RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 12, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 27 | www.ryecityreview.com
Latimer outlines Property Taxpayer Protection Act
in the making Public art has arrived at Playland Park with the first exhibit on the boardwalk in more than five decades. Called the “Floating Forest,” ceramic jellyfish are suspended from the ceiling at varying heights, creating an engaging and interactive piece that both adults and children alike can enjoy. For more, see page 6. Photo/Kyle Mills
County Youth Bureau to host second annual Invest Fest The Westchester County Youth Bureau will host the second annual Invest In Kids Fest (Invest Fest) in collaboration with 22 youth serving agencies and PepsiCo on July 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale. This year’s theme, “Invest in You” complements the recreational and fun-filled learning activities that will be offered to promote social, emotional, physical and educational well-being. Invest Fest features 20 different “Invest Stations.” The stations offer a variety of interactive experiences to keep youth motivated and moving, ranging from Yoga, sack racing and hoola hooping to educational jeopardy, financial literacy and relationship building trivia.
There will be live performances by Young at Arts Performing Arts School and DJ I-slam. “This year’s theme, ‘Invest in You’ coincides with the positive youth development philosophy of creating safe, nurturing environments that encourage belongingness,” said Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, the executive director of the county Youth Bureau and creator of the Invest Fest. “Too often, geography and resources limit youths’ ability to network and learn from each other. With 22-plus agencies volunteering their resources, youth will have the opportunity to network and experience camaraderie with their peers, while gaining exposure to existing youth
services and natural supports in the County.” Participating partnering agencies for 2019 Invest In Kids Fest include: • The Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester • The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle • White Plains Youth Bureau • STEER for Student Athletes • The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau • Junior Achievement • The Peekskill Youth Bureau • My Sister’s Place • Family Services of Westchester • Family Service Society of Yonkers • The Guidance Center of
Westchester • The Hudson River Museum • New Rochelle Youth Bureau • Thomas H. Slater Center • Westchester Jewish Community Services • The YMCA of Yonkers • The YWCA of Yonkers • The YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester • Sister to Sister International • Student Advocacy • Westchester Children’s Association • The Harris Project Agencies must have registered with the Youth Bureau in order to participate. Please contact the Westchester County Youth Bureau at 995-2745 for more information. (Submitted)
$70 million collected, 20 percent will go to local municipalities and 10 percent to the school districts. Additionally, the news that the county, which currently has an AA+/Negative from S&P, has increased its sales tax rate has been deemed a tremendous step forward in improving the county’s bond rating. According to S&P Global Ratings, the increase is “a step toward restoring budgetary balance and will likely have a positive credit impact.” “Today is the end of one-shot revenues and borrowing for operating costs,” Latimer said. “We now have a creative source of revenue that is not an additional burden on the County’s property taxpayers. This tax freeze will help address the expected increases for many residents and taxpayers from the new Federal Tax Plan.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This law, requested by the County Government, allows Westchester to have greater parity with neighboring counties while directly helping overburdened local governments and providing much needed funding to our local schools.” (Submitted)
Publish
es
Harrison REVIEW REVIEW Mamaroneck THE
THE
Eastchester CityREVIEW NewRochelle REVIEW THE
THE
INSIDE
Decades
Focused on taking the burden off Westchester County property taxpayers, and combating the loss of the federal SALT deduction, County Executive George Latimer announced a series of actions in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the Westchester County Property Taxpayer Protection Act. The announcement came during a press conference with nearly 60 elected officials, government leaders and school district leaders and advocates from both sides of the aisle standing in solidarity with the county executive. Those actions include: • Signing of an Executive Order to prohibit the county from independently selling county parkland that is more than 2 acres; • Announcement that budget amendments will be introduced to stop the sale of county parking lots; • Moving $5 million to the county’s reserve fund; • Directing the departments of Budget and Finance that county property taxes throughout the county will be frozen for two years (FY 2020 and FY 2021); and • Announcing that of the nearly
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
www.hometwn.com | P.O. BOX 485, White Plains N.Y. 10602
(914) 653-1000