WCP_11526

The Westchester County Press Post Office Box 152, White Plains, NY 10602

County Press

97

The Westchester

YEARS

VOL. XCVII NO. 3

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLANS, NY PERMIT # 5069

“Documenting Our History for the Future.”

ISSN 0043-3373

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

MEMBER OF NNPA

By Sandra T. Blackwell NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins was surprised and deeply honored Sunday evening when he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Black Democrats of Westchester during their Annual Holiday Reception.

Jenkins believed he was attending the event to support the organization and its 2026 honorees. Instead, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, his longtime mentor and friend, joined Black Democrats Chairman Terry Clements in calling him to the podium to present the award. Guests rose in a standing ovation to recognize Jenkins’ decades of public service and unwavering commitment to Westchester County.

The honor came just days after Jenkins was sworn in for his first full term as County Executive at SUNY Purchase. As the first Black County Executive in Westchester history, Jenkins has built a distinguished career rooted in Democratic Party leadership and community advocacy. His service includes roles as Treasurer of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Yonkers Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Black Democrats of Westchester, Secretary of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, and a longtime political analyst for News 12 Westchester.

Jenkins previously served as Deputy County Executive under George Latimer and spent more than a decade on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, including four years as Chairman. His record includes efforts to cut taxes, expand

County Executive Ken Jenkins Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Black Dems Reception New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Black Democrats of Westchester Chair Terry Clements pose with Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins as he accepts the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

(PHOTO by George Clements)

affordable housing, protect reproductive rights, support veterans, reduce crime, rebuild infrastructure, and protect the environment.

A Yonkers resident since 1982, Jenkins is a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School and Iona University. He and his wife, Deborah Hudson-Jenkins, are the parents of three adult children and proud grandparents. His ex-

tensive civic involvement includes leadership with the NAACP, Greyston Foundation, United Way, and numerous county and community boards.

The Black Democrats of Westchester cited Jenkins’ lifelong dedication to public service, equity, and community leadership as the foundation for his Lifetime Achievement Award.

Digital Copy: www.westchestercountypress.com

2 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

Westchester Women’s Agenda Announces New Leadership, Officers and Board Members Janet Rolon Fry, Deputy Executive Director of Community Resource Center, becomes Chair

WHITE PLAINS, NY (January 12, 2026) – The Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), the leading voice of advocacy for women in Westchester County, is pleased to announce the appointment of new Directors to its Board and the election of new Officers. The new leadership team at WWA includes: • Janet Rolon Fry is Chair of the Board - A leading advocate for immigrant rights, Janet is the Deputy Executive Director of the Community Resource Center (CRC), a community-based nonprofit headquartered in Mamaroneck, NY and dedicated to supporting and empowering immigrants across Westchester County.

• Tania Weiss is Co-Vice Chair - Tania is Executive Director of the Cancer Support Team. Her expertise in communications and her leadership in cancer education have raised awareness and knowledge of cancer

prevention, treatment, and support services throughout the Westchester community.

• Sally Pinto is Co-Vice Chair – Sally is an advocate for financial literacy, an entrepreneur and a Financial Representative for Primerica.

She is on the Board of the Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library and also serves as Co-Chair of the WWA Female Economic Empowerment Working Group.

• Angel Gray is Secretary - Angel is the Program and Policy Manager at Westchester Children’s Association where she leads advocacy efforts to improve the well-being of children throughout the County. She is a dedicated advocate for equity and opportunity, helping to advance policies and programs that impact families and youth across all communities in Westchester.

• Juliet Armstrong is Treasurer – Juliet Armstrong was the Direc-

tor of Global Innovation at PepsiCo. She serves on the Pay Equity Subcommittee of PowHer New York, the statewide coalition committed to securing economic equality for all New York women.

In addition to the newly appointed Officers, the WWA Board welcomes incoming Directors who add their deep community and nonprofit expertise to WWA advocacy efforts.

They are: • Marie Considine, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Westchester (NAMI Westchester) • Cindy Kanusher, Esq., Executive Director, Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) • Katie Pfeifer, Senior Director of Programs for Volunteer New York!

Other Members of the Board, continuing on for the second part of their two year term, are Carola

Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link; CarlLa Horton, Executive Director of Hope’s Door; Lynda Jones, former VP Human Resources & Strategic Planning, Historic Hudson Valley; Kym McNair, Senior Director of Social Transformation and Director of Community Education and Organizing, My Sister’s Place; and Jon Wegienek, past president of National Organization for Women - Westchester.

“We face a year of unprecedented challenges for women in our County,” said Chair Janet Rolon Fry. “Budget cutbacks, economic uncertainty, and erratic federal actions have undermined the well-being of women across Westchester. The need for coordinated community action has never been greater. WWA stands ready to meet this challenge. Our coalition has worked together for years to fight for progress for women.”

WOMEN’S AGENDA, Cont’d. on page 11

Rep. Latimer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. nahan, Jr. (R-PA) introduced the Congressman George Latimer (D- Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery NY) and Congressman Rob Bres- Safety Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation focused on diminishing the risk of injury and death from battery fires in electric and hybrid vehicle accidents and supporting firefighters’ ability to extinguish such fires safely and effectively when they occur.

The ownership and use of electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles has proliferated rapidly in the last decade with over 3 million sold in the United States alone in 2024 by companies such as Tesla. The novelty of such vehicles, including the use of powerful batteries, and the reliance on all electrical instead of mechanical systems, has exposed drivers and passengers HON. GEORGE LATIMER to new dangers in the case of vehicle U.S. Representative (NY-16) impacts, where both the battery com-

REP. LATIMER, Cont’d. on page 11

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 3

Wade Hardy Appointed Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of White Plains

By Yvonne B. Bert, WCP Senior Reporter

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- On January 5, 2026, Wade Hardy was sworn in as the Public Safety Commissioner for the City of White Plains, which leads the overall operations of the City Police, Fire, EMS, and 911 services. Commissioner Hardy is the first African American to serve in this position in the City of White Plains.

Previously, Wade Hardy served as the Deputy Chief Criminal Investigator for the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. In addition to being part of the office’s command staff and overseeing investigative squads, Commissioner Hardy works to improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve throughout Westchester County.

With 39 years of experience in law enforcement and corporate security leadership and management, one of his primary responsibilities was to enhance relationships between law enforcement and all communities.

A graduate of Woodlands High School, Commissioner Hardy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Manhattan University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, and a Criminal Justice graduate certificate from the University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of the 288th session of the FBI National Academy, where he took on an additional role as an International Partnership Program Coordinator. In that role, he was responsible for assuring the 25 law enforcement leaders from around the globe had an enriching and memorable FBINA experience.

A former Police Lieutenant with the White Plains Police Department, Commissioner Hardy passionately built bridges between the police department and the communities it served while leading the Community Services Division. He advanced initiatives to improve conditions in public housing, foster better relationships with at-risk youth, and regularly met with neighborhood associations, community organizations, local clergy, and the White Plains Central Busi-

ness District. He also spearheaded initiatives to combat regional retail crime.

As a Detective Sergeant, he led the Narcotics Unit, Anti-Crime Unit and oversaw various investigations in the Detective Bureau. He was also a leader on the Special Response Team. One of his highlights was uncovering evidence that led to the location and apprehension of a man hiding in an apartment in White Plains who was wanted for the murder of a Norfolk, Virginia, Police Officer. Before becoming a supervisor, Commissioner Hardy served as a Detective for 10 years, focusing on narcotics and general criminal activity within the city. Additionally, he spent three years working on federal cases with the Drug Enforcement Administration. There, he and his team were honored with an international award for their part in one of the largest drug and money seizures by a DEA task force group in the country at the time.

Following his initial career with the White Plains Police, he served as a department manager in Corporate Security at Con Edison for 12 years. His primary responsibilities were overseeing security investigations, protection of company personnel and physical assets, private guard contracts, and security compliance throughout New York City and Westchester County.

He also launched training programs to help ensure the

safety of the 19,000 Con Edison employees in the workplace and in their personal lives.

Commissioner Hardy is a board member of the Friends of White Plains Youth Bureau, a member of Grandpas United, National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the first vice president of the Westchester Rockland Guardians’ Association. Commissioner Hardy is also a member of the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association, IACP, New York State Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), FBI National Academy Associates, and the American Society for EvidenceBased Policing.

During his time as a citizen in the private sector, Commissioner Hardy served on the White Plains Police Reform Committee and consulted on several other police reform committees in surrounding areas. After the murder of George Floyd and with social unrest spreading across the country, Commissioner Hardy and the Westchester Rockland Guardians Association hosted a rally in White Plains entitled Law Enforcement on the Right Side of Justice. This rally provided a platform for law enforcement leaders, community activists, clergy, political figures, and students to discuss how, in Westchester, we are all on the right side of justice. Recognizing the impact of social unrest on law enforcement

COMMISSIONER HARDY, Cont’d. on page 9

4 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

Consumer Reports statement on NY AG inquiry into Instacart’s algorithmic pricing experiments

PUBLISHER

1986-2009

M. Paul Tells All

By M. Paul Redd, Sr. August 11, 1928 - January 9, 2009

From Civil Rights to ICE Raids, Trump’s Unchecked Power Puts Every Community at Risk

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA “Tish” JAMES

Washington, DC – Following a joint report by Consumer Reports, Groundwork Collaborative, and More Perfect Union revealing that Instacart conducted AI-driven pricing experiments on unsuspecting shoppers, the New York Attorney General sent a letter today to the company demanding more information about

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its price-setting tactics. New York’s recent Algorithmic Pricing Disclosure Act requires companies to clearly and conspicuously state when they are using consumers’ personal data to affect prices.

The joint report found that many U.S. shoppers who ordered grocery pickup and delivery through Instacart were unknowingly enrolled in AI-enabled experiments that could charge up to 23% more for the same item ordered from the same store at the same time.

The average price variations observed in the study could cost a household of four about $1,200 per year. While Instacart announced in a company blog post on December 22 that it was ending its customer experiments on “item prices,” the New York Attorney General is seeking more detailed information from the company.

“We welcome the New York Attorney General’s investigation into Instacart’s hidden AI pricing tactics,” said Justin Brookman, director of marketplace policy at Consumer Reports. “This move is an important step in holding the company accountable and sends a clear warning to others.

We urge regulators and policymakers across the country to take a closer look at how these AI experiments impact consumers.”

Following the publication of the joint investigation, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego announced the introduction of the “One Fair Price Act,” which would prevent companies from using consumers’ personal data to set individualized prices. Separately, in Pennsylvania, a state senator cited the report in announcing plans to introduce similar

Donald Trump’s presidency has long carried a familiar weight for Black America. What feels different now is that the force once aimed primarily at Black and brown communities is no longer contained there. With the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old white mother of three, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, the unchecked power of the federal government has moved into spaces many Americans once believed were insulated.

Good was killed during an immigration operation after her vehicle moved forward as agents blocked a roadway. Federal officials quickly labeled the shooting self-defense and branded Good, a “domestic terrorist,” even as video and eyewitness accounts raised questions and Minnesota officials accused the Trump administration of weaponizing immigration enforcement. Protests spread across the state, and Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul sued the federal government, calling the deployment of immigration agents a “federal invasion.”

As the unrest grew, Trump responded with a Truth Social post aimed at Minnesotans that read less like a call for calm and more like a threat. He warned that a “DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING,” while painting entire communities as overrun by criminals and praising ICE for removing “thousands of criminals,” claims local leaders sharply disputed.

For many Black Americans, the moment felt grimly familiar.

“This is what unchecked power looks like,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of National Action Network. “Donald Trump sent up his latest test balloon for erasing Black history with his twisted, alarming claims that white Americans were discriminated against from the civil rights protections that many fought, bled, and in many cases died for.”

Sharpton’s remarks came after Trump told The New York Times that white people were “very badly treated” by laws adopted during the Civil Rights Movement. The president framed civil rights protections as a form of “reverse discrimination,” echoing a broader administration effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government.

“The facts simply don’t match up to the reality Donald Trump has chosen to live in,” Sharpton said. “Even more than 60 years after the Civil Rights Act or the Voting Rights Act, many Black Americans continue to lack access to equitable education, capital dollars, or even their right to exercise democracy.”

COMMUNITY AT RISK, Cont’d on page 11

legislation that would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” the use of personal data or demographic information, shopping history, and buyer behavior to set prices.

Additionally, at least 12 members of Congress followed suit with formal letters to Instacart and the FTC, which regulates U.S. grocery stores. The ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig sent a letter to Instacart, reiterating the report findings and requesting answers from the company regarding its pricing practices by mid-January. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a separate letter to the FTC, requesting that the agency investigate the company. A group of four House members known as the “Monopoly Busters Caucus” sent yet another letter to the FTC. Seven senior senators have called on the FTC to investigate Instacart’s pricing strategies. This comes as Reuters reports that the commission is officially probing the company’s use of AI-driven pricing tools.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 5

Supporting Healthy Pregnancies: Care Before, During, and After Birth January includes both Maternal Health Awareness Day (January 23) and National Birth Defects Awareness and Prevention Month, an opportunity to highlight how early, consistent, and coordinated care supports healthy pregnancies and positive outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Good maternal health begins well before pregnancy and continues through childbirth and the weeks that follow. Access to routine care, early monitoring, nutrition support, and ongoing follow-up plays a critical role at every stage.

The Importance of Care Before and During Pregnancy Preconception and early prenatal visits allow healthcare providers to identify and manage existing health conditions, review medications and nutrition, provide recommended screenings, and monitor health changes early in pregnancy. Regular prenatal care supports early identification of concerns and allows providers to respond promptly, helping reduce the

By Kevin Robinson, MBA, MSIS

risk of complications.

“Healthy pregnancies are built on early care and consistent monitoring,” said Judith Watson, CEO. “When patients are supported from the very beginning—and remain connected to care throughout pregnancy and after birth—it makes a meaningful difference in outcomes.”

Prenatal Monitoring, Nutrition, and Preventive Care Throughout pregnancy, routine visits help track both maternal and fetal health. Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, growth patterns, and other indicators supports timely care and informed decision-making.

Prenatal care also provides education on healthy habits, preparation for delivery, and planning for the weeks after birth.

Nutrition is an essential part of prenatal care. Access to healthy foods and appropriate nutritional guidance supports fetal development and maternal health throughout pregnancy.

At Westchester Community Health Center, eligible patients are connected

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to the WIC program, which provides nutrition education and supplemental food packages for pregnant women, postpartum individuals, infants, and young children. These supports help ensure that patients have access to key nutrients during pregnancy and early childhood.

“When patients receive care early and remain engaged throughout pregnancy, we are better able to address concerns as they arise,” said Dr. Angella Campbell, Director of Women’s Services. “That continuity allows the care team to coordinate care, including nutritional support, and respond quickly when needs change.”

Care After Birth: An Essential Part of Maternal Health The period following childbirth is a critical time for recovery and adjustment. Postpartum visits help ensure that mothers receive appropriate follow-up care, address physical changes, and stay connected to healthcare services. Continued access to nutrition guidance and support programs during this time helps reinforce healthy routines for both mothers and infants.

“Care doesn’t stop at delivery,” Watson noted. “Follow-up after birth—and helping families stay connected to services that support recovery and early childhood—is a core part of quality maternal care.”

Comprehensive Women’s Health Services at Westchester Community Health Center Westchester Community Health Center provides coordinated women’s health services designed to support patients before, during, and after pregnancy. Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, midwives, nurses, and other trained professionals working together to ensure continuity and timely care.

As part of its maternal health program, WCHC offers prenatal care, postpartum follow-up, and doula support. Doulas are trained professionals who work alongside the clinical care team to provide education, comfort, and guidance during pregnancy, labor, and the period after birth. Their role includes supporting communication, helping patients understand their care plans, and encouraging

follow-up during the weeks after delivery.

“Team-based care is essential,” said Dr. Campbell. “Midwives, doulas, physicians, nurses, and nutrition support services each play a role, and when those services are coordinated, patients experience clearer communication and more consistent care.”

WCHC’s providers also coordinate closely with partner hospitals to support safe deliveries and smooth transitions between outpatient care and hospital-based services. This collaboration helps ensure continuity across care settings and keeps patients connected to their care team throughout pregnancy and after birth.

Taking the Next Step Maternal Health Awareness Day and Birth Defects Awareness and Prevention Month serve as reminders that preparation, prevention, and continuity of care matter. Individuals who are planning a pregnancy, are currently pregnant, or have recently given birth are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about recommended visits, screenings, nutrition resources, and available support services. Care at every stage helps support a healthy start—for mothers and for babies.

About Westchester Community Health Center Westchester Community Health Center (WCHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and New York State Article 28 Licensed Diagnostic & Treatment Center that has been a cornerstone of community health for over 51 years. With nine sites, including a Mobile Health Unit, WCHC provides high-quality, affordable primary, preventive, and specialty healthcare to more than 46,000 patients annually across Southern and Central Westchester and the North Bronx. Services include pediatrics, OB-GYN, internal medicine, dental, behavioral health, and wrap-around support programs that address the social determinants of health. WCHC is accredited by The Joint Commission, recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, and committed to ensuring equitable access to care for all.

6 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign Foretold America’s Affordability Crisis

By Charlene Crowell

People marching and carrying signs at Connecticut Avenue and L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. on June 18, 1968. (Above) PHOTO Credit: Library of Congress .

(Right) MLK speaking at a protest PHOTO Credit: Library of Congress .

As 2026 unfolds, affordability, which emerged as a critical issue last year, will become a more pressing concern for most people in America. A comment by a respondent to a recent student loan borrower survey by The Institute for College Access & Support (TICAS) summarized the complexity of the affordability problem for striving workers: “With how the economy is, I can barely afford to live. I have to choose between rent, loans, or putting food on the table. There’s no help and it feels like [the] government doesn’t care,” said the consumer.

The feeling that economic realities are suffocating the aspirations of hard-working people provides a poignant backdrop leading to the January 19 official celebrations to honor the life, leadership and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s observance of the MLK holiday begs a key question: What would Dr. King do about an unsustainable economic crisis?

After riots in many urban areas in the summer of 1967, MLK planned the Poor People’s Campaign, a multi-racial effort to use mass civil disobedience as a constructive, rather than destructive, force.

On December 7, 1967, Dr. King announced the economic justice effort at a news conference at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. Although the cities of Detroit and Newark are often noted as the worst hotbeds of the nation’s summer riots in 1967, 158 riots erupted across America that year, resulting in 83 deaths and 17,000 arrests, according to a 2007 analysis of the landmark Kerner Commission report by The Journal of Economic History.

In the wake of King’s April 1968 assassination, plans proceeded under the joint leadership of his widow, Coretta and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Ralph Abernathy. Their collaborative efforts led to weeks of demonstrations on the National Mall and meetings with policymakers in Washington, DC. The organizers demanded economic justice and inclusion for Americans of all backgrounds, including well-paying jobs with living wages, as well as financial rights and fairness, full employment, guaranteed annual income, and more housing affordable to low-income people.

“All of our cities are potentially powder kegs,” King said in a speech at Stanford University that was titled, The Other America. “I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air…All of these things have brought about a great deal of despair and a great deal of desperation, a great deal of disappointment and even bitterness in the Negro communities.”

For Dr. King, the nation’s lengthy and violent outrage was a clear signal that Black America would no longer tolerate its history of racial resentments and economic injustices. He also appealed for the Black community to cast aside class divisions.

But today, nearly 60 years later, many of the issues championed by the Poor People’s campaign remain or have worsened.

In late October, the DC-based Urban Institute released The American Affordability Tracker, which found that: • More than half of American families – 52 percent – lack the resources to cover what it really costs to live securely in their community; • Since 2019, the average monthly cost of groceries has increased 32 percent increase while annual income increased 29 percent; and • Since 2017, annual childcare costs for two young children have risen by 40 percent, rents by 50 percent, home sale prices by 80 percent, and the lowest-priced “Silver” health care plan on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace has risen 41 percent.

Trump administration changes taking effect in January 2026 will add to the ongoing financial challenges facing working people.

Beginning January 7, the Trump administration will start sending notices to millions of student loan borrowers who are in default - 270 days past due on their payments. Those who do not or are unable to begin regular repayments face having their paychecks garnished.

The Department of Education stated last April that of the nation’s 42.7 million student loan borrowers, only 38 percent are in repayment and current on their loans.

“At a time when families across the country are struggling with stagnant wages and an affordability crisis, this Administration’s decision to garnish wages from defaulted student loan borrowers is cruel, unnecessary, and irresponsible,” noted Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director and Managing Counsel with the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Further, if Congress does not enact spending bills for the current fiscal year by January 30, another federal government shutdown will occur. Central to the budgeting crisis is whether to extend expired tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. Without these credits, many consumers will see their health insurance costs double, or even triple.

CROWELL, Continues on page 15

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 7

57th NAACP Image Awards: ‘Sinners’ Dominates With 18 Noms, ‘Bel-Air’ Leads Television Category

The 2026 NAACP Image Awards have unveiled their nominations, celebrating standout achievements across film, television, music, and culture. This year’s contenders for Entertainer of the Year include Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor, reflecting a diverse mix of artistic excellence and cultural impact.

Select category winners will be announced during a two-hour live broadcast on Saturday, February 28, 2026, airing from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The ceremony begins at 8 PM ET / 8 PM PT and will be shown on BET, with a simultaneous broadcast on CBS. The theme for this year’s celebration, “We See You,” highlights recognition, visibility, and empowerment within the Black community.

In the film categories, Sinners emerges as the clear frontrunner, earning an impressive 18 nominations, while Highest 2 Lowest follows with nine. On the television side, Bel-Air leads the pack with seven nominations. Close behind are Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, and Ruth & Boaz, each securing six nods, while Forever earns five. Among networks and streamers, Netflix stands out with a commanding total of 47 nominations, underscoring its strong presence this awards season.

Rev. Lane Cobb, will be the speaker at Temple Beth Am’s MLK Shabbat this Friday. All are invited to attend!

Every year in the middle of January, as a nation, we come together to remember the words and the deeds of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In honor of the day, we are planning an inspiring MLK Shabbat service for tomorrow evening Friday, January 16th at 7:00 p.m. As in previous years, the readings will come from Dr. King’s “Dream” speech and the music will include special selections by our Cantor chosen to move us to an inspirational place.

Additionally, if you would like to read a section during the service, please let me know by responding to this email.

Further, I am proud and honored to share that our special speaker will be Rev. Lane Cobb. Not only is she a local antiracist educator and Consultant, but she serves as the Minister of the Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester in Mohegan Lake. Rev. Cobb is a true blessing to the area and it is an absolute gift that we have her coming to speak to us tomorrow evening. Perhaps, the greatest gift that we can give back to her is having a packed sanctuary. Please make a point of joining us in person.

Rabbi Robbie

AAMW Celebrates 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Youth Awards SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY -- The African American Men of Westchester (AAMW) will sponsor their 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Youth Awards Luncheon honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. King on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Conference Center, South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. The 2026 MLK, Jr. Legacy Youth Awards will be presented to 11 outstanding students whose achievements reflect the values of leadership, service and noble character of the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. These inspiring

leaders include Ramya Archbald (New Rochelle High School) who will receive the Bard Lomax Award; Aaron Owusu (Peekskill High School School) who will receive the Building Bridges Award; Gabrielle Harper (Alexander Hamilton High School) who will receive the Peace/ No-Violence Award; Kristian Acosta ((Ethical Culture Fieldstone School) and Esha Mehta (Scarsdale High School) who will each receive the Social Action Award; Wyatt Bland (The Harvey School) who will receive the Social Justice Award; BreAnne Phillips (Woodlands High School) and Isaiah Travier (Archbishop

Stepinac High School, who will each receive the Spirit of Love Award; Harmony Hopwood (New Rochelle High School) and Rhea Narayanan (Horace Greeley High School), who will each receive the Vision Award; and Stone Pride (New Rochelle High School) who will receive the William L. Carter Award for Perseverance.

John Tuller is President of the AAMW. Tickets for the event are $65.00 and may be purchased from any member of the African American Men of Westchester. For additional information, go to www.aamw.com.

8 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

More Photos from the Black Democrats Reception and Inauguration of County Executive Ken Jenkins Photos contributed by Friends of the County Press

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 9

Wade Hardy Appointed Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of White Plains Story & Photos by Yvonne B. Bert, WCP Senior Reporter

Wade Hardy is sworn in as Commissioner of Public Safety as his family looks on.

members, Commissioner Hardy initiated what he called “courageous conversations.” These conversations allowed members of law enforcement to share with their peers in a safe space how recent events affect them.

to witness and celebrate this historic milestone, along with his mother. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, mentoring youth and law enforcement officers of various ranks, and inspiring our youth. He coached a solid White Plains Little League softball team Commissioner Hardy is married to the lovely to 3 consecutive district championships and still Laurie Hardy and they have three children and maintains close relationships with the families of one granddaughter, who were all in attendance the many youths he coached.

Commissioner Hardy considers himself a purpose-driven, transformational, servant leader.

He believes in leading with compassion, integrity, and empathy, by encouraging growth and accountability. In the debated words of Warrior vs Guardian in law enforcement, Commissioner Hardy believes that public servants should carry with them the Guardian Mindset and the Warrior Skillset.

10 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

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The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 11

WOMEN’S AGENDA, Cont’d. from page 2

“Looking at the year ahead, WWA will focus on safeguarding immigrant families, combatting poverty, and protecting targeted women. I look forward to working with the Board, WWA members, our County leaders and key community partners to use proven and creative ways to make this happen,” she concluded.

About Westchester Women’s Agenda The Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA) is the strong voice for women in Westchester County. WWA is a feminist, anti-racist, all-volunteer, nonpartisan coalition of nonprofits and individuals that advocates for access, rights and progress for women in Westchester. For over thirty years WWA has advanced gender equity and economic, social and racial justice by advocating for legislation, policies, and government investment to ensure Westchester thrives.

WWA holds monthly member meetings online, usually the morning of the first Friday. These meetings are free and open to the public, with registration.

REP. LATIMER, Cont’d. from page 2

partment is breached and the electrical systems fail. Damage to the battery can cause an uncontrolled release of energy from the power supply resulting in explosion and extremely hot chemical fires which, when combined with failure of the electric door release, can be horrifically fatal, and extremely difficult to extinguish. Some recent high-profile fatal incidents include: August 3, 2024 – Tesla Cyber Truck – Beach City, Texas, 1 killed.

Sept. 16, 2024 – Tesla Model 3 - White Plains New York, 2 killed.

November 2024 – Tesla Cyber Truck - Alameda County, California, 3 killed.

November 2024 – Tesla Model S – Wisconsin, 5 killed.

December 3, 2024 – Tesla Model 3 - Pelham Manor, New York,

2 killed.

The persistence of these awful fire deaths, and the lost opportunity for escape or rescue often due to door design, require a decisive response from the federal government as the regulator of automobile and consumer safety.

Additionally, fighting these extremely hot and toxic fires requires uniform methods and credible research to better understand and respond to the health effects of fighting vehicle battery fires.

“There have been a number of truly ghastly EV accidents in my district involving extremely intense battery fires, horribly taking the lives of our residents, and challenging firefighters with unique chemical fires that are difficult to extinguish,” said Congressman George Latimer. “It is time that we, as your federal representatives, take action to establish standards ensuring Americans that they are not taking unnecessary risks every time they get behind the wheel of an electric or hybrid vehicle. This bill will require the relevant regulatory agencies to set standards related to battery safety, increase passengers’ ability to escape a battery fire, educate firefighters on best practices for fighting battery fires, and get a better picture of the health effects of fighting such a fire,” Latimer added.

“Innovation and safety must move forward together. As electric and hybrid vehicles become more common on our roads, it is our responsibility to ensure the technology meant to carry people forward does not place them— or the first responders who protect them—at unnecessary risk,” said Fitzpatrick. “This legislation establishes clear national safety standards for EV and hybrid batteries, requires practical, lifesaving design features, and enforces accountability where it belongs. It reflects a clear understanding of what is at stake, and a simple principle that should guide us: safety must be built in, not left to chance.”

“I am honored, individually and on behalf of my wife Millie Ortiz Sheehan and Daughter-in-Law Diana Trochez Sheehan, both of whom died in an EV crash/fire in September of 2024, to be asked to endorse a bill that promotes EV safety,” said New York resident and crash-victim relative, Francis

Sheehan. “It is particularly noteworthy the additional applicability of the bill to my family in that it also promotes firefighter safety related to EV fires.

My son Francis, Diana’s husband, is a career firefighter in the Scarsdale Fire Department, and together we feel this bill is a comprehensive effort to address multiple issues associated with the EV battery fires, including increased passenger survivability, more effective firefighting, and greater understanding of the health effects on first responders.”

The Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Safety Act of 2026 would: • Requires Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with industry, fire fighters and standards experts to issue final rules within 2 years governing EV and hybrid battery safety, including uniform firefighter access to and placement of battery cells, incorporating technology to suppress “thermal runaway”, and designing safeguards to permit adequate time to escape the passenger compartment during a battery fire.

• Requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish first responder guidelines for fighting EV and hybrid battery fires within 1 year of issuing the final rule.

• Requires Secretary of Transportation to issue final rules within 2 years requiring new EVs and hybrids to incorporate a clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical release on every door and hatch to allow safe exit in case of electrical system failure.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 1 year to conduct a study of the health effects of fighting EV and hybrid battery fires, in cooperation with firefighters and standards experts, and to report to Congress and the public on the results.

COMMUNITY AT RISK, Cont’d. from page 4 Under Trump, those disparities have widened. His administration has eliminated DEI programs, curtailed civil rights enforcement, and backed legal efforts that have weakened affirmative action and pushed the Voting Rights Act closer to irrelevance. Civil rights leaders say the policies are not abstract. They translate into lost jobs, closed pathways, and communities left unprotected.

The timing of Trump’s comments struck another nerve.

“That he made these statements on the eve of the King federal holiday is perhaps the most telling,” Sharpton said. “The Trump administration has already made attempts to minimize this holiday, as well as Juneteenth, while propping up his own birthday.”

At the same time Trump has elevated claims of discrimination against white Americans, his administration has expanded aggressive immigration enforcement that critics say operates with little transparency or accountability. Investigations have documented immigration agents using banned chokeholds, detaining U.S. citizens, and conducting masked operations that leave communities fearful of leaving their homes.

The consequences now extend beyond immigrant communities. Good’s killing, and the administration’s rapid defense of the agent involved, has jolted Americans who once viewed federal force as distant or theoretical.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus say the pattern is unmistakable.

In a separate statement, caucus leaders condemned Trump for bypassing Congress to carry out an unauthorized military operation in Venezuela, calling it a grave abuse of power and warning that the president is increasingly willing to act without legal restraint, whether abroad or at home.

“While Nicolás Maduro is, in fact, an illegitimate leader, the deployment of U.S. military power to impose political change in a sovereign nation without the consent of Congress threatens to draw the United States into an indefinite conflict,” the caucus said in its statement.

For Black institutions, the pressure has been economic as well as political.

The Black Press of America, founded nearly two centuries ago to give voice to people denied access to mainstream media, has seen corporate advertisers and sponsors retreat under the Trump era’s hostility toward racial equity. Newsrooms have shrunk. Resources have dried up. The mission has grown harder just as the stakes have risen.

What Black America has warned about for years is now playing out in real time. A presidency that treats civil rights as disposable, dissent as criminal, and federal power as personal authority does not stop at one community.

12 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

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The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 13

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be Celebrated in Westchester County

By Yvonne B. Bert, WCP Senior Reporter

Cooperative Scholarship Fund of Ossining

African American Men of Westchester, Inc.

The Cooperative Scholarship Fund of Ossining will sponsor “A Celebration and Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: In the Spirit of Unity and Service” on Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., in the Ossining High School Auditorium, 29 South Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY Keynote speaker for the event will be Neil Reynolds, Commissioner of the New Rochelle Police Department.

A 32-year veteran of the New Rochelle Police Department, he served as Deputy Police Commissioner since 2023, and was appointed Commissioner in June 2025. After joining the NRPD as a Patrol Officer in 1994, he has served in many capacities, including P.A.C.T. Officer, Detective in the Property Theft Unit, Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Patrol Division, Detective Lieutenant in Internal Affairs, and as Captain before his promotion to Deputy Commissioner. A well respected member of New Rochelle, he is committed to continue the progress of the NRPD in strengthening trust, building partnerships and embracing new approached to public safety. He is dedicated to lead the department the program.

The Cooperative Scholarship Fund (CSF) is a 501( c) 3 organization with purpose, transparency, and a deep commitment to all the people of whose mission is to provide scholarships to African American students New Rochelle and its police officers. graduating from Ossining High School. Sonia McDonald serves as PresiCommissioner Reynolds is ac- dent of CSF tively involved in several law enThomas H. Slater Center forcement and civic organizations, including the Westchester/Rockland The Dr, Marrtin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast will hosted by the Guardians Association, the Police Thomas H, Slater Center on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Theme Executive Research Forum, the Infor the event is “The Women Who Influenced Dr. King.” Dr. Delphine Burternational Association of Chiefs of ton will be the keynote speaker. A White Plains native, Dr. Burton has been Police, the National Organization of active in the community throughout her life. She served as one of the first Black Law Enforcement Executives, youth Board members of the Thomas H. Slater Center and continues to be a and NACOLE. He is also a member dedicated supporter of its activities and programs. Her active involvement of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in the White Plains Youth Bureau led her to leadership opportunities within Micaela Henry, Greenburgh the community. Dr. Burton is CEO and founder of Del’s World, a 501 ( c) School Liason, will also be a featured 3 community based non-profit dedicated to helping individuals strive for speaker for the program. In addition, knowledge and excellence, one step, one day at a time. She is also employed entertainment will be provided by as an adjunct professor at the College of Westchester in White Plains, NY. winners of the Westchester Region She was licensed to preach the gospel by Bethel Baptist Church in White ACT-SO program, the major youth Plains, NY, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. initiative of the NAACP. General The Thomas H. Slater Center is located at 2 Fisher Court, White Plains, admission for the event is $45.00; NY. For tickets or additional information, call (914) 948-6211. $50.00 after January 1, 2026. Light refreshments will be served following

The African American Men of Westchester (AAMW) will sponsor their 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Youth Awards Luncheon on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Conference Center, South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. The 2026 MLK Legacy Youth Awards will be presented to outstanding students whose achievements reflect the values of leadership, service and noble character of the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. John Tuller is President of the AAMW. Tickets for the event are $65.00 and may be purchased from any member of the African American Men of Westchester.

Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church The historic Foster Memorial AME Zion Church of Tarrytown will host their Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. program at 12:00 noon on January 19, 2026. The community is invited to come out to share in the celebration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they hear reflections of this iconic man from clergy from various churches within the Tarrytown area. Foster Memorial is located at 90 Wildey Street, Tarrytown, NY, and is the oldest Black church in Westchester County.

The Links, Incorporated The Westchester County (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated cordially invites the public to its 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day Literary Tea on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 500 Main Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Featuring a Fireside Chat with Abby Phillip, CNN Anchor and Author of “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power,” in conversation with: Lisa Loury Lomas, PHD, Eastern Area Director/The Links, Incorporated.

14 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256

Community Calendar

CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Please use a brief paragraph to describe your event. The paragraph should include event name, date(s), time, location and contact information. Send calendar information via email to westchestercountypress@yahoo.com. Please type “CALENDAR EVENT” in the subject bar.

Thursday, January 15

is to provide scholarships to Afri- will be served.

SAVE THE DATE: The honor of can American students graduating Monday, January 19 your presence is requested at the from Ossining High School.

The African American Men of Swearing-In Ceremony of Dani- Sunday, January 18 Westchester (AAMW) will sponelle R. Brown, as Judge of the The Briarcliff-Ossining Minis- sor their 25th Annual Dr. Martin Mount Vernon City Court, Ninth terial Association will sponsor Luther King, Jr. Legacy Youth Judicial District. The Ceremony their Annual Dr. Martin Luther Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. will be held on Thursday, January King, Jr. Interfaith Service at 5:00 at the Sleepy Hollow Conference 15, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in Mount p.m. at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Center, South Broadway, TarryVernon City Hall, City Council Church, 304 Spring Street, Ossin- town, NY. Youth from throughout Chambers, 2nd Floor, 1 Roosevelt ing, NY. Keynote speaker for the Westchester will be recognized Square, Mount Vernon, NY. Re- event will be Rev. Stephan Mar- and rewarded for their community ception to follow. shall, Senior Advisor for the Na- service and their commitment to Thursday, January 15 tional Action Network. The com- the teachings of Dr Martin Luther Westchester County Board of munity is invited to attend this free King, Jr. John Tuller is President Health Meeting will be held on- event in celebration of the birth of of the AAMW. Tickets for the Thursday, January 15 at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Light event are in the County Health Department refreshments will be served.

Monday, January 19 Office, 11 Martine Ave., 12th Sunday, January 18 The Westchester County (NY) Floor, White Plains, New York The community is invited to the Chapter of The Links, Incorpo10606. Members of the public Annual Ecumenical Service hon- rated cordially invites the public may view this meeting online at oring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther to its 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luhttps://www.meetings.westches- King, Jr. at 12:00 noon at Foster ther King Jr., Day Literary Tea on tergov.com Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Monday, January 19, 2026, from Saturday, January 17 90 Wildey Street, Tarrytown, NY. 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Doors open The Cooperative Scholarship Guest speaker for the event will at 2:30 PM) at 500 Main Street, Fund of Ossining will sponsor be Rev. William Baker of Christ New Rochelle, NY 10801. Fea“A Celebration and Tribute to Episcopal Church in Tarrytown. turing a Fireside Chat with Abby Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: In The program is free and open to Phillip, CNN Anchor and Author of “A Dream Deferred: Jesse the Spirit of Unity and Service”, the community.

Jackson and the Fight for Black 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., in the Os- Sunday, January 18 sining High School Auditorium, The Ossining Branch NAACP Political Power,” in conversation 29 South Highland Avenue, Os- will sponsor a community dis- with: Lisa Loury Lomas, PHD, sining, NY. Neil Reynolds, Com- cussion - “Beyond The Dream.” Eastern Area Director/The Links, missioner of the New Rochelle at 7:30 p.m. at Star of Bethle- Incorporated. The Links will also Police Department, and Micaela hem Baptist Church, 304 Spring present a Special Tribute to WestHenry, Greenburgh School Lia- Street, Ossining, NY. The panel chester County Authors:Bryan son, will be the keynote speakers discussion will be moderated by Collier. CJ Farley and Cheryl for the program. Entertainment Rev. Shaun E. Jones, Pastor of McKissack Daniel. Admission: will be provided by winners of the Star of Bethlehem. Panelists will is $50 per person: (Includes Westchester Region ACT-SO pro- include Rob Abbott, Joyce Shar- High Tea experience and a copy gram, the major youth initiative of rock Cole, Nicole Hines, Latoya of the featured book https://www. the NAACP. General admission Langley, Deputy Mayor Omar eventbrite.com/e/rev-dr-martinfor the event is $45.00; $50.00 Lopez, Martin McDonald, and luther-king-jr-day-literary-teaafter January 1, 2026. The Coop- County Legislator Emiljana Ulaj. tickets-1978788226854 erative Scholarship Fund is a 501( The community is invited to this Sunday, January 25 c) 3 organization whose mission special event. Light refreshments Join the New Rochelle Branch

of the NAACP as they celebrate Jubilee Day at Bethesda Baptist Church, 71 Lincoln Avenue, New Rochelle. Rev. Allen Paul Weaver III, former interim Pastor of Bethesda, will serve as host for 4:00 p.m. the event. The celebration will include installation of officers and Executive Committee members of the Branch, There will be reflections through readings, song and music. Aisha Cook is President of the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP.

Monday, January 26

The NAACP Yonkers Branch General Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in-person at the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak, 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY 10708, and also via ZOOM Meeting ID: 881 1279 6070. Passcode: NAACP. This meeting will be a training on the NAACP Constitution and Bylaws for Units, understanding Robert’s Rules of Order, and Meeting Etiquette. The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome.

Saturday, January 31

The public is cordially invited to the Inaugural Ball for Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., at the VIP Country Club, 600 Davenport Avenue in New Rochelle, NY. For sponsorship information and to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/JenkinsInaugural 2026 or contact Jackie Misler at jackie. misler@gmail.com. Tickets: Patron: $1,000; Individual: $300.

Black Tie Optional. RSVP by Monday, January 19th.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, ,2026 • 15

Sunday, February 22

Honor Black History Month and advance health equity by attending an engaging and informative program focused on brain health, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, 4:00pm-5:00pm. The “Purple Sunday” Initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association will feature powerful testimonials from guest speakers

impacted by dementia and related diseases. Register for this free virtual program via email: npezzullo@alz.org or online: https:// alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_vg6A_scESLei2pmG0mgW9g#/registration. This faith and family focused event is presented by the Alzheimer’s AssociationHudson Valley Chapter (alz.org/

CROWELL, Cont’d. from page 5

According to December 2025 poll by the KFF Foundation, 58 percent of respondents said an increase of just $300 per year in health insurance payments would significantly disrupt their household finances. An additional 20 percent say a $1,000 per year increase in health insurance payments would disrupt their finances.

While King’s lifelong quest for civil rights and economic justice deserves an annual observance, his Dream of a nation that fulfills its promises for all of its people still needs a diligent and ongoing effort. Lawmakers should heed the concerns expressed by its people, especially when ample research documents how people are suffering.

As Dr. King stated in his autobiography, “[T]here comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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hudsonvalley), Delta Research and Educational Foundation, Inc. (deltafoundation.net), Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (dstwac.org), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc.-White Plains/Greenburgh Branch (wpgbnaacporg. wordpress.com), and the National Council of Negro Women,

Inc.-Hudson Valley Section (ncnwhvs.org).

Monday, February 23

Yonkers Branch NAACP will present For Black History Month, February’s General Membership Meeting featuring Damon K. Jones (Black Westchester) for a Know Your Rights Forum on police interactions.

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16 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, JANUARY 15, 20256