WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. March 29, 2009: With Mayor Joseph Delfino stunning the city by his announcement he will not seek a fourth term Friday, the race is on in the Democratic party in a mad scramble among hopefuls for the sure thing — with “The Champ” Joseph Delfino giving up his gold belt, he has with one supremely ironically timed announced shattered Democrat unity.
They’re all jumping in to spoil Adam Bradley’s march to city hall, but are they?: Bill Ryan, Glen Hockley, Benjamin Boykin, may be considering their chances. Rita Malmud is staying out of it, (she has repeated to the CitizeNetReporter), meanwhile even CouncilmanTom Roach, could be a possibility for Mayor. Gee, that Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee is under a lot of pressure, now aren’t they? Who do they pick?
But the real question is, who will the Republicans put up to run? What if the Democrats shoot themselves in the foot by fighting amongst themselves? Remember when Bill Ryan had it all locked up in 2001? Only to be floor-challenged by Robert Greer, who nosed out Mr. Ryan by one little marble in a secret ballot? Then Greer ran a lousy campaign and Joseph Delfino won in a walk in 2001.
Anyway, if I was the Republican head — here’s a few names to consider. Who does Mr. and Mrs. White Plains think might be able to continue the Delfino tradition? More to the point, where does White Plains go from here?
Can we automatically assume White Plains will overwhelmingly elect anybody the Democrats nominate?
Here are some suggestions for Republican standard-bearers for the big Mayor’s Chair:
Gabe Arango— landlord, successful Hispanic businessman. He could perhaps galvanize the Hispanic population, seizing it for the Republicans. The Hispanic population is now the largest ethnic group in White Plains, while given Arango’s southend roots, perhaps being able to hold the center. Not too well known, but he could position the Republican Party as the voice of the growing majority. The Democrats currently will be running two white council candidates and the only way they can counter a strong Republican Hispanic Mayoral Candidate would be to run an Hispanic woman for Council. Arrango, or someone like him…could provide an interesting dynamic, galvanizing the growing downtown population. He also is from the southend and could make inroads there.
Arnold Bernstein — the former Democrat Councilman denied nomination for a second term by the Democratic Party. He is a longshot, and was soundly defeated in his Democratic Primary. However that was the Democratic Primary, strongly organized by the a District Leader call-to-arms. Would he have support if he ran in the general election?
Juan Camacho – Another Hispanic businessman, landlord, developer, well known across town. His knowledge of both the business community and the Hispanic community, could be a factor. The Republicans if they are ever to come back in this city have to court the growing Hispanic population.
Patti Cantu — President of the Battle Hill Association. Long-time activist and persistent, courageous critic of lackadaisical enforcement of illegal housing regulations by the city; dedicated defender of her Battle Hill neighborhood, she has shown courage and candor in relentlessly exposing the double standard shown landlords in Battle Hill by the city.
Larry Delgado — The former Councilman, victimized and deprived of his Council seat for about 18 months by Glen Hockley’s successful fight against a new election in District 18 back in 2001 in the never-to-be-forgotten Delgado-Hockley case, that was argued and won by Adam Bradley. Delgado, should he be persuaded to run with enthusiasm, could with his long experience with working with Hispanic persons in the city, play this up and again turn the tide. But he has to want it. I’d work on him if I were the Republicans. The campaign: “Delgado — His Time is Now.”
Edward Dunphy — Architect of the Joseph Delfino election campaigns. City Corporation Counsel. Mr. Dunphy has been right on virtually all of his legal stands he has fought for the city, he even beat a cell phone company on placing a cell tower at Fenway Golf Club — unheard of. It is too bad Mr. Dunphy does not handle the certioraris, we might do better. Dunphy is likable, longtime Southend resident and could easily hold his own against the Democrat candidate whoever they may be. What kind of Mayor would Mr. Dunphy be? A better one.
Susan Habel — The city Commissioner of Planning. Easily the best mind in City Hall. Intelligent. Works until she drops, but does not drop. Performs witchcraft with zoning and her knowledge of the city, the Charter, zoning, planning, development is without peer. She is articulate, beyond competent, which is more than any Democrat Mayoral hopeful can say. Her no-nonsense manner and concern for affordable housing, community development could not come under fire by Democrat opponents. Would she run? Would she want to? But she would be a formidable Mayoral Executive — easily the smartest public servant in the County, and probably the state.
Glen Hockley- Council Hockley has little shot at dislodging whomever the Democratic City Committee nominates for Mayor, having had his slate of leaders defeated in a primary last fall. So Mr. Hockley could move over and run on the Republican Ticket against the Democratic nominee for Mayor — or run against Bill Ryan for County Legislator. Hockley has a tough decision to make. If the Republicans pick Hockley they are banking on his labor support and stump appeal. Hockley could also chop up the Mayoral Democratic candidate — on the sales tax issue, the salary issue, the inability to make moves to help the city financially. Would Hockley be a good GOP choice?
John Ioris – Head of the controversial 2001 Committee. Master fundraiser. Patron of the arts. Downtown businessman. Long able to raise money with the touch of wand, he may be able to galvanize a movement to keep development moving with financial prudence. It remains to be seen whether media coverage of the 2001 Committee has made Mr. Ioris unviable as a candidate. He again might galvanize the business community and give a close race by concentrating on downtown residents, and convincing the southend which will face mammoth tax problems, that he can help due to his financial know-how. Has Ioris appeal? Remember the Delfino Administration won through Mr. Ioris’ efforts. You decide. And November might have Democrats wondering about things.
Richard Lyman: Fire Chief. You see him running the streets of White Plains. He’s disciplined. Forthright. And a nice guy. He’s a lifelong resident of White Plains. He should have been named Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, but he was not, no disrepect to the Commissioner chosen either. It was a tough decision. Lyman projects an image totally unpolitical and dedicated to White Plains. He runs the state’s best fire department. Quietly. He picks good subordinates recognizes leaders. He is a leader. If there is anything this city needs the next few years is a leader. I see few leaders out there on the Democratic side. Chief Lyman knows union contracts, and could sooth union peace across both city and school district. He knows just where the Public Safety Department is strong and is not. And, I suspect, he’d find the right help. If I was running the Republican Party I’d try and convince this favorite son to run. He’d be tough to campaign against. But in White Plains, as Peter Katz says, elections are about personalities, not issues. Lyman would be serious about the issues and work harder than anyone at being a Mayor to do things right.
Timothy Sheehan — Mr. Sheehan ran for Councilman once before and lost back in 2003. He is one of the brightest legal minds in the city, and his service on the Parking Authority and on the Budget and Management Committee (when it meets) brings forth shrewd, thoughtful insights. He’d be an excellent choice for the future for the Republicans to put up. Sheehan is pragmatic, and with a little charm he could cause a lot of trouble for the Democratic nominee
Robert Stackpole — Mr. Stackpole saw the present financial debacle the city faces this year and next coming. Mocked frequently be the present administration, Stackpole took it in stride and now as the city budget faces challenges it has never felt before, Stackpole’s financial background and compassionate manner, could be just what the city needs. A Democrat rejected last year by his own party as a council candidate, he could run a strong campaign against the Democrats on the grounds the Democrats are not paying attention. Stackpole, since he opposed Delfino policy at the time would not be tarred with the Republican brush — a unique advantage. His campaign “Back to the Revolution!” (Mr. Stackpole has roots going back to the American Revolution).
WPCNR in mentioning the names of these persons, means no disrespect and all due respect.
What do Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think? Are Democratic candidates the only answer? Can the Republicans find a Delfino contender? Let us know by voting at the right.
