The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Chair of Westchester Board of Legislators

Margaret Cunzio: Committed to Making a Difference in Westchester

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Margaret Cunzio
Photo by DONNA MUELLER

Mount Pleasant County Legislator Margaret Cunzio is on call for the Thornwood Fire Department. She’s been a volunteer there for over four years, awarded the “Chief’s Award” in 2023. But as she carefully listens to see if she is needed for emergency calls that come in, she graciously and openly discusses why she spent her life in Westchester County, dedicating herself to education and public service.

Cunzio, a 25-year resident of Mount Pleasant, grew up in North Castle, attending Byram Hills schools. “Byram Hills was much smaller back then. It was a small town feel before social media and the internet – we all knew each other and had our passions and hobbies,” says Cunzio, who worked in the Byram Hills School District as both a teacher and administrator.

Cunzio also graduated from Iona College and has degrees from Fordham University, Pace University, and Mercy College. “I’m a true Westchester-ite. I think it’s important for people to see that they can have a future in Westchester. We have so many opportunities here,” says Cunzio, who is an extremely approachable and familiar face at local farmers’ markets, attends all Mount Pleasant Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold award ceremonies, and volunteers weekly at the Mount Pleasant Senior Center. She’s always available to her neighbors and constituents.

In addition to her work on the Board of Legislators and as an interior firefighter for the Thornwood Fire Department, Cunzio is a former elementary school teacher and administrator, a fitness instructor who teaches everything from Barre and yoga to Pilates and running, and a current professor in Iona University’s Education department. “I’m from a learning family,” Cunzio noted affectionately. Growing up, Cunzio was encouraged to ask questions and search for answers. Her mother, a reading specialist and the technology point person in the Yonkers school district, and her father, who owned a local towing business in North Castle, fostered Cunzio’s love of reading and history.

Countywide Activities

Deeply invested in making sure that Westchester County thrives, Cunzio is particularly passionate about issues ranging from mental health and local safety to animal rescue and food allergies. She sits on the executive board of the Pleasantville Rotary Club, worked as the adoption counselor for the SPCA in Westchester and volunteers for multiple animal shelters and rescue organizations, and sits on Pleasantville’s Mental Health Board. She is also a committed supporter of the arts and sits on the boards of ARC Stages and ARTS Westchester.

Cunzio always saw herself as someone who simply “enjoyed helping others” until former County Legislator Sue Swanson approached her and suggested that she run for County Legislator. Swanson, a mentor to Cunzio until she passed away, saw Cunzio as another “no-nonsense problem-solver,” which Cunzio took to heart when she was elected. “I’m a public servant…It’s my job to address the concerns of my constituents, work with my colleagues to solve problems, and help people.”

While Swanson suggested that she run for the position, Cunzio decided to run to implement and improve multiple public safety initiatives, starting with redesigning the Commerce Street intersection in Mount Pleasant. “One of my neighbors was tragically killed walking home from a train station. I saw the police cars at his home and heard his wife break down when she was given the news that he was killed when a vehicle struck him.” Thanks to Cunzio’s initiative, Commerce Street was completely revamped and has crosswalks, lighting, sidewalks, and a new, safer traffic pattern.

Cunzio’s record speaks to her community involvement and commitment. The daughter of a local business owner, she’s a firm believer in supporting local businesses. “If I need a cup of tea, I’m going to Black Cow in Pleasantville. If I want to eat out, I’ll head to Beehive in Armonk.”

Besides the Commerce Street improvements and her notable record of supporting seven balanced budgets, all of which either maintained or reduced taxes, Cunzio supported and initiated legislation to address issues concerning animal advocacy, veterans, lithium-ion safety, and food allergy safety.

Promoting Allergy Awareness & Animal Advocacy

As someone who has managed celiac disease for over seven years, Cunzio is acutely aware of the dangers associated with food allergies. “When I was teaching in schools, principals would always give me the students with food allergies. I knew how to use an Epi Pen, and I was hyper-aware of the potential for cross-contamination of foods.” Co-sponsoring the Food Allergy Restaurant Safety Bill, Cunzio helped to guarantee that Westchester restaurants have staff members trained in food allergy safety.

Cunzio is a mom to two dogs and three cats, but she is also a committed legislator who passed Westchester’s strongest ever animal welfare laws. Besides fostering puppies and cats, she has transported over 270 animals from the Outer Banks to Westchester and found them homes. She sponsored the county’s Dog Anti-Tethering Law and teamed with the Westchester District Attorney’s office to strengthen the Animal Abuse Registry and giving animal control officers greater investigative powers.

“This role is a big responsibility. I’ve been given a gift to help people in this position. I’m trying to do my best to leave a positive impact on the world,” says Cunzio, who supported economic boosts like capping the collection of county sales tax on gasoline purchases in past summers and suspending the county sales tax on home energy expenses in past winters. Cunzio is greatly respected for working with members on both sides of the aisle and County Executive George Latimer to positively impact Westchester County.

A Visit to Yad Vashem

Cunzio’s positive impact can be felt globally as well as locally. Cunzio believes a global education is key to building an open-minded, well-informed society. “We need to focus on education. It’s important to know the facts so that people can better understand what is going on in the world.” After the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, she traveled to Israel with Latimer to bear witness to the atrocities. As a recipient of the Cornell Fellowship, she is headed to Yad Vashem in Israel to study Holocaust history. “We’re supposed to be one of the more open-minded areas of the country, but we’re not educating our students globally and antisemitism around here seems to be outweighing other areas of the country. Understanding world history is essential to combatting prejudice.”

Cunzio continuously works to support those around her. “My goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. That’s what I do through my work at the fire department, through teaching, volunteering, and public service.” Cunzio is dedicated to Westchester, and she’s making a difference.

Behind the Success of Westchester Legislature Chair Vedat Gashi

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Fostering a Sense of Cooperation & Collaboration

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

“The way forward has to be together.”

In a time that can feel so divided, Vedat Gashi, Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, emphasizes the importance of working together. Whether leading the legislative board, working with state, federal, and municipal governments, or listening to his constituents, Gashi prioritizes collaboration to make genuine progress in our county.

Gashi was elected unanimously by the board to the position of chair and continues to advance bipartisanship through his position: “Part of the reason I got involved in the first place was after Trump was elected (or at that time), I felt like it was so inflamed and heated between the parties. It felt like every voice I heard was super extreme on both sides, and most of the people I knew – most of my friends and family – were closer to the middle. And I think I worry about the fact that if someone’s in a different party, we shoot them down and we’re not gonna listen to them at all.”

By fostering cooperation, Gashi has been able to pass landmark bills and initiatives in Westchester that, piece by piece, are making a substantial difference.

Infrastructure and Job Creation

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

Gashi is proud of the work he has done on infrastructure, including bridges, buildings, flood mitigation, and roads: “things that are expenditures of money, but investments so we can have the infrastructure that we need – and doing that while being fiscally responsible,” he shares. By building and improving infrastructure, it in turn leads to the creation of local jobs. The board recently passed the rehabilitation of the Glen Island Bridge, which both improves our county’s safety and promotes business by creating jobs. “It’s important because our friends in labor really do need those jobs, and then the more jobs they can have, it helps the local economy… they all work together,” says Gashi.

By finding these efficiencies, the board can maximize its success. Gashi attests to the power of this collective effort: “One-on-one doesn’t always equal two. Sometimes one-on-one can do quite a bit more if you’re working together,” he says. “And I think we’ve been doing that: passing a tax cut and doing more work almost sounds like we shouldn’t be able to do it, but we have been. And I think it’s by finding efficiencies, economies of scale, doing things in a collaborative effort rather than fighting each other.”

Environmental Efforts

While building new infrastructure, Gashi is promoting the use of renewable energy sources. In fact, every vehicle in the county fleet has been converted from gas and diesel to hybrid and electric. “To be able to transition that whole thing to hybrid and electric, I think makes a meaningful difference,” says Gashi. “And the interesting thing is it’s… better for the environment than the older technology was, but it’s also been saving us money.” Once again, through these efficiencies, the county can do good and simultaneously bolster the local economy.

Women’s Rights and Health

While ensuring the health and safety of our planet, Gashi is dedicated to ensuring the same for his constituents. Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which stripped women of the constitutional right to an abortion, he is committed to ensuring that women maintain the right to choose in Westchester County. “My primary objective is going to be to provide for the health and safety of the people that live here. And that includes making sure that women can access the medical attention they need by licensed professionals.”

After an incident in White Plains where anti-abortion protestors obstructed women’s ability to enter a women’s health clinic, the county passed a bill that established a buffer around such centers to make them a safe, accessible space. “Reproductive health is women’s health,” says Gashi. “It’s a mantra that’s said often, but it’s true. And in this instance, being able to provide and protect for that was something that I’m proud of.”

Gun Control

Continuing to prioritize safety, Gashi has also championed legislation to combat gun violence. The board recently passed a first-in-the-nation bill that requires places that sell guns to post a warning disclosing that the rate of death for gun owners is significantly increased (similar to the warnings posted on a cigarette package). The bill was passed unanimously, supported by both Democrat and Republican members of the board.

While Gashi hopes the bill can make a real difference, he also acknowledges that federal government action must still pass more substantial initiatives for gun control such as comprehensive background checks. He expressed disappointment that the federal government hasn’t yet passed some of these larger initiatives, but he remains optimistic and motivated: “There are things we can do along the margins. Just because you can’t do the biggest thing doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.”

Combating Hate

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

Gashi’s commitment to safety extends to his efforts in combating hate, specifically antisemitism and Islamophobia.

He notes, however, that antisemitism “is not a new phenomenon. This is something that’s been going on for quite a while.” In his first interview after his election to the board in 2019, he addressed the rise of antisemitism in Westchester. Now, as antisemitism has been heightened in light of October 7th, he continues to address this pressing issue, working diligently to let both his constituents and people in Israel know that they are not alone.

In November, he joined the County Executive and other legislators to visit Israel after the attacks, an experience he describes as both amazing and incredibly sad. “I think if we did nothing else, it was an effort to show the people in Israel that they are not alone. That we are with them. We support them and would like to continue to do so,” he shares.

Being born in Kosovo and the first person of Muslim faith to be elected to the board and serve as chair, Gashi is saddened to see people attacked because of who they are and the religion they practice: “I obviously feel a parallel,” he says. “I obviously empathize and sympathize, so it was hard to see.” The county, along with the state and federal governments, have helped obtain funds to provide for the safety of mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship so that people can, hopefully, freely practice their faith and be who they are in peace.

Balancing Work and Family

Gashi is proud of all the board has been able to accomplish in Westchester and loves making a positive impact through his work. His least favorite part of the job, however, is the time away from his family – his wife and two children. He says that he strives to balance life and work, and make sacrifices as not to miss important family events – like his daughter’s unmissable championship basketball game.

Despite the job’s time-consuming requirements, Gashi said making a difference makes it all ‘worth it.’ “The ability to solve or to make somebody’s life better through your actions is amazing. And it’s the thing that drives me. There are a lot of headaches, but at its core, this is a job that allows you to do things that are going to have real impacts on people’s lives.”