FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #077-00
Thursday, March 2, 2000
Contact: Sunny Mindel// Michael Anton (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today named Anthony P. Coles, currently the Mayor's Senior Advisor, as Deputy Mayor for Planning, Education and Cultural Affairs.
"For the past six years, we have successfully reinvented and re-engineered the way City government works, and Tony Coles has played a crucial role in many different areas, from helping to bring about the historic merger of the Transit Police Department and Housing Authority Police Department with the New York Police Department to the development of major policy initiatives in the area of education and welfare reform," Mayor Giuliani said. "As Deputy Mayor for Planning, Education and Cultural Affairs, Tony will be able to use his skills to continue the rebuilding and revitalization of New York City, to coordinate the preservation and beautification of our City's most cherished assets, and to maintain the City's place as the Cultural Capital of the World.
"Tony will also continue to oversee our efforts to move people from welfare to work, and to transform the City's welfare offices into Job Centers. And he will continue to work to bring fundamental reform to our school system, so that it moves from toward being a system that always puts children first. I can think of no candidate better suited to take on this responsibility than Tony, who has repeatedly proven his ability to help improve our City. I congratulate Tony, and look forward to working with him in his new position."
"For six years I have been privileged to work for a Mayor and an Administration that has accomplished so much for New York City," Mr. Coles said "It is a great honor for me, and also for my family, to accept the position of Deputy Mayor. I'm very excited to have this opportunity to continue to move the City in a positive direction, furthering our progress, and increasing the spirit of hope and optimism that has helped New York City to prosper."
As Deputy Mayor, Mr. Coles will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of city planning and public improvement, including the design and construction of City projects, historic preservation, and key initiatives such as the redevelopment of East River Park and other waterfront areas. He will also coordinate the City's efforts to preserve, promote and expand its cultural institutions and attractions.
In addition, Mr. Coles will continue to oversee the City's welfare reform efforts, and the Administration's initiatives to improve the quality of New York City public education. He will also continue to oversee the Department of Design and Construction, the Trade Waste Commission, the Commission to Combat Family Violence, and the City's dealings with the Port authority, including airport privatization efforts. And he will continue to oversee a variety of other initiatives, such as coordinating the Administration's relations with the new media and bio-technology industries.
Mr. Coles graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University in 1977, and in 1980 graduated from the Columbia University School of Law. He is married and has three children. At the time he joined the Giuliani Administration in 1994, he was a litigation partner with the law firm of Anderson Kill Olick & Oshinsky. Prior to that, he was a partner at the law firm of Slade & Pellman, and an associate for Schulte, Roth, & Zabel.