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NO FORUM FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE SPECIAL ELECTION. Republican Candidate Declines to Participate

The League of Women Voters of Westchester announces that a proposed Candidates Forum for Westchester County Executive will not be held for the Special Election on February 11, 2025.

Republican Candidate Christine Sculti has declined the League’s invitation to participate in the proposed February 3, 2025 virtual forum. However, Democratic candidate Ken Jenkins has accepted the League’s forum invitation.

A candidates’ meeting with only one candidate present is an open or empty chair meeting, and is not permitted under League rules and its policy of nonpartisanship. The League regrets that this important educational event for voters has to be cancelled.

“This is a lost opportunity for the public to hear directly from candidates during a virtual event or post-event recording and to address their own questions to them through electronic submission,” stated Westchester County League President Kathy Meany.

“We strive to run forums in a respectful, non-partisan environment that encourages civil discourse and allows candidates to address voters’ inquiries and concerns. It is a disappointment that there will be no such opportunity for voters residing in Westchester County to learn more about the candidates running for County Executive in this Special Election.”

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New green initiatives highlight Westchester County’s proactive approach to protecting the environment while maintaining operational excellence

WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-fZZlgDziM

(Westchester, NY) Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced two innovative environmental initiatives at Westchester County Airport (HPN), furthering the County’s commitment to sustainability.

The first initiative is a cutting-edge Plane De-icing Glycol Vacuum system that will recover and safely dispose of fugitive aircraft de-icing fluids, ensuring they don’t contaminate groundwater. The second initiative is a Renewable Diesel Pilot Program, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing vehicle performance.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “We are thrilled to enhance our environmental program at the Airport through these two initiatives. Adding the Glycol Vacuum System is an important step to prevent the contamination of our water streams.

And by exploring renewable diesel, we’re not only working to reduce emissions but also setting an example for how we can balance environmental responsibility with operational efficiency. Both initiatives underscore both Westchester and Westchester County Airport’s dedication to a cleaner, greener future for the community. We must continue to look for opportunities to evaluate and implement innovative technologies that can help us build a more sustainable future.”

Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “By efficiently capturing and disposing of de-icing fluids, we are taking meaningful steps to protect local waterways and ensure that our airport operates in a way that continues to align with and advance our community’s sustainability goals. And the transition to renewable diesel has the potential to significantly reduce our environmental footprint without compromising performance.”

Airport Manager Francisco Tejada said:

“At HPN we are always looking for ways to innovate and improve our operations while prioritizing environmental responsibility. This renewable diesel trial is a key part of our strategy to reduce our overall carbon footprint. We’re proud to lead the way in adopting practices that benefit both the environment and the aviation industry.”

Director of Aviation April Gasparri said: “Adding this Glycol Vacuum System to our fleet and the use of renewable diesel demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding the environment while supporting our operational needs.”

About Glycol Recovery Initiative

The Glycol Vacuum System now in use by Westchester County Airport is a Glycol Recovery Truck manufactured by Inland Technologies called a Glyvac Truck. The truck is designed to efficiently collect and dispose of aircraft de-icing fluids containing propylene glycol, preventing environmental contamination. Airport officials will evaluate the vehicle’s effectiveness during the trial period to determine its long-term viability as part of the airport’s sustainability initiatives.

About Renewable Diesel Initiative

The renewable diesel fuel pilot program is part of a four-season trial to test the use of this fuel alternative on the airport’s ground service equipment fleet. The biofuel alternative, which offers cleaner combustion compared to traditional diesel, will be evaluated for performance and cost-effectiveness across varying seasonal conditions. At the conclusion of the trial, the airport will conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the feasibility of adopting renewable diesel for its entire diesel-powered fleet.

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Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced that the County intends to open Playland for the 2025 season, despite ongoing legal challenges with Standard Amusements.

Jenkins Addressed Playland During the Weekly Briefing on Monday, January 27. Click here for Video.

Jenkins said: “We have long said that Playland is the crown jewel of this County. Since 2018, the County has made every effort to ensure this beloved park thrives for future generations and today that commitment continues.”

At this point, the County is in the early stages of what is expected to be a complex legal battle. Jenkins also said that it is untrue that the County had prior knowledge of the termination in November, noting that the County had a conversation with Standard Amusements where they expressed an interest in potentially negotiating a settlement, but nothing came from that conversation.

Jenkins said: “The bottom line is this: Standard Amusements was losing money. They couldn’t make Playland work, and now they are trying to place the blame on the County for their failure – after the County has spent close to $150 million pursuant to the PMA.”

The agreement between the County and Standard Amusements was originally established during the Astorino administration, under a public-private partnership model. This arrangement required the County to reimburse Standard for their investments into Playland and expenses.

Jenkins said: “While the original contract was flawed, we managed to renegotiate it to implement a cap on reimbursements, protecting taxpayers from an even greater financial burden. Despite our efforts, we were ultimately blocked from fully walking away from the deal due to a bankruptcy court ruling that sided with Standard Amusements.”

The County has invested $150 million dollars to upgrade and restore Playland, while Standard Amusements has repeatedly neglected its responsibilities and mismanaged the Park.

Standard Amusements’ poor performance is evident through the following failures:

• Inadequate Ride Operation: Numerous rides were closed throughout the seasons, a violation of industry standards.
• Insufficient Maintenance Staff: The lack of adequate staffing affected both daily operations and preventative maintenance.
• Unresolved Maintenance Issues: Several repairs identified in the October 2024 safety audit remain unfinished.
• Withholding Money from County: Standard Amusements is withholding money from the County citing delays in project completion. Despite the County providing proof that all projects, including the Switchgear, were completed.

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It’s been a week—a week of confusion, chaos, and concern. The new U.S. administration wasted no time hitting the pause button on almost everything in public health: communications, data, hiring, traveling. Positions are being removed, chairs rearranged, and there have been some… aggressive… emails.

A federal senior advisor told me, “Welcome to the away game.” In other words, the landscape has shifted—we are on a different playing field, with different refs. Shock, aggression, and swiftness appear to be strategic tactics only hyper-driven by a record of questioning the role of science and public health.

But, as unsettling as this feels, now is the time to stay steady. Public health world: Do not destabilize. The health of 330 million Americans depends on it.

Chaos and uncertainty in the world of public health

When an administration changes, it’s not unusual to reassess programs and shift priorities. It’s also not unusual to pause communications while leaders find their footing. The Health and Human Services is enormous; a pause happened during the Biden and Obama transitions, for example.

However, the scope of a pause ordered this week is unusual. For example, CDC’s scientific publication, MMWR, wasn’t published yesterday. It was the first time in 70 years this has happened, and it included three discoveries on the H5N1 (bird flu) outbreak—an active biosecurity threat to Americans. Also, every Friday, CDC updates its respiratory virus data on external dashboards. Today, only a small subset of data is being released.

Here’s what’s unfolded so far:

• All communications from HHS have been paused until Feb. 1, including all data updates on the website, CDC’s MMWR, HANs (emergency alerts), an meetings with partners. (Since the original announcement, some data has been released, so there is progress on this front and it’s changing by the minute.)
• NIH study sections—which determine which research projects at academic institutions get funded—have been canceled, and travel has been paused. An NIH email suggests that all scientific presentations may now require review by a presidential appointee. (This is highly unusual. And this poor person reviewing presentations is going to get so bored.)
• Key gatherings like the National Vaccine Advisory Committee and the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic Resistance have been called off.
• HHS is searching for DEIA programs and threatening anyone who disguises them. They are asking for people to report colleagues.

• 160 colleagues from the National Security Council were sent home, leaving gaps in areas like emerging biological threats and medical preparedness.

The big question is… why?

Some measures could be a sign of a transition or just a general lack of knowledge of what these agencies actually do. We’re also seeing a leadership gap in critical agencies, like CDC, where an interim director was just announced yesterday, but still no Chief of Staff has been named.

But other moves could certainly be deliberate, signaling a value shift. It’s more than unsettling when scientists receive emails asking them to report colleagues or have their work micromanaged. And it’s easy to assume, especially given the first Trump administration, that these are signs of something bigger to come around control of information flow.

The truth is it’s likely a combination, but we don’t know yet.

Why this matters

These changes are deeply personal for those on the front lines. Entire teams are on administrative leave, and researchers face uncertainty about the future of their work. Epidemiologists ready to release critical public data have been paused. The uncertainty surrounding future research grants is unnerving for researchers, given that universities rely on those grants to support students, faculty, and innovation.

This doesn’t just affect careers; it impacts the systems that keep our communities healthy and safe.

1. Emerging threats don’t wait: Pausing public health communications and research means delays in responding to emerging threats, like H5N1.
2. Economic impact: Public health protects more than health—it safeguards our economy. Disruptions in systems can ripple across industries, as we’ve already seen with avian flu and egg prices.

Staying grounded

I’m already overwhelmed. And it’s only been 5 days. But public health has weathered challenges before, and while the road ahead may be uncertain, there are reasons to stay focused:

1. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Burnout won’t help anyone. I’m pacing myself for the long game. Stay steady.
2. We aren’t alone. Public health doesn’t operate in isolation. Powerful counterbalances exist and are strategically playing in the background, whether we like it or not. The NIH has academic institutions to push back. The FDA has counterbalances in the pharma and food industry. The CDC has insurance companies and health systems. Bureaucracy is slow for a reason: it avoids whiplash.
3. Public health is local. A strong national leadership is needed to help drive the ship and see the big picture of what is going on, but much of the groundwork of public health is still functioning. These teams remain vital anchors for our communities.
4. Science wins. Ignoring public health has consequences—resurgent diseases, overwhelmed hospitals, and unmet needs. Reality always catches up, and the importance of public health will become undeniable.
5. Be strategic. Attention and political capital are as scarce as financial resources. Right now, we’re only hearing from the top. After this week of shock and awe, we have to leave room for more nuanced conversations with the reasonable voices in the new administration who share the values of caring for the health of all Americans. It’s in those conversations that critical decisions about our health system will be determined.

Bottom line

This is a moment of uncertainty, but public health has always been about more than federal leadership. It’s about the local communities, the health workers, and the scientists who step forward when systems falter. There are a lot of unknowns, but what we do know is that public health is needed today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

Stay steady, stay engaged, and keep your eye on the ball. The health of 330 million Americans depends on it.

Love, YLE

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Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist. YLE reaches more than 305,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below:

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Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – Jan 27

Jan 27

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Welcome to the Northeast edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin

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Respiratory Diseases

ILI

As I wrote in the National edition, the Trump administration’s pause on health communications interrupted flu data, specifically outpatient influenza-like illness.

To close the gap, I visited all 50 websites of the state health departments, and gathered what I could.

At the national level, flu defied my expectations by resurging after two consecutive weeks of improvement.

Unfortunately, the Northeast is affected by this trend, with New Jersey and New York seeing increases in influenza-like illness. New Jersey and Connecticut also saw marked increases in emergency department visits, suggesting the region is seeing a second peak.

In New York City, hospitalizations are fairly low and stable. Still, the city continues to report 1-2 deaths from Covid-19 each day. 

Northeast Outpatient ILI %

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New Jersey leads the region with ED visits at 8.0% (up sharply from 6.0%, a 32% increase). New York shows elevated activity with ED visits at 5.2% (up from 4.3%) and the region’s highest hospitalization rate at 9.1 per 100,000 (up from 8.0), with ILI visits at 3.7%. Pennsylvania reports increasing ED visits at 4.4% (up from 3.4%).

Connecticut shows significant increases with ED visits at 5.7% (up from 3.7%, a 53% increase) and hospitalizations at 7.4 per 100,000 (down from 9.5). Massachusetts reports ED visits at 5.2% (up from 3.6%), with ILI visits at 6.9%. Rhode Island shows lower but increasing ED visits at 3.4% (up from 2.7%).

New Hampshire reports ED visits at 5.2% (up from 4.3%). Vermont shows moderate activity with ED visits at 3.3% (up from 2.4%), with ILI visits at 2.8%. Maine maintains the region’s lowest ED visit rate at 2.1% (virtually unchanged from 2.1%), with ILI visits at 3.7%.

I could not find updated information for New York City. The city’s next report will be published here, but I’m not sure when it will become available.

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COVID-19

Indicators are mixed in the Northeast. Wastewater activity is high in most states, and hospitalizations are elevated, but ED visits remain minimal.

Wastewater activity is moderate after declining dramatically in the Northeast, dropping by half in the past two weeks. However, right now the regional average obscures a more complicated state-level picture.

Source: CDC

While wastewater activity is minimal and stable in New York, it is high or very high everywhere else.

In Massachusetts, activity is very high and held roughly stable this past week. Activity is high and increasing in New Jersey. In contrast, activity is decreasing, but still at very high levels in Maine and at high levels in Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. (Data are limited for Pennsylvania and New Hampshire).

Severe illness is mixed: ED visits are minimal, but hospitalizations are elevated. ED visits are minimal and decreasing across much of the Northeast. ED visits have decreased from 3 to 1.8% in the past couple weeks in New Hampshire and from 3.1% to 1.4% in Maine. ED visits are minimal and decreasing in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Connecticut is the only state that reported a (slight) increase in ED visits this past week, up to 1.7% (low).

Hospitalizations are elevated in the Northeast, with most states hold fairly steady between 4 to 6.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. The exception is Pennsylvania, where hospitalizations are very high (12.3) and increasing.

In New York City, hospitalizations are fairly low and stable. Still, the city continues to report 1-2 deaths from Covid-19 each day.

Source: CDC

In better news, hospitalizations decreased substantially in Massachusetts, from 9 to 5.6.

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RSV

Activity is moderate to low across the region, with most states seeing a decrease in the percent of ED visits for RSV. I expect continued decline in the weeks ahead, though it’s worth noting that activity remains elevated compared to the off-season.

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Stomach Bugs

Nothing new reported this week due to the Trump Administration’s pause on health communications. Given how high rates were last week, I expect norovirus to still be very active this week. Keep washing those hands.

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Food recalls

The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:

New:

• Nothing new. Two recalls not related to food contamination were posted, so this is not due to lack of reporting.

Previously reported:

• Casa Mamita frozen chicken and cheese taquitos (more info)
• Wicklow Gold Cheddar Cheeses (more info)
• Blue Ridge Beef Kitten mix [for Cats] (more info). While not for human consumption, humans may be infected with Salmonella if they do not adequately wash their hands or contaminated surfaces after handling the product.
• Marketside Broccoli Florets (more info)
• Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizzas (more info)
• If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.

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In other news–BIRD FLU SPREADS TO NY, MASSACHUSETTS.

• New York’s Crescent Duck Farm, the last commercial duck farm on Long Island, culled its entire 100,000-bird flock and the laying off of 47 staff members following an outbreak of H5N1.
• The farm, a fourth-generation family business since 1908, supplies nearly 4% of the nation’s duck meat and is known for its high-quality birds. Despite strict biosecurity measures, the virus breached the facility, prompting a months-long sanitization process and quarantine. Thousands of duck eggs will be sanitized and hatched offsite to potentially rebuild the flock.
• D.W. Field Park in Brockton, Massachusetts has closed due to a potential bird flu outbreak, following reports of dead geese and swans at Upper Porter Pond. This closure comes days after 60 birds were found dead at Billington Sea in Plymouth, about 20 miles away. Park officials have urged the public not to touch injured or deceased birds. Testing to confirm bird flu could take up to a week, with no timeline yet for reopening.