The Sorta Lady Mayor

Lately, there have been a spate of articles about Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris. The Mayor recently said that Harris, who is apparently one of his best pals, would be in charge of the city when he leaves town. Which is like almost every weekend he can - if Gothamist had our own island in Bermuda, private jet, and $5 billion fortune, we'd probably go too - which means she's pretty damned powerful. (She replaces Marc Shaw, who apparently was surprised...we can't remember where we read it, but we'll continue to dig for that link.) The NY Times profiles Harris today and this is what we learned:

- She gets paid $1 a year
- Photography is her hobby
- She likes to scuba dive and fish
- Previously worked for Mayor Koch in 1978
- She's friends with Tim Russert, who "calls her Tanya, Patty Hearst's code name"
- She has "almost no relationship with the New York press corps

Harris' first weekend problems (snowstorm, subway track issues) and press conference should be interesting!

And here's her official City Hall bio.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 6, 2005 3:20 PM

Comments [rss]

washerdreyer

What's the deal with her (according to the article) calling artists who had accepted money from Bloomberg's chairty and asking them why they supported Giff?

rev pays

Where's her lips?

but I suppose some would hit it like the proverbial barn door during a hurricane.

Kojak

Its amazing what a little photoshop can do with a picture.

I wouldnt hit it.

objectifier

you might reconsider after you click on the pic for the larger version

Max

What is with all the people taking $1/year salaries? Noblese oblige (sp?) or signs that only the very rich should bother with a career in government. I like the idea, but not sure of the message. Take a salary you cutie you. Yeah, so she looks sorta like my 4th grade teacher, liked her too.