Harckham Earns the Endorsements of the Westchester Journal News, Bedford-Pound Ridge Record-Review, and the Mount. Kisco Examiner
Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) has swept the endorsements of three of Westchester County’s most respected local newspapers, announcing on Friday that the Westchester Journal News, Bedford-Pound Ridge Record-Review, and the Mount Kisco Examiner are all backing his candidacy in the special election for New York’s 89th Assembly District.
Citing his record as a bipartisan consensus builder in county government, the Westchester Journal News described Harckham as a candidate who, “has demonstrated that he has the ability to reach out across the aisle and work with those who hold opposing points of view.” Harckham, “is also among a cadre of legislators who have fought for increased cost cutting,” the Journal News continued, pointing out his record of “spearhead[ing] tougher DWI laws and [fighting] for cost-effective measure to protect the watershed.”
The Bedford-Pound Ridge Record-Review took a close look at Harckham’s track record as a county legislator, citing his “nearly flawless political record,” as evidence that “he could be considered a shining knight for this district.” Said the Record-Review, “For anyone wondering if legislators earn their keep, one only has to look at [Harckham’s] accomplishments.”
“Mr. Harckham proposed legislation to toughen DWI penalties in Westchester; successfully passed social host legislation to protect underage teens from parties where alcohol is served … and he successfully cosponsored legislation granting property tax breaks to volunteer emergency first responders and veterans,” said the paper.
“It is truly an honor to receive the support of three of the most important newspapers from our area,” said Harckham. “These papers are connected to the lives of everyday citizens, and they understand that what Westchester residents want right now is someone willing to put aside the fierce partisan wrangling that has contaminated our politics for so long, and work to find constructive solutions to the problems of our state. If I am elected, I will work everyday to make sure those residents are heard.”
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will be held on February 9th.
Citing Medicaid, which will cost Westchester residents $207 million in property taxes this year, as a primary example, Harckham said, “We could reduce the county portion of property taxes tomorrow by a third if New York funded Medicaid like 48 other states do. Only New York and North Carolina pass these costs on to property tax payers.”
In addition, 12 northern Westchester towns in the East of Hudson NYC watershed are facing combined costs of $80 million in order to meet mandated phosphorus reduction targets for drinking water as part of the new MS-4 Stormwater Permit.
Said Harckham, “It is vital that Albany finds a way to ease the tax burden on New Yorkers by putting a stop to unfunded mandates and finding better, more cost effective ways to pay for important infrastructure without passing the cost on to property taxpayers. Unfunded mandates from the state and federal government are hitting Westchester’s residents directly in their wallets at a time when our national and state economies are already facing serious crises. We need fiscally responsible leadership in Albany that will step up to the plate and finally put an end to unfunded mandates. I’m running for the Assembly because it’s time for a fresh, bipartisan approach that will ease this crushing burden for New York’s families and communities.”
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will be held on February 9th.
Pete Harckham has announced his strong opposition to Governor Paterson’s proposed cuts of millions of dollars in school aid for Westchester County, and vowed that if elected to the Assembly, he will work across party lines in Albany to ensure that Westchester’s schools maintain vital funding from the state.
Said Harckham, “Further cuts in state aid to our public schools will only add to the property tax burden. We’ve got to stop shifting costs from Albany to our school districts and municipalities.”
Under Paterson’s proposed budget, Westchester schools face cuts of millions of dollars for the 2010-2011 academic year. If passed, the cuts could mean steep property tax hikes for Westchester residents as local school districts try to make up for the losses in their budget proposals this spring. Among the cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget: Katonah- Lewisboro - $694,288; Bedford - $722,204; Harrison - $484,513; Chappaqua - $718,805; Byram Hills - $367,414 and White Plains - $2,429,148.
Harckham, whose reputation as a bipartisan consensus builder has allowed him to successfully fight for fiscal responsibility in county government, is a longtime champion of quality public education in Westchester. “I know first hand the important role state aid plays in providing for the high quality education we expect for our children here in Westchester,” said Harckham.
“Westchester residents already pay among the highest property taxes in the nation, and in these difficult economic times, it is essential that we have leadership in Albany that will work to find fiscally responsible ways to keep our communities affordable while ensuring that our children’s education is never put at risk,” he said.
Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) has won the endorsement of Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) in the special election for New York’s 89th Assembly District.
Schumer’s endorsement comes only days after Mayor Adam Bradley announced that he would be supporting Harckham in the race for his old seat. Both the Senator and Mayor emphasized Harckham’s commitment to working across party lines to reign in budget deficits, protect Westchester’s drinking water, and strengthen penalties on drivers who drive drunk in Westchester County.
“It’s an honor to once again receive the support of Senator Schumer, who has been one of the strongest and most effective advocates for New York in Washington for more than a decade,” said Harckham. “I look forward to working with him, and other federal officials, and to following his example as a strong voice for reform as the next Assemblyman from our district.”
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will be held on February 9th.
White Plains Mayor and former State Assemblyman Adam Bradley has announced that he is endorsing Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) in the special election to fill his previous position representing New York’s 89th Assembly District.
“I’m proud to offer my strong endorsement to Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham for my former seat in New York’s 89th State Assembly District,” said Bradley. “Our district needs someone with a thoughtful, common sense, bipartisan approach to government which is what Pete has stood for his entire career. I have witnessed Pete successfully work with every level of government regardless of political affiliation. That is why I support Pete to take my place as the next Assemblyman from the 89th Assembly District.”
Harckham’s experience as a county legislator and reputation as a bipartisan consensus builder were among the many attributes that earned him the endorsement of Mayor Bradley, who held the 89th Assembly seat from 2003 to 2009 when he ran for his current position as Mayor of White Plains. In Harckham’s time as a county legislator, he has worked with both sides of the aisle to successfully address some of the most pressing concerns facing Westchester residents. He has fought to hold the line on county taxes, protect county drinking water, and toughen penalties on drunk drivers in Westchester.
“I’m honored to have the support of Adam Bradley, and I’m excited about the prospect of following his bipartisan approach to problem solving in the Assembly,” said Harckham. “I look forward to working with him as a partner in state government.”
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will be held on February 9th.
Delegates from Westchester's 89th Assembly District Choose Peter Harckham as their Candidate for Special Election in New York's 89th Assembly District
White Plains, NY - Westchester County legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) has been officially nominated by the Westchester Democratic Party as their candidate in the special election to fill the seat of Adam Bradley in New York's 89th State Assembly District. Mr. Harckham's primary opponent in the race was Alison Greene, an accomplished attorney and former executive director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission with a long record of service to Westchester County.
Harckham, who was the first candidate to enter the race last month, won the nomination Thursday night in a mini-convention of county delegates from the 89th AD. After the first round of balloting, Harckham had secured the votes of more than 60 percent of the delegates, passing the required majority to clinch the nomination.
"It is with great pride and humility that I accept your nomination for New York State Assembly," said Harckham. Harckham thanked his fellow candidates in the race, Ms. Greene and Charlotte Watson, for a spirited campaign and for their contributions on behalf of the people of Westchester. With the nominating process complete, Harckham reached out to those delegates who had supported his opponents and called for party unity on the short, difficult road ahead.
"I work for you now," said Harckham. "This race is not about me, it's about our common values - we believe in the power of government to be a positive force in people's lives. The real work begins now, and I pledge to you that I will go wherever you need me to go and fight wherever you need me to fight to bring our message of renewed confidence in state government to the people of our district."
Harckham, a two-term county legislator whose district encompasses many of the towns in the 89th AD, is now poised to bring his bipartisan appeal and record of legislative reform to all the voters in the district. His successful efforts to protect fragile drinking water reserves, toughen DWI penalties, close the county budget gap and fight to defend taxpayers from the weakened economy are among the many legislative successes that Harckham will highlight in the coming weeks.
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will be held on February 9th.
Westchester County legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) has officially announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the special election to fill the unexpired term of Adam Bradley in the 89th New York State Assembly District. Harckham made his announcement on Tuesday, December 1st, at the Westchester County Democratic Committee headquarters in White Plains. He was joined by a large group of supporters and elected officials from the County Board of Legislators, as well as representatives from seven of the townships located in the 89th Assembly District.
"This is not a political opportunity I sought out, but it is a challenge I will not walk away from," said Harckham. "Anyone can serve in government during good times; yet those of us who are truly committed to public service know that the judgments of history rest on how we act during challenging times."
Harckham is the first Democrat throw his hat into the ring for the 89th, and is in a strong position to make a persuasive pitch to voters. His district in the Westchester County Legislature already encompasses 4 of the 8 communities that lie within the 89th Assembly District. He has proven his electability as a Democrat in traditionally Republican northern Westchester County by winning reelection last month with over 6,000 votes, an increase of 15% over his 2007 vote total when he was first elected to county government.
"We are here to say 'Go Pete," said Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers), who introduced Harckham and whose own legislative district overlaps with some of the 89th Assembly District. "We in the county and at the local level know how important it is to have partners in Albany that can work with us solve the problems that New York faces. I'm proud to call Pete a friend and colleague, and hopefully very soon, the next Assemblyman from the 89th Assembly District."
Harckham brings to the race a record of bipartisan reform efforts and a long list of legislative accomplishment. Whether protecting drinking water reserves for Westchester and New York City, strengthening DWI penalties in Westchester County, fighting for fiscal responsibility, or protecting families from eviction, Harckham has demonstrated his commitment to fighting for the issues that matter most to New Yorkers in these difficult economic times.
"Without question, the challenges we face are daunting," said Harckham. "But they also present us with a unique opportunity to restore confidence in government and to get our fiscal house in order."
Joining Harckham on stage were his wife Janet and daughters Kate and Emma, as well as Westchester County Legislators Michael Kaplowitz (D- Somers), Majority Leader Marty Rogowsky (D-Harrison), Majority Whip Judy Myers (D- White Plains), Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers), Jose Alvarado (D-Yonkers), William Burton (D- Ossining), and Vito Pinto (D-White Plains). Also on hand was New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerald and Town Board members Dan Paschkes of Pound Ridge, Dan Welsh of Lewisboro, Michael Wolfensohn of New Castle, Peter Grunthal of Mount Kisko, Richard Clinchy of Somers, and David Gabrielson of Bedford. Democratic Committee Chairs Roslyn Stone Pollock of the Pound Ridge Democratic Committee and Alan Cole of the Lewisboro Democratic Committee were also present at the announcement.
The special election for the 89th Assembly District will take place early next year, when Governor Patterson officially announces the vacancy.
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Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham was reelected by voters in the 2nd Legislative District to serve another two-year term on the County Board. In an election that saw low voter turnout and resulted in several prominent incumbents going down to defeat, Harckham actually saw his vote total increase by 15% over his 2007 totals signaling strong support across the district and across party lines. Said Harckham, “I’m gratified that the voters showed me this vote of confidence and rehired me for another term as their legislator. I look forward to working with them to reduce property taxes, protect our environment and to empower our families during these challenging times.”
On October 19th, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation sponsored by Peter Harckham (D, WF, I Katonah) to crack down on drunken drivers. The vote was 12-4 and County Executive Andy Spano quickly signed the legislation into law. The bill would authorize the county to bring forfeiture proceedings against drivers convicted of DWI who had been arrested by Westchester County Police.
The NTSB recommends forfeiture as a deterrent to DWI and has been shown to reduce recidivism. Portland, OR reduced recidivism by 50% using vehicle forfeiture. Said Harckham “DWI prevention is both a public safety concern and an economic issue. DWI cases are currently overburdening the criminal justice system and represent the largest caseload share of the Probation Department adding to the property tax burden.” He added, “This bill had broad bipartisan support because we drafted important protections for innocent owners, those with financial hardships and would only impact those convicted.” The law will go into effect December 2010.
The Board of Legislators Septic Subcommittee, chaired by Legislator Pete Harckham, has completed creation of a shared services program for municipalities to address the new State MS-4 septic requirements that call for municipalities to inspect all septic systems during the period covered by the new permit. The plan was crafted in conjunction with the NYS DEC, Westchester County and the municipalities in the East of Hudson Watershed.
The plan also calls for the creation of a countywide septic database of every septic parcel. Said Harckham, “This approach utilizes the private sector and the county Department of Health to provide a cost effective platform for municipalities to meet the new requirements.” Harckham added, “Comprehensive septic management is the cornerstone of my water quality protection efforts. I’m pleased that we have made such tremendous progress in a short amount of time.”
Labor Unions, environmentalists and women’s reproductive health groups are all unanimous in their endorsements of Pete Harckham for reelection to the Westchester County Board of Legislators. This campaign season, Harckham has been endorsed by the New York State League of Conservation Voters, AFL-CIO Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body, D.C. 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester County, The Westchester County PBA, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund and WCLA Choice Matters. Said Harckham, “I am honored that my partners have endorsed my work over the past two years and I look forward to working together with them to continue to protect our environment, get Westchester County residents back to work, provide the women and men of law enforcement with the tools they need to keep us safe and to continue to ensure a woman’s right to reproductive health choices.” Harckham is running unopposed for reelection to his second term.
County Moves on Bike Lockers at Transit Hubs & Bike Racks on Buses
Westchester County government is moving forward on proposals by Legislator Peter Harckham (D, Katonah) to install bicycle lockers at county transit hubs and to explore installing bicycle racks on some county buses. "By making Westchester's transit system more bicycle-friendly, we will be expanding the reach of the current transit system, taking more cars off the road, reducing the county's carbon footprint and opening up existing bike trails to more riders," Harckham said. "If 500 municipal bus systems in the country have managed to install bike racks on their buses, there is no reason why we can't do the same in Westchester."
The proposals were discussed at this week's Government Operations Committee meeting with county transportation officials and bicycle advocates. Transportation officials reported they had already ordered one bike rack to test in order to determine possible impact on bus maintenance. They also indicated their intention to reach out to other bus lines to explore possible solutions to operational issues raised at the meeting.
The Committee agreed to form a task force of legislators, transportation officials and cycling advocates to develop a pilot program for bus racks on county buses. DOT Commissioner Larry Salley said that bicycle lockers at transit hubs were 'low hanging fruit' and, unlike the bike racks, could be addressed immediately. He said he will report back to the Committee with a pilot plan to install bike lockers at county transit facilities that would include the White Plains bus depot, the North White Plains commuter lot and possibly the New Rochelle train station, where the county has an intermunicipal agreement with the city of New Rochelle.
Westchester Cycle Club President David Wilson thanked Legislator Harckham for taking the initiative on making Westchester a more bike-friendly county. "Harckham's leadership on this issue was invaluable," Wilson said. "He made it happen." Bike lockers and bike racks on buses were the top two agenda items at the recent bike summit. Wilson believes this investment will pay dividends in many ways. Bike lockers at transit stations will encourage cycle commuting. And bike racks on buses will extend the reach of the county bus system, providing a needed alternative to residents who rely on mass transit to get around. "These efforts will help Westchester make the transition to a more sustainable economy," Wilson said.
Harckham Hails Investment In Underserved Youth of Northern Westchester
Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham (D, Katonah) today announced that Westchester County government has finalized a $150,000 contract with the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. The contract will be paid out over the next three years at $50,000 per year to support the Mt. Kisco Fun Club program. The goal of the contract is to increase the reading and writing ability of program participants, measured by school performance; improve physical fitness; and foster participation in community service projects. The Boys & Girls Club has committed $81,000 toward the program.
"Public/private partnerships often continue to be the most cost effective means to deliver important services," said Harckham. "This is a wise investment in the youth of northern Westchester. Our experience has been that dollars targeted to early intervention for 'at risk' youth save money on the back end in terms of reduced need for additional school and social services, a reduced incidence of juvenile incarceration and a greater ability of participants to grow into fully contributing members of society."
The source of the funding is the county's Invest in Kids program which provides "seed money" to support innovative programs or organized activities that offer positive youth development opportunities for young people, particularly at-risk youth under the age of 21. The county contracts with non-profit agencies that have as their purpose the detection and prevention of youth delinquency or other services directed towards youth development.
The Mt. Kisco Fun Club provides extensive youth development programming for children ages 5-12. Club members obtain learning strategies and character developmental skills, peer and mentor relationships, and nutrition & healthy eating techniques.
Harckham Secures $22,000 for Service Contracts
Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) today announced that the Westchester County Board of Legislators awarded service contracts totaling $22,000 to both the Mount Kisco Library Foundation and Neighbor's Link. Said Harckham, "Public/private partnerships such as these allow us to extend the service arm of government at a lower cost to taxpayers."
The award for the Mount Kisco Library Foundation, totaling $12,000, will enable the new Mount Kisco Library to extend the programming of its new Community Room to better serve the community through the purchase of new audio-video equipment. "This will allow the library to reach out to serve the needs of more community groups in northern Westchester," said Harckham.
The contract for Neighbor's Link, totaling $10,000, will enable Neighbor's Link to provide 20 family education sessions on topics such as domestic violence, breast cancer awareness, budgeting and savings, parenting young children, and college opportunities for Latinos. Neighbor's Link will also offer, at the Bedford School District, educational sessions on "Your School" to get parents involved and informed about the importance of PTA, their child's education, etc. "During these challenging economic times, it's important that we invest in serving our more vulnerable populations on two counts --- it's the right thing to do and it's a way to keep social program costs lower. It's when people fall through the cracks that government costs soar," Harckham said.
The County Board approved legislation by Legislator Pete Harckham that gives volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members a break on the county portion of their property tax bills. To be eligible for an exemption of up to 10% of a property's assessed value on the county's share of property taxes, a volunteer must have at least five years of service and live in the city, town or village he or she serves. After 20 years of service, the volunteer will have a lifetime exemption.
County Legislator Peter Harckham (D-WF, Katonah) who co-sponsored the measure noted that the volunteer departments saved local municipalities many millions of dollars and said that the exemption is an important investment in the local communities.
"Our towns and villages can't afford to lose volunteers because local budgets could not afford the dramatically increased costs of replacing these volunteer services," said Harckham. "Volunteers contribute a great deal to the safety of their communities. The exemption is an acknowledgement of the value of their public service which in some cases has extended for generations. It's also a small incentive to encourage citizens to join."
The Westchester County Board of Legislators today authorized the release of $500,000 in East of Hudson funds that will continue and partially finance the implementation of the county's Septic Management Plan for the next five years.
The "Septic Program" consists of a series of laws passed by the County Board that requires that all septic service contractors and haulers be trained and licensed by the county's Health Department which keeps a database of septic repairs and remediations that septic contractors are required to report.
"The Health Department's database maps where problem septics are and will ultimately include the location of every septic parcel in Westchester County," said County Legislator Peter Harckham (D Katonah), Chair of the County Board's Septic Subcommittee. "The database will be a critical shared services component of the northern Towns new MS4 septic requirements as mandated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation."
Harckham also noted that Westchester taxpayers are not footing the bill for the $500,000 EOH funds the legislature approved today.
"While these funds are crucial to continuing the core of septic management efforts in northern Westchester, the East of Hudson funds are from New York City so our approval today means a zero impact to Westchester taxpayers," Harckham said.
County Legislator Peter Harckham (D, Katonah) has been selected to serve on the the National Association of Counties (NACO) Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee (EELU). He will focus his efforts on the Water Quality Subcommittee.
"NACO is the premier lobbying organization to Congress on county issues,” said County Legislator and Majority Leader Martin Rogowsky (D, Harrison), who nominated Harckham for the position. “Legislator Harckham’s leadership in protecting Westchester’s water supply and his work on septic management issues makes him uniquely suited for this position.”
“Job #1 is to get the federal government back into the wastewater treatment infrastructure business,” said Harckham. “All of the mandates we live with stem from the federal Clean Water Act. Yet federal funding for these mandates has dropped precipitously over the years, shifting the burden to local taxpayers. This cost shift must be reversed. I look forward to networking with my colleagues from around the nation to benefit from their experience in dealing with wastewater issues, as well as to share ideas generated here in Westchester.”
The County Board’s Committee on Legislation and the Committee on Budget and Appropriations has passed proposed legislation, co sponsored by Pete Harckham, that would extend a tax exemption of 10% of a property’s assessed value on the county’s share of property taxes to volunteer firefighers and ambulance crews. The legislation is based on New York State enabling legislation that was adopted in 2003. Several towns, villages and school districts in Westchester have already adopted similar measures for local exemptions.
To be eligible for the exemption, volunteers must be currently active with the department and have at least five years of service. Volunteers with at least twenty years of service would receive the exemption for life.
Legislation Committee member Pete Harckham (D, Katonah), a long time supporter of affordable housing for emergency first responders, said, “Volunteer emergency first responders save our communities millions of dollars versus paid services. Any investment we can make to keep those volunteers in our communities is wise.”
In February, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted to approve $10M in EOH funding for sewers for Peach Lake in North Salem. The sewer system will replace aging and inadequate septic systems, whose failure is polluting the lake and threatens the Croton Watershed. It is the first of five water quality improvement projects earmarked for northern Westchester totaling $50M. Pete Harckham, County Legislator for the 2nd Legislative District that includes North Salem said, “I’m thrilled for the people of Peach Lake that we were able to get this accomplished. They’ve worked very hard for this.” In addition to the hard work of the Peach Lake residents, Harckham credited numerous elected officials at the town and county level, both past and present, including current North Salem Town Supervisor Paul Greenwood. “It was a total team effort. Many people carried this ball downfield and I’m glad we could push it over the goal line.”
The Westchester County Board of Legislators tapped 2nd L.D. Legislator Pete Harckham to chair its newly formed Septic Subcommittee. Said Harckham, “Nothing is more crucial to protecting our groundwater supplies than comprehensive septic management policy. This committee will provide a forum for all of the stakeholders to meet regularly to discuss and collaborate on septic policy formulation.” In addition to members of the Board of Legislators, the committee members include officials of the Spano administration, the Departments of Health and Planning, Pound Ridge Town Board Member Richard Lyman, Lewisboro Town Board Member Dan Welsh, NWWC Chair and Town Supervisor of Somers Mary Beth Murphy, as well as representatives from both the environmental and construction communities. Representatives of the NYS DEC, NYS DOC, NYC DEP and Putnam County are also regular participants.
In May, County Legislators Pete Harckham and Lois Bronz jointly sponsored a weeklong art exhibit at the Board of Legislators by North Salem High School students entitled “Art Against Abuse”. The program is designed to educate teens to the dangers of unhealthy relationships and is a collaboration of the Elizabeth Butler Angel Foundation, the North Salem Middle and High Schools and the North Salem Advocates for the Arts. The exhibition is also used in the educational curriculum of My Sister’s Place and the Northern Westchester Shelter, both of which receive funding from the County Board. The Elizabeth Butler Angel Foundation was created in memory of Elizabeth Butler. The foundation is dedicated to educating teens to the hazards of unhealthy relationships, creating self-esteem and promoting positive relationships.
In February, County Legislator Pete Harckham moderated a panel discussion at the Bedford Town House on tools and challenges to creating affordable housing in northern Westchester. The forum was attended by policymakers from throughout northern Westchester. Said Harckham, “The goal was to move beyond the discussion of what affordable housing is. Rather the aim of the panel was to get the tools of building affordable housing into the hands of policy makers.” Serving on the discussion panel were Lee Roberts, Supervisor of the town of Bedford; Tom McGrath, Chair of Bedford’s Blue Mountain Housing Corporation; Bill Balter, President of Wilder Balter Partners; Joan Arnold, Executive Director of A-HOME and Norma Drummond, Deputy Commissioner Westchester Department of Planning. Harckham also served on a similar panel held by the League of Women Voters in Somers in March.
In July, the County Board announced that Legislator Pete Harckham had secured a $150,000 emergency appropriation for mortgage foreclosure prevention. The funds will be used in the form of a performance based contract grant to Westchester Residential Opportunities, a not-for-profit corporation specializing in mortgage foreclosure prevention. Said Harckham, “The mortgage crisis is a national crisis with local implications. This grant will help WRO leverage their existing programs to help more people in Westchester avoid foreclosure.”
| Bedford | $2,449,595 |
| Lewisboro | $1,664,854 |
| Mount Kisco | $1,348,608 |
| North Salem | $698,823 |
| Pound Ridge | $638,437 |
| Somers* | $2,478,369 |
| Bedford Central School District | $1,361,509 |
| Katonah – Lewisboro School District | $889,340 |
| North Salem Central School District | $281,478 |
| Somers Central School District** | $854,088 |
| Total | $12,665,101 |
* Shared with 4th L.D.
** Shared with 4th L.D.
reaching out to voters in every neighborhood of the 2nd District, Pete Harckham celebrated his election to County Legislator on Tuesday surrounded by family, friends, and campaign workers. Pausing to recognize those “who are closest to me,” Pete thanked his family for their support and encouragement and then said that one of the best things about the campaign was “being surrounded by so many wonderful people who came out to help.” County Board Chair Bill Ryan waded through the cheering crowd and welcomed Harckham to the Westchester County Legislature. He promised to work with Pete to insure that northern Westchester receives the benefits from county government that it deserves-- a key plank in Harckham's campaign. Majority Leader Marty Rogowsky arrived next and added his congratulations.
Pete thanked everyone who worked on his campaign but reminded the crowd of well-wishers that true progress will come when we reach across party lines and together build bridges between towns and county. As everyone cheered in agreement, Harckham said he was ready to get to work.
Said The Examiner, “On the basis of his desire to forge a more meaningful partnership between municipalities, Westchester County and New York State on critical sewer and water issues and his experience as an advocate for affordable housing, Harckham is recommended as the choice to replace retiring Legislator Ursula LaMotte.”
The Examiner added, “Harckham recognizes that towns do not have the expertise or financial wherewithal to make some of the necessary water and sewer improvements to ensure that quality of life remains high. Water quality may not be a sexy topic but there are few items that are more important.”
The Ledger commented, “Mr. Harckham is an avid fighter for water quality improvement and increasing affordable housing – both of which affect Lewisboro and the county as a whole.”
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6.
The Journal News, October 28, 2007
“District 2 Republican Ursula LaMotte decided not to seek re-election, making this an open seat. Republican Peter Michaelis, businessman, volunteer and member of the Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals member, faces Democrat Peter Harckham, media consultant, environmental group leader and former president of the affordable-housing group A-Home. Harckham, also of Bedford, said he was running to "repair" the relationship between the district and county government, which he contends is shorted on services and funding. Michaelis is running on a platform of less government and lower taxes. His aversion to taxes hardly pauses to differentiate. He singled out the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, which works to ensure fair treatment in employment, housing, public accommodations, schools and credit, among other areas. "I don't understand the need. I don't know what human rights does for the district." We recommend Harckham, because he professes as much disdain for high taxes - a virtue shared by every candidate we have interviewed - but also the wisdom to differentiate between waste and necessity. We also credit Harckham's experience in environmental causes and the well-regarded A-Home, through which he has become a known quantity in government. The district includes Mount Kisco, Bedford, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge North Salem and southern Somers.”
As for spending, “Mr. Harckham agreed that county spending was high but differed with Mr. Michaelis on the causes. More than 70 percent of the County budget is state mandates, Mr. Harckham said, a shocking number that should be focused on immediately. The county should not be paying for Medicaid and special needs costs, Mr. Harckham said, which are now coming out of our property taxes.” (click here to read the entire endorsement)
On the subject of creating affordable housing, the Record Review said, “we can see Mr. Harckham’s success in shepherding a difficult and complex affordable housing plan in Pound Ridge has borne fruit.”
Hailing Pete’s record as president of A-Home where he secured approvals and funding for affordable senior housing in Pound Ridge that uses sustainable materials while maintaining open space, as well as Pete’s success in Lewisboro where he negotiated the donation of four acres of land that will be the site of the first LEED certified affordable housing project in New York State, the League said “Pete Harckham has clearly demonstrated his commitment to sustainability and his determination to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges we face today.”
NYLCV executive director Marcia Bystryn praised Harckham’s environmental agenda for Westchester County, calling it “ambitious.” If elected, Harckham plans to aggressively pursue open space acquisition and wetlands restoration in sensitive areas, present and implement comprehensive regional aquifer protection for Northern Westchester and increase the range of plastics recycled in the county.
Praises Harckham's Leadership
In his endorsement, Senator Schumer stated: "More and more, the challenges faced by our towns need to be addressed through a partnership at all levels of government.
Pete Harckham understands the diversity of the community [and] will be a strong voice for all the people of northern Westchester. He has been a leader on the creation of affordable housing and out front on the issue protecting drinking water. I look forward to working with him in the County Legislature."Said Harckham "I am delighted to have Senator Schumer’s endorsement and look forward to working with him to engage the federal government to assist us with our local challenges such as waste management and drinking water protection." He added, "I had the opportunity to discuss negative impacts of the current the FAA Airspace Redesign Project with the Senator. He assured me that 'all options are on the table' and that his senior staff is consulting with the rest of the Congressional delegation on this issue."
This endorsement underscores Harckham’s commitment to bring State and Federal resource s to bear when needed in solving the counties problems – particularly the issues of clean drinking water and waste management, problem’s that has plagued the district for many years.
Pete Harckham, of Katonah is the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate for the Second Legislative District of Westchester County serving the communities of Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, Pound Ridge, North Salem and Somers.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club.” “Protecting our water is the number-one priority of my campaign. Not only is it the right thing to do for the environment, but it will also help us protect our property values.” (Click here to read the entire endorsement)
The Sierra Club also recognized Pete's long-standing commitment to a clean, healthy environment when they noted Pete's achievements on behalf of the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation. Pete worked to provide monetary grants for organizations helping to protect people from the health risks of pollution. Since then, Pete has secured grants for the Wolf Conservation Center and received exceptional environmental scores from the Watershed Council for horse farm renovations that preserved wetlands and reduced fossil fuel consumption.
“I pledge to bring my experience as a businessman as well as my record as an environmentalist to help solve the problems facing northern Westchester,” promised Pete.
The leaders of the Sierra Club said they agreed with Congressman John Hall when he called Harckham “a man who stands up for what he believes in.”
The release of Harckham’s plan was timed to coincide with this weeks public meeting regarding the County’s Comprehensive Plan for the Croton Watershed. Said Harckham, “The Croton Plan doesn’t go far enough to address the issues that are negatively impacting our groundwater supplies – especially failing septic systems.”
“Nothing is more critical to preserving property values, and northern Westchester’s economic sustainability, than protecting our fragile water supplies from antiquated waste management systems, unwise development and pollution.” He added, “The failure to act expeditiously will have dire consequences on our health, our environment and our economic competitiveness into the future.”
The festive crowd filled the Mt. Kisco American Legion Post where many new faces mixed with seasoned Democrats but where everyone came to support Pete Harckham's campaign for the Westchester County Legislature. People cheered enthusiastically when the Congressman said that what we need are elected officials “not tied to the status quo,” but rather ones who will “tell the truth to their constituents, even when it is hard.” Rep. Hall called Pete Harckham the man to do that at the County level.
"Pete is a man who stands up for what be believes in,” said Rep. Hall as he spoke of his admiration for Harckham's pledge to conduct a carbon neutral campaign. “He has set the example for all of us.”
Taking the microphone, Harckham thanked the Congressman and reminded the crowd of H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. Co-sponsored by Congressman Hall, the bill would provide funding and technical assistance to municipalities seeking to address local water quality through the protection of ground water and the construction of wastewater treatment plants.
“The people of Katonah have been waiting 100 years for sewers!” said Pete. “When elected to the Westchester County Legislature, I look forward to working on this issue with Congressman Hall.”
"Those of us who aspire to leadership positions in our communities have an obligation to lead by example," explained Pete.
The Harckham campaign purchased carbon offsets equivalent to 70 tons--approximately the amount of carbon generated by a business with ten employees
over the course of one year. Pete is also in the process of converting his home and horse farm to solar power, installing a 10 kilowatt system that will allow him to sell excess electricity back to the power grid."Climate change is something we all need to take very seriously and accept personal responsibility for addressing. We can't sit back and wait for government or big business to act. We all can make an impact now."
As Pete campaigns--knocking on doors and meeting voters across District 2--his 2001 Toyota Prius hybrid is his primary vehicle. In some of the more rural areas, he switches to an electric scooter to help him get around to as many households as possible. His campaign has also committed to using recycled products whenever available.
By joining with the nonprofit CarbonFund.org, the Harckham Campaign stands alongside other partners including Dell, Lancome, Working Assets, and the National Audubon Society, all organizations committed to being part of the solution. "I am proud of my partnership with CarbonFund.org," said Harckham.
Harckham disagreed with the NRC's assessment that emergency planning and security should not be considered in the process, and urged the NRC to include them in the review. Said Harckham, "We have experience after 9/11 so locally, we have experience in the post-Katrina world, we know what the Witt report said [about the implausibility of the Indian Point evacuation plan]...when you do a strategic planning review, you put everything on the table. You don't take two major components of business as usual and put them off to the side. This is critical stuff." He added, "The world has changed, the population of the area has changed. I would ask you to put emergency planning and security back into the license renewal review."
Harckham, a freshman at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA in March of 1979, was one of about 150,000 residents evacuated in an approximately 25-mile radius in the wake of the nuclear accident. After the meeting, Harckham said, "I remember that there was little to no communication in the first two days. I remember how bad the traffic was as we went up Route 81. That involved only 150,000 people from a broad, then rural, area over the course of a few days. The IP plan calls for the orderly evacuation of over 300,000 people in a ten-mile radius. It defies common sense and to not evaluate this in the license renewal process is irresponsible public policy."
"These events help build working relationships," said Harckham, candidate for Westchester County Legislature, District 2. "When we elected John Hall to Congress last year we saw what we can do on the national level. Now Democrats must have the same energy for the local races."
Added Harckham, "I had the opportunity to discuss with the majority leader H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, a bill co-sponsored by Congressman Hall. The bill would provide funding and technical assistance to municipalities seeking to address local water quality through the protection of ground water and the construction of wastewater treatment plants, an issue critical to Northern Westchester."
"We also discussed how vital it was to restore the cuts to federal housing assistance to help us meet the challenge of creating affordable housing for our seniors and emergency first responders."
Guests cheered when Rep. Hoyer called the '06 elections a "decision by the American people to change directions." Hoyer hailed what he called "The Majority Makers" -- the 42 new Democratic members of the House of Representatives.
The Bedford Democratic Committee awarded Rep. Hall with the Mario Cuomo Profiles in Courage Award for 2007. "We need a deep Democratic bench," said Rep. Hall, upon accepting the award. He credited working partnerships among Democrats at all levels of government as one of the best ways to get things done. "It is important that we be competitive at every level." Rep. Hall's comments prompted enthusiastic applause from a crowd that included many Democratic candidates for this fall's local elections.
Kaplowitz noted the many challenges facing our area including affordable housing, clean water, and responsible growth. He called the County Legislature "critical" in the effort to solving these problems and he underscored the need for someone with Pete's experience and commitment.
"I look forward to having Pete sit next to me."
Bradley noted the number of times Pete has contacted him over the years to work together on environmental concerns. Assemblyman Bradley spoke of the need for working partnerships among all levels of government to do what is best for our communities and he welcomed the opportunity to work with Pete at the County level.
"I can't wait to have a partner I can work with," Bradley said.
Many view Congressman Hoyer's visit to the area as further evidence of the increasing visibility--not to mention clout-- of the Democratic Committees of Northern Westchester. Following last year's election of John Hall to New York's 19th Congressional District, the Committees of Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, and Somers have continued to work tirelessly to address those issues at the heart of the Democratic platform, issues such as education and infrastructure, issues essential to the quality of life in Northern Westchester.
Rep. Hoyer, who is serving his 14th term in the House of Representatives, has long been a leader in the areas of civil rights and education. He may best be known as the lead House sponsor of the Federal election reform legislation, "Help America Vote Act" (HAVA.) Rep. Hall has already distinguished himself by his appointment as Chairman of the Veteran's Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, a rare honor for a freshman member of Congress. Rep. Hall also serves on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, an appointment consistent with his campaign pledge to work for renewable energy supplies and to close Indian Point.
Pete Harckham welcomes all interested parties to join the discussion as Democrats explore new ways to work together and effectively meet the challenges confronting our families. RSVP for the reception at www.johnhallforcongress.com/steny.
"We can do better; we must do better," Pete declared as he addressed a room filled with supporters from across Westchester. A seasoned non-profit executive, Harckham promised to draw upon his experience and proven record of gathering those with diverse opinions and finding productive common ground. Pete spoke of the need to rebuild partnerships between towns and our county government as well as working with our partners at the state and federal levels.
Though the campaign has barely begun, Harckham is already racking up endorsements. The Democratic committees of Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, Pound Ridge, and Somers have rallied behind Pete and North Salem will be voting to endorse a candidate next month. This support is important as the northern communities seek effective representation to address essential countywide issues such as clean water and responsible growth.
As Pete reminded us, "We can do better; we must do better."
Harckham is the ideal candidate to represent northern Westchester. As a seasoned non-profit executive, he has proven his ability to gather those with diverse opinions and find productive common ground. As a businessman and property owner, he knows the burden of rising property taxes. As a husband and father, Pete believes that nothing is more vital to the strength of our communities than the health and safety of our families.
Though the campaign has barely begun, Harckham is already racking up endorsements. The Democratic committees of Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, Pound Ridge, and Somers have rallied behind Pete and North Salem will be voting to endorse a candidate next month. This support is important as the northern communities seek effective representation to address essential countywide issues such as clean water and responsible growth.
We hope to see you and your family on Sunday and be sure to check back to this site for further news of Pete's campaign.
Harckham knows that nothing is more important to our community than healthy families and nothing is more vital than clean water. Unfortunately, our area's water systems are failing. Out-dated waste-management systems and uncontrolled sprawl compromise our water every day, threatening both our families and our economy. Local governments have promised change but it is time to break the gridlock. Pete knows that the time to act is now.
Join us! Come on Sunday and get a water testing kit. As a family, test your water, then report back to this site and post the results. Learn more about how we can work together to safeguard our water. Let's start by electing Pete Harckham to the Westchester County Legislature.
