More To Being CB 18 District Manager Than Meets The Eye
By Dara Mormile

Community Board 18 District Manager Dorothy Turano

For Dorothy “Dottie” Turano, being the District Manager of Community Board 18 takes much more than social skills and patience.

“I think it takes a lot of understanding and I’m very honest with the community when they come to me with their problems,” she recently told the Canarsie Courier .

This month marks Turano’s 16th year as District Manager for the south Brooklyn community board that encompasses Canarsie, Mill Basin, Marine Park and other surrounding neighborhoods.

Her job is chiefly to bring community concerns to city officials, such as the borough president and the mayor. She also oversees budget expenses and goals of her district.

For someone who has always been active in civic affairs and charitable organizations, Turano said the best part of her job is working closely with the community and maintaining the quality of life so that the neighborhood is vibrant and continues to flourish.

“Sometimes it can be terribly frustrating for people at the community board meetings,” she said. “But I am aware of what our elected officials can and can’t do – and I tell that to the residents so they know we’re on their side.”

Turano, who enjoys being with her family and friends when she isn’t working, says she never gives false hope to those seeking her assistance with community problems. “Once everyone is familiar with the projects we’re working on and how the board is doing, they are more understanding that some things are beyond our control.”

Not only has Turano, who attended local schools in the Marine Park area, served as Parent-Teacher Association president of P.S. 114, I.S. 68 and South Shore High School, she was named “Woman Of The Year” by organizations such as the Association of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the 69th Precinct Community Council and St. Pius X Council of the Knights of Columbus. She was also honored with a resolution by the local school board for her “dedication, honesty and zeal.”

“When I was a little girl, my father always told me to find something I love to do and get paid for it. And I can honestly say, I enjoy waking up in the morning to do my job,” she said. “I want the community to know I will always be there when they need me and I am always easy to reach.”

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