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Roy Bernardi to Join Presidential Cabinet

April 1, 2008

For weeks, the calls grew on Capitol Hill for changes at the department of Housing and Urban Development. At issue, claims that secretary Alphonso Jackson had violated ethics rules by directing business to friends. Members of the House and Senate said it was time for Jackson to go. Now, he says he will resign, effective April 18th.

“There comes a time when one must attend, diligently, to personal and family matters. Now is such a time for me,” said Alphonso Jackson, Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

The decision by Jackson to step down as secretary of Housing and Urban Development leaves an opening that, for now, will be filled by the deputy HUD Secretary. A man who used to work at Syracuse’s city hall, Former mayor Roy Bernardi.

Bernardi left Syracuse to join HUD in 2001. He’s drawn praise from both sides of the aisle, including presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who strongly supported Bernardi’s initial nomination.

“He’s a very capable guy. He knows how to do the job. And, I think he’s prepared to take it on,” said Rep. James Walsh, (R) 25th Congressional District.

Walsh has often joined Bernardi in key announcements of federal grants in the area. And the soon-to-be acting secretary also draws praise from the man who succeeded him as chief executive of the city.

“Roy Bernardi is certainly aware of the issues that Syracuse, New York and other communities face, particularly with the disposition of HUD properties. So, could be a good development,” said Matt Driscoll, (D) Syracuse Mayor.

And timing may mean Roy Bernardi’s new post will not be temporary. It’s now up to President Bush to decide whether to go through the process of naming a new nominee.

There’s only 6, 8 months left after that in the President’s term. Whether or not he’ll appoint someone else, I don’t know. But, I think it’s safe to say that former mayor Bernardi will be, at least, acting secretary of HUD, which is a great way to finish his career and maybe he’ll get the full title,” said Walsh.

For now, the White House says it’s discussing its next step.

Roy Bernardi is the third New Yorker to serve as HUD secretary in he past 20 years. Former Buffalo area congressman Jack Kemp held the job under President George H. W. Bush. New York’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was HUD secretary under President Clinton.

In addition to serving on the cabinet, Bernardi now ranks 13th on the list of presidential succession.

Source: News 10 Now

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Written by NY Politics · Filed Under News 

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