As the Republican candidate for Westchester County Executive, I stand firm in advocating for home rule and the safety of our communities. For years, suburban neighborhoods have been under attack by state and federal forces, handing down unfunded mandates with many state and local Democratic County leaders siding with these top-down policies.
In the past few years, Governor Hochul has made repeated attempts to appease big energy special interests by allowing dangerous Lithium Battery Storage Facilities smack in the middle of residential communities. All along, Ken Jenkins was happy to stand by silently as these massive installations were built within feet of families’ back yards.
Now, Ken Jenkins is continuing to do their bidding by peddling ineffective half-measures in order to provide a false sense of security. His idea of safety amounts to compiling a list of these facilities so that when they do catch fire local first responders know where to go. And they will be there for a while because when these installations catch fire they burn for days.
As County Executive, I will stand with Westchester families, not Albany special interests. I will work with the Board of Legislators to craft and pass legislation that ensures these facilities are never located in close proximity to homes. Further, I will ensure these battery plants are built, installed and operated only after extensive environmental and safety studies, with an eye to superior fire suppression and all necessary safety systems.
We need leadership that respects our local autonomy and values the safety of our communities. As County Executive, I will fight to keep decision-making local, ensure our neighborhoods stay safe, and push back against those who ignore the voices of Westchester residents. It’s time to put power back in the hands of the people who know their communities best.