Public Advocate's Corner

West Sider of the Year

 
(Above right: Public Advocate Gotbaum with host Howard Rubenstein, and Tom Allon, President and CEO of Manhattan Media)

On Thursday night, the West Side Spirit, a weekly paper that covers the Upper West Side of Manhattan, honored Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum at its annual WESTY Awards. She was presented with the most prestigious 'West Sider of the Year' award, recognizing her career in public service and contributions to the community.

 

Stand for Freedom in Iran!

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum stood with elected officials, religious leaders, human rights activists, and thousands of attendees at the Stand for Freedom in Iran rally, protesting the UN visit of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Public Advocate Gotbaum said:

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to all the different groups standing today in solidarity with Iranian-Americans and Iranian citizens who disputed the results of June’s elections. I would like to thank all the speakers – in particular Governor David Paterson, Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, as well as the Iranian womens’ rights activists – for their powerful words. 

Throughout my career I have stood for women’s rights and always sought to represent the women who had no voice. The participation of women in the political process is one of the causes of my life.When I witnessed the video of Neda Soltan’s murder, I was heartbroken. Neda’s crime was to attend a rally in support of freedom, like so many other women – and men – in the weeks after Iran’s elections.

PA Gotbaum at the 24th Annual AIDS Walk

On Sunday, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum joined elected officials, community leaders, and advocates at the opening ceremonies of the 24th Annual AIDS Walk New York. (Pictured above, from left-- [L] Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., Public Advocate Gotbaum, and Assemblyman Denny Farrell; [R] Public Advocate Gotbaum and Representative Carolyn B. Maloney.)

As Commissioner of Parks & Recreation under Mayor Dinkins, Gotbaum successfully argued for a change in city policy allowing the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and other organizations to use Central Park for fundraising events. Her action allowed more people than ever before to participate in the GMHC's AIDS Walk, resulting in a significant increase in proceeds for people with HIV/AIDS.

Citizenship Now!

This afternoon, Betsy Gotbaum visited the City University of New York’s Citizenship Now! hotline.

Citizenship Now!, believed to be the largest hotline of its kind in the nation, was co-launched by the Daily News and CUNY in April 2004 to address the systemic lack of access to free immigration information for the people who need it most.  Since its inception, the program has helped more than 55,000 people.

For the sixth year in a row, approximately 400 volunteers were standing by to offer expert legal advice, in confidence and for free, from Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Betsy Gotbaum visited with the volunteers, and passed out her immigrant guide in 6 different languages. Half the lines are dedicated to English speakers and half are answered in Spanish, but the advisers also speak more than 20 different languages.

Services include confidential one-on-one consultations with immigration attorneys and paralegals, as well as citizenship and family immigration application assistance and community educational activities. All services are free and available to all members of the public.

Citizenship Now! is led by Daily News columnist Allan Wernick, an attorney and Chair of CUNY’s Citizenship and Immigration project.

Testifying on Toxic Turf

This morning, Betsy Gotbaum gave opening remarks for the Committee on Parks and Recreation Hearing on Artificial Turf.

The Public Advocate has worked for 2 years to raise concerns about synthetic turf in city parks.

Betsy Gotbaum said, "Thank you, Councilmember Foster and members of the Committee on Parks and Recreation for holding this important hearing. I have been working on this issue for nearly two years now. In December 2007, the Committee met to ask the Parks Department how they planned to investigate the health and environmental effects of synthetic turf. Today, although testing has now been completed on existing fields, questions still remain about the health and environmental risks that artificial turf may pose.

Gotbaum Testifies at Public Hearing on School Governance

Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "Thank you, Assemblymember Nolan and Committee members for inviting me to this hearing and for holding this important discussion.

In the fall of 2007, I appointed a commission at your request to independently assess school governance in New York City.  On September 4th, 2008 I received the final report of the Commission on School Governance.

The Commission on School Governance heard hours of testimony from individuals and organizations that represent broad and diverse constituencies, as well as the views of parents at forums held in all five boroughs and at three public hearings. Additionally, we commissioned eight academic papers from top experts on the issue, so that the Commission could better understand and learn from the experiences of other cities.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama

Today's historic inauguration marks a new era of promise and change in our country. I am so pleased to congratulate our new President and excited to see what change his administration brings to our country and our city. I found the image of the turning the clenched fist into an open hand particularly powerful in his speech today, and as I watched with my friends at the Teamsters Union Local 237, we were alternately crying and cheering, especially when we heard that statement.

A Day of Service (in photos)

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum yesterday joined elected officials at the New York City Coalition Against Hunger's 6th Annual MLK DAY “Serve a Thon” at the Broadway Presbyterian Church.

Pictured below: Betsy and youth prepare lunch at the soup kitchen; Betsy Gotbaum with Senator Liz Kruger and Congressman Anthony Weiner; Betsy Gotbaum and Congressman Charles Rangel share a laugh earlier in the day at the Mayor's salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Schomberg Center.

Remembering MLK

Today, January 19^th 2009, we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  This year’s celebration carries special significance: Last Thursday marked what would have been Dr. King’s 80^th birthday, and tomorrow, our country will welcome its first African-American President. The election of Barack Obama is a step toward social and racial justice, and a reminder of what’s possible.

This economic crisis affects all New Yorkers, and a full recovery will require all of us to give a little more. Today is a day of remembrance, but it’s also a national day of service. There’s no better time to come together and commit to serving our communities in need.

Today, I’ll be joining State Senator Liz Krueger to volunteer at a soup kitchen in Manhattan, one of many events organized by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. 

NYCCAH is a fantastic organization, and their website makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities.  Or, you can find a community service event through President-elect Obama’s website.

Use your day off to volunteer, and let’s show the country that New Yorkers are committed to service and the dream of MLK.

Betsy Talking to Latino Youth

This weekend, Betsy Gotbaum spoke at ASPIRA's 16th Annual Youth Conference at Hunter College. The conference was themed "Make Your Mark" and attracted over 700 high school students.

Through the ASPIRA Process - Awareness, Analysis and Action - students learn to act on issues and problems that concern them. ASPIRA fosters the social advancement of the Puerto Rican/Latino community by supporting its youth in the pursuit of educational excellence through leadership development activities and programs.