FEB 15–OUTBREAK NORTHEAST–FLU HIGH, MEASLES GROWING IN NY

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Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – Feb 17

Feb 17

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

Flu season is still at record levels in the Northeast, and unfortunately we haven’t caught a break just yet.

New York City leads the Northeast with outpatient influenza-like illness (ILI) at 12.2% in the most recent week, down slightly from 12.8% the week prior.

  • Cases of measles are rising across five U.S. states including New York, with 14 confirmed cases reported so far in 2025. According to CDC data, 43 percent of these cases have required hospitalization for isolation or complications management. The outbreak comes amid an already challenging respiratory virus season in New York State, where flu cases have reached a 15-year high. The other affected states are Alaska, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Texas. Outbreaks are primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals.

Massachusetts maintains high activity with outpatient ILI rising to 11.5% in the most recent week, up from 10.8%. Emergency department visits also increased to 9.6% in the most recent week, up from 9.1%, which means continued widespread transmission.

New Hampshire and New Jersey show persistent elevated activity. New Hampshire’s outpatient ILI increased to 10.9% in the most recent week from 10.4%, with emergency department visits rising to 9.6% from 9.2%. New Jersey’s outpatient ILI decreased to 10.0% from 10.5%, with emergency department visits also declining to 8.7% from 9.6%.

Outpatient influenza-like illness (%)
% of visits to the doctor that are for fever and cough or sore throat

Maine and Connecticut reported increasing ILI levels. Maine’s outpatient ILI rose to 6.9% from 5.8%, while emergency department visits jumped to 5.9% from 4.7%. Connecticut’s outpatient ILI increased to 6.8% from 6.4%, with stable emergency department visits at 8.8% but declining hospitalizations (17.4 per 100,000, down from 20.7).

Rhode Island, New York state, and Pennsylvania showed mixed trends. Rhode Island’s outpatient ILI decreased slightly to 6.9% from 7.1%, with emergency department visits falling to 5.3% from 5.8%. New York state (excluding NYC) saw outpatient ILI dip to 6.1% from 6.2%, with decreasing emergency department visits (5.4% from 6.1%) and falling hospitalization rates (15.4 per 100,000 from 17.2). Pennsylvania showed rising outpatient ILI at 5.0% from 4.5%, with emergency department visits increasing to 7.9% from 7.0%.

Northeast: ED visits for influenza (%)
% of visits to the emergency department that are for influenza

COVID-19

The spike last week in Covid-19 wastewater activity appears to have been a blip caused by a delay in New York wastewater reporting. New York wastewater activity is far lower than the rest of the region, so without New York data, the regional rate shot up. With New York data added back in this week, Covid-19 wastewater activity shows a slight upward tick, but remains moderate.

ED visits and hospitalizations decreased or held steady, with no states reporting increases.

Northeast Covid-19 Wastewater
Create interactive, responsive & beautiful charts — no code required.

Activity is very high and increasing towards a second winter peak in Vermont. In Pennsylvania, activity is high and increasing as well – and may be heading toward a second winter peak as well. The state continues to have the highest hospitalization rate in the region, of 10.0 hospitalizations per 100,000, but it did decrease a bit this week. We will see if this trend continues or if the wastewater activity continues to rise.

Wastewater activity has plummeted in the past two weeks in Rhode Island and Maine, declining ~2.5x, from very high almost to moderate levels in the former and almost moderate levels in the latter. Both states also reported decreases in ED visits and hospitalizations this past week.

Similarly, in Massachusetts, activity remains high, but has declined significantly in the past few weeks, as have ED visits and hospitalizations. Wastewater activity is also decreasing in Connecticut (very high activity) and New Jersey (high). Wastewater activity is stable at minimal levels in New York. (Insufficient data for New Hampshire).

Northeast: ED visits for Covid-19 (%)
% of emergency department visits that are for Covid-19

RSV

Data were not updated this week.

Stomach Bugs

Data were not updated this week, so nothing to report here.

Food recalls

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

New:

  • Menma Ajitsuke Prepared Bamboo Shoots sold under Choshiya brand name (more info)
  • Canned Tuna sold under Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s brand names (more info)

Previously reported:

  • Alfalfa sprouts sold under the Jack and the Green Sprouts brand name (more info)
  • Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste (more info)
  • DJ’s Boudain sausage links (more info)
  • Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix [for dogs] (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.
  • If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.

In other news

  • The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported the state’s first case of clade I mpox in an adult from Merrimack County who recently traveled to Eastern Africa. The individual is currently isolating at home, and health officials emphasize there is no risk to the public. This marks the third clade I mpox diagnosis in the United States, which is distinct from the clade II variant that caused the 2022 U.S. outbreak. The case appears to be travel-related, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission within New Hampshire or the United States.
  • The CDC has reported New York’s first case of clade1b mpox in a person who recently traveled from East Africa, marking the fourth known case of this strain in the United States following earlier cases in California, Georgia, and New Hampshire. The patient is currently in isolation with improving symptoms despite not receiving specific mpox treatments, and health officials are conducting contact tracing.
  • The Bentworth School District, Pennsylvania has switched to remote learning for two days after a severe flu outbreak affected both students and staff, including the superintendent himself who was too ill for interviews.
  • The Pennsylvania Game Commission has reported the first case of chronic wasting disease in Carbon County after a severely emaciated buck (deer) was found dead on private property, located more than 10 miles from any previously known cases. This follows last week’s first-time detections in neighboring Luzerne County, where two bucks tested positive, one from a hunting harvest and another from a deer-breeding farm. The fatal neurological disease, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2012, is caused by infectious prions that resist standard sterilization and cooking methods, prompting officials to urge hunters to test harvested animals before consuming the meat.
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WHITE PLAINS WEEK–THE FEB 14 REPORT ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG WHAT TO WATCH ON ANOTHER SNOWY NIGHT

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KEN JENKINS ELECTED FIRST BLACK COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO FILL REST OF LATIMER TERM 100,000 TURN OUT FOR SPECIAL ELECTION LANDSLIDE WIN 

 

STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER BRISTLES AT CON ED RATE HIKE 4  TIMES RATE OF INFLATION

GOVERNOR HOCHUL THROWS THE BOOKS AT CON ED CALLS FOR AUDIT

DEMANDS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION STOP THE MONEY GRAB

THE “CON ED BOYS” REQUEST FOR INCREASED ELECTRIC RATE AND NATURAL GAS  DEMONSTRATES

PUSH TO ELIMINATE SOLAR WIND WATER SOURCES FOR POWER IGNORING PLANET DAMAGE 

JOHN BAILEY TRACES HOW THE STATE REGULATORS HAVE FORCED GREEN POWERED RATES HIGHER TO ELIMINATE CONSORTIUM BUYS LIKE WESTCHESTER POWER– NO STATEMENT FROM WESTCHESTER POWER YET OR WESTCHESTER COUNTY

WHITE PLAINS EYES IMPROVING SPECIAL EDUCATION–REPORT SHOWS

THREE QUARTERS OF SPECIAL STUDENTS GRADUATE WPHS BETTER THAN STATE AVG

SPECIAL ED TEACHERS PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OFTEN IGNORED  BY ACTUAL PLACEMENS.

DR. JOSEPH RICCA, SUPERINTENDENT ON “WHAT COMES NEXT” IN BUILDING BETTER SPECIAL ED

DISTRICT ATTORNEY SUSAN CACACE REPORTS SHOCKING ARREST OF COACH OF A PRIVATE SOCCER TEAM FROM WHITE PLAINS ON CHARGES OF PLAYER  ENDANGERMENT.  

MORE LOCAL NEWS TO WATCH INDOORS ON A SNOWY EVENING.

WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK FOR 24 YEARS

ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK

TONIGHT AT 7 ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD FIOS CH 45 AND OPTIMUM CH 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG:

JUSTIN BRASCH INTERVIEWED BY JOHN BAILEY

ABOUT HIS RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF WHITE PLAINS, WHY, WHAT AND ISSUES

 

 

 

 

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FEB. 15, 2025–THE LATIMER REPORT FROM THE NATION’S CAPITOL

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Rep. George Latimer's header image

Dear Neighbor,

 

The start of 2025 has been anything but normal. Even as I begin my tenure as your Congressman, the Trump Administration has issued a bevy of actions and Executive Orders that have instantly reshaped the national debate. I hope to keep you informed in this newsletter and in numerous other ways.

I would like to recognize that February is Black History Month, and an important time to recognize the achievements of Black Americans in our country’s life and culture. Our country is a better place because of their contributions. Now more than ever, we must honor the history, voices and stories of Black Americans.

Committee Assignments

I have secured a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with seats on the Middle East/North Africa and the South Asia (India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka) Subcommittees. I will also serve on the House Small Business Committee; I have introduced my first bill in this area, to improve transparency for small businesses who do business with the Federal government.

Both committees will keep me fully engaged — and we expect to file legislation on topics across all committees.

Actions in DC

I recently helped introduce a bill that will protect Americans’ privacy and prevent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees, led by Elon Musk, from rifling through private data.

My colleagues and I have sent multiple letters to the Trump Administration about our concerns with its unconstitutional actions at the Treasury Department and USAID, and with the funding freeze. My office has received hundreds of calls and letters from concerned and upset constituents. These actions by the Trump Administration have been distressing and my colleagues and I are particularly concerned because these actions can only be constitutionally  done by Congress.

I have spoken on the House floor in opposition to proposed tariffs that will raise the price of everyday goods for hard-working residents; and also in favor of FEMA support for natural disasters wherever they may occur, most recently with wildfires in California. I have also given praise and attention to the late Gus Williams, Mt. Vernon High School basketball great, and the Co-Op City power couple, Rod and Shirley Saunders.

Meet Me in DC

My staff and I have started meeting with groups visiting DC on a host of different issues. These past few weeks we have met with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, union members of SEIU 1199, students from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, firefighters and education groups, and many folks visiting from the Bronx and Westchester.

At Home: Westchester and the Bronx

In addition to the work I am doing in DC, we have hard-working staff in both Westchester and the Bronx, with the full team still in formation. We recently held ceremonial inaugural events in Rye and Co-op City; I have maintained a vigorous schedule of in-person visits to groups and events of all sorts, in all of our communities.

Constituent Issues

One of the responsibilities of my district staff is helping residents like you navigate the bureaucratic federal government. If you need a passport, aren’t receiving the correct VA or Medicare benefits, or have an issue with the IRS, my staff may be able to help. You can contact us here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call 914-323-5550 (Westchester) or 718-530-7888 (Bronx).

Stay in Touch

I wanted to make sure you knew how to stay up to date with what I am working on and how to contact me. My office has Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Twitter/X accounts. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe

Over my many prior years in public office, at the City, State, and County level, I have always looked forward to your ideas and opinions. That two-way dialogue is important, now more than ever before.

More soon.

Sincerely,
Rep. George Latimer's signature image

Rep. George Latimer

Member of Congress
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HEARD IT IN A LOVE SONG–WHAT’S YOURS?

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Heard it in a love song. What’s Yours?

Valentine’s Day is today.

To get in the mood for love,  dispel the myths, fiction notions about love, I have compiled a list of songs written over the years from ragtime to swing to the rock and roll era.

Those who have never been in love yet can use as guidelines to judge whether they have a real love going, and not merely the mock.

 

Those of you not still in love or who miss it, can play these songs for memories and faith in the future that another one and only  will come along because they miss that one and only.

I may not have remembered your song here.

But, by all means, feel free to write me and suggest other songs I have left out.

The best  observers — authorities on what love feels like are the songwriters–poets with melody.

They write the feelings their minds and bodies and yes, their hearts felt, as

“down and down they go like a leaf that’s caught in the tide. That Old Black Magic you weave so well”

 

BY THE WAY DO A SEARCH ON LYRICS IF YOU WANT LISTEN TO THESE SONGS!

 

The first 115  Love Songs of All Time with  signature lines in parentheses:

  1. You Belong to Me

 (Fly the Ocean in a Silver Plane)

  1. You Made Me Love You

(I didn’t Want to Do it)

  1. Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby

(I was your Pretty, You were My Baby)

  1. In the Still of the Night

(I Remember that night in Maaaay, the stars were brightly shining)

  1. Sleepwalk
  2. Blueberry Hill

(I Found My Thrill)

  1. The Great Pretender

(Pretending You’re Still Around)

 

  1. Autumn Leaves

(That’s When I Miss You Most of All when Autumn Leaves Start to Fall)

 

  1. Walkin After Midnight (Along the highway hopin’ I’d get a glance at you)
  2. My Heart Stood Still

 (Though not a single word was spoken, I could tell you knew
That unfelt clasp of hands told me so well that you knew
I never lived at all until the thrill of that moment When my heart stood still.)

 

  1. You Go to My Head

 (With a smile that makes my temperature rise
Like a summer with a thousand Julys You intoxicate my soul with your eyes)

  1. Red River Valley

(They Say You Are Going)

  1. I want to be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart

 (I Want to Rope and Ride Across the Great Divide)

  1. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darlin’

(Wait Along, Wait Along)

  1. Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes

(Far Over the Sea)

  1. Kiss and Say Goodbye

 (I wanna remember you just like this…)

  1. Begin the Beguine

(It Brings Back a Night of Tropical Splendor)

  1. Come Dance With Me

(Come on Cutes, Put on Your Dancing Boots and Dance with Me)

  1. Dancing in the Dark

(We Can Face the Music Together)

  1. Love Is Strange

(Without it you’re in an awful fix. Once you’ve had it you never want to quit)

  1. Under the Boardwalk

 (down by the sea on a blanket with my baby that’s where I’ll Be))

  1. One Night With You

(That’s All I want from you. Always Lived in the Twilight.. Never Done no Wrong))

  1. Treat Me Nice

(Don’t Kiss Me Once, Kiss Me Twice)

  1. Night and Day

(You are the one)

  1. I Get a Kick Out of You

 (I Suddenly Turn and See…Your Fabulous Face)

  1. One for My Baby and One More for the Road

(Set em up, Joe)

  1. You’re the Top

(You’re the Coliseum, You’re the Louvre Museum)

  1. Too Close for Comfort

 (Now)

  1. Cheek to Cheek

(Nothing Thrills Me Half as Much as Dancing Cheek to Cheek)

  1. Nothing in Common

(It’s a Phenomenon!)

  1. Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off

(But if we call the whole thing off that will break my heart…)

  1. Same Old Song and Dance

(It didn’t turn out like I planned but if you smile and wave your hand
I’d go out and hire a band, and wait for one more chance
At the same old song and dance)

 

  1. Something’s Gotta Give

(When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don’t say no because I insist
Somewhere, somehow
Someone’s gotta be kissed)

  1. What’s New?

(You haven’t changed a bit Lovely as ever, I must admit)

  1. You Took Advantage of Me

(I’m so hot and bothered that I don’t Know my elbow from my ear

I suffer something awful each time you go And much worse when you’re near)

 

  1. I’ve Got You Under My Skin

(Deep in the Heart of Me)

  1. That Old Feeling

 (I felt a thrill when you caught my eye, my heart stood still)

  1. Let the Good Times Roll

(Feel so good now you’re home)

  1. You’ve Got What it Takes

( to set my soul on fire)

  1. You Keep Coming Back Like a Song

(The sweet used-to-be That was once you and me

Keeps coming back like an old melody)

  1. Always

(I’ll be loving you always)

 

  1. My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own

(I’ve Tried forgetting you..)

  1. Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool

(Everybody’s somebody’s plaything)

  1. Donna

(Where can you be?)

  1. The Carnival Is Over

(I will love you til I die)

  1. Just Walkin’ in the Rain

 (All because my heart can’t forget)

  1. She Wears Red Feathers in a Huli Huli Skirt
  2. The Last Dance

 (Save me the first dance in your dreams)

  1. Hey There

(You with the Stars in Your Eyes)

  1. Everybody Loves a Lover

(I’m a Lover, Everybody Loves Me)

 

  1. He’s So Fine

(Sooner or later he’s gonna me mine, I hope it’s not later)

  1. Rock and Roll Waltz

(Trying to Waltz to a Rock and Roll Song)

  1. Hey Little Girl in the High School Sweater

 (Carry your books and hold your arm?)

  1. All of Me

(Why Not Take All of me?)

  1. Racing with the Moon

 (Till I Overtake the Moon and You)

  1. So Fine

(My Baby is so Fine, Sends Those Chills Up and Down My Spine)

  1. Chances Are

(Your chances are very Good)

  1. Misty

(Too Much in Love)

  1. Thanks for the Memory

( Of faults that you forgave, rainbows on a wave…Thank you so Much)

  1. A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody

(A pretty girl is like a melody That haunts you night and day
Just like the strain Of a haunting refrain)

  1. Black Coffee

 (Love’s a Hand-Me-Down Brew)

  1. Canadian Sunset

( When I saw you there on that ski trail)

 

 

  1. I Almost Lost My Mind

 (When I Lost my Baby)

 

  1. Tennessee Waltz

(I was dancing with my darlin’…)

65.   Laura (The laugh that floats on a summer night) 

  1. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

(Seen a lot I mean I lot But now I’m like sweet seventeen a lot
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I)

  1. Brown Eyed Girl

 (Where did we go?)

  1. You Send Me

(Honest you do)

  1. Oh Julie

 (Someday Julie, I’ll Be the Apple of Your Eye)

  1. Slip Away

( I Need You So)

  1. I’ll Be Seeing You

(In  All the Familiar Places)

 

  1. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

(Without You)

  1. Diana

(Stay with me, Diana)

  1. Love Me Tender

(All my Dreams Fulfilled)

  1. Fine Brown Frame

(Because I’m crazy ’bout, mad about, wild about Your fine brown frame)

  1. Met Him on Sunday

(He didn’t come Monday.I kissed him Wednesday)

  1. I think I’m Into Something Good

 (Met a New Girl in the Neighborhood)

  1. Some Enchanted Evening

 (You may see a Stranger Across a Crowded Room)

  1. I Could Have Danced All Night

(And still have danced Some More)

  1. On the Street Where You Live

(Oh, the Towering Feeling)

  1. At Last My Love Has Come Along

(You set my soul on fire, and  I’ve Really Had my Fun)

  • I Only Have Eyes for You

83 Just for a Thrill (You’re still the only one Cause you made my heart stand still)

84.  Stardust (Of love’s sweet refrain)

85.Smoke Gets In Your Eyes    (When a lovely flame dies)

86. Blues In the Night       (A two-face, a worrisome thing

     Who’ll leave ya to sing the blues in the night)

87. Love Letters In the Sand      

(You laughed when I cried when the tide  would take our Love Letters from the Sand)

88. Born To Be With You     (By your Side)

89. I Can’t Stop Loving You      (I’ve made up my mind to Live in Memory)

90. First Name Initial     (It Makes it Official)

91. When A Man Loves A Woman    

(Can’t Keep His Mind on Anything Else)

92. Ci Ci Rider 

(The Moon Is Shining Bright, If I Could Just Walk with You     

Everything would Be All right)

93. Eddie My Love     (Don’t Make Me Wait Too LongOngOng)

94 .Wonderland By Night

95. In the Mood

96. Moonlight Serenade

97.  Young Blood      

(I Can’t Get You off of My Mind)

98. Memories Are made of This

99.Once Upon A Time      (A Girl with Moonlight in Her Eyes Told Me She Loved  Me So, But that Was Once Upon a Time, long long ago)

100. VAYA CON DIOS (My Love, May God Be With you til we meet again)

101—Pinacoladas(I never knew)

102. Magaritaville(Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville, somewhere’s There’s a Woman to Blame)

103. Just One of Those Things(One of those Bells that Now and Then Ring)

104:Rags to Riches (From a Pauper to a King of Your Heart)

105. Fly Me to the Moon(Let me play among the stars

And let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me) 

106. We’ll Meet Again(Some Sunny Day)

107.Let’s Do It!(Let’s fall in love!)

108. My Old Flame( I can’t even think of his name

But I’ll never be the same

Until I discover what became of my old flame)

 

109. SEARCHIN’(Well, Sherlock Holmes

Sam Spade got nothin’, child, on me

Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan

And Boston Blackie

Gonna walk right down that street

Like Bulldog Drummond

‘Cause I’ve been searchin’

Ooh, Lord, searchin’, mm child

Searchin’ every which a-way

Yeah, yeah

But I’m like the Northwest Mounties

You know I’ll bring her in some day

(Gonna find her) 

110. Puppy Love(This is Not a Puppy Love)

 111. YOU ARE MY DESTINY(You share my reverie

You’re more than life to me

That’s what you are)

112. DIANA(Oh, please stay by me, Diana) 

113.  KISS(You don’t have to be rich to be my girl

You don’t have to be cool to rule my world

Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with

I just want your extra time and your kiss) 

114.SOMEDAY SOON(Goin’ With Him) 

115. STILL THE ONE(that I love

The only one I dream of

You’re still the one I kiss good night) 

 

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FEB 13 — CANDIDATE FOR WHITE PLAINS MAYOR JUSTIN BRASCH ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD 8 PM FIOS CH 45 WP OPTIMUM CH 76 AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org

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JUSTIN BRASCH IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR. MEET HIM UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

TONIGHT ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD THE PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY HAVE THEIR SAY

 

JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS JUSTIN BRASCH CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

ON

ISSUES HE WANTS TO ADDRESS

THE LATEST ON THE GALLERIA CITY PROJECT AND HIS VISIONS FOR IT

THE ISSUE OF EXTENDING SITE PLANS

HOW MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOES THE CITY NEED?

TRAFFIC IN THE CITY

PARKING IN THE CITY

STATE OF THE ECONOMY IN THE CITY

ASSESSMENT ROLE CONTINUING TO DECLINE WHY?

HAS CITY DEVELOPED ENOUGH SHOULD CITY HAVE A PAUSE?

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FEB 12– GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION: REJECT CON ED 11.4% ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE AND 13.3% HIKE IN NATURAL GAS RATED.

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Directs Department To Audit Employee Salaries At All New York State Utility Companies To Ensure New York Ratepayers Get A Fair Deal

Traducción al español

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new steps to protect consumers from sky-high utility costs that are making New York less affordable. In a letter to Public Service Commission Chair and Department of Public Service CEO Rory Christian, Governor Hochul calls for the rejection of Con Edison’s proposed rate hike. Governor Hochul also directed the Department of Public Service to conduct a statewide audit of utility company salaries and compensation, to ensure New York ratepayers are getting a fair deal.

“The cost of living is too damn high and New Yorkers need more money in their pockets,” Governor Hochul said. “Of course we need safe, reliable energy sources to power our homes and businesses. But utility companies shouldn’t be jacking up costs unnecessarily – especially if they’re paying their own staff too much.”

Audio Photos

To address the immediate threat of Con Ed’s proposed rate hikes, which would cost New Yorkers hundreds of dollars each year, Governor Hochul today sent a letter to Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair and Department of Public Service (DPS) CEO Rory Christian urging action on behalf of New York consumers.

The Governor called on DPS to act in the best interest of New Yorkers by closely scrutinizing this rate case and rejecting Con Ed’s unconscionable request to increase electricity rates by 11.4 percent and natural gas rates by 13.3 percent.

Governor Hochul also directed DPS to conduct a first-of-its-kind audit of utility management compensation.

The audit will focus on compensation for non-union utility management employees statewide and the results will inform future rate cases to protect New Yorkers from unfair rate hikes.

Numerous recent management and operations audits of large, investor-owned electric and gas utilities have highlighted meaningful concerns with how utilities administer their programs.

For example, in a recent audit of Central Hudson, the auditor concluded their bonus structure rewarded financial performance, but only set reliability and service quality metrics at the bare minimum.

Over the last four years, Governor Hochul has prioritized energy affordability by:

  • Affordability policy enhancements to expand eligibility in the Energy Affordability Program and creating the Energy Affordability Guarantee, the first-in-the nation pilot program that ensures low-income New Yorkers participating in the EmPower Plus program never pay more than 6 percent of their incomes on electricity and incentivizes them to fully electrify their homes.
  • Budget appropriations to reduce ratepayer costs of EAP that provides critical utility bill relief to low-income New Yorkers.
  • Providing arrears forgiveness of more than $1 billion.
  • State procurements of renewable generation to offset ratepayer costs of developing new clean generation resources
  • $300 million to create power-ready sites for attracting new businesses through the Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) Fund.

Governor Hochul has prioritized affordability and helping New Yorkers with the high cost of living. To address rising costs related to home heating, Governor Hochul recently added $35 million to fund the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which supports low-income New Yorkers who need help paying utility bills; the Governor also signed legislation in 2024 to help senior citizens access this vital program.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program which helps HEAP-eligible households reduce energy costs, conserve energy, and improve safety and health standards.

In her 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul prioritized passing an affordability agenda that puts money back in the pockets of middle-class New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul proposed New York’s first-ever Inflation Refund, which would give eligible New Yorkers checks of up to $500.

The Governor is also calling for a tax cut that would reduce rates for middle-class families to the lowest levels in nearly 60 years and proposing a massive expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said, “By opposing Con Edison’s latest rate hike proposal, Governor Hochul is again standing up for New Yorkers who are struggling simply to pay for their basic living expenses such as rent, food and prescription drugs. That includes the many older New Yorkers living on fixed incomes who can’t afford to have their utility bills go up even higher. New York’s population is aging rapidly, and far too many older adults are already living in poverty. The Governor is prioritizing making New York a more affordable place to live for people of all ages, and we support her in these efforts.”

Community Service Society of New York Senior Director Carrie Tracy said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her strong defense of working families in New York and for opposing the proposed rate hikes, which would be disastrous for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. The Community Service Society of New York has been dedicated to promoting economic opportunity for over 180 years, and we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to building a more equitable city and state.”

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “In the last two years alone, we have seen eight double digit utility rate increase requests across New York State, including this most recent one from Con Ed. These rate increases are simply unsustainable for already cash-strapped New Yorkers. I thank Governor Hochul for focusing on utility affordability and I support her call for a compensation audit, increasing transparency and holding utilities accountable to our constituents.”

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FEB 12–WHITE PLAINS YOUTH SOCCER COACH CHARGED WITH ALLEDGEDLY KISSING 13 YEAR OLD GIRL

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SUSAN CACACE
WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

 

The defendant is accused of telling the girl that he likes her and wants to kiss her.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a coach for a White Plains-based youth soccer clinic was arrested Friday and charged with multiple offenses for allegedly kissing a 15-year-old girl and making suggestive comments to her.

Jose Grajales-Giraldo, 44, of Mamaroneck, was subsequently arraigned before White Plains City Court Judge John P. Collins Jr. on two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor. 

Grajales-Giraldo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings. Judge Collins provided a temporary order of protection for the victim.

DA Cacace said:

 “Protecting our young residents remains among my highest priorities as Westchester District Attorney. Our office treats offenses against children with the utmost seriousness. We are proud to take a proactive role in the community educating young people to recognize abusive and inappropriate conduct. We urge anyone with further information about this incident to contact our office.”

As alleged in the misdemeanor information, Grajales-Giraldo, a coach for a youth soccer clinic held at Rochambeau Alternative High School, in White Plains, approached a 15-year-old girl at the beginning of soccer practice on Jan. 25, 2025, and kissed her on the cheek. The information further alleges that Grajales-Giraldo kissed the girl again toward the end of practice.

On Feb. 1, the misdemeanor information alleges that Grajales-Giraldo approached the same girl and asked her if she is good at keeping secrets. He then told her, according to the information, that he really likes her and wants to kiss her.

Anyone with further knowledge about Grajales-Giraldo is urged to contact the Westchester District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS (8477).

The investigation into this incident was conducted by the White Plains Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mollie O’Rourke of the Special Prosecutions Division.

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FEB 12– SPECIAL ELECTION RECAP

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2025. By Professor Stephen R. Rolandi February 12, 2025:

 

By way of comparison —

2021 General Election                     2025 Special Election*                SR 2025  forecast

Latimer/Jenkins (D)          103,608      62%                             57,590        64%                         55%

Sculti (R)                             62,234      38%                             32,956        36%                         45%

*unofficial returns

Jenkins ran well in almost every part of the county. Turnout for this special election was remarkable — nearly 100,000 no doubt helped by the early voting option. In my view, the larger turnout increased Jenkins’ margin of victory.

Sculti ran a poor campaign, no TV interviews, no debates, etc.

SR

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND HIS LEGACY TO AMERICAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

 

Abraham Lincoln 1860. By Matthew Brady

Editor’s Note: Stephen R. Rolandi, a frequent contributor to WPCNR.com and White Plains Week published this article in a recent issue of American Society for Public Administration. 

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization. Republished here with permission of the author. (c) 2021, Stephen R. Rolandi By Stephen R. Rolandi 
This being the month of February, many of us celebrate Ground Hog Day (February 2nd), hoping that spring will soon arrive, as well as Chinese (Lunar) New Year, on February 12th; and of course, Valentine’s Day on February 14th.
If you are like me and historically inclined, you might also mark February 12th as the birthday of our 16th American President, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). I have had a long and continuous admiration for our 16th President. I have travelled to Springfield, Illinois to see Lincoln’s law office and home. Many years ago, my late parents gave me a half dollar coin issued by the United States Mint in 1918 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Illinois’ admission to the Union.
This year marks the 212th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, and I believe it is a fitting time not only to examine his career as the nation’s Chief Executive during the bloodiest war in American history, but also his contributions to public service and impact on American public administration.
Lincoln was not popular in his time; indeed, he was elected in 1860 in a four way race with only 39% of the popular vote. He won re-election in 1864 with the Confederate states that had left the Union in 1861 not participating in that election; and with the support of Union soldiers who voted in overwhelming numbers for him. In addition to preserving the Federal Union during the Civil War, as well as his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln had many accomplishments:

  • During his administration, the Federal departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs were begun, in an effort to assist farmers (the United States in the mid-19th century was to a large extent, an agricultural nation), as well as the nation’s veterans starting to return from the Civil War;
  • Recognizing the importance of education (Lincoln, you recall, had only about one year of formal education, and was largely self-taught and worked as an apprentice before becoming an attorney), the Morrill-Land Grant Act was signed into law to permit the establishment of land grant colleges to teach engineering, military tactics, science and other subjects;
  • Lincoln recognized that the increasing level of government services would require different funding streams, and during his administration, the Revenue Act of 1862 became law which also established the Office of the Commission of Internal Revenue within the Treasury Department—in time this would lead to the establishment of the progressive income tax system in the United States;
  • The first steps towards a national banking system and currency in the United States saw fruition with the passage of the National Banking Act of 1863;
  • He recognized the need to reform the Federal government civil service, and took the first steps in that direction with the 1863 evaluation of the French customs service which recommended competitive examinations. This led ultimately in 1883 with the passage of the Pendleton Act and establishment of the U.S. Civil Service Commission—today known as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Taken together, along with other policy initiatives, many historians consider Lincoln’s Presidency to be the foundation of the modern administrative state. Indeed, it was Leonard D. White who said that,

“Administrative history was primarily the record of war and military government.” We can also see that many domestic and economic sector accomplishments occurred as an outgrowth of the war effort. Lincoln became a paradigm for future chief executives.
Perhaps for me his most important contribution was preserving the principles of constitutional government during a period of one of the gravest crises in American history. Lincoln was cognizant of relating his actions to the spirit and meaning of the Constitution. There are many, many works about Abraham Lincoln’s life, career and Presidency. More books about some aspect of him continue to be published. Some of my favorite books about the career and Presidency of Abraham Lincoln that I would recommend are the following:

  • Lewis E. Lehrman, “Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point” (2008)
  • Daniel Farber, “Lincoln’s Constitution” (2003)
  • Harold Holzer, “Lincoln As I Knew Him” (1999)
  • Ted Widmer, “Lincoln On the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington” (2020)
  • Doris Kearns Goodwin, “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” (2005)

If I had to recommend a single book on Lincoln, it would probably be Doris Kearn’s work on Lincoln, how he won the Republican party Presidential nomination against more prominent contenders, and how he led his cabinet—consisting nearly of all the Presidential contenders he faced in 1860—during the Civil War.

I should mention that Kearn’s work reportedly influenced Barack Obama when he assumed the Presidency in 2009. Lincoln’s experience as a war time chief executive gives us many perspectives, not only on the role of the executive in decision-making as well as leadership, but also for his lasting contributions towards the institution of the American Presidency and constitutional government.
He is, in my opinion, more relevant than ever today as we as a nation face the perfect storm of crises—the Covid-19 pandemic, a weakened national economy and a distinct threat to our democratic institutions and the rule of law. Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

Author: Stephen R. Rolandi “retired” in 2015 after serving with the State and City of New York. He holds BA and MPA degrees from New York University, and studied law at Brooklyn Law School. He teaches public finance and management as an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) and Pace University. Professor Rolandi is a Trustee of NECoPA; President-emeritus of ASPA’s New York Metropolitan Chapter and was Senior National Council Representative. He has also served on many other association boards in New York City, Westchester County (New York State) and Washington, DC. You can reach him at: srolandi@jjay.cuny.edu or srolandi@pace.edu

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