Eye On Port Chester
George Latimer Wants Port Chester Residents To
"Make Your Own Law"
State Assemblyman George Latermer is inviting residents of Port Chester to submit proposals for state legislation.
Mr. Latimer's staff will evaluate all submissions for ideas that are legally permissible and benificial for the residents of Port Chester.
In April, Mr. Latimer will announce the bills that will be proposed from this 2 year old project.
Mr. Latimer feels that many citizens have very good ideas, but they need his office to takr their ideas to the next step.
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Today's Links
by Wendy Del Monte
Let me tell you... I am the last person who ever thought I would run for public office here in Port Chester. I was happily enmeshed in my own life, raising two terrific children, enjoying my wonderful husband, being involved in the schools, having good friends, and enjoying being a stay-at-home mom. Maybe it was because I am a stay-at-home mom that I was beginning to see more and more things that were happening in our Village that I didn't like.
I saw that our Village is overcrowded. I saw that our schools and infrastructure simply cannot support our growing population. I saw that Port Chester has one of the higest tax rates in the county, and that we have suffered 50% tax increases. I saw that one or two companies that own most of the apartment buildings in our Village, effectively controlling the housing market. I saw that these landlords (slumlords, really...) allow their apartment buildings to be chopped up into numerous illegal apartments. I saw that our Building Department turns a blind eye towards these illegal, terrible apartments. I saw instances where 5 mailboxes are attached to one two-family house.
Let me be perfectly clear about this: I do not hate immigrants nor their presence in Port Chester. On the contrary, I welcome them. This Village was founded by immigrants - it's lifeblood is our immigrant community. But, I saw them cramming into small, dark, unsafe apartments that are hardly cheap in terms of rental rates... and nothing was being done to address it. Everyone deserves a safe place to live.
I saw that certain officials are simply not requiring certain individuals to uphold certain laws. I saw major breeches in code enforcement. I saw that an "old boy network" runs our Village government, and has for years. I saw that if you are rich in this town, and have "friends in high places," you can pull special favors.
I finally got to the point where I was tired of seeing things I didn't like, and tired of complaining. I decided that I had a choice: be part of the problem or be part of the solution. Of course, I chose to be part of the solution. I took action. I switched my party registration from Republican to Democratic. Locally, I found myself much more aligned with the CHANGE I saw coming from the Port Chester Democratic Party than the STATUS QUO being preached by the local Republicans. I asked the powers-that-be if I could be considered as a candidate to run in the upcoming March election. I interviewed with the PC Democratic Nominating Committee (Dan Brakewood, Gary Stracuzzi and Raymond Sculky). Party Chairman Gary Stracuzzi asked me this:
"What makes you a good candidate for Trustee in our Village?"
My answer was and is simple:
I am not indebted to anyone. Noone is indebted to me. I do not need a new driveway, an addition on my house, a job for my cousin Vinny, or extra money in my pocket that has not been legally earned. I am for our Village, Port Chester. I love this Village. My husband Dave and I have been here for generations. Dave's grandmother's grandmother had a house on Willow Street. My Mom's family grew up on the South Side of Town. There are lots of Port Chester High School graduates in my family, inlcuding me and Dave. I care deeply about Port Chester, and am committed to helping to make it a great place for my kids to live. I am for our Village. My Village needs people like me.
This is not a pitch - it's something I really mean. I am tired of hearing people complain but do nothing to change things. It's time for me to do my part and try to make a difference. I've put my name in the hat to run for office, and the window should be open to me. The Democratic Party caucus is coming up on January 30th. I hope you'll help me spread the word. It's at T&J's at 7pm (come early) and food will be served. Help approve my nomination! Help me kick off my campaign!
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