Latest / This Week in Westchester: The Podcast / TWIW 35: August 24, 2026

Transcript

TWIW 35: August 24, 2026 · This Week in Westchester: The Podcast

• 0:06
  Intro: Welcome to This Week in Westchester, the podcast, your weekly audio briefing from Westchester County Government.
• 0:13
  Intro: Each week, County Executive Ken Jenkins breaks down the decisions, investments, and initiatives shaping life across Westchester.
• 0:21
  Intro: Clear information, real progress.
• 0:23
  Intro: One place to stay informed.
• 0:26
  Intro: Now, here's This Week in Westchester.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_03: Good afternoon.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_03: I'm Joan McDonald, Deputy County Executive, and this is This Week in Westchester, the briefing.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_03: Today we are extremely pleased to welcome Olga Ruddick from the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, branch 30, to receive a proclamation officially recognizing August 24, 2026 as Ukrainian Independence Day in Westchester County.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_03: This year marks the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on August 24, 1991.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_03: Ukrainian Independence Day is an opportunity to celebrate the Ukrainian people, their rich history and culture, and their enduring commitment to freedom, democracy, and self-determination.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_03: This anniversary carries particular significance as the people of Ukraine continue to demonstrate their extraordinary courage and resilience in defense of their nation and their independence.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_03: Here in Westchester County, we are proud of our vibrant Ukrainian American community and the many organizations and individuals who work to preserve Ukrainian culture, traditions, and heritage for future generations.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_03: We thank Olga and all the members of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Branch 30, for joining us and for your continued work on behalf of the Ukrainian American community.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_03: It is our honor to offer this proclamation and officially recognize August 24th, 2026, is Ukrainian Independence Day in Westchester.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_03: And Olga, we'd like you to make a few remarks on behalf of this, and I'll hold the proclamation for you.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you so much.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_02: I appreciate it.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_02: You took the words right out of my mouth.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_02: Everything I wanted to say about Ukraine, you've pretty much summarized it.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_02: But on behalf of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, branch 30, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Westchester County executive Kenneth Jenkins, his administration, and Westchester County government for recognizing this important anniversary and for standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian American community.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_02: For Ukrainians, independence represents far more than just a date.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_02: It represents generations of struggle to preserve our language, culture, traditions, and identity, just as you had mentioned.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_02: For me personally, this history is not just something I studied.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_02: It's part of my family's story.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_02: My brother Stefan and my sister Liliana and I are first-generation Americans.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_02: Our parents came to the United States after World War II as refugees, searching for freedom and safety and for the opportunity to rebuild their lives while preserving their Ukrainian culture and traditions.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_02: They carried with them the memories of a homeland that had suffered tremendous hardships and prosecution, including the oppression of Ukrainians under Stalin's regime.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_02: Because of their courage and sacrifice, my siblings and I were able to grow up in America with the freedoms our parents had dreamed of.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you again.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you, Olga.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you, Olga, for those heartfelt remarks.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_03: Westchester County stands with the Ukrainians as we go through this period.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_03: We are also joined today by Westchester County Department of Planning, Associate Transportation Planner Jonathan Joseph.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_03: He will discuss an important new county survey focused on improving transportation for our aging population.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_03: As Westchester's population continues to age, access to safe, reliable, and convenient transportation is increasingly important.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_03: The improving Senior Transportation for the Aging Population Survey is designed to hear directly from older adults about their needs in transportation, their experiences, and their challenges.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_03: We want to better understand how seniors are getting around Westchester today, where gaps may exist, and what improvements could be made to make transportation more accessible and effective.
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_03: Jonathan, come on up.
• 7:03
  unknown: Thank you, Jonathan.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_00: Good day, everyone.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Jonathan Joseph, and I am an associate transportation planner within the Department of Planning.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: I would like to take a couple of minutes to introduce an important study to the county, which was which was recently launched to Improve Mobility for the Aging.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: For many older adults, transportation is much more than getting from one place to another.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: It affects the ability to get to medical appointments, to buy groceries, visit family and friends, participate in community activities, and ultimately to remain active and independent as we age.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: Through this study, the county's taking a comprehensive look at how older adults travel today, what transportation and mobility services are available, where gaps or barriers may exist.
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_00: This includes services such as Beeline, Paratransit, and the many municipal, nonprofit, community, and other transportation programs operating across the county.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_00: We are still early in this process.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_00: Right now, the project team is gathering information, documenting existing services, and beginning to hear directly from residents.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: I highly encourage our older residents, their families, and caregivers to participate in our improving transportation for the aging population study.
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: The survey asks how people currently get around, where they need to go, how what works well, and importantly, where transportation challenges may prevent them from making the trips that they need or want to make.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_00: This is just the beginning of the conversation, not the end.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: Survey results will inform additional listening sessions and community conversations this fall, and ultimately help the county identify practical strategies to improving mobility, coordination, and access.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: If you are an old adult in Westchester or help an old adult navigate their transportation needs, we want to hear from you.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: Please visit the Westchester County Department of Planning website to learn more, to learn more and complete the survey.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: Your experience can directly help shape the recommendations of the study.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: Lastly, I'd like to thank the Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Department of Seniors Programs and Services, and the Office of the County Executive for the support of this survey and study.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you very much.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you, Jonathan.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_03: And as Jonathan said, we encourage all of our seniors, their families, and any caregivers to participate in the survey.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_03: It will really give us the needed information that we need to help make decisions going forward into the future.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_03: Next up, make the most of summer before it's gone with Playland Park's end-of-summer sale.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_03: It began on Friday, August 7th, and it will continue through the end of the season.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_03: Westchester County residents can purchase ride wristbands for$15, while non-Westchester residents can purchase them for$25.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_03: As we all know, Playland Park is one of Westchester County's most cherished summer destinations.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_03: It's important that everyone has the opportunity to experience all the park has to offer while making lasting summer memories.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_03: As summer comes to a close, this special promotion makes it easier for residents and visitors alike to end the season on a high note.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_03: For Playland's full schedule, hours, rides, wristbands, and parking, visit playlandpark.org.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_03: On another note, as we know, Westchester County will come together this September to honor the memory of those who perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and those who have since passed away from 9-11 related illnesses.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_03: The county will hold two commemorative events, an interfaith prayer vigil on Thursday, September 10th, and a 9-11 Memorial Service on Friday, September 11th.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_03: As we approach this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to reflect on a day that forever changed our county and our nation.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_03: Behind every name is a life, a family, and a story that will never be the same.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_03: We gather not only to honor those we lost, but to hold close the memories they left behind and to recognize the courage and sacrifice of all those who answered the call in the days and years that followed.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_03: Both the Interfaith Prayer Vigil and the September 11th Memorial Service will be streamed live on Facebook and on the Westchester County homepage.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_03: If you are a family member of someone who died on 9-11 or of a 9-11-related illness and would like to be involved in these two memorial events, please contact communications at WestchesterCountyny.gov.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_03: These events are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend and participate in honoring the lives lost and those affected by 9-11.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_03: Our upcoming parks events for this week.
• 12:25
  SPEAKER_03: On Thursday, August 27th from 5 p.m.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_03: until 7, it's our Pints and Pups Day.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_03: Join us for another fundraiser to benefit the SBCA at the Kensigo Dam Plaza in Valhalla with drinks, pups, and an all-new Kitty Cuddle corner.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_03: Tickets are$25 and include one free drink per ticket.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_03: Then stick around for Damn the Torpedoes, a Tom Petty concert experience, which is our next item on our park's agenda.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_03: Thursday, August 27th, from 7 to 9 p.m., our Robeson Summer Concert Series continues with Damn the Torpedoes Tom Petty Concert Experience.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_03: Here an authentic and electrifying tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, capturing the signature riffs, harmonies, and essence of the music with precision.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_03: Bring blankets and long chairs for general seating.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_03: Coolers are permitted.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_03: It's free admission and parking.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_03: And finally, on Friday, August 28th, from 5 p.m.
• 13:32
  SPEAKER_03: until 9 p.m., White Plains Hospital screening under the stars will show Bad Guys 2, also at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_03: Pre-movie entertainment begins at 5 p.m.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_03: The movie starts at sundown.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_03: Moviegoers can bring blankets, folding chairs, and a picnic, and refreshments will be available for sale.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_03: The movie is PG and it is free.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_03: And that's this week in Westchester.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_03: Today we are proud to recognize Ukrainian Independence Day in Westchester County, welcoming Olga Rudick of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, branch 30, as we mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and celebrate the strength, culture, and resilience of our Ukrainian American community.
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_03: We also look toward the future of transportation in Westchester with Associate Transportation Planner Jonathan Joseph.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_03: He joined us to talk about our new survey aimed at better understanding the transportation needs of older adults.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_03: We want our seniors to remain active, independent, and connected, and that starts with listening to them.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you, Jonathan.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_03: And there is still plenty of summer left to enjoy.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_03: Take advantage of Playland's end of summer sale.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_03: Spend an evening at Kensigo Dam Plaza with Pints and Pups and the Tom Petty Tribute Concert, or bring your family out for Bad Guys 2 under the Stars.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_03: And that is this week in Westchester County.
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_03: I'm Joan McDonald.