# How Green Lighting is Equal to Good Government in the Village of Ossining 

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/how-green-lighting-is-equal-to-good-government-in-the-village-of-ossining/
- Published: 2017-10-29T17:48:29-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

People are asking me all around what my opinion is on the State of Politics. As 
a Master of Public Administration, I’m just looking for less talk and more results.
So when I think about things; my experience working with Westchester County Legislator
[Catherine Borgia](https://web.archive.org/web/20180411042411/http://www.catherineborgia.com/)
and [Mayor of Ossining Victoria Gearity](https://web.archive.org/web/20180829151857/https://www.villageofossining.org/)
to get outdoor LED Street lighting into the Village is what comes to mind. It saves
taxpayer dollars on energy costs, maintenance costs (because the bulbs last 20 years!)
and is better lighting on the road for safety.

So why alone does this instance of government exemplify all my years? The idea started
way back when I started talking to Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia (now County 
Legislator and Majority Leader of the Legislature). All while she was campaigning
back then. Meanwhile this has to be seven years ago or so.

Then we did a public access interview on it. Finally, Catherine went to be the County
Legislator for the area and then Victoria Gearity was running for the Office of 
Mayor for Ossining. I explained that the [New York Power Authority](https://www.nypa.gov/)
had a program that can help Victoria get LED lighting on the streets being green.
Also and saving energy. Why does this matter:

**_Energy savings equals budget savings and that equals saving taxpayer dollars._**

[⌊How green lighting is equal to good government in the village of ossining⌉⌊How
green lighting is equal to good government in the village of ossining⌉[

**_That’s Great Government! _**

When Gearity became Mayor one of her first items up for bid (as in a game show reference)
was outdoor LED lighting and worked with the New York Power Authority. Just getting
the job done. You know?!  No drama, no nonsense. Just getting things done.

Well here’s their opinions and facts on it.

 1. The Village saved $100,000 in year one (the year they paid for the work).
 2. Due to the savings there was zero percent tax levy on the Village. The Mayor emphasized
    how big they was.
 3. It’s great when you work on something and it works. Just good government.

[⌊How green lighting is equal to good government in the village of ossining⌉⌊How
green lighting is equal to good government in the village of ossining⌉[
 **_Legislator
Catherine Borgia stated: _**

 

 

 

 

 

 

> I’m very pleased that initiatives that were in their infancy when I served in 
> local Ossining government are paying off for the residents of ossining in such
> a significant was. Congratulations to the officials in Ossining for making our
> community a leader in environmental initiatives.

 

**_Mayor of the Village of Ossining, Victoria Gearity added:_**

_“As an environmentalist, I’m always looking for ways to reduce our Village’s carbon
footprint. As a mayor, I’m always looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars. LED
streetlights is the best of both.
 Ossining’s switch to LED streetlights reduced
our energy consumption dramatically. In just the first year, we saved over $100k
on our electric bill.

_There are a variety of approaches for financing. A municipality really can’t go
wrong.”_

So let’s regroup here. $100,000 savings year one. 20 years on LED. EXCLUDING MAINTENANCE
COSTS TO FIX.

So let’s say $175,000 per year. 20 years. Over $2M in taxpayer savings. Thanks Catherine
Borgia, Victoria Gearity and NYPA!!

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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