RyeCity REVIEW THE
March 2, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 9 | www.ryecityreview.com
Special election set for Maisano’s legislative seat
The Westchester Broadway Theatre opens its season with “A Chorus Line,” on show through April 1. For more, see page 6. Photo/John Vecchiolla
Latimer to end Uber, Lyft, background check program County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, said he will end a voluntary background check program for Uber and Lyft drivers in Westchester after a tepid response from employees
of those ride-hailing services. “I am doubtful of its value, and unless I can be persuaded in a short period of time that it’s worth the effort, I’ll expect to close it down,” said Latimer in
A voluntary background check will get the axe after a tepid response from ride-hailing employees. Photo courtesy flickr.com
a statement. Fewer than 10 drivers have signed up since the program’s creation by former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, in July of last year. The program was conceived as a way to help notify customers whether their potential driver had undergone and passed a more stringent background check by displaying a thumbs up sticker on the car. Under a state law passed in June of last year, ride-hailing contractors are required to pass a criminal background check, but county lawmakers lobbied for more thorough vetting for prospective contractors in West-
chester amid a slew of allegations against the company and its employees, including a class action suit claiming Uber drivers had sexually assaulted customers. Ultimately, the only concession lawmakers and Astorino were able to get from the major ride-hailing companies, Uber and Lyft, was an agreement to participate in the voluntary “Thumbs Up” program. The state law passed last year allows Uber and Lyft to operate statewide and does not allow for counties to impose their own regulations, but does allow for them to opt out of the process entirely. -Reporting by James Pero
The Westchester County Board of Legislators has set a special election to be held on April 24 to replace the longest-serving Republican on its board. After county Legislator Jim Maisano, of New Rochelle, stepped down on Sunday, Feb. 25 to join Democratic County Executive George Latimer’s administration, the county board voted to set a date for the election to replace him. Maisano started his new role as the director of the county Department of Consumer Protection on Feb. 26, the same day his letter of resignation was submitted to County Clerk Tim Idoni. “It’s been one of the biggest honors of my life to serve as a county legislator,” Maisano wrote in his letter. “I will miss working with my fellow legislators on the issues facing our great county.” Maisano served 21 years as a legislator and formerly as the board’s vice chairman from 2014 to 2017. With the Republican’s departure, county Democrats will look to further fortify their control of the Board of Legislators, as they already hold a now hold a 12vote supermajority majority of the 17-member Legislature. According to the county Board of Elections, Democrats exceed registered GOP voters by approximately 8,000 in District 11, Mai-
At a glance Westchester County Board of Legislators has set April 24 as the date for the special election to replace former county Legislator Jim Maisano Maisano served as a county legislator for 21 years The special election will be held the same day as the election to fill County Executive George Latimer’s vacated Senate seat
sano’s former district that covers New Rochelle, Pelham and Pelham Manor. But Maisano was rarely challenged by Democrats during his 11 terms because of his mostly moderate views. The election to replace Maisano will be held on the same day as the special election for Latimer’s vacated Senate seat. State Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, a Yonkers Democrat, is running against former Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican, for that seat, which covers District 37. With the date set to fill Maisano’s seat, party district leaders must choose their candidates via mini conventions. County legislators serve twoyear terms and get paid an annual salary of $49,200. Westchester Republican Committee Chairman Doug Colety and Majority Leader Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, could not be reached for comment. -Reporting by Franco Fino