I ‘ADVOCATE’ IT!
Corey now sees worth of Jumaane’s new job
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s seven weeks as acting public advocate have convinced him that the office has merit.
“I don’t support the elimination of this office,” Johnson (D-Manhattan) said after walking Public Advocate-elect Jumaane Williams from City Hall to his new 1 Centre St. digs.
Johnson had said late last year that he wouldn’t rule out throwing his support behind a City Council bill that would eliminate the office — whose critics say it’s a waste of taxpayer money with no real duties.
“I think that before I was in this position, I may have gotten caught up a little bit in the thinking around the amount of money that’s associated with it, and what people say are nebulous functions with the office,” he said.
But now he feels differently — particularly after seeing how many people have reached out to the office seeking help with complicated problems during his time at the helm.
Williams, who expects to take office sometime next week after the Board of Elections certifies the results of Tuesday’s special election, sat down with May (photo) or de Blasio at City Hall before the stroll with Johnson.
De Blasio — a one-time public advocate himself — said the office was a perfect fit for Williams.
“I can say this for sure — the job of public advocate was tailor-made for him. He totally has the skill, the background, the understanding of community, the values to do that job very, very effectively,” de Blaiso said after the two sat down at City Hall.
De Blasio also said he was moved by Williams’ remarks during his victory speech about being in therapy for three years — and said his wife, who heads a mental health initiative, was also touched.
Asked why he decided to get into therapy, Williams cited relationships in his life.
“You go through life trying to figure out what’s happening and why it’s happening,” he said.
“You go through relationships, some work, some don’t, but the common denominator is you. So I wanted to figure out what was going on with me,” the public advocate-elect added.
“It was important. I’m glad I did it. I wish I had done it before.”