Hudson Valley Officials Talk 2020 Resolutions

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As residents of the Hudson Valley begin a new year, local officials from the region told Patch what their resolutions and priorities would be for 2020. Among the topics were climate change, the opioid crisis, gun violence, infrastructure, open space preservation, fiscal responsibility and economic growth. The common theme, which should come as no surprise, is making things better for their communities, constituents and all New Yorkers.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said he wanted the county to continue building its surplus, having rebounded from its $138 million deficit. He also said he plans to invest more than $100 million in county government infrastructure, improve and train the workforce to remove waste and inefficiency, conserve the county's natural, cultural and scenic resources and see what resources may be required in the future as part of the state Climate Smart Community program.

Day said the county is transitioning from crisis management to a place of stability — a better position from which to plan for continued success of the government and county alike.

"Above all, we will not take the easy way out and kick the can down the road by passing costs on to our children and grandchildren," he said. "We will continue to make the difficult choices to ensure a bright and sustainable future for the next generations for Rockland residents.”

Across the Hudson River in Westchester County, Executive George Latimer said he anticipates a number of different issues that had been worked on during his first two years in office to see major advancements.

They include Playland, which is in the midst of a management dispute, and the Westchester County Airport, which is undergoing expansion concerns, including the implementation of a master plan.

"Census 2020 will be a major focus because we think we were undercounted the last time, and while we won't be handling the actual census taking," Latimer said, "we do have an aggressive plan to promote our different efforts and actions in Westchester."

He said the county in 2020 will also begin the implementation of an affordable housing report, with local government officials involved.

"We won't lack for hard work ahead of us in 2020," Latimer said.

Two men will be taking their first oaths of office in 2020: Rockland County district attorney-elect Tom Walsh and Yorktown supervisor-elect Matt Slater.

Walsh said he plans to be an independent voice for Rockland County, putting the people of the county ahead of politics.

He said his priorities include protecting victims of gun violence, domestic abuse and sexual assault, combatting the opioid crisis and creating ways to protect seniors, women, children and the immigrant community.

"Last but certainly not least, I pledge to work every day towards having a united Rockland, not a divided one," Walsh said.

Slater said his 2020 resolutions for Yorktown include engaging the community in new ways to make town government more responsive to seniors, veterans and young families; making Yorktown a leader in environmental conservation and the battle against climate change and attracting new jobs and economic growth to Yorktown to expand the tax base and create new opportunities for its residents.

"Professionalism, innovation, energy and effectiveness," he said. "These words will be the stars we use to steer Yorktown forward through 2020 and beyond."

State Sen. Pete Harckham, whose 40th District is comprised of parts of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, said his 2020 resolutions for his constituents include passing the STAR bill of rights, increasing funding to address the opioid crisis and community mental health programs, protecting teens from vaping and providing economic development and infrastructure assistance to communities impacted by the closure of the Indian Point nuclear plant.

He also wants to pass legislation to protect fragile water supplies, enable veterans in institutions to have better access to benefits for them and their families and provide grant funding for municipalities, first responders and school districts.

Other Hudson Valley officials who responded to Patch's callout for 2020 resolutions were:

Supervisor Chris Burdick, Town of Bedford

• Partnering with Bedford 2020 on adoption of an updated Climate Action Plan to combat locally the climate crisis and then full speed ahead on implementation.
• A new Town Comprehensive Plan.
• Completing the acquisition for Open Space of the spectacular 56-acre Buxton Gorge for the hiking and passive recreational enjoyment of the community.
• Start of construction in March of the sewer system for the business districts of Bedford Hills and Katonah.
• Pushing ahead on the next phase for sewers with hopes of reaching an agreement with New York City on funding.

Supervisor Paul Feiner, Town of Greenburgh

• Safety — more sidewalks.
• Crosswalk enhancements.
• A possible new court house and police headquarters.
• Better use of technology — use of social media.
• Creating a student-run business to help businesses use social media.
• Creating an economic development committee and hiring an economic development coordinator.
• Replacing vacant storefronts with new businesses.
• Obtaining more grants.
• Winning the trust of Edgemont residents so the town can stay together.
• A supermarket in the Fairview section of town.

Mayor Bonnie Christian, Village of South Nyack

"With the opening of the Shared Use Path in 2020, the official year will be dedicated to embracing this new addition to our community while maintaining the characteristics of our small residential village; as well as focusing on the safety of our residents and visitors," she said.

Supervisor Linda Puglisi, Town of Cortlandt

• Financial: Continue our excellent financial record. Moody's upgraded our bond rating to Aal this year for our good record. Also, to keep the town tax increases very low. In 2019 the increase was only 0.9% (equals $15 for the year) and overall for 29 years only on average a 1% town tax increase in total. I'm very proud of this record which includes very low town debt.
• Veterans Banners on Albany Post Rd. along the corridor in front of the V.A. (Contact my office at 914-734-1002 to learn more or go on our town's website at www.townofcortlandt.com.)
• To oversee the closure of the two operating Nuclear Plants at Indian Point (located in the Village of Buchanan and Town of Cortlandt). We work closely with the Buchanan Mayor and officials, as well as, the Hendrick Hudson School Districts both of which will be fiscally impacted by the loss of revenue when the plants close in 2020/2021.
• The town's new bathhouse at our town pool location will be completed this year and we just installed a new playground and a mini golf course in 2019.
• Continue our economic growth in the right locations in the town to offset our upcoming loss of revenue from Indian Point ($800,000 a year, 2 percent of our annual revenue) including on town property located in the hamlet of Verplanck.
• More sewer projects in the town. We just received a grant from NYS to offset the costs for the properties along Albany Post Rd. in Montrose and other sewer projects are being developed, as well.
• We had a fantastic new "Winter Wonderland" festival this December by our Youth Center. This event and all others including our "Cortlandt Family Fun Day" will continue.
• Sustainability issues are very important to us in this administration and we will continue energy programs (i.e., solar).
• We have expanded our social media opportunities (i.e., Instagram) and will continue these important efforts for communication.
• We've been successful in 2019 removing blighted structures and will continue to do so along with the removal of all billboards town wide. They have become outdated due to many other ways to advertise.
• Cortlandt Waterfront Park along the Hudson River in the Verplanck hamlet has become a center of activity for our community (summer concerts etc.) and there are more plans to come.
• We will work with the successful Cortlandt Community Rowing Association started by Councilman Frank Farrell to have a new hangar for storage of the crew boats and in many other ways to promote this important program.
• Many infrastructure projects and our extended paving plan will continue in 2020/2021. We are very pleased that $3 million of resurfacing was completed in 2019.
• We have many important programs and activities for our Seniors and youth at our centers and many recreational programs. (See our quarterly recreation brochures to learn more.)
• As always, we support our Veterans and those defending our country today and will continue our Veteran's committee and our many ceremonies.

Mayor Andre Rainey, City of Peekskill

• I plan to maintain an economically strong city with a vibrant atmosphere while keeping within our budget and keeping taxes low.
• I will continue to search for input from those I represent on important topics and reflect that in the way I vote. I look forward to the opportunities 2020 will provide our city and the community in which we live.
• There are many projects, events and organizations that help keep the diverse social fabric of our city strong. I will continue to support those efforts in any way I can.
• I would love to see my growth for our youth and begin to look for areas where we can develop a teenage youth center, specifically the Boys & Girls Club, our Youth Bureau and the very needed soccer field.
• I look forward to completing the implementation process of the $10 million DRI grant we received from Governor Cuomo.