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August 11, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 32 | www.ryecityreview.com

City leaders back plan to add career firefighters By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

A new perspective Twenty-one SUNY Purchase College students meet with the Dalai Lama as part of their study abroad trip in India. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Carly Sorenson

Immigration policy passes Legislature; Astorino to veto By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Shortly after the Westchester County Legislature approved a bill to set forth a policy on immigration enforcement, the county executive pledged to veto the legislation with support from top public safety officials. The bill passed through the county Board of Legislators in a 10-5 vote on Aug. 7 after mounting political pressure from the county’s Democratic Caucus. Known as the Immigration Protection Act, it aims to prevent the county’s emergency services from aiding the federal government in investigations made on

the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin. The act comes in response to Republican President Donald Trump’s effort to deport undocumented immigrants. Despite approval from two Republicans lawmakers, David Gelfarb, of Rye Brook, and Jim Maisano, of New Rochelle, the bill failed to capture a supermajority vote, which would have prevented the legislation from being vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. “I’m opposed to this act because it puts public safety at risk,” the county executive said, explaining the legislation would put the county at odds with the

federal government, and would ultimately dub Westchester as a “sanctuary” county for undocumented immigrant; one that limits its cooperation with the national government’s effort to enforce immigration law. Astorino said the policy would cost the county an estimated $13 million in federal funding. “It all adds up to be a dangerous idea, and for those reasons I will veto this legislation,” he added. The Immigration Protection Act was first pitched by county Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, in February after uncertainty over whether or not Astorino would repeal an existing executive order

relating to immigration status that was signed by former County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, in 2006. In Westchester government, the incumbent county executive can legally repeal any executive order made by one of his predecessors. The new legislation, in addition to piggybacking the current policy, would also prevent law enforcement officials from honoring requests made by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Customs and Border Protection, which do not give rise to probable cause. IMMIGRATION continued on page 11

Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran will publicly unveil his plan to add four career leadership positions to the Rye Fire Department next month, with the blessing of the city manager and support from lawmakers. According to City Manager Marcus Serrano, Corcoran will present his recommendation to establish a professional deputy chief position to head the department and employ three additional lieutenants on Sept. 13 during a City Council meeting. “We’re planning on moving forward with [Corcoran’s] recommendations,” Serrano said, adding the decision will come with a hefty price tag of upwards of $200,000. 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. Despite the cost of the additional staffing, several members of the Rye City Council have already expressed their support for Corcoran’s plan, including Richard Mecca and Julie Killian, both Republicans. The plan includes nixing the fire inspector position, which is currently filled by the department’s only professional lieutenant, Kurt Tietjen, and dispersing the position’s duties to the new lieutenants and the deputy

fire chief. Corcoran’s recommendation for the Fire Department, which he took over earlier this year, comes after a number of concerns related to its staffing, operations, and a diminishing volunteer base that spurred an official review that began when he assumed the role of public safety commissioner. In January, the state Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau, PESH, issued the Fire Department 19 serious procedural policy and operational standards violations, some of which were prompted by former fire Chief Mike Billington’s lack of training. Billington left the department earlier this year, and it has been in the command of Chief David Larr, who is also not qualified to hold the position. As part of a Freedom of Information Law request for training records submitted in April, the Review found that Larr, who previously served as the assistant chief, does not have the requisite training to be in command of fire scenes. Corcoran was named to the position of public safety commissioner at the beginning of this year, after serving as Rye police commissioner since being hired by the city at the start of 2016. Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein, a Democrat, said she supports Corcoran’s solution for the department. “He understands what needs to be done from a safety standpoint as well as looking at this as a liability issue,” she FIREFIGHTERS continued on page 9