SHARE

Five Questions for North Salem Board Candidate White

John White White is a 36-year resident of North Salem. He earned a BBA and an MBA at Pace University and has continued to take courses there at the Doctorate level in both Finance and Economics.

After a 37-year career with Verizon Communications, he founded his own company, 8 Degree Research & Consulting. The company assists several Fortune 500 companies in the development, production, and deployment of new technologies. 

He is a member of the North Salem Lions, currently serving as Treasurer.  He is also a member of the North Salem Improvement Society and the North Salem Historical Society.

He recently completed a five year appointment as chairman of the North Salem School District Fiscal Planning Committee, and is currently serving as chairman of the Town of North Salem’s Comprehensive Plan Committee.  He is a former member of the North Salem Town Board, and has served on the Town’s Ethics Committee.

At the county level he has served as vice president of the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation,  and as vice chairman addressing Governmental Services on the original Westchester 2000 Task Force.    

Last October, White was appointed by County Executive Astorino to be a member of the Westchester County Housing Opportunity Commission, representing the North County Watershed region.   

In his spare time he enjoys motorcycling, and photographing his favorite subjects -- the beauty of Northern Westchester, and his two grandchildren.

1. Why are you running for Town Board? 

Giving back to the community has always been an important priority for me. 

I’m currently Treasurer of the North Salem Lions, and I’m also a member of the North Salem Historic Society, and the North Salem Improvement Society.   

I’ve recently completed serving five years as Chairman of the North Salem Schools Fiscal Planning Committee, and am now Chairman of the North Salem Comprehensive Plan Committee.  

 When Supervisor Warren Lucas asked if I would serve on the North Salem Town Council, I saw it as another opportunity to help.

2. Why should Republicans vote for you in the primary and how are you different from your competition?

I have had the good fortune to work in both the private and public sectors.

I’m currently the President of 8 Degree Research & Consulting, a business I founded in 2003, and have had extensive experience in working with and for, several Fortune 500 companies.  

My 37 year career as an Executive with Verizon Communications in management, technology, and regulatory, have further helped me understand the difficulty of how business interacts with government at the federal, state, and local levels. 

These experiences, coupled with my civic service on both the town and county levels, reinforces the fact that I have the skills and knowledge necessary for the position. 

3. What is the biggest issue or problem in North Salem right now and what would you do about it?

The biggest issue facing our town today is taxes, taxes, taxes!

I believe it’s important to keep North Salem both beautiful and affordable during these challenging economic times.  Our focus should not only be on town taxes, but on county, state, and school taxes as well. 

As past Chairman of the North Salem Schools Fiscal Planning Committee, we successfully found millions in fund balances, which were effectively used to reduce and minimize some of the tax burden on our residents.  .

Moving forward, regulations and mandates also need to be addressed.  Property transfer taxes make absolutely no sense during these difficult economic times.

4. If you have previously served in political office, what was your greatest accomplishment?

As Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan, our committee identified multiple ways to improve our town’s zoning and infrastructure.  One of the many significant recommendations was to add more flexible zoning near 684, thereby making it more friendly and viable toward small business.  

5. What would you like to see in North Salem that is not currently part of the community?

North Salem has miles of some of the most beautiful trails and roads in Westchester for hiking and bicycling.  Many however, are restricted by the city for use.  Additionally, heavy overflow traffic from the interstate exacerbates road deterioration and safety.   We need to work with the state, county and city to address this issue.  This was also detailed in the Comprehensive Plan.

Will you vote in Tuesday's primary? Comment below.

to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE