Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News, Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News and The Katonah Lewisboro Times, and Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record, join today’s editorial roundup to discuss local news and headlines in the Hudson Valley with host Brett Freeman. They begin with the latest on upcoming town elections in great detail, the most controversial and heated races, as well as the dangers of having one-party dominance in local government. 

Next Walogorsky details several grant applications taking place in North Salem to help with upgrades and infrastructure improvements, and Marschhauser discusses a possible new age-restricted development in Yorktown. The panel talks about housing and rental cost issues in the area, and finally, they agree that we could use a resurgence of good old fashioned skating rinks and bowling alleys in this day and age.

Episode Highlights:

• Three editors from the Halston Media team join the show today to discuss current news and headlines 
• Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News; Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News and The Katonah Lewisboro Times; and Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record
• Town elections and early voting
• Election Day is November 2; early voting is available from October 23 to 31
• Democratic versus Republican make-up in local towns
• Value of having both parties involved
• Race for Putnam County Sheriff has become heated and nasty at times with incumbent Bob Langley fending off challenger Kevin McConville
• Tax rate breakdown and possible drop
• North Salem races are completely uncontested, whereas Somers elections are much more eventful
• Information on early voting can be found here
• Somers is applying for a Community Development Block Grant to help with upgrades and infrastructure improvements
• Flooding issues in the Peach Lake area of North Salem
• Tractor trailer accident in North Salem
• Marschhauser discusses proposed new developments in Yorktown
• Senior population in Yorktown has increased by 18% from 2000 to 2020, while the age group 25 to 34 has decreased by 15%
• Cost of housing and rentals are both increasing 
• Old Dutch Mill is now an abandoned windmill structure, and there is a proposed new development there as well

Quotes

“Shockingly, the town that is usually the political hotbed of the ones that I cover has been Yorktown. In years past, a lot of mudslinging. A lot of fighting. This year has been pretty quiet actually.”

“It's been kind of wild to see over the last few weeks, how we go from one to two letters to the editor per week, to this most recent issue, I had 18.”

“I, for one, am very excited for it to end. It gets a little muddy around this time of year.”

“I think it's never healthy to have an all one-party board in our towns. And I actually think it does a disservice to the party that's in power because they can get kind of lazy.”

“[Bob Langley] is the incumbent, so he has the advantage. I have a gut feeling that he's going to win, but my gut isn't always right.”

“In North Salem, everything is completely uncontested for this election.”

“In North Salem there's been some discussion as the residents of Peach Lake, and the surrounding area, Peace Gardens...flooding has been a very big issue for a long time.”

“People are starting to get a little anxious to get this problem solved.”

“They are proposing to build a 136 age-restricted development near the Yorktown/Courtland border.”

“The senior population in Yorktown has increased by 18% from 2000 to 2020. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 range has decreased by 15%.”

“It's cool when you have a little neat architecture like that. I think it really helps give character to the town.”

“There's nothing better than spending the afternoon at a bowling alley, on a Sunday, just drinking some beer.”

Links:

Halston Media Group website