WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. December 14, 2006: The Mayor and the Common Council had an Executive Session last night where the replacing of Edye McCarthy, the former City of White Plains Assessor was discussed. The meeting was characterized by loud shouting at times which could be heard outside the locked doors of the Mayor’s conference room, according to observing reporters.

This morning, WPCNR learned  Mayor Delfino’s choice for the job turned down the position, indicating that the Council apparently had approved the hire. WPCNR awaits comment from the Mayor’s Office on the city’s next move in the search for Ms. McCarthy’s replacement, or whether there is a second candidate or if city assessing is currently being executed by the city’s Deputy Assessor, Lloyd Tasch.

The candidate offered the position told WPCNR in an interview that they were offered the position, but “That has changed, I will be staying here. I notified Mayor Delfino this morning.”

Council President Rita Malmud was contacted and left a message by WPCNR asking if the council was told of the candidate’s decision at last night’s meeting or if the Council had approved the Assessor candidate last night. Paul Wood, the Mayor’s Executive Officer contacted earlier for comment has not returned WPCNR’s call.

Councilman Benjamin Boykin last week refused to even tell WPCNR what the post being discussed at last night’s meeting was, using the “Executive Session” nature as the reason for not disclosing the position being discussed.