Things are finally heating up!

And no, that isn't a reference to the weather. Putnam Valley sits in one of the most hotly contested Congressional seats in the country. Yet, for the last few months, you wouldn't have known it.

But with Democrats energized by their likely new presidential nominee and angling to re-take the House of Representatives, and with the Republican Party fresh off its convention bump, our area is finally getting some attention.

Congressman Mike Lawler has just announced that this Friday, August 2nd, he will hold a "mobile office hours" session at the Putnam Valley Town Hall from 11am until 1pm. Though he hasn't had much presence in Putnam Valley since taking office in January 2023, this event is being promoted as normal service to his constituents. Lawler is promising to visit every town, village and hamlet in NY-17 in the coming months.

Lawler's main opponent, former Congressman Mondaire Jones, has also not had much of a presence in Putnam Valley. The Democratic Party, which is pouring money into the state in an effort to reclaim the House, opened a new headquarters office on Fair Street in Carmel on July 27th. During its opening, Jones met with about 100 supporters.

Our state officials have also been actively shining a light on the work they've done to aid Putnam Valley. State Assemblyman Matt Slater and State Senator Rob Rolison, Republicans who are both up for re-election, held a press conference at Roaring Brook Lake on July 12th to announce their legislative proposal in Albany to add harmful algal blooms to the definition of contaminated water. If passed, this bill would make lake towns like Putnam Valley eligible for more funding to address this problem, which can plague beachgoers and swimmers and create hazardous drinking water conditions.

Assemblyman Slater didn't stop there. On July 17th, he held an early morning "Chat with Matt" session at Flory's gas station on Bryant Pond Road. And on July 23rd, he presented a $20,000 check to the Putnam Valley Library that will help it with some badly needed renovations.

With the Democratic Party emboldened by the enthusiasm shown for Vice President Kamala Harris, down ballot Republican candidates can be expected to continue working aggressively to seek Putnam Valley votes.

It should be an interesting fall.

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