Local Matters Westchester

Join us this week as we speak with Larry Beilenson, Board Co-Chair of Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) and son of the late founder, Nick Beilenson.

Larry shares the story behind WRO’s founding in 1968, the urgent need for federal investment to address the affordable housing crisis, the growing homelessness problem, and how looming budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could dramatically worsen the situation. Plus, hear about WRO’s upcoming fundraiser. Listen in!

Chappaqua resident Steven Beschloss – award-winning journalist, professor, and author of the popular Substack America, America – joins Local Matters Westchester for a wide-ranging conversation.

He shares his concerns about threats to American democracy, the looming economic fallout he sees coming to local communities, and what’s driving President Trump’s clash with higher education.

Beschloss also discusses why immigration is so central to the American story, offers a sharp critique of legacy media, reflects on how living abroad shaped his worldview, retraces his path as a storyteller – and explains why, despite it all, he remains hopeful.

This week on Local Matters Westchester, we spoke with Noam Bramson, executive director of Sustainable Westchester (and former longtime mayor of New Rochelle), to talk about what the organization is doing locally to address climate challenges.

We asked Bramson about Sustainable Westchester’s clean energy efforts, the debate over automatic opt-in policies, concerns around battery storage, the impact of national energy policy, the organization’s goals for the future, whether he plans to run for elected office in the future, and more.

Plus, we discussed how he stays optimistic—on most days—even when the challenges feel overwhelming.

Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her role as Minority Leader on the Board of Legislators—one of just two members in the minority—and what bipartisanship looks like in county government.

We get into term limits, state mandates, the county budget, affordable housing, and the proposed Con Ed rate hikes. Cunzio also shares how becoming a volunteer firefighter after COVID has given her a frontline view of public safety issues like electric vehicle fires and Battery Energy Storage Systems.

With a journalism degree from Iona, advanced education credentials, and experience as a fitness instructor, Cunzio brings a well-rounded perspective to public service.

Northern Westchester Hospital President Derek Anderson joins us to discuss Northwell Health’s merger with Nuvance, the potential real-world impact of looming Medicaid cuts, and a new mental health initiative for local youth.

We also explore how nonprofit culture shapes care at NWH, the hospital’s embrace of holistic health, what becoming a teaching hospital means for patients, Anderson’s unique journey from missionary work in Cambodia to hospital leadership in Westchester—and much more.

New York’s $254 billion state budget is finally passed, and on this week’s Local Matters Westchester, State Senator Shelley Mayer breaks down the major highlights — including the new and controversial bell-to-bell school cellphone ban, which she initially opposed.
We also cover ConEd’s proposed rate hikes, affordable housing efforts, public safety measures, and President Trump’s push to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.
(Recorded after a hectic final push at the Capitol in Albany.)

Tune in for a fast-moving 30-minute conversation about what’s happening across New York and how it impacts Westchester.

This week on Local Matters, we speak with Ted Buerger, co-founder of Open Arms for Refugees — a volunteer-led group helping resettle refugee families across our area.

Ted offers a powerful mix of compassion, insight, and personal emotion, shedding light on a complex issue with heartfelt stories and practical ways local people can make a difference.

This week on Local Matters Westchester, we’re joined by Karin Anderson Ponzer, Director of Legal Services at Neighbors Link, for a timely conversation about immigration rights, policy shifts, and how local residents facing fear and uncertainty can navigate the system and find support.

Burdick on the Pod: Budget Standoff, Immigration, Jacob Burns & More

New York’s state budget is now more than two weeks late, with negotiations stalled over key policy disagreements between Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders.

The governor is pushing several high-profile proposals – including a statewide school cellphone ban, changes to the state’s involuntary commitment law, and revisions to pretrial discovery rules – while lawmakers push back on both the process and the priorities.

Assemblymember Chris Burdick joined Adam Stone, Martin Wilbur, and Shane McGaffey for Episode 2 of our Local Matters: Westchester podcast to unpack what’s holding things up in Albany – and what it all means for Westchester residents.

We also discussed the local impact of national immigration policy, why residents should speak up on proposed Con Ed rate hikes, the Jacob Burns Film Center controversy, and more.

Podcast Debut: Westchester Congressman on Trump, Tariffs, the Left – and Which of Us Is a Ryan Reynolds Lookalike

The first episode of our new Local Matters Westchester podcast features Democratic Congressman George Latimer, who joins Examiner founding Editor-in-Chief and current Recorder journalist Martin Wilbur, former PCTV station manager Shane McGaffey, and Examiner Publisher Adam Stone for a wide-ranging discussion. 

We cover:

• The way Latimer believes President Trump misunderstands tariffs

• His bipartisan effort with Republican Congressman Mike Lawler to keep a local Social Security office open – and why it failed

• His own Con Ed bills and what the state can do to rein in energy costs

• His reflections on congestion pricing (London came up)

• Where the Biden administration has fallen short on immigration – and how dug in Republicans are on the issue

• The possibilities for bipartisanship in 2025 Washington

• His take on the far left of his party – and who might represent a more center-left path forward

• His views on the broken health care system, and why deep structural reform is needed

• How Westchester County fumbled aspects of its early COVID response when he was county executive – and what lessons were learned

• His blunt reaction to Trump’s push to abolish the Department of Education, characterizing it as ideological, reckless, and analytically hollow

• His perspective on the end of Examiner’s print editions

• Plus, Congressman Latimer weighs in on the very important question: which one of us looks like Hollywood heartthrob and Pound Ridge resident Ryan Reynolds?

• And a promise to return as a guest this fall

All this and more – with generous sponsorship support from Genesis/Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco.