Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News and The Katonah Lewisboro Times, Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record, and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News, join host Brett Freeman for today’s weekly editorial roundup. Walogorsky begins with a recap of several Veterans Day events that were held in North Salem and Somers. He talks about the recent release of both town budgets, the latest in local sports, and shares a feel-good story involving a woman who gave birth at home unexpectedly with the help of Westchester emergency responders.

Next Marschhauser gives an update on Yorktown sports and the development of a new restaurant in Katonah. He breaks down the very troubling story of GOP district leader Tom Pomposello directing a racist slur toward Councilman Vishnu Patel on election night. The group talks in great detail about potential fallout from this incident, whether it speaks to a larger issue at hand, and Marschhauser reflects on how the story has been picked up nationally.

Finally, Dumas discusses upcoming vaccination clinics for children between the ages of 5 and 11 in Putnam County and touches on recent traffic safety issues in Mahopac.

Episode Highlights: 

• Three editors from the Halston Media team join today’s roundup 
• Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News and The Katonah Lewisboro Times; Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record; and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News
• Walogorsky begins with Veterans Day events in North Salem and Somers
• North Salem and Somers town budgets, 0% home tax increase, update on local sports
• Feel-good story about a woman who went into labor and gave birth at home in Somers - Mom and Baby were recently reunited with the Westchester emergency responders who helped with the delivery
• Marschhauser gives an update on Yorktown sports and the development of a new restaurant in Katonah
• Updating zoning codes to help encourage business
• Troubling story about GOP district leader Tom Pomposello directing a racist slur toward Councilman Vishnu Patel on election night
• The Town Board collectively decided to end its partnership with Pomposello’s non-profit organization, CCM of Westchester, which runs the five-day Feast of San Gennaro every September
• This story has been picked up nationally and not all of the facts have been represented properly
• Dumas discusses upcoming vaccination clinics for children ages 5 to 11
• Traffic safety issues in the Danbury area

Quotes

“For Somers, there was actually a 0% tax increase, which is good for the taxpayers.”

“The baby was coming, so members from our Westchester Emergency Services responded, and a local state trooper, and they actually had to deliver the baby at home in Somers.”

“They're going to repurpose that old firehouse building and it's got this cool distinct look.”

“When you see the video and you hear it, it takes your breath away a little bit. The way he says it. It's just filled with such anger toward [Councilman Vishnu Patel].”

“I got my statements from the Republicans. Obviously, they were disgusted.”

“I got my story up the next morning. I didn't wait for publication. I said, This is just something people ought to know. And I think when you have something like that, you don't wait, you don't time it. You just say, Here it is.”

“Yes, [Tom Pomposello] did sound contrite. One thing he kept coming back to, and he said it multiple times, I'm not trying to make excuses - I do not remember saying it.”

“Obviously, from my perspective, if you drink and then say something racist, you're probably a little racist.”

“It's not like he made an off-color joke. He said it with a little disdain and hatred. He said he was gone - That motherf-cker, he's gone. It was not a joke. It was more hate than anything.”

“It’s good and bad when that happens. You wish your town would go viral for different reasons.”

“I never once questioned whether I should report it.”

“A common refrain I've heard from people critical of the Republicans in Yorktown is that Pomposello felt comfortable in that room saying a slur, meaning that he felt it was a safe place for his racism.”

“The fact that he doesn't remember it, in some respects, probably means he might say this more often than we think. It doesn't register as unique in his mind to say something so horrible.”

“I do wish national news was a little more responsible sometimes when they do these stories on our small towns.”

“I think most of the medical community is on board with [vaccination for children], both locally and nationwide. Whether parents want to step up or not, it's their choice.”

Links:

Halston Media Group website