Rye City Council member since 2012, Laura Brett is the current Deputy Mayor. While Ms. Brett has visited Hen Island she has yet to come forward making the cleanup of Hen Island a priority. In 2012, City manager Scott Pickup attempted to conceal positive West Nile Virus test results taken by Westchester County Heath Department officials on Hen Island. Mr. Pickup’s efforts failed after being exposed publically by Ray Tartaglione at the Rye City Council meeting.

In an effort to calm fears, Councilwoman Brett proclaimed, “there are no reported cases of West Nile Virus in humans in Westchester County as of this summer.” Unfortunately, two weeks later there were three reported cases within five miles of Hen Island.