Our Committees
Here at SAC, we want to make it super easy (and we mean that!) to contribute to the community in whatever way works for your lifestyle. Take a look at our active committee list below and let us know how you want to help.
Get Involved
Want to become a volunteer on a committee?
Email sacsuttonarea@gmail.com and let us know!
President and Membership - Dr. Charles Coutinho, Chair
Responsible for resident and building membership and maintaining membership files as well as reach out for new membership through membership events, mailings and other campaigns.
Secretary and Government Relations - Peggy Willenbucher, Chair
Monitors police services and public safety, deals with traffic, water tunnel and other municipal development, bus routes, and other matter.
Vice President & 17th Precinct - Charlene Soltz Etkes & Kathy Matson, Co-Chair's
Responsible for reviewing city services (organizes improvement in police, fire, sanitation, transportation services and traffic, and public safety).
Bulletin - Peggy Willenbucher, Chair
Our task is to write, edit and assemble the SAC Bulletin. This publication is a hard copy version of Sac events and activities. It is distributed periodically to the membership and neighbors.
Beautification - Pamela Zonsius & Frederic Zonsius, Co-Chair's
Responsible for overseeing improvement and maintenance of neighborhood Parks; First Avenue streetscape beautification such as tree fences and plantings, installation of new street lights, trash collections receptacles, awnings, etc.
Communications - Selene B.Varnel, Office Manager
Helping with the SAC social media. Disseminating information about SAC activities, events, and positions to the media, the membership, and the community at large; mailing sub committee, public relations, and maintenance of the SAC bulletin board.
Merchants - Charlene Soltz Etkes and Sheila Clancy McCarthy, Co-Chair's
Responsible for working with neighborhood merchants and professional firms to help increase their business and promote a unique Sutton Area identity.
Treasurer - Ann Marie Folan, Chair
Grants and Awards - Dr. Charles Coutinho, Chair
Special Events - Dr. Charles Coutinho,
Responsible for the annual SAC Gala, Taste of Sutton, and other special events such as the annual Christmas tree lighting and Easter Egg hunt.
Our 2021 Board of Directors
- President Dr. Charles Coutinho
- Charlene Soltz Etkes
- Ann Marie Folan
- Gracia Kelly
- Kathy Matson
- Sheila Clancy McCarthy
- Pamela Zonsius
- Frederic Zonsius
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Dear SAC Members,Last evening at the Shadmoor restaurant, Sutton Area Community (SAC), held its annual Gala. The event was oversubscribed and an enjoyable time was had by all. SAC was especially pleased by the presence of Councilman Ben Kallos, who was the recipient of SAC's Annual Award for public service. Additionally, the awards for SAC's annual beautification contest were also given out. In short, SAC's tradition of celebrating the old and us seeing in the new with its Gala was maintained and indeed enhanced by a lovely evening.Sincerely,
Charles Coutinho
President
Sutton Area Community (SAC)At this time we at SAC would like to offer manifold thanks to the following merchant members and partners who have generously given awards certificates to our Beautification Honorees:
- Louie's Chicken
- Deux Amis Restaurant
- Greats of Crafts
- Sutton Place Physical Therapy: 5 Pilates & 5 Massages Certificates!
- TD Bank Gift Certificate and $75 in Merchandise!
Click here to see: SAC Gala 2021 Photo Slideshow. https://youtu.be/Go9kIfJcs8s
The 3rd of April for our annual Spring Egg Hunt!!
Our Merchants were READY!
SAC EGGS 2021!
In 2011, Betsy had a crazy idea to walk the entire original Manhattan Grid — from 1st Street to 155th Street. As she traversed the side streets from the East River to the Hudson, documenting her journey on her website (sideways.nyc), she had the amazing opportunity to meet the owners behind each of the small businesses. She listened to their stories and shared them on her site. The project took nearly six years to complete. At the beginning of the pandemic, Betsy made the decision to push through and self-publish Walking Manhattan Sideways - Side street businesses that have stood the test of time. The book celebrates many of the places that Betsy visited. Today, more than ever, these businesses need our love and support, as they are the true fabric of New York. You can purchase the book by clicking here. Speaking with Betsy, will be the owners of two of the wonderful businesses in our neighborhood that are featured in Walking Manhattan Sideways. Mark and Diana Jacoby: Longtime SAC members Diana & Mark Jacoby are dealers in fine 17th-18th & 19th century English furniture. Their business Philip Colleck, Ltd. was founded in NYC in 1938. They own and occupy the landmarked brick freestanding house with the white picket fence at 311 East 58th Street. An old photograph of the house is featured in Christopher Gray’s “Sutton Place, An Uncommon Community by the River.” Diana and Mark will discuss the history of their firm and some of their famous clients as well as the history of the house they lovingly restored. Jim Neary: Neary's has been a staple in the community, and beyond, since it first opened on East 57th Street on St. Patrick's day in 1967. The restaurant is embodied by its Irish founder whose compassion and famous "Jimmy Neary smile" has made it the kind of place where there are "no strangers." Jimmy will share some of his wonderful stories with everyone - all the amazing people he has met over the years - and discuss what this past year has been like since he had to temporarily close. 
SAC Tree 2020
Sutton Place Social's September 2020
Saturdays Build the Block Meeting - An update
Dear SAC Members,On Saturday morning, notwithstanding the hot and sweltering weather, SAC in conjunction with the officers of our 17th precinct, had a remarkably largeturn-out of upwards of forty people who came to listen to Neighborhood Coordinating Officers Feeley and Postiglione provide an update as to crime conditionsin our neighborhood. Thankfully, they reported that as far as violent crime and robbery and such not are concerned, that the Sutton Place area is one of the safest, if notthe safest in New York City. As a sign of the justified high regard that the people of our area have for the NYPD, a round of applause was given both at the beginningand the end of the meeting. For more information about the event, see the below link from the new site, 'TAPINTO'. Charles Coutinho, Ph. D.PresidentSutton Area Community (SAC)
Sutton Place Social's June 2020 Anniversary Edition
Our mission is to actively engage residents and business establishments in efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in enhance the quality of life in Sutton Area Community
Our Past
In 1976 a small group of residents got together, with the desire to preserve the Sutton neighborhood's character, and incorporated two years later as a non-profit (501c3) organization using volunteers to serve as a catalyst for change.
SAC's volunteers continue to help preserve a high quality of life for those residing and working in the area between 52nd to 59th streets, Second Avenue to the East.....
Our Present
Our mission at SAC is to actively engage residents and business establishments in efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the Sutton Area Community.
Acting as watchdog and advocate, SAC is a voice for the community: SAC monitors city services such as police, sanitation, fire and transportation; watches over zoning and development; looks after parks and sidewalks; supports local merchants, fosters historic preservation; and, through its website, mailings, and First Avenue bulletin board, informs the community about what is happening in the neighborhood.
Traffic concerns continue to be paramount. SAC is closely monitoring the New York State Department of Transportation's five-year project to reconstruct the FDR Drive from 54th to 63rd Streets. We are committed to keeping the community informed about its past, present, and future.
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We publish Bulletins periodically which are distributed to members as well as government agencies and elected officials, to keep them abreast of our positions and concerns. ? Ever-mindful of the importance of the areas rich history, SAC has always been interested in collecting and sharing archival information and artifacts through publications, exhibitions, and walking tours.
THE RATS WERE HERE; NOW THEY'RE GONE
How your dues and donations saved a major problem.
On a one-block strip of First Avenue, between 54th And 55th Streets, rats had taken over. The tree beds were riddled with rat holes and the creatures could be seen at night boldly scurrying between their holes and nearby garbage bags and cans. Tree roots were endangered and one local retail merchant put up a sign on a tree warning about the rat problem. Not only did the rat infestation pose a threat to health, but it was impossible to beautify the tree beds with the rats present; the rodents would promptly dig up the plants and toss them and their dirt on the sidewalk.
Along came Sutton Area Community and its Pied Piper Beautification Community Chair, Vangeli Kaseluris. The rats are gone! Early attempts by Vangeli and SAC president Dr. Charles Coutinho to enlist the aid of local politicians were unsuccessful. Communications were either ignored or there was no follow-up after initial contact. State Senator Liz Kruegar's office, however, was very helpful and responsive. We learned prior complaints to the Department of Health were noted but no violations were ever issued so there was no action taken. The Department of Sanitation, with the help of Kruegar's office, Visitd the local merchants and educated them on proper trash procedures, but no action was taken to rid us of the rats.
It was time to make things happen. It is generally known that if you need New York City to take action, like to replace a dead tree, you're talking about a year or more before it's done. Our problem could not wait. We hired a pest control company and at a cost of $1,800 and the rats were exterminated. Looking to the future, the Department of Health has promised to keep in touch with local merchants to discuss pre-emptive action.
Where else does your money go?
Tree beds in the Sutton area are framed with wrought iron fencing, purchased and maintained by SAC. We found many of them to be missing, broken, or bent -- perhaps by cars and trucks backing into them. We have hired an iron works company to repair existing fencing and we paid $3,850. Replacement of missing fences will be a future SAC project.
Flowers for the tree beds in our area are our largest expense. SAC will pay $10,120 to have plantings dome dragon begonias. As for missing trees, and there are 15 missing, New York City will provide them free of cost, but as previously noted, it will take some time. We hope our councilpersons and politicos will expedite tree replacement.
You now have some idea of how we spend your money and we encourage all to continue donations to replenish our coffers. We also welcome volunteers to join the Beautification Committee. If you are interested, please contact Office@www.suttonareacommunity.org. On a daily basis, you can help us maintain the beauty of Sutton Area by disposing garbage properly and curbing your dogs. As our chairperson, Vangeli, shouted out as he completed his job and rode off into the sunset, Let no one say, and say it to your shame, that all was beauty here, until we came.
GRAFFITI? A JOB FOR SAC-ERMAN
(Or Woman!)
A vacant First Avenue store, formerly a short-lived business called E-Shave, was recently attacked by a graffiti "artist." The spray paint handwriting was illegible so we could not learn the identity of the culprit. One thing is certain, though - he or she did poorly in penmanship in school. The unsightly mess was called to the attention of SAC board member Gracia Kelly by a Chase Bank representative; Chase is located directly across from the E-Shave store and apparently did not appreciate the artistic efforts of the culprit.
Gracia advised SAC counsel and former president Bernie Dworkin of the situation and he determined the identity of the management agent of the attacked building. A call got immediate results and E-Shave was cleaned within 48 hours. We encourage Sutton area residents to let us know of problems like graffiti and we will act. A number of merchants and residents on the block which benefited from efforts were not members of SAC, so if you see a store there which does not display in their window SAC's membership emblem, we would appreciate your encouraging that merchant to join SAC so that we can continue to do our job of maintaining the beauty of Sutton Area.
