WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. December 18, 2005: It has been a year like all years, filled with events, trends, progress, and tragedy and decisions that have affected the city. WPCNR has selected twelve persons who have contributed to the city in various ways, with the reasons why we have nominated them for White Plains Person of the Year. What do Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think? Vote for your choice or choices in the new poll at the right:
The first nominees are not strangers to the Person of the Year List. They are the Super Developer, Louis Cappelli, and his wife, Kylie Travis, nominated for their continued faith in White Plains, efforts in fundraising for worthy causes, including White Plains Hospital Center, and Mr. Cappelli's efforts to bring a 4-Star Hotel to the city at 221 Main Street. He is, more than any person responsible for the Renaissance of the City.
Next is Pat Casey, who put together a group of investors to save the White Plains Watch, keeping the concept of a locally owned and operated press alive in the city. She has renamed the paper to White Plains Times, and will begin publishing it weekly in January, bring another timely, savvy voice of journalism to the city.
Third is a dual nomination of Mary Cavallero, 17-year Planning Board member and Chair for the Past 10 and her Co-Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, the ubiquitous John Martin for conducting the official review of the 1997 Master Plan. Their work, a thankless, highly sensitive task was conducted and completed recently and they should be commended for executing the process in moving the city into the future.
The fourth is former Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, David Chong, who leaves the city's safety in good hands after playing a major role in restoring morale and commeraderie and efficiency and new procedures to the Department of Public Safety. Mr. Chong's professionalism, competance, and "leading from the front" as he says, was an inspiration to police officer and fireman and citizen.
Fifth Nominee is Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors who in his fourth year as Superintendent of Schools continues to win the confidence of parents, faculty and students alike. His honesty, forthrightness, and ability to finesse difficult situations to all party's satisfaction is an example for all public figures. Even when executing difficult situations such as bonding and certioraris and preparing the district for the future, he is able to articulate and make the case for the most difficult of decisions.
Mayor Joseph Delfino, the sixth Nominee, continues to enjoy the confidence of the city for his unfolding accomplishments which are keeping the city "moving forward, together." He passionately believes in what he is doing, works harder than any other politician in America, and tries. That is a key word: tries. No other Mayor cares more for his city than Joseph Delfino.
The Seventh Nominee is Joseph A. Maria, the legal counsel who argued on behalf of the City of White Plains and won a Federal Court of Appeals reversal of a $1.3 Million judgment against the city for denying Omnipoint a celltower location at Fenway Golf Club. Maria's argument and brief have opened new horizons and hope for cities everywhere in the matters of fighting unsightly telecommunications celltower blight and other "takeover" policies.
The Eighth Nominee is Councilman Robert Greer for his courage and grace in battling Lou Gehrig's desease and continuing to serve on the Common Council, an act of great personal strength that should be inspirational to all, and, of course, for his service to the city the last thirteen years.
The Ninth Nominee is Ron Jackson, The Last Activist, for his courage in volunteering to run for Mayor for the Democratic Party when the Party was going to concede the election to Mayor Delfino when no other candidate wanted to risk running against him. Mr. Jackson's grace when the Party refused to accept him and instead nominated Dennis Power was admirable. Mr. Jackson's continued role as the only vocal voice for minorities in the city is unquestioned.
The Tenth Nominee is to Renaissance Man, Henry Miller, for his creation of All Too Human, a play he wrote and acted the title role and produced himself at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Not only is the play a great play, but Mr. Miller one hell of an actor. Mr. Miller proves you can be anything you want to be, if you work and believe in yourself.
The Eleventh Nominee is Robert Stackpole, member of the Planning Board, one of the founders of the Citizens Comprehensive Plan Committee, and financial watchdog of the city. Mr. Stackpole's continued scrutiny of city finances points out new directions for the city and is what democracy and responsible citizen activism is all about.
The Twelth Nominee is Donald Trump, the Artist of the Deal, for his lending his confidence to the city, donating $100,000 to White Plains Hospital Center, and giving with his friend, Louis Cappelli new hope and recognition to the city.
