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There is an old adage that is sometimes attributed to Benjamin Franklin: "If you want something done, ask a busy person." If I have ever met an individual who personifies this quote, it would be Council Member Evelyn Alicea-Santiago, who has long made her mark on White Plains, and hasn't slowed since taking office. The WPDCC sat down with Council Member Alicea-Santiago: mom, teacher, advocate, and one of White Plains' newest Common Council members, for a wide-ranging conversa

As an aging Millennial, I have reached the point in my life where I can safely say, "When I was your age…" When I was your age, cell phones only could make phone calls. When I was your age, social media meant we all had to learn how to use HTML and had to rank our "Top 8 Friends". When I was your age, the President was running on "hope and change," and a few years later the biggest scandal anyone could name was the color of his suit (who knew tan was such an issue?!) Now, loo

One of the primary functions of the White Plains’ elected leaders is to review, finalize, and pass a budget to keep the City running efficiently and seamlessly from year to year. The White Plains Common Council just recently adopted its final budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. For background, Article V-A, Section 68 of the City Charter (entitled “Budget”) requires the Common Council to formally adopt a budget on or before May 30th for every fiscal year (White Plains City Char

The WPDCC’s April 2026 ICE & Immigration Policy Roundtable brought together local, state, and federal leaders to discuss immigration enforcement, constitutional rights, and proposed legislation aimed at protecting immigrant communities in White Plains and across New York. The discussion covered ICE enforcement tactics, local government responses, “Know Your Rights” resources, and ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and protections for vulnerable reside

There is a saying in politics that all politics is local — and in this moment, that saying is more than a truism. The WPDCC has built its work around this. What matters most are the things you feel every day: the home you live in, the food you can afford, the health care you can get, the education your child receives, and whether your neighbor feels safe in their home, no matter what country they come from or what race they are.