Barry Kantrowitz Legislature appointment acceptance speech

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

2017 ~ Barry S. Kantrowitz
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