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Westchester County Board of Legislators

Westchester City Councilman Filed Fraudulent Petitions During Election: DA Westchester City Councilman Filed Fraudulent Petitions During Election: DA
Westchester City Councilman Filed Fraudulent Petitions During Election: DA A city councilman in Northern Westchester faces criminal charges after filing petitions containing forged signatures during a primary election for a seat on the County Board of Legislators, officials announced.  Peekskill resident and Common Council member Robert Scott, age 44, was arrested after allegedly filing fraudulent petitions during the Democratic primary election for Westchester County Board of Legislators District 1 in June 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, April 17.  According to the DA's Office, on April 10, 2023,…
$2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It $2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It
$2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It Westchester County Executive George Latimer has officially signed the county's 2024 budget.  The budget, which totals $2.4 billion, was signed by Latimer on Monday afternoon, Dec. 11 following its passage by the Westchester County Board of Legislators earlier in the day.  According to county officials, the new budget maintains the same property tax levy as 2023, which means it is the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase.  The budget also includes additions approved by the Board of Legislator's Budget & Appropriations Committee. These additions to the …
Westchester's Bond Rating Upgraded By Fitch: 'Disciplined Financial Management' Westchester's Bond Rating Upgraded By Fitch: 'Disciplined Financial Management'
Westchester's Bond Rating Upgraded By Fitch: 'Disciplined Financial Management' Thanks to "disciplined financial management," Westchester's bond rating has been upgraded to the highest possible designation by Fitch ratings, county officials said.  The county's credit rating was upgraded by Fitch to a prestigious "AAA" credit rating, officials announced on Wednesday, Nov. 29.  County Executive George Latimer said the upgrade resulted from hard work and careful financial management.  "From day one, my administration has been committed to strong financial management, fiscal stability and prudent governance. This is a tremendous accomplishment for my a…
Westchester County Legislator Resigns After Scandal: 'My Service Has Become Interference' Westchester County Legislator Resigns After Scandal: 'My Service Has Become Interference'
Westchester County Legislator Resigns After Scandal: 'My Service Has Become Interference' A Westchester County legislator has resigned from his position after he was found to have been subletting an affordable taxpayer-subsidized apartment while living elsewhere.  Westchester County Legislator Christopher Johnson, a Democrat who represents District 16 encompassing much of Yonkers, submitted a letter of resignation to County Clerk Tim Idoni which will become effective on Tuesday, Aug. 1.  In the letter, Johnson said his service has become an "interference on centering the improvement of this County."  "I know that stepping away will allow more time and e…
Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say
Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say Federal officials have released more details about a former Westchester County staffer who was fired after allegedly attempting to meet up with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.  Tarrytown resident Anand Singh, age 33, was arrested on Monday, May 1, and charged with attempting to meet a person who he thought was a 14-year-old girl at an apartment building in Newark, New Jersey for sex, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  Earlier Report - 'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL Af…
'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL After Staffer Meets With Teen 'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL After Staffer Meets With Teen
'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL After Staffer Meets With Teen The chairwoman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators has stepped down from her position following a scandal involving a former county staffer trying to meet with a 14-year-old girl.  Catherine Borgia, who was elected to the position with a unanimous vote at the beginning of the 2022-2023 term, announced her resignation on Friday, April 28. Earlier Report - Staffer Fired For Meeting With Teen Girl Leads To 'Witch Hunt,' Westchester BOL Chair Says Numerous legislators had called for Borgia's resignation after a former staffer, identified as Anand Singh, was fired…
First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester
First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester An all-new affordable housing complex meant to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ Westchester residents has been approved by the county's government, officials said.  Court Street Residences, a new affordable senior housing development that will be located in White Plains at 143 Grand St., was approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in a 17-0 vote on Monday, April 17.  The project, which will consist of at least 140 residential units for people aged 55 and older and will be built by a corporation formed by HANAC, Inc. and Monadnock Development LLC, had …
Staffer Fired For Meeting With Teen Girl Leads To 'Witch Hunt,' Westchester BOL Chair Says Staffer Fired For Meeting With Teen Girl Leads To 'Witch Hunt,' Westchester BOL Chair Says
Staffer Fired For Meeting With Teen Girl Leads To 'Witch Hunt,' Westchester BOL Chair Says The Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators is responding to calls for her resignation after a county staffer was fired for attempting to meet up with a 14-year-old girl.  The former legislative staffer, identified as Anand Singh, was fired on Thursday, April 13 after a video surfaced of him allegedly driving hours to try and meet up with a 14-year-old girl, according to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.  The incident is now under investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Board of Legislators Chair Catherine Borgia said in a statement on Tuesday, April 18.  …
Opposing Groups Speak Out About Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco In Westchester County Opposing Groups Speak Out About Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco In Westchester County
Opposing Groups Speak Out About Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco In Westchester County Groups on both sides of the debate to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in Westchester County held rallies before a public hearing on the proposed law.  Earlier Report - Westchester Convenience Stores Urge Against Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products The two rallies were held on Monday, Nov. 14, by both the New York Association of Convenience Stores, who are against the ban, and anti-smoking advocates in Westchester County in support of the proposal.  Advocates for the ban said that the measure, which would not criminalize the possession of flavored tobacco…
Harckham Wins Heated State Senate Race Representing Parts Of Westchester Harckham Wins Heated State Senate Race Representing Parts Of Westchester
Harckham Wins Heated State Senate Race Representing Parts Of Westchester After a tight race, New York State Sen. Peter Harckham, D-Lewisboro, emerged victorious and was reelected to represent District 40, which represents much of the region. Harckham, who ran against and defeated Republican candidate Gina Arena, was originally elected to the seat in 2018 and 2020 and will now serve a third term representing citizens of the district, which encompasses much of Northern Westchester, Putnam County, and parts of Dutchess County, according to Ballotpedia.  Harckham compiled 64,869 votes (53.3 percent) to 56,937 (46.7 percent) for Arena. We did it, folks! pic.twit…
Westchester Convenience Stores Urge Against Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products Westchester Convenience Stores Urge Against Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products
Westchester Convenience Stores Urge Against Banning Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products Convenience stores in Westchester County are speaking out against a proposed ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products.  The ban, which would prohibit the sale of products such as menthol cigarettes, cherry pipe tobacco, vanilla cigars, and wintergreen smokeless tobacco, would drive consumers to stores in other neighboring counties that would still allow these sales, according to the New York Association of Convenience Stores.  "There are currently 906 retailers within only five miles of Westchester County’s border, all of whom will continue to sell flavored tobacco p…
Westchester County Executive Shares Details Of Proposed 2023 Budget Westchester County Executive Shares Details Of Proposed 2023 Budget
Westchester County Executive Shares Details Of Proposed 2023 Budget Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the details of his 2023 proposed capital budget, which requests $662.5 million in new appropriations. Latimer said in an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 13, that he submitted the 2023 Capital Budget to the Westchester County Board of Legislators for review. He said the budget includes investments in affordable housing, electric vehicles, recreational facilities, flood mitigation projects, and more. "Many of the projects in this budget focus on the environment and sustainability including the investment in electric vehicle infrastruc…
$200K In Matching Grants Benefits Announced For 45 Westchester Arts Organizations $200K In Matching Grants Benefits Announced For 45 Westchester Arts Organizations
$200K In Matching Grants Benefits Announced For 45 Westchester Arts Organizations A total of $200,000 in matching funds from the Art$WChallenge grant program has been awarded to 45 different arts organizations throughout the Westchester area. Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Board of Legislators worked alongside ArtsWestchester to determine the recipients of matching funds from the grant program and “provide much-needed funding for arts and culture in Westchester County.” The arts organizations raised a total of $526,158 in private funds through the Art$WChallenge program of 2018. As a whole, these grants and matching fund efforts am…
Leonard Spano, Patriarch Of Westchester Political Dies, Dies Leonard Spano, Patriarch Of Westchester Political Dies, Dies
Leonard Spano, Patriarch Of Westchester Political Dies, Dies The first father of politics in Westchester, Leonard Spano, died over the weekend at the age of 88. Spano, who served as a Westchester County legislator for 22 years and as the county clerk for more than a decade before his retirement in 2005 died on Sunday, his family announced. The cause of death was reportedly heart failure brought on by complications from lymphoma. Born on Aug. 5, 1930, to Nicholas and Mary Spano, he was one of four children who grew up in southwest Yonkers. He attended St. Peter's School and worked alongside his father, who emigrated from Italy, learning the famil…
County Legislators Approve 'Ban The Box' Legislation Protecting Workers With Criminal Past County Legislators Approve 'Ban The Box' Legislation Protecting Workers With Criminal Past
County Legislators Approve 'Ban The Box' Legislation Protecting Workers With Criminal Past The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a bill on Monday, Dec. 3 to make it illegal for employers to make job seekers disclose committing serious crimes on their application.  The proposed legislation was approved by a vote of 11 to 5. County Executive George Latimer recently said he favored the new law since employers can still ask applicants about any past convictions during their job interview. Latimer said he opposed applicants being instantly and arbitrarily knocked out of the running by being honest on a written application. Monday's vote was 11-5, with all Democrats…
Major Westchester Roadway Getting Multi-Million Dollar Makeover Major Westchester Roadway Getting Multi-Million Dollar Makeover
Major Westchester Roadway Getting Multi-Million Dollar Makeover A busy Mount Pleasant roadway is getting a major facelift following the approval of a multi-million proposal by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Courtesy of an $8.2 million grant, there will be a complete rehabilitation of 2.7 miles of Columbus Avenue in Mount Pleasant after a pavement condition index rating determined that “it requires corrective rehabilitation to extend the life of the roadway.” Legislator Margaret Cunzio said that the stretch of Columbus Avenue which runs from Lakeview Avenue to Nannyhagen Road will be completely repaved, “including milling, joint and crack r…
Latimer Says County Faces 'Fiscal Mess' Due To $32 Million Budget Deficit Latimer Says County Faces 'Fiscal Mess' Due To $32 Million Budget Deficit
Latimer Says County Faces 'Fiscal Mess' Due To $32 Million Budget Deficit This story has been updated. County Executive George Latimer said that as anticipated, Westchester's operating budget has a deficit of more than $32 million. Latimer, a Democrat from Rye, said on Tuesday, June 26 that he inherited shaky financial conditions former County Executive Rob Astorino of Mount Pleasant. Latimer said: "Our Administration took office on Jan. 1, 2018; we have inherited this 2017 deficit from the prior Administration, and it negatively impacts our current 2018 budget, and projections for the 2019 budget which will be in preparation beginning this summer." W…
County Lawmakers Move One Step Closer To Approving Red Light Cameras County Lawmakers Move One Step Closer To Approving Red Light Cameras
County Lawmakers Move One Step Closer To Approving Red Light Cameras For careless or impatient motorists, racing through yellow or red traffic lights may be reduced throughout Westchester. At a special meeting on Monday, June 11, the county Board of Legislators, by a 16-0 vote, approved a measure asking New York state to give the county permission to consider passing a local law to allow red light cameras at county intersections. “The measure was passed in order to get it into the hands of state legislators quickly, because the state legislative session is ending," said county Board Chairman Ben Boykin, D-Harrison, Scarsdale, White Plains. "But thi…
County Investigation Of Playland Management Contract IDs Multiple Problems County Investigation Of Playland Management Contract IDs Multiple Problems
County Investigation Of Playland Management Contract IDs Multiple Problems This story has been updated with a video link: An investigation of a private contract to manage Playland Amusement Park in Rye has a multitude of conflicts and costly problems, Westchester County officials announced on Monday, May 7 Click here to watch a video of Monday's news conference in White Plains. On the heels of public concern, and members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators calling on the county to revisit the Playland deal with Standard Amusements, Westchester County Executive George Latimer asked Director of Operations Joan McDonald and County Attorney John Nonna to e…
Latimer's Delivers First State of the County Address Latimer's Delivers First State of the County Address
Latimer's Delivers First State of the County Address This story has been updated.Westchester County Executive George Latimer will delivered his first "state of the county" address on Monday, April 16. Daily Voice coverage of Latimer's speech can be found by clicking here. According to his aides, Latimer "will be speaking directly to you about the progress he has made, and the steps he will take to move the county forward." Latimer's speech can be viewed online via a live stream. This is your chance to hear about the county’s advancements and the impact it will have on Westchester. You can tweet your reaction to the speec…
Republican Maisano Joins George Latimer Administration As Commissioner Republican Maisano Joins George Latimer Administration As Commissioner
Republican Maisano Joins George Latimer Administration As Commissioner Longtime Republican County Legislator Jim Maisano has taken a job with the administration of Westchester County Executive George Latimer, requiring a special election to fill his District 11 seat, which covers New Rochelle and the Town of Pelham.Maisano has been a county legislator for 20 years. More on him can be read by clicking here. Maisano was currently the longest-serving Republican on the county Board of Legislators.  Mainsano is the new commissioner of the county’s Department of Consumer Protection, it was announced at a Friday news conference. Maisano, a lawyer, served as the BOL v…
Latimer Signs Bill Prohibiting Gun Shows On Westchester County Property Latimer Signs Bill Prohibiting Gun Shows On Westchester County Property
Latimer Signs Bill Prohibiting Gun Shows On Westchester County Property Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed into law a bill that prohibits the sale of guns on county property -- including the County Center in White Plains -- which held its last show in January 2017. This bill, passed by the County Board of Legislators, also codifies the Executive Order signed last month by Latimer during the first week of his administration, as reported here by Daily Voice. “Plain and simple, Westchester should not – and will not – profit off the sale of guns in our facilities,” Latimer said. “We just announced that the WNBA’s New York Liberty will call the Coun…
Lois Bronz, 90, 1st African-American Head Of Westchester Legislature, Dies Lois Bronz, 90, 1st African-American Head Of Westchester Legislature, Dies
Lois Bronz, 90, 1st African-American Head Of Westchester Legislature, Dies Former Westchester County Legislator Lois Bronz, 90, died on Tuesday, Feb. 13. In 1994, she became the first black woman to be elected to the County Board of Legislators, and became the first African-American to lead the county board in 2002. County Executive George Latimer said, "Westchester lost a true friend in Lois Bronz." Bronz worked in education for 32 years and was elected to the Greenburgh Town Council in 1976. She was appointed Deputy Town Supervisor and served the town for 16 years. Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said, "Greenburgh and Westchester County lost a…
Boykin Appointed New Chair Of Westchester County Legislators Boykin Appointed New Chair Of Westchester County Legislators
Boykin Appointed New Chair Of Westchester County Legislators WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Benjamin Boykin is now the man in charge. Boykin (D-White Plains) was appointed the Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Monday in a 13-3 vote. Boykin succeeds Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers) who led a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. “I am humbled and honored to serve as Board Chair and to work with all my Colleagues on the Board of Legislators and the Latimer Administration to move Westchester forward," Boykin said. We will have many opportunities and significant challenges ahead but, by working together, we will make Westchester County a …