New York, NY – One of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s top aides is departing City Hall.
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Peter Ragone, a senior adviser, is leaving the administration at the end of the month.
Ragone ran de Blaiso’s communications team, shaped the mayor’s public image and was one of the mayor’s closest advisers.
He and the mayor have been friends for decades. Ragone was formerly top aide to Gavin Newsom, ex-mayor of San Francisco.
Ragone plans to return to California, where his family lives and where he frequently commuted on weekends.
Phil Walzak, currently the mayor’s press secretary, will step into Ragone’s role as senior adviser for strategic planning.
A successor for Walzak has not been named.
Ragone’s departure is the first major staff shake-up at de Blasio’s City Hall.
“Shaped the mayor’s public image…” ??? If *that* was his job description he owes deBlasio the salary back. Oh, that’s right…he is on the PUBLIC payroll, then maybe we should thank him, for showing the world what in incompetent, racist putz the people have as their mayor. If it was not for Andrew Cuomo cutting the legs off deBlasio every time he suggested some new liberal expensive, tax raising scheme, I don’t know where we’d be at this point…and with THREE years to go.
I wish Mr Ragone luck. He fashioned the Mayor’s image when he was running for office. Mr. de Blasio came from way behind to win. The city is fortunate that Mayor DeBlasio is at the helm. He is doing a great job under difficult circumstances. Hopefully he will help the unfortunate get ahead. The middle class and low income class need someone to speak for them.