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December 2, 1999

SPANO APPPOINTS DENNIS MEHIEL AS CO-CHAIR OF MILLENNIUM COMMISSION
Armonk resident will oversee the Commission's Leadership Committee

County Executive Andy Spano announced that Dennis Mehiel of Armonk has been named as the new co-chair of the county's Millennium Commission. Mehiel will head the commission's Leadership Committee. (more details)

February 17, 1999

County Executive Andy Spano announced the appointment of a 25-member Millennium Commission comprised of distinguished community leaders to create and implement a variety of year-long events that reflect the history, diversity and future quality of life in Westchester County. Board of Legislators Chairman, George Latimer, joined Spano in the announcement.

The members of the Commission themselves represent a diverse cross-section of the county with representatives from business; the visual, performing and literary arts communities; the African-American and Hispanic communities; and government and community-based organizations.

Spano named Barbara Dunkel, a partner in Dworkin and Eliason, a firm specializing in arts management, and an organizing member of the Westchester Philharmonic, and as co-chairs of the Commission.

"Our Millennium Commission is designed to represent all the people of Westchester County -- all working together to honor where we have come from culturally, and to ensure that those who follow us carry on and build upon our foundations," Spano said.

"We approach the Millennium with a talented, decisive group of people that will help us focus on the special opportunity that can best spotlight Westchester," said Latimer.

The Commission will operate under the motto: "Honor the Past, Envision the Future."

Spano also announced the first corporate gift to the people of Westchester for the Millennium -- a Millennium Countdown Clock -- from Wittnauer International, a minority-owned corporation headquartered in New Rochelle. Wittnauer has 66 employees in Westchester County, and other offices in Puerto Rico and Canada. The clock, valued at approximately $42,000, will stand on county-owned land near the County Center.

"We are grateful to Wittnauer and its President, Charles Watkins who is a member of the Millennium Commission, for their generous donation in presenting this Countdown Clock to the people of Westchester County, " Spano said.

Spano charged the Commission with, among other things, developing an awareness, understanding and appreciation of the County through an inclusive and diversified Millennium calendar of events, and ensuring that the legacies remain long after the year-long celebration is over.

The Commission, established through County legislation, will be the catalyst for implementing creative events and projects, historical heritage and indigenous events, and enriching educational and recreational experiences that will showcase local and regional talents, organizations and resources. The Commission will also provide administrative, marketing and financial strategy for the Millennium events. A Millennium Advisory Board and several working committees will assist the Commission, as will members of the Spano administration serving in ex-officio capacities.

CO-CHAIRS:
Barbara Dunkel, Partner, Dworkin Eliason,
Hartsdale 
Dennis Mehiel, Chairman, Four M Corporation, Valhalla

MEMBERS:

SPONSORSHIP LIST:

Texaco Inc. – Richard Brown
Deutsche Bank – Doug Lemmonds
Lucent Technologies – Jane Gooding/Iris O. McLee
Heineken – Dan Tearno
Pfizer – Greg Vahle
First Union – Michael Schiavone
Fuji – Judy Matson
Chase – Brenda Berta