Latimer Delivers More Than 55 Speeches on House Floor
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Representative George Latimer (NY-16) has delivered more than 55 speeches on the House floor since taking office in January. The speeches have been on a variety of topics including recognizing prominent people from the district who have passed away, detrimental actions by the Trump Administration, bringing attention to local issues and organizations, and even a nod to Stephen Colbert’s “Meanwhile…”.
Specific topics included: tariffs; FEMA; cuts to Medicaid, food programs and the Department of Education; Ukraine policy; environmental policies and numerous other key issues.
“Members of the House have a unique opportunity to give a speech every day on a topic that is important to them. I have decided to use this opportunity to bring attention to a number of issues facing our district and country,” said Rep. Latimer. “This is another way I am communicating directly to our district and constituents.”
Watch his speech on food prices here and on 9/11 here.
All of Congressman Latimer’s speeches can be found on YouTube here.
Gun Control is Suicide Prevention
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The following was submitted by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin:
September is Suicide Prevention Month. What many people don’t realize is that firearms are the leading cause of suicide in the United States. More than half of all gun deaths each year are suicides. This reality underscores why we must address suicide prevention and gun control together.
We hear about shootings so often it’s almost numbing — in supermarkets, office buildings, churches, schools, synagogues. My heart breaks for the innocent victims and their families in the most recent tragedies at the 345 Park Avenue office building in New York and Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota. No one and nowhere is immune.
What we know is that when we limit gun access, we limit gun deaths. Japan proves this point. A nation of more than 120 million people, it sees roughly 10 gun deaths in an entire year. By comparison, the United States, with a population of 340 million, suffers nearly 40,000 gun deaths annually. Ten versus forty thousand. And suicides represent the majority of those deaths. Between 2018 and 2024, approximately 57% of gun deaths in the U.S. were suicides. New York has some of the most stringent gun control laws in the country, but we must do better when it comes to preventing suicide. And it comes down to one thing: access.
I’ve introduced two bills to restrict gun access. A.1210 would establish a mandatory ten-day waiting period for all firearm purchases. This “cooling-off period” would give people time to reconsider impulsive actions, including suicide. Research shows most suicide attempts are made within hours of the decision, and states with waiting period laws have significantly lower suicide rates.
I’ve also introduced A.198, which would establish a voluntary waiver of the right to purchase a firearm. This approach, already in place in states like Washington, has proven highly effective in reducing suicides by allowing individuals to impose a self-selected pause. By delaying access to guns, we save lives.
As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, I’ll keep fighting for stronger state gun laws, and I’m confident New York will continue to lead. But we face a Congress that prioritizes gun manufacturers over people. Blood is on the hands of those in Washington who block meaningful federal gun control laws and limit what we can do in Albany.
How many times can we send “thoughts and prayers” while innocent people are killed? In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, let’s hold accountable those in elected office who allow easy access to guns — and demand real solutions instead of empty words.
— Assemblywoman Amy Paulin
Fallen Branch from Historic Tree Causes Blackout in Scarsdale Village
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On Friday July 18 at around 3:00 PM a huge limb--now visibly hollowed--broke off a towering black oak and fell onto Autenreith Road, blocking traffic and causing a blackout on both sides of the street. A resident says, “It was a miracle no one was hurt on this heavily traveled side street where motorists speed in and out of downtown 24/7 and pedestrians walk without sidewalks. I phoned Con Ed and Scarsdale Police(SPD) who told me that the Department of Public Works(DPW) had already been informed. The mammoth front loader from the Scarsdale Highway Department arrived quickly. They chain sawed and cleared the debris in a couple of hours.”
She continued, “Fortunately, while the impact tripped the transformer near my driveway Con Ed was able to restore power as soon as the road was cleared. Neighbors are grateful to SPD, DPW and Con Ed.”
But what about this 300 year-old tree that was the subject of a preservation campaign after a developer filed plans to renovate a home on the property?
In August 2024, neighbors rallied to save the tree which they say is among the oldest in Scarsdale. Plans to renovate a home at 21 Autenreith Road would put the roots of the tree in peril and they called in Jennifer Bernstein, CEO of the New York Botanical Garden to see they tree who said, “Mature trees like this beautiful black oak provide critical environmental services including oxygen, shade, stormwater mitigation, and wildlife habitat. Scarsdale is a part of the Bronx River watershed, and like all communities within the watershed, the treatment Scarsdale affords its mature trees has ramifications beyond its borders. NYBG strives to educate our surrounding communities that healthy trees and healthy yards contribute to a healthy river and ecosystem.”
Sadly after all this effort, the large branch that fell posed risks to residents, the landscape and the infrastructure. What to do now?
There's speculation about what the Village can or will do about the tree, which is near the road but may not be entirely within the right of way. Will they send in an arborist to evaluate it? Is the rest of the tree healthy enough to stand? The developer of the property, 21 Autenrieth, appears to have halted work recently and rumors have it that they are trying to sell before finishing their renovation. So for now, the fate of one of Scarsdale’s oldest trees hangs in the balance.
Jennifer Bernstein, CEO of the NYBG with Bill Roberts in August 2024.
Scarsdale's Assistant Village Manager Appointed Village Administrator for Irvington
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Scarsdale’s Assistant Village Manager Charles Hessler has been selected to be the new Village Administrator of the Village of Irvington, effective October 18, 2025.
Hessler was selected after an extensive search and will be responsible for the daily operations of the Village and Village Departments, including oversight of 65 full-time employees and 70 part-time employees.
Hessler came to Scarsdale in April 2023 and had prior experience as the Confidential Secretary to the Village Manager of Ardsley and as a Senior Institutional Reporting Analyst, Pace University.
He received a Master of Public Administration, State and Local Management, from American University and a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College. He is also President of the Westchester Municipal Administrators Association.
Commenting on his new role, Hessler explained, “Effective October 18, 2025, I will become the Village Administrator for the Village of Irvington, succeeding Larry Schopfer, who is retiring after a total of 33 years of service as both Village Clerk-Treasurer and Village Administrator.
Subject to the approval, direction, and control of the Board of Trustees, I will be responsible enforcing Village's local laws and codes in a fair and consistent manner. I will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Village and its departments, while working collaboratively with staff to ensure high-quality municipal services.
As Budget Officer, I will be responsible for preparing the annual operating and capital budgets, managing the procurement process, and making sure that spending stays within the approved budget. Part of the job includes reviewing and auditing vouchers and helping the Board stay informed about the Village's financial condition and future needs.
I'll keep the Board and Village staff updated on new laws and available grants from the county, state, and federal government. I will prepare resolutions, ordinances, and local laws in consultation with the Board of Trustees and department heads. Lastly, I will recommend actions and initiatives that promote the health, safety, and welfare of residents and/or improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Village operations.
Another key part of the role is making sure residents are informed about Village projects and services and responding to their questions and concerns quickly. I'll also take on other tasks as assigned by the Board of Trustees.”
Commenting on Hessler’s departure, Scarsdale Village Manager Alex Marshall said, “Although we will miss working with him, we are incredibly proud and excited for Assistant Manager Hessler to take this next step in his career. He has been a great asset to Scarsdale and I know he will excel in this new leadership role with the Village of Irvington. We are also fortunate that Assistant Village Manager Hessler will be with us until the end of the summer to help with the transition. I will be working closely with our Personnel Administrator to coordinate the next steps in filling this key role in my office.”
Greenburgh Police Rescue Over 30 People During Intense Storm on July 14
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Route 119 as it passes under Knollwood Road.Intense rainfall on the night of July 14, 2025 put many local residents in peril.
The Greenburgh Police department sent us these dramatic photos of the flooding and officers in the process of rescuing local residents.
A review of the incidents showed that the Greenburgh Police rescued thirty plus adults and child from cars and homes between 6 pm and 10 pm. Some were trapped in cars while others were in flooding basement apartments.
See these photos of officers wearing rescue equipment and utilizing special operations vehicles to save those at risk.
However, Scarsdale was spared from the worst of the storm. According to Village Managers, Scarsdale received only 2.02 inches of rain, while just a few miles north in White Plains, they were inundated with 5 inches during the same period. However, the Bronx River Parkway did close - and remained flooded the following morning.
The Bronx River Parkway remained flooded, July 15, 2025
The intersection of Hayes and Lamont in Elmsford.
Knollwood Road in the vicinity of Westchester Community College.
