I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. Sheila and I are doing well, as are our children, Sean and Kiley. We just wish they would stop growing up so fast.
Professionally, as the Station Manager and Program Director of The Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, I have been quite busy since the beginning of the year preparing for Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States, which begins Tuesday when his plane touches down at Andrews Air Force Base I will have the honor of being at most of the papal events in both Washington, D.C. and New York and hope to meet the Holy Father next Saturday at Cardinal Egan’s residence in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The Pontiff’s apostolic message of love and hope is much needed in today’s often cynical and violent world.
Politically, I have remained active in trying to bring about the change we desperately need in Westchester . As you know, county taxes have risen 54% under Andy Spano in the last 8 years. With the economy heading for a major downturn and taxes surely to increase again, people are really starting to question this administration’s spending habits. In his State of the County address last week, Mr. Spano spent six minutes blaming everyone else for the painfully high taxes and 54 minutes justifying the need for his large bureaucracy. When asked by News 12 that evening if I was planning on running again for county executive, I gave them an honest answer: Yes, I am giving it strong consideration, but won’t make a final determination until early next year. I will spend the rest of 2008 raising money and helping other reform minded citizens get elected to federal and state offices. Washington , Albany , and White Plains are all broken and desperately need to be fixed.
The size and scope of county government has been growing exponentially and is at the point of unhealthy obesity. We must take action. Today, I am proud to announce that I am joining efforts in a bi-partisan manner with two Democrats, Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner and Yonkers Councilwoman Joan Gronowski, in exploring ways the county can streamline and become more efficient, with a goal of lowering or at least stabilizing property taxes. Abolishing county government altogether is unlikely and maybe even unwarranted, but certainly needs to be explored as well. I invite you to attend our first meeting, April 30 at 7:30 pm at the Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue in Yonkers . Bring your ideas and help make this movement a powerful force.
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. I sincerely thank you for your support and friendship.
Rob