There was important news this week that illustrates what’s at stake in this year’s election for Westchester County Executive.
Rob Astorino has badly mismanaged a housing dispute with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As a result, Westchester municipalities and not-for-profits now stand to lose $7.4 million in federal grants. Those resources are desperately needed for community development, public safety, and critical infrastructure. And as this dispute drags on, even more will be at risk.
Reasonable people can disagree about how best to implement a fair housing settlement, but it is long past time to get this issue behind us. As a mayor who wrestles daily with tough choices that impact real lives, I know the value of every dollar. And allowing millions to go down the drain is an insult to every Westchester taxpayer.
We can’t afford an administration motivated by right-wing partisanship. Westchester needs a new leadership team committed to constructive solutions and practical outcomes.