Visits to LoHud.com had a lot to say this weekend on a variety of topics. Here is what people have to say about some of the hotter issues.

Mount Vernon hires eight new firefighters, six of whom had records: Several posters are defending the new hires saying that if they did their time, then everyone deserves a second chance. But others are concerned that in a couple of cases the crimes involved drugs and weapons and happened within the past few years. A few see this as just another example of Mount Vernon adding employees to the mix who have questionable pasts. A couple people accused the paper of being racist saying we never would check the background of white firefighters in more affluent communities. To read the story & add your thoughts, click here.

Holly Hill, the estate of the late Brooke Astor goes on market: Posters are somewhat divided in what they would like to see happen to the estate, however, many don’t want it taken off the tax rolls and lose the $200,000 annual property taxes. People were also debating Astor’s philanthropic efforts during her lifetime & whether she “did enough” to compensate for having all that money. To read the story & add your thoughts, click here.

Westchester County’s proposed 2009 budget: Most posters are upset at the proposed tax increase & have several suggestions what can be cut from the budget to give residents a tax cut, starting with County Executive Andrew Spano’s security detail, then moving on to county employees. Many posters are upset that more cuts haven’t been make & more sensitivity hasn’t been extended to taxpayers, many of whom are stumbling under the heavy burden of taxes. To read the story & add your thoughts, click here.