Tocci-Bramson Debate: WVOX Radio on October 4, 2002

Moderator: WVOX Morning Show Host Larry Goldstein

The following is a transcript of the Tocci-Bramson debate. For this debate, each candidate began with an opening statement. The candidates then questioned each other and ended with a closing statement. Readers can scroll through the transcript or click on the links below to find particular sections of the transcript.

LARRY GOLDSTEIN: …Maria Castro-Nueuvo of Port Chester is in a parking lot, right now, outside a supermarket, she knows this debate is going on she is going to postpone her shopping and why should she vote for you? Noam Bramson Ron Tocci

OPENING STATEMENT

NOAM BRAMSON: I am glad that we will have the next hour. We’ll have a chance to exchange ideas about the important challenges facing the state and the region. To answer your question, I think that we do face critical challenges in a variety of areas: improving public education, making sure that families have access to quality, affordable health care, making sure that our environment is protected and conserved for future generations. I was always taught growing up that we ought to have goals larger than our own self-interest...that when we have a set of values and beliefs and principles we have an obligation to work for them, to fight for them, to act on them. That is certainly the spirit in which I have approached this campaign for the New York State Assembly. That is the spirit in which I would serve in the Assembly.

As you know Larry, for the last 10 years, I have been privileged to work with Congressman Nita Lowey who has been an extraordinary leader in so many areas, biomedical research, school modernization, funding for Long Island Sound, international family planning. I’ve learned a great deal from Nita, about how on the one hand to have a principled sense of right and wrong and on the other hand how to be effective in pursuing goals. And for the last 7 years, I have been privileged to be a member of the New Rochelle City Council. I am very pleased with the record that we have assembled in terms of attracting private investment, investing in all sorts of important environmental initiatives, working with our school district to support summer and after school programming. And I think that the critical question in this campaign is which candidate is most reflective of the values of the Sound Shore, most reflective of the values of Westchester County. And who has the energy, ability, commitment, drive to make a difference on those important questions that I identified earlier, which I think really will shape the quality of life for people in Westchester, for people throughout New York for many years to come. And I hope and believe that I would be able to address those challenges in an effective way that would restore confidence that people ought to have in public service and in the state government.

OPENING STATEMENT

RON TOCCI: I probably could look back and say I have been very, very fortunate that my family’s provided me with such a rich legacy, my father, a labor leader was instrumental in securing jobs for thousands of families in this county. He obviously was inspired by my mom who was selfless in her devotion to her family and friends, and his brother, my Uncle Sal, certainly was a civic leader, he a 5 term Westchester County supervisor. So, I grew up surrounded by people who were passionate about their community. In contrast to what we too often see in politics today, people placing ambition over service. My family taught me that helping others what, is really it’s all about...remembering that today as a husband and as a father of two grown children. I think it is more important than ever for me to know that I’ve done right by my family. My children watch everything that I do. This is a constant reminder to me to honor my family’s legacy. For me, public service has been and always will be the measure of my successes. I’m a veteran legislator, elected by the voters in this district 9 times. My priorities have always been public safety, education, the environment, affordable health care, and they will continue to be my focus. I am pro-choice. I sponsored the anti-assault weapons and gun control bill that became our state law and I’ve championed legislation to promote tolerance and inhibit discrimination. I’m a fiscal conservative with a reputation for safeguarding against wasteful spending and unnecessary taxes. And I have delivered record amounts of state aid to our communities. I’ve established a position of leadership and seniority in the State Assembly and both democrat and republican state leaders have supported me because they know that I am first and foremost an independent voice and that I speak only to serve the best interests of our community. As Chairman of the veterans committee, I’ve always dedicated my efforts to those who fought to insure our democratic principles. I want to continue to work both with these kinds of people and for them and I pledge always to place people above politics. I’m grateful for all of the confidence and support that they’ve shown me in the past and to have had the opportunity to have made a difference and I also believe with their help and support and my return to the State Assembly, the best is yet to come to this community.

FRINGE AND EXTREMISTS

NOAM BRAMSON: Yes, Assemblyman I asked a version of this question yesterday when we appeared together before the Journal News editorial board and I would like to rephrase it again now. On the night of the Democratic primary, which saw a record high turn-out, the highest in Westchester County, you explained that you had been defeated by a “fringe of the party.” And yesterday you elaborated and said, I think you called it “extreme liberals.” I wonder if you can identify specific positions, issues and policies that you think define that term “fringe” and “extreme.”

RON TOCCIi: Well, I suggested that the “extremists” are the people who come out in primaries and in the Democratic primary I would suggest that most of the people who came out would have been more to the left in political philosophy. In a Republican primary I would suggest that most of the people that come out would probably be to the right. So I truly believe that the people who did come out, the small minority that came out, very, very vocal are people that are on the fringe. I think they are extremist.

NOAM BRAMSON: Are you willing to identify any specific issues or positions, which define those terms: fringe and extremists. Because there are 6,000 people who participated in the primary.

RON TOCCI: Well there were about 5,500 people I guess who participated in the primary. But I would suggest that the people that I would refer to would be extremely to the left and I could give you an example. I think these are people who have relegated parental responsibility...people who would say that there’s no need for parental notification or involvement in a minor making a very, very serious decision on whether or not she would get an abortion...somebody 15 or under. I think that’s an extreme position to say the least and I would suggest that that is not mainstream thinking by anybody. I would suggest these same people would be people who would probably agree that there should be some kind of legal meaning in state law that would allow same sex marriages. I would consider that an extremist.

I would suggest that these would be people who would think that it was proper and right and the law should remain that the American flag should not be respected. Those would be some of the examples that I would suggest would make people, in my opinion, extremist.

NOAM BRAMSON: Sure, all other members of the Westchester Assembly delegation, both of our United States Senators, our County Executive, our Member of Congress, and our State Senator all oppose parental notification laws. Would you consider them extremists?

RON TOCCI: Yes, absolutely...anybody who would not want parents involved in decisions of minors, particularly their daughter, I would suggest would be extremist.

WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION?

NOAM BRAMSON: Who are you supporting for Gov. in this year’s election?

RON TOCCI: Right now, I am supporting myself for re-election.

NOAM BRAMSON: So you are...sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.

RON TOCCI: No that’s ok and I will make a decision in the very, very near future as to who I believe will serve this community and if it behooves the District I will come out and support someone and explain why I believe that this is the right person for this area.

NOAM BRAMSON: Are you prepared to tell the voters who you are supporting for the position of State Comptroller?

RON TOCCI: I will do the same for all the positions if asked.

ENDORSEMENTS

NOAM BRAMSON: Ok. You have been in office for 18 years and are now running for your 10th term in the State Assembly, yet the majority of local elected officials, not just in New Rochelle, but throughout the Sound Shore, most of whom have worked with you and many of whom have previously supported you, have this year strongly endorsed my candidacy, both before the primary and even more so after the primary. Why do you think that is?

RON TOCCI: Well, I don’t agree with that first of all. And secondly, I think that most people who are elected party officials feel the pressure of politics and feel a distorted sense of loyalty to go with the party nominee; however, that has not been the case and from the get-go when elected official could have made an objective decision, and they did, I was endorsed by Senator Schumer, Eliot Spitzer, and Suzi Oppenheimer, and Amy Paulin, and all my colleagues in the Assembly, as well as the supervisor in the Town of Rye, and the mayor in the City of Rye, and several other past and present officials. So, I really don’t think it’s relevant right now, but what I do think what’s relevant is to gain the endorsement of the majority of the voters. While I am a public servant and a Democrat and have been for many years before you were even born, I truly respect the decision of the voters and that is the most important endorsement that I would care about.

TAX ABATEMENTS FOR DEVELOPERS

NOAM BRAMSON: Assemblyman, this year you voted for legislation in the State Assembly that would provide a 12-year tax abatement to developers who convert to mixed use or residential uses. It offers terms that are substantially more generous than the 485b program that was used here in New Rochelle for Weyman Ave and New Roc City. Can you please explain to us why you voted in favor of that legislation?

RON TOCCI: Well it’s an option that we would allow local communities to decide what would be in their best interest and you know all about that Noam, since you guys have taken advantage of a lot of the state programs that have been offered. So, I would leave that decision based upon the particular developer and the development and where it is in the State of New York.

NOAM BRAMSON: So you believe that tax incentives are an appropriate tool, in some circumstances, to stimulate economic development.

RON TOCCI: Oh absolutely, there is no question, used properly they can be an invaluable tool to invite people into the community and give incentives for other businesses to expand.

NOAM BRAMSON: And how would you define and determine what was a proper usage of a tax abatement or tax incentive?

RON TOCCI: Well, I would suggest that at the end of the process there would be some financial benefit to the community, unlike many of the programs in New Rochelle, where they gave away the kitchen sink and we wound up on the short end of the stick. I would suggest that there be a thorough review, and certainly the end result being that the tax payers are not burdened with another incurred debt, by bond or whatever and there would be some kind of a stimulus that would create a business atmosphere and increase sales tax and property tax at the same time. So, I think it’s clearly obvious and that anyone with common sense would understand that you wouldn’t be against an incentive if it was going to inure to the benefit of the community.

VOTING IN SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

NOAM BRAMSON: Assemblyman, you have described yourself as a supporter of public education. Can you please tell us, did you vote for or against the last school budget here in New Rochelle.

RON TOCCI: I don’t think I voted on the school budget. I was in Albany at the time and I didn’t get a chance to do it, but it was basically a fairly even and I think properly, prepared budget...and it was passed, without too much fanfare.

NOAM BRAMSON: Did you vote for or against the budget prior to that.

RON TOCCI: I don’t remember Noam.

NOAM BRAMSON: Do you recall voting for any of the particular budgets.

RON TOCCI: Most of the budgets that would be contested, if I was in town I would vote for.

NOAM BRAMSON: You wouldn’t vote absentee if you were not present.

RON TOCCI: I don’t recall voting absentee, but if it meant something I would be there.

NOAM BRAMSON: Don’t you think it’s important to participate in elections which have such an important impact...

RON TOCCI: I think it is important to participate in an election that you believe is going to make a difference, so I do what I can with my schedule, allowing and permitting, certainly intend to participate where my vote counts.

NOAM BRAMSON: It doesn’t take very long to fill out an absentee ballot does it?

RON TOCCI: Well, I would do it if I thought it were necessary and proper and I have every intention of being able to vote in person and I would do that if I thought the vote counts.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well I am surprised by your suggestion that a vote for something as important as a school budget, which is so central to the quality of education in a community and to the quality of life in a community, that it might not be significant.

RON TOCCI: Well I am very sorry I disappointed you, but I promise that we will try to make sure that I alert you to my next vote and why I am voting that way.

NOAM BRAMSON: Ok, well I think it would helpful simply to participate in the vote, whether you decide to vote for or against it, don’t you think?

RON TOCCI: I certainly have participated publicly and made my expression of either support or against something known very, very well as you well understand.

NOAM BRAMSON: Have you done so in the context of school budgets?

RON TOCCI: I think so.

NOAM BRAMSON: Ok, when have you made your support for school budgets public?

RON TOCCI: Oh I’ve done it almost on every budget that’s been presented.

NOAM BRAMSON: In what context?

RON TOCCI: I’ve always professed publicly whether or not I thought it was a fair budget or whether it was not a fair budget. So maybe if you’d paid attention you’d find out...

NOAM BRAMSON: Oh I pay attention very carefully Mr. Assemblyman....

RON TOCCI: Oh you do...I’m glad to hear that.

NOAM BRAMSON: I’m not aware of any statement you’ve made publicly on school budgets.

RON TOCCI: Well I think you probably hang out in different circles.

MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, let’s move on to something else...MADD estimates that reducing the blood alcohol limit from .1 to .08 would save 500 to 600 lives nationwide and a proportionate number of lives in New York State. Last year before the Journal News Editorial board, you said about this issue, “I don’t think it will make that much difference. It’s another political correct thing we have to do.” Is that still your view about this issue?

RON TOCCI: First, of all I don’t remember that quote. I don’t remember saying that. But either way I think that...it will in some ways make a difference in the sense that people will now be more focused on not drinking at all. Whether you are at .8 or at .10 or .01, I think really will not change your ability to drive, but that seems to be the proper thing and the popular thing to do in the country right now. And because there are pressures for state aid from the Fed Government most people are following suit.

NOAM BRAMSON: I am sorry did I understand you correctly to say that you don’t think that the difference between .1 and .08 will make a difference in peoples’ ability to drive.

RON TOCCI: No, I said I don’t think it will make that much difference. I think that if people are going to not drive, not drink and drive that’s good. If they are going to drink I think that depending upon how long they had the last drink, it really is irrelevant because it takes at least a half hour before the alcohol settles in the blood stream to give you an accurate count. The fact remains that people are drinking. If you are going to drive I don’t think you should drink at all.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, I think we all agree with that. But how the law is defined is obviously important in determining whether someone is legally...

RON TOCCI: Well I think that a much better way than going by blood count would be for people to be tested. I think they should be tested before they get their driver’s license. I think they should have a machine similar to what we had in the military, which truly tests your reflexes and your reflex time and that should be the standard. If you are accused of being impaired, be it by drink or by drug I think you should be tested on the same machine with a tolerance of so many points and that should be the real gauge. But we don’t do that we follow precedent established by the courts and the courts have determined that blood alcohol content seems to be the gauge that we go by. So we follow that but there are people on the road that probably shouldn’t be on the road, where reflexes are probably not as good as somebody that might be at .08. So I think that that’s a faulty way to gauge whether or not people are impaired. But, so be it. I don’t think it’s that big a deal.

NOAM BRAMSON: Ok, so do you disagree with MADD’s position on this issue?

RON TOCCI: No, no I don’t disagree with MADD. I think they make a very, very strong case for not drinking if you are going to drive and that would be my position.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, they also take a specific position on legislation that has been before the state and for a number of years and has not been adopted.

RON TOCCI: Well, they have some good points Noam. They are not always perfectly right. But they are good people and they made the case if you are going to drive don’t drink.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well I am getting the message from Larry that it is time to wrap up here. I am sure we will have many opportunities in the future to lob questions at one another

RON TOCCI QUESTIONS NOAM BRAMSON

NEW ROCHELLE ECONOMICS AND IKEA

RON TOCCI: Noam we all know what this campaign and this challenge is all about. It’s about the economic failures of New Rochelle and the policies that have been established that you have been a major part of and a chief proponent of. And it seems that everyone is playing the blame game, pointing fingers to everybody but themselves. The fact of the matter is that New Rochelle now is facing a financial deficit and probably in a financial crisis, because of the ineptness and the mismanagement of the city revenues. Let’s start with IKEA since that ties into what we are trying to talk about. You have voted in the past for all kinds of legislation that really proposed that IKEA could be the salvation for New Rochelle economically. I would wonder what your logic was, not knowing the consequences as you suggested yesterday publicly with the editorial board. But when you found out you did a complete turn around and said, “Oh I don’t support it. It would have been a complete disaster environmentally and every other way.” But you did vote for the blight study which did open the door for the possibility for eminent domain, condemning people out of their homes and businesses and destroying hundreds of jobs, good paying jobs for what might have been minimum wage jobs. Can you explain the logic on why you took such a strong position on the IKEA project?

NOAM BRAMSON: I’ll be pleased to. First, I would have to dispute the basis of your question. I think that this campaign and the challenges that would confront us in the Assembly are much broader than the economic distress in one particular community. I think this campaign is about education, it about health care, it’s about environmental protection. It’s about defending a woman’s right to choose and standing up against bigotry and hate crime. It’s about common sense gun safety laws, all of which are things that impact all of the people that you represent currently and that I hope to represent in the State Assembly. So I think that to narrow the question in the way that you did is really to sell short the full spectrum of concern that people do and should have….

RON TOCCI: Well, I am asking about IKEA.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, you also made a statement leading into your question, which I think merits a response. Now with respect to IKEA, the City of New Rochelle has done a great deal to improve itself over the last 7 years. I am proud of many of the ventures that we have undertaken. When IKEA approached us in the late 1990’s proposing to locate a store within our borders, I along with everyone else on the City Council was interested in their application and therefore took the preliminary steps necessary in order to carefully analyze the costs and benefits of the project, both in economic terms and in environmental terms and in terms of the quality of life in the surrounding area. We triggered an extensive environmental review. I personally read through hundreds if not thousands of pages of documentation. I participated in hours and hours of public hearings. Had hundreds of personal discussions with individuals who would have been affected either directly or indirectly by the project. And in my mind, throughout that time, established in my own mind, a very high threshold for determining for whether we ought to proceed or not with IKEA. I think once the data came in, in the form of the environmental impact statement, as the public hearings unfolded, it became clear to me that IKEA did not even come close to meeting that test. That it would have overwhelmed the surrounding road network with traffic. That it interfered with the city’s other planning objectives at North Avenue and at the waterfront. That the distress that it would have caused to the people who would have been dislocated could not be justified by the economic benefits, if an,y associated with the project. I made many of those concerns clear in a variety of public contexts. And I think that the evidence for the thoughtful, responsible, open-minded approach that I took throughout this process is the support that I now enjoy from many of those involved intimately, on a day-to-day basis. All of the Democrats on the Mamaroneck Town Council, the last mayor of Larchmont, the last mayor of the Village of Mamaroneck, all of whom know the facts about this issues, were intimately involved and have strongly supported my candidacy. And as you know, Assemblyman, in the recent primary, the Town of Mamaroneck voted in favor of my candidacy by a 3 to1 margin. So, I believed that I conducted myself responsibly throughout that period of time. That I considered all of the facts carefully and at the end of the day concluded that IKEA was simply wrong for our city and wrong for our region.

RON TOCCI: Well, that doesn’t show what the record reflects. But, you did make several comments and you were quoted as being very, very supportive of IKEA early on and I think that if what you say is honest and sincere, the blight study wouldn’t have been something that would be a priority early on in the process. But aside from that, we accept what you say today.

VOTING TO CLOSE THE DRAKE AVENUE FIREHOUSE

Let me ask you another question. The logic for voting to close the Drake Avenue Firehouse and laying off 15 firefighters and talking about the $50,000.00 that the city spent on the report that actually suggested that this house was essential for public safety and good response time. But, you participated with a heavy heart I think. Could you explain why you did that?

NOAM BRAMSON: Sure, with a heavy heart is correct. The whole sequence of budget adjustments that the City Council adopted several months ago was among the most painful actions that I have taken, perhaps the most painful action I have taken in my 7 years on that body. And it is not just the firehouse, it is the maintenance of vacancies in the police department, it is cuts in the public works operations, reduction in our capital budget, it’s a scaling back of investments in parks and recreations. A dreadful series of steps that no one on Council was happy about embracing, all of us were extremely upset. But, I think we need to ask ourselves the question, “How did we get to this point?” It is a fact…

RON TOCCI: Well, that’s another question…

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, that’s right and I’ll take an opportunity to address it right now…

RON TOCCI: But, I didn’t ask that question. I asked…

N: But you asked me about the firehouse, Assemblyman and…

RON TOCCI: I wanted to know about the firehouse and I wanted to know and you answered, “with a heavy heart” you voted to lay of 15 firemen…

NOAM BRAMSON: But Assemblyman, if you are going to ask me how I approached that decision

RON TOCCI: No, I didn’t ask that. Noam I asked specifically why and what the logic was for voting to close the firehouse down…

NOAM BRAMSON: And I am about to provide you with my rationale for doing so…

RON TOCCI: No you did, you did…

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, not to my satisfaction, so I certainly did not interrupt you when you answered my questions and I’d appreciate the opportunity to respond to your question.

RON TOCCI: Take a couple of moments to go ahead.

NOAM BRAMSON: Thank you, I appreciate it very much. We have to ask ourselves, why were we in a position where we had to even consider a cut of this kind. And it is a fact the city’s distressed fiscal condition is almost entirely attributable to our relationship with New York State. We receive a small fraction of the aid that flows…

RON TOCCI: Noam, now I don’t mean to interrupt you, but that is totally irrelevant. This is my time. I’m asking you questions, specifically as you did me. That is another question.

NOAM BRAMSON: It is precisely…it is precisely relevant…

RON TOCCI: I didn’t ask about, I asked you specifically about the firehouse…and I have other questions that I would like to ask you and we can get into that philosophy about why New Rochelle is bankrupt down the road…

NOAM BRAMSON: It is relevant because there is a straight-line connection Assemblyman, between your failure to deliver aid to this community…

RON TOCCI: Oh, my failure now…ok.

NOAM BRAMSON: That’s correct…and it impact on services that impact our quality of life.

RON TOCCI: Well, obviously you don’t want to answer the question, but you did at least partially, “with a heavy heart” you thought that public safety was not as important as saving a few dollars…

NOAM BRAMSON: As what, as what Assemblyman…

PRIVATIZATION OF NEW ROCHELLE SANITATION DEPARTMENT

RON TOCCI: As saving a few dollars for the budget to do with what you want to do with it. But let me ask you this, you had also proposed the privatization of the sanitation department, which is a jobs issue. I believe that a lot of the minorities, particularly in this diverse community need security and good paying jobs. Why would you suggest that particular department, which is about 90% minority, to eliminate those jobs and to hurt those people, principally those who live in New Rochelle?

NOAM BRAMSON: Actually, Assemblyman what I proposed was a municipal service competition program, which would have enabled the public sector to compete against the private sector, for a variety of services, most of which are currently outsourced. In other words, the result would have been that our public employees would have had a free and fair opportunity to compete for services that are currently privatized…

RON TOCCI: Yeah, I’ve heard that one…

NOAM BRAMSON: That is a model that has been widely embraced throughout the country, by a number of communities, it has been extremely effective and in most cases, municipal labor unions have been supportive of the process. Now,

RON TOCCI: Well, I don’t know many...well, can you name one.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, I’ll be very pleased. I’m not talking about locally…

RON TOCCI: I’m talking about New Rochelle or the county.

NOAM BRAMSON: We ultimately did not embrace this competitive process and so it was not something that was ever adopted in this community. There was no opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness or lack thereof…

NEW ROCHELLE TAX CAP

RON TOCCI: The tax cap, Noam are you for or against lifting the tax cap in New Rochelle?

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, if I am a member of the Assembly, that will be up to the City Council.

RON TOCCI: Well you are a councilman now, are you for or against it.

NOAM BRAMSON: I have voted for its removal in the past.

RON TOCCI: You have.

NOAM BRAMSON: Yes I have. Yes I have voted for its removal in the past. But if I am elected to the Assembly that will be up to the City Council.

RON TOCCI: Why would you be for removing it?

NOAM BRAMSON: Well I think that the key question with the tax cap is not how high or low the tax rate should be. The key question is, where is that decision most appropriately made? Should it be made locally, or should it be made by Albany? And I believe that a local city council, which is most closely connected to the demands and interests and needs of a community is in the best position to establish and appropriate balance between local taxation and local expenditures. That is the essence of local government and that is the circumstance that exists in every other city, town, and village all over New York State.

RON TOCCI: Why didn’t you propose to eliminate it then. You know that the council can easily get out of the cap. You have the option and you guys have voted for it 4 times, with the exception of you maybe once.

NOAM BRAMSON: As you well know, Assemblyman, if we were to do so, we would have to forgo 40% of our sales tax revenue which would result immediately in a 30% property tax increase. Do you consider that to be a realistic option?

RON TOCCI: I think that if you really thought that it was bad for the City, you would opt out of it and I am one of 150 Assemblyman, certainly if it is such a great idea it should be able to gain the support of enough people to pass. So either you are for it, you’re against it. I don’t think you should in any way suggest an excuse that we can’t opt out, because we might not have the extra sales tax that you gained from the agreement that was voted on by your Council 4 times, including yourself…

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, I don’t think that a 30% property tax increase is something that anyone would be supportive of. I don’t think it’s a remotely realistic option. And for you to suggest that is I think, disingenuous.

RON TOCCI: Well. How about the new Spano sales tax that he suggests we should go with. Are you for or against that?

NOAM BRAMSON: I have not been privy to the discussions that have occurred between the County Executive, the County Legislature, and the State Assembly….

RON TOCCI: Well it is very simple. It’s publicly written in the paper…

NOAM BRAMSON: As a general proposition, I am supportive of local decision-making and I think that questions of this kind are best settled by the county officials who are most intimately involved in constructing the county budget. Obviously there is a large projected short-fall that is facing, by the way, not just the county, but also the State which is looking at a multi-billion dollar deficit next year. There will be a series of unpleasant options that need to be considered in order to close that gap. The sales tax is one of them. I would ask you, what you think is the appropriate means for the County to close it’s projected deficit.

RON TOCCI: Well I’m not a county legislator, but right now I have to vote on whether or not the Spano proposal to raise the sales tax in the other communities is appropriate and to have it imposed in communities that really don’t gain any benefit. So, I guess you haven’t decided, or you’re for it, or not for it, I don’t know. I didn’t get an answer.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well, I didn’t get an answer to what alternative mechanism you would propose….

RON TOCCI: Well, it’s not your turn to question yet. I’ll give you suggestions.

NOAM BRAMSON: Well I think I answered your question satisfactorily.

PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR MINORS OBTAINING ABORTIONS

RON TOCCI: Ok, one more quick question. We talked earlier about parental notification. Are you for or against parental notification, for minors under the age of 15?

NOAM BRAMSON: I believe that the government has no business intervening in a private decision that ought to be made by a woman and her doctor.

RON TOCCI: I’m talking about a 15 year old, a 14, a 13-year-old girl.

NOAM BRAMSON: I am too Assemblyman…

RON TOCCI: You don’t think that parental involvement is appropriate?

NOAM BRAMSON: I think parental involvement is extremely important, critical…

RON TOCCI: So you would be for parental notification?

NOAM BRAMSON: I would like to complete my answer to your question. I think parental involvement is extremely important. I think families ought to be whole and involved in critical decisions that impact their children and each other. But, the question here, as a matter of law, is whether the government is going to compel such a relationship, even in circumstances where there may be a dysfunctional family in which a healthy relationship does not exist between parent and child. That’s the issue, that’s the position, that has been taken by all of your assembly colleagues, both of our U.S. Senators, by our Congresswoman, by our State Senator, by our County Executive. The fact is, you are the only member of the Westchester Assembly delegation who has voted on restrictions on a woman’s right to choose, which is why WCLA has unanimously endorsed my candidacy, why Planned Parenthood…

RON TOCCI: How about the restrictions, what are we talking about, what restriction are you talking about?

WRAP-UP

LARRY GOLDSTEIN: The loose ends that I perceive to be hanging out there, I would ask you about. We agreed that I would ask Mr. Bramson first and then Mr. Tocci second and we will try to get in as many as we can on these. The first loose end, I have to tell you is that you have discussed, almost metaphysical questions about, questions involving abortion, you have gotten into the minutia of the New Rochelle City budget. What I haven’t heard is anything in particular about, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Port Chester, Rye City or Rye Brook. Mr. Bramson, be so kind..

NOAM BRAMSON: That’s a good question Larry and I would answer on three levels. First are issues that affect the entire state, which of course folks throughout this region are deeply concerned. There are some issues that are uniquely associated with the Sound Shore and there are some issues that are uniquely associated with towns and villages. I think education is probably the number one priority for everyone in this district. Ninety percent of the school districts in New York report a need to modernize or expand their facilities in order to accommodate growing enrollment, provide children with the learning tools that they need. That’s an area in which the state needs to take a more active roll. We expect a thousand teachers to either retire or leave the profession in the next 5 years, which will make it more difficult to reduce class sizes and provide children with one on one instruction that they need. That too is an area that I think the state need to take a more active roll in.

In the area of health care, there are 600,000 children in New York who do not have health insurance. 200,000 are eligible but not enrolled in the Child Health Plus program, as a result they are not getting the quality of care that they deserve and they are often ending up in emergency rooms for non-emergency treatment which is the most expensive form of care. That too is something that I think people in this area are concerned about, without regard to the community in which they live.

When you think about the nature of this district, it stretches from New Rochelle, to Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, Port Chester, Rye Brook. The geographic feature which binds it together is Long Island Sound, so there is certainly an enhanced sensitivity and understanding of the importance of the environment to our quality of life and our economy and our future. I think we need to do more with respect to sewage and waste-water treatment infrastructure. We need more regional planning to encourage smart growth and discourage the expansion of impervious services. We need to preserve open space and wetlands which serve such an important filtering function. Encourage the best management practices which reduce nonpoint source pollution. All of those things require a regional vision and a regional approach to environmental management, of the kind that I’m excited about and that I believe that I could offer.

And in terms of specific communities, airplane noise is a tremendous issue in Larchmont and Rye Brook. New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, and Port Chester all have large and growing Hispanic communities, that need to be more fully involved in the civic life of Westchester and provided with services that may be uniquely associated with needs in that particular community. Harbor Island in the village of Mamaroneck has been closed for a period on months and years, has become a symbol of the problems with Long Island Sound.

So everywhere you look there are unique problems and there are regional problems. It has always been the hallmark of my service on the City Council and my work with Nita Lowey to address both of those levels of concern. To be active and engaged and involved in the central challenges that confront our broader community and at the same time to be attentive to the smaller concerns that originate either with neighborhoods or with individuals or with local elected officials. And I do believe that what we need in the State Assembly is someone who is visionary and passionate about those large concerns and at the same time is capable of being a forceful, effective advocate and a partner with the communities that we are privileged to represent. And I do believe that that is the form of engaged, involved leadership that I have offered and would offer.

WRAP-UP

RON TOCCI: Well that’s a good question Larry and unfortunately during the primary, my opponent made the issues abortion and all the social issues that he felt he could get his extremists out to vote for. I totally agree that everyone wants clean air and water and good Child Health Plus, certainly cares about education. We all look to the Sound Shore area as one of the focuses on concerns for the environment. Everything that my opponent suggests he’s for, I’ve already taken a position, I have a record of accomplishment and of being an effective advocate for all of those good things. It’s interesting that my opponent spent several thousands of dollars focusing in on the social issues that we talked about earlier to make people aware of a few of the different votes that he doesn’t agree with. But I’m running on my record, not running away from it. I think it’s important for the people to understand that my opposition has a 7 year record of a councilman who is a leader here in New Rochelle who bankrupt this City. That did nothing to provide jobs. That did nothing but hurt the environment. That talked about quality of life issues, but was willing to force upon the communities of Larchmont and Mamaroneck a big box that would have changed the character of the neighborhood and driven out good, permanent good-paying jobs for low paying jobs. I don’t think the people really want that type of a person.

I, at the very same time, understand how very, very important education is and that’s exactly why I’ve sponsored bills that increase the tuition assistance program and Bundy aid to higher education institutions. As well as put together a plan that gives free college education to any youngster who could ill-afford it, if they are willing to make the commitment to the Citizens Army of the State of New York, the National Guard.

We have done things that certainly give incentives to small businesses and provide jobs that would be of a permanent nature. So, I look to the voters to say, “Well, let’s review the record and see what Ron’s done.” Open space, I’ve provided literally thousands over the years to help communities expand their athletic facilities and their open space areas. And I believe that my record speaks for itself and I hope that people really take heed and understand and review and I’m looking forward to the…

WRAP UP

NOAM BRAMSON: Sure, well I’m going to react the Assemblyman’s statement a moment ago. What are those issues that he has disparagingly referred to as reflective of extreme views and fringe views? What are the issues on which we differ? It’s not just a woman’s right to choose, which I happen to think is critically important. It’s also gun safety and gun control. It is a fact that the Assemblyman, throughout the 1990’s voted 5 times against a ban on assault weapons. He voted against raising the minimum age of gun ownership to 21. Voted against requiring 2 types of identification for a gun purchase. Accepted a total of $1,500 from the NRA, which is something that I would never do. It is a fact that the Assemblyman is the only member of the Westchester Assembly Delegation who voted against New York’s Hate Crimes Law, which would increase penalties for crimes motivated by racism or bigotry or anti-Semitism. It is a fact that he voted against SONDA, which would offer civil rights guarantees to thousands of New Yorkers. Those are meaningful distinctions about our values that people ought to be able to make a judgment about in the polling place.

RON TOCCI: I think that the people understand that in the hectic campaign season there are all kinds of casualties and in is this particular campaign my opponent has made the biggest casualty, the truth. So, I again feel very, very confident that my record speaks for itself. I passed literally hundreds of chapters that deal with all kinds of issues that really impact on peoples’ lives. I truly mean…I feel that I’ve made a difference and I’ve made my career focused in, fighting for the underdog, fighting against discrimination, hate. And, I have a bill that is a two-house bill that is sponsored by a variety of people from all over this state that truly addresses the root concern, which is education or ignorance. So, I’m looking forward to making my positions known to the general public and certainly feel confident that they will agree with me. Thank you.

The Larchmont Gazette greatly appreciates the generosity of WVOX Radio for allowing the publication of this transcript.

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