Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has been busy working with Mayor Bill de Blasio to pick up the pieces and refill vacancies they created on the Queens Library board of trustees, naming two new members this week.
Katz appointed Sunnyside resident Robert Santos to the board on Tuesday and de Blasio announced Jukay Hsu of Flushing would be his newest appointee.
Robert Santos is the latest appointee to the Queens Library board of trustees, thanks to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
Photo courtesy Queens Borough President
Santos, who works as the vice president for campus planning and facilities management at the City College of New York, was chosen because of his long list of experience in various administrative positions, including the New York Public Library, throughout the city over decades, Katz said.
“Robert’s extensive background in operations and capital construction, along with his experience as the chief operations officer of the New York Public Library, make him uniquely qualified for this appointment,” Katz said. “His skills and commitment to public service will help steward the Queens Library through this difficult period and beyond.”
Katz also outlined Santos’ experience in the Vietnam War, where he served as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne in South Vietnam and earned several medals, including two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars for valor.
“Nothing is more important to the health of a community and the intellectual capital of its people than a public library, and the Queens Library is one of the best public libraries in the nation,” Santos said.
De Blasio announced his selection of Hsu late last week, calling on his experience with the nonprofit Coalition for Queens, which he helped start, fighting for opportunities and pathways for tech entrepreneurship in New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says Jukay Hsu will bring his technology-driven skill set to breathe new life into the Queens Library board of trustees.
Photo courtesy Jukay Hsu
“A social entrepreneur and advocate for technology-driven economic development in Queens, Hsu brings years of experience and a strong history of civic engagement to the library’s board,” de Blasio said in a statement. “As a trustee, Hsu will be charged with monitoring library operations, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding the library’s resources for its educational mission.”
Katz removed six trustees originally appointed under former Borough President Helen Marshall and de Blasio nixed two late last month after the state passed legislation to revamp oversight of the library system amid several published reports that shined a harsh light on CEO Thomas Galante, who earns a six-figure salary while lower-level jobs are reportedly being outsourced.
The six trustees that Katz fired–Jacqueline Arrington, Joseph Ficalora, William Jefferson, Grace Lawrence, Terri Mangino and George Stamatiades–filed an appeal soon after.
In the complaint, the former trustees said the Library was established more than a century ago as an independent institution that Katz had abused for political gain.
“Katz set her sight on taking control of the Library for political use as she might see fit,” the federal complaint said. “Within six weeks of taking office she informed the Trustees that she would be pushing for state legislation to make them more accountable — to her.”
Reports showed Galante earned roughly $400,000 a year while jobs were being outsourced and expensive construction projects were enacted. State Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) first introduced the legislation back in April with help from Katz, who has been a harsh critic of Galante.
Under the new legislation, the library must now file financial disclosure forms, put limits on outside employment and require an annual budget hearing along with a 30-day public comment period before it is adopted, lawmakers said.
