New York’s new first deputy mayor on restoring trust in government. The point with Marcia Kramer

NEW YORK – Maria Torres-Springer has worked for three New York City mayors, but her new position as Eric Adams’ first female deputy mayor may be the toughest job of all.

Torres-Springer’s predecessor Sheena Wright has resigned among a handful of notable ones Departures from the Adams administration recently.

She is tasked with restoring trust in the city government while confronting the indicted Mayor Adams increasing legal problems.

Torres-Springer becomes first deputy mayor in a “complicated time.”

Torres-Springer, who served as deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce before her appointment, said she is taking the job at a “complicated time.” But the Yale and Harvard graduate believes she’s up to the task.

“My top priority is to make sure we remain fully focused on the work,” Torres-Springer said during an appearance on CBS News New York’s “The Point with Marcia Kramer.”

“So what does that mean? To me, Marcia, it means that we continue to provide quality services to New Yorkers, that we continue to advance this administration’s important initiatives, and that we care for and support the people, the 300,000 civil servants who get up in the morning and work tirelessly to “improving the lives of New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” she added.

Torres-Springer expects to review the city’s hiring practices

Torres-Springer wants the city’s public staff to continue business as usual. However, it expects to review hiring practices and make recommendations to the mayor.

“The mayor, when my appointment was announcedHe also announced that we would conduct a full review. “A review of programs, processes and personnel to ensure that we maintain the strength as an administration to deliver for New Yorkers,” Torres-Springer said. “It will be comprehensive, and of course we have to make sure we triage. Therefore, we will make timely and urgent recommendations to the Mayor to ensure that the 300,000 state employees can continue to do their jobs, that New Yorkers see the fruits of this kind of work, and that we “We’re not just trying to provide essential services, we’re trying actually moving the city forward.”

Elizabeth Street Garden eviction controversy

Torres-Springer sees housing as the most pressing issue at the moment and commented on the controversial plan Evacuation of Elizabeth Street Garden in favor of new affordable housing.

“We don’t deny the beauty of Elizabeth Street Garden, but we must also think about the beauty we create when we provide low-income seniors with the type of housing they need,” said the first deputy mayor. “Delaying this project, and we are about to break ground, for multi-year litigation or finding alternative sites, which in turn would take years and years and years, is, in my opinion, a betrayal of the many seniors who are doing it looking for an affordable home.

A judge recently paused the eviction order.

To view the full interview with Torres-Springer, Click here.

Mark Prussin contributed to this report.