There was an air of exuberance in the Westchester County Legislative Chamber on the eighth floor of the County Office Building in White Plains on June 29 as County Executive George Latimer identified some of the county’s accomplishments while delivering his 2023 State of the County Address. Then, Latimer came to what he classified as “the most pressing issue of our time.”
Latimer’s approach to dealing with that issue, the plight of immigrant asylum seekers, has stood in sharp contrast to the position and actions taken by other county executives in the Hudson Valley. Counties from Sullivan to Putnam have issued emergency declarations and filed lawsuits to try to stop New York City from sending migrants in need of housing and social services to the Hudson Valley. Latimer has taken the position that Westchester County is here to help.
“We must approach this matter with compassion, empathy and a commitment to upholding our values as a nation. Asylum seekers are individuals, just like you and me,” Latimer said in his State of the County Address. “They are individuals who have fled their home countries due to persecution, violence and unimaginable hardships. Unimaginable. They come seeking refuge, hoping for a chance at a better life for themselves and their families. I know that we all, deep down, believe in treating them with dignity and respect, while also ensuring a fair and efficient immigration process and protecting the interests and addressing the legitimate concerns of those who already live here.”
Latimer also called for an end to the bitter divisions that have been promoted by some prominent politicians.
“We must rise above political ideology and work together in a spirit of cooperation,” Latimer said. “We must resist the temptation to demonize one another based on political affiliation, and instead focus on the shared values that unite us. Our democracy is strongest when we stand together, embracing our diversity and working toward a better future for us all. We are all Americans.”
This was Latimer’s sixth State of the County Address. Such addresses are mandated by the County Charter.
Latimer said, “So you ask ”“ what is the state of our county? Is it fierce? Is it united? Or is it thriving? It is all of this ”“ because the state of our county is one of unyielding strength, unwavering resolve and, most crucially, boundless potential.”
This year’s address was illustrated by seven videos, each presented to highlight a separate area of accomplishment.
“Our county has successfully cut county property taxes for the fourth consecutive year,” Latimer said in his speech. “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility, and our dedication to improving the lives of our citizens.”
Latimer said that he doesn’t consider cutting county property taxes to be mere political rhetoric.
“It is a tangible action that directly impacts the lives of our residents,” Latimer said. “It allows hardworking county residents to keep more of their earnings, invest in their dreams, take the kids to do something fun and most of all worry less.”
Latimer pointed to lower crime rates in the county, which he attributed to continued strong financial support of the county’s Department of Public Safety and “the dedication and bravery displayed by our men and women in uniform.”
Latimer noted that the County Center, which had been converted into a vaccination and patient care center during Covid, has been restored to its previous physical layout with various events and activities resuming. He praised the parks department and said that the county has committed millions in capital spending to improve Playland, Muscoot Farm, Tibbetts Brook Park and other facilities.
“Our commitment to infrastructure improvement is evident through initiatives like the repaving and reconstruction of Mamaroneck Avenue and Theodore Fremd Avenue, along with countless other byways,” Latimer said, while adding that a lot of county spending is designed to provide direct help to residents.
“We have prioritized funding for childcare, assistance to programs for food security and hosted multiple job fairs for people with disabilities to connect job seekers with employers, and the Sunflower Lanyards Program at the County Airport to help those with hidden disabilities as they travel,” Latimer said.
Latimer said the county has helped business, with the county’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) continuing to provide tax incentives for developers.
“Spearheaded by the monumental $1.8-billion-dollar expansion of Regeneron, these projects supported by IDA incentives are projected to generate over 1,580 construction jobs, 600 new apartments and 832,000 square feet of commercial and retail space,” Latimer said. “In recognition of the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, the county has extended its support to religious organizations, nonprofits and minority and women-owned businesses through grants amounting to $17 million dollars.”
Latimer reminded people that he was one of those questioning the dumping of radioactive water from Indian Point into the Hudson River by Holtec, the company that is handling the power plant’s decommissioning. Latimer said he’d continue working to ensure safety and transparency as the decommissioning process continues.
Latimer used the State of the County Address to announce that county employees will be trained in how to administer the drug Narcan that is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdoses. He also said the county is beginning a public campaign so residents will better understand the opioid crisis and be better prepared to combat it.
He said that the county continues efforts to promote the use of electric vehicles and is currently operating 40 public EV charging stations and plans to install an additional 149 stations by the end of the year.
At the same time, Latimer said the county has developed a comprehensive program to address the threat from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries that includes public education, training for fire fighters and providing options for disposal of old or damaged batteries.
Latimer emphasized that the county’s bond rating is strong, bond investors have confidence in the financial stability of the county and its financial reserves are continuing to grow.
