Tuesday Sept. 12 is the Democratic part primary for mayor of White Plains. Incumbent Tom Roach is being challenged by
Milagros Lecuona, a Common Council member first elected in 2008.
After reading their positions on issues shown below, I'm for someone not running. Read on and judge for yourself.
Both, but especially
Lecuona, deal in platitudes, which lean towards some national issues that have filtered down the political food chain and landed uncomfortably in the Westchester legislature and White Plains race for mayor. Democrats feel compelled to embrace a Sanctuary City policy, which not long ago was relegated to a place like San Francisco but now is openly supported, if not by name, than by policy as a means of showing bona fides opposition to President Donald Trump. It's difficult to know how that impacts urban planning, parking and garbage pickup, the issues that consume a mayor of a city of about 55,000 people.
Below are the links to their websites with excerpts on what passes for policy statements. Even at this late date Lecuona has embarrassing little substance. She does not mention Sanctuary City stuff as Roach does but it's my understanding that she embraced it during the debate Sept. 9 when she told a questioner to not vote for her if the person opposed Sanctuary City policy.
Lecuona:
https://www.milagroslecuona.com/issues-1
ISSUES
Protect taxpayers’ interests
Good Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Protect residents’ health and safety
Appropriate Emergency Services
Examine Critical Shortage of Fire Fighters
Environment
Protect the Character of Neighborhoods
Quality of Life
Clear Understanding of the Needs of Each Unique Neighborhood
Protect Local Jobs and Businesses
Local Workforce and Unions
Community Benefits Agreements
Create Working Partnerships with Businesses
Parking Policies
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Roach:
https://www.voteforroach.com/on-the-issues-1/
Balanced, Sustainable Growth
Tom is proving that growth can be balanced and sustainable – and doesn’t require our city to compromise on our core commitments.
https://www.voteforroach.com/balanced-sustainable-growth
White Plains is attracting major new employers, with big investments to revitalize our downtown. We’ve added more than 1000 new jobs downtown this year alone, and have our lowest commercial and retail vacancy rates since the depths of the Great Recession. We've seen major investments in the Westchester, City Center, and will soon in the Galleria. Bringing residents and major commercial tenants downtown both helps out local small businesses by bringing in new customers and making our streets more lively and vibrant.
These investments are clear votes of confidence in the direction of our city and the path it’s taking under Tom’s leadership. At a time when internet shopping is radically reshaping the retail business across the country, these kinds of smart investments are vital.
White Plains is the fastest growing city in NY State – and we’ve done it while maintaining our local focus and commitment to unique and diverse neighborhoods. Tom has made sure that downtown development projects benefit our residents. We now require every new multi-family residential development project downtown to include affordable units – and as a result, we have hundreds of new affordable units under construction and in the pipeline. Under Tom’s leadership, White Plains also requires developers to pay a new impact fee to fund the creation and maintenance of city parks and playgrounds.
Tom is proving that growth can be balanced and sustainable – and doesn’t require our city to compromise on our core commitments.
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Defending Progressive Values
Tom has been outspoken in support of the rights of all people, no matter where they’re from, who they choose to love or how they choose to worship.
https://www.voteforroach.com/defending-progressive-values
Now more than ever, we need a leader who’s not afraid to fight for progressive values. Tom has been outspoken in support of the rights of all people, no matter where they’re from, who they choose to love or how they choose to worship. He has implemented strong pro-environmental policies and programs at a time when the current federal Administration is heading in the opposite direction.
Our police have not and will not inquire regarding an individual’s immigration status, and Tom was proud to be consulted by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as he created guidance for local governments to respond to President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration.
Tom has also helped make White Plains a leader in sustainability through the installation of 20 electric vehicle charging stations, expanded recycling options, banning use of the dirtiest fuel oils, streamlining the solar permitting process, energy efficient upgrades at city buildings, LED streetlight replacement, and complete streets legislation. White Plains has also opened a new fabric recycling center and a new park at Bryant and Mamaroneck Avenue.
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A Safe City with a Fiscally Responsible Government
Tom firmly believes that community policing reduces crime and creates a safer environment for all. At the same time, we have one of the highest municipal fire protection ratings in New York State.
https://www.voteforroach.com/a-safe-city-with-a-fiscally-responsible-government
Thanks to a bedrock commitment to community policing, crime rates are at historic lows. Tom firmly believes that these policies reduce crime and create a safer environment for all. We’ve equipped our police with body cameras, and in addition to their many obvious benefits supervisors review footage regularly as a teaching tool to improve police performance on an ongoing basis.
White Plains has the highest municipal fire protection rating possible, according to experts in the fire insurance industry - one of only three municipalities in New York State and less than 100 nationwide to achieve that distinction. 49,000 municipalities nationwide were graded on every major fire safety factor by a respected, independent observer, who determined that there isn't a single municipality anywhere in New York State that does a better job protecting residents and businesses from fires than White Plains.
Under Tom’s leadership White Plains continues to make major investments in public safety infrastructure to provide even better service, including - $3.9 million in new equipment purchases for the Fire Department over the past 3 years; $1 million in renovations to fire facilities over the past two years; and $1.5 million more budgeted. We've also recently hired more police officers and firefighters.
Our municipal services are top of the line thanks to our dedicated work force – and we've provided that level of service while staying under the state tax cap every year that Tom has been Mayor. White Plains does not rely on capital outlays to pay for pension costs or tax appeals like some of our neighbors or Westchester County.
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