Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi. Image Credit: NYAssembly.gov

State Assemblymember may have answer to finally reverse the homelessness trend. Recently, the de Blasio Administration heralded that its efforts to prevent homelessness in New York City have had some success. On September 29, 2016, City Hall announced that thanks to its “unprecedented array of programs” some 7,000 New Yorkers were able to avoid the City’s shelter system. The Department of Homeless Services now shelters 60,000 instead of the projected 67,000 (the projection was largely based on the rapid increase of homeless persons seen after the end of the Advantage program in 2011, approximately 5,000/year). While the population in the City’s shelter system may have been stunted, it continues to grow. (read more…)

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller

In contrast to the DOI Report, the Comptroller’s Report places personal accountability on City Officials rather than the indoctrinated procedure for deed-modifications. On August 1, 2016, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer issued a Report on the removal of deed restrictions from Rivington House. The Report is the product of a five-month-long investigation conducted by the Comptroller’s Office into the City’s actions in facilitating the sale of the Rivington House—a non-profit nursing home located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side—to luxury condominium developers for a $72 million profit in February 2016.

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Maya Wiley, Counselor to the Mayor of the City of New York.

On February 18, 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Maya Wiley, a civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Center for Social Inclusion, as counsel to the mayor. In addition to serving in the traditional role of the counsel, Wiley will also focus on investing in the City’s technology infrastructure and expanding broadband access across the City.

Maya Wiley was born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in Washington, D.C. Her parents, active in the civil rights movement, had a profound impact on Wiley. Her father, an organic chemistry professor, later founded the National Welfare Rights Organization and was arrested multiple times in non-violent protests advocating for women on welfare. This exposed Wiley to the legal system at a young age. Wiley remembers a particular incident where her father was arrested along with other protesters and charged with a misdemeanor, but instead of being released right away, the judge held the protesters for hours, humiliating them in open court into the night. From these early experiences, Wiley learned that she wanted to commit to helping people. (read more…)

Michael Best

Michael Best, Counselor to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, was appointed in May 2012, replacing Anthony Crowell, now Dean of New York Law School. Best serves as General Counsel in the mayor’s office and is one of the mayor’s senior management and policy advisors, helping to coordinate and oversee City agencies, boards, and committees. Best has served in City government since 1991, having worked as General Counsel to the City’s Criminal Justice Coordinator, Director of the Office of Contracts, Deputy Counsel to Mayor Bloomberg, and General Counsel of the New York City Department of Education. Best began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.

Gearing up for Hurricane Sandy. On Friday, October 26, 2012, Mayor Bloomberg issued his public announcement concerning the City’s preparations to respond to fast-approaching Hurricane Sandy. As Counselor to the Mayor, Best was behind the scenes helping to turn those preparations into a reality. Best is no stranger to City crises; he worked in the Office of Contracts in Rudolph W. Giuliani’s administration during the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and was responsible for overseeing emergency contracts to help the City recover following the terrorist attack. When Mayor Bloomberg took office in January 2002, Best joined the City Hall team as Deputy Counsel. The City was still in a state of emergency and Best helped with mayoral emergency orders related to traffic and safety issues around the World Trade Center site. During Hurricane Sandy, Best drew on his past emergency experience as well as the knowledgeable team of lawyers who had previously handled the City’s response to Hurricane Irene in 2011.

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