Brother Archon John A. Catsimatidis, Member of the Order’s governing body, the National Council and Chairman of the Archon Religious Freedom Committee announced in December that he is filing papers to run for mayor of New York City. Below is Archon John’s personal statement regarding this extraordinary public service endeavor for which we convey to the entire Catsimatidis Family our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.
Statement below:
John Catsimatidis announces New York City Mayor Exploratory Committee 2013
New York City, December 11, 2012:
Today I filed an exploratory committee for the 2013 New York City Mayoral election.
I do this because I love New York City.
I came to this country as an infant from Nisyros, a small island in Greece. We lived in a poor area of New York City on 135th street with my father’s extended family while he worked as a waiter.
In 1968, while still a college student, I opened the first of many supermarkets which are now located all over the City. Since that time I have added a number of successful enterprises to my portfolio not the least of which is a major East coast petroleum refining facility and more recently significant real estate developments in the City. I am very proud to say, this has led to the creation of jobs, thousands of jobs, over the years.
I say this to point out the City of New York has been very good to me and my family and the time has come to give back.
My life has always been centered around my family, my faith and my community.
New York City has made great strides in recent years and I want to ensure its continued success. A great deal of the City’s success is due to the faith business leaders all over the world place in the City’s leaders. The world brings its business to New York City because we understand with business come jobs and with jobs a better life for all of us.
I believe the Mayor of New York must be pro-business and at the same time possess the humanitarian feelings which keep this great melting pot working together, but most of all, the Mayor must be fair. Whether dealing with unions, corporations or the individual taxpayers, fairness will be the underlying theme of my every action.
As I embark on this quest, I know it will be a great learning experience for me. Over the next months I will meet with educators, law enforcement, city services operators and taxpayers in every corner of the City.
In the end, I hope New Yorkers will like what I have to offer; a common sense, level headed businessman with a proven record of success and a personal understanding what is like to yearn for a better life.
New York City is the greatest city on earth and my intention is to keep that way.
