Shulman Ends 16 Years Of Leadership on a Light Note

On a cold, windy December morning Queens most famous political leader in decades turned over the reins of Borough Hall to her successor. Claire Shulman spent 16 years guiding the borough of 2.2 million Queens residents, the most ethnically diverse political entity in the entire nation. The boroughs large immigrant population was seen by Shulman as one of Queens most imposing strengths.
At last Thursdays swearing-in of Helen Marshall as her successor, Shulman quipped, "Its hard to get used to being unemployed."
Marshall responded with "I am fortunate in that I am taking over an an office that has had one of the most capable leaders this borough and this entire City has ever known. Borough President Claire Shulman has created a foundation that will serve us well, especially now. Her work in education, health care, housing, economic development and cultural arts have insured that our Borough is on solid footing. I salute her for her over 30 years of public service."
Shulmans four terms started after a scandal that rocked the City and became page one news across the country. Her predecessor, the charismatic Donald Manes, who had been implicated in a vast Parking Violations Bureau scandal, committed suicide after two attempts.
That cloud dogged Shulman during her first chaotic term. But her maturity and leadership qualities soon made residents recognize her strengths and the scandal ebbed and died.
"It was tough," Shulman admitted, "because investigations were going on everywhere."
From the start of her first term, Shulman focused on the themes of her administration, including school crowding, inadequate health care and economic issues that had stalled the boroughs growth. She was called, "a woman for all seasons," as she hammered away at the City and State for the funding necessary to grow the borough.
The battle for funding and the power necessary to obtain it was an uphill fight for harried borough presidents because of the demise of the Board of Estimate and the emergence of the City Council. The beeps were nowhere in sight when the City fathers squared off on major budget issues. But Shulman soon drew the admiration and then the support of both Democratic and Republican leaders and money began to flow into Queens for needed projects.
One of Shulmans pet peeves centered around the limited services available to Queens patients. Patients had to go to Manhattans large teaching hospitals for tertiary (highly skilled) care and procedures such as heart bypass surgery. She also launched a campaign to strengthen and improve Queens Hospital Center, an aging facility that served Jamaica and southeast Queens. Both efforts proved successful. Shulman, a former nurse at the Jamaica facility, won government support for replacing the old hospital with a modern one that opened just weeks ago. It specializes in cancer care, womens health and other services that meet the needs of that population. Her efforts also led to vast improvements in Queens voluntary and public hospitals.
As one official of Queens Hospital Center said, "Theres no reason to cross the bridge for health care." That claim was made possible by Shulmans hard work and knowledge of the health care system.
Business and economic development thrived during Shulmans four terms. Heres what Carlisle Towery, president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. said:
"As you look around an active and busy Jamaica Center, you can see BP Shulmans stamp on almost every improvement, new facility, expansion, addition and upgrading in the area."
Among the Shulman projects in Jamaica include:
The $990 million Northeast Regional Laboratory and Headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the York College campus.
The $82 million new Queens Family Court due to open soon.
An Archer Avenue parking garage to serve the courthouse and the area.
JFKs air train that will have its major terminal in Jamaica Center and will be linked to nine LIRR lines, three subways and numerous bus routes.
The $38 million Police Dept. forensic lab.
Queens shopping and retail areas in Queens grew and prospered during the Shulman years. The Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst is now set for a major expansion.
Shulmans efforts for the boroughs residents is due in large part to the respect paid her by the Citys political leaders. Heres what former Mayor Rudy Giuliani had to say about the Queens borough president:
"Claire Shulman has been one of the most effective leaders in New York City. I cannot think of anyone better suited to leading the County into the 21 century. Claire has never taken for granted the responsibility vested in her by the people of Queens. Thanks to her exceptional leadership, Queens now is a thriving center of economic growth."
Queens political leaders have dubbed Shulman "The Queen of Queens." Here are what some colleagues have said about her when questioned by The Queens Courier:
. Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn: "She is compassionate and very, very tough; she cares about people and is very much a humanist and yet at the same time try shortchanging Queens and youre in the fight of your life."
Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio: "I think Ms. Shulman is a fabulous person and I always found her to be a concerned and caring woman I would personally dub her the queen of Queens."
Councilman Archie Spigner: "I have known Claire Shulman all her political life and I have found her to be an excellent advocate for the borough. I have not always agreed with her, but we have never been disagreeable. We have always and always will be friends.
Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi:: "I have always maintained both publicly and privately that Claire Shulman is the best borough president in the history of borough presidents. She is smart, tough and caring. She is also a personal friend and I love her."
Assemblyman Mark Weprin: "Claire has been a tireless and fierce advocate for Queens County. She is a great leader because she makes you feel that the county is in good hands."