RyeCity REVIEW THE
October 30, 2020 | Vol. 8, Number 44 | www.ryecityreview.com
Latimer: ‘The state of our county is fierce’
Say it ain’t so After 45 years and the lingering threat of COVID-19, The Westchester Broadway Theatre has made the difficult decision to close its doors. For more, see page 6.
Cares Act funding is available for Westchester businesses The WPWDB has received CARES Act funding to assist employers in hiring new staff or bringing back laid off staff through its “Experience Works” Program. This program provides paid employment to each participant from the agreement activation date until Dec. 30. The program is designed to provide timely support to small business owners and job seekers effected by COVID-19. Small businesses—the largest employers in Westchester—are particularly in need in this time and the program will allow them to hire or rehire staff while giving them temporary relief from payroll obligations. Job seekers experiencing uncertain employment, the possible need to change careers midstream and the challenges of working effectively remotely will directly benefit from this program. The WPWDB will pay the employee for 100%
of their wages at the employer’s wage rate commensurate for their job description and title. The program runs to Dec. 30 and all funds must be utilized by Dec. 30. How it works: Participants will be paid at the employer’s wage rate up on a bi-weekly basis, after which time the WPWDB will work with the employer for continued employment/training services. The participant will be a 1099 contractor of the WPWDB and will receive payment directly. No withholding taxes will be deducted; the participant is responsible for federal and state taxes on the income as well as FICA and Medicare. They will receive a 1099-MISC for 2020 tax returns. There are no eligibility requirements. Any employer may apply. Employer Responsibility: • Complete the “Experience Works” Program agreement form providing candidate
names and positions; • Add the participant to the employer’s worker’s compensation policy and provide a copy of the coverage; • Provide daily supervision of participant and ensure work tasks and duties are commensurate with the job description; • Provide the WPWDB with weekly attendance records. • Participant Responsibility: • Complete “Experience Works” form. • Complete and supply an Electronic Fund Transfer, EFT, and W-9 form to the WPWDB. • Be responsible for federal and state taxes as well as FICA and Medicare. “Our Employment Services Staff is ready to accept applications and answer any questions to facilitate the fast activation of
potential hires or rehires to their staff. We are eager to provide immediate assistance to alleviate some of the financial duress employers and employees are facing,” WPWDB Executive Director Thom Kleiner said. “We especially urge small business owners to take advantage of this unique opportunity that Westchester County Executive [George] Latimer has provided at this critical time.” The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, CARES, Act was passed by Congress with and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. It provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families and small businesses, and preserve jobs for American industries. For more information call: 914-995-8552 or email WestchesterCCN@westchestergov.com. (Submitted)
Westchester County Executive George Latimer delivered his third State of the County Address in the Legislative Chambers of the Board of Legislators. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic Latimer delivered his speech virtually, acknowledging that 2020 has been a difficult year for Westchester, but vowing to restore our county back stronger than what it was before. “My friends, we all know the storm clouds still hang over us, we know this squall is far from over—but I am here to tell you tonight that the State of our County is fierce,” Latimer said. “We are our County, every single one of us, and we are imaginative, and resourceful and we will not let any storm, no matter how heavy the rain or how vicious the winds, claim victory over us. Ever.” The address included a series of short videos that detailed the path the county was on prior to the onset of coronavirus, the county’s unified response to the pandemic, a tribute to the Board of Legislators for their work during the pandemic, and a plan to move Westchester County forward. The speech also highlighted several initiatives the Latimer Administration accomplished over the past year, including: • Passing a 2020 Budget that included a $1 million cut to the Westchester County Property Tax Levy • Reestablishing the Urban County Consortium, and the Community Development Block Grant Program • Breaking Ground on the Memorial Field Reconstruction Project in Mount Vernon • Furthering Fair and Affordable Housing in Westchester • Creating a robust census outreach and awareness campaign • Funding for various environmental initiatives, and a
Food Scrap Recycling Program Latimer commended Dr. Sherlita Amler and the Westchester County Department of Health, who rose to the task from the onset of COVID-19, acknowledging that Westchester was one of the first known hotspots in the country. “In the beginning of March our public health nurses, especially the first three out in the field: Chevon Jones, Caitlin Doyle-Goldsmith, and Cathy Gomez, were busy diagnosing the first cases in New Rochelle,” Latimer said. “They weren’t scared, they didn’t hesitate, in fact their words to 60 Minutes were: ‘This is what public health is, and so this is what we do. This is our job.’ It might be their job—but they are also heroes in every sense of the word, and for that we thank them.” Latimer also touched on a series of initiatives focused on economic recovery that have been rolled out over the past few months, to help the county’s economy build back stronger. “We set aside ten million dollars in funding to create an initiative to support small businesses and nonprofits facing challenges due to COVID-19,” Latimer said. “Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is a new grant program designed to offer immediate financial relief to organizations in Westchester that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.” Latimer closed by reflecting on the many challenges Westchester County has faced this year, and promising to meet every one of those challenges head-on. “We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move forward. Together. United,” the county executive said in conclusion. (Submitted)