WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. June 18, 2005: John Carlson, Republican Candidate for Common Council has written a letter downplaying his description given him by WPCNR as an "insurgent financier."  His letter:

Dear John, 

Since my father taught me that it is always polite to agree with a man before you disagree with him, I’d like to say that I do agree with you that I am "a fresh candidate with the right skills."  I value what my fellow citizens have to say and I will always listen to them.  I will seek the confidence and the vote of all citizens who want city government to be more responsive and to do a better job for them.   

My mission as a candidate for White Plains Common Council is to bring my skills as a Corporate Banker and Engineer to the council body for the benefit of the citizens of White Plains.  The city is facing issues where my skills and education (which includes a degree in Public Administration) can be put to good use analyzing the problems and issues facing White Plains.  Indeed, I want to "Kick up the Common Council a notch."

That having been said, I can now quibble with you for a moment.  After reading yesterday's article I thought it necessary to comment on your likely inadvertent use of the term "insurgent financier". 

My wife, Norita, and I have lived in White Plains for the past 30-years. Our three boys grew up in White Plains.  So, I am not an insurgent, storming the walls of our fair city.  I have spent the better part of my life here in White Plains and I dearly love this City.  In fact, I think it fair to say that I am simply a common White Plains citizen.  Furthermore, in my professional life, I cannot be described as a maraudering or insurgent financier.  While I am deeply proud of my professional career, I believe I have conducted myself with nothing but respect and dignity.  So again, the insurgent label misses the mark. 

Thus I must believe that your reference was relative to my political status.  As is clear, politics, for me, is not a profession.  That is despite growing up in Queens and being a JFK Democrat for a number of years.  I voted for LBJ and admired Harry Truman.  But I also admired Eisenhower and I voted for Reagan.  While I am now a registered Republican, in addressing the issues that are before the people of White Plains, I must profess that I think that partisan political machinations or political infighting (an evocative image raised by the term “insurgency") is the least effective method to deliver more effective government for all the people of White Plains.  Politics, for me, will always be left outside of the Common Council Chamber, where it belongs. 

And regarding City politics, the respect that I have for our current Mayor cannot be understated, and the political parties that will be supporting me are hardly insurgents.  Thus, by at least my reckoning, I am not a typical political insurgent at all. 

I would also like to say one further thing on insurgency because the term raises important issues about myself personally and the campaign I intend to wage.  Simply put, again, I am anything but an insurgent.  I believe that I share the same goals and ambitions for the City of White Plains that every fellow resident shares. 

My vision for White Plains is a place where our children are safe and protected, a place where green parks and open spaces are free and accessible.  A City wherein my fellow seniors and I are allowed to find the quite life that they seek and a City in which development, construction and preservation are well balanced and, more importantly, very well thought out.  I want White Plains to be a City in which my children can afford to raise their children.  Significantly, my campaign is not about denunciations of any present or past Common Council members.  Honestly, I think that they all have served the City well.  What my campaign is about is the simple proposition that I can do a better job in serving the people of White Plains, and that it is time for a change. 

Again, by my standard, what I have described is hardly an insurgency.  Perhaps, again, as you have said, I am merely “a fresh candidate with the right skills" to serve my friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.  And that is all right by me. 

However, to do this, I have to be elected to office.  I would suggest that if a large enough number of your readers and other White Plains voters agree, I will be very happy to serve on the White Plains Common Council.  Indeed, it would be an honor. 

Please publish this letter to correct any possible misunderstandings. 

Regards, 

John