WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. August 17, 2006: Cass Cibelli, a member of the White Plains Planning Board, and a candidate for Common Council in the November Special Common Council election writes:
Dear Mr. Bailey,
At the August Planning Board meeting I was very proud to cast a supporting vote for the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency resolution which gives approval for the agency to take a proactive approach in the development of affordable housing. This legislation brings the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency approximately $969,000 in administrative fees.
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How did this come about? Pinnacle-Westchester, LLC, developer of The Pinnacle, advised the Urban Renewal Agency that it has been unable to receive critical financial support from the Westchester County IDA and Westchester County New Homes Program for the affordable portion of the project, to be built at 260 Main Street. The "leaders" at Westchester County played politics with affordable housing, gambled, and ultimately lost. Instead, White Plains now will receive the administrative fees.
Imagine for a moment if we had our own IDA? The billions invested in the City of White Plains would have resulted in millions upon millions of dollars in administrative fees. These fees could have been used for the development of affordable housing, senior housing, tax relief for White Plains homeowners, and various other economic development initiatives. Instead, the success of White Plains has benefited Westchester County, which continues to get rich on our renaissance. Despite this fact, the city's creativity means a win-win for White Plains as we will now increase our affordable housing stock, providing more for White Plains residents.
White Plains residents deserve representatives that will speak out for their interests and concerns. White Plains residents also deserve representation from those free of conflicts of interest, and that and are not beholden to the agenda of Westchester County government.
The residents of our city deserve more, and as of now, they aren't getting it.
Respectfully,
Cass Cibelli
Candidate for WP Common Council
