Ross Sandler, Center for New York City Law Director
The election of Donald Trump deeply impacted students at New York Law School. The School sponsored public meetings at which several students described their personal and family fears about the new administration. Other students were far more hopeful, but they carefully respected the views of their fellow students. The students as a whole are newly energized. A new political generation is emerging.
These changes in the electoral environment have occurred just as the City of New York begins its municipal election cycle with the mayoral election set for November 7, 2017. The Center for New York City Law will play its special role during the year as an open forum and transparent window into the workings of municipal government. In anticipation of the election, during fall of 2016 the Center for New York City Law sponsored programs on the City’s readiness to address the Zika virus threat, reforms at Rikers Island, the changes in stop and frisk at the NYPD, and the role of the Public Advocate. Upcoming on December 16th the Center will host a program on the care of the City’s homeless population.
For the past 21 years the Center for New York City Law has provided tens of thousands of people with unbiased coverage of land use and administrative decisions. I ask that you consider financially supporting the Center for New York City Law as part of your yearend contributions. The Center for New York City Law needs financial gifts of $100, $200 or $500 to continue its important work. Your donation will be listed on our Financial Supporters page and the donation will insure that the Center for New York City Law’s publications, events and research web site will continue to flourish.
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Tweed Courthouse. Image credit: CityLaw
New York City has a long and rich history of scandal and corruption. Here are three examples from favorite books that visit past scandals in complete and revealing detail.
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Ross Sandler, Center for New York City Law Director
If all the charitable foundations everywhere in the United States were lined up according to impact, the J.M. Kaplan Fund would be in the top ten. The J.M. Kaplan Fund was established in 1945 by Jacob M. Kaplan and was led for thirty years by J.M.’s daughter, Joan K. Davidson. Joan was a fixture in New York City’s political, charitable, and civic world, and she used her ideas and enthusiasms to make New York City a better place. The story is told in a new book by Roberta Brandes Gratz, It’s A Helluva Town: Joan K. Davidson, the J.M. Kaplan Fund, and the fight for a Better New York (Bold Type Books 2020). (more…)
The 26th Annual Citywide Seminar on Ethics in City Government
The Conflicts of Interest Board and the Center for New York City Law at New York Law School are pleased to announce the 26th Annual Citywide Seminar on Ethics in City Government.
Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (more…)
Roger Herz at the microphone asking a question at a CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLand
First to the microphone at many CityLaw Breakfasts during the Q&A session following the speaker’s prepared remarks was Roger Herz. Roger, with a serious demeanor and in a steady voice, would announce himself: “Roger Herz, Time to Improve Municipal Efficiency.” And then Roger would ask a pointed question, well prepared, and personal, often adding that he had been pressing the same point for years. The speakers always knew Roger from prior appearances, emails and events. They regularly responded with apologies, explanations and promises to get back to Roger. (more…)
