White Plains Candidates Address Issues at Woman’s Club Community Forum
By Colleen Fay – On October 7, candidates for the upcoming White Plains Common Council election, Democrat incumbents Nadine Hunt-Robinson, Dennis Krolian and Milagros Lecuona and challenger Republican AnneMarie Encarnacao, as well as Democratic candidate for County Legislative District 5, Ben Boykin, met at the Woman’s Club of White Plains for a question and answer session.
Questions were submitted by Woman’s Club moderators as well as by attendees. At the end of the meeting, questions were taken from the floor directly. An audience of 65 residents attended the event including White Plains Councilman John Kirkpatrick.
The incumbents were asked what they felt were their biggest accomplishments in the past year.
Councilmembers Hunt-Robinson and Krolian felt that finally voting on the French American School of New York Special Permit and ultimately turning it down was their biggest action.
Councilwoman Lecuona and Legislator Boykin felt passing their respective government budgets had been their biggest accomplishment.
Boykin cautioned that the county budget would be a big issue in the coming year. Because extensive budget cuts are threatened, it will be a challenge to save money while preserving services, he said.
The question of transparency in government and requests for information from officials was raised several times. The candidates all stated that if asked they would be more than happy to turn over whatever information they could, but pointed out that even they were not able to access everything.
Encarnacao stressed the importance of making White Plains attractive to residential buyers and businesses. She pointed out that the homeless on the streets, the aggressive parking policy of the city, safety concerns, and the many empty storefronts in downtown White Plains made the city less desirable. She reminded members of the council that the needs of the residential community should be addressed, not just the needs of corporations.
All the candidates agreed there should be an analysis and update of White Plains’ Comprehensive Plan to make the city a more desirable place to live and work going forward.
The issue of homelessness was of great concern to many residents at the forum. Audience members said that people from homeless shelters are bussed into White Plains (as well as Yonkers and New Rochelle) during the day. And that even though there are several homeless shelters in White Plains, including the recently re-opened Open Arms men’s shelter on the Post Road, that shelter only accepts people with no medical problems and they can only stay for 45 days.
One member of the audience said that budget cuts in past years have reduced available services for the homeless and so there are fewer options available to them.
Parking and traffic control are also major issues for residents.
Citizens expressed concern about the aggressive parking tickets being issued, not only for overtime notices but for parking over the line or parking too far from the curb. Exorbitant fines accompany these tickets and it was felt the program was discouraging people from shopping downtown.
Encarnacao suggested a residential parking pass for all White Plains residents that would allow them to park downtown for a specified period of time. Hunt-Robinson reminded everyone that the city does have a permit, which allows parking in certain garages during specified hours in the evening and on weekends.
A question was asked regarding the impending installation of red light cameras at various intersections. Krolian explained that the intent of the cameras was safety, not revenues. Encarnacao said that if you aren’t running a red light, you have nothing to be worried about.
The council members present said there would be adequate investigation into appropriate locations for the cameras.
Some attendees questioned why traffic lights on certain streets in White Plains are not synchronized. Hunt-Robinson explained that while synchronization cuts down on exhaust fumes, it might encourage speeding.
Questions were also asked regarding the allocation of more open space and plans for a Veterans Park.
Lecuona mentioned her experience in urban planning and said she had drawn up a plan for a Veterans Park on Tarrytown Road on a tract of land designated for that purpose 17 years ago. Krolian pointed out that the new transportation hub being developed in White Plains would likely include this area and so plans for the park would need to be incorporated into that.
A question was asked regarding the new mechanized garbage/recycling trucks. It was noted that it is difficult for many disabled and elderly people to put the new containers to the curb. Council members said this issue is being looked into but in the interim suggested getting help from a neighbor or family member and referred the individuals to Aging in Place for help.
The election will be held November 3. The three Democrat incumbents from the Common Council and Republican candidate are competing for three seats. Boykin is running unopposed for the County District 5 seat.
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