The Somers Record 02.24.22

Vol. 11 No. 45 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, February 24, 2022

Tragedy strikes Heritage Hills

BY CAROL REIF occurred. speaking for himself and col- A fire took the life of a Heritage Hills
STAFF WRITER Dom Rubino, president of the leagues said “our hearts go out to resident on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
the family and to the Heritage
e Somers community is reel- Heritage Hills Society, spoke of Hills community on their tragic PHOTOS COURTESY OF SVFD
ing after a two-alarm re took the the human impact on the tight- loss.”
life of a Heritage Hills resident on knit housing development. Heri-
Wednesday, Feb. 16. tage Hills, a sprawling develop- He added that he was “very
ment of 1,200 acres has 2,606 proud of our volunteer re depart-
As of this writing, the victim units and between 4,500 and ment and all rst responders from
had not been o cially identi ed 5,000 residents. our community and our neigh-
by authorities and the cause of boring communities who came
the fatal blaze has yet to be deter- “It hits everybody here,” he said together to help during the devas-
mined. ursday, Feb. 17. “Everybody tating re on the West Hill.”
knows each other, one way or the
“ is is the worst  thing that other.” e unit next door was unoccu-
has happened here in the past 25 “Our sympathy goes out to the pied, Cli ord said.
years,” said Terry Cli ord, presi- family,” he added.
dent of Condo 19, where the re Supervisor Robert Scorrano, SEE TRAGEDY PAGE 9

Local leaders applaud removal of ADU law

Supervisors still alarmed over ‘Transit-oriented development’ law that remains

BY CAROL REIF ursday, Feb. 17, saying that she’s sponsored by State Senator Peter $85 million to support the creation ters, such as a train or bus station.
STAFF WRITER always “believed strongly in the Harckham (D-Lewisboro) and and rehabilitation of said units. ere was no funding component
importance of consensus-building Assemblyman Harvey Epstein of
Local o cials last week hailed and listening to communities and Manhattan. Local o cials are also worried to that in Hochul’s budget.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision my fellow policymakers.” about another part of Hochul’s “I have heard real concerns
to remove accessory dwelling It mandated that local govern- plan that is apparently still includ-
units (ADU) legislation from her ere were two sections of the ments authorize the construc- ed — the Transit-Oriented Devel- about the proposed approach on
Executive Budget for 2023. Education, Labor, and Family As- tion of accessory dwelling units opment Act of 2022 (TOD). accessory dwelling units and tran-
sistance bill (S.8006/A.9006) that – including in attics, garages, base- sit-oriented development, and I
Critics had passionately argued were ensconced in the 2023 spend- ments, and backyard cottages – by at would amend general town understand that my colleagues in
it would remove home rule from ing plan. local law and impose state report- law, requiring local governments to the state Senate believe a di erent
zoning decisions. ing, regulatory, and enforcement authorize the construction of up to set of tools is needed, even if they
e rst, the Accessory Dwell- requirements. e budget set aside 25 residential units per acre within
Hochul  explained the reversal ing Act of 2022 (ADU), was a half-mile of transportation cen- SEE ADU PAGE 8

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Page 2 – The Somers Record Thursday, February 24, 2022

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 The Somers Record – Page 3

L Se Bridal

Local boutique booms

BY WHIT ANDERSON  ‘Brides are Le Sel, meaning “salt” in French, is meant to
STAFF WRITER coming in fast represent cleansing, healing, and preservation.
and furious.’
Having overcome the obstacles that came with starting a business at the
peak of the pandemic, Le Sel Bridal is now a booming operation, bringing Jordan McKenzie
the full boutique experience to the Somers/Yorktown Heights area.   Owner, Le Sel Bridal

Founded by Yorktown residents Jordan McKenzie and Alicia Nicholson, Brides have even begun shopping for
the two friends and neighbors started Le Sel Bridal as a concierge business for dresses for weddings scheduled in 2024.
brides, bringing their services to the bride’s home.  

“When we started in the pandemic, stores weren’t really allowed to be open,”
explained McKenzie.  

Le Sel, the name itself, means “salt” in French, and was chosen based on a
toast given at McKenzie’s own wedding, where salt was emphasized for “the
cleansing quality, the healing quality, and the preserving quality” in all aspects
of life. McKenzie and Nicholson chose the name to pass on those positive
a rmations to all their clients.  

Once it was deemed safe, the owners opened a store in Cortlandt Manor
for a brief time, but then moved to their current location last August. eir
concierge service has proven popular. 

“We chose this spot because it’s kind of the perfect cross location between
Somers, Yorktown, and Mahopac,”said McKenzie.“We get a lot of foot tra c
from Traditions and Barnwood. People see it and give us a call.” 

e appointment-only bridal shop has an extensive gallery of wedding
dresses from designers such as Cizzy, Stella, eia, and WTOO. e designer
gallery, along with all other information can be found at leselbridal.com.  

On top of their wedding dress selection, Le Sel has also started a Prom Pop
Up. Given the store’s proximity to Somers High School, students can stop by
after school to select from a variety of prom dresses that are available from now
until June.  

After a high number of wedding cancellations at the beginning of the
pandemic, there is now a surge in the amount of weddings taking place due to
a substantial number of makeups. Having survived that wedding drought upon
their opening, Le Sel is now being rewarded for their patience.  

“We’ve increased business by at least 60% the last four months,” McKenzie
con rmed. “Brides are coming in fast and furious. Some are making
appointments for weddings in three months, others are booking for 2024
because the venues are so booked and backed up now. 2022 is lled with
weddings, and it’s all spilling over into 2023.” 

As the wedding surge continues, McKenzie advises brides to book their
dress appointments as soon as possible to shorten the waiting process. In
addition,McKenzie has also hinted that the mothers of the brides,and even the
bridesmaids, will be able to nd their perfect dress at Le Sel in the near future. 

“We’re always looking for the newest trends,” she explained. “We carry
designers that are obtainable and classic, but also fully customized gowns that
no one else would have. We also stay in an a ordable range for the gowns as
well. A lot of people think you must go out and buy an $8000 gown, but that is
just not the case.” 

Le Sel does not consider themselves to be the typical bridal store. In fact,
their motto is “We’re just not that pastel.”McKenzie and Nicholson encourage
future brides to come by,enjoy a glass of rosé,and nd the dress of their dreams. 

Le Sel is located in the shopping center on Tomahawk Road, right o Route 202, Le Sel is located in the shopping center PHOTOS COURTESY OF LE SEL BRIDAL
next to Barnwood Grill and Traditions 118.  ey can be contacted at (914)987- on Tomahawk Road next to Barnwood and
0564. Traditions 118. In addition to their wedding dress selection, Le Sel
has also started a Prom Pop Up.

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Page 4 – The Somers Record ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Thursday, February 24, 2022

The Staff Educate/Validate lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgen- nal celebration. To register, please who has given many presentations
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Thursday, February 24, 2022 The Somers Record – Page 5

Black History Month at Primrose Kennedy Catholic
students and staff
Primrose Elementary School rst-graders our di erences that make us special,” Secor attend March for Life
were very surprised to hear that a young Black said. “We learn why Black History Month is
girl about their age was instrumental in the celebrated and why it’s important for us to Several students and faculty members joined parishioners from St.
desegregating of the New Orleans school dis- continue to learn about those who have made Patrick’s Church in Yorktown in the March for Life in Washington,
trict in 1960. signi cant achievements.” DC in late January. Led by Ms. Bethany Mahoney, Mr. Kyle Mac-
Donald, and Father Matthew Breslin, members from every grade of
Ruby Bridges was one important individual Primrose students are commemorating
Librarian Nicole Secor showed her students Black History Month with various school KCPS represented the school at
as part of a lesson on Black “superheroes”who and grade-level activities beginning each the annual demonstration.
made a mark on history through the courage day with facts about the month shared at
in the face of adversity. Students talked about morning announcements. Teachers are inte- Article provided by Kennedy Catholic.
what feelings Ruby Bridges must have had as grating classroom activities to focus on posi-
a Black student who walked into in all-white tive impacts and contributions members of With historically low inventory,
school. One student raised his hand and said the Black community have had on society low interest rates and extremely
“brave.” through music, art, science, mathematics, and high buyer demand, now is the
history. time to be on the market! Homes
During Black History Month, Primrose and Condos are receiving multiple
students are learning about the numerous Article provided by Somers Central School offers and are selling well above
in uences, contributions and achievements District.  list price. I would welcome the
Blacks have had in our nation. “We all have opportunity to provide you with a
market analysis so you will know
2020 the value of your home in this
1PROUD TO BE THEAGENT IN unprecedented real estate market!
# SOMERS I will make the process of selling
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Associate Real Estate Broker
Source: OKMLS 1/1/20-12/31/20, total dollar volume of single family M
homes and condominiums sold by agent, Somers school district [email protected]
donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com

SOMERS BROKERAGE

Page 6 – The Somers Record Thursday, February 24, 2022

Board of Ed continues budget process
Reviews mask policy

BY CAROL REIF 53% of the salary pie under the general PROGRAMS, PROFESSIONAL “all schools.”
STAFF WRITER education category (teachers, teaching as- LEARNING “It shouldn’t be a competitive process.”
sistants, aides and monitors); $9.4 million,
e Somers school district is a “people or 19%, for special education (teachers, Student programs and professional MASK MANDATE
organization,” so it shouldn’t be much of a teaching assistants, aides, monitors and learning are two of the big scal buckets Claiming that wearing masks have
surprise that salaries and bene ts account support services); and $14.1 million, or that have to be lled. On the elemen-
for three-quarters of its annual budget, 28%, for all others (administration, custo- tary level, the former includes School- harmed their children’s education as well
school o cials say. dial/maintenance, sta support). at’s a ogy ($23,000), Fountas and Pinnell class- as their physical and mental health, two
total of $50 million. room resources and diagnostic assessment parents called on trustees Tuesday to
e subject came up last week at a ($30,000) and STAR ELA and Math- “stand up” for kids by demanding that Al-
Board of Education presentation by Su- BENEFITS ematics Screening Assessments ($40,000). bany scrap the school mask rule.
perintendent for Business Christopher e district expects its contribution to
Platania on the instructional and adminis- Secondary level programs include the Gov. Kathy Hochul, citing a sharp de-
trative aspects of the district’s 2022-2023 the New York State Employees Retire- International Baccalaureate Programme crease in the number of new COVID-19
spending plan. ment System to decrease to $942,775 in ($100,000) and the Putnam North- cases caused by the Omicron variant, has
2022-2023 from the current $1,328,024. ern Westchester BOCES Tech Center lifted the indoor mask mandate for busi-
Trustee Joseph Marra said Tuesday, Feb. However, the New York State Teach- ($625,000). nesses but held o on doing the same in
18, that he’s been asked by certain stake- ers Retirement System’s will rise to schools. A combination of factors would
holders why school taxes “keep going up” $4,276,152 from $3,965,368. en there’s science, engineering, mu- determine whether that can happen, Ho-
while enrollment is on the decline. sic and drama programs to be funded. chul said, including vaccination rates for
Social Security costs are rising to “Student-centered” strategies in the bud- children ages 5 and older, infection and
Citing factors that are beyond the dis- $3,870,124 from $3,769,941; and health get include academic intervention and hospitalization rates and the possible
trict’s control, schools Superintendent Dr. insurance, including Medicare and buy- advanced learning support, College and emergence of new variants.
Raymond Blanch pointed to the meteoric out payments, to $13,969,627 from Career Center and Youth Mental Health
rise in health bene ts and other insurance $12,832,409. First Aid. e decision is expected in early March
costs. after schools return from winter break.
All other bene ts (unemployment, Mental health needs have grown expo-
“We’re a people organization,” he said, workers comp, dental/life/vision, etc.) are nentially during the last two years because One of the parents, Kristy DiDona,
explaining that payroll cuts and other dropping to $1,209,376 from $1,511,911. of pandemic pressures, educators say, and argued that the board had the “power” to
money-saving measures can only do so When all is factored, the bene ts bill will the state is o ering grant money to dis- write or call the governor and tell her how
much because they’ve been “outpaced by go up by $860,320 in 2022-2023. tricts for social-emotional wellness sup- “di cult” wearing masks has been. Saying
the costs of running the business.” port. she wasn’t buying the argument that the
Salaries ($50,024,532) and bene ts district is doing everything it can, DiDona
PROJECTED SALARIES ($24,268,054) chew up 74% of the budget. Noting the “signi cant” mental health said: “We all know that change starts on a
According to Platania, projected salaries Costs in the “other” category amount to needs of students and sta , board Presi-
$26.4 million, or 26% percent of spending. dent Heidi Cambareri said these funds SEE BOARD PAGE 7
for 2022-2023 are $26.4 million, equal to should automatically be made available to

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 The Somers Record – Page 7

BOARD be known to them, who collectively try to could better “track” local data that’s given (SHS) will be below 1,000,” Blanch said.
FROM PAGE 6
gure out where we are and advocate for to health departments. Middle school numbers are also going

us,” which he said he felt is “the best way Last fall, Somers successfully advocated down, from 626 to 592, as are the interme-

local level, and you are our local level, of handling things, rather than us sitting for a “test to stay program” that has since diate school’s, from 539 to 528.

and we are counting on you and if you as around, seven people, trying to agree on appeared to “work well” for the district. Primrose Elementary School’s enroll-

(members of ) our board of education are language of a letter.” Blanch, pointing out that he was an ment, however, is expected to rise to 546

not willing to stand up for our kids, we are Mom of two Kristen Fiumara, telling educator and not a medical professional, from the current 514.

ready and we are willing to take your seats the board she was “ ghting for parents’ said he has listened to both sides – to the “I would say that Primrose, basically,

on this board.” choice,” alleged that there’s been “a huge folks who want masks removed in schools has reached its oor of where it is,” Blanch

e terms of trustees Chadwick Olsen, increase in bullying” in the school district and to those who are still “very nervous” said.

Ifay Chang and Marra expire this year. Ol- regarding mask wearing. She also claimed about it. e district is nowhere near having

sen and Chang plan to run again; Marra that children have been “physically and e district will “not be putting masks to think about closing any of its schools

does not. mentally abused” for wanting to have on our children unless there’s a mandate because of its ability to be exible and re-

Marra expressed sympathy for the mask breaks. by the state,” Blanch vowed. purpose space until the next population

parents’ plight and noted that the job of “ e stripping of basic human rights Students, teachers and sta will always bubble oats through, he asserted.

school o cials is “to follow what our ex- choice and freedom has brought together have the option of wearing them should Blanch noted that some Westchester

perts tell us.” both parties and everyone in-between,” they so choose, he added. communities such as Ossining are already

“Now, granted the experts tell us some- she said. “Us Somers parents and moms seeing an uptick in enrollment.

thing di erent every day. So what do you here will not stand for this.” ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

believe? I don’t know,” he said, adding that Blanch said a number of stakeholders Birth rates are down all around the UP NEXT

it puts the board in “a di cult position.” – administrators, school trustees, parents country and Somers’s is no exemption. e board’s next budget planning ses-

Referring to its pipeline to Albany and teachers – last week had a phone con- Enrollment at the high school is expected sion is Tuesday, March 1. e public vote

through lobbying groups such as the versation with Hochul. ey told her they to decrease from the current 1,039 to 993 on the budget and trustee elections are

Westchester-Putnam School Boards As- needed clarity on the various “metrics”that in 2022-23. May 17.

sociation, Marra said, “We let our feelings would trigger the mandate’s lifting so they at’s “the rst time in quite a while

TRUNK Supervisor, Division Head, Arts & Crafts Recreation is looking to start an adult sion as we work to advance cross-racial
Specialist, Counselor) and Tusker Trax coed softball league. For more informa- and cross-cultural amity to impact the
FROM PAGE 4 Camp (Assistant Director, Counselor). tion, please contact the recreation o ce public discourse on race. Our monthly
Must be able to work entire 6 weeks of at 914-232-8442 or email parks@somer- meetings feature speakers, screenings,
Somers Department of camp, Monday - Friday, 6/27-8/5. To ap- sny.com and presentations where discussions are
Parks and Recreation ply, visit www.somersny.com aimed at educating one another on who
Race Amity of Northern we really are. Visit https://www.event-
POSITIONS AVAILABLE If you have any questions, please call Westchester & Putnam brite.com/e/138495877899 to register
e Somers Department of Parks and the Recreation Department at 914-232- for this online event.
8442. MONTHLY MEETING
Recreation is now accepting applications Please join us for our monthly discus- SEE TRUNK PAGE 33
for camp positions, including Day Camp ADULT COED SOFTBALL LEAGUE
(Director, Assistant Director, First Aid e Somers Department of Parks and

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Page 8 – The Somers Record Thursday, February 24, 2022

ADU York City leaders “agree that we ward.” e amended bill will still e  Somers  Town Board  on ADU legislation out of the bud-
FROM PAGE 1 allow the city to legalize ADUs. ursday, Feb. 10, had passed a get shows, he had said earlier last
must begin to bring these homes resolution expressing its fervent week, that she had “listened to
She added that she was opposition to both the ADU and people around the state.”
into the sunlight and provide amending her budget to remove TOD measures.
the ADU legislation “in order Reacting to Hochul’s deci- North Salem  was expected to
agree with the goal of supporting a pathway to compliance with to facilitate a conversation about sion to withdraw the controver- discuss a similar resolution de-
how we build consensus around sial proposal,  Supervisor Robert nouncing the ADU legislation
the growth of this kind of hous- building code requirements.” solutions.” Scorrano  said Saturday, Feb. 19, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, although
that “from the outset, this was an its wording will be di erent now
ing,” the governor said ursday. e ADU  proposal had been Harckham, saying Friday, Feb. overreach by Albany politicians.” that the proposal is o cially out
18, that he understood Hochul’s Scorrano added that he was of Hochul’s budget. It could not
Other less controversial pro- roundly denounced by both decision to remove the ADU proud that Somers “stood up for be determined at press time if the
initiative from the Executive home rule with colleagues from resolution would also tackle the
posals included in Hochul’s over- Democrats and Republicans. Budget, noted that the action Westchester on both sides of the TOD issue.
“highlights our primary concern, aisle and the message sent was
all plan will, if enacted into law, e most notable critic was which is to get all of the details of loud and clear.” Lucas said Friday, Feb. 18, that
the bill right, rather than enact a Noting that Somers already he remains adamantly opposed
ease restrictions on commercial Congressman  Tom Suozzi, a bill right away.” has legislation in place for ac- to “any zoning legislation that
cessory dwelling units, Scorrano comes from the state that ies in
and hotel conversions to resi- former Nassau County execu- Promising that he will “con- stated that the town “has done the face of the Constitution.”
tinue to engage with stakehold- more to address a ordable hous-
dential units, remove  the FAR tive who is planning to challenge ers and work to settle all concerns ing than asked to do.” North Salem currently has
with this legislation, the lawmak- According to a statement sent 265 ADUs, as well as Bridle-
( oor-area ratio) cap in New Hochul’s gubernatorial bid in the er added that it was “important to Somers residents, the town side, a 64-unit a ordable apart-
that we keep driving a conver- has “addressed” accessory dwell- ment complex. e area of town
York City, and improve the “421- Democratic primaries. On Sat- sation, however, on a ordable ing units in its code since 1934. that could be the most impacted
housing for our workforce and It also, it claimed, has handled by the TOD proposal is Croton
a” program that provides partial urday, Feb. 12, he and a group of equitable treatment for our resi- the a ordable housing issue so Falls. Not only is its downtown
dents.” well that last July  Westchester surrounded by single-family
real estate tax exemptions for the Westchester municipal leaders County Executive George Lat- homes, there is a Metro-North
Pushback from both Demo- imer praised the Town Board and parking lot under construction
new construction of multi-family – including Yorktown Supervi- cratic and Republican local of- former  Supervisor Rick Mor- within walking distance of the
rissey for doing its part “when it hamlet’s train station. At three or
rental housing. She claimed that sor  Matthew Slater  and North cials across the state ramped came to a ordable housing.” four acres, and 25 units an acre,
up in recent weeks as Albany’s there could be dozens of housing
it could help create up to 10,000 Salem Supervisor  Warren Lu- budget clock ticked down to e county “wanted 750 units units built there.
the April 1 passage deadline. In across all municipalities. Somers
“units of supportive housing.” cas — rallied in Chappaqua. a strongly worded memo, the contributed 167 units – that’s 22 ere’s been “a lot of pressure”
New York State Conference of percent,” it said. surrounding the a ordable hous-
Hochul had said the idea be- Suozzi called taking any kind Mayors and Municipal O cials ing issue, but Lucas said he and
had argued that eroding home e main argument folks have other local government o cials
hind the ADU provision was of home rule away from local of- rule would likely result in “dis- been making is that “it is not one don’t plan to stand down on what
jointed development that is out size ts all piece of legislation.” he called “just terrible” legisla-
partly to bring up to code illegal cials “undemocratic” and “inap- of character with a community’s tion.
desires.” ere would be signi cant
and unsafe apartments in single- propriate.” consequences, foes of the legisla- “It negates home rule, and it’s
Harckham and Epstein rebut- tion claimed, including impacts critical it stays out,” he said, ex-
family homes. Hochul asserted ursday that ted that, saying the law would on local police, re departments, plaining that “there’s no way they
not end local control over single- schools, parks, tra c, water, and can put a bill together that prop-
Referring to the deaths of 11 she still felt that the “larger con- family and multi-family housing. so on. erly and e ectively de nes code
for the entire state of New York.”
people who were trapped in ille- versation about accessory dwell- “In fact, local governments are “We understand what’s best
asked to come up with a proposal for Somers, not bureaucrats in Just because it has been re-
gal basement apartments ooded ing units across the state must for including ADUs in their Albany,” Scorrano concluded moved from the Executive Bud-
planning, so that consideration Saturday. get — and likely the Assembly/
by Hurricane Ida last year, Ho- not prevent critical progress in can be given on a case-by-case Senate spending plan — doesn’t
basis to the needs of each com- Hochul’s decision to take the
chul had said that she and New New York City from moving for- munity,” according to Harck- SEE ADU PAGE 9
ham’s o ce.
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Thursday, February 24, 2022 The Somers Record – Page 9

TRAGEDY “heavy re conditions” delayed “a Mutual aid was provided by scene cleared at 11:15 p.m. “After the recent re and devas-
thorough search of the residence.” re ghters and emergency crews State police are investigating tating loss, which shook our town
FROM PAGE 1 from Croton Falls, Mahopac, Yor- to the core, we want to come to-
“Upon the arrival of Somers ktown, Buchanan, Katonah, Lew- the cause of the devastating blaze. gether to say thank you for your
Somers re ghters were dis- re ghters and mutual aid depart- isboro, Bedford Hills, and Mount Further information is being service,” said organizer Sharon
patched to the scene around 4:11 ments,hand lines were quickly de- Kisco. State troopers were also on withheld pending a positive iden- Paige in the post.
p.m. ey arrived a minute later ployed to attempt to bring the re the scene. South Salem, Mohegan ti cation of the victim.
to nd 973 Heritage Hills, a two- under control so that searches for Lake, Carmel, and Putnam Valley Seventy-seven people contrib-
unit condo on the West Hill, fully the reported missing occupants re departments, and the West- COMMUNITY THANKS uted to the fund.
engulfed in ames. could be completed,” Fire Chief chester County Department of FIREFIGHTERS
Jonathan Mackey said. Emergency Services also assisted. e goal of $1,000 was reached
A second alarm was issued after One resident, the sole occupant A GoFundMe campaign raised and doubled in less than 48 hours,
frantic neighbors told them that of the building, was found de- e re was declared extin- more than $2,000 in donations to Paige said.
someone was trapped inside. ceased. guished at 10:57 p.m. and the buy gift cards to local restaurants
for Somers re ghters. New donations are currently
O cials reported later that not being taken.

ADU legislation’s goal of increasing NOW OPEN
the a ordable housing stock,
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“dangerous and ill-thought,” didate and former Westchester

Slater on Sunday, Feb. 20, called County Executive  Rob Astori-

Hochul’s decision to remove it no in Armonk on Monday, Feb.

from her budget “a great victory 14, to publicly denounce the leg-

for communities across New islation as an attempt to override

York state.” home rule.

“A bipartisan coalition of mu- Also reacting to Hochul’s

nicipal o cials including the decision Friday,  Assemblyman

Yorktown Town Board worked Chris Burdick (D-Bedford) said

tirelessly to stop this proposal he believed “accessory dwelling

and stand up to an egregious units can be a very good tool for

overreach by Albany politicians,” increasing the supply of housing

he said, adding that the town units.”

supports accessory dwelling Burdick, who has represented

units and “has produced 177 to the 93rd  District since Janu-

date.” ary 2021, previously served as

“We clearly don’t need Albany Bedford town supervisor. He

telling us how to produce acces- is a member of the Assembly’s

sory dwelling units,” Slater de- Housing Committee.

clared. While expressing “great re-

He urged municipal o cials spect” for Harckham, he still

to focus their “collective ener- didn’t think “this was the way to

gies” on defeating the gover- do it.”

nor’s Transit Oriented Housing “I think that some people are

proposal, calling it “an equally going to declare victory and say

alarming and precedent-setting the Big Bad Wolf is dead, but I

policy that will undoubtedly al- don’t really look at it that way.

ter the character of municipali- I look at it as a process that can

ties across New York state.” return to a less-pressured discus-

Bedford  Supervisor  Ellen sion of how can we move things

Calves, while applauding the forward.”

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