News from Westchester County.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, On April 22, 2019 the Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously passed a measure that will give victims of domestic violence, as well as victims of human trafficking, the ability to take “safe leave” from their jobs.  The time off will permit them to deal with legal and logistic issues surrounding their situations, without fear of negative consequences at work.   Under the measure, victims of domestic violence or human trafficking are entitled to take up to 40 hours of paid leave to attend or testify in court proceedings related to their situations, to move away from their abusers, or to confer with lawyers or other advisers. This new act, which had Democratic, Republican and Conservative sponsors and signed by the County Executive, is designed to help victims in ways that are not covered by the County’s Earned Sick Leave law that we passed last year. Promises made, promises kept! This legislation is part of our continuing commitment to protect the most vulnerable workers in our community by insuring no one has to choose between their personal safety and their income. I am proud to support this effort to protect victims of domestic violence. Sincerely, WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FOOD WASTE STUDY Furthering Westchester County’s mission to create a Westchester County food waste program, the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) is hosting a public meeting at the Westchester County Center to garner input and to present the scope and plan of the study. Speakers will be given three minutes to speak. Thursday, May 9 6:30 to 8: 30 p.m. Westchester County Center “Little Theatre” 198 Central Avenue, White Plains On February 11, 2019 DEF commenced a comprehensive Food Waste Study to analyze the County’s waste stream and determine how much food waste can potentially be diverted from both the residential and commercial waste streams to food rescue programs.  The effort is to assist those with food insecurity and for recycling programs. The study will also examine all of the potential technologies available for processing food waste, including utilizing digesters located at the County’s water resource recovery facilities, anaerobic food waste digesters and composting.  All options are being considered while taking into account siting availability, permitting issues, cost and environmental benefit, in an effort to determine the best course of action for Westchester. The County has engaged Woodard & Curran to assist with the study and to issue a report by the end of August. Those who cannot attend the public meeting, but still want to participate can email their remarks to DEF-FoodWasteStudy@westchestergov.com. Dear Friends and Neighbors, Last week, County Executive George Latimer moved to terminate the County’s agreement with Standard Amusements for the management of Playland, citing material defaults by Standard under the contract. I believe that the County Executive made the right decision.   I joined Andrew Whitman on FIOS1’s Newsbreakers for an in-depth interview to discuss the situation. I invite you to watch the interview here:  http://fios1news.com/news/catherine-parker-discusses-the-end-of-westchesters-playland-management-deal/ Securing Playland's future as a jewel in the crown of the County's park system is of critical importance to every Westchester resident and taxpayer.  We must make sure that the park is run properly and that necessary investments are made to preserve and enhance Playland for the benefit of the people of Westchester.  We also need to make sure that any future arrangement for the management of the park is a great deal for the taxpayers of Westchester.     Playland is set to open on May 11 with renewed marketing energy, plans for a new ride later this year, and strong commitment from the Board of Legislators and the County Executive to Playland’s future.   Hope to see you there. Sincerely, HEPATITIS A EXPOSURE APRIL 17th – MAY 1st AT WINSTON IN MOUNT KISCO.   Free Preventive Treatment Provided Tuesday –Friday by Westchester County Health Department.   (White Plains, NY) – The health department learned today that an employee with Hepatitis A worked at Winston restaurant in Mount Kisco while infectious.  Anyone who was at the restaurant from April 17 – May 1 may have been exposed.   The Westchester County Department of Health is offering free preventive treatment this week to individuals who ate or drank at Winston between April 23 and May 1. Preventive treatment is only effective if given within two weeks of the last day of exposure.  Therefore, those who dined on April 23 must receive preventive treatment tomorrow, May 7.  Those who dined on April 24 through May 1 have more time, but must receive preventive treatment within two weeks of their exposure.   Anyone who was at the restaurant from April 17 – April 21 is outside the period for preventative treatment and should contact their health care provider.   No one with a prior history of Hepatitis A vaccination or Hepatitis A infection needs to be treated.  The health department will offer preventive treatment at the Health Department Clinic, 134 Court Street, White Plains, on the following dates and times:   ·         Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m., walk-in ·         Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online ·         Thursday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online ·         Friday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online   A parent/guardian to provide consent must accompany anyone under 18 years of age. Advance registration for the county preventive clinic is highly recommended. To register, go to www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60.  Their own health care provider can also treat restaurant patrons with exposure.   Although those who dined at the restaurant between April 17 and April 21 are outside the window to receive preventive treatment, they should contact their health care provider immediately if they experience symptoms so that anyone they may have exposed can receive preventive treatment.    Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health, said: “I urge anyone who is eligible for treatment to get a Hepatitis A vaccine. There are no special medications used to treat a person once symptoms appear, but Hepatitis A transmission to others can be prevented through proper handwashing.”   Hepatitis A is transmitted by consuming food or drinks or by using utensils that have been handled by an infected person. It may also be spread from person to person by ingesting something that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with Hepatitis A. Casual contact, such as sitting together, does not spread the virus.   Hepatitis A is generally a mild illness whose symptoms include fatigue, fever, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stool and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Not everyone infected with Hepatitis A will have all of its symptoms.  Symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days. Preventive treatment is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus, but symptoms typically do not appear until a person has had the virus for a few weeks. The illness is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications.   Winston is cooperating with the Health Department and is voluntarily closing Tuesday to conduct a thorough cleaning.  After the staff have been vaccinated and the restaurant has been re-inspected and approved by the Westchester County Department of Health, the restaurant will reopen.   Legislator Tubiolo Praises ‘Salute to Seniors’. Free event celebrates seniors with live entertainment, business expo and health fair.               On Wednesday, May 1st, Westchester County hosted its 51st Annual ‘Salute to Seniors’ at the County Center in White Plains.               The free event for seniors, families and caregivers included a resource showcase with a variety of service providers, a health and wellness fair and live entertainment, featuring Glen Leonard and Joe Coleman, former lead singers of the Temptations and the Platters.               County Legislator David Tubiolo, who chairs the Committee on Seniors & Constituencies, said “’Salute to Seniors’ is one of Westchester’s best events for our golden agers.  It presents multiple options for services that our seniors need the most, while also making it fun and taking the time to acknowledge and recognize their great accomplishments throughout the years. We can’t show enough gratitude and appreciation for Westchester’s senior citizens.  They are our County’s most precious resource”.               Mae Carpenter, Commissioner of the Department of Senior Programs & Services (DSPS), said “our seniors have given so much to us, we’re happy to give them as much as possible”.               “I want to thank Commissioner Carpenter for her tireless work for Westchester seniors,” said Tubiolo.                According to Tubiolo, more than 90 businesses, organizations and government agencies specializing in the products and services for older adults and caregivers were in attendance for the Resource Showcase. There were 16 health care providers present at the Health & Wellness Fair, offering strategies for improved health.               ‘Salute to Seniors’ is now in its 51st year, taking place each May as part of the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Connect, Create, Contribute”, encourages all ages to work together for a stronger and more diverse community throughout the entire year.               ‘Salute to Seniors’ is coordinated and presented by DSPS, in conjunction with the Westchester Public-Private Partnership for Aging Services, the County’s Departments of Parks, Recreation & Conservation (PRC), and Public Works& Transportation.        Legislator Tubiolo also thanked the several local sponsors that facilitated transportation for some of the seniors.