Mayor-Elect Bradley Taps John Callahan Chief of Staff/Corp Counsel in new Gov.


 


 


 


WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Transition Team of Mayor-Elect Adam Bradley. December 22, 2009:  White Plains Mayor-Elect Adam Bradley has selected John G. Callahan, a former Corporation Counsel for the City, as his Chief of Staff.  Callahan is an attorney who has spent most of his career representing government entities.

“I’m confident that John Callahan shares my vision for the future of White Plains. His experience and professionalism will help me lead the city in a new direction”, said Adam Bradley.

Callahan will take on a dual role as Chief of Staff and Corporation Counsel for the City of White Plains.  He will oversee the day to day functions of the city and will supervise the City’s Law Department as well. Callahan says, “I am honored that Mayor-Elect Bradley chose me and I am looking forward to the challenge of holding both positions.”


Callahan informed Commissioner of Finance Gina Cuneo-Harwood, Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, Arne Abramowitz and Deputy Commissioner Debra Clay they would not be part of the Bradley administration Friday and rehired Commissioner of Building, Damon Amadeo Friday in the first steps towards shaping the new Bradley administration which takes over the city in 9 Days, Januart 1





Mayor-Elect Bradley is assigning one person to hold the two positions in an effort to save more than $175,000 for the taxpayers of White Plains. He has inherited an $18 million dollar budget deficit and this will be the first of many cost-cutting initiatives that won’t jeopardize services. “I wouldn’t give this job to just anyone.  I know that John will be able to handle the additional responsibility.”

Callahan has years of municipal and governmental experience and is accustomed to working hard and getting results. He has held many positions as an attorney since 1976 in his own successful private practice and in local and state government representing the Cities of New Rochelle and Yonkers, the Town of Eastchester, and New York State. Callahan was also the Corporation Counsel for the City of White Plains from 1994-1998.  “I am coming back home to a city I’ve represented in the past, with more energy and enthusiasm than ever before.”





 

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Amadio Reappointed Building Commissioner Friday evening

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. Special to WPCNR. December 21,2009: Damon Amadio announced to WPCNR Monday afternoon that he was reappointed Commissioner of Building Friday evening at 7 P.M. by the incoming Bradley administration, not saying who had told him he was reappointed. Later that evening Mr. Bradley had said he could never confirm nor deny that any of the reported Commissioners not being carried over were either being continued or not rehired by his new administration.


Mr.Amadio told WPCNR this morning he was still the Building Commissioner, however, did not say he had been reappointed by the incoming Bradley administration.


Meanwhile, the other three Commissioners Arne Abramowitz, Debra Clay of the Department of Recreation and Parks, and Gina Cuneo-Harwood, Commissioner of Finance have told colleagues they are not coming back.


The incoming Bradley Administration as of yet has not announced officially who is staying or who is going.

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Inauguration Ceremony Set

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Mayor-Elect Adam Bradley Transition Office. December 21,2009: The City of White Plains  Mayor-Elect, Adam Bradley, has announced that he will be holding his ceremonial swearing-in and inaugural reception on Sunday January 3rd, 2010 from 3:00 PM till 5:00 PM at White Plains City Hall, 255 Main Street, White Plains, NY.


 


The general public is invited to attend and meet the new Mayor in the rotunda at White Plains City Hall.  Mayor-Elect Bradley commented, “This is the most appropriate venue to start my tenure as the people’s Mayor, in the people’s house.  During these tough fiscal times, I think it is important to forego having any formal inaugural ball or reception.  I look forward to meeting and greeting the fine people of the City of White Plains and to personally thank them for their trust and support in me.  This is also an opportunity for me to say thank you to my many friends and supporters who have assisted me throughout my years in public office.”


 


The general public is invited to attend, light refreshments will be served.

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New Bradley Administration to Shed 3 Commissioners, Mayor’s Develmnt Director

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. December 18, 2009 UPDATED Monday  1:30 P.M. E.S.T.: Reliable sources with first-hand knowledge of today’s events in City Hall have confirmed to WPCNR that the newly-elected Adam Bradley administration which takes office in two weeks, today informed five prominent members of the outgoing Delfino administration they will not be part of the new government.


Mayor-elect Adam Bradley returned WPCNR’s inquiry Friday evening and said he could “neither confirm or deny”   the communications by John Callahan to at least commissioners and Mayor’s aid that they were not going to have jobs in his administration. He said he was looking for cuts of $1 to $2 Million in the administration staff he has control over.


Leaving will be Commissioner of Finance, Gina Cuneo-Harwood, Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Arne Abramowitz, Deputy Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Debra Clay, and Melissa Lopez, Director of Economic Development and Coordinator of Public Information,


Commissioner of Building, Damon Amadio,  contacted WPCNR Monday morning to say he has not been informed of his status and how he fits into administration plans. He is as of Monday morning still the Commissioner of Building, Mr. Amadio says. 


Commissioners Cuneo-Harwood, and Abramowitz have personally informed colleagues they were given notice by Mr. Callahan Friday.


Mr. Abramowitz confirmed to the WPCNR source in a phone call that he and Ms. Clay had been told they were going. A member of Mayor Joseph Delfino’s staff confirmed Ms. Harwood’s being told she would not be part of the new administration coming in in January. 


With the four commissioners informed they were not returning, the city will save a total of $541,060 plus benefits. He appears to have $1.5 million so to go in administrative cutbacks.


“I’ve inherited Rome after Nero,” he said. “I was elected to make sure we have a lean government and a solvent government,  a cost-concious government and that’s going to be my mission. I intend to save $1 to 2 Million dollars in the administrative end, otherwise I have no credibility when I go to ask concessions from the unions.”


Noting the city was 25% over budget (an$18 Million deficit, according to Bradley’s estimate on a $158 Million budget)compared to New York State being 15% over budget, Bradley said he had no choice, saying the city was  on the bring of “financial disaster.”


Next week Mr. Bradley is expected to announce details about how his administration will start, and told WPCNR he would be announcing his Chief of Staff.


John Callahan of the Bradley transition team gave out the bad news to the Commissioners.


 

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