By Zach Patberg
By updating its archaic computer system, creating a Web site and taking it on the road, the former school teacher believes the board will be able to better track issues and complaints and connect more residents to its services. In other words, “we'll be a direct link to the people on the streets,” he said.Gulluscio, Councilman Joseph Addabbo's chief of staff, was unanimously elected by the Forest Hills board last week to replace its district manager, Kathleen Histon, who retired in December after nearly 30 years.Lew Harris, chairman of CB 6's Personnel Committee, said he interviewed nine candidates for the job after weeding through 18 resumes. Each were judged on their experience with city services, community boards, computers, public speaking, supervising and budgets.”His resume answered our criteria,” said Harris, whose committee fully endorsed Gulluscio on Jan. 9.It was the second time CB 6 voted on a district manager. Its first pick a month ago, Cheryl Lehman, declined the offer after her present employer offered her a better package.For a decade, Gulluscio, 53, was a member of Community Board 10 and chairman of its budget committee. In the 1970s he taught as a language arts parochial school teacher at Ozone Park's St. Mary Gate of Heaven — where he continues to run the theater program — and later at Brooklyn's PS 229 grammar school. His decision to leave Addabbo's office and head CB 6's district office stemmed from a continuing desire to serve a community, he said.”Where else can you really sit down and talk over the issues and get them taken care of one-on-one?” he asked. “What other agency can do that? It's what community boards are all about.”Gulluscio, who lives in Howard Beach with his wife, Mary, will start in his new position Jan. 30 after he is approved by the borough president and the city's Department of Personnel. His salary as district manager will be $60,000.Gulluscio's priorities include putting the board's agenda online and improving its computer filing system so he can track pending cases such as fixing a pothole and issue year-end reports on how many were brought to the board and how many were resolved.He has also set his sites on mobilizing the board through a program he called At Your Service, in which CB 6 personnel will visit various senior centers, banks, libraries and civic groups to hear concerns on their turf. “It's a way to say, 'We're here. Use us,” he said.Prior to any solid agenda improvements, however, Gulluscio said he must first see what the board's budget allows when the new fiscal year begins July 1.”He has computer skills, knowledge of the community board office and city operations,” CB 6 Chairman Joseph Hennessy said. “So hopefully he'll be a good addition.”Gulluscio will be joined by the board's new community assistant, Victoria Auriemmo, who recently replaced veteran Virginia Wilson. Auriemmo, of Middle Village, will assist the district manager and handle resident complaints.Reach reporter Zach Patberg at news@timesledger.com or at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
