Today is the last day of the year, but it is also the last day of the second and final term of New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. The one hundred and seventh Mayor of New York City rings in the new year tonight by dropping the ball in Times Square – and then handing over the keys to City Hall to the one hundred and eighth Mayor of New York City – Michael Bloomberg – marking the end of Giuliani's eight incredible years as, in my opinion – the greatest Mayor this City has ever had.

I was seventeen years old in 1989 when I grabbed a video camera and headed to Young Israel Of Ocean Parkway where I conducted the very first interview I ever did – with a prominent Mayoral candidate named Rudolph Giuliani. The first question I asked him was how he would deal with the City's homeless problem if he were elected Mayor. I can remember him giving me a very lengthily answer that did not come from notes or prompts – but rather from the top of his head. And as other people asked him questions, his answers were all the same, lengthily, informative – and impressive.

He may have not won that election – but that did not stop him from running again in 1993. This time, I saw a more focused and refined Giuliani as he took on his former opponent and now incumbent Mayor David Dinkins – who did an excellent job playing tennis as the City crumbled around him. And after four years of watching the City become known as "The Rotten Apple" – New Yorkers were eager for a new Mayor – and when they elected Rudy – they got the best Mayor we ever had.

From the day he took office, Rudy was committed to changing the world's perception of the Big Apple and getting rid of the things running rampant in the City that made people and businesses flee New York for other, safer cities. I can remember going to Times Square before Rudy took office and being offered fake ID, drugs, and sex right out in the open. And that was one of the main reasons why people were not coming here – because crime and criminals were basically operating in full view of the public – at least until Rudy took over the reigns of the City. Today's Times Square is full of brand new businesses, skyscrapers and companies who have transformed Times Square into the bustling phenomenon it used to be – thanks to a determined Mayor who pushed out the criminals and brought back the pomp and circumstance that was Times Square.

This trend continued throughout the City and the outer boroughs over the last eight years – turning New York City from "The Rotten Apple" to "The Capital Of The World". And whenever anyone questioned his tactics or his approach – Giuliani would not even blink an eye – because he knew that despite his critics – he had the best intentions for this City – and that fact is evident in the New York City of today versus the New York City of 1993.

One of the things about Rudy that always amazed me was the way he handled the media. The New York press can be relentless – always looking to humiliate anyone they can sink their rotten teeth into. And throughout his two terms as Mayor – the press had many a field day with Rudy. But what amazed me about Rudy was each time that the press tired to rip him apart – it was the Mayor who always came out with less scars then the members of the media that attempted to tear him apart.

I have been on both sides of the Giuliani Administration. I have been a journalist who reported on the Mayor – and I have been one of his Press Secretaries. I have been in the press bin during his press conferences – and I have been behind him on the podium when he conducted press conferences. From someone who has been on both sides of the Giuliani fence, I can tell you that he is an incredible man. He is someone who had the best interest of the City in his heart and has worked his tail off for eight years to turn the City around. Despite critics, voters who did not like him – and lecherous wannabe spotlight–stealers like Al Sharpton – he did what he set out to do and then some.

When September 11th came – Rudy now had the responsibility of holding his City together while trying to be a rock for his City workers, his staff – and his eight million constituents. Despite losing people close to him and having to endure funeral after funeral after funeral – he held himself and the City together with strength and grace – and in doing so became America's Mayor.

I have been next to him many times since September 11th. I have seen him at press conferences, with dignitaries, with celebrities and with family members. No matter who he is with, he is always gracious, friendly – and comforting. But when he is at Ground Zero – I could see the sadness in his eyes as he looks at the site where cowardly terrorists stole thousands of innocent lives – and forever scarred the face of the City – his City.

And now, with just hours left until he is Citizen Giuliani, I want to personally thank him for all that he has done for New York City. As a New Yorker, I am proud that Rudy Giuliani was my Mayor and I am very grateful for what he has done for New York City. As a former journalist, I will always remember the times I interviewed him and always be thankful that he was so gracious to me each time I spoke to him. And as a member of the Giuliani Administration – I am honored to have been a member of the Administration of the greatest Mayor this City has ever had. Wherever my career may take me – I will always remember my days in the Giuliani Administration. Although I was the Press Secretary for the Buildings Department for most of my tenure in the Administration – I was given the unique opportunity to work at OEM in the days following the 11th, which gave me the opportunity to work closer to the Mayor then I ever have before – and that is something that I will always remember and always be grateful for.

I don't know what Rudy's plans are after he leaves office tomorrow. But whatever those plans are – he will always have a permanent place in history as the greatest Mayor New York City has ever had.

Thanks for everything Rudy. Thanks a lot.