Kathleen Gunn to Leave BID for Deputy City Manager of Fort Lauderdale Job

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey August 21, 2004: Jeffrey Stillman of the White Plains Downtown Improvement Association told WPCNR  today that Kathleen Gunn, Executive Director of the BID had resigned Wednesday from her position to take the job of Deputy City Manager of Fort Lauderdale to George Gretsas, the former Executive Officer of the City of White Plains who started as City Manager of  “The Venice of the South” on August 2.



COMING ON DOWN:  Kathleen Gunn, Executive Director of the BID, left, with Acting Executive Officer Paul Wood of the Mayor’s Office on the balcony at Zanaro’s Restaurant Monday at the Trump-Cappelli affair. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


 


 



JEFFREY STILLMAN, Chairman of the BID at the City Center Movies Opening,December, 2003. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


Stillman said Ms. Gunn’s resignation came as a complete surprise, but that “Mr. Gretsas made her an offer she could not refuse.”  (That offer, according to the Sun-Sentinel in an article appearing on their website Sunday by Brittany Wallman was $124,000 and she will be starting in October. Gretsas is reported by Brittany Wallman, the Sun-Sentinel city hall reporter as about to announce a third hire Monday.)


Gretsas, a guest at Ms. Gunn’s wedding last May, hired Ms. Gunn as a receptionist. He describes her in the Sun-Sentinel as a “Policy Specialist,” when she was hired in the Mayor’s Office about four years ago from which she moved to her position as Executive Director of the BID.


Gretsas terminated the Assistant City Manager of Fort Lauderdale Tuesday of this week. The next day, according to Stillman, Ms. Gunn announced her resignation. Stillman said he expected her to start her assignment in Fort Lauderdale “soon.”  He said Ms. Gunn had assimilated an excellent staff at the BID during her tenure there, and he had looked forward to her being there for years to come. 


Ms. Gunn was a liaison with merchants, landlords, and members of the downtown businesses who comprise the BID, handling complaints, working for improvements and sampling their opinions and turning their suggestions into accomplishments. During her tenure the Downtown Ambassadors program was begun,  the street cleaning crews were implemented, and she also helped plan and implement public events to draw persons to the downtown, and was responsible for creating a new BID newsletter.


Stillman reports he will convene the Board of Directors of the BID this week to determine how to conduct a search for Ms. Gunn’s successor. Ms. Gunn could not be reached for comment.


Ms. Gunn was appointed Executive Director of the BID in April, 2002. Prior to this she worked on grants for the Mayor’s Office, in addition to her other duties in the Mayor’s office, and was a community liaison in Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.

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Special Permit Renewal Time for NYPH. Should Council Renew?

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. August 20, 2004: The New York Presbyterian Hospital has had a Special Permit for two years to build a proton accelerator and biotech laboratory on their property on White Plains East Side. However, no groundbreaking has taken place. No financing has been forthcoming, though it has been vaguely promised by the state as of this writing. Does White Plains feel the Common Council should deny a renewal of the permit? You can vote No, or Yes straightaway or with qualifications. Let the Common Council and the Mayor know your thinking.

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DELFINO’S PET PALS Premiers Monday on WPPA-TV 10 PM Ch. 76

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WPCNR TV PHOTOPLAY. By John F. Bailey. August 20, 2004: Mayor Joseph Delfino launches his own effort to provide homes to Westchester’s and White Plains’ homeless animals tonight when he hosts “Delfino’s Pet Pals ” on White Plains Public Access TV, Channel 76. Each week, Mayor Delfino will introduce animals from the Westchester Humane Society up for adoption. The Mayor came up with the idea for the show when he announced the city’s Dog Park initiative in June. Tune in meet some great “Delfino Dogs” and give one a home. The program “cables” at 8 P.M. Fridays and 10 P.M. Mondays on Channel 76, according to White Plains Cable Television Commission. Friday’s show will be repeated at 10 P.M. Monday.



DELFINO’S DOGS: Mayor Joseph Delfino striking up acquaintances with one of the four dogs introduced at his Dog Park News Conference in June. All four dogs were adopted from the New Rochelle Humane Society Shelter as a result of publicity about the dog park, according to Rick Ammirato of the Mayor’s Office. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

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Larry Delgado to Address CNA in September.

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WPCNR SOUTHENDER. From Council of Neighborhood Associations. August 19, 2004: The CNA announces that Councilman Larry Delgado will be their guest at their September 14 meeting at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane. Mr. Delgado, recently sworn in to the Common Council as a result of a succesful quo warranto action on his behalf by the Attorney General of the State of New York will be speaking on “White Plains Now and In the Future.”



White Plains Common Councilman Larry Delgado. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

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Pace Women’s Justice Center Names Pollet Executive Director

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WPCNR CAMPUS NEWS. From P.W.J.C. August 19, 2004: The Pace Women’s Justice Center at Pace University Law School has appointed Susan L. Pollet, Esq. as Executive Director. Pollet is an attorney known for her longstanding dedication to family law and women’s issues, and for her extensive community service.



Susan Pollet. Photo, Courtesey, Pace University Law School.



In the last decade the Pace WJC has emerged as a national leader in first response legal services for battered women, having pioneered 24/7 legal services so women can get help when they need it most. Staff attorneys carry beepers so they can be reached around the clock.

The Center also has expanded into training in such areas as sexual assault, gender violence, sex discrimination, stalking and teen dating violence. It provides practical experience for Pace law students and educates high school and middle school students as well as attorneys, judges, law enforcement officials, advocates and medical professionals.

Gender and cyberstalking. Pollet came to Pace after seven years as a court attorney with the Westchester County Family Court, where she negotiated thousands of cases and settled the vast majority of them as well as researching issues and drafting decisions. Before that, during nine years in private practice in Westchester and Putnam Counties, she concentrated on family law including child and adult protective cases.

She recently was appointed to the statewide Family Violence Task Force chaired by two Justices of the Appellate Division, the State’s highest court, Anthony Cardona and Sondra Miller, and to the Committee to Promote Gender Fairness in the Courts of the state’s Ninth Judicial District.

Other public service has involved work on virtually every committee of the Women’s Bar Association of New York State and the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.

A prolific author, Pollet has published more than 25 articles in publications like the New York Law Journal and the Family Law Review. Her recent subjects include mental health courts, the continued exploitation of child labor, in vitro fertilization, and cyberstalking.

Pollet is a graduate of Cornell, where she majored in consumer economics and public policy; She earned her law degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta.

For six years she taught law to undergraduates and paralegals as an adjunct professor at Mercy College. Her earlier experience included appointments at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Long Island Lighting Company and Pitney Bowes Inc.

“Joy.” Pollet’s appointment was announced by Janet Johnson, Pace Law School’s executive director of academic programs. She said: “Susan’s abundant energy, great enthusiasm, leadership experience, wide recognition in the legal community, intellectual curiosity and passion for the work will be of great service to the Center and its clients.”

Pollet said her new job is “a tremendous honor,” adding: “The substantive work that is accomplished, and the talented, creative and energetic staff I am working with will make every day a joy for me. I look forward to continuing the Center’s fine traditions through direct legal service, educational programs and scholarship, and to charting new directions to meet the times.”

In May Pollet received two awards — the New York State Women’s Bar Association Marilyn R. Menge Award for “valuable and significant contributions,” and the Westchester County Bar Institute’s Joseph F. Gagliardi Award for distinguished service.

She has been a director of the Westchester Children’s Association, the League of Women Voters of New Castle, the Chappaqua Children’s Workshop and the Pleasantville Children’s Center, and has served on the nominating committee of Temple Beth El of Chappaqua.

Award-winning center. Part of the Pace University School of Law, the WJC recently was given New York Governor George Pataki’s 2003 Justice, Freedom, and Courage Award to End Domestic Violence.

Each year, the Center represents over 1,500 battered women and their children in family court. Since 1999, law students have contributed over 10,000 hours of free legal assistance, which have helped garner more than $2,000,000 in child support for victims. WJC education programs often are conducted in partnership with the White Plains Department of Public Safety and other Westchester police departments.

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County Plans “No Bus Cuts in 05” — Spano.

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. August 19, 2004: Just received a letter from the County Executive who said “I have no intention of reducing service or increasing fares on the Bee Line Bus System for 2004 or 2005.” Thought you’d be happy to receive this good news. We won’t have to fight to save the Manhattan express bus or local buses next year!


PAUL FEINER


Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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Fortunoff Hosts Education on Buying Diamonds at Crowne Plaza

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WPCNR EASTENDER. August 19, 2004: Ladies looking for diversion on a typical Pro Football Sunday need look no further than Fortunoff on September 19. “The Source”  in White Plains is offering a FREE Educational Diamond Seminar to the public on Sunday, September 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains.

 


 


This informative session will be given by guest speaker Hillary Spector, Graduate Gemologist and former Gemological Institute of America Instructor.  The session will include:


 


q       How to use the 4 “C’s” (color, clarity, carat weight and cut) when buying a diamond


q       How diamonds are evaluated by the experts, and


q       How to protect yourself when you buy


 


 


Seating is limited, so reservations are required.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information, please call (914) 287-8716 by September 14th.


Fortunoff, with a new 185,000 square foot store in White Plains, has been a New York legend for over 80 years. With six retail stores specializing in fine jewelry and home furnishings in New York and New Jersey, Fortunoff has earned a reputation for its unparalleled selection, remarkable prices and legendary integrity.


 

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Government Officials Invited to Lunch With Comptroller’s Office to Plan Finance

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS FINANCIAL TIMES. From M.H.P.P. August 19, 2004: Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress with the Office of the State Comptroller will  present a special workshop and luncheon on Multi-year Capital Planning.  The workshop is designed to assist local officials in government and education with long-term planning for capital assets. A multi-year capital plan enables local governments and school districts to identify infrastructure and other capital needs and develop a plan for meeting those needs.


 





 


The workshop will feature a special luncheon presentations by Jo Brill, Director of State Studies at the Citizens Budget Commission addressing “Fixing New York State’s Fiscal Practices”, and Gerald Benjamin, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at State University of New York at New Paltz focusing on  “Reform in New York.”


 


The workshop and luncheon will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2004, from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm,  at the Fishkill Holiday Inn & Conference Center on Route 9 in Fishkill, NY.   The cost of workshop and luncheon is $45 members and $65 for non-members and lunch only is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.  For more information, questions, or to register go to www.pattern-for-progress.org or call 845.565.4900.


 

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Juggernaut Wrap Up Season, Extinguishing Heat, 5-0 Behind Clark.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. August 19, 2004: The Juggernaut’s Kaci Clark shut out the Arizona Heat for the second time in 4 days Wednesday night before 602 fans in Tucson. Jen Smith went 2 for 3 and drove in a run for the Nauts. Lauren Bauer drove in 2 runs, going 2 for 4. The Juggernaut fly home today to prepare for the National Pro Fastpitch Playoffs, beginning next week in Akron, Ohio.The Nauts finished 39-21 in their first season, finishing third. They will play Akron in a best 2 of 3 series next week in Akron, while the Pennant-Winning Texas Thunder take on the New England Riptide in the other best of 3 series, with the winners meeting for the Championship.


FINAL NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS August 19, 2004




























































W L PCT GB HOME AWAY
Texas Thunder 42 17 0.712 – 21-6 21-11
Akron Racers 39 21 0.650 3.5 20-10 19-11
NY/NJ Juggernaut 39 21 0.650 3.5 21-9 18-12
New England Riptide 25 35 0.417 17.5 14-16 11-19
Arizona Heat 19 41 0.317 23.5 10-22 9-19
California Sunbirds 15 44 0.254 27.0 9-21 6-23


 


Wednesday Results


NY-NJ Juggernaut 5 Arizona 0


Texas 1 California 0


New England 5 Akron 0

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. August 18, 2004: Monday at noon, White Plains was visited by royalty, the royalty of business in the personalities of Donald Trump and Louis Cappelli. This photograph captures that moment at Zanaro’s Restaurant. WPCNR thanks to Cappelli Enterprises for this historic photograph.



THE SUPERPALS: Special Guests at Zanaro’s Monday in White Plains for the TNT Ceremony commemorating the “Topping Off” of Donald Trump’s Condominium at the City Center, and the groundbreaking for Louis Cappelli’s Renaissance Square project on Main Street. Left to Right: Donald Trump, President & CEO, The Trump Organization, Louis R. Cappelli, President & CEO, Cappelli Enterprises, Charles Gargano, Director of Empire State Development Corporation; Bill Rancik,  winner of The Apprentice; Carolyn Kepcher, Manager of Trump National Golf Course in Briarcliff Manager, who also appears on The Apprentice; and Jeanine Pirro, Westchester District Attorney. All were at Zanaro’s Italian Restaurant at City Center, White Plains, following the TNT event. Photo, Courtesy, Cappelli Enterprises.


 

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