RPR: One-on-One with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

A Rockaway Primetime Reporting Exclusive

By Jeffrey Williams-Maisonet

Rockaway Primetime Reporting recently sat down with New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to discuss several topics, including how money is spent and controlled throughout New York City and the Rockaways.

RPR: What is your most important role as Comptroller?

Stringer: “With the Comptroller’s job, you have to be able to do two things at once. There’s a lot to this office. The budget is $100 million a year and there are over 700 employees. I am the fiduciary in charge of protecting a $160 billion dollar pension fund that protects the retirement security of 70,000 people. I am also the auditor for all city agencies. I am also the chief account of the city.” 

RPR: So, the city can’t function without you, right?

Stringer: “It is also about protecting the people, especially when we have people out in the Rockaways that go to work every day and play by the rules. They want to be safe. They want better jobs, and they want a decent living for them and their families. Our job is to make sure people’s voices are heard.”

RPR: Rockaway residents are concerned about the budget for the Rockaways and want to know how the money is being spent. What are you doing to make sure this community receives the right amount of funding?

Stringer: “Well, I have to give a lot of credit to Councilman Donovan Richards for his advocacy, as well as the other elected officials. I think the city’s response to the Rockaways has not been good. I have to continue to urge the city not to forget about the Rockaways and help people to get back what they lost from Sandy.”

RPR: Speaking of Councilman Richards, he allocated $96 million dollars toward downtown Far Rockaway, an area that is projected to have the largest economic growth on the peninsula. What is the money going to be used for?

Stringer: “I think it’s important that when you allocate money to a project, there has to be a community planning component to everything. I have every confidence that Donovan, Assemblywoman Stacey, Joe (Addabbo, Jr.) and Ulrich will work together to get what’s needed. Again, I am the watchdog. I will continue to monitor the situation to make sure it’s done right for the people of the Rockaways.” 

Click here for the full interview.