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New York Politician Hospitalized with Hepatitis C

March 19, 2007

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Reminding us that Hepatitis C can affect anyone, a New York assemblyman has announced he is being treated for Hepatitis C. Read how his diagnosis has apparently affected his life and his career in public service.

By Sarah Netter
The Journal News
www.thejournalnews.com

Rockland assemblyman hospitalized

Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski has been hospitalized and is being treated for hepatitis C, causing him to miss part of the legislative session, a spokesman confirmed yesterday.

Media coordinator Keith Braunfotel said Zebrowski, a New City Democrat, underwent a procedure March 2 to treat the hepatitis and was being treated for a blood clot in his leg.

Braunfotel said Zebrowski's office remained fully staffed and that the assemblyman was working while recuperating.

"We do wish he was feeling better," Braunfotel said, "but he's as sharp as a tack."

State Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, is a close colleague and friend of Zebrowski's and has visited him often.

"He's laid up for a while and his legislative agenda is being attended to," Morahan said.

Little has been said about Zebrowski's illness or treatment.

"The family's kind of keeping it close to the vest, so to speak," Rockland Democratic Chairman Vincent Monte said yesterday.

Peter Wozniak of Valley Cottage said yesterday that he had heard a while ago that Zebrowski was ill, but he had listened to him on radio station WRCR just last week.

Wozniak said he thought Zebrowki's office was keeping up with the assemblyman's work for now.

"If it's only temporary, I'm sure it will be no problem," he said.

Morahan said his office had been in constant contact with Zebrowski's. If a public appearance is necessary, Morahan said, he will go and report back to Zebrowski on any feedback from residents or other politicians. "We hope to see him back up here soon," Morahan said.

Zebrowski, 61, began missing Assembly votes in late February and was listed as "EOR." That means he's excused for other reasons, specifically for something other than legislative business.

The last session for which he was present for all votes was Feb. 14. He was absent for votes Feb. 26 and March 5, 6 and 7, as well as for Monday's and yesterday's joint session between the Senate and the Assembly to elect four members of the state Board of Regents.

Zebrowski was ill last year, spending time in the hospital, and was noticeably thinner and had lost his hair, but told supporters and The Journal News during election season that he was feeling much better.

The Web site for the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the hepatitis C virus affects the liver and is transferred by blood.

Zebrowski was first elected to the Assembly in 2004 after replacing now-Clarkstown Supervisor Alexander Gromack on the ballot. In November, he easily defeated Right to Life Party candidate Peter Partridge and had no Republican opposition. He served on the county Legislature for 21 years, including four years as chairman and two years as majority leader.

In the Assembly, Zebrowski serves on the Aging, Codes, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Governmental Employees, Judiciary, and Racing and Wagering committees.

Posted by Editors at March 19, 2007 9:00 AM