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Beth Smayda is a White Plains Common Councilwoman, having first been elected in November 2009. She has served as the council's president since January 2012.
She also is the managing director of The BondFactor Company and a former managing director for National Public Finance Guarantee/MBIA.
Why do you want to continue to help lead White Plains? I chose to run for re-election because I would like to continue to use my experience as a councilwoman, public finance professional and community activist to address the fiscal challenges that continue to face the city, while ensuring the continued provision of quality services to city residents without placing an undue burden on our taxpayers.
What is your favorite location in White Plains to spend time with your family? While our three children, all of whom were raised in White Plains and attended the White Plains Public Schools, have left home, I would say one of our favorite places to go as a family was the White Plains Public Library. It has always been a special place where my husband and I could get essential information and enjoyable books, videos and music scores and our children could explore wherever their interests led them. Even though my children's experience with the library preceded The Trove, they still enjoyed the library immensely -- the "new" online catalog (at the time), educational computer games, the summer reading program, and, of course, story hours.
When is your birthday? Aug. 21.
What do you do for recreation? I sing in my church choir and run (not just for office, but on area trails and streets). I particularly enjoy running on the Greenway -- it's easy on the knees and an oasis in the middle of the city.
What is your favorite restaurant in the area? We have such a variety of restaurants in White Plains, with foods from a multitude of ethnicities and for varied tastes and budgets. I enjoy trying them all.
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