Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
The Business Improvement District Program is a valuable tool that strengthens and enlivens commercial and industrial areas throughout the City. We look forward to the success of the District, which will complement other City-sponsored economic development efforts throughout lower Manhattan. I would like to acknowledge Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, former Commissioner of the Department of Business Services for the Department's role in seeking and working for the establishment of this BID. I would also like to thank the important contribution of the Concerned Citizens of Broadway and the soon to be established New York District Management Association which worked so diligently toward the establishment of the Business Improvement District. I would also thank Council Member Berman for his efforts in helping to resolve issues between the sponsor and other property owners relating to the establishment of this BID.
I will first turn to the bill's sponsors, and then to any other elected officials who wish to speak. Now, I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone to be heard in support? There being none, and for reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
The Business Improvement District program permits BID sponsors to use of the City's taxing mechanism to generate revenue to enhance the quality of life and ensure local management and control over supplemental services at the neighborhood level. I join in the City Council's determination that it is in the City's interest to authorize the increased expenditures requested by the eight Districts in order to continue their effectiveness, encourage further private investment, and enhance the business climate in these Districts.
I will first turn to the bill's sponsors, and then to any other elected officials who wish to speak. Now, I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone to be heard in support? There being none, and for reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
In 1993, New York City voters approved Charter provisions limiting all New York City elected officials -- the mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough presidents and council members -- to no more than two consecutive terms in office. The referendum establishing these term limit provisions was approved by fifty-nine percent (59%) of voters responding to the ballot question. As enacted, the 1993 term limit provisions would force all citywide officials to leave office no later than the year 2001. This has, of course, occurred in the past, most recently in 1993 when the offices of mayor, public advocate, and comptroller were all simultaneously vacated and taken over by new incumbents.
Under the 1993 term limit initiative, however, as many as forty-nine (49) of the fifty-one (51) incumbent council members could be required to leave office at the same time. The prospect of this simultaneous and near-total replacement of the Council with new and inexperienced officeholders led the Council to re-visit the term limit law this spring. Led by its Chair, Council Member Mary Pinkett, the Council Committee on Governmental Operations held a series of hearings -- in City Hall and in each borough -- designed to gain expert and public input on the impact that the term limit law would have on the Council's ability to govern in the years immediately following 2001. Many witnesses expressed concern that the near-total turnover in that year would undermine the Council's ability to operate as an effective lawmaking and oversight body.
Under the provisions of this legislation, citywide officeholders and borough presidents elected prior to January 1, 1994 would be allowed to run for reelection only through the 2001 election, meaning they would be required to leave office no later than January 1, 2005. However, because council districts are required to be redrawn on a decennial basis as a result of population shifts, the system for council members is slightly different. The 2001 Council election will be for a two-year (as opposed to four-year) term. Thus, council members elected prior to 1994 would be permitted to run for the two-year term in 2001 and then for an additional two-year term in 2003. All elected officials elected after January 1, 1994 would be limited to serving three terms or twelve (12) years, whichever is greater. A critical underpinning of the legislation is the expectation that natural electoral attrition will occur in the 1997, 2001, and 2003 elections, resulting in there being a nucleus of seasoned council members in 2005, which is when the vast majority of present members would be required to resign under this legislation.
I supported the term limit initiative in 1993, and I continue to support the concept of term limits for elected officials. This bill would do no more than ensure that voters be given an opportunity to consider refining the 1993 law in light of the consequences that the law could have on city government. Indeed, it seems clear that the wholesale replacement of the Council as presently constituted with new members would be disruptive, particularly in light of the Council's important responsibilities with regard to the budget and land use. I believe the people should be given the opportunity to consider these consequences, and to make an informed decision about whether the current term limit law should be modified to ensure a smoother transition to the system of term limits and to allow elected officials to stay in office for three, instead of two terms.
I now turn to any of the bill's sponsors, and to any other elected official who wishes to speak. Is there anyone who wishes to speak in favor of the bill? Is there anyone who wishes to speak in opposition to the bill? There being no more speakers, and for the reasons stated, I will now sign the bill.
Amzi (Andy) Alton Anderson was born on September 2, 1934 in Jetersville, Virginia, to Robert Lee Anderson and Marie Anderson. He attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia where he started his career as a barber. After college, he went into the United States Army for two and a half years and then served in the United States Army Reserve for a short period.
Andy came to New York City and gained employment at Fuller's Barber shop on the corner of East 223rd Street and Barnes Avenue. He later bought the business from Mr. Fuller and remained in business for thirty-three and a half years.
Andy was a respected member of the Bronx community for over thirty years. He was killed in his barbershop on January 1, 1994 during a robbery. His brutal death was a severe blow and shock to the residents and friends of the neighborhood. He is survived by his wife, June, a daughter, Jean, and a son, Amzi Alton Jr. Accordingly, in memory of Andy Anderson, this legislation adds his name to Barnes Avenue between East 223rd Street and East 224th Street, in the Borough of the Bronx.
I will first turn to the sponsor of the bill, and then to any other elected official wishing to speak. Now I turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support? There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.