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Mark-Viverito Begins Speaker Term Amid Controversy

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Melissa Mark-Viverito becomes NY City Councils first Latina speaker
Melissa Mark-Viverito becomes NY City Councils first Latina speaker
Melissa Mark-Viverito, the city councilwoman from East Harlem, has been elected the next Speaker of the City Council.

Mark-Viverito is considered to be a key ally of Mayor Bill de Blasio. She won a unanimous, 51-0, vote for the second-most-powerful elected official in the city.

“I am very honored and truly humbled by this day,” Mark-Viverito said, according to New York Newsday., In her acceptance speech she vowed to continue to press for “a more equal and just New York where everyone, no matter what borough you are from, what neighborhood you were raised in or who your parents were, has equal opportunities.”

Her chief rival for the speaker seat, Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick, conceded only moments before the council was set to make the vote.

“I want to formally concede to the next Speaker of the City Council, my colleague Melissa Mark-Viverito,” he said, prompting a standing ovation from the council, Newsday reported.

“I just want to say that I look forward to working with Speaker Mark-Viverito and helping her ensure that we can deliver a sound and responsible government for all New Yorkers, one that is fair, one that is reasoned, and one that serves as a respectful and strong counterbalance to the mayor,” he said, although some interpreted this comment as a reference to the mayor overtly orchestrating her win in a very public push to secure her position.

Mark-Viverito was officially nominated by freshman Councilman Ritchie Torres, who broke with his Bronx delegation to support her early on in the race.

“Melissa Mark-Viverito is someone who has the strength of character, the wisdom of experience and the principled values to be our voice here in the City Council,” Torres said, according to Newsday.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is an historic moment. Today we will be electing the first Latino Speaker of the City Council,” he said. “It is an incredible achievement.”

The nomination was seconded by Inez Barron, Daniel Dromm, Robert Cornegy and Julissa Ferreras before others cast their votes.

In her acceptance speech, Mark-Viverito spoke of a “new” New York City Council, promising a more collaborative approach than that of her predecessor, former Speaker Christine Quinn.

“To my colleagues, I pledge you this: I look forward to working hand in hand with you in your districts, communities and neighborhoods. You all have a friend and an ally in the Speakers office and my door will always be open,” she said, outlining “a leadership style that allows all voices to be at the table, helping to shape the direction we take as a legislative body; a leadership style that puts the will of the members and the needs of their constituents before the ambitions of a speaker.”

She also defended a set of rules reforms aimed at transferring power from the speaker to other members of the Council to address criticism that emerged under Ms. Quinn .

“Many have stated that giving additional power to individual members will undermine the ability of the Council to function effectively. But I believe that empowering each member will only mean that all of us will take greater ownership over this body and work that much harder to preserve its power and its integrity,” she said, responding to criticism that her relationship with de Blasio would lead to unchecked power.

“And yes, we will unite to hold the administration and the mayor accountable. This is our vision for this City Council: Unity, independence, integrity, transparency and accountability,” she pledged.

Many of her peers and colleagues were quick to praise the new speaker.

Councilman David Greenfield (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) said he was part of a “wide and diverse coalition” of council members who have been supporting her speaker bid.

“I am very proud to be part of this historic vote as we usher in a new era of government in New York City. My congratulations to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito on today’s vote and for running a great campaign. It was especially inspiring to see the entire Council unite behind Speaker Mark-Viverito out of recognition of what is best for the city. I have worked closely with Speaker Mark-Viverito over the past years and have no doubt that she will be a great leader who will represent the needs of all New Yorkers,” Greenfield said in a statement.

Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst), another supporter, said he is confident that “she will lead our body in a more democratic, transparent and inclusive direction.”

The National Organization for Women-New York City (NOW-NYC) also lavished praise upon the new speaker.

“Mark-Viverito has been a powerful ally and advocate for women and girls. Electing Mark-Viverito to the number two spot puts our city in the absolute strongest position to level the playing field for women. She is a leader that reflects both the values and diversity that are New York City,” NOW-NYC President Sonia Ossorio said.

And the business community is excited to welcome the new speaker as well, according to Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“She has been an exceptional advocate for New Yorkers throughout her life and has the talent and understanding to lead the City Council. Principled and independent, Speaker Mark-Viverito’s position to reduce fines aimed at small businesses has been a sign of her openness to work with the business community. She is also committed to growing businesses and supports economic development policies that benefit all neighborhoods,” Scissura said. “As the first Latina to be chosen as Council Speaker, her selection is truly historic and a celebration of New York’s diversity. She understands the needs of all New Yorkers and we look forward to working with her.”

The Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition (FJCC), which Mark-Viverito had visited recently, released the following statement:

“We appreciate that Ms. Viverito chose to visit our community coalition at the start of her outreach to the Jewish community, and has been working with us for months, to foster a bright future for the City and the Orthodox community”, said Josh Mehlman, Chairman FJCC.

Meanwhile, Mark-Viverito dismissed questions Saturday about why she only released her tax returns late on Friday night — two days after securing the powerful post.

“The information was released as it was made available,” she said, claiming that it could not have been released any earlier than Friday night, well known as the dumping ground for bad news.

“It was made available when it was available.”

The Daily News reported that Mark-Viverito failed to report $92,600 in rental income from her East Harlem townhouse on city disclosure forms.

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