A Successful Salute

May 9, 2011-- County Executive Robert P. Astorino told more than 1,500 seniors last week that he has reduced the county’s property tax levy by 2 percent – its first reduction in many years.

“The reduction is modest,” Astorino said at the 43rd annual Salute to Seniors at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. “But it makes a positive statement that shows we’re on our way.”

The County Executive said he is aware how much lower taxes mean to seniors who live on fixed incomes.
 
“It is very important to keep you in your homes in Westchester,” he said. “And I’m pleased to tell you that this fall I will submit a 2010 budget that once again will call for no hike in the country property tax levy.”

Astorino also said that the Salute is timed to coincide with Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme was “Older Americans:  Connecting the Community.”

“Here in Westchester, we try to do that year-round,” he said. “No one understands better how interconnected we all are than the seniors among us, and no one does a better job of bringing us together on a daily basis.”
 
Salute’s popular mainstays were also there --  the  Business and Services Expo, the Health and Wellness Fair and the Arts and Crafts Boutique. The Expo had more than 70 exhibitors, including nonprofit organizations, social service agencies and hospitals in addition to many commercial companies.
 
At the health fair, representatives from local health care agencies and organizations were on hand to speak with the seniors, and they offered a wide range of tests, such as posture and balance assessments and hearing screenings. Registered dietitians offered nutrition counseling. 

Live entertainment is always a key component of the annual Salute, and seniors enjoyed listening to the sounds of the Gerard Carelli Orchestra and the Rappin’ Grannies.  

The Salute is sponsored by the Westchester County Departments of Parks, Senior Programs and Services and Public Works and Transportation, as well as by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.