Westchester Candidate Profile: Outhouse For County Legislature

CORTLANDT, NY — Westchester County has several contested races in this fall's election, including for seats on the Board of Legislators. Patch asked candidates in the Hudson Valley's contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Robert J. Outhouse is running for Westchester County Legislator in District 9. His opponent is incumbent Catherine Borgia. Outhouse, 55, is running on the Republican line.

Outhouse is a retired Westchester County Police Detective, having spent 23 years on the force. He has served in several community positions, including:

• Vice President - Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association, past Director
• Vice President - Croton EMS
• Jr. Past President - Westchester County Volunteer Firemen's Association, past Director
• Deputy Fire Chief, Past President, Past Trustee, Buchanan Engine Company

Are you running for office in Westchester County? Contact Lanning Taliaferro at lanning.taliaferro@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Previously on Patch:

• 2019 Candidate Profile: Greenburgh's Lucas J. Cioffi
• 2019 Candidate Profile: Frank Catalina For County Legislature
• 2019 Candidate Profile: Greenburgh's Paul Feiner
• 2019 Candidate Profile: Noam Bramson Of New Rochelle
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Foley For County Legislature

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

The closure of Indian Point. The true safety, environmental, and economic impacts still have not been told to the community. Once the plant is no longer in operation, there will no longer be an internal fire brigade, and we, as volunteers and community members, will be the ones responding to all incidents there. To date, no one has come to our volunteer agencies to tell us how we will protect ourselves and our community members. I will advocate for funds and legislation giving authority to the local decommissioning committee CAP to monitor every aspect regarding public safety to our first responders and community members. I will advocate that the jobs supplied by Entergy to the County, OEM, etc., be maintained as long as we have nuclear fuel on that site. I will advocate for proper use and oversight of the decommissioning fund; and hold the Federal Government responsible for taking care of their nuclear fuel in our backyard. I will advocate disclosure to community members and first responders on the types of incidents that could occur during decommissioning and how to deal with them. We need a plan. We need to maintain the County Emergency Evacuation Plan in full force, and we need these questions answered.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am responsive to people who contact me. It is crucial that our elected officials respond to constituent's concerns whether electronically or in person, even when the answer is just “I will look into it and get back to you…” and then get back to them.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Legislator Borgia has failed her constituents by being deceitful, race-baiting and fear-mongering. The Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee has issued a violation against Legislator Borgia for falsely claiming that I, her opponent, accused her in a campaign mailer of wanting to let “brown people in to rape our white daughters in Westchester, our white blonde daughters.” She also stated that the young woman in the mailer “actually looked a little bit like my daughter,” in a You Tube video.

FINDING: UNFAIR Contrary to candidate Borgia’s statements, there was no proof that any such mailer ever existed or was ever sent. Ms. Borgia’s comments are in violation of one of the Committee's principles: “The Candidate will neither engage in nor be involved with false or misleading attacks upon the character of an opponent….”

She objectified people of color and used them in her fabricated story to curry political favor. She tried to cast herself as a victim, when in fact she was the perpetrator of this behavior.

Constituents complaint she is unresponsive.

She was the sponsor and architect of the Immigration Protection Act which I adamantly opposed as it is written. As it is written, it jeopardizes our children's safety and even our own safety.

She voted for a 2 percent tax increase in 2018, again in 2019, and a 1 percent digit jump in sales tax which equates to almost a 14 percent increase in the rate of tax. She is not representing advocating for the needs of this district, she is not advocating for her constituents, some of whom are barely making ends meet. We are being taxed out of Westchester County.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Affordability, fiscal responsibility in spending to make our tax dollars go farther without raising taxes every year. Looking for new economic development and ways to offset taxpayer burdens. Environmental sustainability and protection against over-development. Taking care of our infrastructure North of 287.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was an integral participant in the crafting of New York State Penal Law, Arson in the 5th degree. This bill closed a loophole in the law that requires background checks be conducted for firefighters across New York State. I also supported legislation for cancer coverage for our volunteer firefighters across New York State. My experience outlined above in the fire service shows my ability to work with people and be a leader. I have worked in a bipartisan way with local, county, and state lawmakers in supporting and lobbying for these and other legislation.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Remember… start each day with a task completed. Find someone to help you through life. Respect everyone. Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often. But if you take some risks, step up when times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden and never ever give up - if you do these things, then you can change your life for the better… and maybe the world.
- Admiral William H. McRaven

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong resident of the Town of Cortlandt, and 40-year first responder to the community in the areas of Fire, Police, and EMS. I am committed to make District 9 and Westchester County a safe and affordable place to raise our families.