Opinion Exchange

Republican Rob Astorino, whose surprise defeat of long-time Westchester County Executive Andy Spano in November, has started to make some appointments in key positions. Readers are weighing in on those choices and what they think it means for county government—and the taxpayers—heading into 2010. Astorino has named Mt. Pleasant Supervisor Robert Meehan as county attorney and attorney Kevin Plunkett as his deputy executive. Read the story and add your thoughts.
Here’s what readers had to say:

I thought Astorino was gonna clean up White Plains? Meet the new boss worse then the old boss.

Another wrote:

Ya know, Rob, we’ve all been talking about this Plunkett problem you’ve created for yourself and several of us have been speaking with you about it. This is a 100 percent downside decision by you and it’s got supporters from all over the county really upset.

However, some are defending the choices, such as this reader, who wrote:

Astorino picked an all-around talented, smart, and savvy professional to be deputy county executive and you should be at the very least reserving judgment. Are you all becoming that cynical.that anyone remotely connected to the poltical life of this state is automatically excluded from being a part of government.

Another added:

Kevin Plunkett is a good choice. He is not arrogant. He is hard-working, easy to work with, has interacted with many officials from both parties at different levels of government. I think he has the potential to be a terrific deputy county executive because of his knowledge and because of his people skills.

A third noted:

Mr. Meehan has done a great job as town supervisor. Whenever I have dealt with him he was always available, and followed through. … He has been a rock in our community!