In a debate hosted by The Osborn, October 24, incumbent Judy Myers (D) and challenger Suzanna Keith (R) wasted little time making their points and distinguishing themselves from one another. The audience enjoyed a spirited discussion by the two candidates for the 7th District of the County Legislature.
In a debate hosted by The Osborn, October 24, incumbent Judy Myers (D) and challenger Suzanna Keith (R) wasted little time making their points and distinguishing themselves from one another. The audience enjoyed a spirited discussion by the two candidates for the 7th District of the County Legislature.
Ms. Keith spoke first and declared: “Getting our taxes down is the most important issue in this campaign.” Decrying the 20% increase in spending by the County over the last five years, and 16% increases in taxes, Keith said that high taxes “are like a second mortgage on the backs of families in the County.”
In her opening remarks, Ms. Myers stressed her experience and accomplishments since 2005. “I have gotten a lot of things done for the County and for Rye,” she said. Myers listed initiating and passing the storm water management law, and gaining $1.5 million for the sluice gate to be installed at Rye’s Bowman Avenue dam. “I’m most proud of achieving a 2.2% tax decrease in last year’s budget.”
The first question by the Civics Committee of The Osborn went right back to the subject of taxes: Why are they so high in Westchester? And how can they be reduced?
Ms. Keith was quick to point out: “It’s a bit disingenuous for my opponent to say she’s for tax relief when the Legislature reduced the fund balance by 19%, inflated sales tax estimates, which led to Moody’s giving the County a Negative Outlook on its debt.” Ms. Keith challenged her opponent to stipulate that County workers should contribute 20% to their health insurance, just as state and Rye City workers do. (Westchester County rank and file workers now contribute nothing.)
“We can cut spending smartly,” countered Ms. Myers, “but we can’t do that on the backs of those who can least afford it.” She expressed pride in protecting spending on health and safety, programs for seniors, and needed infrastructure such as the sluice gate. And she disputed Ms. Keith’s suggestion that the legislature had earmarked $1.1 million, saying she would forgive her opponent for her ignorance in budgeting and financial matters.
Lurking behind this campaign since it started is the fact that the County Legislature overturned County Executive Rob Astorino’s vetoes 247 times. Plainly, the two candidates see these veto overrides differently. Ms. Myers attacked the County Executive for proposing unwise cuts that harmed the needy; Ms. Keith supported him for “prudent spending cuts.”
On the important flooding issue, Ms. Myers repeatedly pointed to her record in establishing the regional flood management law and obtaining the funds for the sluice gate. And, she took a shot at Ms. Keith’s role on the City Council for not being “able to get that project moving.” “In fact,” Ms. Keith explained, “the State only gave us the money in April”; and the project is held up “awaiting Planning approval, not by Rye, but by the Village of Rye Brook.”
With just a minute for a final statement, brevity was the byline.
Said Ms. Myers, “I believe that I can continue to get things done as I have in the legislature, I will continue to put money in the budget for flooding, and I will continue to override vetoes.”
Ms. Keith said, “The big issue is tax relief. Can you remember a single bill Myers sponsored that passed into law and reduced our tax burden? I will be an independent voice.”
And with that, the candidates whisked their way off to another debate.