Local Matters Westchester

In this episode of Local Matters Westchester, Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi talks to hosts Martin Wilbur and Adam Stone to discuss development pressures, fiscal constraints, and ongoing flooding concerns. He addresses questions about developer influence, affordable housing, and Mount Pleasant’s recent Moody’s bond rating downgrade, and explains his approach to maintaining low taxes while funding town services. The conversation also covers transparency critiques, his fall election opponent Tom Abinanti, the JCCA Cottage School situation, the town’s legal challenge to New York State’s Voting Act, plans for workforce housing development, and ethics concerns raised in the local political debate.

Examiner reporter Vera Giraudo was on site at Rockland Community College to cover President Donald J. Trump's rally for Rep. Mike Lawler last week. In her audio story, she took the pulse of the crowd, exploring what the president's support for Lawler could mean for the heated election in Congressional District 17.

In this episode of Local Matters Westchester, guest David Grant shares why he founded the Suzanne Grant Foundation and how, by supporting community service projects in local schools and organizations, he is keeping his wife Suzanne's spirit of service and generosity alive and developing the next generation of community champions. You can also learn more about the foundation's 2026 community service day in The Examiner.

The Pleasantville Farmers Market has grown from a dozen vendors into one of Westchester’s busiest year-round destinations. This week on Local Matters Westchester, The Examiner’s weekly podcast, host Martin Wilbur talks with Peter Rogovin of Foodchester about what makes it work: from strict local sourcing to building a market where vendors can succeed.

Rogovin, the founder of Foodchester, Inc., the nonprofit behind the award-winning market, also talks about how it draws thousands to downtown Pleasantville each weekend, and the planning behind what’s designed to feel like a seamless experience.

In this episode of Local Matters Westchester, we speak with Michael Peppard about his campaign for the Westchester County Board of Legislators. A theology professor and former Pleasantville trustee, Peppard shares his background, what led him to run, and the priorities he’s focusing on in District 3 as he challenges incumbent Margaret Cunzio.

For 50 years, local philanthropy has quietly supported Westchester in ways most people never see. From legal help for domestic violence survivors to funding better community data, the impact runs deep. In this episode of Local Matters Westchester, Laura Rossi of The New York Community Trust and Cindy Kanusher of the Pace Women’s Justice Center explain where the support goes, who it helps, and why long-term partnerships matter.

Protest organizer Fred Silverman explains why the weekly rally for democracy demonstrations in Mount Kisco are needed.

A conversation with County Executive Ken Jenkins. He discusses housing, affordability and other pressing issues facing the county.

In our final interview with the Democratic candidates seeking to challenge incumbent Republican Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Congressional District race, challenger Mike Sacks joined Local Matters Westchester to talk about his campaign, with the June 23 primary now less than three months away.

Diane Pagan, a local nurse practitioner and the founder of Senior Moments Care, talks with Local Matters Westchester this week about delivering compassionate medical care to elderly patients in their homes, and the new Geriatric Center of Excellence she plans to open in Somers by this fall. She also discusses the problems with corporate-controlled health care, and a host of other related issues.Read our related article here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/geriatric-center-of-excellence-eyes-2026-opening-in-northern-westchester/