Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
August 18, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 33 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
LMCTV cost constrains HQ firehouse move By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Lights, camera, action!
In 2016, Westchester County brought in $30 million in film and TV production revenue. The county airport has been one of the popular filming locations for TV shows, including CBS’ “Madam Secretary.” For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy westchestergov.com
Astorino vetoes immigration bill; to rescind current policy By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Citing threats to public safety, Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed a bill to set forth a policy on immigration enforcement that had previously passed through the county Board of Legislators by a 10-5
vote earlier this month. According to Astorino, the bill would have put Westchester at odds with federal law enforcement agencies, ultimately leaving both legal and undocumented residents unprotected under the new law. “Unfortunately, it became a very political bill that jeopardizes public safety, and I
don’t want to put people at risk,” he said. Known as the Immigration Protection Act, the legislation piggybacked a current executive order by former County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, which Astorino has now pledged to repeal, too. On Aug. 16, Astorino also said
he will rescind the former county executive’s order relating to undocumented immigrants which has been in place since 2006. According to Astorino, after further research, it was discovered that the existing order also compromises the county’s relationship IMMIGRATION continued on page 9
More than a year after a decision to move public access channel LMCTV into a new headquarters on Mamaroneck Avenue was agreed on, unanticipated cost overruns continue to impede a viable lease agreement. According to village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, cost estimates of critical renovations to reconfigure the building—a historic, yet vacant, hook and ladder firehouse located at 122 Mamaroneck Ave.—have now soared to $2 million including new equipment investments after a previous estimate last year projected the cost to total $1.25 million. According to village Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, a new proposal to help secure the renovations necessary to accommodate LMCTV would see the village of Mamaroneck invest $500,000 into repairs and, in turn, increase the public broadcasting outfit’s monthly rent over the long term. Potok said specifics of those negotiations, including what LMCTV would pay in an increased monthly rent, have not yet been made public since the parties are still in negotiations. The nonprofit public access channel broadcasts municipal meetings for the villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont, as well as the town of Mamaroneck, in
addition to broadcasting original programming. LMCTV has repeatedly pushed for a new consolidated headquarters on Mamaroneck Avenue—it is currently spread out between two locales in the Mamaroneck Town Center and Mamaroneck High School—citing the benefits of maintaining a headquarters to being more visible to the public eye. In order to help accommodate LMCTV’s financial requirements, village Trustee Keith Waitt, a Democrat, has suggested letting them forego annual fees to the three corresponding municipalities, a figure totaling approximately $300,000 each year. In the meantime, Waitt said the village would seek New York state grants to help fund the move by LMCTV. Rosenblum said he has been in contact with state Assemblyman Steve Otis, a Rye Democrat, on the matter. Last year, the Board of Control—a governing body that consists of one representative from the town of Mamaroneck, and one each from the villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont—voted to authorize LMCTV’s move to the firehouse. But Waitt said the plan to waive fees has been met with a tepid response by members of the board representing the other communities. LMCTV continued on page 8