For Immediate Release

October 28, 2009

Equal opportunity, equal protection to NYC's communities, Councilman Liu promises ethnic/community media

John Liu addressing New York's ethnic and community media at a press conference organized by New York Community Media Alliance on October 27.  NYCMA's Communications Manager Jehangir Khattak is sitting next to Councilman Liu. – Photo by Ari Kagan

NEW YORK: The Democratic Party's candidate for New York City Comptroller's office, Councilman John C. Liu, has said if elected, he will work hard to provide equal opportunity and equal protection to the city's diverse ethnic and immigrant communities.

Addressing New York's ethnic and community media at a press conference organized by the New York Community Media Alliance in collaboration with CUNY TV, held at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, on Tuesday, October 27, Liu explained at great length how equal opportunity could be offered to all communities and stressed this could be realized through the judicious use of taxpayers money and by creating a friendly environment for small businesses.

"City government is the biggest customer for small businesses," said Liu, explaining that the city awards contracts worth billions of dollars each year. He believed that immigrants could benefit immensely if minorities received a bigger portion of these contracts. He expressed his dissatisfaction at the current state of the City's economy saying, "The City can do better," and pointed out that NYC is losing 600 businesses every month due to a host of reasons, including higher taxes, fluctuating high rents and unpredictable business cycles.

Asian-American Liu sees that the ever-increasing immigrant population is changing the dynamics of the city and contributing to its reputation as a world capital. "New York is the capital of the world, not just capital of the English-speaking world." To safeguard this standing, Liu advocates equal protection and opportunity to all its residents regardless of their English-language skills.

He promised that, if elected, he would ensure greater oversight of city agencies. "The immigrant communities should expect a lot from me," he told a journalist. He said his past record and experience will prove an asset for the office and hoped that he will have the honor to serve New Yorkers as Comptroller.

Photo by Aleksandra Slabisz

In response to a journalist's question about his ability to work with Mayor Bloomberg should Bill Thompson not win the mayoral election, Liu said he'd work with the Mayor while playing his role as an independent chief financial officer of the city.

The candidate was all praise for the city's ethnic and community media and called them a critical bridge between communities and the government. He promised to keep close contact and to work to get city advertisements to this media sector that at present has little or no support from government agencies' ad revenues.

The City Comptroller's office ensures the financial health of New York City by advising the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the City's financial condition. The Comptroller also makes recommendations on City programs and operations, fiscal policies, and financial transactions. In addition, the Comptroller manages the assets of the five New York City Pension Funds, performs budgetary analysis, audits city agencies, registers proposed contracts, etc.

Related video by Aleksandra Slabisz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOuRz_UIH0s&feature=player_embedded