The Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Highline CEO and General Council Jake Reinus. The Highline is the only cannabis dispensary in the Rivertowns. We discussed the challenges of running a business that is straddles being illegal federally and legal locally, his response to community objections, and his own personal story. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Greenburgh Town Assessor Edye McCarthy. We discussed how our home values are assessed, whether the current system is fair, how she would change the things if she became the Queen of Greenburgh, and her own personal story. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any future conversations and leave a review to hel...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Paul Feiner, the incumbent Greenburgh Town Supervisor who is running in the upcoming June 23rd primary. We discussed his vision for Greenburgh, how he plans to tackle transparency and accountability, and addressing the need for affordable housing. You can learn more about Paul at https://www.paulfeiner.com/ . The Rivertowns Dispatch will b...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Barry McGoey, candidate for Greenburgh Town Supervisor in the upcoming June 23rd primary. We discussed his vision for Greenburgh, how he plans to tackle transparency and accountability, and addressing the need for affordable housing. You can learn more about Barry at https://www.barryforgreenburgh.com/ . The Rivertowns Dispatch will be hos...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Reverend Lauren Kuratko of Grace Episcopal Church. She joined the church as rector in August 2019. We spoke about the role of Grace Church in the Rivertowns community, how religion can be a place of refuge in turbulent times, and how she and her mother received signs from God telling her to become a reverend instead of a doctor. The Rivert...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with New York Times Deputy Investigations Editor and Rivertowns resident David Enrich. David recently published his fourth book Murder the Truth , which is about the movement to undermine a free press in America. David also works with the Rivertowns Dispatch on its Lab Program, helping train the next generation of journalists. We spoke about ho...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with the new Theater Director for the Irvington Theater Chad Austin. The Irvington Theater is a 432-seat theater located within Town Hall in Irvington and bills itself as the cultural heart of the Rivertowns since 1902. We discussed the role the arts play in a time of turmoil, his vision for the Irvington Theater, and the challenges of choosing...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Rivertowns Pediatrics Founder Dr. Nitin Gupta. Dr Gupta was recently appointed as a trustee of Dobbs Ferry. We discussed what are the latest health challenges in the Rivertowns, why public health is under attack, and how to find health information you can trust. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any futur...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park Manager Steve Oakes. We discussed the significance of the trail to the community, how some rivertowns used the infrastructure around the OCA to exclude people, and some of the craziest situations he has encountered maintaining the trail. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we speak with Irvington Mayoral Candidate Arlene Burgos. We talk about her vision for Irvington, affordable housing, and what sets her apart from her rival. The Irvington Mayoral race is the only contested mayoral general election in the Rivertowns and will take place November 4. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any f...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we speak with Irvington Mayoral Candidate Robert Grados. We talk about his vision for Irvington, affordable housing, and what sets him apart from his rival. The Irvington Mayoral race is the only contested mayoral general election in the Rivertowns and will take place November 4. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any f...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Feeding Westchester Chief Operating Officer Tami Wilson and PepsiCo Foundation President C.D. Glin as part of our series on Hunger Action Month. Developed in partnership with the Recorder, the series examines the rise in food insecurity and highlights people and organizations delivering solutions to fighting hunger. We discussed the state...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Congressman George Latimer about the federal government shutdown. George Latimer represents the 16th district of New York, which covers the Rivertowns, and previously served as Westchester County Executive. We discussed how we got to the shutdown, the Democratic strategy for negotiating with this administration, and what he has learned so...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Mercy University President Dr. Susan Parish. Dr. Parish is a social worker, researcher, and academic administrator who has served as the 13th president of Mercy University since July 1, 2023. We discussed the role that Mercy University plays in the Rivertowns, how AI is impacting education, and her thoughts on political polarization at uni...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Bloomy Cheese and Provisions owner and community advocate Jessica Galen. We discussed the opportunities and challenges of running a specialty shop in the Rivertowns, the impact of tariffs on her business, and how she went from studying Yiddish at Harvard to selling cheese in Dobbs Ferry. I also share my passion for smelly blue cheeses and...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with editor-in-chief of the tech media outlet The Verge and Hastings resident Nilay Patel. Nilay is one of the most astute observers I know of media and how it is transforming in an era of rapid technological change. We talked about whether AI is theft, why so many newspapers are closing, and how we should run the Rivertowns Dispatch. If you li...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we speak with Hastings-on-Hudson Trustee and Mayoral Candidate Morgen Fleisig. We talk about the his vision for the waterfront, affordable housing, and what sets him apart from his rival Tom Drake. The Hastings-on-Hudson Democratic primary election will be held June 24, 2025 If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any future...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we speak with Hastings-on-Hudson Trustee and Mayoral Candidate Tom Drake. We talk about the school bond vote, how to attract and retain more businesses in the downtown, and his approach to police and community relations. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any future conversations and leave a review to help others find the p...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with the co-Directors of the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry, Vera Halpenny and Donna Assumma. The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry has been helping people in need since 2011, operating out of South Presbyterian Church. The pantry is available to residents of Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington, and parts of Greenburgh. We talked about the logistics involved in ser...

George Latimer was elected to congress in November 2024 after one of the most contentious and expensive primaries in history, defeating two term incumbent Jamaal Bowman. He assumes his new role as representative of New York's 16th congressional district during a time of significant change both in politics and the structure of government. Latimer spoke recently with the Rivertowns Dispatch podc...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Irvington Mayor Jonathan Siegel. Siegel first served as mayor from 2009 until 2011 when he stepped down dueto challenges balancing career, family, and being mayor. He decided to return to public service after retiring from his position as CEO of a communications consulting firm and was reelected in 2023. We talked about the ways in which t...

This week on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast we spoke with Hastings resident Rhiannon Gulick. Rhiannon who was abruptly laid off from her job at a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contractor when the administration decided to fire and place on administrative leave 90% of the agency staff, close USAID’s headquarters, cancel nearly all of its contracts, and stop payment for...

In this episode we talk to Dobbs Ferry Mayor Vincent Rossillo. We discuss how he might respond to a hypothetical federal immigration request, his proudest accomplishment, and the future of the community. We also cover what grants are being blocked by the federal government and the state of local democracy. If you like this episode, consider subscribing so you don't miss any future conversation...

We have big news! The Rivertown Story Corps is now the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast. We have joined forces with the Rivertowns Dispatch newspaper, the leading local news source for Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, and Irvington, to bring you even more great interviews with people making a difference in our community. We hope you will subscribe both to the podcast, which will remain free, a...

In this episode we talk about the Hastings-on-Hudson waterfront with President of Hasting Historical Society Natalie Barry. We discuss how the waterfront became so polluted it was designated a New York Superfund site, the current state of agreement with BP Arco, and how the waterfront fits into the village's comprehensive plan for the future. We also discuss the village's industrial past and 20 di...