White Plains Voters Talk Budget and School Board Candidates at the Polls

Ever year, for the last six years, that Lorna Dixon has worked the White Plains School District Board of Education Election and Budget Vote it has rained. However, despite the nasty weather, Dixon said it never stops most voters from having their say.

“It hasn’t been too slow,” said Dixon, who was stationed at, early Tuesday afternoon. “We always get the bulk of people between 5 [p.m.] and 7 [p.m.] after work. I look forward to this every year.” 

White Plains residents braved the grey day to cast their ballots for or against a $188.8 million budget that will raise taxes by 3 percent. The tax levy is 2.7 percent, which carries a tax rate of $565.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, or an additional $249 per year or $.69 a day for the average White Plains home assessed at $15,000.

“I always vote,” said Michael Ansbro, a city resident of 38 years who voted at . “I think it’s just the moral thing to do. It’s one of the things we can do here, we can vote. If you don’t vote—what are you doing?”

Antoinette Dapice, who has two children in the school district, also feels it is her “duty” to vote. 

“We want to make sure the kids are going to get what they need in school, and weigh that out with what it’s going to cost you as a taxpayer,” said Dapice, at Ridgeway Elementary School.

Amy Barest has three children in the school district and crosses her fingers every year in hopes that the budget will pass.

“I am [nervous over whether the budget will pass] when I see people who don’t have children in the schools coming out to vote, and I hope all my friends and colleagues come out,” said Barest. “It’s always a concern, but so far it [the budget being voted down] hasn’t happened.”

Though the school board election was uncontested, voters could still cast their ballots for the three seats on the board of education, which will be filled by incumbents and and attorney (incumbent Donna McLaughlin is not seeking re-election). Click on each name for a story on that candidate, and here for all of our coverage on the election.

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Barest said she didn’t mind that the election was uncontested.

“I like all the candidates,” said Barest.  “So, I’m happy. It [an uncontested election] made it one less thing to think about.”

Click for more details on the budget, here for all of our budget coverage and back with us tomorrow for the results.

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