March 17, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 11 | www.harrisonreview.com
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 8 | www.cityreviewnr.com
Mamaroneck mayor considers county run By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
State, county lawmakers consider Uber laws By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer While New York state lawmakers reconsider a law that would allow mobile-based ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft throughout the state, Westchester County could precede that law, as lawmakers here consider their own law. Ride-hailing services have been operating in New York City since May 2011, picking up riders who request a ride via a mobile app which automatically charges customers through a debit or credit card. But riders
and drivers have not been able to legally utilize popular ridebooking apps like Uber and Lyft anywhere outside of the five boroughs. However, Westchester, New York City’s closest neighboring county to the north, may soon look to become the exception to the statewide rule. County Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat who plans to run for county executive this fall, recently proposed legislation that would allow ride-hailing services to legally operate in Westchester. Currently, drivers of such vehicles are only allowed
to travel through Westchester if either the pickup or drop-off location is in New York City. The proposed county law, which was recommended to the county Public Safety and Social Services Committee on Feb. 13, would require drivers to submit to background checks and maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance, and for the app to display a photo of the driver’s face. “The main concerns are things that have to do with licensing,” Jenkins said. “But another fiscal consideration is the amount of money that goes
to municipalities that have taxi and limousine commissions [TLCs] locally.” He said that the county is seeking to draft a law that would allow ride-booking services in its municipalities without negatively impacting the revenue that they make through taxi medallions and similar fees administered by TLCs. If ride-hailing becomes legal in the county, providers would still have to receive individual approval from some municipalities which have TLCs, including White Plains and New Rochelle. Currently, UBER continued on page 9
Norman Rosenblum, the often outspoken Republican mayor of the village of Mamaroneck, is mulling going toeto-toe with Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker in what could be a hard-fought race along the Sound Shore, the Review has learned. According to Rosenblum— who has served as mayor in the village since 2010—he has been approached by county Republican Party officials multiple times, but has yet to make a final decision on whether to take the political leap. “There’s one basic principle that one decides on,” said Rosenblum, 74. “And that is what position can you best serve your community, and whether that is the village or the county remains to be seen.” Rosenblum told the Review that he plans on making a final decision on whether he will run for county office in the coming weeks. During his tenure as mayor, Rosenblum has fostered a loyal constituency in a primarily Democratic village, and has proven a stalwart in Mamaroneck where—despite consistent Democratic challenges— he has remained seated at the dais for four consecutive terms. At times, however, relations with Democrats on the Board of Trustees has taken contentious turns, culminating this
past year when Rosenblum unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against board Democrats that sought to subdue a referendum against his powers of appointment. Toppling Parker, a Rye Democrat, on a county stage, however, would likely prove Rosenblum’s biggest political challenge to date. In 2015—Parker’s last reelection bid—the two-term legislator coasted to an easy victory over Susan Watson, of Rye; Parker won with a formidable 59 percent of the total vote. Before winning election to the county Board of Legislators, Parker also served on the Rye City Council from 2008 to 2013. This year, in addition to all 17 seats of the county Board of Legislators being up for reelection, County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, who has held his post since 2010, is also expected to seek re-election. Westchester County’s 7th MAYOR continued on page 11
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