100 Days: County Lawmaker Reflects On Time In Office, Family Loss

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing to discuss the first 100 days of my service as your County Legislator. Along with my 16 fellow Legislators, I was formally sworn in on January 9th at the Legislative Chamber in White Plains. I was thrilled and honored to have my family present. Numerous dignitaries were present, including Senator Charles Schumer, and .

Less than two months later, on March 6th, my family suffered an unspeakable tragedy. My wife, Dr. Jacqueline Proner, the mother of our three children Daniel, Lauren and Allison, died suddenly at the age of 49.  Jacquie meant the world to us and was the heart and soul of our family. We have been absolutely devastated by our loss. My family and I would like to thank the  many hundreds of people who attended the funeral service at in Port Chester, made Shiva calls to our house, prepared and brought us meals and sent us heartfelt condolence cards. None of this can repair the hole in our hearts, but it does provide a measure of comfort. I especially want to say how proud I am of our children, who all spoke so poignantly and beautifully about their mom in front of such a huge crowd at the funeral service.

Jacquie was a tremendous asset to me both in running for office and during the first two months of my time in office.  Fortunately, she was able to provide guidance to me, attend many events and meet the other Legislators and staff.

I have been very busy during my time in office. Chairman Jenkins appointed me to the Legislation Committee, the Public Safety Committee and the Environment and Energy Committee. The Legislation Committee prepared a package for submission to the State about laws that we would like to see changed or adopted, including (i) a State takeover of Medicaid; (ii) improving insurance funding; and (iii) coverage of early intervention services and equalizing the reimbursement for bus services between Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

The Public Safety Committee has covered a wide variety of issues, including the shot spotter program to help identify the source of gun shots in lower Westchester, and working out agreements for the County Police to provide a School Resource Officer in the Lakeland School District, for various municipal police forces to use the County firing range and for the County Police to help local police departments in the enforcement of the taxi and limousine laws.

The Environmental and Energy Committee has worked on projects including mulching regulations and licensing requirements for residential solar installation.

Much of the work we undertake in committee meetings results in Acts and Resolutions that are further discussed and debated in the chambers before the entire Board of Legislators.  I encourage you to log onto the Board's website to watch any of the committee meetings as well as the Board of Legislators meetings at http://westchestercountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/Media.aspx
 All meetings are streamed live as they happen and are also available to watch "on-demand".

Chairman Jenkins also appointed me as the Legislature’s representative to the Westchester Airport Advisory Committee. The Committee meets one Wednesday per month. Like our Committee meetings and the meetings of the entire Legislature, the Airport meetings are open to the public.

In addition to the Committee meetings, I have met and attended events with many different groups that work to make the County a better place to live, raise a family and do business. Some highlights include:

•    Attendance at the Harrison Mayoral and Town Council swearing in ceremony;

•    Attendance at the Rye Town Council swearing in ceremony;

•    Attending a very moving Martin Luther King Jr. Day service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Port Chester;

•    Meeting with representatives from Westchester Jewish Community Services, which provides mental health and other social services in our County;

•    Meeting with Westchester Legal Services, which provides civil legal services to needy individuals;

•    Attending Black History commemoration in front of the entire Board, honoring several groups who contributed so much to our County;

•    Attending the Women’s History commemoration in front of the entire Board, honoring several women who have enriched life here in the County; 

•    Attending a meeting at the Executive Offices of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and meeting with the Executive Director and members of her staff;

•    Meeting with the Executive Director and staff at Arts Westchester in White Plains. This group, which has offices and studio space on Mamaroneck Avenue, adds to the cultural life and vibrancy of the County;

•    Meeting with the Executive Director and staff at the Jacob Burns Film Festival/Media Arts Lab in Pleasantville. I was surprised to learn that  Jacob Burns has a great deal of  educational programming in addition to its showing of films;

•    Visiting the Port Chester Senior Center with Assemblyman Latimer and exchanging views on government and politics with the seniors;



•    Attending the opening of Big River at the Westchester Broadway Theater. I am pleased that I was able to get many complimentary tickets for the show for members of the Port Chester Senior Center;
  
•    Attending a meeting of the Glenville, Connecticut Homeowners Association. This group is interested in enhancing the safety of the roadways in the area along Putnam Avenue where Port Chester and Greenwich intersect;

•    Attending the New York State Intergenerational Network’s Intergenerational Conference at Manhattanville College in Purchase;

•    Attending a lengthy briefing and tour at the Airport with the Airport Manager, Pete Scherrer. We discussed many issues of airport operations and safety protocols. It was interesting to learn that JP Morgan Chase, of all companies, has the nicest fleet of Gulfstream Jets;

•    Attending a breakfast at the United Cerebral Palsy center in Rye Brook. This organization does great work in helping people with this condition live as full and productive a life as possible;

•    A highly technical meeting with the Department of Finance and outside Bond Counsel to learn about how the planning and budgeting for capital projects affects the County’s ability to sell bonds to finance those projects;

•    Meeting with a legislative delegation from the Ukraine to learn about legislative practices in the United States;

•    Attending another briefing at the Airport where I learned that the FAA wants the light tower above Bellefair to be reduced to the height of the structure (the “cuppola”) that encases the tower. It has taken the FAA twelve years to determine that this is necessary.

•    Attending a briefing with the Department of Public Works to discuss ultra violet treatment of water supplies in our Legislative District;

•    Making a presentation about politics and government service at the Blind Brook High School Career Day;

•    Meeting with Mark Tulis, Chairman of the Board of Westchester County Medical Center, to learn about issues affecting this vital health care resource;

•    Making a presentation, along with my three fellow freshman Legislators, at the Westchester County Association’s Political Friday event at Berkeley College. I would especially like to thank the Association for having us and giving the four of us the opportunity to discuss our experiences  on the Board;

•    Attending the grand opening of The Fresh Market supermarket in Scarsdale;

•    Attending a reception at the Glen Island Harbour Club honoring the past and present Parks Commissioners and County Executives;

•    Meeting with the Executive Staff of CSEA 9200, which is the union and bargaining agent representing many County workers;

•    Attending a luncheon and meeting with President Hankin and his staff at Westchester Community College. It was very informative to learn more about the vital role the College plays in the life of the County, both educationally and economically.

We also spend a good deal of time learning about the issues surrounding the County’s housing settlement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I would also like to thank my two Legislative Aides, Jill Axelrod and Alie Moncada. They are terrific to work with and have really helped me in my work at the County.

The County is always looking for concerned citizens who want to serve on Boards and Commissions. I have made nominations to the Westchester County Tax Commission and Westchester County Women’s Advisory Board.

If you have any concerns or questions about County government, would like to be considered for an appointment to a Board or Commission, or want to express your views on issues before the Legislature, please do not hesitate to contact me. My office telephone number is 914-995-2834 and my e-mail is gelfarb@westchesterlegislators.com. Alie Moncada’s e-mail is ammf@westchestergov.com and Jill Axelrod’s e-mail is jaac@westchestergov.com. Their phone number is 914-995-2814.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve as your County Legislator, as well as your support during this difficult time for my family and me.

Very kind regards,