Benjamin Heller (lawyer)

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Benjamin Heller
BornCa. 1905
Liverpool, England
DiedMay 13, 1974 (aged 68 or 69)
North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York, US
Resting placeBeth David Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York
EducationNew York University; Harvard Law School
OccupationLawyer; politician
Known forNew York City Code of Ethics; law; 10th Mayor of Flower Hill, New York
TitleMayor of Flower Hill, New York
Term1963–1970
PredecessorJohn E. Mahoney
SuccessorGeorge B. Higgins
Spouse(s)Ruth Heller (born Kruetzer)
Children3

Benjamin Heller was an English-American lawyer and politician, who is known for his work in creating the New York City Code of Ethics and for serving as the 10th Mayor of Flower Hill, New York.

Biography[]

Birth[]

Heller was born in Liverpool, England, ca. 1905.[1]

Education[]

For college, Heller attended New York University, and served as the Senior President of the Student Council of New York University.[2] After graduating from New York University, Heller then attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his bachelor's degree in law in 1929.[1][3][4][5]

Career[]

After graduating from Harvard, Heller began working as a lawyer, and joined the Brooklyn-based firm of Meier Steinbrink.[3] When Steinbrink was elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1932, Heller became his law secretary.[3]

In the 1950s, Heller served as counsel to the New York City Council.[1][6][7] During this time, Heller was one of the participants in the creation of the New York City Code of Ethics, and was associated with Stanley Kruetzer in the creation of the ethics code.[1][6][7]

In 1962, Heller served as a special arbitrator in the dispute between the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and American Export–Isbrandtsen Lines. In this dispute, Heller ruled in favor of the engineers, concluding that the union's contract must remain in place once Isbrandtsen's fleet got transferred to American Export Lines.[3][8][9][10] Heller was selected to be the special arbitrator for the ruling because the regular arbitrator for matters relating to contract disputes, Dr. Donald F. Shaughnessy, was unable to participate.[10]

Mayor of Flower Hill, New York (1963–1970)[]

On March 19, 1963, Heller was elected as the 10th Mayor of the Village of Flower Hill.[1][11][12][13] He served in this capacity until 1970, when he was succeeded by George B. Higgins.[1][12][13]

Prior to serving as the Mayor of Flower Hill, Heller had served for many years as a trustee for the village.[14]

Death[]

Heller died on May 13, 1974, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, after a long battle with an illness.[3] He is buried at Beth David Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.[1]

Personal life[]

At the time of his death, Heller lived at 166 Hemlock Road in Flower Hill.[3]

Heller was married to Ruth. Together, they had three children: Susan, Carole, and Richard.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "B. Heller, Ex-Mayor". Newsday. May 15, 1974 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ "DENIES CLASS PLEAS TO OUST GIRL OFFICERS; N.Y.U. Student Council Backs Presidents Who Succeeded Resigning Male Heads". timesmachine.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "BENJAMIN HELLER (Published 1974)". The New York Times. 1974-05-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. ^ "61 LAW SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED AT HARVARD: RECIPIENTS ARE FROM 34 COLLEGES AND 23 STATES – NEW YORK GROUP OF 17 IS LARGEST". The New York Times. November 7, 1927 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ "HARVARD RECEIVES $13,500,000 IN YEAR: Record Total of Gifts is Dis- closed as Record Total of 1,957 Are Graduated. $5,444,000 FROM HARKNESS Fund Is for First Unit of House Plan--Rockefeller Bodies Give Over $1,000,000. HONORARY DEGREES FOR 12 Secretary Adams, Ex-Secretary Kel- log and Gov. Roosevelt Made Doctors of Laws at Commencement. Record Honor Roll for College. Citations of Those Honored. Master of Arts. Doctor of Divinity. Doctor of Science. Doctor of Laws. Kellogg and Roosevelt Speak. Gifts and Bequests. List of Degrees Awarded. BACHELORS OF ARTS". The New York Times. June 21, 1929 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ a b Bennett, Charles G. (1959-08-05). "Council Votes Rigid Code For All Who Serve City; NEW ETHICS CODE ADOPTED FOR CITY (Published 1959)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  7. ^ a b Times, Paul Crowellthe New York (1957-02-09). "Council Overrules Quinn, Holds It Has Ouster Right; Refuses to Delay Start 17 Votes Needed for Ouster COUNCIL REBUFFS QUINN ARGUMENT (Published 1957)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  8. ^ Bamberger, Werner (May 15, 1962). "SHIP ARBITRATION BACKS ENGINEERS: RULING SAYS ISBRANDTSEN MUST KEEP FLEET UNION". The New York Times – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ "STRIKE OFF AGAIN AT ISBRANDTSEN: ENGINEERS RETURN TO WORK AS TRUCE IS REACHED". The New York Times. May 8, 1962 – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ a b "RULING AWAITED ON ISBRANDTSEN: Arbitrator to Decide on a Union Contract Extension". The New York Times. May 10, 1962 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ "47 Villages Cast Ballots Tomorrow". Newsday. March 18, 1963 – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ a b "Village of Flower Hill » Village History". villageflowerhill.org. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  13. ^ a b "Results of 15 Contests". Newsday. March 20, 1963 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ "Flower Hill Set to Tighten Rules on Digging Sand Pits". Newsday. March 29, 1957 – via ProQuest.
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