Government should make people's lives better and easier, not create barriers when they need help. That's why the Social Security Administration's decision to reject Westchester County's offer of county-owned space for the Hearing Office in White Plains is so disappointing. With White Plains set to close and the Newburgh office already shut down, there will soon be no Social Security Hearing Offices left in the Hudson Valley. People who need to resolve important issues -- like disability claims or benefit appeals -- will have to travel long distances just to be heard. Westchester County offered a simple, local solution, but instead of working with us, the federal government chose to walk away. I started the week joining community leaders and advoc...
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Over the past week, I had the privilege of attending a series of events throughout Westchester County that reinforced the importance of being an ally. True allyship requires us to engage with different communities, experience their traditions, listen to their stories and histories, and work together to address shared challenges. Last week, Iona University and the American Jewish Committee of Westchester and Fairfield Counties hosted the "Shared Roots, Divergent Paths" series, featuring the program "Neither Rejected nor Accursed: Catholic Responsibility to Counter Antisemitism." Participants engaged in meaningful interfaith dialogue, exploring the unique perspectives and experiences of the Christian and Jewish communities. On Tuesday, I attended an Iftar event, celebrating the breaking of the fast of Ramadan at the Upper Westchester Muslim Society in Pleasantville. The Chair of the Bo...