questions Archives - The Inside Press

Publisher’s Note: The Inside Press has offered forums to many of our political representatives over the years. For our June Father’s Day edition, we hoped to gain a sense of our new state Senator Pete Harckham*. We sent him a number of key questions to answer. And here are his responses! – Grace

1. What were your two or three (or more!) most important goals during your campaign and how are you working to meet them?

My most important goals were:

1) Codifying Roe v Wade into NY law by passing the Reproductive Health Act

2) Enacting common sense gun safety measures such as the Red Flag Bill

3) Passing the Child Victim’s Act

4) Making the Property Tax Cap Permanent

With the support of the Democratic conference, I was able to meet the first three within the first 30 days of my term. Permanent property tax cap relief was passed as part of the state budget on April 1st.

Although election reform was a longer-term goal, we accomplished much of it in February including merging two primary dates into one, saving taxpayers money and early voting, which was fully funded in the state budget.

2. What new goals/agendas have emerged since your campaign and why?

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, fighting opioid addiction and other forms of substance abuse are major goals. Like many states, New York is currently suffering from an epidemic of opioid abuse which is devastating individual lives, families and communities.

I fought for and won $100 million in substance abuse funding in the state budget, as well as an increase from 14 to 28 days, the minimum stay in an inpatient substance abuse facility before an insurance company review. We also eliminated multiple co-pays at outpatient substance abuse care visits. Now, patients will pay only a single co-pay every time they go for outpatient treatment, regardless of the number of doctors or providers they meet with.

Another major goal I have is saving as many jobs of current Indian Point workers during the decommissioning as possible.

3. What has surprised you the most since beginning your service as state Senator? Can you describe an event that moved you or an interaction with a constituent that enlightened you?

The most surprising thing thus far has been the frenetic pace in Albany. Everyone wants a piece of you at the same time and walking from my office to the Senate chamber can be like walking through a crowded market where everyone is calling out to get your attention. Fortunately we have a terrific team to share the load.

I’ve been deeply moved by the veterans I’ve met with across the district. One group of veterans I met has made it their mission to seek out homeless veterans, provide them with housing and connect them with services they need. It’s how they help each other rebuild their lives. Veterans’ personal stories and their determination to assist each other continue to inspire me. That is why we increased funding to expand the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer PTSD program.

I’ve also been moved by the courage of parents who have lost sons and daughters to the scourge of opioid abuse and who now serve as community prevention and treatment advocates. Their personal stories of loss are heartbreaking yet they have dedicated their lives to ending this tragic epidemic and helping others who are suffering. Their selflessness and determination is deeply moving.

4. What are the biggest challenges facing the district? How do you plan to meet them?

The biggest challenges are:

1) Indian Point closure, which will greatly impact the workers and the economic well-being of the surrounding communities. I have introduced legislation to require the decommissioning entity to hire existing workers first.

2) High property taxes. We need to reform the way we fund education in New York to take the burden off of property tax payers.

3) Metro-North capital upgrades and service improvements. We must insure that capital investments from congestion pricing are spent expeditiously and wisely.

5. Our June theme is ‘Play and Explore!’ Can you tell us a little about how you spend your downtime?

I do not really have much downtime in this job but when I do, I spend it with my partner Jin-Hee and my daughters Emma and Kate, as well as hiking with our dogs.

*State Sen. Pete Harckham represents some 308,000 constituents in New York State Senate District 40, which includes parts of Northern Westchester (Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Yorktown), Putnam (Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Southeast) and Dutchess (Beekman, Pawling).

Please tell us about yourself. How long have you lived in Armonk?

STACY: I moved to Armonk in 1994 with my husband, Allen Blum, and our two young children, Jeremy (now 26) and David (now 23).

When did you decide to get involved with the Chamber? What made you want to become involved?

STACY: I’ve always been involved in the community, first as a volunteer at the schools, then as a board member and president of the Windmill Club, as a co-chair of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show and, most recently, as the Director of Communications for the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

I believe in the importance of giving back to the community. In order for a community to thrive, residents need to pitch in and lend a hand. It’s one thing to complain and keep your fingers crossed, but quite another to do something meaningful to effect change. Plus, the bonus has been getting to know the wonderful people in our town who make good things happen.

How has the Chamber evolved? How do you connect the Chamber to the wider community?

STACY: In the 22 years that I have lived here, Armonk has become a very different place. What was once a tiny stretch along Main Street has become a thriving downtown with a perfect central meeting space at Armonk Square. As the town evolved and the business scene grew, it became apparent that the Chamber of Commerce had to up its game.The current board, with Neal Schwartz as its president, has really stepped up communications between members and the surrounding community. Social media has been a great way to keep everyone, both residents and businesses, informed. Plus, Armonk Connect, our annual membership directory that gets mailed to over 8,000 households, provides the community with valuable local information.

Our newly revised website (armonkchamberofcommerce.com) gives easy access to our membership directory, activities and events. Members are also given their own URL web page, which we encourage them to utilize in branding their local presence.

Chamber membership has grown to over 130 members, who either have businesses here or who do business here. Monthly meetings provide a way for members to network and brainstorm about how to connect to the community. One way we do this is through a number of Chamber-sponsored events. Our Citizen of the Year dinner and golf outing in May honors a member of the Armonk community who embodies a long-time passion for making a difference in our town. It brings together business owners, town government, residents and their friends. During the summer months we sponsor First Thursdays, with entertainment and activities downtown. Merchant promotions and specials are geared towards bringing people into town to listen to music, stroll through local shops and eat at one of our many participating restaurants. In the fall, we host the Cider and Donut Festival together with Jamie’s 5K Run for Love in Wampus Brook Park. This year, for the first time, the Festival included the Byram Hills Pre-School Association carnival, which made it a great day for people of all ages. This festive event brings together friends and families from near and far, and gives Chamber members a chance to sponsor and provide fun activities. All of these events give local residents and attendees a chance to interact with our member businesses.

What are the Chamber’s goals, both short and long term?

STACY: We are always looking for ways to help our local businesses succeed. Short term, we aim to increase each businesses visibility through networking, events and web awareness. We also try to educate the community about the value of shopping local whenever possible. Our long-term goals have even greater payback. We have a vested interest in creating memories for our town’s patrons. Happy memories will keep people coming back for more, and that’s a winning scenario for everyone.