The Journal News Reports:
A longtime Democratic lawmaker is saying sayonara to politics — or at least the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
After 13 years, Legislator Marty Rogowsky, the county board’s former majority leader, says he’s not running for re-election.
“I’ve done the major things I’ve come here to do,” Rogowsky told The Journal News today, a day after making the announcement at a county board meeting. “I’m certainly ready to retire as a county legislator … It’s not getting any easier, being in government. It’s not as much fun.”
Rogowsky, 62, who represents Harrison, Port Chester and Rye Brook, said though he doesn’t believe in term limits — he even voted against a board measure on it — his internal “alarm has gone off.”....
....His announcement comes at an interesting time as the board’s Democratic majority — led by Chairman Ken Jenkins — has quarrelled often with County Executive Rob Astorino and his Republican administration.
Rogowsky, the lone dissenting vote on the 17-member board regarding the county’s $1.8 billion budget, has at times been caught in the middle of those scuffles....
....“The more I see what’s going on with the back-and-fourth, it gets you to thinking, maybe there’s another way to do this.”
Rogowsky, who supported a charter revision commission that will look at how the government provides services, said he’s seen many models that work elsewhere.
He’s held roles New York State Association of Counties, and served as chairperson of the Energy Committee of the National Association of Counties.
Minority Leader Jim Maisano, R-New Rochelle, said he was surprised by the announcement and would miss Rogowsky’s independent ways.
“It’s certainly a loss for the Board of Legislators because Marty is a very thoughtful, independent Democrat who brought a lot of experience to the issues of Westchester,” Maisano said. “Marty became a very independent maverick on the board.”.....
....he will serve out the remainder of his term that expires in December.
“I’m here for 9 months and I’m still working,” he said.
Jenkins, who called Rogowsky a friend, said the announcement allows people to reflect on his career and successes.
“Legislator Rogowsky has served this Legislature and his district with honor and respect over the years, but also with a sense of brevity and humility,” Jenkins said.
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PORT CHESTER REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN ROGOWSKY WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION TO THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS
Longtime County Legislator Martin Rogowsky, D-Harrison, announced tonight at a county Board of Legislators meeting that he will not seek re-election to another term this November.
Mr. Rogowsky represented the people of Port Chester, Rye Brook and Harrison
Mr. Rogowsky will have served his district for almost 13 years.
MORE ON MARTY:
Martin L. Rogowsky has lived in Harrison since 1985. He first served as the Sixth District’s County Legislator from 1990-1993, returning in March 2002 after winning a special election.
Mr. Rogowsky started his career in public service in the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. He then headed to Washington, D.C. to become Chief of Staff for former Congressman Richard Ottinger.
He eventually moved to the US Department of Energy where he held several jobs including Deputy Assistant General Counsel for the Environment and Acting Director of the Environment, Health and Safety in the Office of Fossil Energy. Mr. Rogowsky also spent three months on temporary assignment to the White House Domestic Policy Staff.
In 1998 County Executive Andy Spano appointed Legislator Rogowsky Chairman of the Westchester County Public Utility Service Agency where he served until his election to the County Legislature.
Mr. Rogowsky served as the Majority Leader of the Board of Legislators for four years, from 2006-2009. Currently, he is the Chairperson of the Public Safety and Security Committee. He previously served as Chairperson of the Legislation Committee and the Environmental and Energy Committee.
Mr. Rogowsky currently serves on the Resolutions Committee of the New York State Association of Counties, and he served as Chairperson of the Energy Committee of the National Association of Counties in 2008.
Mr. Rogowsky has served on the Boards of a number of local organizations, including: the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, the American Cancer Society, the Port Chester Carver Center, the Port Chester/Rye Brook Chamber of Commerce, the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Community Center of Harrison. He coached soccer, basketball and softball for the Harrison Recreation Department.
Mr. Rogowsky earned his BA Degree from the University of Rochester, his JD from Brooklyn Law School and his Masters Degree in Environmental Law from the George Washington University National Law Center. He is president of his own real estate management company located in Port Chester. He and his wife, Tobi, have two children.
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Nelson Mandela
