Eastchester REVIEW THE
June 10, 2022 | Vol. 10, Number 23 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Latimer mandates weapons warning at point of sale
Broncos run wild! Meagan Krestinski looks for an open teammate during Bronxville’s Class D regional final game against Schuylerville on June 4. Krestinski had four goals and three assists in the Broncos’ 18-1 win. For story, see page 9. Photo/Mike Smith
County Tourism & Film wins award for “Best Use of Social Media” In a competitive category that spanned all industries, Westchester County Tourism & Film’s organic Instagram work—designed to position the County as a destination “beyond the everyday” and support tourism recovery during the pandemic—won Best Use of Social Media in the Bronze Anvil Awards, as presented by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, PRSA has been conducting its Bronze Anvil Awards for 79 years. The award program recognizes the best of the best in public relations tactics that contribute to the success of overall programs or campaigns. Other finalists in the category included Tropicana, TABASCO® Brand, Providence and Jackson State University Communications. Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “As Westchester County Tourism continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, inspiring storytelling
keeps our region top-of-mind for travel consideration. The groundwork Westchester Tourism laid, and the collaboration with the municipalities means the County now has a more robust and more engaged online community to connect with going forward.” Westchester County Tourism & Film’s Instagram work (@westchestercountytourismny) also earned gold this spring in the 2021 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Adrian Awards in the Digital Marketing-Social Media Campaign category. For 65 years HSMAI has recognized travel marketing excellence through its Adrian Awards, and Westchester Tourism’s Instagram work was judged among the best practices and innovations in the hospitality industry that will empower recovery. The Instagram campaign was also a finalist in PR Daily’s 2021 Digital Marketing & Social Media Awards. Westchester County Tourism
& Film’s social media marketing effort is led by Director Natasha Caputo and integrated marketing communications agency, Mower. To support tourism recovery to the region, dynamic storytelling was leveraged across Instagram—from in-feed posts and stories to newer features like reels and guides—to introduce the people and places of Westchester that make it a vibrant, special destination for an easy getaway. Representatives of the County, from restaurants like Goosefeather and The Cookery to attractions like Lyndhurst Mansion, Jay Heritage Center, Armour-Stiner Octagon House and Hudson River Museum, as well as shops and businesses like Penny Lick Ice Cream and Wings Air Helicopter Tours, were given an opportunity to share their firsthand stories through Westchester Tourism’s Instagram channel. Important events like Westminster Kennel Club’s Dog Show, which moved to Westchester County in 2021, and returns again this year,
were also spotlighted. Building on Westchester County Tourism & Film’s “Beyond” brand platform, first launched in January 2020, different County municipalities were engaged for the curation of 17 hyper-local itineraries for visitwestchesterny.com. Those recommendations were then transformed into a series of complementing Instagram reels that offered a snapshot of the County’s unique communities, helping travelers map how to make the most of their time in Westchester. Caputo added: “It’s important for us to connect with prospective travelers where they are, and 40% of the U.S. population is on Instagram. We knew this rapidly evolving online channel, which offers many visually captivating opportunities to express the Westchester travel experience, was important to get right, and we worked to pull every lever Instagram offered to tell Westchester’s travel story. The response was incredible.” (Submitted)
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has signed into law legislation that would require the posting of notices warning of the dangers of weapons or firearms at the point of sale and at the point of the issuance of a firearm license. Latimer said: “We as a County are limited as to what we can do when it comes to preventing access to firearms, but as we banned the gun show at the County Center we can take steps to strip away the glorification of weapons. Similar to the Surgeon General’s Warning on cigarettes, this warning will remind people just how dangerous guns are.” Chairwoman Catherine Borgia said: “When we first began discussing this law a few years ago, I was stunned to learn of the sheer number of accidental deaths of children in homes that have guns. I think that just a reminder of the safety necessary when people choose to have guns in their homes is so important. When my children where younger and we would go to houses for play dates, I would always ask ‘Is there a gun in your house?’ And more than a few parents say, ‘Our kids don’t know.’ But, they do know. This will be a valuable reminder for anyone who is a buyer of a weapon that safety measures are critical for the well-being of their own loved ones.” This new law would require every person, firm or corporation located in Westchester and engaged in the retail business of selling weapons to post a notice where weapons or firearms are displayed or deliv-
ered to the purchaser at the entrance to the site and in at least one additional area where sales occur conspicuously stating, in no smaller than 24-point type and on paper at least 8 and 1/2 inches by 11 inches in bold print the following warning:
ACCESS TO A WEAPON OR FIREARM IN THE HOME SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF SUICIDE, HOMICIDE, DEATH DURING DOMESTIC DISPUTES AND UNINTENTIONAL DEATHS TO CHILDREN, HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND OTHERS. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING DISTRESS AND/ OR DEPRESSION, CALL THE CRISIS PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TEAM AT (914) 925-5959 or THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE AT 988 Upon the issuance of a license, the County Clerk would also be required to provide the licensee a written copy of the notice indicating the warning risks of the presence of a weapon or firearm in the home. New York Chapter of Moms Demand Action Volunteer Barry Graubart said: “In Westchester County, gun safety is a top priority, and that includes ensuring that county residents understand the risks that firearms bring with them in the home. Potential gun owners deserve to know what it means to have guns in their homes, and this ordinance is a major step toward creating that awareness. We are glad to see County Executive Latimer sign this important common sense measure into effect.” (Submitted)
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