According to Russell Berman, the former councilman’s son, after an ongoing battle with illness, Berman expired on Sunday in his home in Manhattan.
Berman left a great legacy, and will be remembered for his spirit and tenacity, says council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. He will also always be known for his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of New York’s residents.
From 1975 to 2001, Berman served six terms on the City Council representing south Brooklyn. On the finance committee he served as chairman, he was also a part of the leadership committee for the council. Berman was the author of many reports, including his better known piece, “The Y2K Problem: Are We Ready?”
In 2001, after losing the election for city controller, Governor Pataki hired Berman as his adviser. From 2003 to 2007, he led the agency that manages Roosevelt Island’s operations. Throughout his life, he also never stopped practicing law.