Letter to the Editor: Harckham Not Representing Constituents in CSEA Matter

Dear Editor,

What did Peter Harckham know? When did he know it? Why isn’t he representing
his constituents?

At the March 14 Board of Legislators meeting, Majority Leader Harckham said he "blew a gasket" when he read a recent email from the Friends of Rob Astorino, which addressed the need to overhaul the Board with more fiscally responsible officials.

For background, Astorino closed the County's Section 8 office [the Housing Choice Voucher Program] last year because those services could be provided more cost effective by a non-profit agency. Remarkably, Harckham and his Democratic colleagues restored the 38 jobs to the county budget—even though the contract for the Section 8 services had already been terminated. Yes, unbelievably Harckham voted to restore to the budget jobs that no longer existed! When the workers could not return to work on January 1, they sued to get their jobs back.

Harckham was concerned about “falsehoods” and “inaccuracies” in Astorino's
email. And yet, where was Harckam when his political ally Chairman Ken
Jenkins sent a letter dated February 3, 2011 to the County Attorney asking him to have the Board of Legislators join with the 38 workers in the lawsuit and file claims against the taxpayers of Westchester. (Jenkins and Harckham are the Democratic leaders of the Board).
 
Frankly, the claims in Astorino's email were all validated by the Jenkins
letter, as it is now clear the Democratic leadership on the Board planned to violate their fidicuary duty to the taxpayers by actually suing them!

The people of District 2 must ask Harckham  what did he know about Jenkins' actions in the Civil Service Employees Association lawsuit and when did he know it? More importantly, why isn’t he representing his constituents who are eager for tax relief and smaller county government? Why is he supporting the rehiring of 38 union jobs to positions that no longer exist? That is something that really blows my gasket.

I urge Harckham to cease all actions to support lawsuits against the taxpayers and get back to the business of reducing taxes and consolidating county government. 

Peter Michaelis
Katonah, NY

Editor's Note: Michaelis writes in about a lawsuit filed in January against the Westchester County by the CSEA. You can read more about the suit on Lohud.