Betsy Gotbaum
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Betsy Gotbaum is the New York Public Advocate. A longtime civic leader, this is her first elective office. She is a Democrat.
Gotbaum, a trained teacher, became involved in civic affairs in the 1970s, while serving on the staff of former Mayor John Lindsay. In the 1980s she served as the Executive Director of the New York Police Foundation, a non profit group which supports the New York City Police Department.
From 1990 to 1994 she served as New York City Parks Commissioner in the administration of former Mayor David Dinkins. In this position she oversaw all of the city's parks and beaches, along with recreational programs. She was a frequent presence on local media during her time as parks commissioner.
After leaving the Parks Department, Gotbaum became President of the New-York Historical Society, a position she held until launching her campaign for Public Advocate in 2001. At the New York Historical Society, she rescued that organization from bankruptcy and rebuilt its board of directors.
In 2001, Gotbaum finished first in the Democratic primary and then defeated Norman Siegel in the Democratic runoff. She was unopposed in the general election. As Public Advocate she has taken a more low key approach than her predecessor, Mark Green. She has focused on education policy, along with economic development and has been known to work with Mayor Michael Bloomberg on certain issues. She battled Bloomberg on mayoral succession issues. In return, Bloomberg sought to eliminate the office altogether in 2002 and reduced its budget.
In fact, Gotbaum has been an effective advocate on behalf of the city's people. She has focused on the ombudsman role of the office and specifically on the needs of children, the elderly, and people who are powerless. At the request of the New York State Legislature, Gotbaum created a commission to study governance of public education.
In the September 13, 2005 Democratic primary, Gotbaum beat civil rights advocate Norman Siegel, as well as information technology and Wi-Fi advocate Andrew Rasiej, and the pro-business Queens-based dentist Jay Golub. She was unopposed in the general election. She took the oath of office for a second term on January 1, 2006. She is barred by term limits from seeking reelection in 2009.
She has been married to former New York City labor leader Victor Gotbaum since 1977. Previously her name was Betsy Hogen, and she has one daughter from her first marriage, which ended in divorce[1]. Her maiden name was Betsy Flower.[1]
Her stepdaughter-in-law Carol Anne Gotbaum was found dead on September 28, 2007 at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Police reported that Gotbaum was yelling and screaming: " I am not a Terrorist!" and running through the terminal on Friday. She was arrested for disorderly conduct. Initial reports indicate that Gotbaum may have accidentally strangled herself while trying to get out of her handcuffs. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office said Carol Anne Gotbaum, 45, of New York, was acutely intoxicated on alcohol and prescription drugs when she died in a police holding room at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Sept. 28. [2]. She was married to Noah Gotbaum, son of Victor Gotbaum from a previous marriage.
Contents |
[edit] 2001 NYC Democratic Ticket
- Mayor: Mark J. Green
- Public Advocate: Betsy Gotbaum
- Comptroller: William Thompson
[edit] 2005 NYC Democratic Ticket
- Mayor: Fernando Ferrer
- Public Advocate: Betsy Gotbaum
- Comptroller: William Thompson
[edit] References
- ^ Bellush and Bellush, Union Power and New York: Victor Gotbaum and District Council 37, 1984.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Mark J. Green |
New York Public Advocate 2002—present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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