New Rochelle Section 8 Director May Have Falsely Claimed New Rochelle Residency to Qualify for Permanent Position

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Susanne Marino, serving as Executive Director/Section 8 Administrator for City of New Rochelle as a “consultant”, appears to continue to reside in Purdys, NY despite claiming two months ago that she had established residency in New Rochelle.

To hold the Executive Director/Section 8 Administrator position, one of the job requirements is New Rochelle residency. What precisely is meant by “residency” is an open question which appears to shift with each new job posting. More on this subject in a future article.

Talk of the Sound previously reported that Marino told Joan McCallion on February 1, 2013, that she is now a New Rochelle resident, and that “…any future correspondence…should be sent to [her] new address.” McCallion hired Marino when she was Acting Commissioner of Development, prior to the hiring of Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon.

Suzanne (aka Susanne) Marino was hired as a non-union consultant to fill the position of Section 8 Administrator that was vacated by Eileen O’Rourke who held the position for 29 years.

Talk of the Sound reported that Marino presented a cable TV bill to the Civil Service Commission as proof of New Rochelle residency. The Commission accepted this as valid proof and allowed will allow her to compete for the position in upcoming weeks.

The New Rochelle Civil Service Commission has repeatedly stated that it wanted the position of Section 8 Administrator/Executive Director to go to a New Rochelle resident. At the September 26, 2012 Civil Service Commission meeting, Freimuth asked the Commission to waive the residency requirement. The Commission refused.

Commissioner Margaret Chadwick, responding to the request, stated “…it is our job to keep jobs in New Rochelle.” Commissioner Reverend Leak and Commission Chairman Domenic Procopio agreed.

On November 13, 2012, City Manager Charles Strome sent a memo to the Civil Service Commission asking that the residency requirement be waived “…immediately so that the position could be filled in a timely manner.” In a reply memo dated November 21, 2012, the Commission refused to grant the waiver. Also on November 21, 2012, Joan McCallion, the then Acting Commissioner of Development, advised the City manager’s office that she was “…was ready to make a non-res recommendation…” for O’Rourkes’s replacement.

Talk of the Sound obtained Westchester County land records that show Marino is the owner of home in Purdys and additionally obtained DMV information that contains the Purdys address. This reporter observed Marino’s Purdys home, but did not observe any “for sale” signs nor were any active real estate listings found for the Purdys address. Talk of the Sound has also made a Freedom of Information request to obtaining voting records for Ms. Marino. Westchester County land records show she currently owns property at that address along with an individual named Frank Marino.
Marino still lists the address for the “consultant” corporation she recently formed in January 2013 as 9 Sylvia Way, Purdys, New York.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicle records also indicate Marino’s residence as 9 Sylvia Way in Purdys. She drives a silver Chevy Impala SS with license plate number SS 303HP, an acronym for “Super Sport 303 Horsepower”.

On Monday, April 8, 2013, at 7:50 AM, this reporter observed Marino leaving Purdy’s NY, driving the Impala SS . Marino drove onto I-684 South towards New Rochelle. She drove at high speed, averaging about 80 mph. She continued on 684 South on I-287 East and then I-95 South. Marino exited I-95 and Exit 16 in New Rochelle and made her way to 145 Huguenot Street, the location of the New Rochelle Section 8 office.

The position of Executive Director and Section 8 Administrator for City of New Rochelle has been, for many years, a civil service and union position. The CSEA has filed a complaint with the NYS Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) protesting the hiring of Marino as a consultant. It alleges that hiring a “consultant” to perform duties “…which have been exclusively performed by CSEA bargaining unit members…” for the last 30 years is a violation of NYS civil service law. Their complaint is set to be heard by the Board on April 22, 2013.

3 thoughts on “New Rochelle Section 8 Director May Have Falsely Claimed New Rochelle Residency to Qualify for Permanent Position”

  1. Hey John , There are alot of
    Hey John , There are alot of things in your column that are not correct. But to keep it simple “DON’T BLAME THE PLAYER, BLAME THE GAME” get it !!

    1. No, I don’t get it. Please
      No, I don’t get it. Please point to what you believe is incorrect.

    2. aimless
      “Frank”

      I personally fact-checked John’s article.

      The article is based on government records, video tape of civil service meetings and direct, eyewitness accounts including by John.

      There is NOTHING in this article that is NOT correct.

      Further, I am in agreement that the phrase “DON’T BLAME THE PLAYER, BLAME THE GAME” has no apparent meaning. Instead of speaking in vague slogans perhaps you try plain English and being specific.

Comments are closed.