RyeCity REVIEW THE
November 22, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 46 | www.ryecityreview.com
Latimer proposes term limits legislation for county executives
It’s beginning to look a lot like… “It Happened One Christmas Eve,” appearing at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, is the heart-warming story, about an infant left on the doorstep of an old brownstone in Brooklyn on Christmas Eve, and the magic she brings to the lives of those who find her. For more, see page 6. Photo/John Vecchiolla
County Mental Health receives Suicide Prevention NY grant On the heels of a successful Suicide Awareness and Education Campaign, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, DCMH, has been awarded a $100,000 grant to develop, test and refine a formal in-depth suicide review process. The money is part of a $340,000 statewide grant funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health that is being awarded to four counties greatly impacted by suicide: Westchester, Suffolk, Erie and Onondaga counties. The purpose of the grant, “Learning from Loss: Suicide Fatality Reviews for Effective Prevention Activities,” is to conduct detailed reviews of suicide
deaths to identify systemic patterns, and to ensure accurate data collection by local medical examiner offices. DCMH will officially launch its Westchester Suicide Fatality Review Team on Tuesday, Nov. 19 with a presentation from Dr. Kimberly Repp from Washington County, Oregon and other representatives from New York State. “In order to further our efforts to reduce the number of suicide deaths in Westchester, we need to be able to look at these tragedies with a more critical eye,” County Executive George Latimer said. “Experts have long believed that suicide deaths can be prevented, and with a focused Suicide Fa-
tality Review Team in place, we can aim to lower the chances of suicide in Westchester.” “We are appreciative of the New York State Office of Mental Health for awarding us this opportunity to prevent suicide deaths in our County,” said Michael Orth, DCMH commissioner. “We have assembled talented partners to create our new formed Suicide Fatality Review Team under the leadership of our Medical Examiner, Department of Health and Department of Community Mental Health along with other critical stakeholders.” The model being implemented in Westchester County is based on a program that was success-
fully rolled out in Washington County, Oregon, where a multidisciplinary team with representatives from the medical examiner’s office, healthcare providers, law enforcement, crisis workers, clergy and other community partners shared data during their reviews of suicide deaths. Washington County, Oregon has seen the number of suicide deaths drop over each of the last three years the program has been implemented. For additional information on Westchester County’s Suicide Fatality Review Committee please contact Orth at 995-5225 or email mmo6@westchestergov.com. (Submitted)
Referencing the wisdom of the Constitution, specifically the need for checks and balances on power and to create a steady, fresh supply of leaders to serve in elected offices Westchester County Executive George Latimer Americans has submitted legislation to the county Board of Legislators to reduce the existing three-term limit (12 years) for county executives enacted in 2011 in Westchester, down to two terms (eight years). “All of our local governments follow that Revolutionary Era philosophy; restricting the reach of government,” Latimer said. “I have been a student of government as well as a practitioner these many years, serving on three different levels: city, county and state. Now, as I complete my second year as County Executive, I see the authority granted this position—and I strongly believe it should be further limited to ensure a balance of interests are better served.” From committee report attached to local law amending Chapter 110 of the Laws of Westchester County to impose a limitation on service by a Westchester County executive, the report outlines: “[…] term limits prevent government officials from serving for more than a specified number of terms to bring fresh perspectives to government and ensure responsiveness to voter demands. […] Longtime office holders can often become more interested in serving their own reelection interests than serving the interests of the people they represent and challengers with new ideas are at an unfair advantage when running against incumbents with higher
name recognition. Your Committee believes that restricting the service of lawmakers through term limits prevents politicians from amassing too much power and removes the intense focus on politics and places it back on policy. Term limits encourage younger, minority and other aspirants to run for office as the hurdle to defeat a well-entrenched and senior incumbent is lowered. In addition, term limits result in greater voter turnout particularly in local elections if people feel there is a real race going on and their votes can count. Your Committee believes that implementation of term limits keeps a steady, fresh supply of leaders to serve in elected offices. Many talented potential leaders will simply not run for a particular office because of the challenges and battles of running against an incumbent.” While Latimer wants to limit the term of county executive, he proposes no change in legislative term limits, which currently allow a maximum of service of 12 years (six terms). The new term limit, if passed, would reduce Latimer’s availability to run for future terms from three terms to two. “I have included my tenure as covered within the law,” Latimer said. “Oftentimes, incumbents are “grandfathered” in, meaning the restrictions apply to the next occupant of the seat. But, they will apply to me as well. Eight years is a period of time most common where Executive term limits apply, and I think it is a defensible change. The length of my tenure is up to the voters, but to limit the total years to eight makes good sense, and ensures the proper check and balance.” (Submitted)
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