By Connor Adams Sheets
Gene Brennan began his long career in public service by serving nearly 20 years as a detective in the NYPD. During that time the Whitestone resident started to take part in the Dwarf Giraffe Little League, coaching, advocating, serving on its board and eventually rising to the level of league president.
It was through his work at Dwarf Giraffe that in 2003 Brennan found Community Board 7, where he hoped to have a greater impact and to get more work done for his community.
He has since served there as a board member and key member of its Public Safety Committee, but Eugene Kelty announced at the board’s June 13 meeting that health concerns have led Brennan, 70, to retire from his position there.
“I was on the Public Safety Committee, I worked on the police academy in College Point and went around checking restaurants applying for liquor licenses,” Brennan said of his time on CB 7. “It’s a worthwhile organization. I think that the members are very, very enthused by what they do — for nothing I might add. And I think they’re well-rounded representatives of the community.”
Kelty said Brennan was a key part of the board and that he will be missed by all who knew and worked with him.
“He was very active and did a lot of things with public safety because of his background as a police officer,” Kelty said after the June 13 meeting.
CB 7 District Manager Marilyn Bitterman agreed that Brennan was a dedicated member of the community board. She said board members knew him well during his time at the Little League because he often contacted them for help.
“He was concerned about the youth. He served on our Public Safety Committee because he was an ex-police officer, and he was very involved in Dwarf Giraffe, keeping kids off the street and busy so they wouldn’t get in trouble,” Bitterman said. “He’s been ill for a while, he’s been having some breathing problems. It’s unfortunate because he’s a good person. I’ve always had a good relationship with him.”
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and City Councilmen Peter Koo (R-Flushing) and Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) — who represent the areas under CB 7’s purview — will decide on a replacement to fill Brennan’s seat.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
