We shouldn’t be all that surprised by the “Plaza Trustees Draw Top Pay in Great Neck” article that recently appeared in the News. In fact, the Village of Great Neck Plaza has long served as a shinning example of grossly overpaid politicians who over stimulate the village treasury for their own personal gain.
However, I must say I’m somewhat surprised at the shoddy journalism that went into this article, particularly in supporting the matter-of-fact way in which a handful of ignorant political sound bites were delivered as gospel. Had the reporter bothered to ask a few simple questions, he may have learned that the cost to taxpayers for having the Plaza’s high priestess Mayor Celendar in office is significantly higher than the $65,000 annual salary she has afforded herself.
Taxpayers in Great Neck Plaza are now spending more than $225,000 a year in salary and benefits for the mayor and her rubber stamp trustees, which happens to be among the highest of any incorporated village in New York State. Adding to the mayor’s expense line is an executive assistant who caters to her every need and costs nearly $55,000. What’s more, this once part-time mayor entitled herself to free family health insurance (no premiums, no deductibles, no costs). And the financial cesspool Mayor Celendar has perpetuated has been extended to her loyal trustees and their families.
It might also be worthwhile to correct Mayor Celendar’s many factually inaccurate statements from the last article about why she requires a higher salary. She pointed to her work with the BID, a group that is fairly self sufficient in wasting its own designated tax dollars and has a part-time executive director who earns more than $40,000 a year. She points to her work paving new parking lots, although I’m sure she forgot to mention the very capable team of building and public works employees who actually handle such responsibilities. And she points to the complexity of managing the village, although I’m sure she also forgot to mention that the village pays a six-figure salary to its clerk to oversee such affairs.
Perhaps there could be a follow up article to allow Mayor Celender to talk more openly about her day-to-day work personally managing the affairs of the 100 condo’s, co-op’s and rental apartments; the 150+ single family homes; the over 250 retail shops; a dozen or so office buildings; and a few hotels, nursing and assisted living homes.
Mayor Celendar, you are one busy person. Are you sure $65,000 is enough?
Michael S. Glickman
Great Neck
