Long-Time Legislator Appointed To Key Environmental Position
Real Estate In-Depth | December 17, 2019
WHITE PLAINS—After a long career serving the people of Westchester, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced that a former Board of Legislators Chairman will be joining his administration.
Legislator Michael Kaplowitz has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities where will use his financial and legal background to evaluate the financial and governance issues related to sewer districts and the costs and benefits of possible consolidations.
County Executive Latimer said when announcing the appointment on Dec. 11, “The challenges we are asking Mike to take on now are very difficult but there is not a finer person to take them on. His intellect, public commitment and knowledge of the county make him perfectly prepared to do this.”
Kaplowitz noted, “After 22 years of public service as a County Legislator, it was bittersweet to cast my last vote as my colleagues and I passed the 2020 budget. I am proud of the work I’ve done on behalf of the residents of this great county, and I look forward to continuing to serve Westchester in my new role.’
Kaplowitz has represented the 4th District (Yorktown, New Castle and Somers) since 1998 and previously served as Vice-Chairman of the Board. On January 6th, 2014, he was elected as Chairman of the Board.
Previously, his education and expertise as an attorney and certified financial planner led to his appointment as Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee in 2003. Mr. Kaplowitz is a long-time environmentalist and is also a past Chair of the Westchester County Legislature’s Environment & Energy Committee.
Kaplowitz has a long history of involvement in a wide variety of community and civic organizations, including the Volunteer Center, the March of Dimes Walk America, the American Red Cross and the Partnership Fund for Aging Services. He earned a B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law. Kaplowitz and his wife Jayne live in Somers and have two adult daughters.
The long-time legislator didn’t seek re-election in 2019 and will be succeeded on the Westchester County Board of Legislators by Vidat Gashi in 2020, according to a report in the Journal News.