Civility, Reason Before Politics a Lost Art
By Dan Murphy
The announcement last week that County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz would not run for re-election this November was sad news for those interested in bipartisanship and reaching across the aisle. Kaplowitz will retire this fall after serving on the Board of Legislators for 22 years – the second longest term in the board’s history.
But what Kaplowitz will most be remembered for, and perhaps the reason for his departure, is his four years of service to Westchester as chairman of the BOL, from 2014 to 2017. The decision by Kaplowitz, a democrat, to join with democratic legislator Virginia Perez and seven republican county legislators was seen as either a betrayal or someone seeking consensus through a coalition government.
Kaplowitz, a financial planner by profession who has represented the fourth county board district that includes Yorktown, Somers and New Castle over three decades used his time as board chairman to control county property taxes, but also to act as a check-and-balance to County Executive Rob Astorino. And, as always, Kaplowitz took the high road in making his announcement, not blaming any kind of retribution politics from fellow democrats, but just explaining that it is the right time to go.
“It was a difficult decision – a decision that is bitter sweet,” said Kaplowitz. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of my public service and hope that I am leaving Westchester a little bit better than when I started.”
Kaplowitz, who worked with County Executives Andy Spano, Astorino and George Latimer, also served as BOL vice chairman and budget chairman. “It’s time to hand it off to the next generation and for me to open one door and close another,” he said. “I do hope to serve the public in other ways and continue my work in the financial service industry. And I have been given a wonderful gift to be elected and re-elected.”
Our interview with Kaplowitz reminded us of why so many moderate democrats, independents and republicans related to his no-nonsense, apolitical, tell-it-like-it-is style of governing. “I probably could have turned this into a civil service job and run forever and die in office, but I wanted to leave at the top of my game,” he said. “I’ve accomplished it all and now someone else can deal with the challenges.”
Kaplowitz could have served another decade or two if he chose to, even if – as many have speculated – the new blue Progressive Democratic party would have preferred someone else. He remained very popular in his northern Westchester district, and was re-elected most times without major opposition despite representing a republican-titling district.
During his 20-plus years on the County Board, the average county property tax increase was 2.15 percent – a self-imposed tax cap, if you will. “Low and slow was one of my slogans and after all the challenges, financial crisis’ and recessions, the number one job of a county legislator is to provide a budget that the taxpayers can afford,” he said.
Does he regret the decision to join with republicans to become BOL chairman? No. “I have no regrets, and it was a great four years” said Kaplowitz. “Every day was like a fire drill, with lawsuits and housing settlements and airport deals. Trying to balance a bipartisan board with a conservative county executive was a challenge. Eventually, we began crashing into the reality of sinking revenues and disappearing fund balances, but it was a challenge that I was up for.”
Kaplowitz said one of his final satisfactions was seeing County Executive George Latimer sign the agreement for the North 60 bio-tech development project.
Latimer had kind words for Kaplowitz: “In 1997, Mike Kaplowitz took on a tough race for a county legislative seat in northern Westchester – he ran a terrific campaign and won a 39-vote victory. That win gave Democrats our first ever majority on the BOL, and that majority selected me to serve as chair of the County Board. That Democratic majority passed procedural reforms, environmental bills, a Human Rights Commission that extended non-discrimination protections, and so much else. That ninth seat gave me my first chance to show leadership skills, and showed Mike’s skills as a public official.
“In his own right, in environment and budget committees, then as chairman, he showed his own leadership skills and had his accomplishments. And now, after 11 terms, Mike has announced he will not run again.
“But today I salute Mike Kaplowitz for his years of service and hope his career of service is not yet done,” continued Latimer. “In the year-plus since I have become county executive, I have opened my arms wide enough to embrace unity in the Democratic Party, and friendly cooperation with the Republican Party locally. And that’s because I know people like Mike Kaplowitz and Jim Maisano personally and believe that we can achieve things together. It was an honor to serve with Mike.”
The elections of 2017 in Westchester, coming on the heels of President Donald Trump’s election in 2016, changed everything. Latimer defeated Astorino, four republicans lost re-election on the county board, and Kaplowitz became a “back bencher,” serving as a quiet voice on a supermajority democratic county board.
“As a student of history, I know the natural pendulum swing that politics takes,” he said. “I was the right person at the right time and now in the age of Trump we have a new Legislature elected in 2017. Will compromise come back? Yes. I always believed that if you give a little then everyone wins a lot.
“That kind of thinking is on the shelf for now but I was proud to be able to serve in an age of consensus and better feelings toward one another. But once you are chairman it’s hard to go to the back of the bench.”
Is there any coincidence that both Kaplowitz’ announcements comes just two weeks after Legislator Virginia Perez, who joined Kaplowitz in joining the coalition BOL majority, was removed from her chair post and will be challenged in the fall if she decides to seek re-election?
Kaplowitz says no. “We both opposed the gridlock and she joined me and helped me get the bipartisan coalition,” he said. “We are both out of phase now so it was inevitable. But we are not being forced out, I’m leaving on my own term and I might run again someday. I’m making this decision now because of the new rules for primaries and picking candidates.”
As we say bye for now to Kaplowitz, we hope we have not said good-bye to the type of politician whose behavior we cannot predict. In his comments, Latimer alluded to George H.W. Bush and Sen. John McCain when thanking Kaplowitz for his service, and it’s a good comparison.
Bush no. 43 made a budget deal with the Democrats in D.C. that raised taxes and may have cost him re-election; McCain truly relished bucking his party, and conventional wisdom so many times, all – like Bush – for the good of the country. What a fitting tribute to put Kaplowitz, who also did what he thought was best for our county, Westchester County, with these two great men.
