MAYOR GIULIANI NAMES JULES POLONETSKY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today named Assemblyman Jules Polonetsky to become the Commissioner of the City's Department of Consumer Affairs. Assemblyman Polonetsky, who currently represents Brooklyn's 46th Assembly District in the New York State Assembly, will resign his Assembly post before being sworn in as Consumer Affairs Commissioner on Thursday, January 1. He succeeds Jose Maldonado, who has been named by the Mayor to the Cabinet-level post of Executive Director of the New York City Gambling Commission.
"For the past three years, Jules Polonetsky has served the people of Brooklyn with distinction in the State Assembly," Mayor Giuliani said. "His legislative experience in Albany and Washington and his strong leadership qualities will serve the people of our City well. As Consumer Affairs Commissioner, I know he will follow in the footsteps of Jose Maldonado as a formidable advocate for consumers to insure they get real value for their tax dollars and are protected against unlawful business practices."
Assemblyman Polonetsky said, "I want to thank the Mayor for giving me the honor to be able to continue to serve the people of New York City in this important post in his administration. I look forward to building on the excellent work started by Commissioner Maldonado in making sure that our consumers get protection and value in the marketplace."
The Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1969 with a mandate to enforce the City's landmark Consumer Protection Law and consolidate the City's former licensing and weights and measures bureaus. The Department also advocates for consumers by issuing reports, conducting public education campaigns and mediating complaints. The agency has an annual budget of $11.1 million and employs a staff of 312 workers.
Elected to the State Assembly in 1994 to represent the neighborhoods of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Sea Gate and Bay Ridge, Assemblyman Polonetsky served on the Banking, Housing, Cities, Government Employees, Codes, Agriculture and Health Committees. He also served as a Member of the Task Force on Women's Issues and on High Speed Rail and chaired the Housing Sub-Committee on Neighborhood Preservation.
As one of the youngest members of the State Assembly, Assemblyman Polonetsky also worked on consumer issues concerning abuses in the funeral parlor and cemetery industries and in the safety of the blood supply, and led efforts to develop long-term health care services for seniors.
From 1992 to 1994, Polonetsky served as a legislative aide to Brooklyn Congressman Charles Schumer, handling New York City issues and foreign policy concerns. He also assisted Schumer in his role as Chairman of the Task Force to End the Arab Boycott and the Congressional Caucus For Syrian Jewry.
A lifelong Democrat, Polonetsky is a graduate of Yeshiva University and New York University Law School. After practicing law at the Wall Street firm Strook, Strook & Lavan, he joined the staff of Brooklyn Congressman Stephen Solarz, for whom he worked from 1990 to 1992.
Assemblyman Polonetsky, 32, lives in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn with his wife, Na'ama Batya Lewin, an artist and journalist. As Consumer Affairs Commissioner, he will earn $120,891 a year.
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