WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. July 23, 2006: A reader notes with interest the Dennis Power appointment to the Common Council and wonders whether Mr. Power will buck his County employers on key White Plains issues:
Mr. Bailey,
Greetings. I was hoping to comment on the dilemma faced by the Common Council with the appointment of Mr. Power.
As I see it, Mr. Power must answer some key questions about the conflict of interest he has with his position within County government. For example, what is his postion on the homeless facility, as mentioned within Keith Eddings article last week. The County opened this facility in White Plains without consulting with city officials. There is a lawsuit, brought by the Business District, against the County on this matter as we speak. What is Mr. Power's position on the lawsuit?
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Will he be supportive of the White Plains business community as they fight to have this decision reviewed? Is he supportive of the efforts of other downtown residents, such as Mr. Tamboia, to address this issue with meaningful public hearings?
Also, what can we expect from Mr. Power in regard to the development of senior housing at the site the County refused to offer the City "right of first refusal" on? Liz Andersen of the Journal News recently had a story that showed that the County Board was opposed to the Bill Ryan/ County position on this matter. They have tried to force a vote, change a law, and now are concocting some scheme to get the project approved by the Board, all while thumbing their noses at established law. A law that Bill Ryan cast a yes vote for while serving the people of White Plains. Now that Mr. Power is a voting member, and has taken an oath to protect the interests of White Plains residents, will he step up and demand the County to follow their own laws?
It will be interesting to see if Mr. Power will take a position on these critical issues. He will no longer have the chance to throw out platitudes, which served as a warm blanket during his last foray into politics. His mantra of "residents come first" means that he will now be forced to represent their interests on all issues, even if it means going against his colleagues at the County.
Thanks,
Brian Thomas
WPCNR COMMENTS: Dennis Power has not yet responded to WPCNR requests to talk about the conflicts of interest he faces and whether he will recuse himself on all county-involved projects with the city.
