Latest / This Week in Westchester: The Podcast / TWIW 45: November 2, 2026

Transcript

TWIW 45: November 2, 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, 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: This is This Week in Westchester, the briefing.
• 0:33
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Today is November 2nd, 2026.
• 0:36
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I'm Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
• 0:40
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Tomorrow is election day.
• 0:42
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The general election day is Tuesday, November 3rd.
• 0:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The polls will be open from 6 a.m.
• 0:48
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: to 9 p.m.
• 0:50
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: There's a lot at stake with a number of important races on the of the ballot, including both of Westchester County's congressional seats.
• 0:57
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Voting is not just a right, it is a privilege, but it's our civic responsibility.
• 1:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Take the time to learn about the candidates, understand where they stand on the issues that matter to you, and make an informed decision.
• 1:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Democracy works best when we all participate.
• 1:20
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And for election day, as opposed to early voting, where you could go to any polling location in Westchester, any one of the 25, you have to go to your assigned polling place.
• 1:31
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: If you don't know what that is, you certainly can check with the Westchester County Board of Elections.
• 1:37
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: They have that information.
• 1:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: You should have received that little card in the mail that tells you exactly where you should go.
• 1:43
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: But if you cannot locate that, certainly call the Board of Elections.
• 1:47
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: They are 914-995-5700.
• 1:51
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So make sure that your wait your vote counts and make sure that you have that opportunity.
• 2:26
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Late last week I sent a letter to the U.S.
• 2:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Census Bureau pushing back on a proposed federal rule that threatens to fundamentally change how Americans are counted in the U.S.
• 2:36
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Census, warning that those changes could strip communities of critical federal funding, undermine civil rights protections, and force local taxpayers to shoulder an even greater financial burden.
• 2:49
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The federal government wants to pretend that millions of people living in our communities simply do not exist.
• 2:54
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: But here's the reality: the residents live here, they work here, their children attend our schools, they contribute to our economy, and they rely on services that local governments are legally obligated to provide.
• 3:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Washington cannot simply erase people.
• 3:35
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All this proposal does is take federal dollars away from communities like Westchester and dump the financial burden directly on the backs of local property taxpayers.
• 3:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And let us be clear, this will directly impact the federal dollars we receive and our budget here.
• 3:53
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: My oath to all the residents of Westchester, I won't stop until the Trump administration accepts everyone.
• 3:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The census is not about who's a citizen, who's not, it is about who is here.
• 4:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And that gives us the allocation for federal dollars that are so important for us to provide the services that people are using to make sure that everyone is safe, secure, and being able to be provided over properly.
• 4:16
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So again, we are calling for this um proposal to be immediately withdrawn and be able to move um move forward.
• 4:25
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With Playland, there's been a lot of rumors out there, so we want to set the record straight.
• 4:31
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The Playland Dragon Coaster is an all-wood frame, 98-year-old beloved coaster.
• 4:39
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: As with many of the vintage rides, but certainly the wood ones, maintenance can be sensitive.
• 4:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Following a detailed investigation by our fire inspection team from the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, the cause of the fire on the Dragon Coaster was determined to be related to regularly scheduled maintenance work on the coaster's lift hill.
• 5:01
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It was an accident.
• 5:03
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The work included track and bolt replacement and the use of tools that generated sparks, resulted in smoldering that was not visible for hours.
• 5:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It actually was the sparks that went into the wood, and it was smoldering inside the wood where no one could see.
• 5:18
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: As can be expected, Stephs was devastated by this, and the immediate protocols have been instituted, including soaking the wood in water for before they start work and after work.
• 5:31
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: To date, the fire, the Dragon Coaster fire damage repair has been going on for around two weeks, with about 50% of the repairs already being done.
• 5:40
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: By mid-November, all the timber repairs will be completed.
• 5:45
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The lift chain that was in the fire area will be tested by an outside company for any damage, and that work will start next week and take a few days to complete.
• 5:55
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The Dragon Coaster will be up and roaring again next summer for the 99th year of Playland Park.
• 6:02
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And we look forward to visitors enjoying this beloved Westchester County Treasure once again.
• 6:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, today I'm gonna sign legislation expanding property tax exemptions for qualifying seniors across Westchester County.
• 6:21
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: This legislation provides meaningful financial relief to older residents, helping them manage rising costs and remain in the homes and communities they have spent their lives building.
• 6:31
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: As the cost of living continues to rise, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes, this legislation represents an important step towards making Westchester County more affordable and earning and ensuring our older residents can age in place with dignity, independence, and financial security.
• 6:49
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: This bill signing underscores the county's ongoing commitment to supporting seniors and easing the financial pressures facing older homeowners.
• 6:58
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, I'm going to call up two of our county legislators that are here with us today.
• 7:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The chairman of the Board of Legislators, Radat Gashi, as well as our acting commissioner of the Department of Senior Program and Services, Randolph Scott, but our legislator, the chair of the budget committee, Tyrae Woodson Samuels.
• 7:17
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Why don't you all come up for a second and we'll get Ashley gives him some comments?
• 7:22
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Oh, wait, Terry's here too.
• 7:24
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I'm sorry.
• 7:25
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And legislative, vice chair of the board, legislative Terry Clemens, I am so sorry.
• 7:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: She was sneaking behind that big jump stash.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_08: Thank you, County Executive.
• 7:35
  SPEAKER_08: Um, and as he just mentioned, I'm joined here today uh by uh vice chair of the board, Terry Clemens, and Chair of Budget Appropriations, Diary Woodson Samuels.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_08: Uh thank you, County Executive.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_08: Um I'm pleased to be here on behalf of the colleagues and uh friends on the Board of Legislators as we take another step toward making Westchester more affordable uh for all of our residents.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_08: Older adults are an important part of what makes Westchester special.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_08: They help build this community, they raised families and worked here.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_08: Um, our seniors contribute so much to our communities, and we want Westchester to continue to be a great place for all of them.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_08: We recognize that the rising costs are putting pressures on households, budgets, particularly for residents with limited income, which many older Americans are.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_08: Um that's why my colleagues and I were proud to come together unanimously, um unanimously, to expand property tax relief for those who need it most.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_08: This legislation provides some additional uh financial breathing room and reflects our ongoing commitment to making Westchester a more affordable place uh for residents of all ages.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_08: Thank you again, County Executive.
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_08: I'm excited to be here to be a part of this um uh uh really important signing.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_08: And I've been excited to be another uh at another um uh example of what can happen and how we can make our community better by working together.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_08: Uh thank you.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_08: Appreciate it.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_08: Thank you, Kimmy.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_04: Uh Madame Weissia, uh thank you, County Executive.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_04: Uh I'm happy to join you with the signing today.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_04: Um senior tax relief is about more than a tax bill.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_04: It's about helping our neighbors stay in the homes they love, close to their family and friends, and support systems.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_04: I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in support of meaningful relief, and I thank the seniors and advocates who have made their voices heard.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_04: Our responsibility is to listen and turn that advocacy into action, but it's all good.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_04: Bottom line is I actually was with um uh the um the Senator Sully Mayer earlier, and also with uh Congressman George Latimer, and that's what we were doing today, visiting seniors.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_04: And I spoke with some seniors about this, and I said, it is coming.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_04: We're here to help you.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_04: Thank you so much.
• 10:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thanks.
• 10:05
  unknown: Mr.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_01: Budget Chairman, good afternoon, everyone.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_01: Um, budget chair, uh Tyree Wood and Samuel, so happy to be here.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, first off, I want to thank County Executive Ken Jenkins for his leadership.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_01: Uh obviously, our chairman and vice chair, who you just heard from, thank them as well as uh working with my colleagues on the Board of Legislators, uh, working together to deliver this important, important relief for our seniors.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, at a time when the cost of just about everything continues to rise, our seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, are feeling the squeeze.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_01: By expanding the county's senior property tax exemption from 50% to as much as 65%, we're taking meaningful action to ease that burden and help more seniors remain in their homes.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_01: These residents uh they have spent their lifetimes working, raising families, and contributing to our communities.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_01: They deserve to age in place with dignity and peace of mind.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_01: Our seniors have spent decades investing in Westchester.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_01: Today, we're making sure Westchester invests in them.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_01: So thank you all very much and happy to be here for this bill signing.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_02: I think commissioners are going to come up on the Westchester.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_02: My name is Randy Scott, and I'm the Acting Commissioner for the Department of Senior Programs and Services.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm pleased by the Westchester County Board of Legislators' unanimous vote to expand property tax relief for our low-income senior homeowners.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_02: This action recognizes an important distinction.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_02: The value of someone's home should never be confused with the ability to afford to remain in it.
• 12:03
  SPEAKER_02: Home ownership should be a source of stability and security, not of financial burden for low-income seniors.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_02: And that is why this bill signing is about so much more than property tax relief.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_02: It is about protecting the dignity, dignity, independence, and quality of life of eligible seniors who have spent decades building their lives, raising their families, and strengthening our communities.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_02: For many eligible seniors, their homes represent a lifetime of hard work, memories, and investment.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_02: They should not have to face the possibility of leaving the homes in neighborhoods they love because rising expenses have made staying there increasingly difficult.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_02: By reducing this financial burden, we are putting money back into the pockets of eligible seniors who need it the most.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_02: We are giving them greater financial flexibility to meet other essential expenses and helping ensure that they can live safely and independently in the communities that help shape.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_02: At its heart, this is about making sure eligible seniors can age in place, which you have heard from many of the speakers, with dignity, security, and peace of mind.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_02: I want to thank the County Executive and his administration for this vital support, and Chairman Gashi and the entire Board of Legislators for their leadership and commitment to this important initiative.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_02: The unanimous vote sends a clear message.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_02: Westchester County values its low-income senior homeowners, recognizes their contributions, and is committed to helping them remain in the communities they call home.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you.
• 13:46
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you.
• 13:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That is so bad.
• 14:02
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right.
• 14:04
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So let's find out what signature.
• 14:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right, here we go.
• 14:10
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um local law.
• 14:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That was twenty twenty-six number four sixty, passed by the Board of Legislators of Westchester County on by a vote of sixteen four, zero against unanimous on the nineteenth day of October twenty twenty-six.
• 14:26
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And today is the second one.
• 14:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Right?
• 15:00
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: A wee we're gonna distribute the penis to the chairman.
• 15:05
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: It's the budget chair.
• 15:06
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you, sir.
• 15:07
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Not a vice chair.
• 15:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right, thank you all so much.
• 15:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Right?
• 15:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're gonna leave this here for right now.
• 15:14
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: See you soon, right?
• 15:22
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: All right.
• 15:27
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Up next, we're going to have our director of veteran services, Josh Gascion.
• 15:33
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, he's gonna be here with us to discuss how Westchester County is honoring the men and women who have served our nation through Operation Greenlight.
• 15:41
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: This nationwide initiative shines a light on the service, sacrifice, and contributions of the veterans while raising awareness of the resources and support that's available to them and their families.
• 15:53
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: As part of Operation Greenlight, we're gonna have green screens at the county center, and we will change those to reflect the Operation Greenlight as we encourage residents, businesses, and community organizations to display green lights as a visible symbol of appreciation and solidarity with our veterans.
• 16:11
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: With that, let's turn over to our Director of Veteran Services, Josh Cashier.
• 16:16
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thank you.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_07: Thank you, County Executive.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_07: Good afternoon, Westchester.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_07: As the county executive said, Operation Greenlight returns November 4th to November 11th.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_07: And first I want to thank the Communications Department and the Parks Department because none of this happens in a vacuum.
• 16:53
  SPEAKER_07: It is a reminder to keep veterans' issues on the forefront of policy and legislation, as well as encouraging veterans to come together socially and find their communities back home.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_07: As far as the county goes, we will be bringing back the lighting of the county center, as the county executive mentioned, in green from November 4th to November 11th, reminding everyone of our commitment to those who served and are continuing to serve.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_07: Now back to Operation Greenlight.
• 17:57
  SPEAKER_07: We encouraged local municipalities to participate as well.
• 18:01
  SPEAKER_07: They can at very little expense.
• 18:03
  SPEAKER_07: I know in Tuckahoe, for example, we placed some lanterns in our windows in Village Hall.
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_07: Other locations used green floodlights, so there are many ways to participate.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_07: I know my son really got into this, and we had some green chem lights that we put up in his windows, so he was really kind of enjoying that.
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_07: And lastly, there are many veteran ceremonies at municipalities across the county, and we ask that you support your local veterans organizations who are putting on those events.
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_07: And we invite you to attend the County Veterans Ceremony, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at 2 p.m.
• 18:38
  SPEAKER_07: at Lastden Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial in Kotona.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_07: Marie Casado, a Navy veteran, will be our keynote speaker, so we're very much looking forward to having her back.
• 18:49
  SPEAKER_07: And as always, if there's anything we can do to help out a veteran or family member, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Veteran Service Agency at 914-813-5145 or online at veterans.gov.
• 19:06
  SPEAKER_07: Thank you.
• 19:11
  SPEAKER_06: Thank you, Josh.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_06: That was uh very good and interesting information for all of our veterans here in Westchester County.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_06: I'm Joan McDonald, the Deputy County Executive, and I'm going to be calling up our Office for Women, Acting Director, Catherine Borgia.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_06: She's here to highlight the tremendous success of an October donation drive that brings the Westchester community together to support individuals and families in need.
• 19:38
  SPEAKER_06: Throughout the month, the initiative collected more than 12 boxes of essential personal care and hygiene products.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_06: Catherine joins us to share more about the success of this community-wide effort, the generosity of those who contributed, and the meaningful impact these donations have on the lives of Westchester residents.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_06: Catherine, thank you for everything that you do.
• 20:04
  SPEAKER_05: So I have an exciting update because we didn't really have all of the donations.
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_05: Late on Friday, we got eight more boxes.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_05: 20 boxes of donations.
• 20:15
  SPEAKER_05: Really, um, about a month ago, I came to talk about the beginning of October as domestic violence awareness month.
• 20:22
  SPEAKER_05: We talked a lot about how victims often feel alone and not fully human when they're going through these terrible traumatic things.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_05: And we had this good idea that we could rely on Westchester's generosity to collect personal items to help people who are going through this, then victims and their children to really um feel human again, to take care of their essential needs, to make sure that they have um things that help them just in self-care, the most rudimentary self-care.
• 20:52
  SPEAKER_05: I did not expect the um result that we that we received.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_05: And one of the things, uh, note to self, is that we didn't ask people to scan anything to um write their names and addresses so that we could write them thank yous, because I really would be spending this week writing thank yous because there were so many items.
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_05: And I just want to highlight a few of the things that we got.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_05: We got shampoo, we got a conditioner, we got hair care, um, hairstyling uh items, we got wipes, we got diapers, we got 2,000 tubes of toothpaste, 2,000 tubes of toothpaste.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_05: We got feminine products, we got all sorts of things.
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_05: Some of the boxes that we got today are these beautiful, beautiful little um travel kits of everything you need, hairbrushes, so many, so many things.
• 21:40
  SPEAKER_05: Tan soap, I have eight pages inventory.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_05: That doesn't count the donation that we got this morning.
• 21:46
  SPEAKER_05: So I just really want to say thank you to Westchester.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_05: When we make a call for people to help each other, Westchester answers.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_05: And in our office, we are extremely grateful.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_05: We deal we deal with clients.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_05: Directly.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_05: They will be the recipients of these items, but we're also going to share them with our service provider partners.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_05: In fact, right before the briefing, I came from a meeting with uh Pace Women's Justice Center.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_05: They told us that they are doing a Thanksgiving drive.
• 22:14
  SPEAKER_05: And at the drive, they often get asked people if they need things like this.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_05: And we had some beautiful boxes for them to leave the meeting with.
• 22:21
  SPEAKER_05: So I am really here just to say thank you.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_05: We thought it was going to be a good idea, but we didn't realize what a tremendous success it would be.
• 22:29
  SPEAKER_05: And so we do know the port, the Porchester police did a drive and bought things at Target.
• 22:34
  SPEAKER_05: But for all the other people who we don't know, we don't know your names, we want you to know that we thank you and uh the people that we serve, thank you from the bottoms of our from the bottom of our hearts.
• 22:45
  SPEAKER_05: Thank you very much.
• 22:49
  SPEAKER_06: Thank you for that, Catherine, and for your leadership in this initiative.
• 22:53
  SPEAKER_06: I'm going to give the uh the parks uh schedule of events that are coming up for this week on Saturday, November 7th, from 10 a.m.
• 23:02
  SPEAKER_06: until 11:30 a.m.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_06: Come and have tea with the animals at Hilltop Hanover Farms and Environmental Center in Yorktown.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_06: Adults and kids ages six and older can join us at Hilltop Hanover for a mid-morning cup of tea while you meet and learn about the farm animals.
• 23:21
  SPEAKER_06: We will harvest and make some scrumptious treats for ourselves and the animals to enjoy together for a tea party.
• 23:28
  SPEAKER_06: It's$15 a person.
• 23:30
  SPEAKER_06: Also, on Saturday, November 7th from 11 a.m.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_06: until 2 30 p.m., naturalists at work.
• 23:37
  SPEAKER_06: It's very interesting to come and see how our naturalists work.
• 23:41
  SPEAKER_06: And you can come to Marshlands Conservancy in Rye on Saturday.
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_06: Preparing the plant specimens for herbarium collection requires a knowledge of botany, a steady hand, and a lot of patience.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_06: Stop by to learn how this process works and why we collect and study plants.
• 24:00
  SPEAKER_06: You can view the mountain specimens and see our staff prepare new ones.
• 24:04
  SPEAKER_06: It is free for everyone.
• 24:06
  SPEAKER_06: Also on Saturday, November 7th, 11 a.m.
• 24:09
  SPEAKER_06: to 1 p.m., a World War I craft, taste, and vehicle experience at Lasden Public Gardens.
• 24:20
  SPEAKER_06: People ages six and older will sew a World War I haversack, taste war cake muffins, experience an authentic World War I military vehicle, and try on original World War I uniforms while learning about being a soldier and the origins of Veterans Day.
• 24:38
  SPEAKER_06: It's$15 a per a person.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_06: And last, on Sunday, November 8th, from 9 30 in the morning until 2.30 in the afternoon, there will be a farmers market at Al Delbello, Muscoot Farms, and Cotona.
• 24:52
  SPEAKER_06: Our weekly farmers market supports farmers and sustainable efforts in our area.
• 24:57
  SPEAKER_06: It supports over 25 local vendors every Sunday through November 15th.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_06: And those are our parks events for the week.
• 25:06
  SPEAKER_06: County executive, I'll turn it back over to you.
• 25:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Thanks.
• 25:10
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: That was our Deputy County Executive Joe McDonnell.
• 25:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um thanks for everything that you do, Joan.
• 25:15
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um I want to invite everyone to join Chairman Gashi and Emilietta Ulai as we celebrate our Albanian Heritage Month in Westchester County.
• 25:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So on November 12th, we will proudly raise the Albanian flag outside the McAulian office building in White Plains.
• 25:37
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We know Westchester is home to a vibrant Albanian American community whose rich culture, traditions, and contributions are an important part of what makes our county so special.
• 25:48
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: This is an opportunity for all of us to come together, celebrate Albanian heritage, and recognize the many ways our Albanian American neighbors have enriched our community.
• 25:59
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: So we're looking forward to that.
• 26:01
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, and certainly the chairman and Emiliana are looking forward to that as well as all of us, because we're all Albanian during Albanian Heritage Month, right?
• 26:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, and that's this week in Westchester.
• 26:12
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Today I was proud to sign legislation expanding the property tax exemptions for qualifying senior homeowners in Westchester County, um, joined by the County um Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Vidat Gashi, our vice chairwoman of Terry Clemens, and the budget chairman, Tyree Woodson Samuels.
• 26:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, we're taking another important step with our acting commissioner of senior programs and services, Randolph Scott.
• 26:38
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We took another important step in making Westchester more affordable and helping our older residents remain in the communities that they love.
• 26:46
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: November is a time to honor those who have served.
• 26:50
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Veteran Services Director Josh Cashone joined us to talk about Operation Greenlight and how Westchester is showing its appreciation for our veterans.
• 26:58
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Keep an eye out for green lighting at the Westchester County Center.
• 27:01
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, but more importantly, join us by doing like Josh's son did by shining the green light in your home or your business.
• 27:09
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Um, our acting director of the Office for Women, Captain Borger, joined us to celebrate the results of the October donation drive.
• 27:16
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And thanks to the generosity of the community, there were more than 12 boxes of essential personal care items, plus an amazing donation of 2050 to space.
• 27:28
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We shared an important update on um Playland's beloved dragon coaster.
• 27:32
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: The repairs are moving forward, and approximately 50% of the fire damage has already been um repairs have been completed, and those timber repairs are expected to wrap up by the middle of November.
• 27:43
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're looking forward to welcoming riders back to this Westchester treasure next summer.
• 27:48
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We're also pushing back on the proposed federal census changes that could jeopardize critical funding that's necessary for all of our communities and and and more importantly, prevent those shifts to our local taxpayers because every resident counts, and Westchester deserves its fair share.
• 28:06
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Tomorrow is election day, and democracy works best when everyone participates.
• 28:13
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Those polls are going to be open from November November 3rd from 6 a.m.
• 28:16
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: to 9 p.m.
• 28:18
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Take the time to learn about candidates, make informed decisions, and exercise your right to vote.
• 28:23
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Your vote matters.
• 28:25
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: And that's this week in Westchester.
• 28:27
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: I'm Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
• 28:29
  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: We'll look forward to seeing you very soon at another one of our events.