Q & A With White Plains Common Council Candidate Beth Smayda

Beth Smayda is one of six candidates on the ballot for the White Plains Common Council on Nov. 5.

Smayda, who is running under the Democrat, Working Family and Independent lines, has served as a member of the White Plains Common Council since 2010 and she now serves as council president.

Smayda currently works as the managing director of credit for The BondFactor Company and has volunteered for a number of organizations, including the White Plains PTA, League of Women Voters of White Plains and Habitat for Humanity.

Below are Smayda's responses to a questionnaire sent out by Patch.

Age: 56

Occupation: Managing Director, Credit for The BondFactor Company; President, White Plains Common Council.

Patch: Why did you decide to run for election?

Smayda: 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.  

Patch: What personal or professional experiences qualify you to serve on the common council?

Smayda: My husband and I are thirty year residents of White Plains.  We have raised our three children, Michael, Kirsten and Katherine here.  All three attended and graduated from White Plains public schools.  Professionally, I have worked in public finance for over twenty years in analytical, managerial and executive positions at Moody’s Investors Service, MBIA/National Public Finance Guaranty and now BondFactor.  My volunteer activities within the White Plains community include the White Plains PTA, League of Women Voters, and the City Budget & Management Advisory Committee.  More specifically I am a past President of League of Women Voters of White Plains and chaired their City Budget Committee for twenty years.  I also chaired the White Plains PTA Council’s School Budget & Legislation Committees, served on the White Plains School District Annual Budget Committee and received the PTA Jenkins Award.  My educational background is in public policy and public administration.  I received a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas in Austin and a BA in Public Administration and Political Science from Augustana College, IL.

Patch: What is the top issue facing city residents?

Smayda: From my discussions with residents throughout the City, property taxes continue to be the top issue.  Although the City’s share of a resident’s total property tax bill is just around 20 percent, growth in any component of total property taxes is a hardship for many.  The challenge and responsibility of city government is to continually balance the local tax burden with the provision of quality services and, thus, a main focus of mine as a Council member and Chair of the City’s Budget and Management Advisory Committee.

Patch: Describe your campaign platform or how you differentiate yourself from your opponents' platforms?

Smayda: Because of my professional background in municipal bonds, public finance and financial turnarounds and my position as Chair of the City of White Plains’ Budget and Management Advisory Committee, I have focused on and will continue to address City fiscal issues.  I began my term, almost four years ago in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression.  We addressed the City’s financial challenges head-on and the tough decisions we made back then laid the groundwork for the stable and much improved financial position, maintenance of quality City services, and opportunities we now enjoy in the City of White Plains.  

Patch: Should you be elected, what would you like to achieve over the course of your term?

Smayda: We need to continue to explore and adopt new ways of doing things—whether through greater investment in technology, functional realignments, or other innovations—in order to preserve City services and make investments important for White Plains’ future, without placing an undue burden on our taxpayers. We must also continue to roll out initiatives that protect and enhance our environment for our children and generations to come, while continuing to expand citizens’ access to their government.

Patch: If elected, how do you feel you will balance of the concerns of the city’s businesses community with the concerns of all your other constituents?

Smayda: We are very fortunate in White Plains to have a thriving downtown AND attractive and desirable residential neighborhoods.  For the most part I do not see a conflict between the City’s business community and other constituents, such as residents.  Both rely on and expect quality services, whether roads, public safety, water and sewer, or garbage pick-up.  And both expect services to be provided cost effectively.  In instances where businesses have infringed on residential neighborhoods, namely where they are legally non-conforming and have been grandfathered despite updating of neighborhood zoning, residential concerns need to be addressed by the local businesses with support provided by our City police, fire and building departments.  If re-elected, I will continue to be responsive to local residents and their concerns.

Patch: Is there anything we haven't asked that you would like the public to know about you?

Smayda: One thing that people may not know about me is that I am a singer.  In high school I was Marian the Librarian in the Music Man and in college I played the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.  Now I enjoy singing in my church choir.

I have focused on the City’s fiscal health because I don’t believe we can be the City that we want to be for all our residents without a strong financial base.  I think the phrase, “No margin, No mission” applies.  Without financial wherewithal it’s very hard to provide the services that make White Plains a great place to live; from youth programming to safe streets and convenient garbage pickup to community-wide recreational programs and events.  If re-elected, I will continue to provide vision today for White Plains tomorrow.