Norman Siegel, Public Advocate Running For The Job He Already Does

In this 24/7, 365 days a year world of campaigning, the candidates are already shaping up for the city's next election in 2009. One of those offices that will be looked at besides the Mayor's race is for Public Advocate. For far too long, no one in that office has really looked out for the citizens of New York City. Norman Siegel has done a fantastic job of it, despite not having the official title. So in addition to mole333 at Daily Gotham, I would like to advocate for Norm's bid to take the seat two years from now. Here's what mole333 had to say.

From The Daily Gotham:

Many people are speculating who is going to be running. Names I have heard kicked around include Chris Owens (now eyeing Brooklyn BP), David Yassky (who really should run for Marty Connor's senate seat, many believe), and Marty Markowitz (who some people say should just give up the facade and go on Bruce Ratner's payroll).

But the name that most who really care about civil liberties are waiting to hear is Norm Siegel. Norm has run twice in the past. I have met him both times and found him to be the ideal man for the job. In fact, he has been our real public advocate for decades. He was Executive Director of the NY Civil Liberties union for 15 years. Since then, according to Democracy for NYC, he has done the following for New Yorkers:

Norman has advocated for and represented myriad groups including:

* the newly created Association of New York City Education Councils
* the Williamsburg community's right to keep its local firehouse open
* Prospect Heights, Brooklyn and Harlem communities working to stop the government from using eminent domain to take their homes for the enrichment of private developers
* firefighters and non-profits seeking the implementation of a skyscraper safety program and provisions for our firefighters to guarantee they have proper working communication equipment
* families who lost a loved one on September 11th, 2001, as they seek the public release of materials from that day, including 911 emergency tapes and transcripts (Norman argued this case in the New York Court of Appeals on February 9th).

Siegel already has a great record protecting citizens from big business, so there is no reason for him not to take the job for real. There are other great candidates that are positioning themselves to run, but Norman takes the cake.

I was able to see him live and in person at Democracy for New York City's Spring Bash last week and I was extremely impressed with his short speech. The crowd there obviously adored him, making for a nice little base to build support on. He placed second to that Betsy Who? character in 2005 and should easily beat should she run again.