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This is my first episode since George Floyd was murdered. In it, I talk about: The latest on the CoronavirusMy raw reflections following George Floyd's murder and the movement that emerged afterwardIntroducing our new Village Historian, Joyce Sharrock ColeShow NotesOpening music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams "Succession" Season 2 SoundtrackHistoric Downtown Ossining video by Dana White

On this episode, I sat down with Ossining Board of Education candidate Graig Galef. He is running for re-election with Lisa Rudley and Frank Schecker. In this conversation, we covered:Why he's running for another term after 9 years on the boardThe details of the school budgetWhat it's like to be the child of a well-known local politicianShow NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams Featured music: Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeodGraig's campaign Facebook page

On this episode of the podcast, I interview Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a State Senate candidate for the 38th District. We discuss: Why he's running for State SenateHis early lifeWhat he's learned from Barack Obama, Nita Lowey, and othersThe biggest issues of our dayShow NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams Featured music: Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeodElijah's campaign website

This week I sat down with Roger Battacharia, a candidate for Ossining School Board. This is Roger's first time running for any kind of elected office. In this episode, we cover:How to pronounce his last nameHow he got to Ossining (including a recounting of our teen summer jobs)Why he's running for School BoardHis platformThe way COVID-19 has impacted his raceShow NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams Featured music: Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeodRoger Battachria's campaign Facebook page

Do you love budgets? Good! You'll love this episode. Most other people will love this episode because in addition to discussing the impact that COVID-19 has on Ossining's budget, I share some stories:The story behind my tattooThree L's I've taken, from middle school to grad schoolNavigating ambiguous lossShow NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams The Simpsons - The Best of Homer Being BoredThe Village and Town's COVID-19 MessageAmazing Ossining PetsOssining Village Budget 2020Village Board Meeting (4/15/20) - Discussing Budget Action Plan for COVID-19Terrible ChessUnderstanding Ambiguous LossFeatured Music: Lost Time by Kevin MacLeod

When Jeff Gasbarro decided to run for Ossining Town Justice, he didn't know he would be doing so during a worldwide pandemic. In this episode, you'll find:My first encounter with a judge (spoiler: it was Judge Judy)What the Town Justice position is all aboutWho he is and why he's runningShow NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams as interpreted by Jeff GasbarroJeff Gasbarro campaign websiteMichael Tawil's censure by the NY State Commission on Judicial ConductJudge Judy Savage Moments

This week's episode featured three major topics with very little transition between the three:2020 Reappraisal Project: Homes, condos, and commercial businesses received letters this week with information about their annual reappraisal. I explain what this means. Community Meals at Gullotta House: I joined Matthew Gullotta from Gullotta House to hand out hundreds of meals to our community. Learn more about this great cause.Comprehensive Plan: I give an overview for the comprehensive plan and give you more information than you asked about with respect to my love life. Show NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" AdamsThe Town of Ossining 2020 Reappraisal Project YouTube VideoHow property assessment and taxation works YouTube Video from the City of  KitchenerDonate to Gullotta House to provide meals to our community Comprehensive Plan Introduction Video led by Pace Land Use Law CenterOssining 2009 Comprehensive Plan

This bite-sized episode addresses some of the top questions I've been hearing about coronavirus and Ossining: Why are there so many more cases in Ossining than in surrounding communities?How accurate are the numbers of positive cases? What is the Village doing to communicate what is going on?Weekly Web Blast Mayor’s Daily Updates via Facebook & YouTubeMy daily updates in Spanish on FacebookCompilation of local coronavirus resourcesVillage website and FacebookShow NotesOssining Village Legislative Session featuring Lindsay Farrell of Open DoorOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" Adams

As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country, Ossining is seeing higher numbers of positive cases than other towns and villages in Westchester. In this week's podcast, a clip from Lindsay Farrell, President and CEO of Open Door Family Medical Center and Foundation explaining why. Plus, Omar speaks with Brenda Quinn, an Ossining community member leading the charge to legalize chickens in the Village. Brenda discusses the benefits and common pushbacks, including:What are the benefits of owning chickens? Can they survive the winter?Are chickens going to make too much noise? Will they smell?Will they attract vermin? Cause diseases?Show NotesLegalize Chickens in the Village of Ossining, NY Facebook pageOssining Village Legislative Session featuring Lindsay Farrell of Open DoorOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" AdamsFeatured music: Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeod

The podcast's first guest, as promised, is finally here: Ossining Village Manager Karen D'Attore. During this interview, we cover: How Ossining is responding to the coronavirusThe most frequently asked questions Trustees get, including "Why are my taxes so high?" and "Why do I have so much trouble finding parking?"Her favorite character from the show "Mad Men"Show NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" AdamsFeatured music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Let's take a break from discussing the issue on everyone's mind (after all, it's not called "Omar Lopez Talks to the People about Coronavirus"). In this episode, Omar reflects on three months on the job as a Trustee. He shares five takeaways: Local politics is quantum physicsThe importance of contacting local officialsThe importance of showing up to meetingsThe most consequential topic the Board of Trustees influences: land useSocial media us a tool, but it's awful Show NotesOpening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" AdamsFeatured music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

During this week's episode, Omar discusses how the coronavirus has impacted life in Ossining. This includes:A slice of life on a Saturday afternoonHow the Village is preparingThe local political implications of coronavirusShow NotesLink to Board of Trustees March 11 work session Opening and closing music: "Jaguar Ultra" by Jared "Royal Coke" AdamsFeatured music: A Very Brady Special by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5760-a-very-brady-specialLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Join Ossining Village Trustee Omar Lopez for his inaugural podcast. Topics include: Making a new friend at a New York Rangers gameThe need for more parkingUnpacking the differences between the Village Manager and the Board of TrusteesMuch moreThere were a few attempts at humor along the way. Judge for yourself whether they were successful. Opening and closing song is called "Jaguar Ultra" by the late great Jared "Royal Coke" Adams.