WPCNR Legacies of White Plains. November 17, 2006: Now that Ron Jackson has died — suddenly — Thursday morning, there’s a real void out there. Who will fill the shoes and stand up at Council meetings, Democratic Committee Meetings and be the Voice of Conscience? That’s who Ron Jackson was. Though he made one big mistake in his life when he was on the White Plains Housing Authority, he did a lot more good than bad and he “spoke truth to power.”
Ron Jackson. The Last Activist. March 2003 shown, wearing his trademark NYPD cap, outside former Democratic Party Headquarters in White Plains. Photo, WPCNR News Archive
Typical was his fearless volunteering to run for Mayor when the Democratic Party was willing to let Mayor Joseph Delfino walk to a third term unchallenged. Neither Bill Ryan, Adam Bradley, Glen Hockley, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach or Benjamin Boykin would throw their hat in the ring — afraid they would lose.
But Ron Jackson was not afraid. He volunteered. He was wheel-chair bound due to a stroke. He did not have much money. But he had heart and he knew it was wrong to throw an election which is what the Democrats were about to. Here is what he told WPCNR about his decision back in 2005, and we reprint the saga of that drama when Ron Jackson stood up and the Democratic Party slapped him down, and ran Dennis Power for Mayor instead.
Perhaps nothing captures the heart of Ron Jackson in his words the night he said he wanted to run. Here is vintage Ron Jackson:
The Man Who Spoke Up and The City Listened
Jackson has taken up a series of causes in the last several years that have represented his district, Winbrook, well.
His foremost achievement the last two years, in addition to a lifetime of being involved in community issues, was his starting the grass roots effort to save open space on the Bethel Baptist Church square, by leading the petition drive in Winbrook to block erecting a new Housing Authority Headquarters on that square.
Jackson’s liaison work with Mayor Joseph Delfino, the city Planning Department, Mack Carter of the Housing Authority and Councilman Glen Hockley helped bring about a consensus that the new White Plains Housing Authority Headquarters should be incorporated into 225 South Lexington Avenue, a breakthrough that is now being built, after the project had stalled for twenty years. Without Jackson’s relentless drawing of attention to the headquarters issue and its effect on residents if poorly situated, the solution most likely would not have come about.
In the last year, he advocated and personally lobbied for the renaming of Ferris Avenue to Jerome “Bump” Robinson Boulevard to memorialize a city icon in the African-American community.
Most recently he brought to light the city’s quiet plans to revitalize the South Lexington Avenue corridor near Winbrook which had not been discussed at all with his constituents.
In the past, he has spoken up to developers, requesting minorities be given equal opportunity for jobs, and in the distant past, he and Jerome Bump Robinson organized and gave voice to the city’s Winbrook neighborhood, and fought for tenants to be represented on the White Plains Housing Authority. He gave voice to those who had no voice.
Jackson, perhaps more than any elected official today questioned issues honestly and was fearless in raising issues that others will not touch.
His qualifications, Jackson said, included his experience with the White Plains Housing Authority, as well as his forty years of community advocacy.
Asked about his writing an unauthorized check while serving on that board, he said he made restitution. He said that was in the past, and in no way should that mistake which he paid for prevent him from seeking office. The charge was a misdemeanor, he said.
“People need a change,” Jackson with great dignity told WPCNR speaking from his home Thursday evening. “A leader with street smarts. I’m willing to be the candidate, and will be the people’s Mayor and do the best for my city.”
The Jackson Declaration of Candidacy
Mr. Jackson made this extemporaneous statement to WPCNR on his past and why he is running while no other Democrat personality has chosen to do so:
“I ran for the Housing Authority as a Tenant Commissioner, and from 1972 to 1979 every two years I was reelected. During that time, I committed some indiscretions. I wrote a check, previously made restitution. Went to court and I got five years probation. Now after that, I have kept my nose to the grindstone, and have done the best I can as a district leader for the Democratic Party.
All my life I’ve been a Democrat. Looking at the Party today and with this upcoming election coming, and after consulting with several people, I have made up my mind that I will seek the office of Mayor of the City of White Plains. I would like to run. I’d like to be considered (by the Party).
I’d like people to know this is not a joke. This is no game. This is a reality check to anyone that if you can’t find anyone, I am here for the asking. Just ask me and you shall see.
Whether I win or lose, at least I’ll have an opportunity to address the issues as it relates from this side of the yard. This side of the yard has been a quiet yard. It hasn’t said much. But there’s a lot to be said as to what the quality of life is here in White Plains, and whether or not, are we getting all of our due process? of all of what we are entitled to in the way of affordable housing, our senior citizens, development, arts, whatever the issue is.
Many people will say to you, is the only issue he knows anything about is Winbrook. Well, yes, you’re right about that, but it wouldn’t be hard to learn about neighborhood associations, neighborhood associations are just like people and if they have the opportunity to let someone (me) be their voice, speak for them, they would consider people who have the honesty and sincerity about wanting to do the job and are not politically connected to anyone.
I’m not saying anyone’s connected. All I’m saying is that party time is over. Party time has been business as usual. The same brooms sitting in closets. Well, it’s time to sweep the closet. Time to put a new broom some fresh blood. Do ideas. New abilities. The reason for doing whatever you can for the quality of life for the residents of White Plains.
The guy in the office and I come from the same school. And the school is about what do we have to offer. I already know what he does. Let’s hear what I can do.
Stunned at Reluctant Knights and Ladies.
“To me it’s an insult to look at the list of people who have been asked to run for the office of Mayor and they refused ( Adam Bradley, Benjamin Boykin, Rita Malmud, Dennis Power, Tom Roach, Bill Ryan). Did they refuse for their personal agenda, or the party’s interests? And if they did it for the party’s interest, that’s a poor representation of the party’s interests. Since some one in the party does not believe we have interests, I said to them, if you can’t find anybody, I’ll run.
I’m now saying publicly, I’d like to seek the office of Mayor, and I am saying at the next City Committee meeting, which is the 24th, I would hope that my name would be placed on the floor as a serious candidate for Mayor.
I do not own a house. I do not have a garage But I live in a building with some people and that should not be exclusionary, I hope not.
I still live in America. When I got up this morning I’m in America, and I say to you tonight, Mr. Bailey,let me just move forward with what I think is the most simple idea in the world, go out there and see what you can do for the betterment of people that you care about.
I’ve always been about caring. Whether people believe me or not, I think I can do the job. I think I have just as much ability (as the Mayor). I do not have a Master’s Degree but I have street smarts.
I’m a new broom to sweep clean. Those brooms have been in the closet so long. They’re tired. The brooms are tired.
Now we’re going in the 21st century. Let’s see if we can find something new, refreshing, a breath of life. I think I can be just the breath of life to at least inspire our young people, whether they be African Americans, or just people to get out to be involved.
We know our city is a growing city. I’d like to be given the opportunity to serve all our residents. To hold the most sincere thing is the quality of life in White Plains, I will do that to the best of my ability.
I’m here for the asking. Come see about me.
White Plains will not have Ron Jackson watching out for us any more.
I will miss him.
Another “Ron Jackson” needs to step up.
