WPCNR Campaign 2004. By John F. Bailey. June 24, 2004: The Mayor's Executive Officer George Gretsas reported to WPCNR Wednesday evening that the Common Council was presented with a report on the status of White Plains voting machines at a work session in the Mayor's Conference Room Wednesday evening.
Gretsas said the council learned that at least 10 voting machines needed counters repaired at a cost of $3,000 each before the November Presidential election. They also learned that the other 60 White Plains voting machines, all of the manual variety would need refurbishing and would cost $6,000 each to repair.
Gretsas advised WPCNR the Council would be considering whether to replace the White Plains fleet of voting machines and how to pay for that within the next few weeks. He said that to replace all 70 machines with electric machines such as the kinds that were presented to the Common Council in spring of 2003 would cost about $600,000.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Executive Officer told WPCNR he expected to be leaving the city "in about a month," to take his new position of City Manager of Fort Lauderdale. He said there was not any particular matters he wanted to bring to a close before his departure, "I'm just going to continue to do my job," he said. Asked if he would consult with the City of White Plains after he started with Fort Lauderdale, Gretsas said, "No."
When queried about the Mayor's plans to hire his replacement, Gretsas said the Mayor has not come to any decision on whether to move up a member of the staff, or leave the position vacant.
Gretsas told WPCNR he has been to Fort Lauderdale the last two weekends, even taking a day off last Monday to meet with the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Jim Naugle, Fort Lauderdale department heads, and City Commissioners. He said he has his eye on a beachfront condominium, but has not made an offer on the property.
Asked if he expected to lose his White Plains City Hall pallor within a few months, Gretsas laughed.
