L-R, Orange County Exec. Steven Neuhaus., Westchester County Exec. George Latimer, Ulster County Exec. Jen Metzger, Rockland County Exec. Ed Day
By Dan Murphy
Westchester County Executive George Latimer backed up his comments made on May 9, in which he read from the Book of Matthew in the Bible, asking residents to think about helping others, by penning an editorial for LoHud.com in which he states more clearly that “Westchester Will Welcome Asylum Seekers with Compassion and Reason.”
Latimer compares today’s migrant crisis on the Mexico-Texas border to the immigration influx in the 1800’s of Irish and Italian immigrants. “A rational direction of immigration can make America stronger, not weaker.”
The people who are migrants are in dire need. Our city neighbor is trying to address that need. They, too, need help….If we can manage some numbers, with proper services and controls in place, we, too, can help. All of us…will be judged Every single one of us. Judged for how we treated our neighbor.
Latimer adds, “some neighboring counties want no part of the problem.” Those two counties are Rockland and Orange counties, with Rockland County Executive Ed Day being the most vocal in his opposition.
And now Latimer has made the contrast, between his views and Day’s views. In his comments and verses, Latimer was also able to get us to examine not only our own beliefs, but to examine the beliefs of others, who claim to be both Christian and Conservative, with the understanding that there is no right or wrong answer.
It is also realistic for Latimer, and all residents of the Hudson Valley, to realize that with an upcoming influx of migrants now crossing the border, more will end up in NYC, and NYC will in turn try to send a small percentage to Rockland, Orange and Westchester.
An empty Rockland County hotel was the place where NYC Adams wanted to place migrants without a place for shelter. Orange County also has empty hotels, where in both cases, the owners wanted the migrants to come, for the money.
I wonder where in Westchester could the migrants be housed temporarily? In today’s Not in My Back Yard, NIMBY, climate, Latimer’s stance is a brave one.
Less than one month ago, Latimer stood with Day and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, to oppose Holtec’s dumping into the Hudson River.
Note: This morning (May 12) on GoodDay New York, Orange County Exec. Neuhaus appeared and said that his requests to hold back on any migrants coming into his county were ignored as two buses stopped at a Newburgh hotel. Neuhaus added that Newburgh and Orange County have lots of empty or vacant hotels that would be attractive to NYC for some migrant relocation.
