Bloomberg vs. Pataki
October 26th, 2005
Two local columnists take different sides in the dispute between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki over plans for Ground Zero.
Writing in Newsday, Joseph Dolman cheers the mayor for speaking out — if belatedly — and calling for housing on the site. By doing so, Dolman writes, “The guy who hates histrionics is – right now – immersed in an open fight with Gov. George Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver over the future of lower Manhattan. The two Albany players feel angry, hurt, betrayed. Aw, poor babies.”
But the Daily News’ Michael Goodwin views Bloomberg’s move as an ill-advised flip-flop. As he plotted his ill-fated West Side stadium, Bloomberg spent three and a half years rubber stamping everything the governor wanted for Ground Zero. No wonder Pataki is perplexed by Bloomberg’s sudden interest, Goodwin says. And the governor is not alone. “By calling for a do-over, Bloomberg could turn downtown’s slow pace into no pace,” Goodwin wrote. That fact has united Pataki, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and the Port Authority, all of them warning the mayor’s mixed signals could scare off firms from moving there.
By Gail Robinson on October 26, 2005, 8:57 amIn category: Housing, Land Use | 1 Comment »

October 26th, 2005 at 3:17 pm
The Battle For Ground Zero, Part 59
One sides with Pataki; the other with Bloomberg. I’d say both are part of the problem.