to run for county executive,” he said. One caveat: “nobody should ever close the door on anything in their future.”

He is feeling confident about the election at hand as well. Throughout his two terms, Astorino has navigated the politics of a Democrat-leaning county. His conservative policies have been in action for seven years now and applied to a range of issues.

What seemed like the defining issue of his administration early on, the HUD housing lawsuit, is now fully in the rearview mirror. The disagreement was never about if Westchester should build more affordable housing, Astorino explained, adding the county has exceeded the federal requirement by building 900 units. “When it was evident that the central planners in Washington were going to try to dictate who lives where in this county and what gets built, that was all out of bounds. That’s what we fought on,” he added.

He said he’s not worried if Latimer tries to tie him to the social policies of President Donald Trump. In the election four years ago, he pointed out, Democrats tried to use Barack Obama’s popularity, winning Westchester by 25 points in 2012, by making the campaign about national issues.

Astorino said voters won’t fall for it this time either. “People are smart enough to realize that neither Obama in 2013 or Trump in 2017 are on the ballot,” he said.

The vision for Westchester Astorino’s bringing to his final campaign for county executive is an “extension” of what got him elected the first time. He said he is confident his version of “fiscal common sense” coupled with the experience of two terms in office will carry him over the finish line once again.

The only question remaining is if voters still want the same thing.

Filed Under: Political Advertorial Tagged With: campaign, County Executive, politics, Rob Astorino, running

Leading up to the New York Primary

April 16, 2016 by The Inside Press

Produced by Grace Bennett

A brief look back at various events in Chappaqua and in Westchester surrounding Hillary’s historic run for the Democratic nomination…leading up to the New York primary.

A Visit to HGHS on the Campaign Trail

tim hillary picHillary Clinton’s anticipated presence created such a buzz throughout the student body at Horace Greeley High School on Thursday, March 31, that it was tough to maintain the students’ focus and attention in class that day! But, can you blame them? It’s not every day that the former First Lady, Secretary of State, and current Democratic Presidential Candidate comes to their high school to speak in one of their social studies classes. It was a memory that I’m sure the students will never forget, as she walked through a maze of adoring students and teachers alike all craning necks to shake hands, share an encouraging anecdote of support, or snap a quick picture with their cell phones. –Timothy JH McHale (HGHS ’11, actor, and also substitute teacher in the Chappaqua Central School District)


“My Inspirer in Chief”…Kind Words of Support

“You are my inspirer-in-chief. You are that to many people in the United States and around the world.” Tracy Stein to Hillary Clinton preceding HRC’s talk to hundreds gathered at her home; an impromptu meeting with Clinton at Le Jardin du roi prompted Stein to pursue a Master’s degree in global affairs. “Human rights is my passion,” Stein noted. HRC opened her talk highlighting what’s at stake in November. “It really is one of these crossroads/consequential elections… it will set the stage for the next four to eight years–and probably for the next decade or two–in how we conduct ourselves as a nation, how we treat one another, what goals we set, how we lead and how we are viewed in the world.”

Marco Masotti and Tracy Stein before introducing Hillary Clinton
Marco Masotti and Tracy Stein before introducing Hillary Clinton
Jessica Meller
Jessica Meller
Karen Visser
Karen Visser
With Dawn Dankner Rosen
With Dawn Dankner Rosen
 

At SUNY: A Test for “Any Candidate”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the podium with HRC rallying supporters
Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the podium with HRC rallying supporters
You know, that moment when you actually MEET her! Randee Glazer, while volunteering
You know, that moment when you actually MEET her! Randee Glazer, while volunteering

An early stop on the New York campaign trail included a rousing speech to SUNY Purchase students, faculty and supporters county wide. HRC included, as she has in many speeches during this campaign,
her criteria for the presidency: “One, can you deliver results that actually improve people’s lives? Two, can you keep us safe? That may be more personal for New Yorkers than other folks…and people who don’t know how to talk about it, who view it as an afterthought, have no business being in the Oval Office. And three, can you bring our country together?…”

Westchester for Hillary Opens!

The early April grand opening of the Westchester for Hillary headquarters at 188 Martine Avenue in White Plains has spurred a great deal of momentum for signing up and volunteering.

Volunteers from the grass roots Chappaqua Friends of Hill group offered hands on support and/or donated supplies.
Volunteers from the grass roots Chappaqua Friends of Hill group offered hands on support and/or donated supplies.
Westchester field organizers Hannah Fine and Izzy Bugatti greet a volunteer at the White Plains HRC campaign headquarters grand opening.
Westchester field organizers Hannah Fine and Izzy Bugatti greet a volunteer at the White Plains HRC campaign headquarters grand opening.
Geri Shapiro, who held the position of Westchester County Regional Director for then Senator Hillary Clinton, rallying volunteers too.
Geri Shapiro, who held the position of Westchester County Regional Director for then Senator Hillary Clinton, rallying volunteers too.

Millennials Rally

michelle kwan 1
While Bernie Sanders’ supporters may boast (justifiably) about widespread support among millennials for his campaign, the hundreds of thousands of millennials who support Hillary Clinton have been steadily rising above the radar. Olympic skater Michelle Kwan rallying a youthful gathering at the Royal in New York City.

Filed Under: Hillary's Run, Westchester Tagged With: campaign, Chappaqua, Hillary Clinton, Inside Press, New York Primary, theinsidepress.com, Westchester

“…and the Crowd Went Wild.”

June 14, 2015 by Inside Press

Article and Photo by Dawn Evans Greenberg

With a warm-up act of über hip band, Echosmith, and an army of young volunteers escorting the press and manning walkie talkies like old hands–plus a diverse crowd representing every color, age and background–it was clear on Saturday that Hillary Clinton’s official campaign kickoff on Roosevelt Island was pure 21st century.

Arriving by tram to one of Manhattan’s gems is always a thrill, but on Saturday morning, even more so–crammed in with excited Hillary fans some from as far away as Texas. The new FDR Park is still under construction but looked beautiful against the Manhattan skyline with the UN in view just across the river.

With no further adieu, no warm up speeches, no Cuomo or DeBlasio in sight, Secretary Clinton was announced…and the crowd went wild. Toddlers waved flags from dads’ shoulders and many wondered if they were watching history being made. hillary rally crowd

Clinton spoke of her most passionate causes: preschool for all children, womens’ and immigration rights and inclusion for all members of society. The poignant story of her own mother, abandoned as a child, held the crowd rapt. Dorothy Rodham credited the kindness of others with her survival; a lesson the Secretary made clear she embraces.

The Secretary ended to rapturous applause as she rallied her base for the long fight ahead. Fight is a word that came up often, even in the campaign’s Spotify playlist. One has the sense that she is 100% ready for it.

Dawn Greenberg is the founder and executive director of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and the executive director of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, she’s an avid follower of politics.

Filed Under: Westchester Tagged With: campaign, Hillary Clinton, history, Inside Press, theinsidepress.com

Hillary Clinton’s Hometown and State Public Officials Weigh in on her Second Historical Bid

April 12, 2015 by Inside Press

Hillary Clinton Photo by Ari Bennett

NitaLoweyhillary by ari

“I am very pleased to hear that Hillary Clinton is running for President of the United States. It would be a tremendous honor to have a sitting President, a past President and a sitting Governor, all living in New Castle. I was humbled when Hillary swore me in as Town Supervisor of New Castle, and at the time I said that I would happily return the favor by attending her inauguration as President of the United States. I applaud her distinguished career in public service and wish her the best during the upcoming campaign.”
Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor, Town of New Castle

“I am thrilled to hear about Hillary Clinton’s decision to run for President of the United States and to therefore become…the very first woman president!! Starting with the first time I met the Clintons after they had just moved to Chappaqua, and I was standing outside of my firm’s office (which was then located on South Greeley Avenue), and then throughout the years and the many by-chance meetings while shopping or dining out in town and of course, at all the Memorial Day Parades–I have always felt it a real honor to call Hillary Clinton my “neighbor.” And, a true neighbor she is! Hillary is a warm and friendly presence here, a wonderful role model for our daughters (and sons) and she goes above and beyond–always “shopping local” as an enthusiastic supporter of our business community and our community overall. I couldn’t be more excited!! Go Hillary… all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue!
Dawn Dankner-Rosen, President, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce

“I am very pleased that Hillary Clinton will be running for President of the United States, both as a long-time supporter and her State Assemblyman. Secretary Clinton brings the skills we need in a President to tackle the challenges that face the United States and the world. In addition, the Clintons have played an important role in raising the profile of our region, attracting national attention. To have a sitting President of the United States as our friend and neighbor in Chappaqua would highlight the hamlet’s historic and unique charms. I believe her presidency would be a great step ahead for Chappaqua and the entire country.”
New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald, D-Mt. Kisco

“Hillary has devoted her life’s work to public service. Among her many accomplishments, Hillary was a great partner in delivering relief to New York after September 11th and health coverage for more than 6 million American children. She has advanced women’s and gay rights domestically and internationally, and effectively represented the United States on the world stage. It has been my great honor to call Hillary Clinton my friend and constituent, Senator, and Secretary of State. I will work hard to ensure that in two years, we call her “Madam President.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-New York

“Hillary Clinton has been a lifelong champion for middle-class families, an advocate for the underserved, and a fighter for civil rights. Her record reflects the steadfast belief that every American, no matter their race, gender or ethnicity, should have the right to achieve economic security and opportunity. She is a tested leader with the resilience and experience to be a great President. I was honored to work closely with her in the Clinton Administration, during a time of historic peace, prosperity and progress for our nation. Having known and worked with her for over 20 years, I wholeheartedly endorse Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President.”
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

“I was there the night Hillary won her first, tough bid for Senate after months of hard work. And now I hope to be there when she declares victory in November of 2016, as the first woman president-elect in the United States. Make no mistake–she’ll win. And when Hillary wins, we’ll all win. The country will have a president that values the middle class and fights for families the way Hillary has her entire career.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, D-New York

“I am thrilled Hillary Clinton is running and will do everything I can to help make sure she makes history as our first woman president. I will never forget when I heard then-First Lady Clinton speak about the need to improve the lives of women and children around the globe. Her clarion call that women’s rights are human rights was heard around the world and inspired me to choose public service. I cannot wait to help her in the Senate make her vision for a better world a reality. We’re entering a new era of our history with challenges distinct from those we faced even just eight years ago. Our next president must have the intellect, passion and experience to confront what’s ahead and secure the promise of equal opportunity for every American. Hillary shares that vision for a better future, one that we believe in for families and for ourselves. It’s time for us to do what we can together to make that vision a reality for middle class families. It’s time to get to work.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York

Secretary Hillary Clinton’s statement announcing her long awaited for candidacy…

“I was raised with the belief that living in this country was one of the greatest blessings anyone could have.

Today, for so many families, the path to lasting prosperity is unclear.

Families have fought their way back from tough economic times. But it’s not enough — not when the average CEO makes about 300 times what the average worker makes.

Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.

I’ve spent my entire life standing up for women, children, families, and anyone who needed a little help along the way. That’s what this campaign will be about, and that’s what I’ll do every single day as your president.

It’s time for us to fight for people like my dad, who ran a small business and committed himself to building a better life for his family. People like my mom, who relied on the kindness of others to get through a tough childhood — and like my baby granddaughter, who deserves to grow up in a country where every single kid has the opportunity to live up to her or his potential.

This won’t be easy. And I won’t take anything for granted. I’m going to work my heart out to earn every single vote, because I know it’s your time.”

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: campaign, Chappaqua, election, Hillary Clinton, history, Inside Press, New Castle, theinsidepress.com

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • New Castle Fire District No. 1 Announces Bond Referendum to be Held April 25
  • Don’t Resist JUST DESSERTS at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center April 28-30
  • When There’s A Dog in Your Life
  • The View from Inside
  • Meet The Inside Press Contributing Team!
  • The Surprising Facts about Heart Attacks in Women

Please Visit

Chappaqua School Foundation
White Plains Hospital
William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Westchester Table Tennis
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Armonk Tennis Club
Raveis: Stacey Sporn
Compass: Natalia Wixom
World Cup Gymnastics
The Tea Experience
Raveis: Grace Lobello
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
JRL Land Surveying
Briarcliff Manor Dentist – Allan Miller
Compass: Yona Stougo
Houlihan Lawrence – Rusminka Rose Jakaj

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in