Even County Executive Andrew J. Spano shared the story of his father, who called to see if his politically connected son could arrange for the Department of Motor Vehicles to cut him some slack on his eye examination. Mr. Spano refused and then asked his father how he was managing to drive if he had trouble seeing.

“And he says, ‘Your mother tells me what the sign says,’ ” Mr. Spano said. “I went to the house, and I took the keys away. He didn’t speak to me for two months.”

And then he tried to take the bus, but I cut a million dollars from the bus budget. Because I’m not going to let my dad’s safety get in the way of our Westchester lifestyle!

“The price of oil is falling. Is that a good thing? Doesn’t that mean anyone who invests building or buying in fuel efficient cars and appliances, alternative energy, or even expensive domestic drilling is a fool, because people will choose the easiest, cheapest way — imported oil?”