White Plains CitizeNetReporter - First Night: Oath for Champs, a New Face and Respected New Planning Commissioner

On opening night of the first Common Council meeting of the new year, Mayor Joseph Delfino took the oath of office for his second term as Mayor, Rita Malmud for her fourth term as councilperson and Tom Roach to his first. Benjamin Boykin was elected Common Council President, and the people’s choice, Susan Habel, a 16-year dedicated and indefatigable city servant, was sworn in by Mayor Delfino as new Commissioner of Planning.

Mayor Delfino presented his State of the City Message touting the need for more White Plains affordable housing, fund-raising for the City center Community Theater, and settlement of the New York Presbyterian Hospital matter once and for all.

Retired Supreme Court Judge Samuel Fredman administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Delfino beginning his second term as Mayor of the City of White Plains, after serving White Plains as Common Councilman and County Legislator.

State of the City Says City Has New Priorities

Mayor Delfino, in his “State of the City Address,” offered great credit to the Common Council for the present state of the city: “Four years ago, all of us here on the Council knew that we had a tremendous challenge ahead of us to solve the many problems that faced White Plains. Reversing the decline of our downtown, filling the hole in the ground and building a supermarket. Revitalizing our recreation and parks system, enhancing programs for youth and seniors, and protecting our open space…I am very proud of the giant leaps of progress that we have made as a result of a community and its government working in unity to accomplish great things.”

Calls for Unity Ahead.

The Mayor continued the challenge: “when we unite and rally behind a common cause, we get things done. When we put aside partisan politics and do what is best for our community, great things happen. When we look at each other as colleagues and not as competitors, we foster an environment of progress and positive change…if we continue to stand united, we will continue to break new ground and flourish as a city.”

Oversight of New Downtown Projects

The Mayor said “oversight of this unprecedented ($600 million) construction book will occupy a great deal of time and energy on the part of our city government and while each of us have new ideas and initiatives that we would like to see implemented in the future, it is important that we not lose focus on those projects that will continue to need our attention until they are completed.”

Downtown Facelift to be Continued.

The Mayor keynoted initial priorities of his new administration. He said the city would be moving ahead with Phase 2 of the downtown streetscape improvement, and focus on rebuilding the fountain park at Main and Mamaroneck with funding from Westchester County.

Will Begin Raising Funds for Community Theater

He said he would begin seeking funding necessary to build the interior of the Community Theater within the Cappelli City Center, and indicated its use would be made available to the city’s “many talented residents.” Louis Cappelli, developer of the City Center is constructing a $5 million shell for the theater, with the city charged with the cost of constructing the interior furnishings of the theater. Details of the completion of the project have not been articulated by the administration. Previously a figure of $5 million was estimated to be the amount of funding needed to complete the theater.

New Proposals for City to be Scrutinized.

He promised to hold future developers to a high standard: “we need to ensure that every new project (brought to the city) fits in with our overall vision for the downtown.”

Invitation to affordable housing advocates

He invited developers for affordable housing: “I am also looking forward to seeing new projects that will address the need for more affordable housing,” pointing out that his administration approved 178 affordable housing units in the city.

Advocates No Splitting of Finest/Bravest

In the matter of the search for a new Commissioner of Public Safety, Mayor Delfino signaled he was not about to split the police and fire departments. He made it clear he felt police and fire services should not become a political issue.

He praised John Dolce, recently retired Public Safety Commissioner, for creating a department that was “a state model for crime prevention, thanks to John, and I firmly believe the department’s tradition of excellence will continue to insulate the department from politics. The business of keeping our streets safe and protecting the public welfare must remain a top priority for us and we must be mindful of the old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”

Bouquets to the Citizens: A New Renaissance.

The Mayor continued his tradition of thanking the citizens for their confidence in him: “Having spent most of my life in White Plains, I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to serve this community and words cannot express how lucky I feel to be a part of an amazing period in our City’s history.”

At the close of his message to the city, the Mayor set the tone for the new Common Council,

“Having lived in White Plains for over six decades, I have seen many changes, good and bad. But never have I seen such an exciting time with a new renaissance just beyond the horizon. Progress is sprouting up all around us and the only thing that can stop us now is us. If we stick together and continue to build upon our successes, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. And so, with the wind at our back and with our hearts filled with love for this city, let us continue our journey.”

BENJAMIN BOYKIN ELECTED COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT:

In his third year as Common Councilman,, Benjamin Boykin, Jr. was nominated by Rita Malmud to the position of President of the Common Council. Mr. Boykin, after being sworn in, said he would be working very hard to address the need for more affordable housing units in the city.

Unprecedented round of applause for Coronation of Susan Habel

But, by far the most touching moment of the evening was the applause that solemnly and respectfully greeted Mayor Delfino’s announcement calling Susan Habel to be sworn in as the new Commissioner of Planning.

The applause had a cadence and appreciation to it that you just had to hear to understand the respect the tireless 16-year veteran of planning ascended to perhaps the most important position in the city next to the Mayor.

Jim Benerofe, editor of SuburbanStreet.com, an observer of White Plains Common Councils for the last 40 years, told WPCNR he has never seen an appointment generate this much enthusiasm on the part of the Common Council, “ You can tell the Council really respects her,” Benerofe told WPCNR Thursday afternoon.

Benerofe’s observation today, was reflected in the comments lavished on Ms. Habel by each member of the Common Council:

Benjamin Boykin said Habel has a great understanding of what is going on nationally and “is able to apply it to our city. We could not have a better person in this job.”

Rita Malmud recalled when she first knew the new commissioner when she was an advocate for affordable housing in the city, and said Habel was an expert in planning, who had an “encyclopedic knowledge and memory, who never forgets anything…and always gives a clear answer.”

Robert Greer praised Ms. Habel’s familiarity with the city codes: “Her knowledge of planning and zoning ordinances is prodigious. Sue is always there to lend a helping hand.” Greer said that Habel had one tremendous handicap in accepting her new position, and that was that previous new Planning Commissioners had Susan Habel as a Deputy Commissioner. “You (Habel) don’t have that,” and raised the issue that Habel would need “a very, very strong person in that position.”

WPCNR news has learned from Ms. Habel that she is close to appointing a Deputy Commissioner and that the candidate will be announced this week, pending protocols.

Councilman William King said he, too, “appreciates your knowledge of planning, and your promotion shows the value of promoting from within.”

Freshman Councilman Tom Roach thanked Ms. Habel for giving him a thorough briefing on certain matters before the evening council meeting, and said he was “struck by her true love for this city,” and that he was “pleased to be here when it happens (Ms. Habel’s ascendancy to Commissioner).”


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