Westchester Legislators Welcome Seniors at Speak-Out in White Plains

A wide representation of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), led by Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and Community Services Committee Chair Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh), were on hand to welcome the Westchester County seniors attending the annual Legislative Speak-Out and Breakfast this morning at the Westchester County Center.

Among the topics discussed by both residents and elected officials was the impact of the proposed federal and state budgets for 2012-2013 on seniors. The Speak-Out and Breakfast is an important opportunity to emphasize the need for comprehensive and efficient, and number of the comments and questions offered by residents dealt with topics ranging from Social Security to health care reform, taxes and mental health services.

“This event allows us to hear from you, face to face, much in the same way we heard from County residents at the Board of Legislators’ public hearings on the budget,” Jenkins remarked to the participants at the Speak-Out. “Your ideas and concerns help us direct our efforts and energies when discussing spending and policy. Please know that the Legislators are always eager to hear from you. That’s what democracy is all about.”

Legislator Alfreda Williams, who serves as Chair of the BOL’s Community Services Committee, a co-sponsor with Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) of today’s event, said, “The Speak-Out is a great opportunity for Westchester’s seniors to express their concerns directly to the elected leaders who have been entrusted to protect and support programs that address the needs of our residents. In a forum like this, people feel comfortable talking about all kinds of issues, and the give-and-take can be very educational and beneficial to all.”

This past week, the BOL Legislation Committee, chaired by Legislator Bill Ryan (D-White Plains), began work on preparing the Joint Legislative Package, which is sent to the lawmakers in Albany and serves a general wish-list for program support and funding for Westchester County. Chairman Jenkins noted that hearing from residents at this point in the process during the preparations of the legislative package will help the legislators and other elected officials, including the County Executive, focus on the needs of seniors.

Chairman Jenkins said that one of the big issues he hears about from seniors is the need to protect access to senior centers, many of which are funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recent friction between County Executive Astorino and HUD officials and the federal monitor of the Westchester County fair and affordable housing settlement have threatened future CDBG grants coming to Westchester.

The need for public transportation was also addressed at the Speak-Out. Last week, Legislator Judy Myers (D-Larchmont) held a press conference in Rye and, joined by residents in front of the Milton Point senior complex, demanded restoration of the Route 76 county bus line between Port Chester and Rye.

“Either you are on the side of seniors and focusing on their needs or you aren’t—it’s that simple,” Jenkins concluded. “Around Westchester, seniors know the Board of Legislators consistently works to address their needs and protect the services they require—and deserve.