Adam Bradley's resignation last month triggered a special election to choose the next Mayor of White Plains. While many called for Mr. Bradley to step down, few considered the dynamics of a special election.
Short lead time and low turnout could make the outcome unpredictable and unrepresentative.
The Common Council, including Acting Mayor Thomas Roach, the Democratic majority candidate, could have chosen any date between March 31 and April 19. They picked the earliest, prompting cries of foul from Republicans.
The partisan outcry notwithstanding, the minimal lead time lessens the information available from media coverage, websites, social media, debates, and forums. It also lowers the candidates' ability to raise consciousness and money with lawn signs, rallies, commercials, and fundraisers. But the short lead time might work to the advantage of minority candidates, equalizing deep majority pockets.
While short lead time throws dirt on electoral tracks, low turnout can derail the train. The electoral percentage voting in special elections is typically small, often under 10%. This enables a small, but committed minority to determine the outcome, disenfranchising the population at large.
In next Thursday's special mayoral election, if turnout is low, as in school budget referendums with about 2000 voters, and Mr. Hockley can mobilize most of the voters who wrote him in when he ran against Mr. Bradley, about 1800 partisans, Glen Hockley, the underdog, could win by a landslide.
One thing is sure. In a low turnout special election, your vote counts more than ever. Please vote on Thursday, March 31.
Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were killed by the January 12th earthquake. Hundreds of thousands more were left homeless and are now living in tents.
of Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield counties. Attendees included five representatives from various state agencies, six members of central White Plains neighborhood associations (Fisher Hill, Battle Hill, Old Oak Ridge and Havilands Manor) and two representatives of the Mayor's Office. Mayor Bradley welcomed the group but then had to leave to attend a budget work session with the Common Council. 
men are acknowledged leaders in their 
fields. Dr. Clouet (left) is credited with helping to turn around a difficult New London, CT district with a large immigrant population and a small budget. Mr. Bradley has a distinguished record in the Assembly, having authored significant legislation in a diversity of areas, from healthcare to environment to family.
as leaders – which entails followers – but as partners. Clouet, who was accompanied to the meeting by Donna McLaughlin, President of the Board of Education, and Kerry Broderick, President of the White Plains Teachers Association, said his success in White Plains will depend on his ability to create partnerships within his administration, with teachers, with community leaders, with parents, and, of course, with students. Obviously, Dr. Clouet has made a good start!
Mr. Bradley said his success as a leading New York State Assemblyman stemmed in large measure from bipartisanship, which he characterized as collegial, even genial, discourse between legislators on different sides of the aisle or different sides of an issue. He believes a good leader is a good listener, willing to examine and be nurtured by divergent opinions. If elected Mayor, he envisions an administration of inclusion and openness to people and positions.
