VIDEO: Meet the Candidates, Jim Arndt

Election season is upon us again, and White Plains has races on Nov. 8 for seats on the White Plains Common Council and Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Read below to learn more about one of the candidates, and click  to find out who else is running.

Meet the Candidate: Jim Arndt, running to fill a 2-year term on the White Plains Common Council

How Long in White Plains/Where: has lived in White Plains for 15 years, Arndt and his wife Rosalee raise their family in the Church Street neighborhood

Age: 44

Job Title/Profession: General Manager/Facility Manager, HUGO Boss; retail management and sales

Education: Graduate of Westlake High School; Attended Westchester Community College, concentration in business management in textiles

Other activities and current/past involvement: Member, Church Street School Safety Committee; Westchester County Planning Board; member of County Executive Rob Astorino’s Administration Transition Team; member of the Downtown Alliance, NYC; member of the Retail Federation; Republican Party District Leader

Website: arndtforthepeople.com

Run for office before: ran for a seat on the White Plains Common Council in 2009

Party: Republican

Endorsements: Republican; Conservative

Why are you running for a seat on the White Plains Common Council?

I, Jim Arndt, am running for a seat on the White Plains Common Council because my passion is for the people of this great city. We have so many residents that don't have a word, because they don't have a willing ear.

We need someone that will create the check and balance. Currently, there is an open checkbook without us signing the check. I feel we need individuals that have proven leadership that will fight for all, and not for some.

What makes you the best candidate for a seat on the council? What would you bring to the council as a member?

If we take a look at my track record in the private sector it shows leadership, success, profitability, and a people first attitude. I, Jim Arndt, would bring a middle class family perspective that understands the fear of today’s financial climate.

First off, I'm not an attorney. I, Jim Arndt, am a business minded individual with a history of running very successful businesses. So my thoughts are of an open and outward thinker for now and our future.  I think with the people of the city in mind. Many folks say it, but I'm a believer its people over politics.

Explain your stance on the following issues, and how you would address these issues as a council member?

Parking: I can't understand why we want to ruin our economic engine by slapping a $10 one-time fee ticket on the shoppers that support our sales tax. The idea of adding an additional $270K to our bottom line parking income to chase away millions in sales which equals tax revenues.

Property taxes: I have to be candid here by saying I can’t lower taxes. That's just looking for votes.

What I can say as a business leader is, I can see where we have wasteful spending. We allow our City leaders to have an open checkbook without any one saying WHY are we spending this. We cut services to do away with jobs. These jobs were with people of White Plains families like us, while we are spending money on the commissioner vehicles with gas and insurance.

If the mayor can use his own car, why can't they? Taking people off payroll to have them work as consultants isn’t cost effective in our future planning for the people. Then hiring additional head count to the mayor’s staff?

Ask for council members to do away with lifetime benefits. Again, it is about the people and the services we expect.

The French-American School of New York’s plans for the former Ridgeway Country Club: My question to our current city leaders is, why were you sleeping?In my world we call it opportunity.

Can't cry over what could have been done. Just need to be a leader of what will be done. I'm not a fan of building a college-like campus in any of our neighborhoods. I'd like to call Ridgeway the Central Park of White Plains.

What are other issues facing the city you feel are important, and how would you address these issues?

Other issues looming over us are the antiquated city hall; overhauling and updating our library; The Galleria and Transcenter parking garages. We have the issues of today and those of our future with no plans in place. We have to stop plugging holes and start planning.

What is your favorite thing about White Plains?

My favorite part about White Plains is the people. We moved here as a family knowing White Plains was the city of neighborhoods, the city of trees, excellent schools, and most of all the PEOPLE.

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