It seems that Westchester County Execuite Andy Spano is strongly wedded to the idea of moving the county Board of Elections to 450 Saw Mill Road in Greenburgh for a total of $13,3 million, which includes the purchase price and cost of renovations. After all, the building is owned by Jon Halpern, a big Spano fundraiser.

So I doubt the administration appreciates any alternative ideas. But here’s on from Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. He thinks commercial building owners should compete for the sale of their buildings in an open  bidding process.  In other, make it a fair process with a level playing field. Gee, how’s that for a novel ide>

Here’s Feiner’s letter to Spano in full.

“Dear County Executive Spano:
“I would like to propose that the County of Westchester encourage building owners to bid for the right to sell their vacant commercial or office building to the county  of Westchester as a possible location for the Board of Elections headquarters. Although I personally believe that the location should be on or near White Plains (the seat of county government), I realize that there may be other considerations——such as cost.
“The county should create a non partisan committee (which would include the League of Women Voters) to review the various proposals. Three suitable locations should be proposed to the County Executive and Board of Legislators. The county would then choose one of the three finalists. Frequent bus service to and from the Board of Elections site should be a requirement.
“Many localities, including Greenburgh & our school districts, worry about the loss of taxes if the county purchases a building and locates the building in the locality. The county is currently exempt from paying taxes to the school district, town, village and fire districts. Another suggestion: The county could help the community that is chosen to house the Board of Elections out by agreeing to pay the community the taxes that would be owed to them.
“When the county purchases a building residents should know that the 1) county has selected the best location; 2) is getting the best price for the building.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor”