Otis Will Run for Assembly Seat

Former Rye Mayor Steve Otis has announced he will run for George Latimer's State Assembly seat. Latimer is vacating the seat in order to run for State Senate.

Otis served as Mayor of Rye City from 1998 until 2009. Since 1985 Otis has served as Counsel and Chief of Staff for State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer's retirement is the initial domino to cause Latimer to run for Senator and Otis for Assembly.

Here is Otis' news release. What do you think? Leave a comment below.

"Steve Otis Declares as Candidate for Sound Shore Assembly Seat

Steve Otis, former City of Rye Mayor and long-time Counsel and Chief of Staff to State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, announced today that he is running for the 91st State Assembly District that covers the Sound Shore communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, Port Chester and Rye Brook.

In announcing his candidacy Otis stated, “We need effective representation to address the issues facing Sound Shore residents. I am eager to put my skills and years of public service to work in this new role. The experience I have gained from working closely with Suzi Oppenheimer for 27 years, as well as my 12 years as Mayor of Rye, have provided me with a deep knowledge of issues important to Westchester residents. My in-depth experience in state and local government will enable me to be especially effective working for the Sound Shore in the State Assembly.”

“A major priority will be to find innovative ways to lower the cost of government and control property taxes. Last year I worked closely with Ossining officials in successfully securing state legislation to merge their village and town courts. We need to continue to find ways to lower the cost of government at every level.”

“I have worked on other key issues that remain of major importance, such as advocating for Westchester schools, improving flood mitigation and emergency management, protecting Long Island Sound, advancing women’s issues, and supporting small business.”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) commented in support, “ It is hard to imagine a better prepared and more knowledgeable person in how state and local government works. I know first-hand that Steve will provide exceptional service to Westchester.”

Otis is known as one of the most effective and well-informed public officials in Westchester. His nonpartisan approach and dedication is respected at every level of government. Steve served as President of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association in 2005-06 and has been member of the groups executive committee since 2003.

As Mayor of Rye for 12 years, Steve brought innovation and leadership to numerous successful community projects, including traffic and pedestrian safety, emergency management, recreation, senior citizens, environmental protection, infrastructure repairs, historic preservation and municipal finance. Steve used public/private partnerships to lower costs to the taxpayer, and he greatly expanded public participation in the work of the City.

For 27 years Steve has worked side by side with Suzi to improve our environment and advocate for protections for women and children, as well as to support flood mitigation, transportation improvements and property tax relief.

Otis’s public service highlights:

• Mayor, City of Rye 1998-2009 – Longest-serving Mayor in the City’s history.
• Counsel and Chief of Staff for State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer – Served as Suzi’s chief advisor since 1985;
• Legislative Director and Senate Fellow for State Senator Jeremy S. Weinstein, 1980-1985.
• Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), Member 1999-2009, Vice Chair 2002-2009
• A founding member of committee which includes New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, the City of Rye, Port Chester, and Rye Brook, working on issues affecting Long Island Sound, flooding, and stormwater management.
• Westchester County Flood Action Task Force 2007-2010.
• Westchester Municipal Officials Association Executive Committee 2002-present, President, 2005-06.
• Traffic Safety – Implemented “Road Diet” for Boston Post Road in Rye, served on YMCA Activate America
• Committee promoting traffic safety on the Sound Shore.
• Rye Project Impact, Co-Chaired Rye’s FEMA Emergency Management Program, founded in 1998.
• NYS Association of Conservation Commissions, Board of Directors, 1993- present:
• Rye Conservation Commission, 7 years, Chair 1992-1995;
• Westchester County Environmental Management Council, former Vice Chair.
• Audubon NY, Stewardship Committee Member, 2009-present.
• Masters Degree in Public Administration, NYU.
• J.D., Hofstra University School of Law, B.A., Hobart College."