STATEMENT OF LAWRENCE A. RAND

Response to Altria’s Announced Move Out of Rye Brook

January 9, 2004 -- “The Altria announcement that it will be vacating its offices in Rye Brook and selling the building on Westchester Avenue is both disheartening and a shock. From one perspective, Altria and its Philip Morris and Kraft operations were good corporate citizens and we will miss them and their involvement with our community.  From another perspective, both Rye Brook and, in particular, School District #4, will be faced with a significant loss in tax revenues.

 “This  revenue shortfall will be difficult to overcome, certainly in the near term, and it is necessary that Rye Brook, together with both School District #4 and School District #5, and with the officials of the Town of Rye and Port Chester, do all we can to help in the sale process.

 “I promise that if my slate is elected in the forthcoming Rye Brook election, we will do our utmost to facilitate the process and work closely with any prospective buyers to take whatever steps are needed to encourage and welcome them to be part of our neighborhood.”

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