County Legislator Testa to Seek Fourth Term

Cites Record of Tax and Spending Reductions and Accomplishments for Residents of Northern Westchester

On Monday, May 18th Westchester County Legislator John G. Testa announced his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term in front of a capacity crowd at The Hudson Room in Downtown Peekskill. Over 100 supporters were present along with officials from across Westchester County.

Testa cited his various reasons for seeking another term as County Legislator for District 1:

“It has been an honor to represent the citizens of the Town of Cortlandt, City of Peekskill and Town of Yorktown for the past 5 1/2 years. Taking a bipartisan approach and working with County Executive Astorino, we have been able to bring a common sense, fiscally responsible focus to Westchester County government.

Since becoming Westchester County Legislator in 2010, I have been involved in creating 5 budgets and all have passed with no increase to the county tax levy; one even contained a 2.2% tax reduction. All have been accomplished by reducing the size of county government by over 15% without reducing essential services, and by increasing the social safety net, enhancing public safety and adding services for our residents.

In 2014 I was proud to spearhead an office in Peekskill focused on Northern Westchester dedicated for free legal services for senior citizens, veterans and victims of domestic violence. Working closely with The Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, the office has brought much needed and never before offered services to the residents of Cortlandt, Peekskill and Yorktown.

A standing room only crowd of over 100 supporters were on hand for Legislator Testa’s announcement at The Hudson Room.

Central to my focus as County Legislator has always been fighting for the municipalities I represent and bringing to Northern Westchester the infrastructure improvements that were long overdue. Last year over 2 miles of County-owned Rt. 6/Main Street was rehabilitated and resurfaced and beginning soon will be the entire reconstruction and repaving of the county owned portions of Crompond Road/Rt. 202 and North Division Street in Peekskill. Other major improvements have been made in Blue Mountain Sportsman’s Center and Reservation, Georges Island Park along with upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Facility in Peekskill.

As a member of the Environment and Energy Committee for the past 5 years I have worked with my colleagues to bring policies focused on energy efficiency and alternative energy implementation, enhanced recycling capabilities for county residents, safe work environments, and preventing toxic children’s products from being sold in Westchester.

Legislator Testa made sure to introduce the owner of The Hudson Room, Louie Lanza.

My colleagues have unanimously joined me as I have continued my passion for supporting our nation’s veterans. As legislator I have spearheaded the county’s stance against the enhanced use lease targeted for the Montrose VA facility that would have taken valuable land away for luxury condominiums. Recently, I introduced a resolution passed unanimously by the BOL naming Westchester County a “Purple Heart County” in New York. I will continue to fight to bring added health and other services to our area veterans.

Elected at the beginning of this term by my colleagues as Minority Leader for the board, I have been proud to be a part of the BOL Leadership team. As Minority Leader I have worked with the other leaders to bring a bipartisan and issue based approach to county government.

Westchester County Executive’s Chief of Staff George Oros served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Although much has been accomplished there is still much more that needs to be done. I look forward to continuing the progress of creating taxpayer friendly policies and bringing new business and success to Westchester County. Continuing working together with like-minded colleagues from both sides of the political aisle I am confident that the best days of Westchester County are still to come.”

About John G. Testa

Former District 1 County Legislator, John G. Testa is served five terms at the Westchester County Board of Legislators, spending the last 3 terms as BOL Minority Leader. John G. Testa is a lifelong resident of Peekskill who first entered elected public service as a member of the Peekskill Common Council in 1998 and then served three terms as Mayor. He previously served on the Conservation and Parks Advisory Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. John became an elected official eager to improve the City in which his family has lived for more than a century and quickly earned a reputation as a strong, independent, nonpartisan voice for fiscal responsibility. John received a BS degree in Technology from SUNY Oswego, where his academic achievements gained him induction into Epsilon Pi Tau, the International Honorary Fraternity of Technology. He earned his MS degree in Technology from the City College of New York. He began his teaching career in 1980 at Peekskill High School, his alma mater, as an instructor in Technology and Social Studies, retiring in 2013 after 33 years teaching. John has been a leader in support for the Arts Community in Westchester. He presided over the construction of the Peekskill Art Lofts, the establishment of the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, and the complete restoration of the Paramount Center for the Arts, originally a 1930’s movie house and helped bring critical funding to many Westchester programs. Legislator Testa received the “Advancing the Arts in Westchester Award” by ArtsWestchester. John has a been a leader on environmental issues for two decades and has a long record of initiatives he has supported and spearheaded. His active involvement in developing and promoting environmentally friendly policies began as mayor and continued throughout his time as Westchester County Legislator. His efforts consistently earned John the endorsement of the NY League of Conservation Voters. John’s most recognizable accomplishment has been his promotion and preservation of local history and historic landmarks, bringing an unprecedented focus on the region’s rich history, and its legacy of historic Victorian architecture. His roots in historical preservation stem from his experience as a Revolutionary War re-enactor and member of The Brigade of the American Revolution for 50 years. John was instrumental in securing the preservation of the Lincoln Depot, now the Lincoln Depot Museum, where he now serves as President. The museum was recognized in 2015 as one of The Best Museums in Westchester. He also secured the preservation of historic Fort Hill as parkland, a 40-acre parcel that was originally a Revolutionary War encampment site. Under his leadership, the United States Dept. of the Interior declared Peekskill a “Preserve America Community.” John was able to establish a record number of National Register designations of local structures, including the first Downtown and Neighborhood Historic Districts and supported the preservation of the historic Miller House in North White Plains. In 2017 John was named a “Champion of History” by the Lincoln Society in Peekskill. John and his wife of 37 years, Nancy, live in Peekskill and have two adult children, John, Jr. (fiancé Courtney Kelly) and Katy (husband Mike Mearon). John and Nancy recently welcomed the arrival of their first grandchild, Lacey Mae, in 2019.

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