I wrote this letter to Governor Cuomo to request that Ossining stay in a Westchester County State Senate district. We want redistributing lines that make sense.
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Thank you for being such a stalwart proponent of fair redistricting that is not corrupted by partisan political concerns. As you know, voters throughout the state have objected to the district lines proposed by the state's legislative task force. The proposed lines are particularly bad for Ossining.
Presently Ossining is part of New York's 37th Senate District and is represented by Senator Suzi Oppenheimer of Mamaroneck. We have much in common with the other Westchester communities in the 37th district and I believe that Senator Oppenheimer has been an excellent voice for Ossining residents during her time in the Senate.
If the legislature's tentative redistricting plan becomes law, Ossining will be moved into a Rockland based district. Virtually all of the district, except The Town of Ossining, will be located on the other side of The Hudson River. There is no bridge connecting Ossining directly to Rockland County. The ferry that connects Ossining to Rockland goes to Haverstraw, which lies just north of the proposed district.
My Ossining constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to this plan. Elected officials from both parties are speaking out against it. We do not want Ossining to become an outlier in a district with no commonality of interest. I hope that you will work with the legislature to move Ossining into a more suitable district and veto the plan if necessary.
This new show features interviews with newsmakers and spotlights guests and issues of interest throughout the area. Examiner Media editors Martin Wilbur, Faith Ann Butcher, Andrew Vitelli and Kerry Barger will host episodes on a rotating basis to highlight a variety of topics that are in the news throughout the region as well as profile notable people in the communities covered by the Examiner newspapers.
Westchester Legislators
Welcome Seniors at
Speak-Out in White Plains
January 27, 2012 - White Plains, NY
A wide representation of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), led by Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and Community Services Committee Chair Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh), were on hand to welcome the Westchester County seniors attending the annual Legislative Speak-Out and Breakfast this morning at the Westchester County Center.
Among the topics discussed by both residents and elected officials was the impact of the proposed federal and state budgets for 2012-2013 on seniors. The Speak-Out and Breakfast is an important opportunity to emphasize the need for comprehensive and efficient, and number of the comments and questions offered by residents dealt with topics ranging from Social Security to health care reform, taxes and mental health services. Read more...
"This event allows us to hear from you, face to face, much in the same way we heard from County residents at the Board of Legislators' public hearings on the budget," Jenkins remarked to the participants at the Speak-Out. "Your ideas and concerns help us direct our efforts and energies when discussing spending and policy. Please know that the Legislators are always eager to hear from you. That’s what democracy is all about."
Legislator Alfreda Williams, who serves as Chair of the BOL’s Community Services Committee, a co-sponsor with Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) of today’s event, said, “The Speak-Out is a great opportunity for Westchester’s seniors to express their concerns directly to the elected leaders who have been entrusted to protect and support programs that address the needs of our residents. In a forum like this, people feel comfortable talking about all kinds of issues, and the give-and-take can be very educational and beneficial to all."
This past week, the BOL Legislation Committee, chaired by Legislator Bill Ryan (D-White Plains), began work on preparing the Joint Legislative Package, which is sent to the lawmakers in Albany and serves a general wish-list for program support and funding for Westchester County. Chairman Jenkins noted that hearing from residents at this point in the process during the preparations of the legislative package will help the legislators and other elected officials, including the County Executive, focus on the needs of seniors.
Chairman Jenkins said that one of the big issues he hears about from seniors is the need to protect access to senior centers, many of which are funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recent friction between County Executive Astorino and HUD officials and the federal monitor of the Westchester County fair and affordable housing settlement have threatened future CDBG grants coming to Westchester.
The need for public transportation was also addressed at the Speak-Out. Last week, Legislator Judy Myers (D-Larchmont) held a press conference in Rye and, joined by residents in front of the Milton Point senior complex, demanded restoration of the Route 76 county bus line between Port Chester and Rye.
"Either you are on the side of seniors and focusing on their needs or you aren’t—it’s that simple," Jenkins concluded. “Around Westchester, seniors know the Board of Legislators consistently works to address their needs and protect the services they require—and deserve." Hide this content.
"Last year, the town of Ossining merged its 15-member police department with the county force under a four-year deal that reportedly will save the town $600,000 a year. This was a political triumph for Catherine Borgia, the town supervisor and a Democrat who was later elected to the county Board of Legislators, representing the 9th district."
"Borgia is a rare legislator in that she comes to the job with real experience in handling a critical nuts-and-bolts issue — that of sharing services on the local level."
"For that reason alone, Board Chairman Ken Jenkins made a smart move by appointing her to head the board’s government operations committee."
Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Tax Cap Challenge!
Ossining Town Supervisor to be Featured on Tax Cap Panel
Borgia to Speak About Public Safety and the Tax Burden
(September 27, 2011) Ossining Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia will be participating in a panel discussion on maximizing public safety and lightening the tax burden. The panel discussion will be part of The 2011 Fall Conference on Local Government, presented by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress and the SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO). The conference will feature speeches, workshops, and panels that address the challenges faced by local governments under the new tax cap legislation.
Ossining’s successful effort to merge the town’s law enforcement services with the county’s police force provides an example for other municipalities hoping to save money without jeopardizing public safety. When the police merger was finalized, County Executive Rob Astorino expressed his hope that it would provide “a model for the future.” (http://robastorino.com/pdf/3_9_2011.pdf)
“I am excited about this opportunity to share my insights and learn from my peers at other Hudson Valley municipalities” said Borgia. “In light of the property tax cap and the difficult economy, it is more important than ever to get creative and find smart ways to cut costs.”
The conference will take place on Monday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SUNY New Paltz Student Union. New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and many local government officials will also speak at the conference. Those interested in attending can visit www.pattern-for-progress.org for more information.
"This law will hopefully be used as a prototype for other municipalities to follow in Ossining's footsteps," Assemblywoman Sandy Galef said.
State Supreme Court Administrative Justice Alan Scheinkman worked out the technical issues on the consolidation. He called the merger a "very innovative opportunity."
(March 9, 2011) Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Ossining Supervisor Catherine Borgia signed the historic Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Department of Public Safety to provide contractual police services to the Town.
County Executive Rob Astorino said this is costing county taxpayers nothing, but it’s saving the Town of Ossining about $600,000....
"Economically, it made sense, and everyone decided to take the leap forward," said Astorino....
"Hopefully the model for many other communities, not just in Westchester but perhaps throughout the state, which is completely a patchwork of governments," said Astorino.
Sandy Galef on Catherine Borgia and Richard Shea as guests on Dear Sandy...
"Borgia and Shea have both made efforts to consolidate courts, emergency services, and other municipal services as well as worked to merge with Westchester County and other neighboring villages to reduce spending and costs. Additionally, as they were both successful in their respective municipalities, they discuss their experience with consolidating services. Borgia and Shea advise how to deal with the public’s concerns and also how to effectively implement and enact necessary changes."
"Catherine and Richard are working hard to find ways to save their communities resources while not compromising services," said Galef, "I think the work they are doing is immensely important especially in today’s troubling economic times."
Cost cutting, innovative management practices,
and shared sacrifices lead to success
(May 8, 2011) The Town of Ossining is very pleased to announce that its financial health has seen substantial improvement in the past three years, thanks to the shared sacrifices of all Town employees, innovative management practices and sound financial policies, Supervisor Catherine Borgia announced today.
Borgia said, "When I took office at the beginning of 2009, it was clear that the Town had to make some serious adjustments to face the challenges of the worst economic climate since the Depression. All of the Town’s managers and employees were asked to find new, cost effective ways of operating and to look for additional revenue-generating opportunities. As a result of this hard work over the past two and a half years, the Town was able to give a tax cut to every taxpayer in Ossining in 2011 while at the same time increasing the town’s fund balance (rainy day fund) to over $2 million, well within the NYS Comptroller’s recommendations for municipalities."
New York League of Conservation Voters Endorses Catherine Borgia For County Legislature
The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State, has announced its endorsement of Catherine Borgia for election as Westchester County‟s Legislator in District 9.
"Giving Back" a new monthly series that features local leaders who give back to their community. Matt Gullotta, Ossining resident - volunteer fundraiser hosts the show. You can tune into Channel 15 to watch the show on Community Media 15 on Cablevision.
The Volunteer Center of the United Way joined 117 supporters June 21 for the Leadership Westchester Graduation of the Gateway Center at Westchester Community College.
Westchester Legislators
