New York (N.Y.). Office of the Mayor

The mayor, who is elected to a four year term, is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor may be removed by the governor after due process. In case of a vacancy, the President of the Council acts as mayor. If both the offices are vacant, the Comptroller acts as mayor. The mayor is responsible for the overall administration of the government of the City of New York.

Vested in the mayor's office is the power to create, maintain, reorganize or eliminate city agencies. The mayor can also appoint or remove agency heads, commissioners and other nonelected officials. Other appointments are made to numerous authorities, boards, commissions and committees. The mayor also appoints judges to the Civil and Family Courts.

In order to carry on the duties of the Mayor's Office, the mayor can create or abolish mayoral bureaus, divisions and staff positions. Two deputy mayors can be appointed, as well to assist the mayor.

The Mayor is also the most visible government official in New York City. The individual holding the office of the mayor occupies Gracie Mansion, "the Mayor's House," and acts as chief spokesperson for the City and as official host to visiting dignitaries.

The Mayor submits an annual summary of government activities and finances to the City Council. Twice a year, the Mayor's Office also presents the City Council with the Mayor's Management Report. This publication measures projected goals of city agencies against their actual performances.

Responsibility for governing what was then New Amsterdam belonged to the Dutch West India Company which began settling Manhattan Island in 1624. The colony was administered by governors appointed by the Company until 1653 when Holland granted New Amsterdam its first city charter. The charter provided for a schout (sheriff), two burgomasters (mayors) and five schepens (alderman) sitting as a court as well as a legislative body.

In June 1665, New Amsterdam became New York when James, Duke of York and Albany, acquired the royal patent to the territory on behalf of the English. Richard Nicholls was appointed royal governor of New York and given the power to appoint persons "called by the name and style of Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriff, according to the custom of England." Thomas Willett was the first to serve as mayor of New York. He served in 1665 and again in 1667.

The current mayor, David N. Dinkins, is the 106th Mayor of New York City. Over the centuries, the office has been held by the famous - and the infamous. It is frequently referred to as the "second toughest job" in America, behind the U.S. Presidency. It is the highest elective office in the most populous city in the country in a political system that has for more than a century been characterized by the strong mayor.