WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced that Vito Pinto, the director of the county’s Veterans Service Agency and the Office of STOP-DWI and Drug Prevention, will be stepping down at the end of March. A former Democrat county legislator, councilman (Eastchester) and village trustee (Tuckahoe), Pinto served 27 years in elected office prior to being appointed by Astorino in 2010 to lead the county’s efforts to assist veterans.
“Vito Pinto may have been the easiest appointment I ever made. He’s hard working, likeable and his care and concern for our veterans is exemplary. Part of the reason is that Vito was a veteran himself and also that care and compassion for others is just part of Vito’s DNA,” said Astorino. “I’m sad to see Vito go. He’ll be tough to replace but he has most certainly earned his retirement and I wish him well.”
Pinto served eight years in the Navy and is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he flew combat missions as a Naval Aviation Officer (NAO) in the Fighter Squadron 96 aboard the carriers USS Ranger CVA 61 and USS Enterprise CVAN 65 in the Tonkin Gulf.
“It’s been my greatest pleasure to serve Westchester County veterans these past five years under the tremendous leadership of Rob Astorino, a true friend of veterans. I’m leaving my post but I will stay actively involved in helping our servicemen and women, active and retired,” said Pinto. “I also enjoyed my time working to educate young people on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and efforts to stop drunk driving, and will continue in those efforts as well.”
Under the leadership of Astorino and Pinto, several notable changes were made to better serve the county’s veterans population:
The agency worked in partnership with the Patriot Housing Initiative to provide housing for 75 homeless veterans in 100 days. The effort resulted in exceeding the goal and housing was found for 85. To date the program has housed 247 homeless vets.
A third counselor was hired to meet the needs of veterans and their families.
Counselors were given laptops and portable printers to allow for outreach programs for shut-in veterans or widows.
An annual Veterans Virtual Job Fair was held to match veterans with businesses looking to hire veterans.
The “Smiling on America’s Heroes” program offered discount dental and vision coverage to veterans and their families.
The Hudson Valley Honor Flight for World War II vets was launched out of the Westchester County Airport. A second flight is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2015.
Several positive changes also occurred in the Office of STOP-DWI and Drug Prevention:
Usage of the STOP-DWI simulator trailer at local schools and community events was increased.
Worked with the Westchester Coalition for Drug & Alcohol Free Youth to help train thousands of middle and high school students in leadership skills to interact with their peers to keep our youth alcohol and drug free.
Substantial grant funding was obtained to allow the county police and municipal police departments to conduct increased DWI enforcement through sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols to deter drunk driving in Westchester.