BENJAMIN J.

KALLOS
COUNCIL MEMBER, 5
TH
DISTRICT

244 East 93
rd
Street
New York, NY 10128
(212) 860-1950 Voice
(212) 980-1828 Fax

BKallos@BenKallos.com

THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK
CHAIR
Governmental Operations

COMMITTEES
Land Use
State & Federal Legislation
Womens Issues
SUBCOMMITTEE
Landmarks, Public Siting &
Maritime Uses

July 10, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

Please adopt an open process for the selection of the Manhattan Democratic Commissioner for
the New York City Board of Elections (BOE).

The Daily News has begun attacking the Council and the Speaker on the plan to replace the
Manhattan Commissioner in Shake-up ahead for NYC Board of Elections? alleging
expanding her power and control of a host of patronage jobs concluding with a quote It's all
about patronage.

There is no reason such an allegation should be made or supported against us, our delegation, our
Speaker or our Council. The Speaker has empowered our delegation to take on its own process
and the best way we can all avoid criticism from editorial boards and our constituents is to lead
by example and engage in what we and the Department of Investigations have demanded from
the Board itself, an open process.

Proposed open process for selection of the Manhattan Democratic Commissioner:
Circulate and approve an advertisement soliciting open applications for the position;
Advertise the position in the New York Times, Bar Associations, Craigslist and local papers;
Establish open criteria for selection including a questionnaire; and
Selection of a candidate based on the above criteria and questionnaire, who is committed to
compliance with the law and the Department of Investigations in order to reform the BOE;

By way of background the Governmental Operations Committee has had three hearings and
monthly meetings with the Board of Elections where we have focused on reforming the Board of
Elections, which you can read about in the Daily News in NYC Department Of Investigation
Chief: Board Of Elections Hostile To Reform Recommendations and NYC Board Of
Elections Dismisses DOI Reform Recommendations As Outdated, Vague. Should the Board of
Elections ultimately fail to obey the laws and recommendations set forth by the Department of
Investigations the Governmental Operations Committee has already promised to seek
appearances by the Commissioners, and if that fails those who appointed them.

The Board of Elections is in serious need of reform as we move our government away from a
history of patronage, nepotism, graft and corruption. Our delegation must protect ourselves, the
Speaker, our Council and our City by going above the fray to lead by example and adopt an open
process to select the Manhattan Democratic Commissioner for the Board of Elections.

Regards,

Benjamin Kallos