(Bronx, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. sat down at the Bronx County Building with the goal of discussing ways the two governments can work together on behalf of residents. The neighboring districts – while unique in their own ways – share a border and history, and with that comes shared concerns and shared solutions.
Latimer said: “I am very happy to meet with my friend Ruben Diaz Jr. From our time together in the Assembly, I knew the leadership he was going to bring to the people of the Bronx, and I look forward to working together to improve the relations between our two municipalities. Our communities share many common interests – notably all the areas where public transportation meet – and together we are eager to improve those shared interests. From cross border tourism, to expanding economic development opportunities, I look forward to working with my friends in the Bronx.”
Diaz Jr. said: “From health care providers to tourist spots to economic centers – there is a lot of synergy between us and our neighbors in Westchester. Many of his constituents travel and work in the Bronx and so many Bronx residents do the same in Westchester – giving us plenty of chances to work together to improve our two hometowns. This is the first of many conversations between our two offices and I look forward to our continued partnership and creation of a broader regional based conversation.”
The meeting covered topics including: where services can be shared to save taxpayers money, increasing public transportation between Westchester and the Bronx so residents can get to work safely, create opportunities for shared tourism events in Van Cortlandt Park and the Kensico Dam, and how Westchester and the Bronx can work together to create jobs in the ever expanding bio tech field.
This was the first meeting between Diaz Jr. and Latimer, and the first meeting between Diaz Jr. and a Westchester County Executive.
The full press conference can be viewed HERE.