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WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2005: According to the Westchester County Department of Communications today, the county is going ahead with plans to house homeless persons collected each evening in White Plains (and currently bused to the Airport Shelter), in the lower floor of 85 Court Street beginning January 10 as previously announced.

At this time, according to the County, neither the Mayor’s Office nor the White Plains Business Improvement District has provided an alternative place to house the homeless as the county requested in a closed meeting last week. The spokesperson, Donna Green,  noted to WPCNR that Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz had made it clear to the Mayor’s Office and the BID last week that unless the city or the BID  suggested alternative sites  that the county would proceed with housing the homeless at 85 Court Street, because the County does not want the homeless freezing in the streets.

Last night at a break in the Common Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Delfino told WPCNR, he was opposed to the 85 Court Street location, and he stuck to his suggestion that the county hold a meeting with all cities and towns to discuss a solution to the problem, since only 5% of the persons picked up each night in White Plains are actually from White Plains. The Mayor said he had not received a response from Mr. Schwartz to his letter suggesting the countywide conference on the homeless problem.

Asked if Deputy County Executive Schwartz was planning a response to the Mayor’s letter (published on this website in a previous story, “Schwartz Gives City Homeless Ultimatum. Mayor Delfino Responds.”), Ms. Green said she was not aware of any response at this time. Asked if the county was planning to establish a department to deal exclusively and more intensely with the homeless issue, Ms. Green said “No, we are happy with the way the Department of Social Services is handling it.”

Ms. Green said she would check on if Pathways to Housing was asked for its input in how to handle the “hardcore” homeless problem. Pathways is the New York City-based organization that has had considerable success in placing homeless persons for the Department of Social Services.

The Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Community Church told WPCNR considerable renovations had to be conducted at 96 East Post Road before a drop-in Day Social Services Center providing counciling to homeless planned to be dropped off at 85 Court Street opened there. Though the application for a Special Permit to run the site there was withdrawn at last night’s Common Council meeting because of a procedural matter, and a $3 Million grant has been awarded the County to run the shelter at 96 East Post Road, it will not likely be ready as of the 10th.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2006: In the business of the Common Council Tuesday evening, Mayor Joseph Delfino was sworn in for a third term as Mayor of White Plains by City Judge Jo Ann Friia. Thomas Roach was sworn in for his second term as Common Councilman, Glen Hockley was sworn in for his first full term as councilman, and Rita Malmud for her fifth term as Common Councilperson.

America’s Favorite Mayor Raises His Right and Places His Hand on The Bible for a Third Term last night. Photo, WPCNR News.

 Malmud as predicted yesterday afternoon by the CitizeNetReporter was elected Common Council President by a vote of 5-2, Councilmen Hockley and Bernstein demurring, over Councilman Arnold Bernstein, who spoke on his own behalf, after nomination by Glen Hockley. Bernstein appeared to have his colleagues and the Mayor squirming in their seats  when he said,

 “I find Councilwoman Malmud, who has served several terms as president competing for the position (of Council President). Selecting a Council President is not supposed to be a popularity contest or subject to machinations of any kind for any reason. There is precedent, a process and tradition to be honored and not in the breech… I have yet to receive a satisfactory or creditable explanation from any of my colleagues, ANY of my colleagues, as to why my right is being challenged. Now I know there was an exception 14 years ago but I have no idea of the reason and interestingly enough it happened to Ms. Malmud. It seems to me that there has to be a serious reason for an exception. I have not been given a straight answer from my colleagues, as to why this is an appropriate time to break with precedent.”

Arnold Bernstein, Making his Speech to the Common Council Colleagues last night. Glen Hockley, left, observes. Photo, WPCNR News.

Nevertheless, Councilman Roach, said it was not a given that those who had not served as Council President should have the position, and that he himself who received the Council Presidency two years ago (after just two years in office), was surprised to be elected. Roach proceeded to nominate Councilwoman Malmud. 

Councilman Boykin noted that several councilpersons in their first term had never served as Council President, notably Bill Brown and William King. Neither Mr. Roach nor Mr. Boykin said why Ms. Malmud was more qualified than Mr. Bernstein, or why they were voting her in. The Common Council President is the city officer who succeeds the Mayor should the Mayor, for any reason, cannot serve. 

A rejected Councilman Bernstein, far right, looks on, as Judge Friia swears in Rita Malmud as Council President, her second term as Council President in 6 years. She held the office in 2001-2002. Mr. Boykin from 2003-2004, and Mr. Roach, 2004-2005. Photo, WPCNR News.

After the council meeting, all councilpersons with the exception of Robert Greer, (who had to leave halfway through the televised council meeting), shared a rich, calorie-packed chocolate ice cream cake with the Mayor in the Mayor’s Conference Room in a most convivial manner.