Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
May 25, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 21 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Killian picked as lt. governor candidate New York that is more affordable, accountable and accessible for all families and I am honored to join Former Rye City councilwom- his team as a true partner.” an and two-time state Senate Killian will hope for a better candidate Julie Killian has been outcome in November after sufpicked to run as lieutenant gov- fering two consecutive defeats ernor in Marc Molinaro’s upcom- in races for state Senate. Just last ing bid to unseat Andrew Cuomo. month, The Republican statewide she was defeated last month convention is scheduled to take by state Assemblywoman Shelplace on Wednesday, May 23, af- ley Mayer, a Yonkers Democrat, ter press time, where Molinaro, in what was being called a pivotal a Republican and the Dutchess special election for the 37th DisCounty executive is expected to trict Senate seat. be nominated as the GOP candiShe also lost a bid for the same date to run for governor in this seat in 2016 to state Sen. George November’s election. Latimer, who vacated the posiMolinaro announced his selec- tion this January to take office as tion of Killian on Sunday, May 20. Westchester County executive. “Julie Killian is a champion Prior to that, Killian spent six for people who have no voice, years on the Rye City Council, who are left behind, who are in serving from 2012-2017. crisis and she will never back During her last campaign, down from the challenges that Killian has called for a handful are facing our state,” Molinaro of ethics reforms in Albany, insaid in a statement. “I’m proud cluding term limits. She was also to have Julie as my partner in this a critic of New York’s economic campaign to restore New Yorkers’ development programs, which belief in the future of our state.” seem to reward political donors. Killian’s name was suggested If chosen by the New York Refor the position by a panel Mo- publican State Committee, Molinaro created in April to find a linaro will seek to defeat Cuomo, runningmate. The panel was or- a Democrat, in November. ganized by John Cahill, an offiIn a statement on Facebook, cial in former Gov. George Pat- the state Republican committee aki’s administration, and Mon- applauded Molinaro’s pick for roe County Executive Cheryl lieutenant governor, saying KilDinolfo. lian will “restore transparency, According to Molinaro’s cam- fiscal responsibility and honesty” paign, at least 20 candidates were in New York government. considered for the position, inCuomo is facing a primary cluding Dinolfo, the leading can- against actress Cynthia Nixon, didate who eventually stepped who is known for her political aside to support Killian. activism for public education and In a statement released by Mo- women’s health. linaro’s campaign, Killian said, “Marc and I share a vision of CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
Not so fast
Members of the Westchester delegation of elected officials have filed a report on storm response in the aftermath of two severe nor’easters earlier this year. Utility companies Con Edison and NYSEG were routinely criticized for their inadequate response to those storms which left residents without power for extended periods of time. For more, see page 6. Photo/James Grasso
Mamaroneck school budget passes, overrides tax cap By JAMES PERO Staff Writer In an overwhelming vote on May 15, the Mamaroneck public school budget passed, successfully overriding a state-imposed tax cap for the second year in a row. The $138.9 million budget was passed by 78 percent of voters—1,346 yes votes in support of the 2018-2019 budget to 383 votes opposing it—and raises the tax levy by 3.97 percent. Because of the tax cap override, a vote of 60 percent in favor or more was required in order for the budget to pass. The budget marks a 2.84
percent spending increase over the current year’s budget and exceeds the 2.87 percent tax cap. “This budget—which prioritizes staff additions to accommodate enrollment growth—will enable us to maintain favorable class sizes, continue to move the district forward in what it hopes to accomplish and achieve, and provide student support services to meet a range of student needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps in a statement. Behind Mamaroneck’s override is the school district’s ever-expanding enrollment which has ballooned throughout the last several years. According to
numbers provided by the district, since 2010 Mamaroneck has gained 640 students making it an outlier amongst neighboring school districts. That enrollment uptick marks a 13 percent increase of the district’s student body overall and is the equivalent of adding about one elementary school’s worth of students. Enrollment growth is not factored into either the state-imposed tax cap or the calculation of how much state aid a school receives. Earlier this year, the school district convened a subcommittee on space and enrollment, consisting of residents and educators,
to help decide the best course of action for the district’s future. That group held its first meeting in March. Due to increasing enrollment, the 2018-2019 budget also adds a little more than 21 full-time staff positions which includes three full-time teaching positions and four teaching assistant positions. While this budget adds staffing, constraints over the years have led to some budget cuts, including a 2017-18 budget which scaled down an extra-help program called APPLE, A Place People Learn Excellence, cutting BUDGET continued on page 9
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