Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker 7th District: Board Approves 4 Measures to Support and Protect County Residents.

 

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Last Monday was a big night at the Board of Legislators.  After working for weeks in committee, cooperating across party lines, hearing from community members, and working with local businesses, we unanimously approved four new pieces of legislation to put critical protections in place to improve the quality of life for Westchester County residents:

Gun Store Warning Signs: This measure requires signs at gun stores warning that firearms in the home significantly increase risks of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and the accidental deaths of children or others.

We were reminded again this week about the horrific dangers of mass gun violence, but many gun deaths don’t make headlines -- 54 percent of gun deaths in New York are suicides, more than 27 percent of suicides involve firearms, and nearly 37 percent of New York's intimate partner homicides involve a gun.

Warnings won’t stop criminal violence, but hopefully they will increase mindfulness that a gun in the home can pose dangers not just to the owner but to others who might gain access to them. If something as simple as a warning label can prevent one suicide, one domestic violence death, one accidental shooting, it is well worth it.

Reporting of Hate Incidents: Sadly, hate and bias incidents are on the rise. This law creates a process for the County’s Department of Public Safety to keep track of hate incidents, in addition to the hate crime data it already assembles. Incidents of bias-based harassment and intimidation, even when they don’t rise to the criminal level, have profoundly damaging effects not just for individuals but entire communities. Keeping track of them can hopefully help us identify troubling trends before situations develop into tragic circumstances.

Food Allergy Restaurant Safety: Around 1 in 11 Westchester residents is living with food allergies, which often can have fatal consequences. This makes many reluctant to dine out, especially families whose children have serious food allergies. This law will ensure that restaurants have personnel on-site who have been trained in food allergy safety, including designated food safety officers during operating hours. Signs certifying employee training, outlining the nine major food allergies, and listing symptoms of allergic reactions with appropriate measures to take in cases of a reaction will also be posted. Knowing that personnel are trained in allergy safety hopefully will encourage allergy-aware families to dine out at our local restaurants with renewed peace of mind.

Waiving Civil Service Exam Fees for Veterans: Making life easier for those who have served is a priority.  This bill will waive exam fees for veterans applying for civil service jobs in Westchester like Police Officer, Firefighter, or Correction Officer exams. We proudly join our neighbors in New York City, and Nassau and Suffolk County in providing our veterans this waiver.

Sincerely,

Westchester Insider: Westchester County: 6/1 AT 10:30AM - LATIMER ANNOUNCES BEE-LINE'S SUMMER VACATION ON FARES THROUGH LABOR DAY.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ANNOUNCES

BEE-LINE’S SUMMER VACATION ON FARES THROUGH LABOR DAY.

 

Where do you want to go today? We are here for your work, play and summer beach day!

 

(White Plains, NY) – Where do you want to go today? Bee-Line buses are here for your work, play and summer beach day! Westchester County Executive George Latimer is announcing the County’s free rides program will begin on June 1, 2022 and run through Labor Day. With gas prices continuing to rise, and with gas prices traditionally peaking after the Memorial Day holiday for the summer, the Bee-Line Bus System offers a cleaner, greener, more cost-effective way for residents to travel the County. Latimer is encouraging Westchester County residents to ditch the pump, and get free rides all summer long on the Bee-Line.

 

Wednesday, June 1

10:30 a.m.

White Plains TransCenter

11 Ferris Avenue

White Plains, NY 10603

 

 

The promotion is valid on all routes in the fixed route bus system, including the express route into Manhattan, the BxM4C. Free rides are also valid on the Bee-Line ParaTransit system.

 

Latimer said: “Now is a perfect time to try out the Bee-Line system if you haven’t already. We take great pride in the fact that our buses are safe, clean and accessible.  Leave the driving to us and save some money this summer.  From Yorktown to Yonkers, we have a robust system that can get you where you need to go.”

 

For more information about the free rides program call (914) 813-7777. An information agent is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The Bee-Line is Westchester County's bus system, serving over 27 million passengers annually with convenient service connecting residents to jobs, recreation, shopping and other regional transportation services. It is the second largest transit bus fleet in New York State, operated by the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T).

 

Over 65 percent of all Westchester County residents are within walking distance of a Bee-Line bus route, making the bus both close and convenient. The system has over 3,300 bus stops and almost 60 routes. All Bee-Line buses are accessible, and designed with many accessibility features including “kneeling” buses, ramps and lifts.

 

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County: ART IN THE PARK THE SOUL OF THE SPECIES OPENING AT WARD POUND RIDGE RESERVATION.

 

ART IN THE PARK THE SOUL OF THE SPECIES

OPENING AT WARD POUND RIDGE RESERVATION.

 

(Cross River, NY) – Wildlife photography gallery, The Soul of the Species, by photographer Dona Tracy, will be on display at the Gallery in the Park at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, beginning Saturday, June 11.

 

The exhibit captures wildlife where and how they are in the world. The opening reception will take place over the course of two days, Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Live music from local band All About the Blues will play Saturday and a wildlife lecture with live animals will take place Sunday. The exhibit will be on display daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through Sunday, Aug. 7

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Westchester County Parks offers so much more than a natural outdoor experience. Its art displays are truly a wonderful additional perk of our parks system.”

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation said, “The Art in the Park program is a great way to display the works of local artists and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a naturally beautiful venue to do so.”

 

Admission is free; parking is $5 with Park Pass, $10 without Park Pass, every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day; weekends only after Labor Day. 

 

Art in the Park features various exhibits that always include a connection to nature. This is demonstrated through different vehicles of art like sculpture, photography, paintings and additional forms of artwork. The program is headquartered at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. For more information about Art in the Park, call (914) 864-7317. 

 

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is located at the junction of Routes 35 and 121 South in Cross River.

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky 12th District: Gas Tax Relief & Bee-Line’s Summer Vacation on Fares.

Gas Tax Relief & Bee-Line’s Summer Vacation on Fares.

Sales tax relief on gas purchased in Westchester, approved by the Board last month, will run from June 1 through August 31. The measure caps sales tax on gas purchases at $.12 per gallon. Hopefully this can provide a little help to residents and businesses in balancing their budgets this summer.While summer doesn't officially arrive until June 21, help with the high price of fuel this summer begins June 1 in Westchester.

Also, beginning June 1 and running through Labor Day (Sept. 5), you can enjoy free rides on all Bee-Line buses. Valid on all routes including ParaTransit.

We're really excited about this initiative. Of course it will provide financial help to our regular bus riders.  But we hope people who haven't tried our bus system take advantage of this opportunity to check it as a way of saving money on gas and reducing carbon emissions.

Work, play, or a summer beach day! Get there free on the Bee-Line!

For service alerts and bus schedules, please visit transportation.westchestergov.com/bee-line. Or call (914) 813-7777 from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Automated information is available 24 hours a day.

Westchester Insider: Westchester County: JUNE 2: NEXT TOWN HALL ON WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT MASTERPLAN.

 

June 2: Next Town Hall on Westchester County Airport Masterplan.

 

“On the Horizon” 2022.

 

Join the County-Wide Discussion on the Westchester County Airport Master Plan.

 

 

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer is inviting the public to the June 2 town hall on Westchester County Airport’s Masterplan.  June 2 will be the second town hall of the reintroduced community engagement program, On the Horizon. The goal, to hear from the public on the future of Westchester County Airport.

 

The On the Horizon Town Halls on Westchester County Airport are as follows:

 

 

Thursday, June 2 at 6 p.m.

Manhattanville College

2900 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577

 

Thursday, June 9 at 6 p.m.

Mercy College

555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

 

June 2 Agenda

 

6-6:30pm

Informational Session and Written Comments Taken

 

6:30pm

Public Comment Session

 

Latimer said: “Westchester County Airport is just one project that unfortunately came to a screeching halt with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but my administration is committed to completing a thorough evaluation of airport operations and its impacts, and a robust community engagement program. Whether you use the Airport to fly with your family to Florida, to pick up your parents who are visiting for the winter, or you use the Airport for business travel, we need to hear from you. Our goal is to engage everyone the Airport touches – our homeowners, business community, environmental groups, community organizations and more – a balance I am confident we can achieve. We look forward to having the public be an integral part of this process moving forward, and together, we will ensure the Airport evolves as a valuable, transportation resource.”

 

The Master Plan Supplement Community Engagement Program, called On the Horizon, includes a series of public events such as town halls. The Master Plan Supplement will focus on analysis of the Airport with respect to the physical condition of the Airport property, buildings and infrastructure, additional analysis of noise and environmental impacts and the local and regional economic impact of the airport. This analysis will be used to develop a vision for the Airport in the future.

 

Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “The Airport plays a significant role in the economic development of the County. This Master Plan Supplement and the feedback from the business community will be vital in shaping a vibrant economic landscape in Westchester County in the years to come.”

 

Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “Westchester County understands the importance of protecting the environmental resources surrounding the Airport. We look forward to developing a deeper understanding on how to continue balancing Airport operations and environmental concerns in the future through the Master Plan Supplement and Community Engagement Program.”

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Bee Line: **Bee-Line Special Alert: Fare Free Summer!**.

 

For service alerts and bus schedules visit www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky 12th District: Board Approves 4 Measures to Support and Protect County Residents.

 

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Monday was a big night at the Board of Legislators.  After working for weeks in committee, cooperating across party lines, hearing from community members, and working with local businesses, we unanimously approved four new pieces of legislation to put critical protections in place to improve the quality of life for Westchester County residents:

Gun Store Warning Signs: This measure requires signs at gun stores warning that firearms in the home significantly increase risks of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and the accidental deaths of children or others.

We were reminded again this week about the horrific dangers of mass gun violence, but many gun deaths don’t make headlines -- 54 percent of gun deaths in New York are suicides, more than 27 percent of suicides involve firearms, and nearly 37 percent of New York's intimate partner homicides involve a gun.

Warnings won’t stop criminal violence, but hopefully they will increase mindfulness that a gun in the home can pose dangers not just to the owner but to others who might gain access to them. If something as simple as a warning label can prevent one suicide, one domestic violence death, one accidental shooting, it is well worth it.

Reporting of Hate Incidents: Sadly, hate and bias incidents are on the rise. This law creates a process for the County’s Department of Public Safety to keep track of hate incidents, in addition to the hate crime data it already assembles. Incidents of bias-based harassment and intimidation, even when they don’t rise to the criminal level, have profoundly damaging effects not just for individuals but entire communities. Keeping track of them can hopefully help us identify troubling trends before situations develop into tragic circumstances.

Food Allergy Restaurant Safety: Around 1 in 11 Westchester residents is living with food allergies, which often can have fatal consequences. This makes many reluctant to dine out, especially families whose children have serious food allergies. This law will ensure that restaurants have personnel on-site who have been trained in food allergy safety, including designated food safety officers during operating hours. Signs certifying employee training, outlining the nine major food allergies, and listing symptoms of allergic reactions with appropriate measures to take in cases of a reaction will also be posted. Knowing that personnel are trained in allergy safety hopefully will encourage allergy-aware families to dine out at our local restaurants with renewed peace of mind.

Waiving Civil Service Exam Fees for Veterans: Making life easier for those who have served is a priority.  This bill will waive exam fees for veterans applying for civil service jobs in Westchester like Police Officer, Firefighter, or Correction Officer exams. We proudly join our neighbors in New York City, and Nassau and Suffolk County in providing our veterans this waiver.

Sincerely,

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Parks: BICYCLE SUNDAYS CONTINUE IN JULY.

 

BICYCLE SUNDAYS CONTINUE IN JULY.

 

(Ardsley, NY) – Keep your bicycle tires pumped and your helmets out; Bicycle Sundays will continue in July!

 

The beloved Westchester County tradition will extend its season for four more Sundays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31. There is no Bicycle Sunday on July 3.

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Bicycle Sundays have seen tremendous success in its expanded seasons since the pandemic, and I’m thrilled the Parks Department and the Westchester Parks Foundation are able to extend the season into July this year.”

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation,  Kathy O’Connor said, “Bicycle Sundays is one of Westchester County’s most beloved traditions, and I’m excited to see everyone on the Bronx River Parkway in July.”

 

Chairperson of the Westchester Parks Foundation, Seth Mandelbaum said, “The open space of the Bronx River Parkway provides cyclists and runners alike with a safe outlet to exercise. The participants will be eager to come back out in July.”

 

The remaining Bicycle Sundays are June 5, 12, 19 and 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31; Sept. 11, 18 and 25; and Oct. 2. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

During Bicycle Sundays, a portion of the Bronx River Parkway is closed to cars from for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, walkers, scooters and strollers. The course runs from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round-trip of 13.1 miles. There are many points of entry and exit along the way.

 

Bicycle Sundays is presented by Westchester County Parks and sponsored by the Westchester Parks Foundation and its partners, through generous donations from co-presenting sponsors NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital and Con Edison, with support from WHUD.

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County: PHOTO/VIDEO: LATIMER ANNOUNCES SEVEN MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPTS IN WESTCHESTER.

 

COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ANNOUNCES SEVEN MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS (MCRT) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN WESTCHESTER.

 

MCRT, a Recommendation of Project Alliance, provides 24-hour

Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Coverage to Communities throughout Westchester during an Emergency.

 

Watch the Full News Conference Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz3v3RoV_xk

 

(White Plains, NY) — Together with advocates and stakeholders from the Greenburgh, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers communities, County Executive George Latimer announced seven Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in Westchester. The teams, which are co-located with the local police departments, have the responsibility of providing 24-hour mobile behavioral health crisis support when responding to emergencies. The MCRT program was a recommendation of Project Alliance, a task force created by Latimer in 2021 to help re-imagine policing in Westchester. Law enforcement training to help police effectively deescalate situations involving people with behavioral health challenges was determined a top priority, and as a result the MCRT program was formed. Now, the MCRT program is being implemented throughout the County with the Port Chester Police Department serving as the first host site.

 

Latimer said: “Every emergency, every 911 call, is different. When our police respond to an emergency and it is clear that someone is struggling with a mental health issue, we want them to be armed with the tools that they need to prevent a serious crisis before it occurs. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams are designed to provide 24-hour, seven-day a week support to every community in Westchester, to make sure that police, EMTs and dispatchers have the appropriate resources to help people. Whenever possible, a mental health crisis should receive a mental health response, and that is exactly what the MCRT program does.”

 

Under Latimer’s leadership, the Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health, Public Safety, Emergency Services and Social Services are instituting the recommendations of Project Alliance to help people manage behavioral health issues in the community. Through seven host police departments, teams are providing mental health crisis coverage to the following Westchester County communities:

 

 Greenburgh PD Host Site Covers:

·         Ardsley Police Department

·         Dobbs Ferry Police Department

·         Elmsford Police Department

·         Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department

·         Irvington Police Department

·         Tarrytown Police Department

·         White Plains Police Department

Agency: MHA of Westchester

 

Mount Kisco Host Site Covers:

Westchester County Police

·         Bedford Hills Police Department

·         Lewisboro Police Department

·         New Castle Police Department

·         North Castle Police Department

·         North Salem Police Department

·         Pound Ridge Police Department

·         Somers Police Department

·         NY State Police

Agency: MHA of Westchester

 

New Rochelle Host Site Covers:

·         Bronxville Police Department

·         Eastchester Police Department

·         Mount Vernon Police Department

·         Pelham Police Department

·         Scarsdale Police Department

·         Tuckahoe Police Department

Agency: The Guidance Center of Westchester/Expanded team

 

Ossining PD Host Site Covers:

·         Mount Pleasant Police Department

·         Pleasantville Police Department

·         Sleepy Hollow Police Department

·         Briarcliff Manor Police Department

Agency: Family Services of Westchester

 

Peekskill PD Host Site Covers:

·         Buchanan Police Department

·         Cortlandt Police Department

·         Croton on Hudson Police Department

·         Yorktown Police Department

·         Westchester County Police Department

·         NY State Police

Agency: Westchester Jewish Community Services

 

Port Chester PD Host Site Covers:

·         Harrison Police Department

·         Larchmont Police Department

·         Rye Police Department

·         Rye Brook Police Department

·         Village of Mamaroneck Police Department

·         Town of Mamaroneck Police Department

·         SUNY Purchase Police Department

Agency: Family Services of Westchester

 

Yonkers PD Host Site and Expanded Team

Agency: PEOPLE USA Inc.

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “This is a significant success in County Executive Latimer’s Project Alliance Initiative.  Our local police departments now have direct access to MCRT to respond immediately to residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis.  The Mobile Crisis Response Teams will help to engage individuals, address their needs, and connect them to appropriate services and supports. We are greatly appreciative of the County Departments of Public Safety and Emergency Services, local municipalities and law enforcement, and our community partners for their collaboration in developing a crisis system that will provide the right level of service for any person experiencing crisis in the most expeditious way possible.” 

 

Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said: “The ability to have mental health professionals respond with police officers will help ensure the best and safest outcome when someone is in crisis. These are always challenging incidents and we look forward to working in partnership with Project Alliance to de-escalate these encounters and get people the help they need.”

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services Leonard Townes said: “Project Alliance partnerships like these are essential to the safety and well-being of Westchester residents, and draw upon the expertise of public and private agencies including Mental Health, Emergency Services, County and local law enforcement, Social Services, and community providers to respond to the needs of residents and collaborate on necessary services.”

 

Port Chester Police Chief Charles Nielsen said: “Port Chester PD is excited to be able to host this very important program. With this added level of support when responding to a person in crisis, our officers will be able to use both their training and the training of the MCRT to get the person the treatment that is warranted. This program is another tool to use in this ever-challenging world we live in, and it’s the Department’s hope that there will be many success stories through the MCRT program.”

 

Executive Vice President of Clinical Services for Family Services of Westchester Karen Fink said: “Family Services of Westchester is very excited to be a part of this innovative initiative that will help individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis get the proper support and treatment they need.  This model will significantly add to our ability to reach those in crisis, and our team of mental health clinicians and peers, as first responders, will help de-escalate and build rapport so that individuals can be connected to appropriate services to ensure they receive the best possible care.”