County Legislature Election Q&A: Michael Smith

Michael Smith is running to represent District 3 in the Westchester County Legislature, which includes all or parts of Greenburgh, Harrison, Mount Pleasant (including Pleasantville and parts of Briarcliff Manor and Sleepy Hollow) and North Castle.

He has lived in Greenbugh for 16 years.

Smith currently works as chief financial officer for Berkeley Educational Services. He is a certified public accountant and chartered financial analyst. He has also served on the Valhalla Board of Education since 2005, and as president of the board for the last three years.

Smith, 54, is running against , a democrat.

Patch: Why are your running for county legislator?

Smith: I've seen the type of people attracted to political positions. I have spent 30 years watching the Board of Legislators and have been very frustrated with the approach they take to running Westchester County. We are fortunate to have [County Executive] Rob Astorino, but it's going in one direction because the democratic legislature has the supermajority. This has traditionally been a Republican seat—getting one individual in there will break the democratic supermajority.

I've been a businessman for 30-plus years and when I face a problem, I have to solve it. I don't create a tax or create a law—I have to solve the problem. [Current legislators] are just staring at the problem and talking about what can't be done. They are not making the appropriate decisions.

Patch: What do you see as the most important issues to locals in this election?

Smith: The number one issue is taxes. People are selling their houses and for as many "For Sale" signs I see, there's just as many peole saying, "If the market was better and I could sell my home, I would." We have to make it easier for people to stay here. Westchester County has a growth problem. Westchester County has a financial problem. That's my background, this is what I do. At this point in time now, my skills are very, very much needed. Right now, we need the finance and we need business development.

The number two issue, which is extraordinarily important, is affordable housing. (Read more about Smith's take on this issue below).

Patch: What are your thoughts on the state's ?

Smith: It is unfortunate that the state had to make a law about this. You would think [the legislature] would have enough ability and skills to do those things on their own. I don't think you need a law in your life to tell you that you shouldn't be spending more than what you're earning. It's unfortunate, but at this point, it seems like the only mechanism to work with the people who have been elected.

Patch: You have been critical of Nonna's vote in favor of —why?

Smith: There were almost 300 items that the county executive vetoed. These are things that genuinely were superfluous or we couldn't afford in the county. We need to keep our reserves. You have to look at the substance of what goes on—the true economic value. This is the problem I have with the way the legislature approached this year's budget—there was a lack of business understanding.

Patch: What is your position on the ?

Smith: Eliminate it. It's counterproductive, it's counter-intuitive. It's a classic example of dealing with a problem instead of scrutinizing the expenses. The MTA has outrageous work issues. If we want to create employment in Westchester County, this makes no sense. A businessperson would never do that.

Patch: You have been openly opposed to the county's federal housing settlement. What are your thoughts on the issue as it stands now?

Smith: The affordable housing settlement as agreed to and designed by Spano is government run amok. Nonna was the deciding vote and I think Westchester should have gotten a better deal. My opponent still supports [the contract] and thinks things are going along fine. No one wants to be called racist—the federal government is calling Westchester County racist. Therefore, their assumption is Westchester zoning is discriminatory. If I can't handle the monthly payments of a $10 million house, I don't feel like I'm being discriminated against. Each community has its own characteristics and the local government is coming in and saying, "We don't care about local zoning laws,"—it's extraordinary.

I'm very much opposed to it. The federal government is changing laws at this point and Nonna has not said anything about it yet. He's supposed to be representing us. We can't have one party go and start changing the terms on the contract.

Patch: What are your thoughts on this year's ? Are you satisfied with the results and how it affects District 3 (which now includes part of Sleepy Hollow)?

Smith: It was very unfortunate. It was done in a three-week period with no public involvement. [Consultant Dr. Andrew Beveridge] was involved with lawsuits against the county—it's outrageous. He's supposed to be a non-partisan individual. [If it hadn't] been rushed, those kinds of issues [involving ] could have been processed. It's not going to be perfect, but this is what happens when you don't allow people to have a voice in the process.

Patch: Both you and your opponent are in Tuesday's primary. How important is this to you and for the general election?

Smith: If you check through the boxes, you see the Independence Party looks for less government, less taxation, they are looking for more citizen legislators, less intervention, less regulation—these are the same core things you will see on my website. John Nonna does not represent the true values of the Independence Party.

Tuesday is a very uphill battle—it's easy for people to go in and fill in the oval with John's name. They are going to have to write in my name. If I win, it will be a gigantic victory. 

Patch: Is there anything else you would like to say to voters?

Smith: I am passionate about making things better. I've never been involved in any of the party votes, I've never been part of a party mechanism, all of that is very new to me. Reading the Independence Party platform, it matches up with me. It's been a great opportunity to really expose myself to more people and really focus on the issues—this is not a personality race. It's what the issues and items are that are going to make life better for people who pay taxes in Westchester County. I plan to accomplish more than what John has done. The things he has voted for are not necessarily in the best interest of Westchester County taxpayers.

See here for more information about Michael Smith.