Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

211

211

  • 5 Solutions the Public Advocate Should Deliver for New York City

    cityscape

    (photo; Edwin J. Torres/Mayor's Office)


    The New York City Public Advocate is a poorly defined position that, over its 30 years of existence, has often been used to advance the political interests and status of career politicians. I’m running for Public Advocate because I want to do something very different with the office: turn it into a “startup” working in the public interest to deliver real products and services that improve New Yorkers’ lives and helps under-resourced civil servants modernize our city’s government.

    I’ll

    ...
  • Disaster Preparedness Requires a 211 System; New York City Still Doesn’t Have One

    Sandy devastation

    After Sandy (photo: Ed Reed/Mayor's Office)


    Over the last few weeks, New Yorkers have watched with great anxiety as Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, among many other places, were pummeled by massive hurricanes. Whenever we see storm destruction, memories of Sandy re-enter our consciousness; as does the question: Is New York City significantly better prepared for the next big one? My answer is “No.”

    As a technology professional in disaster management, I’m constantly on the lookout for better ways to use software tools and information

    ...