Q&A
Discussion of Mastro's motivation for seeking the Corporation Counsel position
7:45:59
·
5 min
Council Member Joann Ariola inquires about Randy Mastro's motivation for seeking the Corporation Counsel position, given the financial sacrifice and intense scrutiny he has faced. Mastro provides a passionate response, explaining his commitment to public service and vision for the Law Department.
- Acknowledgment of the financial sacrifice and challenging confirmation process
- Mastro's expression of deep commitment to the city and using the power of law for public good
- Detailed explanation of Mastro's vision for transforming the Law Department to better serve New York City
Joann Ariola
7:45:59
So you'll be leaving if if you are approved, you'll be leaving a tremendous job, and it will be a great financial sacrifice.
7:46:08
And you'll be giving up your law practice to take this job.
7:46:12
I know what that feels like to go from city and and and pub and go from a government job to private job and then come back because it is a calling, and I believe that you have that calling.
7:46:28
But you've been put through the ringer today, and you've asked, you've been asked questions, and you've answered them from my colleagues in the process.
7:46:36
So the big question I have is from what you've heard today, why would you want this job?
Randy Mastro
7:46:45
Well, I must really want this job given how Obviously, there have been so many questions raised one council member after another in quite an organized fashion.
7:46:58
The fact of the matter is, I respect this council.
7:47:01
I respect each and every one of you despite some of the things that have been said here or before that are hurtful, that are not true, that do not reflect my character and my values and my lifetimes work.
7:47:17
But I wanna do this job.
7:47:19
I want to return to public service because I have a deep commitment to the city and to using the power of the law to do a public good and improve people's lives.
7:47:34
I believe we can do so much.
7:47:36
We can do so much when it comes to the issues that we were just talking about with the council member using the power of the law for good.
7:47:44
I am at times mystified how this opportunity to do something innovative and transformative with the law department that will serve the city council and the administration and the people of the city of New York, devoting more resources to cases to protect and promote public safety, to protect and promote civil rights, constitutional rights, social justice, workers' rights, tenants' rights, consumer protection, environmental protection.
7:48:18
This would be transformative for our city, and it's never happened before.
7:48:24
It takes a lot to move the city government.
7:48:29
It takes a lot to change for the better.
7:48:33
I know.
7:48:34
I've been there.
7:48:35
It ain't my first rodeo, but you know something.
7:48:38
We have to do it for the good of all New Yorkers.
7:48:40
And if you give me this opportunity, I say this humbly.
7:48:46
If you give me this opportunity, I will do everything I can to make this a better city through the power of the law.
7:48:57
And we can do so much more on public safety, so much more on civil rights and constitution rights and social justice.
7:49:05
The potential is there with that great 800 person law department It's never happened before because it is so hard.
7:49:13
When somebody has been there, knows how city government works, knows how to press the levers, knows how hard it is to change, but has a track record of motivating people to change, and inspiring that to devote more resources to those things, that should be as exciting for this council as it is for me.
7:49:35
Whatever happens in this process, I will still love this city, I will still love the experience I had in the public sector, and I will always answer the call to serve.
7:49:48
I hope you will see on reflection just as the speaker said the other day to look at my entire record and see that it is a record and values committed, the kinds of values that so many of you told me you share that you want to see more of in city government.
7:50:10
I will deliver.
7:50:13
I have delivered in every phase of my career.
7:50:16
I don't say that other than humbly.
7:50:19
The opportunity to serve here I'm honored.
7:50:23
I'm obviously putting myself through.
7:50:26
I'm quite an ordeal.
7:50:28
I doubt you have ever in the history of this city at a confirmation hearing that looked anything like this and kept these dozens of people Hi,
Keith Powers
7:50:38
miss Metro.
Randy Mastro
7:50:38
Former We're
Keith Powers
7:50:39
gonna
Randy Mastro
7:50:39
Please let me finish.
7:50:41
Please.
7:50:41
A former governor, other elected officials, former corp counsel, judges, sitting in an audience for 8 hours.
7:50:48
I pray that you hear them, I respect you.
7:50:51
I wanna answer every one of your questions.
7:50:53
I'll stay here till the we ask.
Keith Powers
7:50:55
We appreciate that.
Randy Mastro
7:50:56
I want to serve you.
7:50:58
Please understand that.
UNKNOWN
7:51:00
Okay.
Joann Ariola
7:51:00
And I I do appreciate that.