WHITE PLAINS — With his family at his side, Tom Roach was sworn in as acting mayor of White Plains on Saturday, less than 24 hours after Adam Bradley resigned to concentrate on his ongoing legal woes.

Roach, a Democrat with nine years' experience on the Common Council, took the oath of office from Senior City Court Judge JoAnn Friia during a brief, low-key ceremony at City Hall attended by Corporation Counsel and Chief of Staff John Callahan, City Clerk Anne McPherson and former Common Council member Rita Malmud.

"I feel very confident that the city will continue to operate and function as it has," he said afterward, adding that his goal is to have a seemless transition.

The first order of business, Roach said, is to set a date for a special election to fill the remainder of Bradley's term, which ends in 2013. The special election must be held within 60 days. Roach said he intends to run in that election.

"I know the city very well and the people in the city know me very well," he said. "I hope that they have the same confidence in me that I have in them."

On Friday, Bradley became the first mayor to resign in the history of the city, nearly a year after his Feb. 28 arrest, when he was accused of slamming his wife's fingers in a doorway and other spousal abuse incidents. He was arrested again April 8 on more charges, including witness tampering. Bradley was convicted of five charges in December and is to be sentenced on March 17. He said he plans to appeal.

Roach said he has received a number of calls, e-mails and visits from well-wishers since Bradley's resignation.

"I've gotten so much support from the community ... you don't feel like your doing this alone," he said.

Written by Richard Liebson Source: Lohud