County Execs of Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Discuss Major Issues Facing Hudson Valley

Westchester's new County Executive George Latimer made his Pattern debut Monday as he joined Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell for Pattern's annual Southern County Leaders event, held in Putnam County for the first time this year.

Moderated by Pattern's President & CEO Jonathan Drapkin, the three county executives discussed some of the major issues facing the lower Hudson Valley, including high taxes, the opioid epidemic, and the need for infrastructure upgrades. Additional questions came from audience members on topics ranging from labor contracts to tax-exempt properties to Governor Cuomo's recent executive order restoring voting rights to paroled felons.

All three executives agreed that high property taxes were of great concern, and the topic of shared services came up early on. Day explained that Rockland County is working on a shared services plan to save taxpayer money by encouraging greater inter-governmental cooperation. Latimer explained that in Westchester, with over 40 local governments, finding areas of cooperation is imperative, and explained that he plans to make it easier for local governments to partner with the county to deliver some public services.

Latimer also explained that Westchester was facing a budget deficit, which he is working to find ways to close. Day and Odell concurred, saying that their counties had also been in dire fiscal straits when they took office, but were now on a much firmer financial footing.

On infrastructure, Odell touted Putnam's work to build a connection to the Danbury sewer system, which will enable new commercial development along the Route 6 corridor near the Connecticut border.

The event was held at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac in front of a full house of around 150 attendees from throughout the region.