Candidates for County Legislature Outline Positions on Reval, Davids Island & Medical Center

by Judy Silberstein

(October 26, 2005) After two testy debates between candidates vying for positions as Village of Mamaroneck trustee and mayor, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck League of Women Voters forum for the Westchester County legislature from district 7 came off as cordial. There were even touches of humor and many points of agreement between Judy Myers, a Democrat and the incumbent since she won a special election in mid-Feburary, and Donald March, a Republican and a newcomer to local elected politics.

The race has been very quiet, and this was the first opportunity for voters to see the candidates face each other before Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. The candidates discussed positions on property revaluation, day labor, health care, and Davids Island, among other issues, before summarizing what they felt were the biggest challenges ahead.

Ms. Myers, 52, a resident of the Town of Mamaroneck, is a self-employed market research consultant whose incumbency began earlier this year when she won a special election to fill the seat vacated by George Latimer, now the area’s NY State Assemblyman. (See: Myers Wins County Seat With (Unofficial) 58% of the Vote ) She served six years on the Mamaroneck Town Council, preceded by 10 years of community volunteer service as president of the local Junior League and co-president of the Murray PTA, among other positions.

“I said I’d be ready on day one,” Ms. Myers said and described her appointment to six committees with a chairmanship of Community Affairs, and how she had worked to fulfill her pledge to “provide a strong and effective voice” for the district. (Palm Card from Judy Myers)

Mr. March, 53, a resident of the Village of Mamaroneck, is a dean of students at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx and the Town of Mamaroneck’s historian. He has served as president of the Mamaroneck Historical Society and as a trustee on the Mamaroneck Library Board. In addition, he’s been a district leader for the Mamaroneck Republican Party, but he frequently refers to himself as a “different kind of Republican.”

“I’m not a politician,” Mr. March said in his opening remarks. “I hold the highest office in the land – I’m a citizen.” He was critical of the current county legislature for being “rubber stamps for what Andy Spano sets in motion.” Later he proposed unspecified term limits and a 25% pay cut for both the county executive and the legislators. (Palm Card from Donald March)

Do you support county-wide property revaluation?

On a LWV question about property revaluation, neither candidate was opposed to a county-wide approach, though Mr. March stressed the need to first conduct a thorough study of the controversial Rye Neck situation to see: “How it was done, why it was done and how it was done faulty.” He also recommended building into any revaluation a 20% reduction in case real estate values decline.

Ms. Myers, said she was on the Town of Mamaroneck Board when the issue was thoroughly investigated. When a county-wide revaluation under consideration failed to be approved, Mamaroneck did not pursue its own. “I stand by my opinion that this is not for one municipality to go it alone,” she said.

How could the county help with the day labor issue?

Ms. Myers said there was much to be gained by working together and learning from the different communities. She discussed her role in getting county help towards funding for projects at the Hispanic Resource Center and how she will be helping to locate further funds for a used van that could serve as a temporary day labor shelter. Mr. March said: “People are people are people” and recommended opening a line of communication by getting out of his seat to directly ask people what they need.

How to rein in health care costs?

Ms. Myers explained how federal and state mandated Medicaid costs eat up almost half of Westchester’s revenues. “We did make one great move forward” this year, she reported, by getting Albany to cap the growth of Medicaid costs that are passed on to the counties. “There a lot of work left to be done,” she said.

Mr. March recommended that “each and every one of us needs to look into long-term health care.” He believes, for the long run, legislators should advocate for universal health care; if elected he would do so.

Should Westchester purchase Davids Island?

Yes, said Mr. March.

He proudly recalled a newspaper headline from the 1990’s: “Donald vs the Donald” and described how he had formed the Sound Shore Historical Coalition to fend off development of the island by Donald Trump. However, he said he was “not sure if the county is fiscally responsible enough to purchase it,” and pulled out a brown paper bag and stub of a pencil to illustrate the need to “do the math.” Later, he said, there would not be any difference for the protection of the island if it was he or Ms. Myers in the District 7 seat.

Yes, said Ms. Myers.

“If the county doesn’t purchase it someone else will and it won’t have public access.” She thanked Mr. March for his role in preserving the island and noted that it needs “a great deal of remediation.” Her proudest accomplishment she said, was getting her colleagues to take the issue of the purchase “off the back-burner.” Because they agreed to spend a small sum, she reported, just two weeks ago they received a $1 M federal grant to allow a year-long study, which will put the county in the position of applying for additional sums to support the goals of remediation and eventual purchase of “this last undeveloped open space in the Long Island Sound.”

Looking forward, what is the biggest challenge?

Mr. March pointed to the need to “restore Westchester County Medical Center to its fiscal bedrock solidness.” Ms. Myers concurred and said she was proud of her role in supporting a refinancing of tobacco bonds and voting “ to use the $57 million generated as a much needed shot in the arm for Westchester Medical Center.”

In summarizing, Ms.. Myers argued that she has “already had an impact as county legislator,” on the issues of Davids Island, the Westchester County Medical Center, and obtaining funds for locally needed projects such as the CAP Center roof and wetland restoration at Harbor Island. She's been "working overtime to get up to speed" on far-ranging issues such as sewage, sludge, buses and Medicaid.

Mr. March said he only wanted to "borrow the position for a short term" to make county government more cost efficient; to see that Playland is run at a level that is self-sustaining and safe; and to see that the Department of Social Services has better control over its workers. And, pulling an antique bottle out of his pocket, he said he wanted to deliver a message: "No more Andy Spano snake oil."

The opponents ended their debate with a smile and a handshake.

More on Election: Voters have an opportunity to revisit the entire debate on LMC-TV, which will be rebroadcasting it regularly between now and Election Day on Tuesday, November 8. LMC will also have election night coverage live starting at 9 pm with Alice Bloom, who has been hosting similar events for 16 years. There are no contested races in the Town of Mamaroneck: running unopposed are Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe; Town Councilpersons Nancy Seligson, Ernie Odierna, and Paul Winick; and Town Justice Dolores Battalia.

For more election information: check the Larchmont Mamaroneck League of Women Voters website.

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