WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. October 21, 2005: Don Hughes contributes these observations over the "televised" debate at the high school Wednesday evening. Though the debate was planned to be videotaped, an air date has not been set. WPCNR was on assignment in the Adirondacks and could not attend. Any other comments on the debates todate would be welcomed!

On Wednesday night, the League of Women Voters
sponsored a debate between Joe Delfino and Dennis
Power.  Please make an effort to watch it when it
airs on cable.

When talking about accomplishments, Mr. Delfino
took full credit.  As he ran through the catalogue
of items he is proud of, he seldom mentioned that
many of them were the result of state and county
initiatives, or that some, like the search that
found our outstanding Commissioner of Public
Safety, were done over his objection.  This
insular attitude is also seen in his campaign
materials, none of which mentions the Republican
Party, or any of his Republican running mates.

He was amused and critical when Dennis said that,
as Mayor, he would search for creative ways to
solve our parking problems, or to manage our
explosive growth.  In this case, Mr. Delfino
pointed out that his was only one of seven votes
on the council and that he did not even have veto
power.  If there were better solutions out there,
then surely the Council would have already come up
with them.  But, things are not equal.  The Mayor
is the only full time council member, he is the
only one with access to the commissioners and
staff,  the background research and documentation
the Council depends on when studying agenda items
is prepared by his staff and will reflect his
agenda.  The council members do not even have
their own secretary to answer calls or type
letters to constituents for them.

Don Hughes.