WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2007. News & Comment By John F. Bailey.  November 6, 2007 Amplified 12:02 Noon. EST: All 43 White Plains Election Districts are open to record Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains votes today as White Plains is given the choice of business as usual or to put new voices on the Common Council.

White Plains is one of the few places in the country where independent candidates have literally signatured their way onto the ballot with 9 candidates running: Benjamin Boykin, Candyce Corcoran, Cass Cibelli Milagros Lecuona, Robert Levine, Anthony Pilla, Dennis Power, Robert Stackpole, Augostino Zicca have thrown their hats into the ring challenging the Democrat politburo.

This is the election of questions to be answered:

Is it a referendum on development or an endorsement of "Renaissance White Plains?" Will it be a vote of confidence in city finances and its free spending ways, or will financial reformers' message of restraint and spending scrutiny register with the voter? Will overwhelming Democrat registrations in White Plains (2 to 1 over Republican) continue to guarantee any candidate on Line A will win in White Plains despite past performance and their credentials?

Does Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains love digging into pockets for tax increases year after year as their civic duty? Do they appreciate the parking policies that make going downtown something to dread?

How much the security issue and the illegal housing  and illegal immigrant issue really matter in White Plains may also be indicated, as the lack of White Plains enforcement on the illegal housing issue has been raised repeatedly in this campaign.

Does the cake of  the White Plains donut (outside of the downtown hole) really care that much about what happens downtown?  If they do, they may vote an incumbent or two out. If they don't, you have your answer.

It will also be a barometer of how much Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains really know about White Plains and how they have watched their councilpersons perform the last four years. Voting them back in means they believe the incumbies' anti-development campaigns, despite fact that the same councilmen running voted for all the development in White Plains to happen. Their campaign insulted the intelligence of the public. Well, we shall see if the public noticed. On other hand, if the incumbies are returned then you are left with an endorsement of the White Plains Renaissance, perhaps.

A lot is on the line, but the overwhelming Registration of Democrats in the city is the swing factor. Will voters vote their heads or their feelings? Always a dilemma.

Once again the circus of White Plains politics: sign stealing, character assassination in a willing party-biased press, delaying of issues, and outright lies in print will be over for another two years after today.

I for one will not miss it.

This may also be a very close election with 9 candidates splitting the vote we may never know who wins if machines are impounded -- or, perish the thought -- several jam and we have another "Delgado-Hockley" marathon. It could happen. After all, this is White Plains.

We are sure the Democrat legal jackals are standing ready with impounding and show cause orders and the whole bag of tricks to protect their power if any challenger is even close.

The Board of Elections actually gets to work today for their county money. We are told they will have observers in force at the White Plains polls. Now if only we can get them to show this much interest in School Board elections. 

The incumbent Councilmen and their newcomer running mate are blessed with a rainy day which usually holds down turnout. Citizens wondering where they are supposed to vote should call the City Clerk's office at 422-1227 or the Board of Elections, 995-2000. Polls are open until 9 P.M. in White Plains

Vote early and often, and please close the  cemetery gate when you return to your grave.