THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

JULY 25–THE LATIMER REPORT FROM WASHINGTON

Posted on July 28, 2025 by John Bailey

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you have been enjoying the summer months and time spent with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who was able to join my second virtual conversation last week. We received over 100 questions on a number of topics including Medicaid/healthcare, Russia/Ukraine, the economy, and the Middle East. If you weren’t able to tune into this one, I will be holding my next one this Fall. Also this Fall, I will be hosting a series of local Coffee and Conversation meetings with residents- will let you know places and times.

Update from DC

Last week the House voted on a cruel and senseless plan that will slash support for global health programs, including reproductive health, and trusted educational content like Sesame Street. This package codifies the ridiculous cuts proposed by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Such policies continue to hurt America’s standing in the world and will allow for countries like China to fill the void. This makes us less safe and could unnecessarily hurt millions of people.

Sound Ideas

Last week I attended a roundtable in DC with the Long Island Sound Citizens Advisory Committee to discuss how we in Congress can work with them to preserve Long Island Sound. This roundtable built on an event in Rye in June where a new 10-year Conservation and Management Plan was signed.

I have since signed onto two bills that will further the mission of protecting the Sound:

the ESTUARIES Act will preserve Long Island Sound and 27 other estuaries of national significance
the Long Island Restoration and Stewardship Act that reauthorizes grants, made possible by the Clean Water Act, through Fiscal Year 2029.

We must keep clean water standards high in order to protect and preserve our bodies of water. We may not get another chance.

DC Meetings

In addition to the roundtable with the Long Island Sound Citizens Advisory Committee, I also met with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to talk about how we can get the word out to eligible New Yorkers. And I met with Boys and Girls Club members from Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and the Bronx to discuss the Trump Administration policy that held up funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers and how that will affect Boys & Girls Clubs. Luckily the Administration released the funding for this program late last week. I will be keeping in touch with our local Boys and Girls Clubs to make sure they receive the necessary funding.

I joined 161 of my colleagues on an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit challenging President Trump’s sweeping and chaotic tariff policy imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). President Trump’s red-light, green-light tariff policy has created uncertainty for American families and businesses. Under Article I, Congress, not the President, can impose tariffs. This lawsuit aims to defend Congress’s constitutional authority.

At Home: Westchester and the Bronx

Last week my office started receiving calls from constituents who were saying that the Bronxville Post Office had been abruptly closed. Local leaders were not able to get a response and the U.S. Postal Service could not commit to a re-opening date. Many residents receive important parcels, including medication, at that Post Office. It is unacceptable to not have more information for constituents in Bronxville and the surrounding towns.

My office has since heard concerns from residents about mold and other unsafe working conditions in the Post Office building. So I sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner asking for a concrete answer on when the Post Office will be reopened, and for further information about how they will make the building safer for employees and customers. I hope to hear back soon.

My constituent services team made three stops this week to provide direct assistance to constituents who are having issues with federal agencies. They were in Eastchester on Tuesday, Mount Vernon on Wednesday and are in Scarsdale this afternoon.

One recent major win my constituent services team had was helping a local non-profit successfully navigate the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) process that was started during the Covid pandemic to keep employees on the payroll. My office was able to secure over $800,000 in long-delayed ERTC funds, which will make a big difference for this non-profit. A salute to Daphney Sintyl for her outstanding work.

This is just one example of how my office can assist with navigating federal agencies.

Floor Speeches

Social Post of the Week

Stay in Touch

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe

As always, reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!

More soon.

Sincerely,

Rep. George Latimer

Member of Congress

JULY 28–THE SUMMER REAL ESTATE MARKET HOLDS STEADY–LOVE THOSE HIGH PRICES MORTGAGE RATES STILL NOT HELPFUL

Posted on July 28, 2025 by John Bailey

The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) has released its June 2025 housing report, revealing continued price growth and evolving inventory conditions across the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas. Based on data from OneKey® MLS, the report shows that while some areas are seeing increased options for buyers, prices remain high – especially in Westchester, which has crossed a historic threshold.

“The median price of a single-family home in Westchester surpassed $1 million for the first time in 2025, reaching $1,200,000 up 14%, underscoring the region’s continued appeal despite affordability concerns,” said Lynda Fernandez, CEO of HGAR.

Westchester County

The median price for a single-family home hit $1,200,000 (+14%).

Closed sales rose nearly 5%, showing that buyers remain engaged despite price pressures.

Condo and co-op prices also rose 4% and 5.5% respectively, though sales dipped slightly.

Days on the market in Westchester County dropped to just 19 in June, underscoring the continued competitiveness of the market.

Inventory is also still constrained, with only 2.7 months of supply, down from last month.

Sellers are well-positioned, especially with updated, move-in ready homes.

There were 909 new listings in June, up slightly year-over-year.

While Westchester remains a seller’s market, markets like the Bronx with 7.4 months are nearing balance, offering buyers more negotiating power.

“We’re also seeing double-digit price increases in Putnam and the Bronx, while sales activity remains strong in Rockland and Orange counties.

Inventory is showing modest improvement in some areas, but it’s not keeping pace with demand — especially for move-in ready homes under $500,000. Buyers are shifting strategies, expanding their search radius, and exploring alternative property types. In this evolving market, REALTORS® are more important than ever in helping consumers adapt and succeed.”

With 30-year mortgage rates hovering near 6.75% in June, buyers remain rate-sensitive, increasingly exploring townhomes, co-ops, and peripheral markets to stretch their purchasing power.

Nationally, pending home sales in May rose 1.8% month-over-month and 1.1% year-over-year, according to NAR.

Locally, HGAR’s region reflects similar resilience, with select counties such as Rockland and Orange posting strong sales growth despite affordability challenges.

Market dynamics continue to reflect high competition at the entry level and slower movement in the luxury tier.

Homes priced under $500,000 remain in high demand and have a short supply, leading to multiple offers and quick sales.

Higher-priced homes, especially above $1 million in Westchester and Rockland, are seeing longer days on the market and more negotiation room. Inventory trends remain uneven, with some counties experiencing growth while others still face tight conditions.

A balanced real estate market typically reflects 6 to 9 months of inventory — enough supply to meet demand without favoring buyers or sellers.

Markets below that threshold, like most of HGAR’s region, continue to lean toward sellers, while areas approaching or exceeding that range, such as the Bronx, offer buyers more leverage and negotiating room.

Looking Ahead

While prices remain strong, shifts in inventory and buyer behavior are creating a more nuanced market. Sellers should focus on presentation and pricing, while buyers can benefit from increased options and potentially more favorable contract terms.

“Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s no longer just about speed, it’s about strategy,” Fernandez added.

“Today’s market requires a more calculated approach. Buyers need to understand which areas offer the best value and be prepared with financing in place, while sellers must price competitively and ensure their homes stand out in a growing pool of listings. Navigating these complexities takes more than luck — it takes local insight, real-time market knowledge, and negotiation expertise. That’s where HGAR REALTORS® make the difference, helping clients make confident, informed decisions every step of the way.”

The full June 2025 housing report, including interactive charts and county-level data, is available at www.hgar.com/market-stats.

JULY 25 — VICTORY FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY IN PLAYLAND ARBITRATION DISPUTE

Posted on July 25, 2025 by John Bailey

Standard’s motion for reconsideration was denied in full, solidifying the County’s legal position and stewardship of the historic park.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE KENNETH JENKINS SPEAKING

ON REOPENING OF PLAYLAND ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND , 2025

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County won a significant legal victory in the longstanding dispute with Standard Amusements, LLC over the management of Playland Amusement Park. In a ruling issued by a three-member arbitration panel, Standard’s motion for reconsideration was denied in full, reaffirming a previous ruling in the County’s favor and solidifying the County’s legal position and stewardship of the historic park.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Playland is the people’s park – now and always. This ruling reaffirms what we have said all along: Westchester County has honored its commitments and acted in good faith to revitalize and protect Playland for future generations. The panel’s decision not only upholds the integrity of our agreement—it sends a strong message that Westchester will not be bullied. We remain committed to the continued enhancement of Playland which is a crown jewel of Westchester.”

The Arbitration Panel—comprised of Hon. Jonathan Lippman (Chair), Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin, and Hon. Anthony J. Carpinello—concluded that Westchester County acted within its rights under the Playland Management Agreement and that Standard’s attempt to terminate the agreement was invalid and void.

At the heart of the decision was the County’s legal right to cure any alleged failure to complete 70% of capital projects by a specified date—an essential protection that Standard ignored in its termination notice.

In a previous June 26, 2025 decision, the arbitration panel sided with the County on cross motions for summary judgment, affirming that the Management Agreement provided the County the right to cure and that Standard’s January 21, 2025 termination notice was legally deficient.

Despite the clear outcome, Standard filed a motion for reconsideration—arguing a new interpretation of the contract and attempting to introduce extrinsic evidence—both of which were swiftly rejected by the panel.

Now, the panel noted that: “Standard’s instant motion improperly attempts to ‘present arguments different from those originally presented’ and seeks ‘successive opportunities to reargue issues’ that the Panel previously decided—just not how Standard wanted.”

Jenkins said: “Today’s decision is more than just a legal win—it’s a victory for good government, accountability, and the residents of Westchester County – especially the children for whom this park is for. We are grateful to the Panel for its thorough and impartial review, and we are ready to move forward.”