WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. May 18, 2004, UPDATED 11:15 P.M. E.D.T.: The Fort Lauderdale (Florida) City Commission made it official tonight and voting on a consent agenda, approved White Plains own George Gretsas as their new City Manager, following up on their 5-0 vote of confidence in him early Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement to WPCNR issued this evening Mr. Gretsas said, "I would like to thank Mayor Naugle and the Fort Lauderdale City Commission for their support.  I am absolutely thrilled and honored by
their decision and I look forward to the next step in the process."

GEORGE GRETSAS, shown May 13 in Fort Lauderdale at a public reception at The Riverhouse Restaurant. WPCNR Photo by Joe Amon, Photojournalist

Reached by Miami Herald reporter, Sam Netzi, in his car, Mr. Gretsas told Mr. Netzi by cellphone, "I'm absolutely thrilled and honored by their decision." Netzi told WPCNR, that Fort Lauderdale wanted Gretsas to begin as soon as possible, and confirmed that Mr. Gretsas told him he has not negotiated a contract with the city yet. Netzi said Gretsas did not know how soon he would start his work with his new town.

Netzi mentioned that he did not know exactly where Mr. Gretsas was taking the call from, assuming he was in White Plains. The Miami correspondent noted that the discussion among City Commissioners was brief, he felt, because the Commissioners had 1-on-1 interviews with the candidates over last weekend. Netzi said Gretsas was not present at the Fort Lauderdale City Hall for the official vote.  

The White Plains Mayor's Office had no comment when reach by WPCNR this afternoon. The Fort Lauderdale Public Information Office said in midafternoon, they had no statement at that time, only to say that no contract had been negotiated yet.