Ossining Redistricting Controversy

Sue Donnelly says that Ossining residents could become the victims of gerrymandering. Below is Supervisor Donnelly's response to the proposed redistricting.

Good morning,

As many of you are aware, the next month or so will bring a redistricting of the New York State Senate.  The State Assembly will be following suit in this process.

It appears that the elected officials responsible for dividing New York into districts are putting their own best interests above their concern for residents and tax-payers of this great State. The officials making this decision have allowed their desire to see incumbents remain in office eclipse the need for a non-partisan evaluation of the situation.

Many areas will be negatively affected, from New York City to Rochester and beyond.  The residents of Ossining are now caught in this gerrymandering, and on the preliminary maps are slated to go into the 38th Senatorial District.  The aforementioned District is currently comprised of Ramapo, Clarkstown, and Orange in Rockland County on the West side of the Hudson River; with the addition of the Town of Ossining, it would add a community that is on the East side of the Hudson River. Despite the strong and capable leadership of District 38’s current Senator, we strongly believe that our distinctive needs could be more effectively represented by leadership in Westchester County.

If you agree with us that the Town of Ossining should stay in a Senate District that is in Westchester, please write to the NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment committee at: info@latfor.state.ny.us

I have attached my letter to them.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Susanne Donnelly
Supervisor - Town of Ossining
914-762-6000
sdonnelly@townofossining.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING? TELL US BY CLICKING ON THE 'COMMENT' BUTTON. ALSO, BE SURE TO VOTE IN OUR POLL, AND TELL US IF YOU THINK OSSINING IS A VICTIM OF GERRYMANDERING.

February 7, 2012

NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment
Assemblyman John J. McEneny
Assemblyman Robert Oaks
Dr. Roman Hedges
Senator Michael F. Nozzollo
Senator Martin Dalavé Dilan
Sr. Welquis R. López

250 Broadway — Suite 2100
New York, NY 10007
212-618-1100
Email LATFOR: info@latfor.state.ny.us

Re: Redistricting

Gentlemen:

Good morning. 

I am writing to oppose the proposed new zoning, which moves the Town/Village of Ossining into the 38th Senatorial District.  The District comprises Ramapo, Clarkstown, and Orange in Rockland County on the West side of the Hudson River and with the addition of the Town of Ossining, it would add a community that is on the East side of the Hudson River.

The Town of Ossining includes the Village of Ossining, 85% of the Village of Briarcliff and an unincorporated part of the Town commonly referred to as the Town Outside.  These communities have been working together on different projects, as well as shared services, for many years.  We are a river community that requires representation that understands our need to preserve one of our most valuable resources, the Hudson River.  We also require our representation in Albany to understand our need to improve our community with assistance in improving our quality of life by helping us secure funds for housing, infrastructure and our goal of creating a community destination bringing much-needed tax dollars into the community.

We need a Senator that understands the workings of our local community and our goals to reduce redundant government with the participation of residents and municipal employees, as well as elected officials.  There is much history in this community that needs to be considered, and our residents have been very vocal on how they want their governments to be run. 

Additionally, I believe that we need representation that fully understands the complicated situation we are dealing with at the County level in Westchester, including the federally mandated affordable housing settlement which has held up our CDBG funding. 

All Counties are different, and asking a State Senator to understand and react to different agendas, goals and practices at all levels of government is not fair to the Senator, nor to the communities they are going to represent.

I have done some research on the involved areas and on Senator Carlucci. While I have faith in both his ability to lead and in his causes, I believe this move would have anyone in that position spread too thin.

Please rethink this proposed re-districting, and leave Ossining in a Westchester District.  At the very least, I urge you to hold a public hearing in our area that would be so adversely affected by these decisions.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Susanne Donnelly
Supervisor – Town of Ossining

Cc:      The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
            Village of Ossining Mayor William R. Hanauer
            The New York Times
            The Journal News
            The Gazette
            News 12 Westchester
            Ossining- Croton on Hudson Patch
            The Daily Ossining

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