Peekskill-Cortlandt, NY|News|
The Peekskill Patch Gets a Makeover; Cortlandt Town Officials Meet Tonight
Five things you should know for today, May 14.

Rasheed Oluwa
Local Editor: WhitePlains.Patch.com
Email:Rasheed.Oluwa@patch.com Phone: 914-217-6135
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/PeekskillPatch
Bio: My name is Rasheed Oluwa and I'm a contributor for Patch. I am a New York City native who moved into the mid-Hudson Valley about 20 years ago. I'm the oldest of seven children
I have 10 years of experience as a reporter and I have written on a wide range of topics ranging from crime and politics to education and the environment.
I am an avid N.Y. Mets fan, which means I don't usually watch a lot of baseball when September rolls around. I also root for the N.Y. Giants and the N.Y. Knicks.
I began working for Patch in May 2010 and I look forward to hearing and writing about the concerns of the residents in this community.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
* How would you describe your political beliefs? Social libertarian.
* Are you registered with a certain party? No. I'm still open.
Local Hot Button Issues
* What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? I believe taxes are one of the biggest issues facing communities across the country. Our state and local representatives must come together to develop a taxing mechanism that is fair and doesn't place undo burden on property owners.
Five things you should know for today, May 14.

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino is urging the Board of Legislators to approve $27 million worth of capital projects that would help create 240 jobs. One of those projects including $70,000 worth of repairs to Welcher Avenue in Peekskill.
Five things you should know for today, May 13.
Clausen is running as one of six candidates vying for three seats on the school board.
The owner of the Adrenalin Gym in Peekskill is opening a CKO Kickboxing studio at 8 John Walsh Blvd. The grand opening is today anybody who signs up this week will be eligible for membership deals.
Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster joined members of Peekskill High School's Interact Club at city hall on May 3 to kick-off Mental Health Awareness Month.
Philip Benson and Michael Racanello, both of Cortlandt Manor, had the top overall times for the men and Elizabeth Olsen, of Cortlandt Manor, had the top time for the women. The event raised more than $45,000 for the Mental Health Association.
Hendrick Hudson High School seniors Lindsey Luposello, Kennedy Sherman and Angela Marriott have committed to play lacrosse in college this fall.
A look at some of the open houses in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area.
Cortlandt failed to repeat as the producers of the county's best tap water, losing out to Mount Vernon during Friday's taste test.
From our neighborhood to the towns around us, if you're looking for something to do this weekend.
The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is organizing a food drive to help provide assistance to pets of economically challenged, disabled and elderly residents of the Hudson Valley at the ShopRite in Cortlandt.
The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is organizing a food drive to help provide assistance pets of economically challenged, disabled and elderly residents of the Hudson Valley from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the ShopRite in Cortlandt Manor.
Plans in the Peekskill school district’s budget proposal to outsource custodial staff at Uriah Hill building and make secretaries take a one-month furlough have some employees concerned about the long-term effect those moves will have.
A 28-year-old Peekskill woman was arrested for burglary hours after police went to her residence in response to a domestic dispute call. Police said the woman committed the burglary to replace an item that was damaged during an altercation with her boyf