WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VIEWS. February 12, 2006: Last week, Robert Greer, White Plains Councilman for sixteen years, left the city Budget & Management Commitee. Mr. Greer continues to serve on the Common Council though he is suffering from ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. His daughter read his speech for him Monday evening. Should Mr. Greer choose to step from council, the Common Council will be faced with the responsibility of replacing him. Who would Mr. & Mrs. & Ms. White Plains prefer? Make your choice in the poll at the right from the qualified personalities described below:

Eridania Camacho -- Ms. Camacho has recently returned to White Plains. Last week she was appointed to the Conservation Board.  Ms. Camacho was the front-running candidate for Common Council in 2003 before she was snubbed  for lack of experience and knowledge of the issues  by the Nominating Committee in 2003 in favor of Arnold Bernstein, who was Mr. Hockley's campaign manager and a Robert Greer strategist.  Bernstein swept into office with Robert Greer and Benjamin Boykin in the 2003 off year Democratic "sweep."

 Camacho would give a voice to the majority Hispanic population of White Plains, since there is none now. The Democrats on the Council, Ms. Malmud, Mr. Roach, Mr. Boykin, Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Hockley could step in and right an embarrassing wrong by bringing her to the Common Council. Ms. Camacho would need an obviously much needed perspective to the Council.

Candyce Corcoran -- Spirited community activist, seasoned campaigner, losing to William Ryan for County Legislator in 2001 when she switched parties, after she, too, was denied a Common Council candidacy in 2001 by the same nominating committee.  Corcoran though was unceremoniously dumped from the Recreation Committee for no given reason by this same Common Council, so she may be a long shot. Corcoran is a lifelong White Plains resident who knows White Plains and the issues.

Larry Delgado -- He is coming off the Common Council and is the next leading vote getter having lost by 500 votes to Glen Hockley. He might be a logical choice, if he is interested in the position. Appointed to the City Budget and Finance Management Committee last week he has been a Republican all his career, and has supported the Mayor and city development right down the line. It is said in political circles that he ran only for another term for council because the Mayor wanted him to. But Delgado is a Republican, why would the Democrats consider appointing him, especially when they he is so pro development, an issue at least three Democrats, Mr. Roach, Ms. Malmud and Mr. Boykin are having issues with? Nevertheless, perhaps Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains want him. he would also bring an Hispanic presence back to the Common Council. Do you want Larry back?

Bill King -- Mr. King protested the long range effects of the Mayor's push for development, and now that the development continues to teeter short of expectations, enhancing the sales tax slowly, but not enhancing assessments yet, Mr. King could explore those issues with his fellow Democrats on the Council.  He unfortunately has dropped out of the political arena and has not spoken up on issues since he chose not to run for the Common Council again in 2003.

Ron Jackson -- The Last Activist. Mr. Jackson stepped up to run for Mayor, when no one else wanted to run against Mayor Delfino, and then Dennis Power was pursuaded to run. The Democratic council could rally behind Mr. Jackson, who consistently speaks out on issues, and would advocate and take stands.  Mr. Jackson who navigates around town in a motorized chair due to a stroke, but is untiring in his pursuit of issues that hurt the less fortunate, would make council meetings exciting and not mere plays where everyone has a role.

John Martin -- A former Common Councilman, currently serving the city on the Assessment Review Board, would be a good fit if he came back, due to his familiarity with the certiorari process and real estate which are two hot buttons the council needs to address, but cannot address well now because none of the councilpersons on the council seem to know what certioraris and assessment declines mean to the city, which is amazing. Mr. Martin knows both.

Dennis Power -- He has been waiting in the wings since his Quixotic run for Mayor where he neither campaigned long or hard, but did raise concerns about development direction, right in line with all five of the Democratic incumbents on the council. He has also served on the Common Council before, was endorsed by two former Mayors and would give the Democrats a big stick to use against the Mayor the next four years.