Opinion - Mahopac News

Public education is under attack. Recent actions taken by President Trump and Congress will directly reduce funding to school districts, which has added even more urgency to a local crisis that is a direct threat to our Mahopac schools. Hostile... more

By Ben DiLullo | 8/13/25

Saddle up, dudes!

My mom planned summer vacations for our family each year when I was growing up. I recall a really fun beach vacation on the island of Jamaica where I met a new friend, Susan, who lived in Illinois. My dad was the driver on long car trips to... more

By Kim Kovach | 8/13/25

Bursting the bubble

When was the last time you walked a factory floor? Dined at a Denny's or an IHOP? If you're like most of us, the answer is never - or it's been a very long time. Those are just a couple of questions posed in a film produced by Michael Smerconish... more

By Don Scott | 8/13/25

Can a home with a mortgage be transferred to a trust?

One of the most common concerns clients have about transferring a home that is subject to a mortgage to an inter vivos trust (a trust created during one’s lifetime) is whether doing so will trigger the due-on-sale (“DOS”) clause of the... more

Anthony J. Enea | 8/13/25

From firehouse to fryer

“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” —Anthony Bourdain As a fan of the simple pleasures in life, I applaud Anthony Bourdain’s thought. For me, those include a welcoming pub with straightforward, delicious food and a nice... more

BY JOHN BART | 8/1/25

How to take the ‘ugh’ out of summer reading

Dear Dr. Linda, According to the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, a vacation is defined as follows: 1) a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation; 2) a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is... more

BY DR. LINDA SILBERT | 8/1/25

Paradise found

When you step out of the airport into a Caribbean country, it looks like the scene when "The Wizard of Oz" turns from black and white to color, hopefully after an easier landing than Dorothy's.The … more

Rick Melén | 6/28/25

Raising a glass to Ridgefield

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Burroughs (American Naturalist)Nature and beer have long made for a perfect pairing. It’s no surprise that … more

John Bart (a.k.a. The Katonah Beer Man) | 6/28/25

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, Putnam CAP wrap up successful feminine hygiene drive

PUTNAM COUNTY, N/Y/ - Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and the Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP) have officially concluded their third annual feminine hygiene drive, once again rallying … more

. | 6/5/25

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