Eastchester REVIEW THE
September 27, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 38 | www.eastchesterreview.com
County approves 2 airport master plan vendors
This year marks the 10th annual “ArtsFest,” a weekend-long celebration of the arts in New Rochelle and Pelham. ArtsFest 2019 will kick off on Friday, Oct. 4. For more, see page 6.
Latimer strengthens Health Dept. ability to prevent vaccine-preventable disease Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed a bill to strengthen the county Health Department’s ability to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. “We hope that we will not face the threat of an infectious disease, but we must ensure that our Health Commissioner and our Board of Health will have the authority they need to protect us, based on professional public health decisions, and not the political decisions made under du-
ress of a crisis,” Latimer said. The amended law empowers the Westchester County Board of Health and the commissioner of health to issue orders, adopt provisions of the health code and take other measures to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. The law goes into effect immediately. “This is not a debate over vaccinations,” Latimer continued. “This is not the expansion of vaccinations. I invite anyone to get the actual law that was
voted on unanimously by the Board, read it and you will see very clearly what it does and does not say.” Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler; county Legislator Alfreda Williams, who is a Board of Health member; and county Health Department physicians, nurses and staff at the county Health Department Clinic in White Plains, joined Latimer. “This allows us to be proactive and not to have to wait to
declare a state of emergency to take action in case of an emerging infectious disease,” Amler said. “The measles outbreak brought to light a shortcoming in our Code that could prohibit the Board of Health from acting in a timely manner, and this bill corrects that.” Amler and the Board of Health sought the change to improve their ability to limit the spread of disease, following the largest statewide measles outbreak in decades. (Submitted)
Westchester County has approved two vendors to focus on the Westchester County Airport master plan supplement and its related airport community engagement program. For the supplement, Merchant Aviation will provide a thorough and comprehensive picture of the economic value and environmental impacts of the airport both on- and off-site, and a new vision for the airport as a transportation resource. For the Community Engagement Program, the contract has been awarded to Arch Street Communications charging them with educating and involving the public in the supplemental master planning process. In May, after substantial public comment where the business community, environmentalists and the general public contributed comments, the Westchester County Department of Planning issued a request for proposals, RFP, to supplement the Westchester County Airport master plan and associated environmental impact study. The RFP incorporated public recommendations and focused on: economic issues, environmental concerns and overall safety at the airport. “The airport is an important part of our County; we must have a plan for this unique transportation resource,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. “ My administration made a commitment to complete a supplemental master plan to address the full scope of activities at the airport, ensure we have a full
environmental review and Board of Legislators approval of the final document. Our goal is to help businesses and area residents, while also protecting the environment—a balance I am confident we can strike. I am pleased we are another step closer to having a supplement to the master plan, and for having the public be an integral part of this plan.” Westchester Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons said: “The Westchester County Airport is a vital part of our economy and the way we do business in Westchester. I am pleased that the County took the time to hear the concerns of the business community when drafting the RFP. We must all work together to make sure the airport is safe, environmentally friendly and good for business.” Westchester County Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “Our County Executive has an impeccable history when it comes to the environment and Westchester’s health, and the good, hard-working environmentalists in our region know and appreciate that. This administration has tight relationships with every advocacy group, and these concerned citizens acknowledge the plans, diligence and work of our internal specialists and scientists, as well as those hired as consultants.” The county executive made a commitment to look at the airport operations and their impacts and AIRPORT continued on page 5
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