OP-ED: Past Year Saw Accomplishments, More Work Ahead

Written by Kitley S. Covill:

At the end of my first year at the Westchester County Legislature, I’d like to thank you for electing me. As your County Legislator, I am responsible for advocating for District Two residents who need something from government, whether it involves state, county or local issues, helping our least fortunate or getting a county road in our district paved. Westchester County gets 15 cents of every tax dollar, which is used to maintain parks, fix roads, run a jail, supervise ex-offenders, investigate child abuse, fund local nonprofits and many other things, some required by New York State. Unfortunately we’ve inherited years of budget gimmicks, such as one-time revenue sources, county workforce reductions and wage freezes, limited investments in capital projects and borrowing for operating expenses resulting in a stressed fiscal situation and deteriorating assets. The newly enacted 2019 budget aims to slowly return the county to fiscal stability. While there is a modest increase to this year’s budget, we are also reviewing alternative revenue sources to fund financial stability for the county in the long term.

As your Legislator, I have worked cooperatively with my colleagues on the Board of Legislators and am proud of the progress we have made. This year’s accomplishments include passage of laws prohibiting gun shows on county-owned property; protecting immigrants; banning salary history questions in hiring; banning conversion therapy for minors; expanding the Bedford Cemetery; encouraging hiring in county contracts of businesses owned by service-disabled veterans; and raising the age for sale of tobacco products. I’ve reconvened the Septic Subcommittee in order to protect our reservoirs and have delivered $750,000 to help maintain District watershed systems.

I have also been focused on moving stalled infrastructure projects in North Salem and Pound Ridge forward. Long Ridge Road is now slated for a $1.25 million repaving. New school bus stop signs are up in Bedford, and I have worked to ensure that municipalities are reimbursed for plowing and repair of local county roads. We have also established an I-684 working group to find a short-term paving solution while a new permanent solution is developed.

A top priority has been to hold the utilities accountable for their abysmal service, with an emphasis on NYSEG customers. I have met one-on-one with NYSEG’s CEO and we are beginning to see improvements, including some accelerated tree trimming, smart meter investments and improved NYSEG/community storm support. In 2019, I will be working on legislation regarding single-use plastic bags in the county; finding solutions for our airport; creating a system to help veterans receive the services they’ve earned; drafting a new Ethics Law, and delivering assistance to the five county parks in our district, among other issues.

It has been an honor to serve as your county legislator. Email me at Covill@westchesterlegislators.com if you think I can help or to receive email updates on county legislation, recreational events, health issues and other community opportunities. I wish you happy holidays, and thank you again!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Westchester County Legislative District 2 is comprised of Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, North Salem, Mount Kisco, Bedford and part of Somers.

Get Patch’s daily newsletters and news alerts right in your inbox. Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

Image via Shutterstock.