William Hanauer, a neighborhood leader and
a producer of televised live events, was officially announced yesterday
as the person who will fill an open seat on the Ossining village Board of
Trustees.
The addition of Hanauer will constitute a
5-0 majority for Democrats on the village board, but as a public official
he is joining a distinct minority. Hanauer will be one of the few openly
gay local legislators in the northern suburbs.
Village officials said Hanauer was picked
for the opening because of his civic record as the former head of a
neighborhood association, as well as his expertise in union negotiations
and management. He is the executive producer of the Emmy Awards
presentation in the New York regional group, and has handled labor
contracts for a several stage and theater organizations.
"He has a lot of know-how and
experience," said Ossining Mayor Eugene Napolitano, "He's had a
long history in the kinds of things that are important in government."
Hanauer will take the seat vacated by Napolitano, who won the mayor's
office while running as a trustee.
Marlene Cheatham, a village trustee, said
of the appointment, "This was a joint decision, and we all came to
the same conclusion. I think he brings insight and intelligence to the
board."
Hanauer, noting a long family tradition of
public service, said, "I believe my responsibility is to give back
to my community, and this is the right time to do it."
An eight-year resident of the village,
Hanauer, 58, said he was in a long-term relationship with Dr. Alan Stahl,
but did not see his identity as a gay man as an issue in local
government.
"I'm not closeted," he said, as
Stahl sat nearby during a news conference yesterday at Ossining Village
Hall. "I've never seen it as an issue. Other people might, but I
don't." Hanauer called Ossining an "accepting community."
Hanauer said he would focus on local
issues facing Ossining, but being gay, he said "civil rights are an
issue for me everyone's civil rights."
Only one other local elected official in
Westchester County, City Councilman William Schmidt of Peekskill, is
openly gay.
Hanauer discussed issues such as
waterfront development, parking and transportation yesterday with
residents and the press, but he did not stake out any specific positions.
He will be sworn in Tuesday night.
Democrats swept the village elections last
fall. The mayor said 11 resumes were submitted for the appointment to the
village board. Hanauer said he would run in the election in November as a
Democrat.
Gina Piazza, president of the Sparta
Association, the neighborhood group over which Hanauer previously
presided, said he was good at making connections within the community.
"He fostered a sense of community
here," she said, "He's got a good sense of humor, and he knows
how to reach people."
Village trustees receive $8,000 a year and
serve two-year terms.
