Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today administered the oath of office to Jules Polonetsky as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs at a City Hall ceremony. Joining Mayor Giuliani and Commissioner Polonetsky at today's event were Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington; Mayoral Chief of Staff Bruce Teitelbaum; Na'ama Batya Lewin, Commissioner Polonetsky's wife; and his father-in-law Nathan Lewin.
"New Yorkers are lucky to have a talented, hard-working public servant like Jules Polonetsky on their side," Mayor Giuliani said. "As an Assemblyman from the 46th Assembly District, he served the people of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Sea Gate and Bay Ridge with distinction and exhibited remarkable maturity, independence and intelligence.
"Here in the Business Capital of the World and the Consumer Capital of the World, the job of Consumer Affairs Commissioner requires a strong leader with sensitivity to the concerns of people all over the City, who will be vigilant against unlawful business practices and work tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers get real value for their dollars. It also requires someone who will serve the needs of business owners and explain to merchants their obligations under the law. I look forward to working with Jules, and I know that he is ready to handle this tough assignment."
Commissioner Polonetsky said, "I look forward to expanding the exceptional work Consumer Affairs has done to protect the rights of consumers. The Department will continue to target stores that sell cigarettes and boxcutters to our children, and ensure that New Yorkers get value for their hard-earned dollars. I would like to thank Mayor Giuliani for giving me the opportunity to serve the City's consumers and businesses."
As head of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Commissioner Polonetsky supervises an agency that enforces the City's landmark Consumer Protection Law. 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.
Prior to his appointment on December 30, 1997, Commissioner Polonetsky served as Assemblyman of the 46th District, serving the communities of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Sea Gate and Bay Ridge. As one of the youngest members of the State Assembly, he 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, Commissioner 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.
Commissioner Polonetsky is a graduate of Yeshiva University and New York University Law School. After practicing law at the Wall Street firm of Strook, Strook & Lavan, he joined the staff of Brooklyn Congressman Stephen Solarz, for whom he worked from 1990 to 1992.