Candidate Spoke at Hearing Against Edgemont Secession, Says Move Would be Immoral, Potentially in Violation of Federal Equal Protection Laws and Only Possible Thanks to Legislation Passed by Democrat MaryJane Shimsky
Candidate for New York State Legislature, Alessandro Crocco of Hartsdale recently attended a public hearing and stood in opposition of a potential secession of Edgemont from the Town of Greenburgh, calling it morally wrong and possibly in violation of state and federal equal protection rights. Crocco was one of dozens of Greenburgh residents to rise and speak their minds against such a move.
In his remarks, Crocco –who identified himself as a neighbor and friend to those gathered– said any potential secession would only be possible thanks to legislation passed by current Assemblywoman, Democrat MaryJane Shimsky and subsequent horse trading in Albany.
In addition to the resulting high taxes and strains on public services such as police and fire, Crocco said an unintended casualty of secession would be Greenburgh’s parks system including crucial community services due to a major drop in population.
“If Edgemont were to secede, that would be at least 8,000 fewer people using the recreation system and paying taxes to support it. Among this scenario would be the historic Fairview Center, meaning a terribly unfair, cruel impact on hundreds of minority families who rely on the programs and services offered there.”
Crocco had particular concerns about the very process by which the groundwork was laid for the Edgemont residents seeking to abandon Greenburgh.
“In terms of the procedural requirements for this ill-conceived endeavor, I believe the merits of the petition to be in grave question…In December of 2023, Governor Hochul signed a new law streamlining village incorporation petitions, a significant improvement over a nearly century-old statute. The new law recognizes the impact of incorporation on both the proposed village and the remaining Town, removing the burden from the Town Supervisor, who previously had to validate petitions, potentially conflicting with community interests. Now, an independent panel appointed by state officials will oversee the process, which includes a required impact study.”
Crocco went on, “However, a political deal exempted a small group in Edgemont from this law for 16 years, allowing them to bypass updated impact studies. This exemption disadvantages others affected by incorporation and raises concerns about constitutional fairness.”
Crocco’s assessment of a post-secession Greenburgh turned even more ominous when he noted the potential violations of Equal Protections provided by the Constitution, a notion of particular sensitivity for the crowd who paid close attention to his words.
“…given the respective demographics of a post-secession Edgemont and unincorporated Greenburgh it is my understanding that once all the due diligence has been performed on the legalities of this movement, the results of a secession by Edgemont could very well be in violation of state and federal civil rights laws,” said Crocco. “The result would violate New York’s John Lewis voting rights law and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. This is just wrong, and I ask our town supervisor to reject the petition.”
