Gale Arnot Brewer (born September 6, 1951) is a member of the New York City Council. She is a Democrat representing the Upper West Side and the northern part of Clinton in Manhattan. On September 10, 2013, she won the Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President, taking nearly 40% of the vote in a tight 4-way race.[1][2] The New York City general election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
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[hide]Career
Brewer completed her undergraduate work at Columbia University and Bennington College. She then earned an MPA degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. From 1975-1978, Brewer served as director of scheduling for Mary Anne Krupsak, the former Lieutenant Governor of New York. From 1978-1990, she was chief of staff to then-New York City Council member Ruth Messinger. From 1990-1994, Brewer was director of the New York City Office of Federal Relations in New York in the administration of David Dinkins. From 1994-1998, she was Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs under Mark J. Green.[2] Brewer then served as Project Manager for the NYC Nonprofits Project and worked with the Telesis Corporation, a private firm that builds affordable housing. She was a member of Manhattan’s Community Board 7 and Chair of the New York State chapter of the National Women’s Political Caucus.[2] In 2000, she was cited by the New York Daily News as #20 of “50 New Yorkers to Watch”.[3] Brewer began serving on the New York City Council in 2002. In each re-election vote in 2003, 2005, and 2009, she received over 80% of the votes cast.[2] Term limits prevent Brewer from again running for the City Council. In February 2013 Brewer announced she would run for Manhattan Borough President.[4] On September 10, 2013 she won the Democratic primary, taking nearly 40% of the vote in a tight 4-way race.[5] Brewer has helped to pass legislation protecting domestic workers, establishing the Broadband Advisory Committee, establishing an electronic death registration system and requiring New York City publications to be made available via the Internet, as well as two bills aimed at eliminating graffiti and unwanted stickers[2]
Committee work
Brewer chaired the Select Committee on Technology in Government (now the Committee on Technology) from 2002-2009[2] and remains a member of that committee.[6] In June 2004, in conjunction with a graduate student Digital Opportunities Team at CUNY Hunter College departments of Urban Affairs and Planning supervised by Professor Lisa Tolliver,[7]the committee published a study and recommendations titled Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference.[8] The report was one of numerous initiatives and events implemented by the Select Committee, which included roundtables, conferences, hearings, and collaborative partnerships.[6][9][10] Brewer currently chairs the Committee on Governmental Operations.[2] Other committees on which Council Member Brewer serves include: Aging; Finance; General Welfare, Higher Education; Housing & Buildings; Mental Health; Technology; Transportation; and Waterfronts. In addition, she co-chairs the Manhattan Delegation, sits on the Council’s Budget Negotiating Team, and is a member of the Rules Committee Working Group.[2] In addition, Brewer was a member of the New York State Universal Broadband Initiative’s Digital Literacy and Community Outreach Action Team and served as a member of the New York State Attorney General’s Real Estate Working Group/Subcommittee on Enforcement and Mediation, the Foundation Center Library Advisory Committee, and the Information Technology and Communications Committee of the National League of Cities.[2] Currently, Brewer is a member of the Board of Directors of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee; she also sits on Advisory Committees to John Jay College of Criminal Justice and William E. Macaulay Honors College. Gale also sits on the New York Academy of Medicine‘s Age-Friendly Board.[2]
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Gale Brewer |
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Member of the New York City Council from the 6th District |
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Assumed office January 1, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Ronnie Eldridge |
| Constituency | Manhattan: West Side 55th to 96th Streets |
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Personal details |
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| Born | (1951-09-06) September 6, 1951 (age 62) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Cal Snyder |
| Residence | Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Alma mater | John F. Kennedy School of Government |
| Profession | Politician |
| Website | NYC Council: District 6 |
Celebrate DIWALI at THE MET, Part 1 + 2