John P. Watts
Retired

Previous Professional Experience:

1990 - 2002 NY City Council New York, NY

Chief of Staff for Council Member Julia Harrison

●  Key advisor to the Council Member.

●  Spokesman for the news media.

●  Represented the Council Member at decision-making meetings

    with the Borough President, Mayoral Agencies, City Agencies,

    community groups and the Community Boards.

●  Monitored all new building projects in the district to assure

    compliance with the NYC Department of Buildings and the NYC

    Department of City Planning's laws and regulations.

●  Formulated proposals in support of new legislation for

     consideration by various committees of the City Council.

●  Composed Proclamations for presentation by the Council Member.

●  Persuaded the Computer Services Division of the City Council to

     obtain access to CITYNET in the District Office. Our office was the

     first Council District Office to use CITYNET via a modem.

●  Coordinated meetings with the City Council Land Use Division, the

     Department of City Planning and various community organizations

      to create and implement zoning changes in Downtown Flushing.

●  Assisted several Special Task Forces of the NYC Department of

    City Planning to initiate the Waterfront Access Program, the 37th &

    39th Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project and the Historic

    Sites Enhancement Program.

●  Recommended various historic sites to the NYC Landmarks

    Preservation Commission and assisted them through the process

    of designating Flushing High School and St. George's Episcopal

    Church as NYC Landmarks.

●  Initiated Flushing Beautification Day as a community participation

    event, to rid the business district of graffiti.

●  Worked with the NYC Department of Business Services to explore

    the possibilities of forming a Business Improvement District (BID)

    for Downtown Flushing.

●  Organized civic associations, Community On Patrol and local

    development corporations.

●  Managed an eight-person constituent problem solving team.

1985 - 1990 Scandia Properties Flushing, NY

                             Real Estate Sales

1983 - 1985 Sherry-Netherland Hotel New York, NY

                             Assistant Manager

1978 - 1983 The Plaza Hotel New York, NY

                             Front Office Supervisor, Cashier, Room Clerk, Mail and

                             Information Clerk

Education:

1976 - 1977 The New School For Social Research

                             Electronic Data Processing

                             Word Processing

                              Computer Technology

1974 - 1976 Queens Borough Community College

                             Business Administration

                              Speech Communication and Theatre Arts

Professional Memberships

1990 - 2001 Flushing Council On Culture and The Arts

                             Executive Board Member - Secretary

1989 - 1998 Coalition For a Planned Flushing

                             Charter Member, Board of Directors

                             President 1990-1998

1996 - Present Flushing Local Development Corporation

                             Founder and President

1986 - Present Committee To Save The RKO Keith's Theatre of Flushing

                             Member of the Board of Directors

Awards received:

1997 Flushing Chinese Business Association

              Community Service Award

1994 Flushing Chamber of Commerce

               Outstanding Citizen Award

1993 North Flushing Neighborhood Association

               Outstanding Citizen Award

References provided upon request.