Fernando Ferrer
|
|
Freddy.jpg
Fernando Ferrer served as Borough President of the Bronx in New York City from 1987 to 2001, and was a candidate for mayor in 2001. He is currently making another bid for mayor.
Ferrer grew up in the South Bronx, raised by his mother and by his grandmother, who worked in the kitchen of the Waldorf-Astoria. Ferrer went to New York University, got involved in community service as a student, entered politics, and was elected to the City Council at the age of 32. Remembering how he’d had to translate for his grandmother when she was hospitalized, he authored legislation requiring interpreters in City emergency rooms. Ferrer went on to chair the Health Committee, fight for anti-discrimination laws on behalf of gays and lesbians, and lead the fight for a Civilian Complaint Review Board for the New York Police Department.
Ferrer began his 14 year tenure as Bronx Borough President when the Bronx was a symbol of urban decay and neglect. National attention led to a Federal commitment to rebuild. During the Ferrer administration housing for around 66,000 families was created. The borough saw a significant drop in crime, particularly in the South Bronx neighborhood, and a steady rise in business and real estate investment.
In 2001, Ferrer ran for the Democratic nomination for mayor. He won the first primary, but ultimately lost a runoff election to Mark J. Green. Ferrer, who is of Puerto Rican descent, received a high level of support from Hispanic voters.
According to the local press, including a series of recent articles in the New York Times, Ferrer is currently the favorite to capture the Democratic nomination to run against incumbent mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2005 (see New York City mayoral election, 2005). However, his candidacy appears to have been damaged due to remarks he made concerning the Amadou Diallo shooting. Ferrer, who had protested the shooting at the time, more recently told a meeting of police officers that he thought it was a "tragedy," but "not a crime." He has been strongly criticized by Diallo's family and others for these remarks.