WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
ANNOUNCES VOTER EDUCATION DRIVE

New optical scan electronic voting machines have arrived in Westchester County and you’ll have an opportunity to use them beginning with the Primary Elections on September 14 th. Board of Elections Commissioners Reginald LaFayette and Carolee Sunderland have announced the kick-off of a broad Voter Outreach and Education drive designed to increase awareness of the new machines and allow voters to see them – up close and personal.

“County residents will find new voting machines at their polling places with the upcoming elections and we want them to feel as comfortable as possible with the process”, said Commissioner Sunderland.

“We join other counties in the metropolitan area and beyond who are using the new optical scan machines. People don’t always like change, so we want to let them see and test out the new machines to make the transition a smooth one,” said LaFayette.

Federal legislation called the “Help America Vote Act” or HAVA is what dictated this change that has caused Boards of Elections across the state to have to replace the traditional mechanical lever machines with these new electronic versions as well as re-engineer voting procedures steeped in history. Part of this process called for the centralization of voting in Westchester County, which had traditionally been administered by town and city clerks with oversight by the county Elections Board. This marks the first time county voters will use the new optical scan machines.

Regional forums have been scheduled to allow county voters a chance to receive instructions on the use of the machines and conduct their own demonstration. Town and city Clerks also have machines located in their offices for this purpose. Please contact your local town or city clerk’s office for more information.

Regional forums will be held:

Thursday, July 22 nd & September 9 th–7:00–9:00PM - Westchester County Center, White Plains

Sunday, October 3 rd – 1:00 – 3:00PM - Westchester County Center, White Plains

For more information, call the Board of Elections at 995-5700 or access their website at westchestergov.com/BOE

WESTCHESTER NAMED IN TOP 10 DIGITAL COUNTIES

Sixth year in a row county takes the honor

The results of this year’s evaluation of America’s top digital county governments are in, and Westchester County is once again in the top 10. The annual study by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) recognizes Westchester’s “exemplary digital service” to its citizens.

Westchester County tied for seventh place in the digital county survey that identifies best practices and recognizes those counties that provide exemplary electronic service to the public.

“It speaks volumes about our accomplishments that Westchester is being held up as a national example,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Embracing new technologies will continue to be a key to our future success and I am confident that Westchester will find even more w ays to effectively and efficiently provide public services.”

Thousands of U.S. counties were invited to participate in the 2010 Digital Counties Survey, which requested and evaluated responses on more than 100 measurements and data points about online service delivery, infrastructure, architecture and governance models. This is the sixth year in a row that Westchester County has placed in the top 10 digital counties in the country.

The county’s Department of Information Technology, headed by CIO Marguerite Beirne, continually works to develop progressive solutions that help increase productivity and efficiency while providing necessary public services.

The Center found that America’s counties are continuing to meet the challenge of providing effective and affordable government as evidenced by their accomplishments and future plans for public safety, social and

health services, natural resource management, economic development and administrative efficiencies.
"Across America counties continue working to balance their local priorities with new responsibilities passed to them from the federal and state governments,” said NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake. “The Digital Counties Survey identifies the very best examples of how counties are aligning technology to support strategic priorities and create crucial operational and administrative efficiencies.”

For the full list of winners and more information, please visit www.centerdigitalgov.com.

 (White Plains, NY) – Westchester County officials announced that the County will receive $11.3 million from the federal government to help pay for the operation of the BeeLine Bus System.  The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will provide the money to the County through the Urbanized Area Formula Grant program that makes federal funds available to help pay for public transit operations, capital projects, and transporation planning in urban areas like Westchester County.  Under the terms of the grant agreement, the County will be reimbursed by the FTA for 80% of eligible bus system expenses. Acceptance of the $11.3 million grant was approved during today’s meeting of the Westchester County Board of Acquisition and Contract.

 “I thank Senator Gillibrand, US Representative Nita Lowey and all of the members of the Hudson Valley congressional delegation for their continuing commitment towards ensuring resources for Westchester’s residents,” said County Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers).  “This grant allocation of over $11.3 million dollars from the federal government will ensure that essential transportation related functions will continue to be carried out within the County, without using County tax levy dollars.”  Chairman Jenkins said that through the County’s Department of Transportation and FTA Urbanized Area Formula Funding program, funds are used for capital investments in bus and replacement, overhaul and rebuilding of buses, along with the construction of maintenance and passenger facilities. The program provides 80% of the overall cost with the remaining 20% provided by the County as the local match.

 “Thousands of residents ride BeeLine buses each day to get to work, school, the doctor’s office, shopping and to visit family and friends.  It’s an excellent system with a fleet of modern buses that costs millions of dollars to run.  These federal funds will help cover the necessary expense of preventative maintenance of the fleet, a cost that otherwise would be paid by county taxpayers,” said Legislator William J. Ryan (D-White Plains), Chairman of the Board’s Committee on Public Works, Parks, Labor & Transportation.  “We continually work with our federal government representatives for more federal funding to help the county provide vital services to residents and hold down the property tax levy in the county budget.”

 “This is a great investment for Westchester County,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal dollars will help give Westchester commuters better access to public transportation, get more cars off the road, cut emissions and protect our environment, while helping to rebuild our economy. I will continue working to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”

 “I am thrilled Westchester County will receive this federal funding, which will help provide reliable transportation options for residents and decrease traffic congestion,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey.  “In these difficult economic times, I am particularly pleased federal funding will ease the burden of Westchester County taxpayers.”

Archbald, a board-certified pediatrician with a Masters in Public Health and additional training and expertise in preventive medicine, has served as the Deputy Commissioner for Community Health since September 2004.

“We are confident the county’s health will be in good hands,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Cheryl is passionate about public health, she knows our community and she has been very dedicated during her time here to developing partnerships that reflect Westchester’s diversity. At the same time, we were sorry to lose Patsy Yang, and are extremely grateful for her nearly two decades of dedicated service to county residents. We wish her all the best in her new role.’’

Archbald succeeds Patsy Yang, Dr. Public Health, who resigned as First Deputy Commissioner of Health on March 11 to become the Deputy Commissioner of Health for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Board of Health, this administration and our community partners to promote healthy lifestyles, address health disparities and improve the health of all Westchester residents,’’ Archbald said.

Archbald, a New Rochelle resident since 2001, earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Harvard University. She received a medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and her pediatrics training at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She was awarded The Nancy Elizabeth Barhart Award by her hospital colleagues for her dedicated efforts to improve the health of children. After completing her Pediatrics residency, she completed an additional residency in Preventive Medicine through the combined program of the New York City Department of Health and the Columbia University School of Public Health, through which she received her Masters in Public Health and board eligible training in Preventive Medicine. She also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Archbald joined the faculty of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1999, through a partnership with The Children’s Aid Society. During her employment with The Children’s Aid Society, she was the primary pediatrician for foster care children in their care. In 2001, she received The Children’s Aid Society Employee Excellence Award. She later received the 2004 Distinguished Women Award from the Soundview HealthCare Network, in recognition of her humanitarianism and contribution to the community.

ED KOCH, GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUP “NY UPRISING”

VISIT CASTELLI IN WHITE PLAINS

L-R: Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli, Assemblywomen Amy Paulin and Annie Rabitt, Bob Cohen of Scarsdale, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, Congressman John Hall and others highlight the need for ethics reform, redistricting reform and budgeting reform outside the Westchester County Office Building in White Plains on August 23 rd.

 Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, founder of the non-partisan, good government coalition “NY Uprising” today traveled to White Plains to join Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, I, C – Goldens Bridge) in his district to call to reform State government.

Castelli was previously honored in June by the group with their “Hero of Reform” Seal of Approval for being in the very first, original set of lawmakers to sign NY Uprising’s three pledges to reform State government in three specific areas: Independent Redistricting, Ethical Government and Responsible Budgeting.

“I look forward to continuing to work with NY Uprising, other good government groups and reform-minded legislators to bring needed change to state government and usher in a new era in Albany; one that does not treat taxpayers as an ATM, but instead looks at ways to reduce financial burdens on all New Yorkers,” Castelli said.

Political candidates and incumbent office holders alike attended the event, which was hosted by Koch’s group outside the Westchester County Office Building located in Castelli’s Assembly District. While many newcomers were present today and called for an end to the dysfunction in Albany, Castelli welcomed them to the fold.

“Having been elected on a platform of reform less than six months ago when few had the courage to speak out about the change to the climate and culture which is desperately needed in Albany, I am extremely encouraged by today’s showing of support for the institutional change we would all like to see,” Castelli said.

A sponsor of the toughest ethics bill currently before the Legislature, Castelli was among the first to sign numerous other reform pledges, including Common Cause and the Brennan Center for Justice’s Pledge for Change, the Westchester County Association’s Call to Action Campaign, the New York State Business Council's Enough Already NY Campaign, Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayers Protection Pledge and the Conservative Party of New York’s No New Taxes Pledge.

To spread his message of reform, Castelli is hosting “People’s Convention to Reform New York” town hall meeting this week on Thursday, August 26th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mount Kisco American Legion that would empower taxpayers to take back their State government through a constitutional convention and chart a positive new direction for the Empire State.

(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced the initial results of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) use of facial recognition technology to identify fraud cases. Use of the innovative software began in February, 2010, and in the six months since its implementation has been instrumental in identifying more than 1,000 cases of possible fraud.

"As we enter the new economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation, these tools provide us with enhanced abilities to protect and serve all New Yorkers. Through facial recognition technology we have bolstered national security, neighborhood security, and highway safety," Governor Paterson said. "I am tremendously proud of the success we have seen in the past six months and I look forward to seeing more progress in the months and years ahead."

Facial recognition software is used by the DMV to help identify persons across the State who try to obtain more than one driver license or non-driver identification document. The system is designed to advance DMV's important goals of "one driver, one license" and improving highway safety. Those seeking a second identity document may be trying to do so for a number of reasons including evading license suspensions, stealing an identity, committing financial fraud or presenting a false identity to law enforcement or transportation security officials.

DMV Commissioner David Swarts said: "Although we have essentially just begun to utilize this innovative technology, we are seeing amazing results. I applaud Governor Paterson for his ongoing efforts to ensure that the DMV has the most updated and advanced tools to better serve New Yorkers. Facial recognition software is already proving to be a strong tool to help our staff uncover identity fraud as well as keep our highways safer."

Facial recognition software essentially converts DMV's digital, facial photographs into mathematical algorithms. The software presents trained staff with photo images that have been identified as having similar algorithms. This review includes new photos taken each day at the DMV, as well as about 15 million photos already in DMV's database. Identity documents associated with a new photo are not produced until any photo identified as a potential match is reviewed by trained staff. The DMV strives to issue each applicant only one identity document and seeking a second identity document is a crime since it requires the submission of a false instrument.

As a result of this program, over 100 felony arrests have been made to date. Arrests have included an Egyptian citizen holding four New York licenses under separate names, one of which was on the Federal "no-fly" list, and a former hit man who sought to establish a second identity after release from prison. In April, DMV's facial recognition program identified an individual wanted for a 1990's-era bank robbery in Nassau County. As a result, the individual was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department. Others charged have had license suspensions or a large number of tickets and accidents under multiple identities.

The Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), a research entity affiliated with the State University of New York, will conduct research on the impact the facial recognition program may have on highway safety. Thus far, of the more than 1000 cases of multiple identities uncovered by the facial recognition program, approximately 67 percent of the individuals holding multiple identities have one or more driving suspensions or revocations in place that appear to have been evaded by their having obtained a second license.

Move will save $3 million over three years

 In his ongoing effort to make county government more efficient and less costly, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today released his plan to merge the county departments of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

“Working closely together, Commissioners George Longworth of Public Safety and Anthony Sutton of Emergency Services have put their years of professional experience into building a new organization that increases efficiency, lowers costs and positions Westchester County to meet the public safety challenges it faces today and in years to come,” Astorino said. “The consolidation will save about $700,000 next year and double that by 2013 by reducing duplication.”

Astorino has asked the county attorney to prepare legislation to be submitted to the Board of Legislators to implement this plan. If approved by the board, the new structure would be put in place on Jan. 1, the start of the new budget year.

“In today’s world, where an emergency is just as likely to be caused by a terrorist act as a natural disaster, it is more important than ever for our police and emergency services teams to be fully coordinated at every stage from planning to response,” Astorino said. “This plan does just that.”

The proposed consolidation of these two departments is another example of Astorino’s focus on “right-sizing” county government. Policies he implemented over the first half of this year reduced the projected deficit of $166 million to $130 million – a reduction of $36 million.

As proposed by Astorino, the Department of Emergency Services would be folded into the Department of Public Safety, with Longworth as its commissioner. The new department would have three divisions, each headed by a deputy commissioner: emergency services, to be headed by Sutton; fire services, to be headed by John Cullen, who is now a deputy commissioner for DES; and police services, to be headed by Joseph Yasinski, now deputy commissioner for DPS.

Astorino said the consolidation would eliminate duplication of services in a number of administrative areas, such as budget and human resources, and also create savings in communications, special operations, training and grant administration. For example:

• Both departments now have communication centers. DES has an Emergency Communications Center (“60 Control”) and DPS has its own communications center. Combined communications would enable a more unified response to emergencies as well as save money.
• Both departments currently have special teams to deal with hazardous devices and materials. DPS has a Hazardous Devices Unit (Bomb Squad) that is trained to handle chemical, biological, radiological and explosive devices, while DES has a hazardous materials response team. Combining these units would eliminate redundancy and improve coordination and response time.
• Currently DES and DPS have adjacent training facilities, which they run autonomously. A single facility would produce operational and cost efficiencies and allow for broader and better coordinated training programs.
• Both departments apply for, receive and administer grants for counter-terrorism. Particularly because grants are likely to be decreasing, a unified approach will better serve the public and ensure that the limited dollars are spent the best way.

Said Longworth: “In today’s harsh economic times, all aspects of how we do business have to be evaluated and where possible reshaped. The proposal to consolidate under one unified agency will provide savings for the taxpayers of Westchester County while strengthening the essential services that keep the people of Westchester safe.”

Sutton said: “Commissioner Longworth and I have worked together to develop a common-sense plan that eliminates duplicative expenses, encourages cost-saving initiatives and keeps protecting the safety of Westchester residents as its top priority. I look forward to implementing this plan with the commissioner."

In addition to savings through attrition and identification of duplicative administrative services, savings will be realized through the consolidation of capital projects such as office space and infrastructure.

The Department of Public Safety was created in 1979 through the merger of the then county Parkway Police and the county’s Sheriff Department. Initially, it handled disaster and emergency services. In 1997, the county created the Department of Fire Safety Services and two years later this division was put within the newly created Department of Emergency Services.

According to the Astorino administration analysis, immediate and identifiable tax levy savings in the first year will about to $692,000. This would become about $1.18 million in 2012 and $1.54 million in 2013.