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KENNETH W. JENKINS SWORN IN AS WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S 10TH COUNTY EXECUTIVE Watch the Swearing-in Ceremony Here Meet County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins (White Plains, NY) – Surrounded by colleagues, family members and friends, Kenneth W. Jenkins was sworn in as Westchester County’s 10th County Executive. Jenkins was appointed County Executive by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, after serving as Deputy County Executive under George Latimer since January 1, 2018. As a leader in the administration, Jenkins worked to cut taxes, build affordable housing, protect a woman’s right to choose, reduce crime, restore aging infrastructure and protect the environment. Jenkins, a Westchester County resident for the past 43 years, made history as Westchester’s first-ever Black County Executive. Jenkins said: “I am deeply honored to have been named Westchester County Executive, a challenge I am braced to take on with integrity, respect and vision. As Deputy County Executive for the past seven years, I have fought hard to uphold the principles we all share – democracy, safety, education, technology and community engagement. We have made tremendous progress and have much we can feel proud of, seeing the completion of key infrastructure projects, environmental upgrades and social justice issues. I am confident that in this new role as County Executive, we will continue to make great strides for Westchester, together.” |
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Former Acting Westchester County Executive Richard Wishnie said: “We are very fortunate to have had the leadership of Ken Jenkins as we navigate through this historic moment in time for Westchester. Ken brings a wealth of experience and talent, and is by far the most prepared individual to take on the role of County Executive. I know he will lead with transparency, fairness and heart, and there is no one more deserving of serving as Westchester’s 10th County Executive.” The ceremony was presided over by Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni, and Jenkins’ oath was administered by New York State Supreme Court Justice Anne E. Minihan, 9th Judicial District, in a ceremony at the Michaelian Office Building. Jenkins built an extensive career in telecommunications and technology, holding key roles at leading companies such as Apple, AT&T, Bell Atlantic, New York Telephone (Verizon), NYNEX and Seer Technologies. He also gained valuable sales experience, as an owner and broker, during his tenure at ERA Gem Realty, further enhancing his expertise in the real estate sector. Jenkins’ extensive public and community involvement includes board service with the Greyston Foundation, United Way, Westchester County District Attorney’s Community Advisory Committee, Westchester County Crime Stoppers and the Community Planning Council of Yonkers. He served as President of the Yonkers Branch of the NAACP and the Yonkers Community Action Program. A longstanding member of the Democratic Party, Jenkins has held various leadership positions, including: Treasurer of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Yonkers Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Black Democrats of Westchester and Secretary of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, in addition to serving on its Executive Committee. He has also shared his political insights as a frequent analyst on News 12 Westchester. Jenkins will serve as County Executive until the certification of the special election on Tuesday, February 11. |
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NEW COUNTY EXECUTIVE INTRODUCES HIMSELF
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER JANUARY 7,2024:
Kenneth W. Jenkins
Westchester County Executive
Dear Neighbors,
As I step into the role of the next leader of Westchester County Government, I want to take a moment to introduce myself and share more about who I am and my vision for our community. For the past 43 years, Westchester has been more than where I serve— it’s been my home. It’s where my wife Deborah and I raised our three children, and where I’ve dedicated my career to public service.
I have held various roles within Westchester County Government over the past 18 years. Having served as Deputy County Executive under George Latimer since January 1, 2018, I have seen firsthand what it takes to lead this County with integrity, respect and vision. Together we worked to cut taxes, build affordable housing, protect a woman’s right to choose, reduce crime, secure tax breaks for veterans, restore aging infrastructure and protect the environment. When I was on the County Board, we championed the needs of middle-class families.
Prior to holding political office, I built an extensive career in telecommunications and technology, holding key roles at leading companies such as Apple, AT&T, Bell Atlantic, New York Telephone (Verizon), NYNEX and Seer Technologies. I also gained valuable sales experience, as an owner and broker, during my tenure at ERA Gem Realty, further enhancing my knowledge of the real estate sector.
Please watch this short video, to learn a little bit more about me.
As we navigate this time of transition and change in administration, please know that I am committed to putting your needs first. We’ve made tremendous strides, and together, we will continue to move Westchester County forward—prioritizing the values of democracy, safety, education, technological advancement and community engagement.
Finally, one last request. If you see me out and about—whether catching a movie or enjoying one of our many incredible local restaurants—please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello. I’m here to listen, collaborate and build a brighter future for all who call Westchester County home.
Sincerely,
Kenneth W. Jenkins
Westchester County Executive
OUTBREAK OUTLOOK : THE GREAT NORTHEAST FROM FORCE OF INFECTION
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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
ILI
ILI activity is up, up, up, with all states reporting increases in outpatient ILI visits. On the bright side, activity remains lower in the Northeast than in other regions of the country. (The plot below shows ED visits.) We are likely at or near peak season.
New Jersey leads the Northeast with 8.7% of outpatient visits due to ILI in the last week of the year, increasing from 6.7% the week prior. ED visits are elevated at 4.9%. Massachusetts follows with 5.2% outpatient visits, up from 3.5% the previous week. New Hampshire shows similar activity levels with 4.9% outpatient visits, nearly doubling from 2.5% the week prior.
New York reports 4.2% ILI visits (up from 3.7%) and maintains the region’s highest hospitalization rate at 4.5 per 100,000 population. Connecticut is coming in at 3.9% ILI visits (up from 3.3%) with a hospitalization rate of 3.3 per 100,000. Pennsylvania reports 3.6% ILI visits, increasing from 2.3% the previous week.
The northern New England states continue to show the region’s lowest activity levels. Maine reports 2.7% ILI visits (up from 1.5%), Rhode Island shows 2.5% ILI visits (up from 1.8%), and Vermont reports the region’s lowest activity at 1.4% ILI visits, though this represents an increase from 1.0% in week 51.
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COVID-19
Covid-19 is also picking up once again. Wastewater activity is now moderate, having increased sharply over the past week, and severe illness has increased in most states in the region.
Wastewater activity is very high and increasing in New Hampshire (off the chart!), Maine, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.
It is high and increasing in Vermont and Connecticut. In Massachusetts, activity remains high, but decreased slightly this past week. It remains low in New Jersey and minimal in New York and remained stable in both states this past week.
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This increased wastewater activity is translating to increases in severe illness. The rate of ED visits has increased substantially (>20%) this past week in nearly all Northeastern states. These increases have pushed the rates from minimal to low (1.5-2.9%) in about half the states in the region, roughly mirroring the states with spiking wastewater activity: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Hospitalizations are also up, with most states reporting increases. The highest hospitalization rate in the region is in Pennsylvania, where the rate doubled this past week to 8.7. In Vermont, hospitalizations more than tripled in the past week, up to 4.8 hospitalizations per 100,000 population.
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RSV
Mixed picture here, with some states showing elevated emergency department visits and others reporting relatively low levels. Still, these rates are really quite low compared to what other regions are seeing right now.
New Hampshire leads the Northeast with 1.8% RSV emergency department visits, followed by Massachusetts at 1.3% and New Jersey at 1.1%.
Pennsylvania is reporting 1.0% ED visits. New York reports a lower ED visit percentage of 0.7% but maintains the region’s highest hospitalization rate at 4.5 per 100,000 population. Connecticut follows with a hospitalization rate of 3.3 per 100,000.
The northern New England states are showing lower activity levels, with Vermont reporting 0.6% ED visits and Maine at 0.3%, though both states show slight increases from the previous week. Both of these are very low.
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Other Bugs
- Human coronaviruses – a common cause of colds – appear to be close to reaching their typical winter peak.
- Other causes of cold- and flu-like symptoms are at lower levels. Human metapneumovirus remains low but has started to slowly increase (it tends to peak around mid-spring). Adenoviruses, parainfluenza, and rhinoviruses/enteroviruses are all on the decline.
Stomach Bugs
Norovirus is very high in the Northeast – 17.2% test positivity, which while a bit lower than its peak of 19.6% two weeks ago, remains substantially higher than at any other point in the past year. I hate noro! Keep washing your hands.
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Source: CDC
Food recalls
The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:
New:
- 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)
Previously reported:
- Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizzas (more info)
- Daily Veggies Enoki Mushrooms (more info)
- Sprouts Markers Market Gyro Family Kit (more info)
- MadeGood Granola Bars (various flavors and varieties) (more info)
- Blue Ridge Beef log Puppy Mix [for Dogs]. While not for human consumption, humans may be infected by Salmonella if they do not adequately wash their hands or contaminated surfaces after handling the product. (more info)
- If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.
JANUARY 4–MTA ANNOUNCES CONGESTION PRICING TOLLS START SUNDAY
Starting on January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Central Business District (CBD), popularly referred to as the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ), will be charged a toll.
The CRZ includes local streets and avenues at or below 60th St in Manhattan, and excludes trips entirely done on the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street.
The toll amount depends on several factors: the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and payment method. For example, passenger vehicles with E-ZPass tags entering the CRZ at 60 Street will be charged $9 in the peak period and $2.25 overnight, once daily. To learn more, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.
Please review your E-ZPass account to ensure that it has your current license plate number. To receive appropriate discounts, exemptions, and crossing credits, your license plate number is required. Visit the MTA website to learn more about discounts and exemptions for Congestion Relief Zone Tolling.