Public (Zoom): Former DCP Chair Dan Garodnick strongly supports Mangin
Garodnick, former council member and DCP director, joins the hearing to rebut earlier attacks on Mangin's character. He calls Mangin smart, dedicated, honest, and direct, and says the BSA's narrow legal focus is well-suited to someone who understands the law and council prerogatives. He urges confirmation.
Hello there, Madam Chair.
Can you hear me?
Yes, we can.
Wonderful.
Well, my name is Dan Garodnik.
Good to see you.
As you know, I served for 12 years as a member of the council and over the past four years as the director of the Department of City Planning.
I'm here today to strongly support the nomination of John Mangin.
I was just going to submit my testimony by paper, which of course I did, but I was listening to the hearing online and I heard a presenter on an earlier panel take direct aim at
John Mangin's character, his temperament, his honesty, his suitability to serve in any level of government.
And with that, I wanted to join the hearing myself.
Those sorts of attacks are totally unacceptable, particularly for someone who has distinguished himself as a smart, dedicated, and yes, honest and direct public servant.
You know, you see a lot of what happened at the hearings today was taking small bits of pieces of words that John has written in Larview articles.
And yes, he is an academic.
And yes, he is a booster of more housing, more housing.
types of housing at all levels and all corners of the city.
But what should not get lost here is that he is as qualified and excellent a candidate as one might find for this role.
He is a lawyer.
He has integrity.
As you all know, the BSA has a very specific and narrow focus.
For that, I am certain he will follow the law.
He has already said today he will have an open door to the council.
I have seen that.
He has the patience to be able to digest complicated thoughts and to bring them into reality and to listen to community concerns.
He will be an excellent choice, and I certainly hope that you, Madam Chair, and your colleagues will confirm him.
Thank you for hearing me out.
Thank you.
I believe Councilman Romano has a question.