RyeCity REVIEW THE
June 29, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 26 | www.ryecityreview.com
County red-light cameras fail in Albany By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
See ya!
Rye Neck High School seniors receive their diplomas on Thursday, June 21. For more of the Class of 2018, see page 6. Photo courtesy Rye Neck school distict
Latimer signs law banning executive’s name, picture By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed legislation last week that prohibits county executives from putting their name and image on signs across the county. After the county Legislature approved the law in a 16-1 vote on June 19, Latimer signed the bill the following day at a press conference outside the entrance of the county-owned Cranberry Lake Preserve, a 190-acre park in West Harrison. Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, a Somers Democrat, was the only lawmaker to vote against it. “This has been something that
I believe very strongly about,” said Latimer, a Democrat, adding county facilities are owned by Westchester residents. “They are not owned by the politician of the moment that may have the responsibility of being chief executive officer.” The measure became an issue during last year’s county executive race when Latimer criticized incumbent Rob Astorino for free advertising by peppering his name and likeness on several county parks and properties, although that was also the case for previous county executives. So when Latimer won the election and took office in January, he signed an executive order ending the practice. And now that
he has approved the county Legislature’s bill, which is exactly the same as his executive order, current and future county executive cannot lift the ban unless approved by a vote of the county Board of Legislators. According to the law, the ban effects signs, like the ones posted outside county-owned parks, and buildings; however, it doesn’t apply to written correspondence and messages on the county’s website. The law also applies to golf courses and other properties across the county. The county government owns and operates 50 parks across Westchester. Typically, park officials post informational signs
outside the property, which hung the county executive’s name in the past. Also, the county municipal building on Martine Avenue is named after former County Executive Edwin G. Michaelian. Latimer has signed a number of executive orders that he then sent to the county Legislature for approval. As of press time, county lawmakers have approved several of Latimer’s executive orders, including a ban on gun shows on county-owned property, as well as an order to establish a policy on how law enforcement addresses immigrants. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Westchester won’t be getting red-light cameras; at least not until next year when state lawmakers can propose a new law granting the county permission to install the cameras. Last week, a bill that would have authorized the county government the ability to install such cameras, sponsored by state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Yonkers Democrat, and state Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, a Mount Vernon Democrat, failed to make it through the Legislature before the end of its legislative session. As of press time, the bill is currently awaiting approval in committee. In a unanimous vote on June 11, the county Board of Legislators approved what’s known as a home rule in a last-minute effort to authorize state lawmakers to pitch the bill before the end of the their legislative session. Westchester lawmakers called for a special meeting on June 8, which many thought gave state representatives enough time to propose a bill before the end of legislative session, which ended on June 20. Under state law, before state lawmakers can propose formal legislation to grant local governments permission to install redlight cameras, the local government must first adopt a home rule resolution, which signifies official support from the municipality. In a unanimous vote on June 11, the county Board of Legislators approved what’s known as a home rule in a last-minute effort to authorize state lawmakers to
pitch the bill before the end of the their legislative session. Legislators were aiming to install roughly 100 red-light cameras at intersections throughout the county. Additionally, the state bill would have granted the county permission to establish a new traffic and parking enforcement agency. According to the bill, red-light cameras are useful for preventing drag racing and help decrease accidents. Typically, the cameras take pictures of drivers running through red lights or those stuck in the middle of an intersection. Afterwards, tickets are mailed out to violators. While red-light cameras are widely controversial, critics believe that municipalities use them primarily as a way to generate additional revenue. As a result of the state bill failing in Albany, the county may now need to consider other options in the meantime to resolve its looming 2018 budget shortfall. Earlier this year, the county projected a $28.7 million deficit in its $1.8 billion budget. Besides collecting property taxes, the county has no other option for generating revenue at the moment. As of press time, the cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers already have red-light cameras installed in their respective municipalities. Jason Chervokas, the communications director for the county Democratic caucus, could not be reached for comment. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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