By Steve Vivona
"Everyone will always find a reason why something should not be
done," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg observed during his
keynote address at the ninth anniversary celebration of the Jamaica
Business Resource Center (JBRC). The group, dedicated to equipping
small, minority and women-owned business clients for success, held
its gathering celebrating JBRC's contributions to the economic
development of the city and state at St. John's University's School
of Law June 29.
Addressing many prominent business and political leaders Mayor
Bloomberg complimented the work of the JBRC and spoke of the need
for people and businesses to take risks and invest in their
community. "We have to say, 'Let's not sit around and talk about
what might be done 10 years from now. Let's do something today.'"
He added that laying blame for the city's ills and finger pointing
serves no useful purpose. "Let's go and figure out what to do about
it instead."
Mayor Bloomberg discussed the collaboration between his
administration and the JBRC and noted that their work is a model
for the rest of the city. "We need to create the kind of jobs that
the people living here can fill today, at the same time focusing on
education so that our young people will have even more
opportunities down the road."
The diversity of New York City is one of its great strengths,
Mayor Bloomberg observed, calling it both a mosaic of different
cultures and a melting pot. Citing that unemployment was down, "but
still much too high," Mayor Bloomberg stressed the need to continue
to work for more jobs.
Two special awards were presented during the celebration. The
Private Sector Partner Award was presented to St. John's
University. Dr. Tony Bonaparte, Special Assistant to the University
President, accepted the award. The Public Sector Partner Award was
to the New York State Dormitory Authority. Emory Jackson, Director
of Opportunity Programs accepted the award.