Contact: Colleen Roche/Samantha I. Lugo (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today congratulated Jimmy Oddo of Staten Island and Michael Chaim Nelson of Brooklyn after their victory in the special election held Tuesday, February 16, 1999 to fill two seats of the New York City Council.
"I wish both Jimmy Oddo and Michael Chaim Nelson a successful and productive tenure in the City Council," Mayor Giuliani said. "The goals and vision for the City that these candidates strongly defend prompted me to support their candidacy. I welcome them to the Council and I welcome the opportunity to work with them on the issues that will help us to strengthen the City and create a positive work atmosphere for generations to come.
"The election of Jimmy Oddo is particularly reassuring, since it goes against the general wisdom that voters are not willing to support the Republican Party. His victory proves that voters are concerned with those issues that affect them directly and willing to identify the candidates who will do effective work on their behalf to find real solutions," the Mayor added.
Although he was not involved in the race, the Mayor also extended his congratulations to Christine Quinn, who was elected to Manhattan's District 3, and is looking forward to working with her.