Good Wednesday morning. Here’s a look at opinion content published today in The Journal News:
Roach for White Plains Mayor: Editorial
We endorse acting Mayor Tom Roach, a Democrat who also serves as president of the Common Council, in the Thursday special election to fill the term of Adam Bradley. Bradley was elected in 2009 and resigned earlier this year amid scandals. We write:
… The needs for White Plains in 2011 are essentially the same as they were in 2009: leadership that is smart, principled, experienced — and willing to make hard decisions in a post-recession environment that demands serious ideas and little nonsense. We think only one candidate on the ballot — Common Council President Thomas Roach, Democrat and acting mayor — offers voters the qualities necessary to make White Plains emerge from the economic downturn in a forward-looking way.
A trial attorney, Roach has spent nine years on council. He has a realistic grasp of the major issues facing the city, including collective bargaining, health care, public finances, land use and economic development. (See for yourself by watching the video of our interview with the candidates; go to www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight.) Roach helped push through policy changes a year ago that have elected officials, appointees and certain new hires contributing to their health care. Roach was also among council members who in 2008 opposed overly generous police and firefighter wage hikes (they ranged from 3.75 percent to 4 percent) negotiated by the Delfino administration. Roach credits such tough decision-making, including later calls for layoffs, with helping to improve the city’s fiscal condition. He told the Editorial Board his position was to “cut everything we can while maintaining services.” …
Medicaid reform: Commentary
Seth Ginsberg, a native of Wesley Hills and co-founder of creakyjoints.org, an arthritis social network with 44,000 members and part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, writes a Community View that questions the wisdom of portions of the state’s plans to reform Medicaid.
Ramapo’s schools: Commentary
Pamela Frederick, a Suffern resident who serves as president of the Ramapo Central School District’s Board of Education, offers a Community View in response to the recent arrest of former district official Brian Miele, who is accused of falsifying the number of education credits for his daughter, a teacher in the district who is alleged to have received $40,000 in extra pay because of the phony documentation.
More opinion
Here’s what our colleagues at newspapers across the state are saying today:
Fix redistricting: Editorial, The Buffalo News
President’s pledge sounds eerily familiar: Editorial, Poughkeepsie Journal
Obama approach to Middle East is pragmatic: Editorial, Newsday
Help Libya, but respect Congress: Editorial, Albany Times Union
Obama on Libya: What is driving U.S. foreign policy?: Editorial, Watertown Daily Times
Gadhafi must go: Editorial, Daily News
Obama levels with constituents on Libya: Editorial, Syracuse Post-Standard
Planes at Stewart Airport come at a high price: Editorial, Times Herald-Record
State budget a solid first step: Editorial, Glens Falls Post-Star
1 Comment
As a young citizen of White Plains, I truely belive that candidate Glen Hockley is the right person for Mayor of our great city. Glen obtains the many qualities that a political figure should posess. He is what we need to bring White Plains to it’s fullest potential. Glen is an independent which may not be a common political party, but to me, that doesn’t mean that he can’t get the job done! We need our police, our firemen, we need to feel safe again. For the younger generation out there- we are the future- if we want our voices heard and want positive change in this city then tomorrow we need to get out there and vote for Glen Hockley!