WP Mayor Roach Not Seeking Reelection, Will Run for County Clerk 

White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach kicked off the new year and last one of his current term by announcing that he will not seek reelection.

During a telephone interview, Roach, 63, confirmed his decision as “final,” but also made another aspect of his future crystal clear after close to 15 years holding the city’s top office.

“I’m not ready to retire,” he declared, adding: “I’m a person who wants to work. I want to help people.”

Roach, a Democrat and former attorney who became mayor in March 2011, will now run a campaign for Westchester County Clerk. Several other candidates from his own party have also thrown their hat into the ring, according to the Westchester County Democratic Committee in a Facebook post.

Clerk Tim Idoni of New Rochelle has held the office since 2006 and is not running again once his fifth four-year term concludes.

As for the future mayor’s race, Roach said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll endorse someone to be his successor. Two candidates, Councilman Justin Brasch and former Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson, have emerged from his party with eyes on the office, which also has a four-year term.

During the interview, the mayor said he considered stepping away in the years prior to 2025.

In fact, he had thoughts around the time the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world to begin the 2020s. But when it became clear that there were significant challenges ahead, he felt it was his duty to get the city “back on track.”

With recovery seemingly in the rear-view mirror now, Roach maintained the city is in a “stable and positive place” and “it’s time for him to move on.”

He called his service time “a great honor,” especially given the fact his kids were the fifth generation of his family to live in White Plains.  His tenure on the council began as a councilman after first being elected in 2001.

“It’s just an amazing gift that was given to me by the people of this city. It’s emotional for me, and I felt a sense of guilt by leaving,” said Roach, adding that people have been disappointed to learn of his decision, but supportive.

His announcement now allows him to reflect on “how lucky” he was to have had led a great staff and community with the “spirit” to overtake any challenge like the pandemic or Superstorm Sandy.

“I often say to people that I wouldn’t be the mayor anywhere else,” said Roach. “As hard as the job is, it’s a lot better here than in other places, and that’s to the credit of those who live here.”

His tenure began unexpectedly, Roach recalled. He took over the office with a few hours notice in 2011 when his predecessor, Adam Bradley, resigned following a domestic violence conviction, The Associated Press reported. (He was later acquitted). Roach, as council president, was obligated to serve in the interim.

Amongst his accomplishments, Roach highlighted taxes being kept low and fiscal responsibility always being top of mind while his administration continued to make investments and add services.

Mamaroneck Avenue is now the “thriving” retail strip, too. And Roach pointed to what he’d been told would be his greatest challenges.

“Someone told me when I came in that the train station, White Plains Mall and Galleria are going to be your biggest challenges. Check, you know. We’re making it happen,” said Roach.

But there’s still a year left in his last term and Roach recognizes there’s more to be done.

He’s always been a proponent of doing what’s best for the environment. That will continue to be a focus of his work, Roach pointed out.

Plus, he noted the $10 million state grant awarded to the city for bringing about improvements to its downtown for “maybe new parks, bike lanes.”  And of course, he has his standard responsibilities of overseeing the budget process and ensuring operations continue to run smoothly.

He takes pride in “being present” at city functions and noted people can expect him to continue showing up. He’s not checking out.

Meanwhile, Roach is giving his run for clerk serious thought, too, and how it seems like a perfect fit given his time as an attorney interacting with court and real estate records.

Overall, he gives Idoni a top grade for his work and pointed out how the clerk’s role is “pretty broad,” from swearing in new immigrants, to handling passports, as well as filing court, land, business records.

“There was a time when the delay between when someone filed a deed and when it got recorded was six months. I’ve heard even longer,” said Roach in explaining why the role is important.

“That’s a terrible situation because during that six months, someone who does a title search still thinks the prior owner owns it and that could lead to all kinds of mischief. So, the work in the Clerk’s Office is vital. Tim Idoni cleaned that up.”

Roach wants to manage in an efficient, transparent and responsible manner while continuing to explore the advantages of new technologies and work to make the office’s services and records even more accessible.

“He does take it out of the office, but I’d like to see how much we can expand upon that to bring the clerk’s office to communities,” Roach said.

The Democratic Party Primary is June 25.