WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. July 15, 2004: George Gretsas says his good-byes this evening at a private party at Laguna Restaurant to his closest friends and associates.
On Wednesday evening, he said his fairwell to Mr. and Mrs. White Plains on Winbrook Like It Is, in a half-hour cable television interview with Ron Jackson, “The Last Activist” on WPPA-TV, The Spirit of 76. It was Mr. Gretsas’ first personal interview since coming to work for Mayor Delfino six and a half years ago.
GETTING READY FOR NBC: In a warm interview filled with touches of Mr. Gretsas’ personal philosophy and glowing accolades from Mr. Jackson, Gretsas thanked the people of White Plains for his experience. He praised Mayor Joseph Delfino (“This guy has a heart of gold. His heart bleeds for the people in this city. Everything we’ve done in this city, it’s been about people.”), and said that in the year-and-a-half left in Mayor Delfino’s term, getting 221 Main Street and developing the Silverman-Minskoff owned property across Mamaroneck Avenue from City Center would complete the revitalization of the White Plains downtown. Photo Capture by WPCNR News From WPPA-TV, White Plains Public Access Television.
” As far as my absence is concerned, nothing’s going to change, the Mayor is in charge of this city. The Mayor will continue to be in charge of this city.” George Gretsas, who assumes the helm of Fort Lauderdale as their new City Manager August 2, said on the Jackson show. ” He’s got some decisions to make in terms of what he does, whether he runs for reelection or not is going to be the pivotal thing about whether he stays or goes. My presence (lack of) won’t really make much of a difference because other people could do the (my) job. People may have different styles but at the end of the day the job will get done, because the vision, the leadership, that’s Mayor Delfino. Mayor Delfino will be here.” Photo Capture by WPCNR News from WPPA-TV, Winbrook Like It Is.
Asked what White Plains would be like in 10 years by host Ron Jackson, Gretsas said,
“The real question is, what happens after the Mayor is gone. Obviously, if he stays another four years, I think you’re going to see the continuity, you’re going to see the same leadership style, and I think you’ll see the unity with the (Common) Council, because I think he works very well with the council. The question is, if the Mayor doesn’t run, who will replace him. There are certain people who are waiting to run I think that will probably carry on similar philosophies, because a good number of the Councilpeople feel the same the way Mayor does about the policy decisions.
Warns about one Mayoral Prospect.
Gretsas warned about one individual whom he felt would not be good for the city:
“But there is one individual who I think, if was elected would substantially change the direction of the city, the culture of the city and I don’t think that would be very good for the city. I think the question becomes who the Mayor is, that would determine the direction of the city (over the next 10 years). I know that with Joe Delfino in charge you’ll see a continuation wrapping up the downtown. We’re very close to finishing but we have one or two projects we still have to get done. 221 Main Street still needs to be completed and also the property across the street from the City Center where the Foot Locker is right now. That needs to be redeveloped as well.”
Praises the Common Council
Complimented by Mr. Jackson on his relationship with the Common Council and the high regard for Mr. Gretsas credibility expressed by councilmembers Mr. Jackson did not identify, Gretsas tossed bouquets to the Common Council saying the Common Council relationship has been “spectacular, you’d be hard-pressed to find a government with the collegiality and the willingness to work for the good of the city.”
Gretsas said this was due to the talents of Mayor Delfino whom he said “draws out the best in people and gets them to work together.”
Jackson calls him an “icon.”
Mr. Jackson praised Mr. Gretsas work on restoring heat and power and water to Winbrook when a ruptured gasline disrupted services to the building and said that Gretsas was an icon, and that the city will not know what it is missing until the icon is gone. Gretsas graciously accepted the compliment.
Jackson also noted that Common Councilpersons he knows have personally told Jackson they made decisions based on consultation with Mr. Gretsas on issues.
“Always Tell the Truth.”
Reacting touched to that anecdote, Gretsas said “My own personal rule is always tell the truth and be good to your word. Because jobs come and go, people come and go, but at the end of the day that’s all you have. You need to know that when you sit down with me in my office when I commit to something it’s going to get done.”
Gretsas indicated this applies to projects, deadlines, commitments.
Final words to White Plains
Asked what his final message was to the people of White Plains, he said, “I can’t thank Mayor Delfino enough for the opportunity he provided me. I was 29 years old when he picked me, and living in New Jersey, and he really took a chance on me. We’ve had a tremendous relationship. Working with the council, and working with the people of White Plains really has been an unbelievable opportunity, and I’m very grateful. I thank them, and thank your viewers particularly. I’ll look back on these days with great affection.”
Gretsas cited among the achievements of the Delfino Administration, was turning White Plains into a model for downtown revitalization for the whole country in 6-1/2 years, and expressed special pride in the atmosphere created by the Renaissance Plaza fountain square at Main and Mamaroneck.
White Plains Commissioner Drain?
Jackson asked if he was bringing any of the Mayor’s staff with him to Fort Lauderdale. Gretsas said that sounded like a John Bailey question, grinned and said a lot of people had spoken to him about jobs in Florida, but “The Mayor’s Staff is the Mayor’s Staff.” He pointed out the Mayor has selected good commissioners and department heads whom he relies on for their expertise.
Gretsas said his job in Fort Lauderdale would be helping the city manage its budget to live within its means.
(According to a report July 4 in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, one of Gretsas’ first trial balloons already sent aloft in Fort Lauderdale, is calling for establishment of a Human Resources Department reporting directly to him to manage staff, set salaries, and allocate resources. He is also recommending backing off wholesale police firings. Mayor James Naugle of Fort Lauderdale has endorsed the establishment of that department..)
The interview can be seen on Saturday evening at 8:30 P.M. on WPPA-TV, “The Spirit of 76”
