Latimer shares credit for county’s success in State of the County Address

Westchester County Executive George Latimer made it a point to share credit for the county’s accomplishments during the year with the Board of Legislators as he delivered his State of the County Address on the night of March 14 in the legislative chamber at the County Office Building in White Plains.

During the address, Latimer signed into law a $52.8 million dollar bond act to fund reconstruction of the drawbridge to the county’s Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. The project involves building an auxiliary bridge to the island so that the park can remain in use while the old bridge is out of service. The legislature had approved the bond act a few days before Latimer spoke.

Latimer pointed out that the major bond and credit rating agencies have given Westchester high ratings lately as a reflection of the county’s sound fiscal management.

Latimer pointed out that the county has undertaken a number of new initiatives such as a program to help ensure lithium-ion battery safety. Legislation, safe disposal, firefighter education and public education are four elements designed to eliminate the hazards posed by damaged, misused or bootleg batteries that have been responsible for a number of fires and deaths in New York City.

Latimer pointed out that the county has made a substantial investment of $20 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure at county parking facilities, adding, “These efforts underscore our commitment to sustainability and community well-being.”

Latimer emphasized that the county’s new $2.4 billion budget does not require an increase in county property taxes, making the fifth straight year that taxes have remained level or been cut. He pointed out that the county also has made efforts to help the pocketbooks of people who rent rather than own homes, such as suspending fares on the county’s Bee-Line Bus System for various periods.

He said that investments made by the county in affordable housing have paid huge dividends in the creation of developments that blend with the communities in which they are located.

Latimer said that the county has been helping fund local health centers so that people who are without health insurance can receive care.

Latimer pointed out that the county has been promoting Westchester as a good place for businesses to locate research and development facilities and the county has been hosting job fairs to help build the workforce.

“We must improve our economic development structure if we hope to have the resources to do everything we want to do,” Latimer said. He said that before his administration, the county did not reach out to business as aggressively as has his administration, including reaching out to Chambers of Commerce and taking other steps to promote business development. Latimer said that making Westchester an attractive place for film and TV production as well as the arts in general adds to economic development.

He said that the county represents 43% of all tourism spending in the Hudson Valley, a validation of the efforts that have been made to promote tourism.

Latimer noted that when he took office he proposed and the legislature adopted term limits for the county executive, allowing a maximum of two four-year terms. He is now in the seventh of the eight years he is allowed to serve.

“This is a great place to live and work and play and we’re lucky that this is our home,” Latimer said.