Biography

Jim Molinaro is currently serving his second term as Borough President.  A recognized leader in fighting for Staten Island, Jim works closely with City and State officials to continue to improve Staten Island and enhance the quality of life of its residents.

A Record of Success

Over his last two terms as Borough President, Jim Molinaro's leadership has resulted in major improvements and progress for our Borough.  Jim's downzoning efforts, which comprised the largest downzoning on Staten Island in 40 years, reduced the number of new homes that can be built on Staten Island by 75,000. 

Jim has led the renaissance of the South and Midland Beach Boardwalk areas, which included the reconstruction of the Boardwalk, a new fishing pier, new spray fountains, the addition of a snack bar, and the enhancement of Boardwalk amenities such as benches, lighting, and signage.

 Jim has made sure that Staten Island keeps it's title of "The Greenest Borough" by adding new parks to our already impressive collection, bringing the total amount of Staten Island's parkland to 33% of our land area.  That's one third of our Island that can never be developed.

 Jim has also made sure that businesses feel welcome in our Borough, and has been successful not only in retaining existing businesses, but in attracting new ones as well.  In Charleston, new retail centers have opened to great success, keeping Staten Islanders shopping in their own neighborhood rather than traveling to stores in New Jersey.  Jim  was instrumental in bringing VISY Paper to Staten Island, making it the first manufacturing firm to come to New York City in 50 years.  Jim also helped to reopen the New York Container Port, which is our State's largest container port and one of the Borough's largest employers.  All told, these businesses, which continue to grow and expand, have brought thousands of jobs to our Borough.

Jim believes that children are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future.  As Borough President, he has purchased wireless laptop computers for all of Staten Island's intermediate schools.  He has provided funds for auditorium and gymnasium improvements, helping to keep the arts and physical fitness opportunities present in our schools.  Jim has also helped bring new schools to Staten Island, bringing hundreds of additional seats and unlimited educational opportunities for our Borough's youngsters.

Jim has made the improvement of our Borough's traffic and transportation systems a top priority during his tenure as Borough President.  He has initiated plans to revive the North Shore Rail Line for passenger service, in addition to proposing a West Shore Light Rail.  If both projects were completed, our entire Island would be linked by rail.

Jim has also brought innovative traffic improvement plans to our Borough.  From "next signal" street signage and overhead street signs to "Smart Lights," Jim continues to lead the way towards traffic relief on our roads and highways.

Public Service

Jim Molinaro’s political career began when he joined a growing movement of New Yorkers concerned with the liberal nature of the state government. He joined the New York State Conservative Party in 1964. Jim rose quickly within the ranks of the state's Conservative Party, winning election in 1974 as Chairman of Richmond County, and subsequently as Vice Chair of the state party. In 1989, he was elected Executive Vice Chair of the New York State Conservative Party.

Prior to becoming Borough President, Jim served for 12 years as Deputy to former Borough President Guy V. Molinari (1990-2001). Jim also served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Guy V. Molinari, representing New York's 14th Congressional District.

Jim has served as a political advisor for a wide range of elected officials. His political expertise has been instrumental in electing a number of public officials at every level of government, including former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato, former Surrogate Judge John Fusco, City Councilman James Oddo and former Congresswoman Susan Molinari .

Community Service

Jim Molinaro has a long record of community service to his credit, with many charitable groups benefiting from his involvement. Over a 20-year period, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, Staten Island Community Television, New York State Regional Organ Transplant and Bayley Seton Hospital. He was also the Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Ann's Health & Rehabilitation Center from 1993 to 1999, a facility he helped to create.

Jim currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors Executive Committee. He also serves on the Board of the Heart Institute of Staten Island, a modern cardiac care surgery facility that, as Deputy Borough President, he successfully negotiated with the State Department of Health to bring to the Borough. Opened in 2001, it is jointly operated by the Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital, and has the second-lowest mortality rate of any institution in the state and the lowest of all hospitals performing more than 500 bypasses per year. Now Staten Islanders can receive the best quality cardiac care right in their home borough.

Jim also helped to establish Staten Island’s first AIDS day care center and AIDS medical care facility. He served on the Board of Directors of the Sisters of Charity Health Care Corporation, and is currently a member of the Richmond University Medical Center’s Board of Trustees.

In memory of his late wife, Jim is very active in health care-related charitable works. In 1991, Bayley Seton Hospital dedicated a new dialysis unit in the name of Carol E. Molinaro. More recently in 2000, St. Elizabeth Ann's Health & Rehabilitation Center opened the James P. and Carol E. Molinaro Health Care and Rehabilitation Center Atrium.