The Honorable Virginia Perez (D-Yonkers)
Westchester County Board of Legislators
800 Michaelian Office Building
148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor
White Plains, New York 10601
Dear Legislator Perez,
We congratulate you on your election to represent us as our Westchester County Board Legislator for the 17th District. The people of the 17th District have demonstrated their faith in you to represent them as an advocate and community representative.
As per your pledge on Election Day, you stated, “I will be an outspoken voice for the underprivileged and a champion of job creation in Southwest Yonkers, while advocating fiscal sanity in legislature.” We believe in you and know you will keep your promises.
As with many communities across Westchester County, many of your constituents include a large population of those who are underprivileged, unemployed and overwhelmed. This unfortunate number increases daily as the current economic crisis, rising unemployment and higher costs for education, impact residents and families everyday.
It is with this state of affairs in mind, we ask that you make certain that funding for the Health Centers and Day Care Services are restored to the County Budget and that you work diligently to make certain that you help obtain the necessary votes to override County Executive Astorino’s heartless cuts to your constituents.
Hispanics and minorities, single-parent households, and the elderly are a vast majority of the patient population who utilize the services of community health centers every day. The Health Centers in Yonkers and Health Centers throughout the County serve as a safety-net and bridge for those who cannot afford the high costs of private doctors, are ineligible for medical assistance programs, and also serve as an avenue to social service programs, health education and information.
Community health centers give residents access to primary and specialty care doctors, dental providers, medication and treatment, chronic illness and disease management help, social and behavioral health services, and important health education services. Community health centers not only serve as a bridge—they help save lives everyday and provide quality healthcare for families that span across generations.
Again, we ask that as thousands of your supporters, and indeed families throughout the County will be negatively impacted by the elimination of funding for community health centers, that you vote against the proposed budget cuts and in support of the community health centers of Westchester County who provide access to quality health care for its residents and thousands of your constituents who have placed their faith in you.
Sincerely,
Julian Liriano, President
Club Dominicanos Unidos De Mt. Vernon
(and)
Pedro Alcantara Coelho
Community Activist
