RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 21, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 29 | www.ryecityreview.com
FD to add career deputy chief position, 3 lieutenants By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
NO CHANCE The Rye City Council decided to postpone creating a local ordinance to allow gaming for fundraising purposes. For story, see page 9.
Jenkins collects signatures, primary with Latimer now official By JAMES PERO Staff Writer An intra-party battle for the Democratic Party’s nomination for county executive is fated after Westchester County Legislator Ken Jenkins, of Yonkers, easily cleared a major hurdle to trigger a primary. Last week, Jenkins submitted petitions—almost three times the amount of signatures necessary to force a Democratic primary— to the county Board of Elections effectively pitting him against New York state senator and Dem-
ocratic frontrunner in the race for the county’s top elected office, George Latimer, of Rye. “Since 2010 when [Rob] Astorino was in office, I’ve been the one standing up for issues,” Jenkins, 55, told the Review. “Not everyone can say that.” Jenkins, a veteran of the county Board of Legislators, who served as the body’s chairman from 2010 to 2014, will face a formidable challenge in Latimer who secured 71 percent of district leaders’ vote at a countywide convention clinching the Democratic nomination back in May,
Latimer has also never lost an election in a political career that dates back to 1987. Like Jenkins, Latimer also served on the Board of Legislators, acting as the body’s chairman from 1998 to 2001. Already, Jenkins has started to draw a line between him and his fellow Democratic opponent. “I think our game plan is materially different from [Latimer’s],” said Jenkins, adding that two consecutive Democratic campaigns for county executive against Astorino have ended in defeat. “This particular time we have to do
something different.” Latimer said his track record, however, speaks for itself. “I run positively. I won’t attack [Jenkins],” he said. “My service and record stands on its own. That was proven by the way I won the convention.” Amplifying the upcoming primary election for Jenkins will be higher stakes than usual; a primary run for county executive will exclude the longtime lawmaker from running for re-election to his current legislative seat. PRIMARY continued on page 9
After months of reviewing the Rye Fire Department, the city’s public safety commissioner is recommending several changes. Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who took over the department at the beginning of this year, told the Review that he has recommended to the City Council establishing a professional deputy chief position to lead the department and employing three additional lieutenants to command each fire company. As a result, the fire inspector position, which is currently filled by the department’s only professional lieutenant, Kurt Tietjen, will be eliminated and its duties will be dispersed amongst the new lieutenants from each company and the anticipated deputy fire chief position. “Supervision of the department is an issue that has to be addressed,” Corcoran said, adding that the City Council is fully supportive of the plan that he presented to the city in June. “Restructuring the department is critically important for the city.” The Fire Department, which has four companies–one hook and ladder company, two engine and hose companies, and a fire police patrol unit—currently employs 18 professional firefighters and has roughly 30 active volunteers, 12 of whom are trained to fight indoor fires. Corcoran’s recommendations come after several concerns within the Fire Department related to staffing, operations and a dwin-
dling volunteer base that spurred his review that began at the beginning of the year. In January, the state Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau, PESH, determined the department was in violation of 19 serious procedural policy and operational standards, and the city has struggled to rectify several of those infractions related to the chief’s training requirements. The violations were prompted by former fire Chief Mike Billington’s lack of training. Since Billington’s exit, the Fire Department has been in command of newly elected Chief David Larr, who is currently not qualified to hold the position. As part of a Freedom of Information Law, FOIL, request for training records that was submitted in April, the Review was able to confirm that Larr, who previously served as the assistant chief, does not have the requisite training to be in command of fire scenes. As of press time, Larr has not been approved by the City Council to officially become the chief. However, he has been operating in that capacity since being elected as chief by the volunteers earlier this year. Larr recently obtained his interior firefighter bailout certification, but that still does not qualify him to assume the position of chief. “[Corcoran’s] concern was the lack of supervision within the department, which we feel he has addressed with this recommendation,” said Councilman POSITION continued on page 8
Follow us on Twitter @ryecityreview Like us on facebook.com/ryecityreview