WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. By John F. Bailey. June 10, 2005: The leading luminaries of the Democratic Party gathered today with some 40 spectators and politically involved citizenry at 88 Prospect Avenue under a big white tent to support Dennis Power’s kickoff campaign event in his effort to take the Mayoral office from Joseph Delfino.

Power has resigned his job as Director of Development for the Hudson River Museum, that he has held for five years, (he told WPCNR), to campaign for Mayor, which he began today theming his campaign with the slogan, “Power of the People.” In a 20 minute speech he said White Plains has to listen to all the citizens, and include all the neighborhoods in planning White Plains’ future, indicating that the present city government was not doing that. He called for raising the affordable housing allotment per new housing development to 15% of the units and a hard look, perhaps elimination of the buyout option. Photo by WPCNR News

He promised a transparent government, and promised to work to create housing for families of moderate incomes, not just the wealthy.

He called for increasing the amount of affordable units developers had to include in any future proposed projects to 15%, more than doubling the 6% demand on the books now. The Common Council, not withstanding, which voted for the proposal, he said the city should eliminate the buyout option presently available to recent developers of the Hamilton, for example, saying dollars “are no substitute for actual available units.”

Power said he is in the process of formulating his campaign team at this time. He said that the next campaign event is a fundraiser scheduled for June 28 at Sam’s of Gedney Way from 6 to 8 P.M. He revealed a website for his ‘Power of the People” campaign was in the process of being created.

Power recalled 1987 when Mickey Stagg, where the kickoff campaign was held, ran his campaign for Common Council in which Power unseated Robert Ruger in another campaign where he was considered the underdog.

Power was given a welcome sendoff by a Who’s Who of Democrats in Westchester County, who included County Executive Andy Spano, County Legislators Bill Ryan and Lois Bronz, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, State Assemblypersons Adam Bradley and Amy Paulin, and his running mates running for reelection to the Common Council: Glen Hockley, Tom Roach, and Rita Malmud.

Paulina Oliva, former councilperson, introduced Mr. Power as a wonderful person, who represents, “everything Democrats stand for.” Photo by WPCNR News.

Andy Spano, County Executive, said Power was “perfect for this city,” who understood the necessity of working with the county to get things done. Spano said Power would balance the needs of developers “with the needs of the people,”  describing him as “an advocate,” and an “enabler,” based on his work with housing organizations in the county. Photo by WPCNR News.

Bill Ryan, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, said, “You get that feeling that’s time for a change in the city, with a kinder attitude and approach in City Hall, someone who has an understanding of the great potential of our city.” Ryan said Power would bring an “openness to City Hall we have not seen in years.”

Power ran with this introduction pounding home the themes. He promised “to open the windows of city hall,” and bring “an open and accessible leadership in city hall.” He said the city needed to address the issues of “affordable housing, open space and the pace of development.”

He called for a city dialogue with the school district, examining the effect of rising taxes, advocated city cost cutting, and reining in certioraris. He said planning the growth of the city should be an open process and not be fearful of open dialogue with the residents. 

He said he was running because he wanted to preserve the uniqueness of White Plains “a business center with a small town feeling.” He feels this can be accomplished by holding common council meetings at neighborhood associations, for example, “getting out of 255 Main and listening to the people.”  Power finished by promising to restore “The power of the people for all the people.”

The Kickoff Scene, 88 Prospect Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News