RyeCity REVIEW THE
December 22 & 29, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 51 | www.ryecityreview.com
Astorino vetoes budget; legislators ready for override cized since last year when the initiative was announced by Astorino. The deal seeks to reclassify the After the inclusion of a tax rate airport under a Federal Aviation increase and restoration of sev- Administration-run program that eral cuts by county lawmakers, allows participants to transition County Executive Rob Astorino, their publicly owned airports into a Republican, officially vetoed a the private sector and then use revised budget. subsequent revenue towards an “Such an action by the legis- operating budget. lature was unnecessary and unIn November, Macquarie Infraacceptable to county taxpayers, structure Corporation agreed to a already burdened with the high- $1 billion deal that would extend est combined property taxes in for 40 years and throughout its the nation,” Astorino said in his a lifespan pay the county $595 milmessage to the county Board of lion on top of $550 million in capLegislators. ital improvements at the airport. How long Astorino’s veto will That deal will be subject to the hold, however, remains to be seen, approval of an incoming adminisas county lawmakers say they tration of County Executive-elect have enough votes for an over- George Latimer, a Democrat, who ride. Originally legislators voted has so far been critical of the priby a margin of 12-5 to pass the vatization. Latimer will be sworn budget—enough votes for a su- into office in January. permajority, which would trigger Without revenue from the airan override. port deal, however, lawmakers In addition to raising the tax worry that the county would be levy by 2 percent, the lawmakers’ required to draw money from its proposed budget restored posi- reserve fund to cover expenses. tions to the county Parks DepartWithout a certain total in its rement, the county’s Planning and serve fund, Westchester County Engineering departments, as well lawmakers risk taking a hit on their as support staff for the county credit rating—particularly a rating executive’s office. by credit agency Moody’s—which If the revised budget were to dictates how easily the county can pass, it would mark the first time borrow money. Currently, Westsince Astorino took office in 2010 chester has the second highest ratthat county residents would see an ing from Moody’s of AA1. increase in their tax levy. Legislators will hold a vote Lawmakers say the tax levy to override the county execuincrease is being included to help tive’s veto on Thursday, Dec. 22, offset $30 million in revenue from after press time. a deal privatizing the county’s airport; a deal Democrats have criti- CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Nora’s Ovenworks crowned three winners at its second annual baking competition, where kids in first through seventh grades were given an hour to complete their dishes, which were then presented to three judges from the Harrison community. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Nora Brunnett
Spano, Jaffe jump into mix for Latimer’s vacated Senate seat By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Harrison resident Mark Jaffe are the latest candidates to announce their bid for the senate seat that will be vacated when George Latimer becomes Westchester County executive. The Yonkers mayor, a Dem-
ocrat, stated his interest in the position officially in a video announcement on Dec. 13. Spano is currently serving a second fouryear term that is set to expire in 2019. Jaffe, who is currently the chief executive of a business advocacy nonprofit based in New York City called the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce,
announced his candidacy on Dec. 12. “In these tumultuous times we need to be unified,” Jaffe said in a statement. “I pledge to fight every day to deliver necessary services and maintain core Democratic values. If elected, I will fight for greater transparency in government, more affordable higher education, improved public health
and safety, mass transit improvements and use my skills to help create good paying jobs.” Jaffe has unsuccessfully ran for office five times, losing a race for Harrison Town Council in 2009 and a Democratic primary for a state Assembly seat the following year. SENATE continued on page 9