WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From County Legislator James Maisano. December 1: I am extremely happy to report that the New Rochelle Family Court has been saved. This past summer my office was contacted by several advocates and attorneys who became aware that this branch of the Family Court would be closed in 2005. We then organized joint public meetings of the Committee on Governmental Relations, of which I am the Chair, and the Committee on Families to review this matter.
We listened to all points of view. However, the County Legislators were troubled by the closing of this Family Court because of the critical services it provides to families dealing with difficult issues such as domestic violence, child custody, child support and children with criminal charges. We did not believe that it made any sense to force families from New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham to travel to Family Court in White Plains, when this local Family Court in New Rochelle made these vital services so accessible. We also discovered a 1997 letter to the Westchester Board of Legislators from Judge Lippman, the Chief Administrative Judge of New York State, announcing a decision that both the New Rochelle and Yonkers Family Courts would not be consolidated in White Plains because of the importance of these regional locations for the Family Court.
I then drafted a Resolution that was co-sponsored by County Legislator Vito Pinto in which we called on State Court officials reverse this decision and keep the New Rochelle Family Court opened. This Resolution was passed unanimously on November 22, 2004 by the Westchester Board of Legislators, and one week later it was announced that the New Rochelle Family Court would be saved. I must also point out that the State Legislators representing New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham also sent a letter calling for this Family Court to be saved.
I wish to thank all those who rallied together in this impressive effort. Our victory is a tribute to bipartisan elected officials and citizens coming together in a thoughtful and professional manner to protect vital services for the families of New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham.
Jim Maisano
County Legislator
