WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. January 8, 2006:  A reader considers the White Plains CitizeNetReporter poll and writes this commentary:

Mr. Bailey, in reading your posting covering the behind the scenes “Backdoor” Common Council election Presidency procedures, or lack of such procedures, I vote 100% for installing precise bylaws, rules and regulations governing the process of electing Common Council Presidents. Why? Many reasons why, but the question to be answered by the powers to be on the Common Council is why they will not, not why there should be. The why not is the paramount issue to be answered by any Common Council Member defending the current flawed process not allowing it to be improved and changed?

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 A precise 4-2 vote secured, contrived, and guaranteed for Ms. Malmud surrounded by the circus of laughable unjustified defenses and weak public explanations delivered to the public  by Mr. Tom Roach and Mr. Ben Boykin. Legal and poetically prepared garbage in an attempt to justify their pending vote for Ms. Malmud in the eyes of public scrutiny in an attempt not to offend Mr. Bernstein. Soft sell public statements don’t compensate for a disguised power team move against Mr. Bernstein. The damage was done and clear, the question is why?

Obviously well prepared statements in the event Mr. Bernstein went public with the issue on camera. “Common Council exposed again, this time by surprise from with in the party on TV.” Mr. Bernstein should be voted person of the 2006 New Year” Desertion among the ranks! Bravo Mr. Bernstein. Have you been spanked yet Mr. Bernstein, given a verbal reprimanding? Be careful Mr. Bernstein you might be voted off the Common Council by a 4-2 vote. Better yet not invited back for your re-election ticket!  Not to worry you have supporters, many in fact.

Legally passing and mandating a resolution or procedural legislation governing the prevention of such processes or abuse in the future is paramount to asking the Common Council to unanimously approve term limits for themselves in office.  Remember that concept “term limits” The death cloud of individual power and a guaranteed graveyard headstone into oblivion for the office of individual Common Council power.  Secretly sworn never to be voted on by the Common Council.

New bylaws, resolutions should and must be mandated by the Common Council governing the elected process for the Common Council President in the future. It is the civic duty of the Common Council to resolve such issues, correct such issues and make necessary changes to the Charter to prevent what the public recently witnessed when such flaws exist in the current process. Not to will be another internal public embarrassment to the Common Council and City managed government.

Answer -  “Why not to have a “Charter” to set proper procedures for electing the Common Council President, simple, it will limit and control the interest of power of the most powerful senior Common Council party member on the Common Council.  Affecting that power, influence, control, personal agendas, rewards and influence such individuals have on the Common Council.

Precisely the reason to have such a Charter; to prevent the imbalance of power, contrived voting, inappropriate decision-making, and influence one party member or collective Council Members can have against one other in favor of personal choices. Personal choices not fair as in the electing of Ms. Malmud for Common Council President, and the denial of Mr. Bernstein to the position.

I personally call for a “Charter Mandate” reforming the procedures of electing future Common Council Presidents. Including but not limited to a public joint council nominating committee, bylaws preventing consecutive terms, term limits, and a public forum on the candidates.

Carl Albanese
White Plains Resident