Guest Column: Joseph Visconti on Business and the Future of Yorktown

Editor's Note: This column in its entirety was written by Yorktown Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Visconti.

Yorktown is the premier place to live in Westchester County. This luxury does not come without a price however. As we move into 2011, many changes are at our door whether we realize it or not.

A new Governor, State Senator and Assemblyman for instance, are going to have to bring extensive change to not only our town, but to their respective districts and to the entire state. The Senate passed a 2-percent tax cap. Budget cuts are inevitable and everything is on the table.

Towns like Yorktown are going to have to learn how to support themselves or pass down major cut backs. The next administration in Yorktown better be ready to think outside the box and come up with ways to support our community and fill the gaps that are coming from Albany. These gaps are vital and instrumental in bringing New York back to life. New York already pays 66 percent more taxes than the national average.

It is time, right now, to make the necessary adjustments to secure our future. For too long, Yorktown government has been ignoring business development and we as residents are paying the price three times a year on September 30, January 31 and April 30, when tax bills are due.

As a businessman in town, as a tax payer, as a father who put two daughters through college, as someone looking at the golden years soon to come, I feel your frustration. Yorktown needs to look at the opportunities presenting themselves right now.

It took eight years, three million dollars and three administrations to secure the new Comprehensive Plan yet, we have councilmen sitting at town board meetings not knowing what to vote for to move this town forward. Our neighbors to the east and west of us are having no problem developing in commercial areas and have had minimum tax increases if any at all. These communities are looking forward and preparing for the future. 

New business is a key ingredient to securing the future. It takes time to develop and implement.

Smart consolidation is another word for moving forward. When the cuts come down from government, and they are coming, we will be forced to consolidate. Doing it now in an organized way gives us the edge to do it properly and not be forced into hasty decisions because we can’t meet the payroll. There are also services that cannot be cut and need to be protected such as our police department, which protects our residents and saves lives every day.

So, let’s take some time to think about what is really important, point our town in the right direction and follow through with smart planning and new ideas.

Note: is exploring a run for Supervisor in 2011