Candidate for
Legislator; Westchester County; Legislative District 1

George on Spending/Taxes:

There is no more important issue to residents than property taxes. The ever increasing tax burden in our County is rapidly driving out the middle class. Over the last 12 years I have dedicated much time and effort fighting unnecessary spending and rising property taxes. Westchester has the dubious distinction of being the highest taxed county in New York State and ranks third in the nation (behind just two counties in New Jersey). Over the past eight years, County taxes have increased by 54%+double the rate of cost of living. I voted against the last six county budgets, which featured tax increases.

Beyond voting no on tax increases I also made several recommendations to cut costs. In 2004, I proposed establishing a blue ribbon panel to explore how to make county government run more efficiently. This panel would

Last year I joined other legislators in proposing $20M of spending cuts in the 2007 budget. These cuts if fully implemented would have resulted in a tax increase of less than a half of percent. These were actual budget cuts, none of which would harm any essential services or programs. Most were related to frills, such as the expenditure of nearly a million dollars to outfit County golf carts with a GPS system. Others eliminated duplication such as abolishing the Tax Commission Department in as much as all County taxes are now assessed

Consolidation is another way to save tax dollars. Meanwhile, taxpayers in the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District enjoyed a 44% tax reduction in sewer taxes this year, thanks to the consolidation of operations and maintenance costs of the county's 13 sewer districts. A measure I resisted implementing until I was sure there was a true reduction in expenditures and tax relief to our area.

County taxes are approximately 20% of a taxpayers' total property tax bill.Not an insignificant amount.That's why I remain vigilant in questioning every expenditure and fighting to cut costs whenever possible. Skyrocketing taxes are forcing many families to move out of Westchester.Without a doubt we at the county level can do a better job managing money and I am committed to continuing to have my voice be heard on ways I feel the job should be done.

George on Affordable Housing:

Westchester remains one of the most desirable areas to live and work,yet many who grew up here are forced to make their homes elsewhere due to a lack of housing options. In recent years, with taxes on the rise, many who were able to afford a home and live the American Dream are finding they are unable to make ends meet, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in foreclosure proceedings. A prime ingredient to making housing affordable is making property taxes lower. We must go far beyond the administration's current measures that simply throw millions of dollars at contractors and developers while building very few affordable units.

It's time to think outside the box. As a way of helping people purchase their first home I have proposed the establishment of a fund where qualified first time home buyers can borrow money interest free for a downpayment paying it back when the home is sold. Often to spur economic growth and development, the County through its Industrial Development Agency grants exemptions to business from county sales tax and mortgage tax. Why not do the same for affordable housing? A great factor of the cost of housing is the taxes. Tax incentives to builders and home buyers can reduce the cost of a

I have had initial discussions with Habitat for Humanity to explore other creative ways to make the dream of home ownership a reality. Where there's a will, there's a way and I have the will and desire to continue to be pro-active on this very crucial issue.

George on Public Safety:

The first right of every citizen is the peace of mind of living in a safe neighborhood. I will continue to support law enforcement with the proper resources to do the job right. Always mindful of county spending, I have

When the town of Cortlandt decided to abolish its police department, I immediately stepped in and working with County and local officials established a County Public Safety Department northern command center in Cortlandt.County police now patrol our area on a regular basis at a much reduced tax burden.

In September, funding was approved to upgrade the county's Public Safety Communications Center, which, among other functions, filters 911 calls.

As public safety is the first priority of any government, our children, being the most vulnerable, should be the first priority of law enforcement. Two years ago I introduced legislation to prohibit any convicted pedophile or registered sex offender from residing within a certain distance of a county facility open to children. That legislation is close to being adopted by the Board of Legislators and it is a law I feel is vital to protecting our society's most vulnerable citizens from predators.

By far one of the most important ingredients in our Public Safety network is our volunteers. The scores of volunteer firefighters, EMS and EMT as well as auxiliary police provide a essential services while keeping costs low.Without these volunteers the cost of public safety would skyrocket. These volunteers need special recognition. While I have always supported increase

George on Indian Point:

To date, there have been no viable energy alternatives that have been demonstrated to replace the power generated by the Indian Point nuclear power plants. Earlier this year, I joined all my colleagues on the Board of Legislators in supporting an independent assessment of the plants to try to ease some of the fears some residents and groups have about their safety.

In the past, I have called for the county to conduct a drill of its evacuation plan for Indian Point to see what flaws may exist in the case of a major emergency at the Buchanan facility. The role of the County is the security and safety. We need to reiterate the call for making the area over the facility a no fly zone. We must make certain that any state budget cuts do not adversely impact the National Guard and state police assigned to protect the plant.

George on Senior Citizens:

Our senior citizens have paid their dues and are a valuable asset to our community. Their wealth of experience and knowledge should be better utilized. Senior, like our youth, need wholesome activities in order to keep their bodies healthy and fit and their minds sharp.The county should expand its use of the Legacy Program beyond the parks, ball field and playgrounds

George on Youth:

Today they chair a Youth Bureau meeting or lead their peers in a discussion on how to avoid drugs; soon, they will be the mayor or town supervisor and lead this community. Our youth need to know, every day, that

George on Quality of Life:

Westchester is widely admired for its vast array of open space, parks and recreation facilities that greatly enhance the quality of life for its residents.

In addition, nearly $900,000 was awarded this year to municipalities in District 1 from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, by far the largest percentage (24%) given to any of the county's 17 districts. Those funds were distributed for such projects as infrastructure improvements on Bank, Main, Park and Division streets in Peekskill; phase II of the

We can and should do more. The County's Legacy Program should be extended to provide municipalities with funding for senior citizen recreational

George on the Environment:

Thanks to the support I received from countless local residents, civic groups and municipal elected officials, I was able to form an effective coalition

Another issue that I have been heavily involved in is the future of the

In this world of ever decreasing energy sources and working to keep our air and water cleaner in our use of energy, the County can lead by example. While progress has been made by requiring County heavy equipment and vehicles to burn low sulfur diesel fuel, the County eliminate vehicles that consume too much gas. All construction and renovation of County facilities should have as an overriding priority "green technology". Solar and thermo

Just as the County encourages the construction of affordable housing through the use of Housing Implementation Funds that assist developers with the cost of public infrastructure, the County should establish a Green Housing Implementation Fund. Such a fund with also assist in providing developers with infrastructure improvements for so-called "net-zero" energy homes and