Issuu

RyeCity REVIEW THE

May 24, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 21 | www.ryecityreview.com

Latimer signs exec. orders to mandate groundwater testing

Caden Whalen moves toward the net against Pelham in Rye’s Class C semifinal game against Pelham on May 21. Whalen had 4 goals as the Garnets topped the Pelicans 16-3 to advance to the Section I championship game. For story, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith

County board passes law to protect tethered dogs By a bipartisan vote of 16-1, the Westchester County Board of Legislators on Monday, May 20 passed a measure to protect pets by restricting how and when dogs can be tethered outdoors. Under the new legislation, dogs in Westchester no longer will be allowed to be tethered outdoors overnight or during a weather alert. Also, tethering to a stationary object is banned for dogs less than six months old, sick or injured dogs, or nursing mothers whose offspring are present. The new measure requires someone to be home when a dog is tethered outdoors, and defines what types of tethers are safe and acceptable, and requires tethered dogs to have adequate access to

food, water, dry ground and sufficient space, among other conditions to ensure safe and humane treatment “This is a clear, specific, focused piece of legislation that not only will protect the safety of animals, but also gives animal control officers unambiguous guidelines to enforce, making their jobs easier,” said county Legislator Kitley Covill, the co-sponsor of the bill and chairwoman of the board’s Legislation Committee. Dogs who are left tethered outdoors are at risk from extreme weather conditions. Often they lack access to food, water and shelter. Dogs tied up outside can strangle or injure themselves on their tethers. And tethering can increase the threat to humans. Ac-

cording to a study from the Centers for Disease Control, chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to bite someone than unchained dogs. “This legislation helps codify proper care, treatment and maintenance of dogs and will be a tool for animal control and law enforcement officers,” said fellow co-sponsor and county Legislator Margaret Cunzio, chairwoman of the board’s Public Safety Committee. Chaining or tethering a dog and leaving her or him out in extreme weather with little or no shelter is an inhumane practice. I am proud to have worked on this legislation and I look at this as a starting point to examine other issues involving the care of animals.” (Submitted)

The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a measure to protect pets by restricting how and when dogs can be tethered outdoors. Under the new legislation, dogs in Westchester no longer will be allowed to be tethered outdoors overnight or during a weather alert.

Overlooking the runways at the Westchester County Airport and joined by lawmakers and environmental activists, County Executive George Latimer signed two executive orders aimed at advancing the health and safety of area residents. The two executive orders mandate biannual groundwater testing going forward for many contaminants, including “perand polyfluoralkyl substances,” PFAS, and effectively bans the use of dangerous PFAS at the Westchester County Airport as soon as permitted by federal law. “These Executive Orders are public policy of my Administration already—but informally— and we’re going to formalize them with an Executive Order,” Latimer said. “They represent protections for the people of Westchester County by making sure that these particular chemicals are always tested for and we as a County make an effort to be sure that these chemicals are not used on this property.” In 2018, Latimer voluntarily reinstated groundwater testing at the Westchester County Airport for pollutants after the testing program was discontinued in 2011. The program was discontinued without approval of the county Board of Legislators or notification to the public. PFAS are a class of toxic contaminants, previously used by firefighters during training, which pose an emerging threat to drinking water in many areas of the country. Westchester County Legislator Nancy Barr will introduce legislation that would codify these executive orders into

county law. “This is the culmination of conversations that we’ve been having over the last several months,” Barr said. “What I am proposing to do is to take these Executive Orders and codify them—make them law—so that they cannot easily be removed. I’m really proud to be able to introduce these. We feel on the legislature that this is our job to protect health and safety of our residents and that’s precisely what this law does.” These actions come from significant public input, including from many local environmental groups and are further evidence of the Latimer Administration’s collaborative approach to county government. The Coalition to Prevent Westchester Airport Expansion, an organization made up of many prominent environmental organizations represented at the press conference by Coalition Chairman George Klein and other key members, said, “More comprehensive and aggressive testing of ground water at the airport is a very welcome development, as is the elimination of firefighting foam containing fluorinated chemicals as soon as the FAA allows it. These actions will help protect our drinking water supply and public health from activities at our County airport. The Coalition supports a vibrant yet limited and environmentally responsible County airport that puts residents’ needs first.” Following the signing, Latimer gave Klein the pen used on the executive orders as a sign of his commitment to working collaboratively. (Submitted)