KAPLOWITZ CHAMPIONS AGRICULTURE & FARMLAND IN NORTHERN WESTCHESTER
-- OVER 60 ACRES ADDED INTO COUNTY’S AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT --
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2006
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz
Tel: (914) 995-2848 or (914) 924-3404 cell
After multiple meetings and at the urging of Westchester County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), chairman of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, the full Board of Legislators last week approved the addition of over 60 acres of land in Northern Westchester into the County’s Agricultural District – including Cantitoe Corners in Bedford, which is owned by Martha Stewart.
Kaplowitz, a member of Westchester County’s Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), noted that although a few of the applications were put on hold due to community opposition at a recent public hearing, he saw no reason why the rest of the applications could not be moved forward. Fellow lawmaker Thomas J. Abinanti (D-I-WF, Greenburgh), chair of the Environment & Energy Committee, agreed with Kaplowitz and passed them out of committee.
“Protecting precious farmland and supporting the County’s ‘agri-business’ is one of the most important responsibilities of a Legislator,” said Kaplowitz, the immediate past chair of the Environment & Health Committee.
“Preserving open space is preserving our environment. It prevents sprawl, which
means cleaner air and cleaner drinking water,” Kaplowitz continued. “Promoting ‘agri-business’ is also important because it creates jobs in our region.”
Kaplowitz, who served as the Legislature’s Environment Committee Chair when Westchester’s Agricultural District was created five years ago, also thanked Legislator Ursula G. LaMotte (R-C, Bedford) for her support. LaMotte said she was “pleased to see these parcels be added into the Agricultural District.”
Kaplowitz, Abinanti and LaMotte made special mention of the members of the AFPB and particularly thanked Barbara Wilkens, chairperson.
