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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. May 20, 2005, UPDATED 6 P.M. E.D.T (UPDATES IN BOLD FACE): 

          Ronald Jackson is running for Mayor.

          Mr. Jackson, 60, long described by WPCNR as “The Last Activist,” host of the city TV program, Winbrook Like It Is, tireless advocate for the residents of Winbrook, former member of the White Plains Housing Authority, (to which he was elected three times),  declared his candidacy  for Mayor on the top of the Democratic ticket in November with committee-recommended council candidates,  Rita Malmud, Tom Roach and Glen Hockley tonight from his home on Harmon Avenue in Battle Hill.

Ron Jackson, “The Last Activist,” right, appearing on a past edition of White Plains Week with The CitizeNetReporter, John Bailey. Mr. Jackson announced his candidacy for Mayor, the only prominent Democrat to step forward to challenge Mayor Joseph Delfino Photo, WPCNR News Archive

As of Thursday night, before Jackson announced exclusively to WPCNR,  no seasoned Democrat politician has stepped forward to say they will oppose Mayor Joseph Delfino.  

The Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee notified District Leaders of the party last week, they could find no suitable candidate to run against Mayor Joseph Delfino. No one has raised their hand to volunteer to run against Mayor Delfino as of Thursday evening.  (See the list of potential candidates who have turned down the call in last week’s story, “Democrats Plead Nolo Contendere”)

Jackson said the unwillingness of anyone to step up is why he has stepped forward.

Campaign Team In Place. Campbell Withdraws.

Jackson named the politically savvy Charlie Booth, 25 year Executive Director of the Slater Center would be his Campaign Manager, and that the respected Fifth Vice Chair of the Democratic Party, William Campbell, would be his Treasurer. He said he would commence fundraising activities if he could get the party to endorse him as soon as he was nominated from the floor at the City Democratic Committee meeting Tuesday, March 24.

However late this afternoon, Mr. Campbell telephoned WPCNR and  denied he had agreed to handle Mr. Jackson’s finances. He said “I want you to withdraw that statement that Ron Jackson put in there pertaining to Bill Campbell, but i want it to be withdrawn because it was put in there without my authorization. And I want it so stated that it was put in the paper (website), without my authorization, that I do not support him.”

Mr. Jackson told of Mr. Campbell’s statement to WPCNR, said “I accept and respect his decision, and I will announce a new Treasurer shortly.”

Bill Ryan, County Legislator, long thought to be the strongest candidate the Democrats could run, formerly withdrew from the race Monday in an exclusive announcement to the CitizeNetReporter. Mr. Ryan is holding a $250 to $1,000 a head fundraiser for his County Legislator reelection campaign June 15 to amass against an as yet unnamed opponent.

The Man Who Speaks Up and The City Listens.

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 spoke 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.

Jackson, perhaps more than any elected official today questions issues honestly and is fearless in raising issues that others will not touch. 

Democratic Chair Informed. He is Ready.

Asked if he had discussed his candidacy with Liz Shollenberger, Chair of the White Plains Democratic City Committee, Jackson said he told her he wanted to run, but she had no reaction to his willingness to challenge Delfino.

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.”

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 21^st 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.