Vote for Kids 2013 Candidate Survey

7/27/2019 Vote for Kids 2013 Candidate Survey

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470 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 304 | White Plains, NY 10605 | p. 914.946.7676 | www.wca4kids.org

Candidate Survey on Childrens Issues

2013 Election

The VOTE for KIDS campaign is an initiative by the independent, nonpartisan organizationWestchester Childrens Associationthat aims to elevate Westchesters children and youth to

the top of the public agenda among candidates, elected officials, media, and the general public

during the upcoming elections.

As a critical part of the campaign, candidates for the general election in the County Executive,

County Clerk, District Attorney, and County Legislator races were invited to answer questions

about childrens issues in Westchester County.

This is a non-partisan effort; Westchester Children's Association does not support or oppose

any candidate for public office. We understand that voters do and should make decisionsbased on a variety of qualifications that go beyond responses to any one questionnaire.

Candidate responses or lack thereof are included in their entirety and in the exact manner that

we received them. We are grateful to the candidates who took the time to complete the

survey.

Please review these results and pass this document along to your friends, neighbors,

colleagues, and family before the November 5th

election

To find your County legislative district:

http://giswww.westchestergov.com/gismap/default.aspx?ovmap=elected

VOTE: Tuesday, November 5, 2013

6:00 AM 9:00 PM
http://giswww.westchestergov.com/gismap/default.aspx?ovmap=electedhttp://giswww.westchestergov.com/gismap/default.aspx?ovmap=electedhttp://giswww.westchestergov.com/gismap/default.aspx?ovmap=elected


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

If viewing online, click on the district to link to results.PAGE #

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE 4

ROBERT ASTORINO (R,CINCUMBENT)-DID NOT RESPOND. 4NOAM BRAMSON (D,I,WF) 4

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY 7

JANET DIFIORE (D,C,WFINCUMBENT) 7

WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 10

TIMOTHY IDONI (D,WFINCUMBENT) 10MARY BETH MURPHY (R,C,I)-DID NOT RESPOND. 11

WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS 12

DISTRICT 1(CORTLANDT,PEEKSKILL,YORKTOWN) 12DUANE JACKSON (D,WF) 12JOHN TESTA (R,C,IINCUMBENT)DID NOT RESPOND. 14

DISTRICT 2(BEDFORD,LEWISBORO,MT.KISCO,NORTH SALEM,POUND RIDGE,SOMERS) 14

PETERHARCKHAM (D,I,WF

INCUMBENT) 14ANDREA RENDO (R,C) 16

DISTRICT 3(MT.PLEASANT,NORTH CASTLE,PLEASANTVILLE) 18MICHAEL J.SMITH (R,C,IINCUMBENT) 18

DISTRICT 4(NEW CASTLE,SOMERS,YORKTOWN) 20GREGORY P.KANE (R)DID NOT RESPOND. 20MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ (D,IINCUMBENT) 20

DISTRICT 5(HARRISON,SCARSDALE,WHITE PLAINS) 22BENJAMIN BOYKIN II(D,I,WF) 22

MIRIAM LEVITT FLISSER,MD(R,C) 24

DISTRICT 6(HARRISON,PORT CHESTER,RYE BROOK) 27DAVID GELFARB (R,CINCUMBENT) 27MARKJAFFE (D,I,WF) 29

DISTRICT 7(HARRISON,LARCHMONT,MAMARONECK,NEW ROCHELLE,RYE) 31CATHERINE PARKER(D) 31JOHN VERNI (R,C,I,GRE) 33


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DISTRICT 8(ELMSFORD,GREENBURGH,SLEEPY HOLLOW,TARRYTOWN) 35ALFREDA WILLIAMS (D,I,WFINCUMBENT) 35

DISTRICT 9(BRIARCLIFF,OSSINING,CROTON,CORTLANDT,PEEKSKILL) 37CATHERINE BORGIA (D,I,WFINCUMBENT) 37PETERTRIPODI (R,C) 39

DISTRICT 10(EASTCHESTER,NEW ROCHELLE,TUCKAHOE) 41MARY JO JACOBS (D,WF) 41SHEILA M.MARCOTTE (R,C,IINCUMBENT) 44

DISTRICT 11(NEW ROCHELLE,PELHAM,PELHAM MANOR) 46JAMES MAISANO (R,C,I,WFINCUMBENT) 46STAVROS PANTELIS (D) 48

DISTRICT 12(ARDSLEY,DOBBS FERRY,EDGEMONT,HARTSDALE,HASTINGS ON HUDSON,

IRVINGTON) 50MARYJANE SHIMSKY (D,I,WFINCUMBENT) 50

DISTRICT 13(MOUNT VERNON) 53LYNDON WILLIAMS (D,WFINCUMBENT) 53

DISTRICT 14(MOUNT VERNON,YONKERS) 55RACHELLE ROCKYRICHARD (D,WF) 55BERNICE SPRECKMAN (R,C,IINCUMBENT) 57

DISTRICT 15(BRONXVILLE,YONKERS) 59GORDON BURROWS (R,C,IINCUMBENT)DID NOT RESPOND. 59DELFIM HEUSLER(WF) 59

DISTRICT 16(YONKERS) 61KENNETH JENKINS (D,I,WFINCUMBENT) 61

DISTRICT 17(YONKERS) 63NERISSA PENA (I)DID NOT RESPOND. 63VIRGINIA PEREZ (DINCUMBENT)DID NOT RESPOND. 63JOSE ROMAN (WF)DID NOT RESPOND. 63

INDEX OF CANDIDATE RESPONSES ALPHABETICALLY BY LAST NAME 64

Party Affiliations

C = Conservative I = Independent

D = Democrat R = Republican

Gre = Green WF = Working Families


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Westchester County Executive

Robert Astorino (R, C Incumbent) -Did not respond.

Noam Bramson (D, I, WF)

Best Way to Contact:

Address: PO Box 1556, New Rochelle, NY 10802

E-mail address: [email protected]

Phone Number: (914) 618-4917

For several years, county funding for youth programs has remained the same or decreased,

while school districts have had to cut back on their afterschool programs. These programs

serve as a positive influence on youth by providing tutoring, mentoring and recreational

activities.

Do you think the county has a role in supporting youth development programs? If so,

what specific actions or policies will you support if you are elected?

The County has an important role in supporting youth development programs that

promote positive opportunities, experiences, and choices. Mayor Bramson supports a

range of programming, including summer, academic enrichment, recreational after-

school, and employment-related programs, in which youth feel safe and supported,

while acquiring positive values and skills. By prioritizing these programs, we keep youth

on productive pathways and increase their chances of achieving success. If elected,

Mayor Bramson will work with staff, non-profits and leaders to ensure a County-wideagenda in which youth needs are addressed appropriately and consistently.

Studies show that youth who miss out on an early work experience are more likely to endure

later unemployment and less likely to achieve higher levels of career attainment. The US

Census Bureau estimates that in Westchester County, from 2007 to 2011, youth

unemployment rates dramatically increased for both 16-19 year olds and 20-24 year olds. The

unemployment rate for 16-19 year olds went from 21% in 2007 to 29.6% in 2011. The

unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds more than doubled from 9.8% in 2007 to 20% in 2011.

Do you think the county has a role in supporting youth employment? If so, what

specific actions or policies will you support if you are elected?

It is important for the County to support youth employment initiatives, including job

training and placement, transitional programs, and promotion of mentoring,

apprenticeship, and internship opportunities. Work experience provides income,

training, and skills that will benefit our youth and our economy for years to come.


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Noam Bramson (continued)

Alcohol or drug use hinders a young persons safety, ability to stay in school, pursue higher

education, and find and keep a job. Without access to rehabilitation programs and support,

young peoples use ofalcohol and drugs can lead to addiction. According to the 2011 Youth

Development self-reported survey, 30.1% of 10th graders in Westchester County had used

alcohol in the last month and 11.0% had used marijuana. 52.8% of 12th graders surveyed inWestchester County reported having used alcohol in the last month and 28.8% reported using

marijuana.

Do you think the county has a role in helping young people who struggle with alcohol

and drug use/addiction? If so, what specific actions or policies will you support if you

are elected?

Alcohol and drug dependence affect young people and adults across social and

economic lines. Mayor Bramson supports programs to help young people who struggle

with alcohol and drug use/ addiction, including funding for early intervention efforts,

education (including parental awareness), prevention and treatment programs. TheCounty must work seamlessly with schools, parents, and not-for-profit leaders to ensure

that the needs of young people are met comprehensively, also addressing

accompanying issues such as behavioral or mental health issues.


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Westchester County District Attorney

Janet DiFiore (D, C, WF Incumbent)


Address: Westchester County District Attorney's Office, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601

Phone Number: 914-995-4200




activities.



As District Attorney, I am limited in my ability to engage in public advocacy on non-

criminal justice issues, regardless of my personal support for various public positions.

This has been the case during my two terms as District Attorney and in the years when I

served as a judge. That said, I have been a strong advocate for Westchesters children

throughout my career and as District Attorney I have introduced initiatives directed at

enhancing the safety and wellbeing of our children. When I was a County Court Judge

sitting in the Family Court, I designed and presided in the Juvenile Delinquency Part,

created to provide children with appropriate dispositions that protect the public while

at the same time take into account their age and assist them and their families to

refocus their behaviors with educational, social and other services. When I began my

first term as District Attorney, one of my eariest initiatives was the establishment of

Westchester Countys Child Fatality Review Team and Multi-Disciplinary Team. The CFRT

has reviewed every suspicious death of a child in Westchester County since its inception

in 2006. The MDTs goal is to reduce trauma to child victims of crime by limiting

interviews and providing medical examinations by forensically trained medical

professionals in a child friendly environment. These two innovations foster cooperative

efforts among the District Attorneys Office and our partners in government to

investigate cases and increase the likelihood of conviction, as well as analyze risks to

children and provide parents and caregivers with information about products and

practices that can improve child safety. My office has partnered with DSS andeducation professionals in Yonkers to address chronic absences among young people, in

an effort to address the troubling link between failure in school and future involvement

with the criminal justice system. I am committed to our robust presence in Westchester

County schools aimed at preventing crime and increasing awareness of public safety

issues. Assistant District Attorneys speak with students and parents on issues that


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Janet DiFiore (continued)

include internet safety, bullying, alcohol and drugs, and animal cruelty. We conduct

regular trainings for school professionals, particularly on internet safety and bullying.

My office has worked with partners in the insurance industry to bring driving simulators

to to teens in our schools so that they experience the danger of texting while driving.

My staff participates in court tours for groups of young people, introducing them to thecourt system and the people who perform important roles. An important feature of this

interaction is that, in addition to receiving important public safety information, young

people see that there are many career opportunities in the legal profession and criminal

justice system that may interest them. Finally, on a personal note, I am proud to serve

on the Board of the Westchester Childrens Museum, an organization that is committed

to providing enrichment and high quality family activities that the children of

Westchester County need and deserve.


later unemployment and less likely to achieve higher levels of career attainment. The USCensus Bureau estimates that in Westchester County, from 2007 to 2011, youth






Please see answer to question above.

Children in quality child care programs receive long-lasting social and educational benefits,ensuring their safety and wellbeing while their parents are at work. In 2012, the average

weekly cost for child care for infants in Westchester County was $324, while the average

weekly cost was $297 for toddlers and $267 for preschoolers.

Do you think the county has a role in maintaining affordable child care?

If so, what specific actions or policies will you support if you are

elected?


Older youth face an increasing number of challenges as they transition to adulthood

including, furthering their education, securing employment and finding affordable housing.

According to a study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2012, three-quarters of the

job openings in the next decade will require skills beyond high school. Yet, the 2012 New York

State Aspirational Performance Measure finds 50.8% of Westchester students that graduate

from public high schools are not college/career ready.


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Janet DiFiore (continued)

Do you think the county has a role in helping youth transition to adulthood? If so,





young peoples use of alcohol and drugs can lead to addiction. According to the 2011 Youth


alcohol in the last month and 11.0% had used marijuana. 52.8% of 12th graders surveyed in

Westchester County reported having used alcohol in the last month and 28.8% reported using

marijuana.


and drug use/addiction? If so, what specific actions or policies will you support if youare elected?



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Westchester County Clerk

Timothy Idoni (D, WF Incumbent)


Address: 45 Interlaken Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801E-mail address: [email protected]





activities.



The county, with its broad tax base has a responsibilty to be involved in tutoring,

memtoring and after school progrmans. It can use its broad political power to gain

grants that can be used by localities to produce and support such programs.









Tghe county muost definitely has a riole to play in the production and support of yourh

employment. It has access to state grants unavaialble at the local lwevel and can

sptread monies aroun d to thiose areas most in need.

Children in quality child care programs receive long-lasting social and educational benefits,

ensuring their safety and wellbeing while their parents are at work. In 2012, the average




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Timothy C. Idoni (continued)



elected?

Absolutely, . Theh raising of child care costs this year has hurt those most definitely inneed, putting child care for some completely out of reach. The creation of new "slots" is

disengenuous. Producing new slots that are unaffordabnle hujrts, not helps. The lower

price should be restored to ensore fairness..









The county must take the lead in progressive educational and work-related training. No

one municipality can bear the brunt of this deep responsibility. The County should be

working with building trades as well as educational institutions to broaden the proarams

necessary to raise the bar for all


education, and find and keep a job. Without access to rehabilitation programs and support,young peoples use of alcohol and drugs can lead to addiction. According to the 2011 Youth




marijuana.



are elected?

The county has been a leader in this field under the previous admionistration. The

county needs to re-start and/or reinforce these priograms before a major part tof the

next generation is lost. Ignoring the problem is incresing the problem.

Mary Beth Murphy (R, C, I) - Did not respond.


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Westchester County Board of Legislators

District 1 (Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown)

Duane Jackson (D, WF)


Address: 6 Lake Drive, Buchanan, NY 10511


Phone Number: (781) 632-2769




activities.



Yes, I feel the county has a specific role in supporting youth development. Some

programs that I would support if elected are enrichment program for youth that

involve learning how to play musical instruments. I would also support efforts by the

county to work with the local school systems for youth and teenage after school

programs. I feel that youth development programs in Westchester County is extremely

important and should be a priority.









Yes, I feel that the county has a role in supporting youth employment. Some actions I

would take are apprentice programs at our counties recreation centers, golf courses,

and at the Playland Park, allowing young people to learn the mechanics of work and

gaining individual experience in different tasks.


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Duane Jackson (continued)







elected?

Yes, I feel that the county has a role in maintaining affordable child care. Some actions I

would take if elected include forming a partnership with Westchester County, New York

State, the Federal Department of Education, and the Federal Department of Health,

Education, and Welfare in order to strengthen early child care services. Other actions

that I support are sharing of after school program resources within towns, villages, andcountywide. I would also work with the County Executive and my fellow Legislators to

lower the cost of child care to make it more affordable for the middle class.









Yes, I feel that the county has a role in helping youth transition to adulthood. This can be

accomplished by an extensive internship program at all county agencies where we train

our high school students on different employment opportunities at the county level. I

would implement a county agreement with housing developers to set aside affordable

housing specifically for young adults.

Alcohol or drug use hinders a young persons safety, ability to stay in school, pursue highereducation, and find and keep a job. Without access to rehabilitation programs and support,





marijuana.


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Duane Jackson (continued)



are elected?

Yes, I feel that the county has a role in helping young people who struggle with alcoholand other addictions. Some actions I would take if elected is ensuring safe access to

health centers to prevent and rehabilitate those affected by alcohol and other

addictions. If elected I will also support specialized schools for troubled youth, which

helps toward not only rehabilitation but also continuing their education.

John Testa (R, C, I Incumbent) Did not respond.

District 2 (Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers)

Peter Harckham (D, I, WF Incumbent)


Address: P.O. Box 464, Katonah, NY 10536




while school districts have had to cut back on their afterschool programs. These programsserve as a positive influence on youth by providing tutoring, mentoring and recreational

activities.



Absolutely. I have led the fight against cuts and unfair increases in family share.

Childcare has been proven to improve childhood development while at the same time

saving taxpayer dollers. We MUST restore our investments in childcare, child nutrition

and after school programs.








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Peter Harckham (continued)



Yes. Playland is the number one youth employer in Westchester county. I am leary of

proposals to privitize the management of Playland without guarantees of continuedemployment opportunities for Westchester's youth. Further, cuts have been made to

contract to non profits that offer mentoring opportunities to teens as well.






If so, what specific actions or policies will you support if you areelected?

I have fought, quite publicly, the cuts to Title xx, Low income childcare as well as

increases in parent share. We must reduce the parent share and open Title XX to new

applicants.





State Aspirational Performance Measure finds 50.8% of Westchester students that graduatefrom public high schools are not college/career ready.



The county has unwisely cut funding to after school programs for teens. We must invest

in our youth so that they are prepared to enter the work force as confident, capable

adults. We must restore funding to after school programs.






marijuana.


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Peter Harckham (continued)



are elected?

I passed legislation restricting the over the counter sale of cough medecine. I passedlegislation holding adults accountable for parties in their homes where alcohol is served.

The county must do more in the area of community mental health. The jury is still out

on whether outsourcing our community mental health clinics was wise. Further, we

must restore funding to neighborhood health centers as well.

Andrea Rendo (R, C)


Address: 239 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549E-mail address: [email protected]





activities.



Children are the future of this county and our nation. In order to ensure that our future

remains bright we must commit the resources necessary to insure the best possible

education for our children including those children with special needs. Being a working

mother I appreciate the need for adequate and affordable child care and I feel it is

important to educate mothers and families as to what programs and assistance are

available to them to make sure they are able to appreciate all possible resources. I

have been a criminal defense attorney for many years and a great deal of my practice

involves representing the indigent as a member of the Assigned Counsel Panel for

Westchester County. I have learned, in my representation of the youth of our

community, that one good and solid mentor or advisor in their lives can make adifference in the choices they make. Such mentoring or advice may come from

individuals as well as well-crafted programs. As far as legislation or the commitment of

resources towards these ends, until I have had an opportunity to review a specific

program and/or the language of any legislation associated with that program, I cannot

effectively determine what my course of action might be.


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Andrea Rendo (continued)





unemployment rate for 16-19 year olds went from 21% in 2007 to 29.6% in 2011. Theunemployment rate for 20-24 year olds more than doubled from 9.8% in 2007 to 20% in 2011.



Please see my response to question above. Thank you.



weekly cost for child care for infants in Westchester County was $324, while the averageweekly cost was $297 for toddlers and $267 for preschoolers.



elected?

Please see my response to question above. Thank you.



According to a study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2012, three-quarters of thejob openings in the next decade will require skills beyond high school. Yet, the 2012 New York





Please see my answer to question above. Thank you.






marijuana.


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Andrea Rendo (continued)



are elected?

Please see my answer to question above. Thank you.

District 3 (Mt. Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville)

Michael J. Smith (R, C, I Incumbent)


Address: Westchester County Board of Legislators, 148 Martine Ave., Eighth Floor,

White Plains, NY 10601

E-mail address: [email protected] Number: 914-995-2847




activities.



Westchester County, does have a role in supporting youth development programs. In

the 2014, I will continue support programs that will favorably impact our future. All

County wide spending must continually be evaluated on an annual basis to ensure that

the taxpayers hard-earned tax dollars are optimally allocated.









The County does have a role in supporting youth employment. The macroeconomic

impacts of the United States economy have had a significant impact on the change in


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Michael J. Smith (continued)

youth unemployment metrics from 2007 to 2011. The County dollars are best spent in

programs that are creative and not overly reliant upon governmental oversight. I will

continue support to judicious spending of taxpayer's dollars towards programs that will

generate meaningful results in youth employment.







elected?

The county has been doing a very good job in maintaining affordable childcare. The

rates that Westchester citizens who were availing themselves for the services were

among the lowest in the New York state. Currently, the parent share in Westchester

County is lower than virtually every major county in New York. Difficult choices as to the

use of Westchester taxpayer dollars must annually be evaluated. The 2013 coalition

budget approved by the County legislators who took their job seriously and stayed in

the room to vote reflected a compromise that benefited in particular affordable

childcare for another year in Westchester County. Westchester County voters must vote

for legislators who will take their job seriously and negotiate for the best interests of all

County taxpayers, not run away on their most important function.









While the County does have some role in assisting youth transition to adulthood

through the integration of its programs, the majority of the responsibility lies within our

local school districts, school leadership and our Westchester County parents. The New

York State Department of Education has made many missteps in their efforts to raiseeducational outcomes. Their unwillingness to acknowledge these shortcomings will have

significant consequences in the years to come. School districts need to have the ability

to have the appropriate personnel teaching our children. New York State tenure

regulations require school districts to make up to a 30 year employment decision based

upon the first three years of a teacher's work experience. This simply can no longer be

accepted.


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Michael J. Smith (continued)





alcohol in the last month and 11.0% had used marijuana. 52.8% of 12th graders surveyed inWestchester County reported having used alcohol in the last month and 28.8% reported using

marijuana.



are elected?

The largest role in helping young people with alcohol and drug use should come from

the parental home. If parents are not providing positive role model behavior in their

own homes, the effectiveness of any other program is generally going to be of limitedvalue. That being said, there may be countywide programs that may be eventually

effective. It is disappointed to hear that programs such as DARE have generally been

considered not to be effective. While no comprehensive solutions have yet evolved, that

does not mean that we should surrender on this issue.

District 4 (New Castle, Somers, Yorktown)

Gregory P. Kane (R) Did not respond.

Michael Kaplowitz (D, I Incumbent)


Address: 8th Floor, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601


Phone Number: 914 995-2848




activities.


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Michael Kaplowitz (continued)Do you think the county has a role in supporting youth development programs? If so,


Yes. I believe Westchester County can play a positive role in youth development

programs and will continue to support both funding and programs that make this

happen. Such funding for example as Invest in Kids and its many component programs

throughout the county.









One of the largest youth employers is Playland and I support a private/public solution to

keep Playland open, financially healthy and positioned to hire significant numbers of

youth during both the critical summer hiring season and even year-round.







elected?

Yes, and I am both proud of my 16 year record in investing significant resources in

affordable child care in this county as well as being part of the bi-partisan coalition in

2013 that came up with the $3.9 million to keep the parental share at 27% versus the

35% parental share as the 2013 budget originally proposed. If we are able to financially

allocate additional resources in a fiscally responsible way in the future, I will support

investing some of those additional dollars in affordable child care.








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Michael Kaplowitz (continued)Do you think the county has a role in helping youth transition to adulthood? If so,


I do think we can play a positive role here and look to our county social service

government leaders as well as non-government advocates to propose such actions andpolicies.







marijuana.



are elected?

Yes, working with schools, community organizations, parents and young people

themselves, the County can play a positive role through our Department of Social

Services as well as the Youth Bureau.

District 5 (Harrison, Scarsdale, White Plains)

Benjamin Boykin II (D, I, WF)


Address: 78 Midchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606


Phone Number: 914 328 7808

For several years, county funding for youth programs has remained the same or decreased,while school districts have had to cut back on their afterschool programs. These programs


activities.


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Benjamin Boykin II (continued)



I will continue to support and provide funds for programs such as Invest In Kids, Youth

Employment Programs, Step Up Program, just to name a few of the activities supportedby the County. The County has a role in providing funds to help the most vulnerable,

including seniors, our youth and the sick.









Yes. Youth employment is critical to providing opportunities for youth to have jobs to

acquire lifelong skills relating to work - resume preparation, interview skills, being on

time to work, giving an honest day's work for pay and knowing how to dress for the job.

As noted above, I will continue to support Youth employment opportunities as I have

done in my 14 years on the White Plains Common Council and my prior service as a

member of the White Plains School Board.

Children in quality child care programs receive long-lasting social and educational benefits,ensuring their safety and wellbeing while their parents are at work. In 2012, the average





elected?

Yes. One of my County priorities is to preserve affordable child care for the working

poor. The cutback in child care funding has driven many parents from work to welfare.The number of child care slots have decreased from about 2,800 to about 2,200. Spots

are not being filled because parents cannot afford the increased cost due to the

decreased child care subsidy.


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Benjamin Boykin II (continued)








High quality education is critical to economic stability and upper mobility in an

increasing competitive global society. Schools and home and parental involvement are

the key components for great education. The County has a role to play such as

providing for enrichment opportunities with numerous programs and assisting with the

funding of various community organizations. I will support this funding at the CountyBoard.







marijuana.

Do you think the county has a role in helping young people who struggle with alcoholand drug use/addiction? If so, what specific actions or policies will you support if you

are elected?

The County can assist young people through the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Given the magnitude of the problem, the DSS may have to increase efforts with more

focus on youth addiction. Additional social workers and psychologists may need to be

available to provide counseling to young people undergoing physical and mental issues

as part of rehabilitation.

Miriam Levitt Flisser, MD (R, C)




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Miriam Levitt Flisser, MD (continued)




activities.



Before and after school care is offered by many local organizations and schools. In

White Plains there are organizations, including the YMCA on Mamaroneck Avenue that

have robust and well attended programs. In Scarsdale, the community supports Kids

BASE for before and after school activities. These are wonderful organizations with care

priced to be affordable. In addition, Westchester County has an active Youth Bureau,

chaired by Dr. Iris Pagan, with numerous programs, athletic fields and events.









Youth unemployment is the result of broader economic and policy decisions made atthe federal and state level. Westchester County offers numerous opportunities for

youth summer employment at county pools and recreational facilities. As a County

Legislator, I will support policies to encourage business development because that

means jobs!







elected?

The County has an excellent record in providing affordable child care. Subsidized

daycare applications and spending have risen since Rob Astorino was elected County

Executive. I will support these policies.


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Miriam Levitt Flisser, MD (continued)








Inability to transition to adulthood is complicated. It is a function of the family, schools,

and the economy. As a pediatrician, I see increased struggling with teens who are not

ready to make the leap into adulthood. Westchester County supports nurturing family

life in many ways, including parks, recreational facilities, athletics, daycare and

counseling. The taxpayers of our municipalities would not appreciate intrusion on the

policies of individual school districts. Lack of readiness for adulthood is also affected bythe lack of jobs and lackluster job growth. This is a national problem that we need to

solve with national policies.







marijuana.Do you think the county has a role in helping young people who struggle with alcohol


are elected?

Addiction services must be patient centered. Parents have the right to peace of mind

concerning accountability of programs designed to produce results. We must renew

and revitalize the culture of parenting, with investment in the security of the family. This

will rejuvenate and rekindle our commitment to our children, the children of

Westchester, the children of the world.


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District 6 (Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook)

David Gelfarb (R, C Incumbent)


Address: 141 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601E-mail address: [email protected]

Phone Number: 9149952834




activities.



Yes, the County has a role in supporting youth development. I advocated for and helped

secure funding for Tools for Change, a high school program that teaches social science

research techniques to high school students. I favor supporting, reading, academic and

sports programs. Reading is fundamental and many children and adults are benefitted

both from reading and being read to. County parks are an excellent resource for youth

programs.









I will continue to support the Parks and Recreation Department's efforts in hiring youth

for summer work. I want Playland, regardless of who manages it, to continue hiring

Westchester youth. I believe that we cannot go on being the highest taxed county in thenation. AS we develop a more favorable business climate, more businesses will locate

and grow here, and that will provide more jobs for our youth, both seasonal and

permanent.


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David Gelfarb (continued)







elected?

Yes and I support our involvement in providing day care subsidies. By providing

affordable child care, we enable and encourage Westchester residents to work, be

gainfully employed and to leave public assistance. I supported the compromise budget

of 2013 which enabled the County to continue providing day care subsidies.









The County plays a vital role in helping youth transition to adulthood. I have supported

and will continue to support action by the County to ensure a safe environment in our

schools, maintain the economic growth of the County, and create a tax environment

which allows young adults to remain in our communities. I also support keeping up our

top notch public health services, schools, parks and other amenities provided by the

County.






marijuana.


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David Gelfarb (continued)



are elected?

We must adequately fund our mental health services. That is both true in thecommunity and in our county jail, where many inmates require mental health services.

Our nation has moved away from large institutions for those with mental illness, and we

must work to provide services at the local level. Our SRO's (school resource officers)

have a role to play in counseling kids in the schools where they work away from abusing

substances. I support the role that our County police have played during prom season in

attempting to limit alcohol abuse during prom season.

Mark Jaffe (D, I, WF)


Address: 2900 Westchester Ave, Suite 4500, Purchase, NY 10577






activities.

Do you think the county has a role in supporting youth development programs? If so,what specific actions or policies will you support if you are elected?

The County in its role with Westchester Community College can and should play a

leading role on after school and youth development programs









As CEO of Greater NY Chamber of Commerce I have experience working with youth

employment and will advocate to create more and support all youth training and

employment opportunities.


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Mark Jaffe (continued)







elected?

We should strive to assist those who want to work and search for every dollar that will

allow us to maintain affordable child care slots for Westchester's working families that

seek such assistance.


including, furthering their education, securing employment and finding affordable housing.According to a study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2012, three-quarters of the






Again, this important transition role can be done in combination with the board of

legislators using the resources of Westchester Community College as well as employers;

including the many not for profits in the area







marijuana.


are elected?

The legislative body has a duty to help with rehabilitation and support programs to keep

people out of dangerous situations that will be costly if no dealt with early on. We need

to work closely with our federal and state partners to help fund the cost of these

important mandates.


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District 7 (Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye)

Catherine Parker (D)


Address: P.0. Box 592, Mamaroneck, NY 10543E-mail address: [email protected]




activities.



We need to continue to support youth development programs because when we invest

in our children we invest Westchesters future. We need to work with the Westchester

County Youth Bureau to coordinate county and municipal programs to preserve and

create after school mentorship, recreation, and tutoring opportunities that help our

children grow. I will fight for our values by protecting youth development programs in

the County budget.




unemployment rates dramatically increased for both 16-19 year olds and 20-24 year olds. Theunemployment rate for 16-19 year olds went from 21% in 2007 to 29.6% in 2011. The




As a member of the Rye City Council, I supported the Sustainable Playland development

plan because it will make the park accessible all year round and create more

employment opportunities for our youth. If elected to the Board of Legislators, I will

continue to support projects that create year round job opportunities for our teenagersand keep at-risk youth off of the streets.






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Catherine Parker (continued)Do you think the county has a role in maintaining affordable child care?


elected?

As a mother of two, I know how difficult it is to raise children in Westchester while

maintaining a full work schedule. I believe that County government needs to help

working families gain access to affordable childcare providers to help their children

learn and grow. I was happy last year when the Westchester County Board of Legislators

successfully lifted the cap on childcare slots. If elected I would work with the

Department of Social Services to continue to meet the needs of the people of

Westchester County.




job openings in the next decade will require skills beyond high school. Yet, the 2012 New YorkState Aspirational Performance Measure finds 50.8% of Westchester students that graduate




An important part of the transition to adulthood is learning how to be a part of the

workforce. Thats why as a small business owner and former President ofthe Rye

Chamber of Commerce, Ive supported youth internship programs with the Rye City

School District. These programs allow students to develop a firsthand understanding of

business and deeper ties with their community. On the County Legislator, I will work tomake sure that local municipalities provide similar opportunities for all of our children.







marijuana.


are elected?

Westchester County should support young people who struggle with alcohol and drug

addiction. On the Board of Legislators, I will work with County, State and Federal

organizations to increase substance abuse education and training for local officials. I

want to make sure that those at risk can get access to the help they need.


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John Verni (R, C, I, Gre)


Address: P.O. Box 584, Mamaroneck, NY 10543





activities.



I support programs that empower our children. I served for 6 years as an Assistant

District Attorney in Westchester County. During my service in the DA's office I was

involved in a program funded by the County called PRO LAW, in which the ADAs would

go out the community and speak to our young people about the criminal justice system

and issues confronting teenagers. I have also served as the training officer for the New

Rochelle Youth Court in which I trained high school students to be prosecutors, defense

attorneys, and judges on actual youthful offender cases referred from the Family Court.

The decisions reached by the students are binding. Everyone benefits from the

experience. I believe that programs like these, which are run largely by volunteers,

with some County or local funding, empower our youth by giving them some real life

experience in fields of study they may pursue in the future. These are just a few of the

many programs that can empower our youth with a little seed money.

Studies show that youth who miss out on an early work experience are more likely to endurelater unemployment and less likely to achieve higher levels of career attainment. The US







As I mentioned in my last answer, I support programs that empower our youth and cangive young people a real experience in the work place. Internships are valuable to

develop skills and expose students to actual workings of various fields of employment. I

have benefitted from such internships myself. To the extent that the County can

facilitate these internship programs, the dividends will certainly be many times greater

than our investment.


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John Verni (continued)Children in quality child care programs receive long-lasting social and educational benefits,






elected?

Affordable health care enables our working class to remain in the workforce and to be

self-sufficient. The funding of health care is complicated, and has become even more

complicated with the recent changes in federal health care law. The County should

make sure that the dollars expended for health care are deployed effectively and for the

benefit of those most in need.

Older youth face an increasing number of challenges as they transition to adulthoodincluding, furthering their education, securing employment and finding affordable housing.







It is an unfortunate fact of life in Westchester that high taxes and the inefficient delivery

of services has made the cost of living too great for our young adults who would like toremain in our community and start their families and careers in Westchester. We must

have the County Government we need at a price we can afford. This will enable young

college grads to return to Westchester so we do not suffer a "brain drain" from

Westchester to other parts of the country. We must create a business environment

that creates jobs in this County, while at the same time promoting "smart growth",

transit-oriented developments to bring more workforce housing for our young people

just starting out.






marijuana.


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John Verni (continued)Do you think the county has a role in helping young people who struggle with alcohol


are elected?

As a former Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County, I know too well thedangers of alcohol and drug addiction. During my time in the DA's office, I referred

many people to programs such as T.A.S.C. (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) to

deal with their addictions. Moreover, the creation of several Drug Parts throughout the

County have helped coordinate the efforts of the criminal justice system and social

service providers to address all aspects of the problems related to addiction.

District 8 (Elmsford, Greenburgh, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown)

Alfreda Williams (D, I, WF Incumbent)


Address: 148 Martine Ave., White Plains, NY 10601






activities.



The county definitely has a role and a responsibility. I fully support youth development

including after-school programs. At the very least, funding should be restored to the

2010 levels. Ideally, there should be an increase and program expansion to make up for

this year's lost. If Westchester county is remain a leader in the Bio-tech industry and

others requiring higher education we must educate our young people to equip them to

fill these positions.








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Alfreda Williams (continued)



The county has an important role to play in youth employment. Current programs aregreatly unfunded. I support increased funding for summer job programs, internships,

work-study programs combined with homework assistance and tutoring programs to

assist young people to raise their educational competency levels so they can compete

in the labor market.







elected?

I feel very strongly that the county has to support safe, reliable, educational child care.

The long-term positive benefits are unquestionable. The administration's increase in

the parent share, the elimination of the child care scholarship program,freezing of title

XX, all send the wrong message to low to moderate income families: that their children

do not matter. Nothing could be further from the truth! These families need all the help

available to keep them employed, off the welfare rolls, and give their children the road

to a better future. I support a reduction in the parent share and return of daycarescholarships and increase in Title XX .







Do you think the county has a role in helping youth transition to adulthood? If so,what specific actions or policies will you support if you are elected?

As I mentioned in response to question 1, the county has a critical role. I support an

increase in youth development funding of all types. This includes increased funding for

after-school, mentoring, internships, youth employment, etc.


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Alfreda Williams (continued)



young peoples use of alcohol and drugs ca

Documents

Vote for Kids 2013 Candidate Survey