Coffee With The Community

Senator George Latimer, Assemblyman Otis and County Legislator-elect Catherine Parker, held their Coffee and Conversation with the public on Saturday at Ruby’s on Purchase Street.

Thirty-Five Residents joined the elected officials to discuss some of the most important issues facing the communities. Two of the issues that drew the most attention were the implementation of the Common Core program for schools and the proposed Sustainable Playland Initiative.

Another issue that raised concern was the County Legislature’s upcoming vote on the lease agreement with the fixed –based operator Signature Flight at the County airport. This issue is a major concern to the Rye Brook residents. Rye Brook resident Michael Rosenblut and Blind Brook School Board member, Jeff Diamond were on hand to discuss this. Rosenblut and Diamond asked Latimer and Otis to urge County officials to protect their tax base.

Senator Latimer and Assemblyman Otis both expressed their unhappiness with the State Education Department’s mandatory testing for elementary and middle school students. Parents concerns were that their children being over tested.

The future of Playland generated a conflict with some of the residents in Rye, specifically the ones who live in the direct area near or adjacent to Playland.  Mike Visci and Joanne Fairchild were specifically concerned with parking overflow, noise and quality of life issues. Rye residents would like to be able to have an input in these proposed plans. Legislator-elect Parker indicated that she plans to organize a public forum to discuss this matter in greater detail, once she takes office after the New Year.

These Coffee and Conversations currently have been held in Rye and Mamaroneck, but some sessions are being planned in Port Chester and New Rochelle in January.

This article has been corrected.