Astorino outlines first term success at WCA breakfast BY SAM BARRON sbarron@westfairinc.com
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ounty Executive Robert P. Astorino pledged to protect taxpayers at the Westchester County Association’s annual breakfast at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. Astorino, whose first term expires this year, said that county spending has been reduced by 5.2 percent since he took office, while taxes have decreased by 2 percent. Astorino also pledged to protect the county’s reserve fund, saying it was critical to maintaining the AAA bond rating from Moody’s. The county executive also addressed this year’s budget process, which saw two Democrats vote with their Republican counterparts to approve the budget after other Democrats walked out. “We had a bipartisan coalition this year,” said Astorino. “It wasn’t elegant, but it got the job done. They reached across the aisle and showed political courage. This budget was compromise without compromising.” Mandate relief is necessary to keep Westchester sustainable, Astorino said. Pension costs have risen to $91 million, up from $35 million in 2008, while county taxpayers pay $7.3 billion in Medicaid costs. According to Astorino, 85 cents of every dollar in the county budget is spent on an unfunded mandate.
in brief
New Rochelle gets new development chief
Luiz C. Aragon has been appointed as New Rochelle’s new development commissioner, City Manager Charles B. Strome III recently announced. Previously, Aragon served as planning commissioner of Sullivan County. Before that, he was deputy commissioner of preservation and development for New York City. Aragon is considered an expert in community development, economic development and revitalization, housing, planning, and environmental management. As a member of the Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainable Consortium, Aragon helped develop a renewable energy plan to create jobs and lower costs in the region. “The development commissioner is integral to the advancement of our city, and we conducted an extensive search to find the best candidate,” said Strome. “Aragon has a distinguished record of accomplishments and I look forward to him joining our staff.” Aragon will assume his new position Feb. 11.
“Legislators promised mandate relief when they approved the tax cap,” he said. “No one checked to see if their fingers were crossed. Comprehensive mandate relief needs to be achieved.” Astorino said the county is a year ahead of schedule on building affordable housing units to settle a 2008 anti-discrimination lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). TWB Trusa is required to build 750 units The county WCBJ over seven years, and has already completed 7.375” w x 7.125” h 300. The county has been fighting HUD over 1/30/13 HUD’s requirement that landlords accept NEWSPRINT Section 8 vouchers. “They have a right to say no, and we will not take away that right,” said Astorino. Astorino has not formally committed to running for re-election.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Newsstand / Coffee Concession Opportunities MTA/Metro-North Railroad is seeking proposals from experienced professionals to lease, operate and maintain newsstands and coffee concessions at the White Plains, North White Plains, Bronxville and Mt. Vernon East stations in New York. More information on these properties and an explanation of the Request for Proposals (“RFP”) process by which these concessions will be offered to the public are available from the persons listed below as Points of Contact. All contacts with the MTA relating to this RFP must be made through these designated Points of Contact. Contact with anyone else at MTA related to this RFP may be a violation of the law & may result in the disqualification of the proposer. To receive a copy of the RFP and for administrative questions only, please contact: METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY Real Estate Department, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017-3739 Point of Contact: Odette Forestier - Tel: (212) 878-1043 or email MTARE@MTAHQ.ORG Reference No. RFP AB0113 For further information regarding the specific contents of the RFP, please contact: Point of Contact: Alicia Biggs - Tel: (212) 878-7148 or email ABIGGS@MTAHQ.ORG This information is also available on the Internet at: http//mta.info/mta/realestate/retail_leasing.html
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