Bill de Blasio
Bill de Blasio represents District 39 in the New York City Council, which comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Kensington, Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace.
Elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 and 2005, he had previously represented some of the same areas as a member of Community School Board 15. Councilman de Blasio chairs the Committee on General Welfare, and is a member of the Finance, Civil Rights, Environmental, and Civil Rights Committees.
Prior to his election, de Blasio had served as the campaign manager for Hillary Rodham Clinton's successful candidacy for a seat in the United States Senate in the year 2000. He had also served in the Clinton administration in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as in the David N. Dinkins administration, and as a staffer for the New York City Council. Councilman de Blasio holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from New York University, and an M.P.A. from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
In 2005 de Blasio made a bid to succeed Gifford Miller as Speaker of the City Council, but eventually conceded to Christine Quinn from Hell's Kitchen, the current Speaker, after Quinn outmaneuvered him[1] and won the support of the Queens delegation[2], leading to de Blasio's withdrawal.[3]
De Blasio, who is term-limited, also considered challenging Republican congressman Vito Fossella, but ultimately decided not to.[4]
In October 2007, de Blasio, announced his intention to run for Brooklyn borough president in 2009 to succeed Marty Markowitz.[5]
He has taken a stance against certain developers within his district, including Robert Scarano,who is not a developer or builder in any way, instead he is an architect that designs buildings. However, he has supported some large scale developments despite community opposition, including the Atlantic Yards project, a large development in Brooklyn that has faced opposition due to its size and scale.[6]
References
- ^ http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_139/quinnwin.html
- ^ http://wcbstv.com/topstories/City.Council.Speaker.2.232289.html
- ^ http://runforspeaker.blogspot.com/2006/01/de-blasios-concession.html
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/nyregion/29brooklyn.html?bl&ex=1193803200&en=3a7c171e9dd7cb0d&ei=5087%0A
- ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/29/2007-10-29_termlimited_bill_de_blasio_joins_brookly.html
- ^ http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/43/30_43deblasiobeep.html
External links
- Bill de Blasio: Official Website
- New York City Council Webpage
- Gotham Gazette Campaign 2005 District 39
- Clinton Controversy
- De Blasio of Staten?
- Council Jihad: De Blasio Leads Unholy Union War on City's Campaign Finance Board
