On Tuesday Jack Hidary, independent candidate for mayor, submitted over 37,000 petitions securing his place on the Jobs and Education line for the general election in November. This total far exceeds 3750 signatures required to get on the ballot. Hidary, a successful entrepreneur, said the overwhelming amount of petition signatures received was indicative of the broad based support he’s been receiving throughout the city.

“I’m running for mayor because I want to extend the economic growth of the last decade to all New Yorkers,” said Hidary. “We must expand our economic base by ensuring that New York is the leading city in the world to start and grow a business and to gain the skills necessary for the jobs of today’s marketplace. This is a plan that resonates with people on all sides of the political spectrum. As I visit communities all across our great city, I hear a unified message – the voters want an alternative to party politics and want a mayor who will focus on giving them the opportunity to realize the American dream.”

Hidary’s platform is highlighted by his forward thinking positions on reforming education and expanding job opportunities to all New Yorkers. Hidary believes that New York schools must move beyond the current culture of over testing and offer students blended learning incorporating team-based work, multimedia and creative projects. “By utilizing methods that have proven to develop creative thinkers and problem solvers, students will be better prepared for the 21st century job market,” said Hidary. “We are long overdue for a paradigm shift in public education. As mayor, I will make sure our children our prepared for the jobs of the future.”

(YWN NYC Newsdesk)