Mamdani Rolls Out “Team Five” at the Bronx Museum — New Commissioners, Code Blue, and a Snow-Salt Scorecard
At a press conference at the Bronx Museum of the Arts , Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced five major appointments spanning justice reform, public health, youth development, veteran services, and the city’s administrative court system. Before the introductions, he also delivered a winter operations update: “code blue” remains in effect, shelter outreach is intensified, and New Yorkers were urged to check on vulnerable neighbors.
Winter Weather Update — the “snow math”
- 67 million lbs of snow melted
- 188 million lbs of salt spread citywide
- 2,500 sanitation workers on 12-hour shifts (plus additional staffing for the weekend)
- Code Blue: intensified outreach; shelters should not turn people away
The Five Appointments
1) Stanley Richards — NYC Department of Correction
Richards was named Commissioner of the NYC Department of Correction. The announcement emphasized a justice-reform approach focused on safety, dignity, and re-entry, and noted he is described as the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the department.
2) Dr. Alistair Martin — Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
An emergency-room physician with public health and government experience, Dr. Martin will oversee the city’s public health apparatus and framed the mission as ensuring high-quality healthcare is not a privilege.
3) Sandra Escamia Davies — Youth & Community Development
Davies was appointed Commissioner of NYC’s youth and community development agency, emphasizing youth as “assets” and calling for access regardless of ZIP code, with programs connected to credentials, pay, and jobs.
4) Yenya Mata — Department of Veterans’ Services
Mata was named Commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services, pledging support for the city’s veterans and military families across housing, healthcare, and benefits navigation.
5) Vilda Vera Mayuga — OATH (Administrative Trials and Hearings)
Mayuga was appointed Commissioner of OATH, the city’s administrative law court, with a modernization agenda aimed at making the process simpler and more straightforward than traditional court proceedings.
Q&A Highlights
- Jail conditions: the administration said it is coordinating with the remediation manager to improve conditions.
- Power outages: the mayor said the city will exhaust options to keep residents warm, including hotel placements if needed.
- Cold-front fatalities: he announced the total reached 14 outdoor deaths since the cold front began; outreach and shelter placements were expanded.
- World Cup planning: “World Cup Czar” Maya Honda was tasked with turning the event into a citywide celebration involving small businesses.
Sources: Video NYC.com , Big New York news BigNY.com