Rep. George Latimer’s first week in the House of Representatives brought the appointment of Greenburgh Town Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx to run his White Plains district office.
Then came swift calls for Hendrickx to resign from her town post.
Greenburgh Republicans say Hendrickx’s full-time employment for the federal government creates conflicts with her part-time job addressing town policy.
They say Hendrickx’s dual positions violate the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits some federal employees from engaging in partisan politics. But a spokesman for the agency that enforces that law says the statute applies only to employees of the executive branch and not to those, like Hendrickx, who work for members of Congress in the legislative branch.
Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, meanwhile, urged Hendrickx to do what she could to bring more federal funding to Greenburgh when he congratulated her on the social media platform LinkedIn.
“Congratulations,” wrote Feiner. “Help bring lots of federal dollars to Greenburgh!”
Ellen Hendrickx, a Greenburgh Town Council member and new district director for U.S. Rep. George Latimer, D-Rye, shut down a discussion of federal issues at the Greenburgh Town Council meeting on Jan. 7.
Hendrickx balks at Paul Feiner’s call for more federal funding
The tensions over Hendrickx’s appointment were apparent at Tuesday’s Town Board work session at Greenburgh Town Hall. Hendrickx appeared uncomfortable as Feiner brought up the need to seek more federal funding for pedestrian safety, adding that Latimer had just been elected to Congress and was very committed to making the region safer.
He gestured toward Hendrickx as he talked about identifying federal funding for sidewalks.
Hendrickx balked at Feiner’s entreaty.
“That has nothing to do with me, and I want to make that clear right now,” said Hendrickx.
After an Edgemont resident spoke on the need for funding, Hendrickx shut down the public discussion.
“I think the conversation has to end right now,” she said.
Among those seeking Hendrickx’s resignation is Gary Rappaport, an attorney in the Greenburgh village of Ardsley.
“The recent Town Board meeting confirmed the conflict,” said Rappaport in a Jan. 10 email to Hendrickx. “By holding two conflicting positions, you risk consolidating power in a way that could erode public trust and compromise the integrity of both roles. Even with the best intentions, such conflicts often lead to moral blind spots, where the ability to act in the public’s best interests is overshadowed by competing priorities.”
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner congratulated Town Board member Ellen Hendrickx for her appointment as district director of Rep. George Latimer’s Congressional office in White Plains, hoping she would help bring more federal funding to Greenburgh.
Hendrickx’s long association with Latimer
Hendrickx, 73, worked for Latimer’s Westchester County administration during both of his terms as county executive, serving as assistant director of intergovernmental services from 2019 to 2021, and then director of research through the end of Latimer’s tenure in December.
As yet, Hendrickx has not responded to her critics or explained why the discussion of federal funding was inappropriate in a public Town Board meeting. In addition, she has not said whether she will run for another four-year term, with nominating petitions for the 2025 race to be circulated in late February.
She did not respond to numerous messages left by phone, email and text.
Latimer’s chief of staff, Chris Orsillo, said Hendrickx will abide by federal law, which allows officials elected in partisan elections to serve on Congressional staffs.
“Ms. Hendrickx will conduct her position with Congressman Latimer based on the guidance of the House Committee on Ethics, the House Ethics Manual, and as required by applicable federal law,” said Orsillo.
Feiner said that Hendrickx contacted him on Jan. 9 to inform him that she is not going to use her federal job to benefit the town.
“I was surprised,” said Feiner. “All I can say is that I’m hopeful we get the maximum dollars from Washington. The town will continue to do so, with her, or without her.”
Christopher Linder, a software engineer from Greenburgh and a Republican, was so disturbed by Hendrickx’s appointment by Latimer that he filed a complaint with the federal Office of Special Counsel, which oversees Hatch Act compliance.
“The Hatch Act explicitly prohibits Ms. Hendrickx’s continued service as a partisan elected official while employed in a federally funded role,” maintained Linder.
But Office of Special Council Communications Director Zachary Kurz said employees of the legislative branch are exempt from the Hatch Act.
“The Hatch Act does not apply to employees of the legislative branch of government,” said Kurz. “Accordingly, because the individual at issue is an employee of the House of Representatives, the Hatch Act’s candidacy prohibition does not apply to her.”
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David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: George Latimer’s appointment of Greenburgh NY politician draws fire