District 7 Candidate John Verni Answers Campaign Questions

John Verni, why are you running for County Legislator?

In short, I love the Sound Shore.  My business is in Mamaroneck. I am renovating a home in Mamaroneck. My parents live in Rye and my brother lives in Larchmont.

The Verni family has deep roots in the area.

Taxes have become a major concern. Young families and seniors are finding it hard to justify the high taxes as compared to Connecticut and elsewhere and are leaving the area.  We need to find ways to deliver the services we need at a cost we can afford.

What experience and background prepares you for this job?

As a businessman, attorney and community leader, I have the experience to deal with many of the important issues that confront this district.

As a businessman, I redeveloped the Mamaroneck Train Station into the Club Car restaurant and my family’s real estate offices. The property was dilapidated and off the tax rolls. It now generates $60,000 per year in property taxes to the local community and employs over 50 local people.

As an attorney, I understand real estate and land use, which are important issues as the County navigates through complying with the HUD settlement.

As a community leader, I have been the President of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester so I understand the need for affordable housing and how to get it built within our existing zoning codes.

What differentiates you from Catherine Parker?

I have a degree in Economics from Georgetown University and a law degree from Fordham Law School. I worked for Westchester County as an Assistant District Attorney for 6 years, much of it covering our Sound Shore communities. I have also been active in my community as a leader fighting an oversized IKEA project that would have hurt our environment; lobbied for school bus safety laws to protect our kids; and was the training officer for the New Rochelle Youth Court training high school students to handle real juvenile offender cases.

I have a record of accomplishment in the area of transit-oriented development and “smart growth” using green technologies to help grow our economy while protecting our environment.  I also have an understanding of the construction and redevelopment issues needed to address the rebuilding of our infrastructure, especially our sewer lines leading down to the Sound.

We have enough politicians in White Plains. What we need are professionals with varied experience to help deliver the services the people of Westchester need while holding the line on taxes.

What are the top three issues facing District 7 right now and, if elected, how would you work to resolve them?

The top issue is taxes. We pay for many levels of government in Westchester and the tax bite has made it hard for people to afford to live here.  We need to share services across levels of government to get the best price for the taxpayers. We need to examine energy services contracts like I have done in my own business to retrofit buildings with LED lighting and other energy saving measures to save money and protect the environment. And we need to reform our competitive bidding laws to limit the number of exemptions so, once again, we are getting the best prices for the taxpayers.

Second is flooding and the protection of the environment.  Several areas flood in this district as water comes from the upper parts of the County to the Sound. We must address flooding in a regional way so that the federal, state, county and local governments are working together to mitigate our flooding problems.

And third is the HUD settlement.  As a land use attorney and former President of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, I understand the issues completely.  The Settlement has to be complied with and the County is well on its way to building the 750 units required. However, in the process of meeting the Settlement, we must make sure that our local zoning laws are respected and the state environmental protection laws are followed so that our already stressed infrastructure is not overwhelmed.  I have the legal and affordable housing experience to make sure that happens.

While campaigning over the last few months, what have you learned from the constituents about the District 7 communities that you didn’t already know?

I have lived in this area for most of my life, so there is not a lot about the people of this district I did not already know. However, I know that people here care deeply about their families and communities, and I am concerned that many people who have deep roots in the area will pick up and leave because of the unmanageable taxes.  Maybe it is the degree to which this is a problem that I learned the most about in the past few months.

What is your position on Sustainable Playland deal? Do you want SPI to take over management of Playland? If so why? If not, then what should be the future for Playland?

I like the “concept” of Sustainable Playland, but it is the execution of a proper plan than is most important.  Playland could certainly use some improvements. It has lost money under County control and that puts a strain on our county budget.  If executed properly, Playland can become a year round destination and run in the black.

As to SPI taking control of Playland, I have the expertise in redevelopment to actually be able to judge the feasibility and viability of SPI’s plan. I want to see the plans and I want to see the numbers. We have to make sure that Sustainable Playland is actually economically and environmentally sustainable. The plan must go through the proper SEQRA review.  If SPI takes control, it will be an “asset management agreement” which means that the County still owns it, but SPI manages it.  Since County will continue to own it, the Board of Legislators needs to make sure that whatever is done at Playland is done right.

SPI needs to move beyond a good idea to a properly executed plan. I have the experience to make sure that happens and my opponent does not

Sound Shore residents from different towns have different concerns – If elected, how do you feel you will balance the concerns of all your constituents?

Each community in the district has its own personality and that is what makes the Sound Shore district wonderful.  As I mentioned before, the Verni family has deep roots in all of the communities on the Sound Shore.

Between the concern over taxes, flooding , protecting the Sound, and controlling growth in our cities, towns and villages, there is more that unites us than divides us.

Some of these issues are best dealt with on a regional basis, such as with flooding, and some are best left to the good judgment of the local officials and residents, such as zoning and land use matters.

What are some of the accomplishments you have made in your professional life of which you are most proud?

I have enjoyed many highlights in my professional career. Serving the people of Westchester as an Assistant District Attorney where my one job was to get up everyday and see that justice was done was a highlight.  Representing people as an attorney, especially families moving into their first home after helping them build it with Habitat for Humanity here in Westchester was a highlight. And taking the old dilapidated Mamaroneck Train Station and beautifully restoring it with respect for its history while also providing jobs and tax revenue for the community was also a highlight.

There is often disagreement between Democrats and Republican legislators at the county level – how would you work to improve or handle partisan relations?

I am results-oriented and have always worked in a bi-partisan way to get things done. Whether it was working on a redevelopment project, lobbying for improved school bus safety laws, or lobbying for increased state aid for our schools, it is the results that matter, not the party.

Do you have political aspirations beyond being re-elected to a county legislature seat?

Have you seen what’s been happening in Albany and Washington???  No thanks.

What political party do you belong to?

Republican

Are you endorsed by any political party?

District 7 is comprised of Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont and parts of New Rochelle and Harrison.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Catharine Parker's questionnaire can be seen here.