FEBRUARY 5–5:30 PM BULLETIN: COUNCILMAN RICHARD PAYNE RESIGNS | WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER By John F. Bailey February 5, 2026 UPDATED 9:45 P.M.:

Councilman Richard Payne has resigned from the Common Council WPCNR has confirmed.

The resignation was announced January 20, effective February 2 at the Monday monthly Common Council.

This means that another replacement Councilmember must be named and appointed to the Common Council to replace Mr. Payne.

Valarie Simmons was appointed Councilmember Monday evening and confirmed. Ms. Simmons is required to run in a Special Election in November and win that election to complete the term she began Monday night after being sworn in.

The interim councilmember (whomever they may be) who is appointed to replace Mr. Payne, would also have to face official reelection in that same Special Election Councilwoman Simmons will be in.

This means there may be a four-person contest for the Simmons and Payne replacement (to be named) in November.

Mr. Payne’s seat on the council was empty at the start of Monday Common Council meeting and no name plate was there.

Mayor Brasch announced Mr. Payne’s resignation in the last two minutes of the meeting.

The March Common Council meeting will be held on Wednesday March 4