About
Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. is the City Council Member for the 47th District, which comprises Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, and Gravesend. He is the chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Finance.
Councilman Recchia was born in Gravesend and graduated from local public schools , PS 215, David A. Boody Intermediate School, and John Dewey High School. He furthered his education at Kent State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, before getting his juris doctor from Atlanta Law School.
In the Beginning
After graduation, Councilman Recchia returned to Brooklyn, and in 1989 took the first step toward fulfilling his passion for public service when he was elected to Community School Board 21. He served first as a member, then vice-president and finally, president. He also previously served as a member of Community Board 13.
He has remained a passionate advocate for education, and constantly fights for increased funding and support for the classroom. Since becoming Finance Chair, Domenic has made sure the city budget has secured funds for schools throughout his community and the city.
Coney Island
In 2009, the City Council overwhelmingly passed the rezoning of Coney Island. After years of negotiations, Councilman Recchia successfully guided the plan to completion, winning major victories for the community – including year-round jobs and affordable housing – while at the same time protecting amusements and retaining the spirit of what makes Coney Island an iconic entertainment destination.
Cultural Affairs
As chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee, Councilman Recchia worked to ensure that New York City remained the hub of world culture. In that position he created the Cultural After School Adventure program, in conjunction with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Youth and Community Development, to encourage the city’s youth to explore their artistic interests and talents.
Legislation
Councilman Recchia was instrumental with Speaker Quinn and other officials to draft legislation that would mandates security guards at bars and clubs meet state requirements for certification and training, and undergo criminal background checks. The bill was signed into law in 2006.
He also sponsored a bill, signed into law in 2009, which requires large commercial buildings to upgrade their lighting fixtures by 2025. Upgrading to more efficient lighting will mean huge savings in energy costs, as well as create 17,800 jobs. The bill also requires sub-metering for large business tenants in commercial buildings, to provide tenants with specific information about their energy use, and allow them to make smarter decisions about conservation.
Finance
At the beginning of 2010, Councilman Recchia was appointed chairman of the Finance Committee. Each year, despite limited resources from the state, declining stimulus money and a struggling economy, Councilman Recchia worked with Speaker Quinn and his colleagues in the City Council to pass a fiscally-responsible, timely budget that didn’t raise taxes. It also restored critical services in the interest of protecting children, maintaining public safety and keeping libraries and neighborhood pools open.
In November 2010, Mayor Bloomberg’s November financial plan called for spending cuts to deal with a looming budget deficit. Councilman Recchia, Speaker Quinn and the City Council pushed back against aspects of the plan, which included major cuts to the Administration for Children’s Services, senior services, fire companies and youth services. In January 2011, an agreement was reached to preserve critical funding in these areas, while still achieving important spending reductions.
Councilman Recchia also helped develop the Credit for Success – Second Look program, working with banks and financial experts to create a pool of money to provide small businesses that have been rejected for credit a second chance at loans.
Twice a year, Councilman Recchia also hosts two free tax prep events for his constituents. It is another way to promote financial literacy and to provide free access to the tools New Yorkers need to educate and empower themselves.
Councilman Recchia lives in Gravesend with his wife, Kim, and their three daughters, Brianna, Daniella and Juliana.
47th DISTRICT
The 47th Council District compromises Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach and Gravesend. The following map, courtesy of the Gotham Gazette Web site, details the boundaries. According to the last Census, there are approximately 160,000 people living in the district.
He previously chaired Cultural Affairs, as well as Small Business Services, and has been a member of the committees on Education, Environmental Protection, Public Safety, Aging and Governmental Operations. He is currently a member of Cultural Affairs, Governmental Operations, Civil Service & Labor and State & Federal Legislation.
If you don’t know which Council district you live in, visit the New York City Council Web site to find out.
