Opinion - The Katonah-Lewisboro Times

This Independence Day, let’s celebrate America - and salute the real 1%

Dear Editor, As we celebrate the birth of our great nation this July 4th, the North Salem Republican Town Committee would like to take a moment to honor a group of Americans who too often go … more

North Salem Republican Town Committee | 6/28/25

We shouldn’t ban AI from classrooms

I didn’t set out to write this column. In fact, it was ChatGPT’s idea. What began as a casual inquiry—I had asked it for thoughts on a provocative article I’d just read—quickly became a … more

By Brett Freeman | 6/21/25

Somers School District’s new bond and budget

Dear Editor,The recent approval by Somers School District voters of a $63.9 million bond for critical infrastructure upgrades, along with a $113.5 million operating budget for the upcoming fiscal … more

John Mooren | 6/20/25

Slater, Harckham announce portion of state highway system to be named in honor of Jake Arcara

YORKTOWN, N.Y. - Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and New York State Sen. Peter Harckham announced today that a portion of the state highway system in Yorktown will be renamed in honor of Jake … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/20/25

Slater bill to extend Putnam sales tax and share revenue with local governments passes Assembly

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) today announced the passage of legislation he sponsored to extend Putnam County’s 1 percent sales tax increase for an additional two years, while also … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/19/25

Slater, Harckham bill to honor hero NYPD Lieutenant John F. McArdle passes state Legislature

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and State Sen. Peter Harckham announced that their legislation dedicating a portion of State Route 301 in the Town of Carmel to the late John F. McArdle has … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/18/25

This is not what democracy should look like

Dear Editor,Five months into the Golden Age, I finally had my chance to attend a local live town hall with Congressman Mike Lawler on Sunday night. If this is what our democracy now looks like, … more

Steve Budd | 6/13/25

Slater, Harckham honor Westchester’s Purple Heart veterans with highway dedication

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and State Sen. Peter Harckham today announced the passage of legislation in the New York State Assembly and Senate to designate a portion of State Route 35 in … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/13/25

The last picture show

“Every time I go to a movie, it’s magic, no matter what the movie’s about.”-Steven Spielberg On May 27, Carmel Cinema on Route 52 in Carmel Hamlet closed its doors and faded to black for … more

BY BOB DUMAS | 6/9/25

Assemblyman Slater hits the field for bipartisan charity softball game benefitting local food pantries

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) joined colleagues from the Assembly Minority and Majority conferences last week for the second annual New York State Assembly charity softball game, bringing … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/7/25

Slater, Harckham: Second half of Route 52 paving set to commence

In July 2023, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) announced the long-awaited resurfacing of State Route 52, made possible by $3.6 million in state funding secured through the partnership of state … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/5/25

When ideology trumps safety

Earlier this year, I wrote about the need to correct certain flaws in Westchester County’s Immigrant Protection Act.While I’m not holding my breath for those fixes, I was surprised to learn that … more

Don Scott | 6/4/25

Assemblyman Slater celebrates Boyd Artesian Well Company’s inclusion on the Historic Business Preservation Registry

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) presented a New York State Assembly proclamation to the Boyd Artesian Well Company Inc. on May 30, celebrating its induction into the New York State Historic … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 6/4/25

The Intifada is now global—and it’s personal

The Palestinian Intifada has gone global, and it’s no longer something I can compartmentalize as distant or abstract. It’s personal—painfully and repeatedly so.My connection began over two … more

Brett Freeman | 6/2/25

Slater celebrates foundation aid increase, regional cost index boost in state budget

A staunch advocate for equitable school funding in Westchester, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) is proud to report that increases in Foundation Aid, along with changes to the Regional Cost … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 5/30/25

Assemblyman Slater applauds $50 million increase in CHIPS funding for local roads

With the help of local highway superintendents across the Hudson Valley, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) commends the $50 million increase in state funding for the Consolidated Local Street … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 5/29/25

New York State budget focuses on affordability and smart community investment

The newly enacted New York state budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 focuses on affordability and smart community investments, like funding for education and road repairs. It also supports clean … more

State Sen. Pete Harckham | 5/24/25

Respectful listening may be the missing ingredient in America’s town hall tradition

For me, a town hall meeting conjures up the image of that iconic 1950s painting by Norman Rockwell, "Freedom of Speech," which shows a working-class man standing to deliver a message to a room full … more

Don Scott | 5/24/25

Confessions of a grateful (and occasionally grouchy) boss

Every once in a while, I have to stop what I’m doing and give a shout-out to an employee who’s truly gone above and beyond.This one? She’s an absolute gem. One of the best assistants I’ve … more

Brett Freeman | 5/23/25

Slater, local officials call for safety review of deadly stretch of Taconic State Parkway

Following a tragic crash on the Taconic State Parkway that claimed four lives and left another individual critically injured on May 14, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) is calling for … more

Office of Assemblyman Matt Slater | 5/23/25