On March 2, UJA-Westchester and Westchester Jewish Council hosted a virtual conversation with Westchester County Board of Legislators’ new Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) and new Vice Chairwoman Nancy Barr (D-Rye Brook). Karen Everett, UJA-Westchester’s government relations chair, moderated the event.
“This is the first time that both chair and vice-chair positions are held by women,” Everett noted. “This event is a collaboration between UJA-Federation Westchester and the WJC, two incredible organizations working together to strengthen the Jewish community. UJA also advocates on behalf of our partners and the needs of the community in the halls of government. None of our work is possible without our elected officials.”
Borgia was elected chair by unanimous vote. She represents District Nine (Ossining, Briar Cliff, Croton, Cortland and Peekskill). “I started in public service as a mommy-advocate,” she said. “I became interested when welfare reform in the 90s happened. I was a young mother. Back then, if people couldn’t find jobs even as greeters at Walmart, they could open day care centers in their homes. I thought that was gambling with our next generation’s future, to say somebody who doesn’t have the skills to have a job at McDonald’s should open a day care center at home.
“I became involved in family and children’s Issues, making sure the investment we make in our youngest children is significant—the government dollars that pay off most in society,” Borgia continued. “I started getting involved in other types of advocacy.”
Working for her assemblywoman in Ossining, she helped an 80-year old woman receive $70,000 of unclaimed funds after an entire day on the phone with the comptroller’s office. The woman said, “You’ve made the rest of my life possible.” In her first week in public service, she said, “It made me almost addicted to the notion that work in public service impacts people directly, in a meaningful way. Local governments take care of things that matter most in people’s lives: infrastructure, childcare and food.
Borgia discussed her 11 years on the board. “My first committee, Government Operations, is now three committees. I was the majority leader for two terms [2014-2015 and 2016-2017] and I chaired the budget for the past term, so I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with the nitty gritty of county government.
“My time as chair is very special to me,” Borgia said, noting that due to term limits this would be her last term. “The leadership team works very well together with Minority Leader Margaret Cunzio [C-Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, North Castle], even though she is not of the same party. Politics is crazy; some people think that politics is more of a street brawl. But in the county, we get things done for the people in Westchester.”
Arnold Linhardt, WJC government relations chair, introduced Barr, who represents District Six (Port Chester, Rye Brook and Harrison). “I don’t have as long and storied a history in politics as the chairwoman but I certainly have the same level of devotion to public service,” she said.“That’s manifested itself over the years in volunteer activities starting before college, through law school, and various career turns.”
Barr, a lawyer, practiced at a major Wall Street firm for four years before moving to Westchester. At that point, she had a 2-year-old son and decided to stay home. Her volunteering at school led her to run for the Board of Education and serve six years from 2009 to 2015. She described that as a great opportunity to put legal skills together with a passion for education, children and families.
“While thinking what I was going to do when my daughter graduated from high school, we had the 2016 presidential election. That changed everything. It rocked my world as well as many others I know. At the end of the day, that’s what prompted me to run for county legislature.”
In 2017, Barr kicked off her campaign, had heart surgery and, with her sister, celebrated the bat mitzvahs they never had. “We grew up in a secular household, although both parents are Jewish,” she noted.
“I’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to serve in county government,” Barr continued. “We make a difference in people’s lives, with intimate contact with people. We are the first level of government to help people find services. Besides my children, it’s probably been the most gratifying thing that I’ve ever done, and I feel very blessed to be able to service Westchester.
To learn more about the Westchester’s Board of Legislators please visit https://westchesterlegislators.com/
