Q&A
Addressing Mastro's past comments on the public advocate's office
0:56:14
·
120 sec
Council Member Adams questions Mastro about his past comments regarding the public advocate's office, particularly his role in a charter revision commission. Mastro defends his actions, explaining his stance on changes to the line of succession.
- Mastro clarifies his role in a charter revision commission that considered changes to the line of succession
- He emphasizes that he stood up to Mayor Giuliani by not changing the charter to eliminate the public advocate from the line of succession
- Mastro argues that his actions demonstrate his ability to stand up to mayors and support other elected officials
Adrienne E. Adams
0:56:14
Speaking of a track rest record, once again, respectfully, Mister Mastro, the track record shows that you have called the office of the public advocate, a left wing radical, and fighting to cut that position out of the line of succession.
0:56:32
Is that true?
Randy Mastro
0:56:33
Well, actually, again, Mark Green supports me right now, and I and we've submitted that.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:56:39
That's not the question, miss White Mass.
0:56:41
Why we understand your endorsements to people that supports you have made their voices very clear to this council.
Randy Mastro
0:56:46
Thank you, Youra.
0:56:47
Thank you, Youra.
0:56:48
The the issue that you're racing has to do with a charter revision where the mayor wanted to eliminate the public advocate from the line of succession.
0:56:59
And in that context, I chaired that commission.
0:57:03
But actually, what I did historically, and I think it's why, Mark,
Adrienne E. Adams
0:57:07
what was your perspective?
Randy Mastro
0:57:10
My perspective was, and this eventually happened in the Bloomberg Administration when Betsy Gotbaum was the public advocate also here supporting me.
0:57:17
But when that proposal was made by the mayor to change the line of succession during the mayor's term.
0:57:25
I stood up to Rudy Giuliani.
0:57:27
My charter revision commission that I chaired said no.
0:57:31
We did not do that.
0:57:32
We said we would not do that while he was mayor and while Mark Green was public advocate, that that had to await a future generation.
0:57:39
That's the fact, madam speaker.
0:57:42
And I I think that shows you can count on me to stand up to mayors and count on me to stand up for counsel and other elected officials.
0:57:51
So we did not change the charter in that respect, and I refused to put on the ballot, changing the line of succession to eliminate Mark Green from succeeding Rudy Giuliani.
0:58:02
We said that that was a future issue and should go on the ballot only to happen prospectively after everyone had left office.
0:58:09
And eventually mayor Bloomberg made the same proposal and did that to Betsy got them.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:58:14
Okay?