Castelli Takes Oath of Office in Mount Kisco

Robert Castelli was sworn in Tuesday as the 89^th district's next assemblyman. The event was held at the American Legion in Mount Kisco.

While Castelli (R-Lewisboro) said in an interview that he signed the oath of office last week, he wanted to hold the event to be among his constituents.

"I wanted it done down here amongst the people who were kind enough to vote for me and get me elected, and I want them to realize that my service is for them down here, not the people in Albany."

Upon being sworn in, Castelli began his speech by thanking his opponent, Katonah Democrat and County Legislator Peter Harckham, and emphasizing a tone of civility, he said that they plan to have dinner next week.

The heart of Castelli's speech gave special attention to the issue of reform and the urgency of the state's troubles in the midst of recession.

"We in the state of New York face a terrible crisis. We are facing an economic crisis second only to that of the Great Depression," he said, listing high taxes and the need for transparency.

He also listed a number of issues he had brought up to tackle during the campaign, including the Wicks Law, the Triborough Amendment and the MTA payroll tax, and said that the issues affect everyone regardless of party.

"Because these are not issues that relate to one party or another, they relate to us all and they are sinking our nation if we cannot deal with them quickly."

Castelli also made it clear in his words that he wants change to be sweeping in reform of the legislature, and gave a warning to those who did not heed it.

"We are in a perilous time. The time for change is now," he said. "We cannot risk waiting any longer. And as I will tell the assemblage when I get up there next week, the same cold winds of change that blew me into that office may blow many of them out of that office and for good in November if they do not heed our words: we want our voice back, and our government back and our home rule back."

Aside from hammering the issue of reform in state politics, Castelli at one point in his speech criticized the Obama administration's plans to try alleged perpetrators of 9/11 in civilian courts in Manhattan, calling it "a slippery slope that we should not do," and said that they should be tried in military tribunals instead.

A number of local elected officials were in attendance at the event and gave their reaction to his swearing in.

Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts congratulated him and said that Castelli will continue to help the town's interests by continuing a partnership that Adam Bradley had with State Senator Vincent Leibell.

Mount Kisco Trustee George Griffin brought up the fact that they both have records of military service and agreed with Castelli's sentiment of change.

"Being a veteran I was proud of what our assemblyman said, and I think what he said represents the feeling of the majority of Americans today," he said. "It's time to get back to the people, and I just hope he'll be able to be effective in Albany based on Albany's record."

Lewisboro Supervisor Charles Duffy said that the inauguration is a great event for Lewisboro - with Castelli being a fellow resident.

"In Bob Castelli, what we're going to have there is someone who has served the public his entire career, has served on the lewisboro town board and can definitely bring the voice of northern Westchester to the state assembly," he said. "And hopefully will help us in the issues that we have in northern Westchester, specifically our housing settlement."

Leibell was also in attendance and described Castelli as someone ready for the job.

"We have someone here who understands that the people of New York State, in particular Westchester County are tired of high taxes, they're tired of rampaging unemployment, they want to make sure that New York state is competitive state again. And he not only carries the message he has the stomach for the fight."

In an interview, Castelli talked about the transition process. He said that he does not yet have an office in Albany, which will be assigned by the assembly speaker, but will retain Adam Bradley's current district office in Chappaqua. He also said that he has attended a number of meetings with constituents.

Asked if being in the minority party in the Democratic-controlled assembly will have an impact on his proposals, Castelli said that he believes coalitions can be forged between members of both parties to pass things. In particular, he felt that repeal of the Wicks Law has backing from a number of Democrats, although he said repealing the Triborough Amendment will be harder to do because of support from unions.

Editor's Note: In the original story the location of Castelli's soon-to-open district office was written as being in Chappaqua. However, the actual location is in White Plains.