Blog: Zoning and the Federal Government

Statement

Yesterday I was proud to join County Executive Rob Astorino and community leaders at a press conference in New Castle defending Westchester County against baseless allegations of discrimination as relates to the HUD intrusion into local zoning.

Both Rob and I pointed out a few things. First, these Westchester towns are in fact open and available for people of all races, ethnicities, religions, et cetera -- a fact strenuously backed up by former New Rochelle Councilman and NAACP Legal Advisor Richard St. Paul.

Second, the Federal government is overreaching its authority in order to implement an agenda that essentially defines anything we consider to be suburban as inherently discriminatory -- not because people are discriminated against, but because there are not "sufficient" high-density options to choose from.

Finally, the Clintons, Governor Cuomo, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey all live in these specific towns -- why would they choose to live in towns with such supposed discrimination?

There are plenty of places where there is, sadly, real discrimination in this country. For HUD to be wasting resources and focusing on an anti-suburban agenda while some places, even nearby to Westchester, actually have bars to entry by minorities, is a dereliction of duty in favor of ideology.

As your representative, I will fight these assaults on our way of life by an overzealous Federal government -- something my opponent has failed to do, standing silent as her neighbors are falsely accused of discrimination. It doesn't matter what race you are -- if you choose to live in the suburbs, you should have the right to live in the suburbs.

Please help spread the word so Westchester and Rockland's County Executives can finally have a partner to in DC instead of an obstacle.

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