Today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the appointment of Father Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., as chairman of the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Mayor Bloomberg also announced the appointment of Preeta D. Bansal to take Father Parkes’ seat on the Board. Father Parkes is the third chairman in the Board’s 20-year history. The Board’s immediate past chairman, Frederick A.O. Schwarz, Jr., today reacted to the appointments.
“Joe Parkes is an outstanding choice to be the next chair of the Campaign Finance Board. I believe Father Parkes has, in his year on the Board, shown the capacity to discharge the Board’s obligation to protect the public fisc while exercising the responsibility to treat all candidates fairly. He understands and appreciates the Board’s even-handed, independent, non-partisan culture. I am confident he will continue to seek ways to make the Campaign Finance Program even stronger. New York City will continue to be well served by the Board under Father Parkes’ leadership.”
“I’ve known and worked with Preeta Bansal for years. We collaborated on efforts to reform New York State’s judicial system, and I hold her intellect and integrity in the highest regard. She will be an excellent addition to the Board.”