ZABLOCKI RELEASES HIS PLAN FOR A BETTER ADVOCATE’S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2009

Contact: Alex Zablocki

347-885-1200

*ZABLOCKI RELEASES HIS **PLAN** FOR A BETTER ADVOCATE'S OFFICE **AND** A **
PLAN** FOR A BETTER **NEW** **YORK** **CITY***

*Zablocki says "The only way to make this office work is to reform it and
put someone in the office that understands the position. I am that person."*

* *

*City Hall – *Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate,
released his plan for a better Public Advocate's office calling for reforms
to the duties of the Public Advocate by way of a Charter Revision Commission
and changes to the structure of the office.

The comprehensive plan, which can be found at
www.alex2009.com/plan, calls for three changes to the City Charter under
which the Office of the Public Advocate operates: Setting the budget of the
office independently; giving the Pubic Advocate subpoena power; and make
changes in succession to the Mayor. The plan also calls to eliminate the
Public Advocates (and Borough Presidents) seat on the board of NYCERS (New
York City Employee Retirement System) replacing it with an appointment of a
qualified investment professional.

Zablocki said he would call on a Charter Revision Commission
immediately after taking office.

"These proposed changes would make the Public Advocates office
stronger. Some of them have been talked about for over a decade and if
elected, I will seek to implement these changes on day one. That is why I
have promised to call for a Charter Revision Commission immediately after
taking office to look at not only the position of the Public Advocate but
all branches of government. We need to make government work for the people
and that means reforming our laws to strengthen the Public Advocate's
office," Alex Zablocki said.

Zablocki also proposed other ways he plans to make the Office of
Public Advocate more accountable to taxpayers and make it more
accessible. Zablocki
says his plan will include decentralizing the office, opening an office in
every borough, including northern Manhattan. Zablocki will also appoint at
least one coordinator to represent each borough and work with all 59
Community Boards to identify problems in government and improve city
services.

"My office will represent all New Yorker's in every borough.
That is why I plan to start decentralizing the office on day one. I plan to
appoint a representative to each borough and work closely with every
Community Board to identify problems in government and improve city
services," Zablocki said.

Alex Zablocki released his plan for this office because too many
New Yorker's don't understand the structure and duties of the city's second
highest office and what exactly a Public Advocate can do to affect change in
city government, save taxpayers money and improve their quality of
life. Zablocki
also notes that it is the person in the position of Public Advocate, not the
position itself that makes or breaks the office.

"The only way to make this office work is to reform it and put
someone in the office that understands the position. I am that person," Alex
Zablocki said. "It's about the person and the ideas, not the politics. This
isn't just an office where the Public Advocate stands on a soapbox and
screams and yells until someone listens. There are real, important duties
of the Public Advocate that can be used to make New York City a better place
to live," Zablocki continued.

Some of the highlights of Zablocki's plan include:

- Improving access to city services and holding government accountable
- Saving taxpayers money by auditing all city agencies and services,
working with the Independent Budget Office (IBO), and recommend ways to make
these agencies work more efficiently
- Appoint a strong advocate to the City Planning Commission that will be
a voice against overdevelopment and a supporter of smart, affordable
development and green development
- Educating Community Boards and Civic Associations on the land use
process
- Introduce legislation the City Council will not carry and allow
residents to submit legislation through a "Citizens Legislative Panel"
- A vocal voice in favor or opposition of legislation in all City Council
committees
- Improve communication between city agencies and the public
- Coordinate information sharing between city agencies and all branches
of government
- Make most city documents available online, in one place, including the
city budget
- Reform the Voter Assistance Commission and transform it into CIVIC to
assist perspective candidates for office, improve ballot access, recommend
election law reforms and improve voter participation
- Work closely with all 59 Community Boards and allow all call data and
complaints to be shared between the Community Boards, the Public Advocate,
the City Council and 311

Zablocki's plan outlines all of the duties of the Public
Advocate and plans for each. The detailed outline of what his office would
look like over the next four years can be found online along with a
flowchart at www.alex2009.com/plan. (The flowchart is attached to this
press release)

Alex Zablocki is the Republican candidate for Public Advocate. A
Staten Island native of 26 years of age, he is the youngest candidate ever
to run for the position.

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