NEW YORK: New York City Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg has drafted
Patricia Harris, head of corporate communications and philanthropic
projects at Bloomberg LP, to serve as deputy mayor for
administration.
Many of the lieutenants recruited to staff Bloomberg's city hall did not
have close contact with the billionaire prior to his election
victory.
Harris, however, has long been a member of his inner circle, and her
influence is expected to extend well beyond her official portfolio,
which will include public events, cultural affairs, and day-to-day
operations in the mayor's office.
Another former Bloomberg LP employee slated for a key role in the
mayor's office is Ed Skyler, who served as Bloomberg's press secretary
during the campaign, and has been asked to stay on in the same position
at city hall. Skyler is currently vetting candidates for his
communications shop, and will announce his selections in the coming
weeks.
Chris Taylor, public relations director at Bloomberg LP, said that the
company has not yet determined who will take over for Harris. "As far as
replacing Patty and what she did, that's not yet clear," she said.
