Term Limits, City Law Focus Of Charter Panel

By DOMENICK RAFTER

Mayor Mike Bloomberg appointed the 15 members of the city's Charter Revision Commission last week, setting the stage for the commission to revisit changes from the 1988 and 1989 commissions and any subsequent changes to the city charter.

The commission will be chaired by Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of the City University of New York and the commission's Vice Chair will be John H. Banks, Vice President of Government Relations at Con Edison and former Chief of Staff to the City Council. The commission is made up of members from all five boroughs from the fields of academics, government, local development, media and energy. The commission will purpose possible amendments to city laws, including the possibility of another referendum on term limits.

Mayor Bloomberg said he wants all ideas to be considered and wants the commission to conduct broad outreach to civic and community leaders as well as the general public in public hearings that will be held in all five boroughs.

"I've charged this Charter Revision Commission with reaching out to every community, analyzing every idea on the merits, and proposing changes that will improve the lives of New Yorkers," said Bloomberg. "Every issue will be on the table, and every voice will be heard.

The commission will include two members who are from Queens, including Bishop Mitchell Taylor of Long Island City, Senior Pastor of Center of Hope International, which is a non-denominational church located near the Queensbridge Houses. Taylor is also CEO of the East River Development Alliance, a not-for-profit organization he founded in 2004 to expand economic opportunity for public housing residents. The other member from Queens is Ernest Hart, Chief Operating Officer for the Columbia University Medical Center and a Chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.