IGR Committee
DRAFT COPY
IGR Committee Members Present: Chair: Jim Maisano; Legislators: George Latimer, George Oros, Richard Wishnie
Others Present: Guests: None; Administration: None; County Departments: None; Staff: David Simpson
I. MINUTES:
Without objection, the minutes of the October 25, 2004 meeting of the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations were approved.
II. DISCUSSION AND ACTION:
Proposed Resolution Regarding the Planned Closing of the New Rochelle Family Court
Mr. Maisano presented a resolution opposing the closing of the New Rochelle Family Court for the committee’s consideration. Discussion ensued and a minor amendment was proposed by Mr. Wishnie regarding the inclusion of a reference to the once-proposed Peekskill family court expansion site. On the motion of Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mr. Wishnie, the following resolution was approved by the committee by a vote of 4-0.
WHEREAS, since its founding in 1962, the New York State Family Court has been an integral instrument of justice in the statutorily designated areas of the law that pertain to cases of child neglect or abuse, juvenile delinquency, status offenses, parental custody and visitation, persons in need of supervision, domestic violence, and adoption; AND
WHEREAS these specialized areas of jurisprudence most effectively serve families and the vulnerable segments of society when they are made readily accessible to the community in localized venues; AND
WHEREAS Westchester County residents are currently serviced by three branches of the New York State Family Court—New Rochelle, White Plains, and Yonkers—each of which performs an important and needed role in their respective areas of the county; AND
WHEREAS, in a 1997 communication to this honorable Board, Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman of the Unified Court System of the State of New York reassured this body in no uncertain terms that the New Rochelle Family Court would remain open, citing explicitly that the “interests of children and families in Westchester are best served by preserving a decentralized Family Court with facilities in Yonkers, New Rochelle and White Plains,” and additionally that the Office of Court Administration would establish a Family Court Satellite Office in Peekskill, AND
WHEREAS, despite prior reassurances, plans to close the New Rochelle branch of the Westchester County Family Court have recently been made known publicly and to this honorable Board; AND
WHEREAS the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations and the Committee on Families investigated said plans extensively, holding hearings, reviewing petitions, interviewing experts and reaching out to the communities; AND
WHEREAS closing the New Rochelle Family Court would adversely affect hundreds of children, families and victims of domestic violence in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Pelham; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that the Westchester County Board of Legislators stands in firm opposition to any proposal that would close the New Rochelle Family Court, or any family court in Westchester County; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Westchester County Board of Legislators urges the Unified Court System’s Office of Court Administration to abide by prior agreements with this Board of Legislators in keeping all existing branches of the Westchester County Family Court open and in establishing a Family Court Satellite Office in Peekskill; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the text of this resolution shall be delivered to the Unified Court System’s Office of Court Administration in order that the will and intent of this honorable Board shall be known.
III. RECEIVE AND FILE:
None.
IV. ADJOURN:
On the motion of Mr. Wishnie, seconded by Mr. Oros and without objection, the committee adjourned.
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