WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2005. By John F. Bailey. October 8, 2005:  After a  Mayoral and Common Council campaign summer marked by a lack of active campaigning, candidate debates have been scheduled around the city beginning less than four weeks before the November 8 election.

Debates between Mayor Joseph Delfino and his challenger Dennis Power  and an undercard of two sets of city Common Council candidates (John Carlson, Larry Delgado, Glen Hockley, A. Mastraccio, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach)  will take place at White Plains High School October 19. They will be videotaped and televised by the Board of Education Channel 77 in White Plains and on Channel 76, the schedules of airtimes to be determined, according to the White Plains Chapter of the League of Women Voters. That to-be-taped debate will take place Friday October 19 at 7 P.M. in the Media Center of White Plains High School, and is open to the public.

The debate to be taped will unfold live in public. according to Marge Ruderfer, Co-Chair of the White Plains League of Women Voters Voter Issues Committee, in the Media Center of White Plains High School beginning at 7 P.M. with two different debates. There will be a Mayoral debate between incumbent Mayor Joseph Delfino and challenger Dennis Power, and a debate between the six Common Council Candidates. Ms. Ruderfer said it had not been determined which debate would be first that evening. The public may attend free.

Ruderfer told WPCNR in a telephone interview Friday that the White Plains City School District plans to video tape the debates, edit the content to and run it "in its entirety" on their education channel 77 in White Plains, and also on the White Plains Public Access Channel 76, “within a few days” after the October 19 event. The election is on November 8.

Politicians Tour Begins Tuesday

You can get a taste of the Democratic political souffle Tuesday, October 11, when the Council of Neighborhood Associations will host the Democrat candidates for office, beginning at 7:45 P.M. at Education House: Mr. Power for Mayor, Rita Malmud, Thomas Roach and Glen Hockley for Common Council, and, reportedly Bill Ryan for County Legislator. (However that meeting conflicts with the Board of Education citywide meeting to introduce a five year renovation plan for the school district and discuss the Regents Passing Grade standards at the high school in the same time slot.)

Women's Club Showcases Candidates Wednesday.

 The first official Mayoral and Common Council candidate debate will be held this coming Wednesday afternoon, October 12 at the Women’s Club of White Plains at approximately 1: 30 P.M. when the Women’s Club hostesses its traditional candidates forum for city and county races preceded by a luncheon at 11:30 A.M. . For reservations at the luncheon to dine and schmooze with the politicos, up close and personal, and ask the really tough questions, you may contact Laurel Holzer at 948-5432.

Tour Wraps Up in the Highlands and Battle Hill

The Politicians Tour continues at the Highlands Middle School, October 20 at 7:30, when the Highlands-Soundview Neighborhood Association hosts the city candidates and wraps up on Battle Hill at the old Battle Hill School condominiums October 26 at 7:30 P.M.