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A DISTANT MIRROR OF AMERICA NOW THAT PREDICTS THE FUTURE.
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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. DECEMBER 11, 2023:
A ONCE AND PAST TIME MIRRORS THE AMERICAN FUTURE.
Editor’s Note: I am a student of history. I look back to see what the past can tell us. In light of the political climates around the world today, that are facing turmoil within, it is worth noting with alarm how quickly a nation’s resolve and self-esteem and thoughts can be corrupted into thinking might is right.. I was leafing through Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler’s 800 page summary of his philosophies and went back to look at some of his speeches.
His speech of July 15, 1932 delivered before the Reichstag, Germany’s congress, has striking parallels to the America of today. His speech was to convince the German nation to vote his party a majority so he could institute his “philosophies.” Mr. Hitler exceeded in infamy, death and destruction the most hideous dictators in history. When I read this speech, I did an exercise in my head, substituting “America” for references to “Germany” in the speech. It chilled me.
Adolf Hitler, Appeal to the Nation, 15 July 1932
[1] Speech for the Reichstag Vote on July 31, 1932 [2] …
The great time of decision has arrived. Destiny has given Germany’s present rulers more than thirteen years to prove themselves and to show what they can do. They themselves pronounce the most damning judgment on themselves, for by the very nature of their propaganda today they acknowledge the failure of their efforts.
Once they wanted to govern Germany better than it had been governed in the past, and all they can say about their art of governing is that Germany and the German People are not yet dead. In those November days in 1918 they solemnly swore to lead our nation, and especially the German work force towards a better economic future. They have had almost fourteen years to keep that promise, and they cannot cite a single German trade or profession as evidence of their success.
The German farmer is in dire straits, the middle class is ruined, the hopes of many millions of people that social conditions would improve have been dashed; a third of the work force, male and female, is unemployed and thus without a livelihood. The national government (Reich), the local authorities and the individual German states are overburdened with debt, everywhere finances are in disarray and the public purse is empty.
How much more could they have destroyed? But the worst thing is that they have destroyed the Nation’s faith, leaving it utterly without hope or confidence. In thirteen years they have not succeeded in mobilizing the forces dormant within our nation. On the contrary! In their fear of awakening the nation they have created dissension, pitting town against country, salaried workers against civil servants, blue collar workers against white collar workers, Bavarians against Prussians, Catholics against Protestants and so on.
The energies of our race have been consumed solely in dealing with its own internal problems. What remained for the world outside Germany were fantasies, fantastic hopes of cultural awareness, international law, the world conscience, conferences of ambassadors, the League of Nations, the Second International, the Third International, proletarian solidarity and so forth. And the world treated us accordingly. And so, slowly the destruction of Germany has progressed and only a maniac could hope that the forces which caused this decline could now achieve the nation’s regeneration. If the parties currently in power are serious about saving Germany, why haven’t they done so? If they really wanted to save Germany, why hasn’t it happened? If the men of these parties honestly intended to do that, then their programs must have 2 been wrong. If their programs were right, then they themselves could not have genuinely wanted to save Germany, or else they were simply too ignorant or too weak.
After thirteen years during which they have totally destroyed Germany, the time has finally come now to eliminate them, too. Whether the current parliamentary parties survive is not important, what matters is to save the German nation from complete destruction.
It is our duty to defeat these parties because to ensure their own survival they are constantly compelled to divide the nation. For years they have told the German working man that he could ensure his own salvation unassisted. For years they have fooled the farmer into believing that only his own organization would help him. The middle class was supposed to be saved from ruin by middle class parties and industry saved by industrial parties. Catholics were was supposed to seek refuge in the Centre Party (Zentrum) and Protestants in the Christian Social People’s Service (Christlichsozialer Volksdienst). Yes, and in the end the home owners got their own political representation just like the renters, the salaried workers and the civil servants.
But now these attempts to divide the nation into classes, estates, professions and confessions and to lead them one by one towards a better economic future have finally failed.
On the day when we founded our National Socialist movement we were already convinced that the fate of the individual German is inseparably linked with the fate of the entire nation. If Germany is ruined the worker cannot prosper in favorable social conditions nor can the entrepreneur; and neither will the farmer be able to save himself nor the middle class. No, the ruin of the Reich, the collapse of the nation means the ruin and destruction of us all! No one confession and not a single German tribe (Stamm) will escape the fate which will overtake us collectively.
On the day when the National Socialist movement was founded we had long since realized that it was not the proletariat which would triumph over the middle class, nor the middle class which would triumph over the proletariat. In the end it would be the international financiers alone who would triumph over both. And this is precisely what has happened!
Recognizing this process of decay thirteen years ago I and a handful of others formed a new movement, whose very name is intended to proclaim the new national community. Socialism cannot exist unless it is served by the power of the intellect, nor can there be social well-being unless it is protected and its existence ensured by the strength of a nation. And there can be no nation and thus no nationalism unless the millions of intellectual workers are joined by the millions of manual laborers and the millions of farm workers.
As long as nationalism and socialism march onward as separate ideas they will be vanquished by the united forces which oppose them. On the day when these two ideas unite as one, they will be invincible!
And who would deny that when everything in Germany is falling apart and in decline, when both the economy and political life are grinding to a standstill or are already at an end, one single organization has enjoyed an unheard of and astonishing upswing?
Thirteen years ago with seven men I began this task of unifying Germany, and today more than 13 million have joined our ranks! But it is not their number which matters; what matters is the kind of person they are! Thirteen million people from all walks of life, thirteen million workers, farmers and intellectuals, thirteen million Catholics and Protestants from all the German regions and tribes have formed an inseparable alliance. And thirteen million Germans have recognized that the future of each of them lies only in the collective struggle and collective success of all of them.
Millions of farmers have now realized that whether they themselves understand the necessity for their existence is not important. What matters is to enlighten those in other walks of life and other professions about the German farmer and to gain their support for him.
And today millions of working men have also realized that in spite of all theories their future does not lie in international organizations. What matters is that their fellow Germans realize that without German farmers and German workers Germany cannot be strong. And similarly millions of middle class intellectuals have come to realize how unimportant their sense of their own worth is, unless the millions of other Germans ultimately recognize the importance of the German intelligentsia.
Thirteen years ago we National Socialists were laughed at and scorned. Today our opponents are laughing on the other side of their faces! A community of believers has come into being which will slowly overcome the absurd prejudices about class and social status. A community of believers who are determined to take up the struggle to preserve our race, not because they are from Bavaria or Prussia, or Württemberg or Saxony, not because they are Catholics or Protestants, workers or civil servants, middle class citizens or salaried employees and so forth, but because they are all Germans.
From this feeling that an inseparable bonds unites them all has grown a sense of mutual respect, and from this respect has come understanding and from that understanding the tremendous power which moves us all.
This is why we National Socialists march forward to each election with the sole commitment that the next day we will resume our efforts to achieve the reorganization of our body politic. For we are not fighting for seats in parliament or cabinet appointments; we are fighting on behalf of our fellow Germans whom we want to – whom we shall -reunite in an inseparable community with a common destiny.
The Almighty who has allowed our numbers to grow from seven to thirteen million in thirteen years, will also permit the thirteen million to form the nucleus from which will grow a new German nation. We believe in a nation. It is for this German nation that we are fighting, and, like thousands of fellow Germans before us, it is to this German nation that we are ready – if called upon – to dedicate ourselves with body and soul.
If the nation does its duty, the day must come when once again we shall have a Reich with honor and freedom – work and bread!
IN THE THICK OF FLU SEASON. COVID CASES ON RISE. RSV AT LARGE
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Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – December 11
BY DR. CAITLIN RIVERS
(REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION)
We’re in the thick of flu season.
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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
Respiratory diseases
Influenza-like illness
Influenza like illness (ILI) is definitely on the rise in the Northeastern region. The percentage of visits to the doctor for fever and cough or sore throat rose to 3.8% during the week ending December 2, up from 3.4% the week prior. By comparison, last year’s regional peak was 8.6%. I expect that increases will continue for at least a while longer.
Northeast Region: ILI Activity
Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms
By state: At the state level, there are some nuances. New York saw a sizable increase, rising 0.7 percentage points to 5.6%. New Jersey also posted a concerning jump of 0.6 points to 5.2%. These levels are really quite high, so be safe out there.
Rhode Island and New Hampshire rose 0.5 and 0.4 points respectively, to around 1.7-1.1%. More moderate ILI increases were seen in Pennsylvania (+0.3 points to 2.1%) and Connecticut (+0.2 to 3.2%).
Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine experienced slight upticks under 0.2 percentage points for the week. No Northeastern states reported a decline in ILI.
Northeast Region: Change in ILI Activity
Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms
Covid-19
Covid-19 is also increasing in the region, following a brief dip around Halloween. The rate of new weekly hospitalizations per 100,000 population is now 7, which is similar to the mini-wave we saw over the summer. Last winter the region reached 18, but I doubt we’ll see that again this year, based on current trends.
Northeast Region: New COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Rate per 100,000 population
By state: New Hampshire saw a concerning jump of 1.8 new admissions per 100,000 to 6.3. Massachusetts and Maine also posted sizable increases, rising 1.5 and 1.1 points respectively.
New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island rose between 1.1-0.2 hospitalizations per 100,000. Pennsylvania saw a smaller 0.1 uptick week-over-week.
Connecticut remained essentially flat, while Vermont experienced a decline of -0.8 admissions to 7.0 per 100,000.
Northeast Region: Change in New COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Weekly new hospitalizations per 100,000
RSV
RSV activity in the Northeast might be improving – reported PCR test positivity dropped slightly last week, to 11.9%, from 13.8% the week before. I have my fingers crossed that this decline is real, and that we are at or near peak season.
Maine saw a dramatic jump, from 28% PCR test positivity up to 36%. New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont all saw more modest increases.
Massachusetts held steady at around 18% PCR test positivity – hopefully that means the outbreak is peaking there, and will begin to decline soon. Pennsylvania registered a slight dip in cases, down to 12%. (There is insufficient data for Rhode Island.)
Northeast Region: RSV Activity
Test Positivity, Percentage
Other Respiratory + Stomach Bugs
I’m monitoring several other respiratory viruses. .
- Human metapneumovirus activity remains low, as does seasonal coronavirus activity (although it may be inching up a bit).
- Parainfluenza and adenovirus are holding steady at low levels nationally (no regional data are available).
- Norovirus activity continues to increase in the Northeast, with around 10% PCR test positivity. Tis the season—activity will likely continue to increase through springtime. A bout of norovirus is not fun, so remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to prevent it (hand sanitizer does not work as well).
Northeast Region: Norovirus Activity
Test Positivity, Percentage
Food recalls
The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:
New this week:
- Ready-to-eat chicken breast products under Chef’s Line brand name (more info).
- Ready-to-eat chicken fried rice under Freshness Guaranteed brand name (more info).
- A range of ready-to-eat beef and poultry products by Pelleh Poultry Corp. (more info).
- Raw ground beef products by Skyline Provisions, Inc. (more info).
Previously reported:
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
- Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Vermont reported Covid-19 outbreaks in seven long-term care facilities and one school. These outbreaks resulted in 17 resident and 21 staff cases in care facilities, but no hospitalizations. At Lake Champlain Waldorf School in Shelburne, nine faculty members tested positive for Covid-19, leading to the closure of lower grades. Covid metrics in Vermont are described as “mixed,” with some measures, like hospitalizations, higher than summer levels, but others like emergency room visits for Covid-like symptoms remain low. These sorts of things happen here and there every year, but don’t usually get much attention. Just another reminder that even a “normal” respiratory virus season can be disruptive.
- We’re still in the thick of seasonal respiratory virus season, but I’m already looking ahead to when I have less to report on. What would you like to see? More narrative essays on current issues in public health? Outbreak outlooks but for mosquito and tick-borne diseases? If you have ideas, let me know in the comments or reply to this email.
IS PUBLIC HEALTH BECOMING ILLIBERAL? YOUR LOCAL EPOIDEMIOLOGIST REVIEW
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Si quiere leer la versión en español, pulse aquí.
Harvard invited me to review a new book, Within Reason, by Dr. Sandro Galea. I don’t personally know Dr. Galea, but this has to be one of the most impactful books I’ve read yet. It forces reflection (As I say below, “It was like being forced to look in the mirror after a war”). But more importantly, I hope this book will ignite a critically important debate in public health. Go get the book. Please send me your thoughts *after* you read. I’m eager to hear them.
Here is my review, originally published in Harvard Public Health Magazine.
If the pandemic taught us one thing, it’s that public health must be reimagined for the 21st century. Although there were major success stories, like saving more than three million lives with vaccines, the fragmented, underfunded, and inequitable U.S. public health system was cracked wide open for all Americans to see. And it wasn’t pretty.
Within Reason, written by Sandro Galea, dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health, names another uncomfortable dimension of the pandemic: Public health—traditionally a very liberal field— took a turn towards illiberalism. A liberal perspective means considering different points of view, celebrating differences, and remaining open to the possibility of being proved wrong. Conversely, illiberalism stifles debate and minimizes dissenting views.
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In a three-part book of short essays compiled from his blog, The Healthiest Goldfish, Galea enlists many examples to substantiate his viewpoint: the field’s propensity to communicate with certainty in the midst of so much uncertainty (think cloth masks); the perils of groupthink; and public health’s tendency to favor pragmatic paternalism by, for example, keeping nursing homes locked down after vaccines were available.
These tendencies are perhaps understandable. During an emergency, time costs lives. The height of the pandemic happened amid incredible political instability, disinformation, and outright hostility towards public health workers, all of that sanctioned by political leaders. (Polarization affected public health, too.)
But Galea argues that if we continue on this path, the public health field will continue to lose trust among Americans. This means our efforts to combat infectious diseases and other health threats will have less impact, and communities will pay the price, with increasing morbidity and mortality.
As an epidemiologist, I found this book hard to read. It was like being forced to look in the mirror after a war, still bathed with the blood, sweat, and tears of the pandemic. To be clear: I agree with many of Galea’s points. I’ve made (and admitted) to many of the mistakes he outlines, like dismissing new pieces of information because of politics rather than evidence. And we, in public health, need to recognize these mistakes. I appreciated Galea’s approach to balancing the fine line between constructive criticism, hope, and action.
I disagree with some details in this book, though. For example, Galea implies that many in public health were wrong to push back so fiercely on ideas like the Great Barrington Declaration—an open letter that advocated for isolating the vulnerable while allowing infections to spread among lower-risk populations before vaccines were available. Given the epidemiological, logistical, and ethical concerns about this approach—especially coming, as it did, before widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines—we needed experts to push back, not automatically embrace that approach.
Also, this book mostly circles around the loss of trust from one group: Republicans. And rightfully so. A new poll from the Pew Research Center shows trust in scientists has rapidly declined among Republicans. Not so with Democrats. But my quibble is: Why, and more importantly how, should public health privilege one group’s information and health needs over another? How should public health balance an increasingly individualized society, given public health is about serving the greater good? These are tough questions to answer.
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I presume many people in public health will feel the same way about the book: Some things we agree with, some are hard realities to face, and some things we disagree with. But I think Galea’s book will stir up the conversation in needed ways. In a healthy society, a tug-of-war between the values and morals that anchor public decision-making is not only expected, but also needed to advance and improve.
Galea provides tangible solutions on how to return to public health’s liberal roots, with a roadmap that focuses on human connection and communication: Keep an open mind; do rather than say; speak with humility; act pragmatically according to the data; get better at weighing trade-offs. But most of all, listen. Engage in dialogue about what solutions are possible. Test ideas with outside feedback. Look beyond biases that blind us. Be open to rigorous and even heated debates. Relinquish power.
At the heart of the book is a critical question: What does public health look like in the 21st century? This is a question for every one of us—for those of us working in public health, critics of public health, those in medicine; and, most importantly, for everyday people affected by public health decision-making. In an increasingly politicized environment—amid an information landscape that rewards outrage, not thoughtful consideration—and with new health threats emerging faster due to climate change, figuring out an answer is crucial but far from easy.
Thankfully, as Galea writes, “Public health is by nature forward-looking.” And we are at an inflection point. We must learn. We must strive for hope.
Millions of lives depend on it.
“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife. During the day, she is a senior scientific consultant to several organizations. At night, she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health world so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:
COUNTY DOINGS FROM COUNTY LEGISLATOR BENJAMIN BOYKIN
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SWING INTO THE SEASON WITH WHITE PLAINS DOWNTOWN!
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WPTV’S WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE FRIDAY DEC 8 REPORT WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
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JOHN BAILEY AND THE HARD NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK
FOR 22 YEARS 2001-2023
LATIMER RUNS! PRIMARIES BOWMAN IN THE 16TH
CONGRESSMAN JAMAAL BOWMAN FAR RIGHT REACTS TO LATIMER ANNOUNCEMENT
THANKSGIVING COVID BAD PERFORMANCE BY WESTCHESTER:
EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR. JETELINA:22,000 TO 50,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS BY MID WINTER ACROSS U.S.A
JN-1 CIVID VARIANT ON WAY RAMPAGING ACROSS EUROPE
WHO’S LIVING IN THE 16TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT? PROFESSOR ROLANDI ANALYZES
LATIMER’S CHANCES WITH THE MINORITY MAJORITY DISTRICT
CHALLENGE TO REDRAWN DISTRICT 16 HEARD BY COURT OF APPEALS NOV 15–
“NO DECISION YET”
WHAT INFLATION? COUNTY, CITY DOWN IN SALES TAX COLLECTIONS
WHERE’S THE INFLATION FACTOR GONE?
OUT OF THE SUN: 82 YEARS AGO TODAY. JAPAN ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR. “THE DAY OF INFAMY”
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Out of the Sun
The Arizona engulfed, December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor
Out of the sun they came
Birds of death blazened with red suns raining fiery havoc on Battleship Row.
One by one, ruthless planes dove, destroyed to their nation’s shame.
Thunderous explosions scattered fiery death on Sunday dawn’s glow.
Flames belched from hull of stricken Arizona, America’s pride,
Hicham Field pilots raced to planes to defend
Their birds crippled on ground by Zeros’ glide
Gunners in turrets on ships floundering filled skies with flack’s din.
In search of aircraft carriers, marauders could not find
Ruthlessly strafed and bombed leaving Pearl
In smoking ruin. Ships sunk, burning as raiders flew back into dawn’s Sun
The day of infamy had been ignited in the Zeros’ swirl.
The Attack Begins 8 AM December 7, 1941
As America listened a world away, somber FDR
Spoke of this day that will live in infamy.
America must never forget its Pearl Harbor Scar
When an unsuspecting America slept in complacency.
To the 2,403 perishing that day under merciless bombs
Hails of bullets, terror of torpedos out of nowhere
America must remember forces against our freedoms
Relentlessly work always to surprise with deadly bombs’ glare.
Vigilance is the price of freedom always to be defended
By dark forces in far off places we have offended.
Against those who would destroy our republic from within
The answer is not curtailing freedom at home rather it to champion.
The USS Arizona lies in Pearl’s waters, bleeding the lives
Of her men through the eerie eternal slick marking the rusting hulk.
Beneath Pearl’s waters, the blood of free people oozes from the shadowy bulk,
Bleeding forever, freedom’s spirit living forever in lost lives remembered.
She never rests.
Note: The Pearl Harbor attack started 82 years ago today 2 PM Eastern Standard Time. The aftermath is dramatically depicted at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm
Appeal of 2022 Redistricting Decision to Court of Appeals Argued November 15. NO DECISION YET: CLERK OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SAYS AS OF TODAY
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WPCNR ALBANY LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 6, 2023:
The Appeal of the New York Supreme Court decision to accept the redrawn election districts put into effect after being created by an appointed Redistricting expert was heard in argument before the Court of Appeals in Buffalo November 15, 2023, according to the Clerk of the New York State Court of Appeals speaking to WPCNR this afternoon. The clerk told WPCNR–
“No decision has been made yet.”
The goal of the appeal is to rescind the court decision that the 2022 districts, including the 16th Congressional District, could not be redrawn by the legislature until after the 2030 census.
Should the Court of Appeals grant the appeal, this could mean a fast redrawing of districts, in time for the 2024 Democratic Primary for the 16th Congressional District now featuring a challenge of incumbut Jamaal Bowman from now Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced today in a press release.
Here is a summary from the Court of Appeals of case and the appeal:
State of New York
Court of Appeals
Summaries of cases before the Court of Appeals
To be argued Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in Buffalo
No. 90 Matter of Hoffmann v New York State Independent Redistricting Commission
The primary question in this appeal is whether the congressional district map drawn on order of this
Court in Harkenrider v Hochul (38 NY3d 494 [2022]) is the final map that must be used until the next
redistricting cycle begins after the 2030 federal census, or if it is an interim map for use only in the 2022
elections and the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) can be compelled to submit a second set
of redistricting plans to the legislature for use in future congressional elections.
The IRC, established by a State Constitutional amendment in 2014, has ten members equally divided between the major political parties.
It deadlocked twice in 2022, first submitting two competing congressional maps to the Legislature, which rejected
them, and then failing to submit a second redistricting plan as required by the Constitution.
The Legislature then drew and adopted its own map, which was immediately challenged in Harkenrider. This Court ultimately declared the map void, finding that “the legislature and the IRC deviated from the constitutionally mandated [redistricting] procedure.”
It further ruled there was evidence to support the conclusion of the lower courts that
the congressional map was an unconstitutional gerrymander. Concluding that
“judicial oversight is required to facilitate the expeditious creation of constitutionally conforming maps for use in the 2022 election and to safeguard the constitutionally protected right of New Yorkers to a fair election,” this Court directed the trial court to adopt new district lines with the help of a neutral expert. The resulting map was used in last year’s congressional elections.
In June 2022, Anthony Hoffmann and nine other registered voters commenced this proceeding for a
writ of mandamus to compel the IRC to submit a second set of congressional redistricting plans to the
legislature to be used for the rest of this decade.
IRC Chair Ken Jenkins and two other commissioners answered in support of the petition to compel submission of a second map. The IRC remained divided, with Commissioner Ross Brady and four other members moving to dismiss the petition.
The original Harkenrider petitioners intervened and moved to dismiss the suit and retain the 2022 map. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James filed an amicus brief in support of the petition for a new map.
Supreme Court dismissed the petition, saying it was timely, but “the requested relief to restrict the 2022
maps to the 2022 election violates the constitutional mandate [in article III, § 4(e)] that an approved map be in effect until” a new map is drawn after the next census.
The Appellate Division, Third Department reversed and granted the petition in a 3-2 decision, saying
the IRC had a constitutional duty to submit a second map after its first map was rejected and Harkenrider did
not remedy that failure.
Compelling the IRC to submit a new map to the legislature “honors the constitutional
enactments as the means of providing a robust, fair and equitable procedure for the determination of voting
districts in New York…,” it said.
“[I]n granting this petition, we return the matter to its constitutional design.”
The dissenters argued the (Hochul-James) petition was untimely and, in any event, “the Constitution requires that …
court-ordered maps remain in place until after the next census.”
They said there was no statement in Harkenrider that the court-drawn map was only for use in the 2022 election, and its “judicial remedy cured the IRC’s failure to act by lawfully establishing a redistricting plan for the ordinary duration, leaving no uncured violation of law and thus foreclosing mandamus.”
GEORGE LATIMER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2024. Campaign Announcement From the Latimer Campaign. December 6, 2023:
Westchester’s Democratic County Executive George Latimer today formally launched his campaign for Congress in New York’s 16th District. Latimer is no stranger to winning tough races, having won his current position by defeating MAGA republican Rob Astorino, and winning tough contests throughout his over thirty-year career in public service from local offices to the state legislature. The district includes a large segment of Westchester as well as a smaller portion of the Bronx, although lines may change due to court-ordered redistricting in the coming months.
Latimer launched his campaign with a video titled “Real Progressive Results. Not Political Rhetoric” which can be seen here, in which he discusses his long history in the district and the work he has done to make lives better for the residents of Westchester and the Bronx. Throughout the campaign Latimer will be contrasting his record of solid progressive achievements on civil rights, the environment, abortion rights, gun violence prevention, infrastructure, LGBTQ+ rights, fiscal responsibility, housing, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism, and other issues, versus the incumbent’s divisive and distracting approach to holding office.
“Our country is facing an existential crisis and our very democracy is at risk right now,” said Latimer. “We need our voice in Congress to be someone who brings people together and delivers results on the issues that matter. We need someone who will listen to all voices, not just those who agree with him, and takes those concerns seriously. We need someone more interested in progressive results than showboating on social media. Those who know me know that I am and have always been that kind of elected official, and I look forward to talking to the voters about how we can all do better with new leadership in our Congressional district.”
George Latimer is a lifelong Westchester resident who built his career in public service by delivering unparalleled progressive results for local residents. George’s track record in making Westchester the most progressive County government in the state includes successfully cutting regressive taxes, fighting for civil rights and racial equality, defending a woman’s right to choose, standing up to the NRA to keep guns off our streets, voting for marriage equality, and smartly investing a Green New Deal style infrastructure projects across the County.