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Michael R. Bloomberg (Mayor)
It is the duty of every government to promote opportunity and participation
by tearing down obstacles that stand in its way, to provide services
efficiently, and to operate according to the highest ethical standards. This
year’s Charter Revision Commission has gone a long way toward promoting these
ends.
The proposals to be placed before voters this November will change the way the
City does business by reducing the burdensome regulations which frustrate and
hamper companies’ efforts to work for the City, while at the same time
increasing opportunities for small businesses, particularly those owned by women
and minorities. They will bolster the City’s ethics laws by providing enhanced
enforcement measures to punish those that violate them. And they will put
elections back in the hands of the voters by opening the process to all.
The time has come for the voters to decide. I enthusiastically encourage you
to vote “Yes” on proposals 3, 4, and 5.
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Jane Kalmus (Vice-Chairman of the Voter Assistance Commission)
The newly revised Voter Assistance Commission will now provide in a
nonpartisan manner information and assistance to the citizens of the city on how
to register and vote regardless of race, gender, income or education. We applaud
the Charter Revision Commission for revising the structure of the Voter
Assistance Commission and urge the adoption of the proposal “Government
Administration” Question # 3, as it appears on the Ballot on Election Day,
November 4th, 2003.
Vote “Yes” on the proposal “GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION” when you vote on Election
Day.
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Helen Sears (City Council Member)
As the Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Standards and
Ethics, I advocated and am in full agreement of this proposal. It will better
the responsibility and integrity of our city government.
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George N. Spitz (Former Mayoral Candidate)
A Charter Revision Commission chaired by Dr. Frank J. Macchiarola, President
of St. Francis College has placed on the ballot three meritorious propositions.
The proposal on City Elections opens up the candidate nominating process to
several hundred thousand voters not registered in any political party. The
portion on City Purchasing provides for citywide coordination to enhance
opportunities for small businesses and minority and women-owned businesses.
The Section dealing with Government Administration is especially deserving of
voter support, particularly because it enhances the enforcement authority of the
Conflicts of Interest Board by allowing increased penalties for violations of
the City’s ethics laws. A strong vote for this section sends a message that
citizens of New York City desire clean government.
Passage of one or more Charter Revision proposals encourages a much needed
ongoing process of improving how the city functions, New York City has a history
of providing better government and enhanced public services when the Charter is
reformed by referendum either at the initiative of the Mayor or civic groups.
The Campaign Finance Law, including this very Voter Guide, is the product of a
1988 Charter Revision Commission chaired by Fredrick A. O. Schwarz, currently
Campaign Finance Board Chairman.
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