Latest / This Week in Westchester: The Podcast / TWIW 34: August 17, 2026

Transcript

TWIW 34: August 17, 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
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Good afternoon.
• 0:30
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I'm Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
• 0:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Today is Monday, August 17th, 2026, and this is This Week in Westchester, the briefing.
• 0:39
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're gonna start right off the bat this afternoon with our municipal guest for today.
• 0:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It's the Somers Town Supervisor, a good friend Robert Scorano, who's here to talk with us today about the exciting things happening in the town of Somers, including the recent updates, ongoing initiatives, and what residents could look forward to.
• 1:00
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And I'm sure he might mention the 201st anniversary of the Elephant Hotel, right?
• 1:05
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It's always a great thing to do that.
• 1:07
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, let's turn over to um town supervisor Robert Scram.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_05: Good afternoon.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_05: And thank you to a county executive Ken Jenkins in Westchester County for giving me the opportunity to provide an update on the town of Somers.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_05: For those who may not know us, Somers is home to about 21,000 people across 33 square miles in northern Westchester.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_05: Our history runs deep from our ties to the American Revolution to our distinction as the cradle of the American circus.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_05: Today, that tradition of excellence continues through our schools, our state championship athletic programs, and most importantly, the residents and volunteers who make Somers such a special community.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_05: But while Somers respects its past, we're not standing still.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_05: We're investing in our community, addressing long-standing needs and planning for the future.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_05: And infrastructure is a good example.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_05: Anyone who drives through Somers knows several of our major state roads are long overdue for improvement.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_05: We've advocated for that investment, and approximately$9 million has been committed towards repaving state roads through Somers.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_05: This project must still go through the state bidding process, but is an important step towards getting these roads the attention they need.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_05: Another major state project is happening right now on Route 202 and Warren Street, where an aging culvert is being replaced.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_05: We knew the project would create significant disruptions, and we knew that if it extended into the school year, it would affect traffic, school bus routes, and emergency access.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_05: So we prepared early.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_05: We held informational meetings for our residents and coordinated with the State DOT, our State Representatives, the Somer Central School District, our highway department, fire, police, and emergency services.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_05: And we advocated for our residents, particularly for the work to be completed before the beginning of the school year.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_05: Completion is anticipated before school begins.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_05: To me, that's what local government should do: anticipate problems, bring people together, advocate for residence, and communicate.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_05: We're also grateful for our partnerships with Westchester County.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_05: The county recently approved$600,000 in complete street funding for Somers.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_05: We're already having a pedestrian bridge and sidewalks, providing an important connection from our middle school to our town center.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_05: This funding will allow us to build on that connection, extending sidewalks and improving pedestrian access through more of our historic business district.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_05: That's important for our students, our seniors, and anyone who wants a safer way to move through the center of our community.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_05: It's about more than sidewalks.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_05: It's about creating a safer, more connected, and a more walkable town center.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_05: We're also proud that Westchester County recognized Somers with its 2026 Equal Award after our town achieved the highest percentage of reduction in municipal waste in the county.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_05: That's an accomplishment our entire community can be proud of.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_05: We're making these investments while maintaining focus on our taxpayers.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_05: We've kept taxes below the tax cap while maintaining the services our residents expect.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_05: And Somers continues to maintain its AAA credit rating agency from Moody's, the highest rating available.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_05: We're financially strong, we're investing in our community, and we're doing it without losing sight of affordability.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_05: Quality of life matters too.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_05: At Reese Park, the heart of the recreation in Somers, our plans include new pickleball courts, a splash pad, two synthetic turf fields, a new comfort station, repurposed basketball courts, and LED lighting throughout the park.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_05: The goal is simple: build a park that better serves every generation of our community.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_05: And while we're talking about service, I want to recognize our Somers Highway Department.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_05: When severe weather hits, these men and women are among the first out and the last home.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_05: They're cleaning roads, removing trees and debris, and working alongside our emergency services to keep Somers safe.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_05: Residents may not see everything happening behind the scenes, but they see the results.
• 5:47
  SPEAKER_05: And I'm proud of the work our highway department does for this community.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_05: Finally, we're thinking carefully about how Somers grows.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_05: We want to support our local businesses and encourage appropriate investments while protecting our open spaces, historic character, neighborhoods, and quality of life.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_05: Our challenge isn't to stop change, it's to manage change well.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_05: And that means making decisions today with the next generation in mind.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_05: We won't always agree on every issue.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_05: That's part of government.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_05: But our residents should always expect us to listen, communicate honestly, plan ahead, and put the interest of Somers residents first.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_05: We respect our past, we're investing in our present, and we're planning for the future.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_05: That's how we keep Somers moving forward while preserving what makes our community special.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_05: And most importantly, thank you to the residents for Somers for the privilege of serving as your town supervisor.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_05: Thank you.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_05: Thanks, buddy.
• 6:50
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That was uh Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scrano.
• 6:53
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um it is always fantastic to be up there.
• 6:56
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um they have an awesome Fourth of July display fireworks at Reese Park, if I remember correctly, um, and certainly with the library, Flynn Library uh over there as well.
• 7:05
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, that the it continues to move forward.
• 7:08
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um the elephant hotel as he is where the town offices are.
• 7:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: They purchased the building in 1927 from some guy named Bailey, and so most of us recognize that from Ringland Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, and it is the home of where the circus started from from those times they call them menageries, I think, at as opposed to something differently.
• 7:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: But again, walk watching the past and moving forward with the future, and it's always great to partner with the town of Somers and certainly Robert Scorano and his town board.
• 7:36
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, we always have a great time coming up and visiting and talking with all of them.
• 7:40
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So thank you so much for letting us know what's going on in Somers, and we're looking forward um the work to the work to continue up there.
• 7:47
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um at this time, we're gonna switch gears because as um as the supervisor pointed out in some of the work that they're doing to make sure that it's getting done before the school year, there's a lot of that going on around the county.
• 7:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, it's National Back to School Month.
• 8:02
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And with that, we're going to be pleased to welcome our executive director um for the Westchester County Youth Bureau, Ernest McFadden, who's here today to talk and highlight as National Back to School Month is August and talk about how students and families can prepare for that fix successful start to the new school year and the resources and support available to young people throughout Westchester County.
• 8:25
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, our good friend Ernest McFadden.
• 8:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you, sir.
• 8:33
  Ernest McFadden: Good afternoon.
• 8:34
  Ernest McFadden: Uh thank you, Mr.
• 8:35
  Ernest McFadden: County Exec, and always good to be with you.
• 8:37
  Ernest McFadden: And uh uh Deputy County Exec, good to see you as well.
• 8:41
  Ernest McFadden: Um Supervisor Robb enjoyed your your your overview of your city.
• 8:46
  Ernest McFadden: I was sharing with the supervisor that uh Somers uh I have fond memories of Somers.
• 8:52
  Ernest McFadden: That's where I got my first hole in one.
• 8:55
  Ernest McFadden: So I'll I'll never forget Somers.
• 8:58
  Ernest McFadden: But first of all, let me uh say it's an honor and a pleasure to be here today.
• 9:03
  Ernest McFadden: Uh we are less than two weeks away from the start of school.
• 9:07
  Ernest McFadden: Um we joined today to recognize a national celebration that's been taking place since the early 60s.
• 9:14
  Ernest McFadden: It's called National Back to School, where we celebrate students, support our educators, and remind families that a successful school year began with strong community support for every child.
• 9:28
  Ernest McFadden: A few fun facts, some of it is fun, some of it is not.
• 9:33
  Ernest McFadden: Uh, economic impact.
• 9:35
  Ernest McFadden: Back to school is the largest economic resale period trailing only the holiday season.
• 9:45
  Ernest McFadden: Um spending family-wise, for every child K through 12 going back to school, a family is spending on average about$800.
• 9:56
  Ernest McFadden: And that's on clothing, supplies, um, electronics.
• 10:01
  Ernest McFadden: Um, so in terms of relief, uh, we've been hearing trends around the country.
• 10:07
  Ernest McFadden: Um, while the$800 is an economic boom for our business community, it hurts families, it hits them in the pocket.
• 10:16
  Ernest McFadden: Um, we encourage our families.
• 10:18
  Ernest McFadden: Uh I've been around the county, I've seen uh the county exec at many events.
• 10:23
  Ernest McFadden: Um we have have a tremendous community support around backpack giving.
• 10:28
  Ernest McFadden: Uh so I encourage those families, if you haven't identified your school supply, tap into your local community organizations, either your youth bureau, boys and girls club.
• 10:38
  Ernest McFadden: Many of them are doing backpack drive.
• 10:40
  Ernest McFadden: So that's one way uh to lessen the burden of that$800 per child.
• 10:47
  Ernest McFadden: Um another suggestion that we would make is um thrifting.
• 10:54
  Ernest McFadden: You know, we refer to what's old is new and what's new.
• 10:57
  Ernest McFadden: Thrifting seemed to be back in again.
• 11:00
  Ernest McFadden: So we would encourage families to look into your locals' thrift shops to see where there are values there that you may be able to uh tap into.
• 11:09
  Ernest McFadden: You do two things.
• 11:10
  Ernest McFadden: You help our economy, our and I'm sorry, our environment, because it's recycling materials, and then also it helps your wallet because we're seeing some great values at these retail uh thrift shops.
• 11:24
  Ernest McFadden: So please consider that to help with that$800 per child number that we have identified.
• 11:31
  Ernest McFadden: Uh also August is a uh a big transition.
• 11:36
  Ernest McFadden: Simultaneously in August, uh the schedules of 55 million students are impacted.
• 11:44
  Ernest McFadden: 30 million parents and 3.5 million teachers making their transition from summer to school year.
• 11:52
  Ernest McFadden: Uh for many, back to school is more than a date on the calendar.
• 11:57
  Ernest McFadden: It's new beginnings, new classrooms, new teachers, new friendships, and new opportunities.
• 12:06
  Ernest McFadden: We know that every student deserves the tools and support for a successful year.
• 12:12
  Ernest McFadden: This means ensuring that children have access to school supplies.
• 12:17
  Ernest McFadden: So again, we go back to the cost of uh housing and providing for one child.
• 12:23
  Ernest McFadden: So we ask that you and we encourage you to look at some of those alternative ways of supporting your family.
• 12:30
  Ernest McFadden: Through the Westchester County Youth Bureau, our network of over, we have over a hundred programs, program partners around the county who provide quality, safe, supervised programming, social and emotional learning opportunities for young people.
• 12:47
  Ernest McFadden: And so that's directed to our parents because as the bell rings after school, all parents are concerned what happens to their child.
• 12:55
  Ernest McFadden: And so I encourage our audience to tap into our network of partners, whether it's your local youth bureaus, your boys and girls club, your YMCs, your YWCAs, your local partners for opportunities for your young person after school.
• 13:13
  Ernest McFadden: To our students, as you prepare to return to school, please know that we are so proud of you.
• 13:19
  Ernest McFadden: We believe in you.
• 13:21
  Ernest McFadden: You are we are excited to see the possibilities from you.
• 13:26
  Ernest McFadden: To our parents, our caregivers, our teachers, our staff, we recognize and we salute your dedication to preparing for the next generation of leaders.
• 13:36
  Ernest McFadden: So with that in mind, I'm going to close with just a few tips.
• 13:39
  Ernest McFadden: Uh, in addition to connecting with your local community partners, we have a strong network.
• 13:44
  Ernest McFadden: If you're not sure of those networks in your community, please contact the West Hasser County Youth Bureau.
• 13:49
  Ernest McFadden: We can share some of our partners.
• 13:51
  Ernest McFadden: A few safety tips.
• 13:54
  Ernest McFadden: Road safety to our students.
• 13:57
  Ernest McFadden: Uh please use crosswalk as you're crossing back and forth.
• 14:00
  Ernest McFadden: As you line up for the bus in the morning, please stay off the road.
• 14:04
  Ernest McFadden: Line up orderly and wait for the bus to approach.
• 14:09
  Ernest McFadden: Uh economic safety, emotional safety, excuse me.
• 14:14
  Ernest McFadden: Please speak to a trusted adult if there's something on your mind that you don't want to share with one of your colleagues in the classroom.
• 14:22
  Ernest McFadden: Uh after school safety.
• 14:24
  Ernest McFadden: Please advise your parents where as to your whereabouts.
• 14:28
  Ernest McFadden: So with that, I will close and wish uh our every student a productive, exciting school year.
• 14:36
  Ernest McFadden: Every parent, please know that we have partners that can help you in your uh quest for after school programming.
• 14:43
  Ernest McFadden: Thank you so much.
• 14:47
  Ernest McFadden: Thank you, Joan.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: Yep.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Ernest.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Joan McDonald, Deputy County Executive, and today we have asked Westchester County Clerk, Tom Roach, to join us in announcing the return of the New York State Notary Public Examination here in Westchester.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_00: This comes after the test was unavailable for many years.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_00: County residents will once again have the opportunity to take the examination close to home.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_00: Bringing the exam back to Westchester is about making government more accessible and responsive.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: County clerk, come on up and tell us what the details are.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_03: Well, thank you very much, and it's uh my pleasure to be with you here today on this occasion.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_03: Um it's it's not the most exciting announcement that I can make, but I can tell you it is an important announcement.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_03: I'm I've been an attorney for many, many years, and the importance of notaries to our entire system is is hard to uh overstate.
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_03: Um they they take oaths, they uh swear people in and take oaths, but they also uh acknowledge signatures and note so somewhere when your papers get filed and they show up in some office in Omaha, Nebraska, that the person whose signature is on there is the person who the document refers to.
• 16:07
  SPEAKER_03: And that can only happen because someone has taken an oath uh and done their job properly.
• 16:12
  SPEAKER_03: And that's what we have there.
• 16:14
  SPEAKER_03: It is it the last time the test was given in Westchester was in January 2020, so it's over six years ago.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_03: Um, when I was running for county clerk, I asked questions, why isn't it here?
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_03: Um, there weren't any real good answers because uh we have a million people in this county.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_03: How is it that we don't have this state exam offered here?
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_03: Uh when I got in office, I found out it's because they didn't have a venue.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_03: And uh so we got to work.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_03: And it was, I thought it was gonna be like we saw the uh the video of the culvert being put in the giant concrete being lowered into the.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_03: I thought it was gonna be that type of that type of job, but it turned out to be it turned out to be a lot easier because I reached out to the county executive and uh they authorized us to talk to the county center.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_03: We um talked to uh the county center, and I have to say um how how wonderful um it was to work with that with them.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_03: Veronica Schneider is uh always juggling uh we're talking about the circus, she's always juggling all these different events, which includes the circus.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_03: Um and uh but it it it turned into something that um we were able to, the state wanted to do it, they just didn't have a venue and hadn't really gotten around to to uh doing anything about it.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_03: We looked into it, we spoke to the county center, we got everybody together, and um, as you were saying earlier, uh that's what I think the public expects from us to work together to solve problems that have an immediate impact on them, or and other things that just reduce friction from people's lives.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_03: And I think that's what we have here.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_03: I I can say that having a notary in your office is a real help if you're especially in the insurance business, the real estate business, or in government.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_03: And I can also tell you that some of our staff members will be taking advantage of the fact that it is being offered right here in White Plains.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_03: And what does that mean for the employer?
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_03: It means for the employer that you have less lost time from your staff member.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_03: And for the staff member, a lot a lot of people don't want to drive an hour to take a test.
• 18:04
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I I did mention this when we were at a uh public outreach in the northern part of the county, and uh the librarian there said, you know, we only have one um notary, and when he's not here, people come in for things to be notarized, and if we feel terrible, we can't do anything.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_03: But because it was not given in the county, uh no one else would go.
• 18:26
  SPEAKER_03: So he was willing to drive to Pomona.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_03: Uh no one else was this was willing to drive to Pomona.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_03: So I think that this is gonna be a benefit to uh to everyone in the county, but particularly to those people uh who who are looking for some uh an additional thing on their resume that they can offer to employers and to our employers in our county, help them run their business businesses more efficiently.
• 18:50
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right, well, that was our county clerk, Tom Roach.
• 18:52
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you, Tom, so much for that.
• 18:54
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And it is that kind of partnership as Supervisor Skrano was pointing out, that we have to continue to figure out different ways to whether it's making lives easier, to have the convenience.
• 19:03
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: There is no question that you need um documents notarized in so many times.
• 19:07
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um and making sure that happens with people that can do that in an efficient manner is very, very important.
• 19:13
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Sometimes it's at the library, um, sometimes up here we we have one or two folks that are notaries up here, maybe for different reasons, and but again for all the things that that continue to happen.
• 19:23
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um I know that they change the process for notaries, um, that you know, especially when you have to have them renewed.
• 19:29
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um so the state, um Department of State Um is the one I think that manages that uh for for us in New York State.
• 19:36
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And again, uh having a great county clerk like you, um, you know, Tom to be able to figure out different ways to make things easier.
• 19:43
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um you had the passport um services coming up, you know, you have the mobile vehicles that happen going all around and trying to do those things.
• 19:51
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So every part of the county feels the love um that that's necessary in the work that you do every day in the county clerk's office.
• 19:57
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So we always thank you and your team uh for all the great things that happened in the county clerk's office um to make sure that we're moving um things forward.
• 20:05
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um we're gonna take a flip and and talk about our brand new ride at Playland.
• 20:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So, you know, so a circus, you know, with doing things every day, keep juggling all the balls and the things that are happening.
• 20:18
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We were able to open up uh a brand new ride in Playland.
• 20:22
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It was an exciting milestone stone with um the opening of Scorpios, the park's newest ride.
• 20:29
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um it is a classic pirate ship style swing ride.
• 20:33
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um has the unique look of a custom Scorpion themed ship with an old Mediterranean-inspired design.
• 20:39
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It sees 42 passengers swings back and forth in that classic pendulum motion that generations of amusement park visitors have loved.
• 20:48
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um again for us, opening Scorpios is another important step in Playland's continued comeback.
• 20:53
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, if you get to see my swag, I have my youth bureau swag on as as well to make sure that we connect keep connecting the folks to different things that happen for us.
• 21:03
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: But again, Scorpios now joins Playland's most beloved rides, including the Dragon Coaster, the Grand Carousel, and the Sawmill River plunge ride.
• 21:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And if you haven't had a chance to visit this summer, there's still plenty of time.
• 21:16
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And right now, there's a great promo happening now where we said for uh making the most of the summer before it's gone at Playland's Park's end of summer sale.
• 21:26
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um it started on August 7th and it continues right through the end of the season.
• 21:30
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Westchester County residents can purchase ride wristbands for 15 bucks, while non-Westchester residents can purchase them for$25.
• 21:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, as I pointed out when we first talked about this, um,$15 is less than going to the movies.
• 21:44
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um so you know, if you go to the movies and you have those kind of opportunities to go to Playland, that is one of the great opportunities for Playland Park.
• 21:52
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It's one of Westchester County's most cherished summer destinations, and it's important that everyone has the opportunity to experience all the park.
• 22:00
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Has to offer while making those lasting summer memories.
• 22:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So as summer comes to a close, this special promotion makes it just a bit easier for residents and visitors alike to end the season on a high note.
• 22:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And some people were mentioning, because the commissioner was on the Commissioner Grecian as well as Acting Commissioner William Bland were on the ride, first ride with us with the Deputy Commissioner Kevin Cook from Parks.
• 22:24
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And they said the ride was going kind of slow.
• 22:26
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And I found out there was multiple speeds, so they put it on the low speed for us, right?
• 22:31
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So I'm like, all right.
• 22:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So some people have more exciting times where it goes up higher.
• 22:37
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I was down for it.
• 22:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I don't know.
• 22:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Somebody must have talked to the operators to make sure that they didn't do anything bad with the county executive one.
• 22:44
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Enjoy the new ride, Scorpios.
• 22:46
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And again, they continue to open up the last five rides that are still not open for the year.
• 22:54
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: You never know what's going to happen every week, and we're going to keep trying to move forward at Playland Park.
• 23:00
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So have that opportunity.
• 23:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We have to be more somber about this because you know we're coming up on the 25th anniversary in recognition of 9-11.
• 23:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So where Westchester County is going to come together 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.
• 23:44
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And again, everyone has a remembrance and a commemorative event to remember their own town, city, village, um, hamlet members that you know tragically passed away on 9-11 or have suffered from 9-11 related illnesses.
• 23:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So we have to continue to do that.
• 24:01
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're going to have two commemorative events.
• 24:03
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're going to have the interfaith prayer vigil that will happen on September 10th.
• 24:08
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: On Thursday, September 10th.
• 24:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That'll be the Interfaith Prayer Vigil.
• 24:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That'll also be at Kensico Dan Plaza.
• 24:14
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And then the 9-11 Memorial Service on Friday, September 11th.
• 24:18
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um and as we approach this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to reflect on a day that forever changed our country and our county.
• 24:29
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Behind every name is a life, a family member, and a story that has never been the same.
• 24:35
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So we gather not only to honor those that we've lost, but to hold close the memories they left behind and recognize the courage and sacrifice of all who answered the call that day and years that followed.
• 24:47
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Both the Interface Prayer Vigil and the September 11th Memorial Service will be streamed live here on Facebook or on the county's um homepage, so you can go from either one of those angles.
• 24:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: If you are a family member of someone who passed away and died on 9-11 or of a 9-11-related illness after that and would like to be involved in one of these two memorial events, please contact communications at wchestercountyny.gov.
• 25:17
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: These events are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend and participate in honoring the lives lost in those affected by 9-11.
• 25:27
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, let me turn back over to the Deputy County Executive, Joe McDonough.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you, County Executive.
• 25:36
  SPEAKER_00: And now I'll give you some of the upcoming parks events.
• 25:39
  SPEAKER_00: On Wednesday, August 19th, from 4:30 until 7.30 p.m., Sundays in the park.
• 25:46
  SPEAKER_00: Every Wednesday in August, we have delicious ice cream at Kensko Dam Plaza.
• 25:51
  SPEAKER_00: Enjoy live music and entertainment and$5 cones, shakes, and Sundays.
• 25:57
  SPEAKER_00: The first 100 attendees will receive one free ice cream.
• 26:01
  SPEAKER_00: It's located near the children's playground.
• 26:04
  SPEAKER_00: Bring a blanket or a chair, and the entertainment for this Wednesday will be mad science beginning at 5 p.m.
• 26:12
  SPEAKER_00: On Thursday, August 20th, from 7 until 9 p.m., 7 Summers, a Morgan Wallen tribute band will be playing at Kensico Dam Plaza.
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_00: No ice cream for free on that day.
• 26:25
  SPEAKER_00: Hear the best of Morgan Wallen's music, paying homage to the undeniable charisma and raw emotion that makes his songs resonate with so many fans.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: Bring blankets and lawn chairs for general seating.
• 26:38
  SPEAKER_00: Coolers are permitted.
• 26:40
  SPEAKER_00: There's free admission and parking.
• 26:42
  SPEAKER_00: On Friday, August 21st, also from 7 to 9 p.m., we continue our Robeson Summer Concert Series.
• 26:50
  SPEAKER_00: Our guests that night will be Uncaged, a Zach Brown tribute band.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_00: They will bring the sole musicianship and feel-good energy of the Zach Brown band to our Valhalla stage.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_00: Bring blankets and chairs again for general seating, and coolers are permitted, free admission and parking.
• 27:10
  SPEAKER_00: On Saturday, August 22nd, from 11 a.m.
• 27:14
  SPEAKER_00: to 1 p.m., we're having a retro bacon craft, the 1970s, up at Lasden Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial in Kotona.
• 27:23
  SPEAKER_00: Children ages six years old and up can celebrate the 1970s by baking MM party cookies and learning how to quilt while they work on a specially designed Lasden kids snack.
• 27:37
  SPEAKER_00: The cost is$5.
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_00: On Sunday, August 23rd, from noon until 6 p.m., we are having our Muslim Heritage Festival at Kensico Dam Plaza.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_00: This vibrant commemoration offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Muslim communities through live performances, music, a bustling market, arts and crafts, food trucks, and educational experiences.
• 28:04
  SPEAKER_00: It will be held rain or shine.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: Seating again is informal, so bring your blankets or lawn chairs.
• 28:11
  SPEAKER_00: Coolers are not allowed for this festival.
• 28:13
  SPEAKER_00: There is free admission and parking.
• 28:16
  SPEAKER_00: And those are the events in our parks this week, County Executive.
• 28:20
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right, thanks, Jim.
• 28:23
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And that's this week in Westchester.
• 28:25
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um certainly we were pleased and first to to welcome Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scarano, who was here and talked to us about the things, many things that are happening in the town of Somers.
• 28:35
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um certainly they have some music festivals all.
• 28:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I think that you should go to the town of Somers website to see all the things that are happening each and every day, um, and all the things that they can look forward to up in the town of Somers, including some of our historic events that we're going to continue with.
• 28:50
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We we went then and spoke to our youth bureau executive director Ernest McFadden because we are in back to school, and because Labor Day is later than normal, there are some school districts that are actually starting on September 2nd, um, as opposed to the day after um after Labor Day, which would be September 8th, right?
• 29:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So again, um talking about our national back to school month, and we're gonna continue to talk about that, how people can be careful, making sure that they're paying attention to those stopped school buses so our our students get to school safely, et cetera.
• 29:23
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: But again, there's so many other things that are happening right now as we're going to back to school.
• 29:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Our town county clerk, Tom Rhodes, shared some exciting news.
• 29:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So after many years, the New York State Public Notary Public Examination is returning to Westchester, making it much more convenient for our residents to take the exam right here in our county.
• 29:43
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We thank the county clerk for making sure that that happens.
• 29:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, and again, taking the initiative to make sure that we have this opportunity for the people of Westchester.
• 29:51
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um we celebrated a great milestone here.
• 29:53
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: In addition, for Playland, um, Scorpios, that new ride is officially opening, opened, and now we have the end of the summer sale where you can take extra advantage, especially trying to get out on a Friday night where the fireworks, weather permitting, always go off.
• 30:08
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So for 15 bucks, you can have those unlimited wristbands to have an opportunity to make more memories and have plenty of time left to do that.
• 30:17
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Finally, as we look forward to September, and we are preparing to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11th with our annual interfaith prayer vigil that's on September 10th, and the 9-11 Memorial Service.
• 30:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We hope that residents will join us as we come together as one Westchester community to remember those we lost and honor their families, our first responders, and all that continue to carry the impact of the day today.
• 30:46
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So, from those new opportunities and a new school year, one last chance to have some summer fun and to remember what we need to do for September 11th.
• 30:56
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: There's a lot happening in Westchester, and we'll continue to make sure that you're informed along the way.
• 31:02
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And that's this week in Westchester.
• 31:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I'm Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
• 31:06
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you so much for watching.
• 31:08
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We'll be back to you if there's anything else that we need to report, but have a wonderful week.