By CARL CORRY

Friday, December 10, 2004

In 1996, before agreeing to become one of Donald Trump’s chief advisors, George H. Ross suggested some “working guidelines.”

No. 1: He would work only four days a week, and not Fridays.

No. 2: He wanted to take vacations whenever he wanted for as long as he wanted.

No. 3: “I said, ‘I want access to whatever you have. I can take a plane to Atlantic City or a helicopter, whatever.’ ”

No. 4: “I told him: ‘If you’re unhappy with me, I leave and we’re still friends. If I’m unhappy with you, I leave and we’re still friends.’”

No. 5: “I said, ‘I’ll work for cheaper than what I’m worth, but when it’s time for a bonus, I want it.’”

Trump’s response: “I can handle that.”

[Read more...]

It’s not going to be easy for John S.T. Gallagher to retire. As the leader of what has become the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, he has taken a 169-bed teaching hospital formed to keep the local Gold Coast elite from heading into the city and made it the core of a mammoth, $3-billion health network that spans from Staten Island to Southampton. He has lasted through 13 board chairmen.