Farewell to Ken Lerner

Ken Lerner has stepped down as the City Manager for Cote Saint-Luc.  He had been at the helm since March 2006. Prior to that, he was Division Chief of Purchasing and Interim Director of Information Systems at City Hall.

Former City Manager Ken Lerner and Councillor Glenn J. Nashen

In 2007 Ken said, “As City Manager, I direct a team that provides the best services to the most people. I like the idea that the services we provide make life better for my neighbours.”

Ken was formerly assistant director of procedures and automation at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association representing more than 280 airlines. He helped implement a $1.4 billion cost-reduction across the airline industry. He was also the manager for sourcing, planning and supply at Lafarge North America. In addition, he served as the corporate material manager for Velan Engineering and cargo operations support and service manager for Canadian Airlines International.

I personally thank him for his loyal service and dedication to the City and wish him the very best in this next stage of his professional life.

The City Council has appointed Tanya Abramovitch as the new City Manager and Nadia Di Furia in the new position as Associate City Manager.

Côte Saint-Luc announces new City Manager and Associate City Manager

Côte Saint-Luc announces new City Manager and Associate City Manager

Côte Saint-Luc, August 10, 2010 – At last evening’s monthly council meeting, the City Council of Côte Saint-Luc appointed Tanya Abramovitch as City Manager and Nadia Di Furia as Associate City Manager.

“Tanya and Nadia bring strategic vision, youth, and strong administrative abilities to their respective roles,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said. “Each has shown outstanding initiative, sound judgment, and skills that make them ideal to lead our staff. They are also both in their 30s, which highlights the generational shift currently underway in our municipal government and across the city.”

The City Manager is the senior civil servant of the municipal government and works closely with the Mayor and City Council to establish the objectives of the city and to manage its daily operations. The Associate City Manager performs a similar function and works closely with the City Manager and Mayor and City Council.

Abramovitch began working in Côte Saint-Luc in 2001 as a reference librarian. She was appointed the Director of Library Services in May 2006. She has a Masters degree in history, and a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree from McGill University.

“I’m looking forward to this challenge,” Abramovitch said. “I loved modernizing our public library during almost five years and I cannot wait do the same across the entire city government with the help of our staff.”

Di Furia started her career in 2005 in Côte Saint-Luc as a payroll clerk and, later, payroll manager in the Finance Department. She was appointed the Director of Human Resources in April 2007. She has a background in commerce.

“We have an excellent team around our senior management table and I’m looking forward to working with our team to implement the vision of the City Council,” Di Furia said.

Together with the appointments of Abramovitch and Di Furia, the city announced that former City Manager Ken Lerner, who was appointed to the job in March 2006 was leaving the city.

“Ken helped re-build our municipal government when Côte Saint-Luc demerged from Montreal and was re-constituted as an independent city on January 1, 2006,” Mayor Housefather said. “The City Council and I wish Ken all the best.”

Read it in the Suburban

Lugassy claim is false

Letter to the Editor

Suburban Newspaper, April 28, 2010

Claim false

In an April 21 article about the election campaign overspending by Charles Lugassy, the former Côte St. Luc District 6 candidate claims inaccurately that city council intends to “bar me from any other election.” Mr. Lugassy’s claim is false. The City of Côte St. Luc has no power to bar anyone.

Municipal elections across Quebec are governed by the An Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.

Le Directeur general des élections du Québec processes complaints and suggests a sanction against a candidate who it believes violated the election law. It is then up to a prosecutor to decide whether to prosecute the case. Should the matter be contested, a judge will ultimately rule on the case and determine the sanction.

Ken Lerner

City Manager

Côte St. Luc

Holiday wishes to the city staff / Saluting the CEO / Meilleurs Voeux

I always enjoy the opportunity to attend the annual staff luncheon and to shake hands with the men and women on the front lines, the back offices and even the library basement of the City of Cote Saint-Luc.  We are so fortunate to have a dedicated team of employees that care about their work on behalf of our residents.  Many have worked here for decades and several even live here.

City Manager Ken Lerner and Councillor Glenn J. Nashen

A strong team always has a strong leader and Ken Lerner is the City Manager who leads the staff and ensures that the priorities and directives set by the Mayor and Council are undertaken in an efficient, cost-effective and customer-oriented fashion.  Ken has been at the helm since March 2006. Prior to that, he was Division Chief of Purchasing and Interim Director of Information Systems at City Hall.

Ken has done an outstanding job working with Council and staff to re-build services to the level residents expect and deserve. A strong relationship between the Mayor, Council and City Manager is a key element in a successful municipal organization.

Ken is also a Côte Saint-Lucer for more than 20 years.

“As City Manager, I direct a team that provides the best services to the most people. I like the idea that the services we provide make life better for my neighbours,” Ken said.

Ken was formerly assistant director of procedures and automation at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association representing more than 280 airlines. He helped implement a $1.4 billion cost-reduction across the airline industry. He was also the manager for sourcing, planning and supply at Lafarge North America. In addition, he has served as the corporate material manager for Velan Engineering and cargo operations support and service manager for Canadian Airlines International.

“This Council’s goal, which I share, is to run the city like a business by bringing more accountability and transparency to city management,” Ken said. “For instance, we are leveraging information technology to improve efficiency and save costs. We are rationalizing purchasing in the same manner.”

The City Manager is the senior civil servant in the City of Côte Saint-Luc and works closely with the Mayor and City Council to establish the objectives of the City and to manage its daily operations. He solves problems and establishes priorities for ongoing programs and projects on a daily basis.

Ken’s leadership is exemplary and on behalf of my constituents I take this opportunity to thank Ken and the entire team of Cote Saint-Luc employees for their efforts in 2009 and wish them all a very happy holiday and a wonderful new year.

***

J’apprécie toujours la possibilité d’assister au déjeuner-causerie annuel du personnel et de serrer la main avec les hommes et les femmes qui travaillent de jours et de nuits pour les résidents de la Ville de Côte Saint-Luc. Nous sommes tellement chanceux d’avoir une équipe d’employés dévoués qui se soucient de leur travail au nom de nos résidants. Beaucoup ont travaillé ici pendant plusieurs décennies et même de vivre ici.

Une équipe solide a toujours un leader fort et Ken Lerner est le directeur  général qui dirige le personnel et assure que les priorités et les directives établies par le Maire et le Conseil sont éffectués.

Ken a réalisé un travail remarquable en travaillant avec le conseil et le personnel afin de econstruire des services au niveau des résidents attendent et méritent. Une relation forte entre le maire, du Conseil et directeur municipal est un élément clé dans une organisation municipale.

Ken est aussi un de Côte Saint-Lucer depuis plus de 20 ans.

«En tant que Directeur municipal, je dirige une équipe qui fournit les meilleurs services au plus grand nombre. J’aime l’idée que les services que nous offrons une meilleure vie pour mes voisins», dit Ken.

Ken était auparavant directeur adjoint de l’automatisation des procédures et à l’Association du transport aérien international (IATA), une association commerciale qui représente plus de 280 compagnies aériennes.  Il a travaillé également chez Lafarge Amérique du Nord et pour Velan ingénierie et les Lignes aériennes Canadien International.

«L’objectif de ce Conseil, que je partage, est de diriger la ville comme une entreprise en apportant une plus grande responsabilisation et de transparence dans la gestion des villes», dit Ken. 

Le directeur général est le haut fonctionnaire de la Ville de Côte Saint-Luc et travaille en étroite collaboration avec le maire et le conseil municipal pour établir les objectifs de la Ville et de gérer ses opérations quotidiennes. Il résout des problèmes et établit les priorités pour les programmes et projets en cours sur une base quotidienne.

Le leadership de Ken est exemplaire et au nom de mes électeurs je prend cette occasion pour remercier Ken et toute l’équipe de personnel de la ville pour leurs efforts en 2009 et je leur souhaite de très bonnes vacances et une nouvelle année merveilleuse.

Celebrating another safe year with Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol

Members of Cote Saint-Luc’s volunteer Citizens on Patrol gathered recently to celebrate the holidays and three-and-a-half years of patrolling the city. The program began on July 1, 2006 and has grown to 80 members patrolling city streets, parks and buidlings round-the-clock.

Team Leaders (TL) congratulate top performing volunteers, from left, TL Mike Litvack, Larry Cavallaro, John De Luca, Gerry Segal, TL Irving Schok, Phillip Lackman, TL Phil Mayman, Supervisor Susie Schwartz

Assisting in the festivities were Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, responsible for Public Safety and coordinator of vCOP, Mayor Anthony Housefather, City Manager Ken Lerner, Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson, Public Security Chief Michel Martel and Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette.

From left: City Manager Ken Lerner, Mayor Anthony Housefather, Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson, Police Constable Laberge, Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, Public Security Chief Michel Martel

The commander handed out letters of commendation to several members for exemplary service while the Mayor added some light-hearted humour thanking the volunteers for always being ready to take a bullet for him and joining a group that stands for “veal, chicken or pork’.  On a serious note the Mayor expressed great apprection to the volunteers for offering added protection to the city and always going above and beyond in serving the residents and assisting front line emergency services.

Top Volunteer Phillip Lackman congratulated for most hours on patrol (357 hours)

vCOP sponsors were also recognized, in particular Peter Kovac, who has always attended with his wife Councillor Ruth Kovac.  Also thanked was Clairview Leasing and Toyota Montreal-Nord as well as the Cote St-Luc Car Wash.

Thanks to Peter Kovac (left) for sponorship of the Le Bifteque Boucherville dinner buffet

Councillor Glenn J. Nashen expressed sincere appreciation on behalf of the residents of the city to all the members, Team Leaders Phil Mayman, Jacques Berkowitz and Irving Schok and especially to Senior Supervisor Lewis Cohen and Supervisors Susie Schwartz and Mitchell Herf for dedication, committment and loyal service.

Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette orders Seargant France Denault and Constable Laberge to take away vCOP Gerry Segal... just kidding!

Special recognition was given to scheduler Phil Lackman for patrolling 397 hours (not to mention all those hours updating the schedule), Bernie & Cookie Band for washing the patrol van every week on their regular shifts and to Herbert Taylor (last year’s top patroller) who was welcomed after a prolonged absence.

Final thanks to Susie Schwartz for organizing the event along with Phil Mayman and Irving Shock.  A wonderfully appropriate gesture was the donation of all leftover food to the Welcome Hall Mission.

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our dedicated and eager members of vCOP.

         

Maimonides Hospital perspectives

Maimonides Hospital perspectives, 2008-11-05

Plenty to discuss at first Côte St. Luc council meeting

Councillors respond to $2.7 million deficit payback

Article online since 17 janvier 2006

By CHARLES MONTGOMERY

The Chronicle

The City of Côte St. Luc held their first council meeting since reconstitution on Monday evening, as deficits and new appointments were part of the agenda

A lively debate occurred after it was announced that Côte St. Luc would have to pay back the City of Montreal for their 2001 deficit of about $2.7 million. During the demerger, many of the separating municipalities demanded that their financial surpluses which were absorbed into the mega-city in 2001, be paid back.

At that time, Côte St. Luc was the only town running a deficit.

Montreal agreed to pay back the cities their surpluses. It should then only be fair that Côte St. Luc pay back their deficit.

Resident Irving Itman took exception to the idea that Côte St. Luc would let such a large debt go unpaid. Mayor Housefather and councillor Dida Berku tried for about 10 minutes to convince Itman that this was a hidden cost that only came out recently. “No one ever told us, ‘you have to pay back 2.7 million dollars.’ Not once,” said councillor Berku.

Those in attendance also witnessed a bit of democratic sparring over item 8a on the agenda: an amendment to Bylaw 626. The existing bylaw states that homes of a certain value, built after 1997, had to install sprinkler systems. The amendment would provide an exception which allowed homes more than 50 per cent destroyed by fire, and initially built before 1997, to not have to install a sprinkler system during reconstruction.

“I think it’s very poor logic to, pardon the pun, water down the existing bylaws by exempting the installation of water sprinklers,” said councillor Glenn Nashen.

“The insurance covers the rebuilding of the home without the sprinkler system because there was no sprinkler system when it burned down. So we would be be requiring individuals with a modest home to incur the extreme expense,” countered councillor Mitchell Brownstein.

The amendment was passed by a vote of five to three.

Among the new appointments was local resident Ken Lerner, who was given the nod to become Côte St. Luc’s new Division Chief of Purchasing.

It was also announced that late last week, Emergency Medical Services Director, Richard Elderstein resigned from his position. After certain details are finalized, the job will be open for application by the public.