Council to Dedicate Community Center to Zusy

In its first official act since the death of a colleague, council members offered a tribute to Anne Zusy.

Presenting the councilwoman's husband with her dais placard, Mayor David Pfund announced the renaming of the Community Center to the Anne Zusy Youth Center.

"We can figure out a better way to phrase this, but we're going to honor Annie with something she had a big hand in," Pfund said.

Zusy, who died June 3, was a longtime member of the Ridgewood Youth Council, along with Deputy Mayor Keith Killion and Councilman Patrick Mancuso. When Village Hall was rebuilt, Zusy was instrumental in reserving the basement space for a youth and senior citizen community center.

Following Zusy's funeral June 8—at which Pfund and Killion, among many others, spoke—a reception was held at the community center. The mayor called Zusy's funeral the "most beautiful service I've ever been to."

Last night, Zusy's husband and son attended the meeting to thank the village and council for their devotion during Zusy's struggle with cancer.

"Annie really loved her work here and had tremendous respect for all of you," husband Al Ortiz said.

Son Alex, who spoke on behalf of his ailing mother on the school budget in May, addressed the body, as well. "Thanks for your support and help over the past months," he said, adding village clerk Heather Mailander was "a godsend."

No timetable was set for implementation, but all council members were on board with the dedication.

Zusy was elected to council in 2008. Village Manger Dr. Kenneth Gabbert said the council talked about filling Zusy's seat in closed sessions last night. He said the council has 30 days to name an interim replacement before an election is held in November. That person will serve the remainder of Zusy's term. Conceivably, the new council (taking office July 1) could name Zusy's replacement, Gabbert said.