Barry Kantrowitz Legislature appointment acceptance speech
January 6, 2014
It is an honor and privilege to accept this appointment to the Rockland County Legislature- I want to thank the Clarkstown and Rockland County Democratic committees that nominated me and my new colleagues on the Legislature for voting [unanimously ] to appoint me.
I have lived in Rockland county since 1967. After going away to college and law school I returned here to practice law. For the last 28 1/2 years I have been representing the people and businesses of Rockland county in my professional life as an attorney. Together with my partners, I have been an effective advocate for individuals, families, and businesses in the judicial branch of government-- helping them through our court system-- I am looking forward to using those skills to give my constituents- my friends and neighbors-- a voice in the legislative branch of our County government. I recognize that I have been appointed and not yet elected to this position- I am very pleased that virtually every comment I have heard from those that know me has been overwhelmingly positive. There are plenty of people who don't know me and I will make it point over the next 10 months to reach out and meet as many people as possible.
My wife Sharon and I have lived together in New City for the past 14 years-- she is also a practicing attorney and a graduate of Clarkstown South High school. I am product of the East Ramapo School system- in fact my mother used to teach there-- I attended Fleetwood, Eldorado Spring Valley Junior high and - and I was an honors graduate of Spring Valley High School. Our two young children here today, Michelle and Daniel attend Woodglen Elementary and Felix Festa Middle School-- My Son David has a SUNY Cortland Bachelor of Science teaching degree and a Masters in Health Education and my daughter Melissa is a Junior at the University of Pennsylvania.
As a father, a tax payer, a homeowner, a business owner and a longtime community volunteer in several local non-profits, I understand the concerns of the people of Rockland-- I just paid my property tax bill last week. I just paid a huge increase in my health insurance premiums, I am concerned about property values, and I understand the value of --and I am thankful for receiving--an excellent public school education. My legislative district crosses the Clarkstown and East Ramapo school district lines-- and although the problems of East Ramapo are not within the jurisdiction of the County Legislature, I will do what I can to work with legitimately concerned families and their state representatives to insure that the children in east Ramapo can get the same quality public education that I got there.
I exchanged congratulations with our new County Executive last week at his inauguration-- I am now his legislator! He comes from this body, so I am sure that my colleagues here join me when I say I hope we can work together with mutual respect to restore and repair Rockland's financial crisis. I am not and will not be a rubber stamp for anyone. But I do believe it is important to work together- for people with the same goal but perhaps different thoughts on how to get there -- to reach compromises and to move our County toward fiscal stability. United we can accomplish a lot-- divided, well we know what happens then just by looking at Washington . . .It's not going to be easy, but as I tell my kids, almost nothing worthwhile comes easy.
I know I have a lot to learn, but I have a lot to offer. I look forward to facing the challenges that we have ahead of us. Thank you again for your support - and let's get on with the business of governing.
Posted on 3 Feb 2014, 12:11 - Category: Appointment to LD 5
Motion To Appoint Barry S. Kantrowitz, To Fill Vacancy In L.D.5
By Harriet Cornell, Rockland County Legislator
It is a pleasure to nominate Barry Kantrowitz to fill the vacancy in Legislative District #5, occasioned by the departure of Edwin Day, who on New Year’s Day was sworn in as County Executive. If appointed this evening, Mr. Kantrowitz will serve until the next general election . At that time, according to law, there will be an election to select him or someone else to serve another year filling out Mr. Day’s term, until the entire Legislature runs for office in 2015.
Barry Kantrowitz is a senior partner in the multi-state law firm Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. He handles the day to day operations of the firm’s non-matrimonial litigation department, trying civil, negligence, criminal and corporate cases. Most of his time is dedicated to preparing and trying cases relating to professional malpractice and corporate and complex commercial disputes. Barry has an “AV Preeminent” peer review rating from the respected legal rating agency, Martindale Hubbell with a 5.0, the highest possible score. For each of the past four years, he has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” in New York by Superlawyers.com. He has lectured to college students at Brandeis and Boston Universities and has taught classes to train future lawyers.
For the past 14 years, Barry has lived in New City with his wife Sharon and four children. Barry was born in the Bronx and moved to Rockland County as a child in 1967, attending Fleetwood and Eldorado Elementary schools, Spring Valley Junior High School and Spring Valley High School. After his junior year in high school, Barry was accepted at Harpur College, SUNY Binghamton and graduated from there in 1982 with a BA in Political Science.
Barry attended Boston University School of Law where he graduated cum laude, with a Juris Doctor degree in 1985 and immediately returned to Rockland County to practice law. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and the United States Supreme Court.
Barry has been active in the community life of Rockland, is a graduate of the first class of Leadership Rockland (1990-91.); has served on community boards including Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley, Rockland Community College Foundation, Jewish Federation of Rockland and the JCC Rockland, where he served as President for several years. At the JCC Rockland, Barry was a driving force in the acquisition, construction and development of the JCC’s new Campus in West Nyack. Under his leadership, the JCC started the planning to host the prestigious international Maccabi Games for youth in 2012. Based upon his local service at the JCC Rockland, Barry was selected to serve on the board of the national JCC Association which is the continental umbrella organization for the Jewish Community Center Movement.
Barry has demonstrated his love for Rockland through his community- involvement and his approach to contributing his service to building a stronger and more cohesive Rockland. With his outgoing and friendly personality and his expressed intentions to reach out to all the people of L.D. 5, he will be a wonderful representative for them. His legal background, expertise and experience working with various ethnic groups in Rockland will make him a great asset to the Legislature.
It is an honor and pleasure to Nominate Barry S. Kantrowitz to fill the vacancy of Legislator in District 5.
Second On Appointment Of Barry Kantrowitz
By Alden Wolfe
I have known Barry Kantrowitz for many years and in many capacities. As an attorney,
Barry has demonstrated his keen intellect in the courtroom. As a civic leader, he has
demonstrated his caring interest in the community. His dedication to his family and the
service of others has distinguished Barry in New City and in Rockland.
That is why it is my honor and my privilege tonight to second the appointment of a
colleague and a proven leader - Barry Kantrowitz - to be the Rockland County Legislator for District Number 5.
Barry and I served together on the board of the RCC Foundation. On that board, I had the chance to see Barry's incredible commitment to improve the lives of college students here in Rockland and help make their goals for higher education a reality.
This may be Barry's first day in public office, but it is not his first day in public service.
Barry's kindness, his lengthy record of community and civic involvement, and his
outstanding analytical and intellectual mind, will be a great asset to this legislative body. I have no doubt that Barry Kantrowitz will be an effective legislator and an outstanding colleague for us all.
Posted on 3 Feb 2014, 12:06 - Category: Appointment to LD 5
