Congressman George Latimer Announces Citizen Task Forces

Date:

Nonprofit Westchester (NPW) Executive Director Jan Fisher to Chair Rep. Latimer’s Social Services Citizen Task Force & National Security/Foreign Policy Expert Asha Castleberry To Chair Foreign Affairs & Military Affairs Task Force.

Judith Watson, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center, Appointed To Social Services Citizen Task Force & Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen Appointed To Intergovernmental Task Force

On Monday, December 1st, U.S. Representative George Latimer (NY-16) announced the creation of seven citizen task forces. Each task force is comprised of residents who live or work in New York’s 16th District and is chaired by a leader with expertise in the respective issue areas. The task force chairs will oversee organizational meetings with the aim to make recommendations to Rep. Latimer and his staff on legislation, funding, and administration policies that can benefit the residents of the 16th District. 

“We are fortunate here in Westchester and the Bronx to have many talented and engaged people whose knowledge and expertise can benefit all our communities. We have assembled seven working groups with diverse professional backgrounds, and we are going to give them a chance to be part of how the sausage gets made in Washington,” said Rep. Latimer. 

The task forces will focus on the following seven areas: 

  • Social Services
  • Energy & Environment
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Foreign Policy & Military Affairs
  • Jobs & Economy

Nonprofit Westchester Executive Director, Jan Fisher, has been appointed Chair of the Social Services Citizen Task Force, newly established by U.S. Representative George Latimer to help guide legislative priorities for New York’s 16th Congressional District.

This appointment reflects Jan’s long-standing commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector, championing equity, and elevating the voices of human service providers and the communities they serve.

“I am honored to chair the Social Services Citizen Task Force and to work alongside such dedicated community leaders.  This task force represents a meaningful opportunity to uplift the voices of our region’s families, service providers, and community partners. I look forward to collaborating with Rep. Latimer and my fellow task force members to advance policies that support individual and community well-being and build stronger, more resilient communities,” Jan Fisher shared with Black Westchester.

As Chair of the Social Services Task Force, Jan will lead a distinguished group of community leaders:

  • Judy Troilo
  • Beatriz Coronel
  • Maritza Fludd
  • Judith Watson
  • Tom Gabriel

“I am humbled and excited to serve as the voice for the voiceless, many of whom are struggling during this difficult time. I am grateful to Congressman Latimer for creating a space to elevate this vital work in this moment in history. I look forward to serving alongside Chairwoman Jan Fisher and the entire committee for the furtherance of ensuring that the needs of the voiceless are heard and met,” Westchester Community Health Center CEO Judith Watson shared with Black Westchester.

National security/foreign policy expert Asha Castleberry, a former 17th District Congressional candidate, was appointed as Chair of Latimer’s Foreign Affairs & Military Affairs Task Force.

“I am excited to be part of Rep. Latimer’s task force and look forward to working with the district on foreign policy issues,” Castleberry shared with Black Westchester.

Other leaders in the New York Congressional 16th District include Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen and County Legislator Ben Boykin – District 5 (White Plains, Scarsdale, West Harrison), appointed to the Intergovernmental Task Force, and Former New Rochelle NAACP President Mark McLean, appointed to the Jobs & Economy Task Force.

“The issues we face today are not the sole responsibility of one agency or one level of government. Real progress only happens when local, state, and federal partners work together with shared purpose and aligned goals. I’m excited to work with Congressman Latimer to help shape practical, community-driven solutions,” Mayor Pelham Chance Mullen shared with Black Westchester.

Black Westchester congratulates everyone on these meaningful appointments and looks forward to the positive impact these task forces will bring to the residents of District 16 and beyond.

Task Forces, Chairs & Members:

Environment & Energy:

  • Martin Rogowsky (Chair)
  • Nancy Seligson
  • Joe Carvin
  • John Isaac
  • Nina Orville

Infrastructure:

  • Jonathan Lewis (Chair)
  • Morgen Fleisig
  • Harmeet Goindi
  • Noel Ellison
  • Rich Nightingdale
  • Dylan Pyne
  • Michael Stanton

Intergovernmental:

  • Nancy Kaboolian (Chair)
  • Richard Harley
  • Chance Mullen
  • Hector Santana
  • Anne Janiak
  • Megan Glander
  • Ben Boykin

Veterans Affairs:

  • Kevin Meggett (Chair)
  • Bill Goodenough
  • Bob Cypher
  • Joe Bello
  • Rod Carlson

Foreign Affairs & Military Affairs:

  • Asha Castleberry (Chair)
  • Betty Cotton
  • Bill Schrag
  • Tony Kollarmalil
  • Andy Laub

Jobs & Economy:

  • Jane Veron (Chair)
  • Meena Thever
  • Andrew Regenstriech
  • Mark McLean
  • Kansas Asadoorizin
  • Beth Cheverie
  • Darnell Lopez
  • Valon Nikci

Social Services:

  • Jan Fisher (Chair)
  • Judy Troilo
  • Beatriz Coronel
  • Maritza Fludd
  • Judith Watson
  • Tom Gabriel
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of Black Westchester, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Rap Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others. Follow me at Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/mrajwoodson.bsky.social and Spoutible https://spoutible.com/MrAJWoodson

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