Updated:Mike Graessle, Commissioner of the Department of Planning for the first four years of the Delfino Administration has announced his retirement. The Commissioner will be taking another position in the private sector in February.
Mayor Joseph Delfino has appointed Susan Habel to succeed Mr. Graessle. Ms. Habel will be officially appointed January 7 with the Common Council expected to approve the Mayor’s choice. Mr. Graessle continues as official Commissioner of Planning through January 4. However, he is taking vacation through January 4, with Ms. Habel, as Deputy Commissioner, covering in his absence, with Mr. Graessle contributing on an “as needed” basis the pair told WPCNR Tuesday evening.
Commissioner Graessle announced his plans to WPCNR Wednesday afternoon when asked about an unusual configuration for the New York Presbyterian Hospital public hearings.
MIKE GRAESSLE’S LAST DAY: Commissioner of Planning Mike Graessle talks things over with WPCNR prior to a farewell party held Thursday afternoon. The Commissioner recalled Alfred Del Vecchio persuading him to come back to work for the city in the second year of “The Mayor for All Seasons” first term. “I was in law school at the time. I didn’t want to come back in the worst way, but the Mayor said, You don’t understand, if you come in you’ll working in the Mayor’s Office. Do it for one year and see.’ Graessle served White Plains for 32-1/2 years.WPCNR PHOTO
“It’s been a privilege to serve the public here in White Plains because it’s a wonderful place to work,” Graessle told WPCNR, “because you can practice your profession at the highest level here and at the most meaningful level. That’s not true in all communities. White Plains is a place you can disagree in without being disagreeable.”
Mr. Graessle said that he would be taking another position in the private sector which will be announced by the firm in February.
Thursday, George Gretsas, the Mayor’s Executive Officer announced that Mayor Delfino would appoint Deputy Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, to succeed Mr. Graessle, subject to Common Council approval.
Mr. Graessle is a fixture in White Plains. He worked for 17 years with the Alfred Del Vecchio administration, as Executive Officer for “The Mayor for All Seasons.” After a brief sojourn as Village Manager of Port Chester, he returned to his old stomping ground with the advent of the Delfino Administration in 1998.
Mr. Graessle is responsible for creating with Mayor Del Vecchio, the shape of White Plains as it is today, through the times of urban renewal. He oversaw the successful introduction of The Galleria, and the transformation of White Plains into a business center, are among his many accomplishments during the Del Vecchio era.
Graessle started with the city in the planning department in various positions as draftsman, junior planner, planner, for 11-1/2 years prior to Mayor Del Vecchio brought him back.
Associated with White Plains old and new
On his watch as Commissioner of Planning, Mr. Graessle has overseen the conception and approval of the most projects of any 4-year administration in city history: The Container Store, the Stop N Shop Supermarket, the Bank Street Commons, the City Center, the Jefferson at White Plains, Clayton Park, while presiding over the first overhaul of the Zoning Code since 1982.
Just as he helped create the White Plains of the 80s, as he rides into the sunset, he is creating the White Plains of the 21st Century.
His leadership, knowledge, smooth generalship and impeccable courtesy and grace under pressure have soothed neighbors, charmed developers into concessions, and persuaded reluctant councilpersons for 32-1/2 years. He has over 36 years of civil service experience.
His tireless efforts have set an example of work ethic for his Planning Department staff which works tirelessly and unselfishly for the citizens of this city.
