Patch Candidate Profile 2023: Lederman For White Plains Common Council

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Registered voters in White Plains will have choices to make on Nov. 7.

Among them is picking three people to fill vacancies in the White Plains Common Council.

Republican Charles Lederman, 59, of White Plains is on the ballot, along with incumbent Democrats Victoria F. Presser and Jenn Puja, Democrat Jeremiah Frei-Pearson and Republicans Enrique C. Jinete.

Lederman has been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years, the last 20 of which assigned counsel to Westchester courts. He previously managed an international textile manufacturer/distributor.

His political experience includes being on the board and leadership of residential and neighborhood associations.

Lederman is married with three grown children.

Campaign website: charleslederman.net

To help the public get to know the candidates for White Plains Common Council, Patch sent them same set of questions. Here are Lederman’s responses.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because I am dissatisfied with the management of this city. Having been born and raised here, I am aware of the drastic change that has occurred since the influx of carpet-bagging office seekers and career bureaucrats in the last 20 or more years. They are all too busy chasing their own ambitions or retirement to consider the residents that have remained here, and intend to remain. That ambition takes the form of never-ending development, and construction, looking for more housing to attract new renters. All the while, this insatiable ambition causes neglect of the existing infrastructure, public safety issues and manpower, dwindling open space, youth/senior support and a plethora of other issues. I think the Democratic Party, which has ruled this town without opposition for a long time, needs to hear a voice of opposition, and the Common Council is a good place to butt in.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Main difference is that I am FROM WHITE PLAINS. I don't believe that any of the other candidates can say that. I've been around since Rosedale was a gravel road with horse corals, and there were warehouses and train tracks along the Greenway that ended up where there used to be a B.Altmans. I know what White Plains was, I see what it has become, and I disagree with the current regime about what White Plains should be in the future.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Overdevelopment and overrepresentation of the urban center.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Term limits would keep these career clowns out of control. I am only stepping up because they need someone with some sense in the room, and I only plan on doing it until some other like-minded townies step up. To be honest, I didn't even realize that this part-time position is salaried until someone mentioned it. Another issue is that we need more transparency as to public safety matters here in WP. We need a regular police blotter and reporting of incidents, especially with our city becoming a hub and home to so many unvetted migrants. Regular reporting of performance/efficiency of our medical/fire responders is important as well as the performance of our mutual aid resources and their effect on city services. Sweeping these matters under a rug is no longer a feasible strategy as it may have been in the past.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Bd Member Rosedale Resid. Assoc., former VP then President of Gedney Neighborhood Assoc., former VP then President of White Plains Council Neighborhood Associations.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Most advice I ever got was crap . . . . but there was one professor who told me it's useless to see an opportunity and not to act on it.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

One-party rule is not working out for the city of White Plains. The incredible growth in apartment housing downtown, combined with councilmembers being elected "at-large" has taken any power away from outlying neighborhoods and the single- or two-family homes that pay all of those taxes. While there are the same number of houses to vote on issues that affect homeowners, there is an ever-increasing number of apartment dwellers who seek completely different services from their municipal government. In other words, taxpaying homeowners are getting the short end of our mini Manhattan's stick, while footing the bill. White Plains city government needs to hear a voice in opposition to the current pitchmen seeking to market our city to everyone else, and concentrate more on fixing the issues of those of us who already live here and have some skin in the game.

Editor's note: The candidate's responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity.