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Blogging Congestion Pricing
May 18th, 2007

In case you missed the event, the Drum Major Institute blog features highlights from a forum on congestion pricing with the Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron, New York City Councilmember Eric Gioia, Central Labor Council executive director Ed Ott and John Liu, chair of the New York City Council Transportation Committee.

The key to the plan in London, according to Gavron, is investing in buses, which are cheaper than rail lines. But it took awhile to convince the Brits. “[Margaret] Thatcher said, if you’re seen on a bus after the age of 30, you’re a loser in life,” said Gavron.

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 18, 2007, 10:23 am
In category: Environment, Transportation | No Comments »

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Friday's Editorials
May 18th, 2007

The Daily News says that the 600 pages of New York Police Department documents outlining procedures during the 2004 Republican National Convention show no evidence of political surveillance and spying. “They are an example of the extraordinary efforts the NYPD made, and continues to make, in protecting the city,” the News writes.

The New York Post believes that Brooklyn District Attorney Joe Hynes has mishandled a series of criminal cases.

Newsday praises the first 100-days of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who took the position after Alan Hevesi resigned over ethics violations. “So far, it’s been so good,” the paper writes. “DiNapoli has conducted himself ably and restored the image of integrity to this tarnished office.”

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 18, 2007, 7:40 am
In category: Gotham City | No Comments »

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Asian American Heritage Week
May 17th, 2007

To honor Asian American Heritage Month, NY1 launched a week-long series of coverage on Asian immigrants who have come to the city from non-Asian countries. The first two stories are South Asian immigrants from Guyana and Chinese immigrants from Jamica.

By Oates Ritthichai on May 17, 2007, 12:07 pm
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What They're Saying
May 17th, 2007

The Daily News lambastes former Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christine Todd Whitman for refusing to testify before a congressional committee investigating the federal governments handling of air quality issues at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The editorial says that Whitman, who issued reassuring statements about the conditions downtown at the time, owes an awful lot of explaining to an awful lot of people, particularly first-responders who were sickened by Ground Zero air – and the families of other first-responders whose lung ailments proved fatal. If she wont talk on her own, the paper urges Congress to slap her with a subpoena..

And in its continuing crusade to let police tape people when they want and where they want, the News turns to a case arising from a 1992 protest. The protestors sued the police, and a jury awarded them $81 million. Yesterday, a judge threw the case out after reviewing a videotape of the incident. And there in lies the moral, the News thinks: The suit was recognized for what it was: an attempt to win the lottery by litigation. There’s an object lesson here in why ongoing efforts by civil liberties types to block cops from taping demonstrations are nuts.

Citing alarming trends in prison growth and glaring racial disparity, El Diario/La Prensa calls upon the city and state government to consider alternatives to putting people in jail. Such alternatives, the paper says, not only address fundamental problems, especially for nonviolent drug offenders, but also generate savings that can be re-invested in communities severely affected by incarceration.

The Post continues to whale away at Governor Eliot Spitzer. His offense today: providing tax subsidies and other inducement for Beech Nut to expand operations upstate. Spitzer says he wants to boost upstate economy, But, the Post chastises him (and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno) for not doing what it takes to lure new business to New York: cut government spending so taxes can fall.

By Gail Robinson on May 17, 2007, 10:26 am
In category: Albany, Civil Rights, Crime & Safety, Environment, Gotham City, Health, Law | No Comments »

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Giuliani's Record of 'Protection'
May 16th, 2007

With Rudolph Giuliani all but endorsing torture, many are taking a second look at what he actually did as mayor of New York to protect people during and after 9/11.

One issue surrounds his decision to pace the citys Emergency Command Center at Ground Zero where what critics had dubbed Rudys Bunker was destroyed on September 11, 2001. As reported in the Empire Zone, Giuliani on Sunday blamed this move on his one-time director of emergency management, Jerome Hauer. The next day Hauer struck back telling New York Magazines Intelligencer, I thought for a number of reasons that Brooklyn was the better location.” He produced a copy of his February 1996 memo recommending Metro Tech in Brooklyn as his preferred site for the command center. “The building is secure and not as visible a target as buildings in Lower Manhattan,” the memo says.

Today it was Joseph Lhotas turn to pipe in. Lhota, who held several positions in the Giuliani administration, told Empire Zone that Jerry was the prime proponent of putting the center at the trade center and that it was the right choice.

So whats the truth of this he said, he said, dispute? In a comment on Empire Zone, Helen of NYC says, I dont care whose decision it was – it was ultimately Giulianis responsibility. This blame game shows lack of leadership and accountability. Sounds like Bush.

Political Musings agrees that Giuliani showed poor judgment: Does anyone else not remember his genius idea to put NYC’s emergency command center in WTC7? This was after the WTC complex was bombed in 1993 so it’s obviously a target. Does anyone else think it is ridiculous to support this man for President? Won’t he kinda be in charge of the defense of our country? He’s not got a real good track record with protecting things.

Meanwhile, a New York Times article on Monday found that Giulianis actions after 9/11 bear some of the blame for the illnesses afflicting many who helped clean up the trade center site. Anthony dePalma, writes, He seized control and largely limited the influence of experienced federal agencies. In doing that, according to some experts and many of those who worked in the trade centers ruins, Mr. Giuliani might have allowed his sense of purpose to trump caution in the rush to prove that his city was not crippled by the attack.

Commenting on the report, Briliant at Breakfast writes, The memory of Rudy Giuliani on that day looks better than it should only because the President of the United States was peeing in his pants, running all over the country in Air Force One. Rudolph Giuliani’s first priority was to get the financial district up and running again and to get the pit cleaned out, and the hell with the thousands of blue-collar, working class people who were working on the cleanup.

The 9/11 legacy that Rudy is riding to the White House (he thinks) is more mixed than he would like the country to know about, writes the Daily Kos. New Yorkers have long memories and were not as enamored of America’s Mayor as the press corps sometimes makes them out to be. Rudy had his moments in the first few days, but subsequent executive decisions are apparently going to hurt thousands of good people.

By Gail Robinson on May 16, 2007, 12:54 pm
In category: Crime & Safety, Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Health | 1 Comment »

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What They're Saying
May 16th, 2007

The Post highlights a report by the Business Council of New York’s Public Policy Institute that founds New Yorkers pay the highest total tax bill in the country: a whopping $5,770 for every man, woman and child – 36 percent more than the U.S. average. This is one top ranking the Post is not happy about, and it gives the paper another opportunity to slam Governor Eliot Spitzer, the guy who was going to fix government and rein in spending. Instead, the editorial says, he has increased it. That kind of fecklessness has been going on for years, according to the Post, but no one’s beat his chest nearly as much as Spitzer about how things would change.

The News looks at another study: this one on road rage. Here New York ranks only number two. Miami drivers are just the worst, everybody knows that, the paper says. Compared with Miami drivers, New Yorkers are practically saints.

By Gail Robinson on May 16, 2007, 7:28 am
In category: Albany, Gotham City, Public Finance, Transportation | No Comments »

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Is the Internet Journalism?
May 15th, 2007

Long-time City Hall reporter Rafael Martinez-Alequin, known for his provocative -and occasionally random – questions is the center of a battle over who gets press credentials in New York City.

The Bloomberg administration has barred Martinez-Alequin, who has covered city politics for a paper called New York City Free Press for nearly a quarter century and now writes a blog and online columns, because his official press pass has expired.

The police department’s public information office which issues approximately 8,000 press passes each year, said credentials are not issued to Internet reporters unless the Web site is affiliated with an established newspaper.

On the blog Room 8, one of its founders, Ben Smith, writes; My instinct, obviously, is to hand out the press cards pretty freely. I’d like to be able to accredit people to Room Eight, if we had bloggers who wanted to report, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t. At the same time, you can understand an administration’s nervousness.

Newsdays Spin Cycle notes that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been excluding him from Blue Room availabilities — something his predecessor Rudolph Giuliani never did.”

Now 16 City Council members have written a letter to the mayor in support of Martinez-Alequin.

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 15, 2007, 7:44 am
In category: Transportation | 1 Comment »

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What They Are Saying This Morning
May 15th, 2007

The New York Times supports a proposal to televise trials in New York. Televising trials would put legal battles in a more serious, more informative context, the Times argues.

The Daily News praises Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his big ideas, arguing that future mayoral candidates must continue that course once he leaves office. “Bloomberg is doing… the city a huge favor by forcing this very big idea onto the public agenda,” the Daily News writes.

In the New York Post, columnist EJ McMahon blasts Governor Spitzer’s actionallowing 60,000 home-based day-care providers to unionize, arguing that the governor “has further undermined his ability to control the cost of government in the Empire State.”

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 15, 2007, 7:11 am
In category: Gotham City | No Comments »

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Trucks Toll
May 14th, 2007

U.S. Representative and likely mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, who was quick to slam Mayor Michael Bloombergs plan to charge some motorists a fee to drive in Manhattan, has an alternative idea. He wants to make it more expensive for truckers to drive in Manhattan because, he says, trucks are a bigger problem than cars. “The problem of congestion in New York City is much more of a truck problem than a car problem, and if we can figure out a way to reduce the congestion of trucks, we don’t need to have a tax on middle class car drivers coming into New York City, said Weiner.

A spokesperson for Bloomberg told the Sun that Weiners alternative would drastically increase truck traffic in neighborhoods that already have high child asthma rates,” and hurt small businesses.

For more on the debate over congestion pricing, see Gotham Gazette.

By Gail Robinson on May 14, 2007, 11:34 am
In category: Environment, Gotham City, Transportation | 1 Comment »

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What They're Saying
May 14th, 2007

The News and the Post disagree sharply over Governor Eliot Spitzers decision to for give daycare workers the right to unionize, a move opposed by the mayor.

The News cheers Spitzer. Now it says, These self-employed providers – mostly minority-group women who bring children into their homes will be treated with the respect they deserve, leading to more and better day care for New Yorkers, the paper says.

But the Post sees it as a budget-busting gift to Big Labor that, Mayor Bloomberg says, jeopardizes some 15,000 child-care slots in the city. And, the paper says, it is part of a pattern. In general, it writes, Eliot Spitzer has embarked not merely on a drive to reinforce the status quo – but on one that can only make things worse. Far worse.

By Gail Robinson on May 14, 2007, 7:55 am
In category: Albany, Gotham City, Social Services | No Comments »

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Brooklyn, the Bloggiest Blog Belt in the Blogosphere
May 11th, 2007

Clinton Hill, Brooklyn tops the list of America’s Top 10 Bloggiest Neighborhoods, according a rather unscientific survey on the blog Outside.in And yesterday, the Borough of Kings hosted the second annual Brooklyn Blogfest, an off-line meeting of dozens of area bloggers.

Today, The New York Times’ blog Empire Zone features an extensive entry on the blogfest, complete with a helpful guide to various Brooklyn web logs.

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 11, 2007, 11:36 am
In category: Tech | 1 Comment »

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Mapping Bikes
May 11th, 2007

Streetsblog features a new map showing which neighborhoods are home to people who bicycle to work. Manhattanville and Park Slope boast the highest concentration of bike commuters.

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 11, 2007, 7:34 am
In category: Environment, Transportation | No Comments »

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Friday's Editorials
May 11th, 2007

The New York Post rips Albany lawmakers for spending $2.9 billion that was not reported.

In the New York Sun, columnist Andrew Wolf questions if students will benefit from the new school funding formula.

And the Daily News criticizes newly elected Brooklyn City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene for failing to provide proof of his citizenship and refusing to sign an affidavit stating that he lives in the district he represents. “In the kindergarten that is the City Council,” the Daily News writes, “the newest member, Mathieu Eugene – seated just Wednesday – already has bad marks on his report card. He does not play fairly. And he has trouble telling the truth.”

By Mark Berkey-Gerard on May 11, 2007, 7:11 am
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Park that Perk!
May 10th, 2007

Will Michael Bloomberg crack down on the parking permits issued city employees? So far he hasnt done that, athough the Post reports he might. And on Room 8 an anonymous commentator sees lots of abuse: Most parking permits go to cops who use them to park illegally and recklessly in front of their houses in the 5 boroughs. I see it every day in front of the hydrant.

Along with congestion pricing, such a move could reduce the number of motorists driving into Manhattan, many experts believe. Citing a report that found many people who drive into Manhattan park for free, Paul Steely White of Transportation Alternatives writes in Gotham Gazette, The carrot of free parking is too irresistible for drivers to refuse, even when they have decent transit options.

By Gail Robinson on May 10, 2007, 7:48 am
In category: Environment, Gotham City, Transportation | 2 Comments »

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What They're Saying
May 10th, 2007

It is time to for the Bloomberg administration and the police union to reach an agreement to raise starting pay for cops, writes El Diario/La Prensa. Criticizing both sides for playing hardball for too long, the paper says, Every day of delay in reaching a fair settlement is another blow to cops pocketbooks and another blow to the citys efforts to retain its officers.

The Daily News applauds all the additional money pouring into the citys public schools. While increased funding alone will not improve education, the editorial says, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein is smartly coupling cash with accountability, something the News believes is critical to ensuring all this new dough is put to good use.

And the Daily News looks to Albany and sees a potential replacement for The Sopranos.

By Gail Robinson on May 10, 2007, 7:28 am
In category: Albany, Crime & Safety, Education, Gotham City | No Comments »

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Eugene Sworn In
May 9th, 2007

Mathieu Eugene was officially sworn in as councilmember for the 40th district at today’s stated meeting. Swearing in of Councilmember Eugene

Though Eugene did not sign and provide all of the voluntary paperwork documenting his ability to serve in the city council, an investigation found him to be in compliance with the requirements to hold office, such as being over the age of 18, a resident of the district, a citizen, and not in violation of the public officers law.

Topping Mayor Bloomberg’s new Spanish proficiency, Eugene gave a few remarks and thank yous in English, Spanish and Creole.

By Sydney Beveridge on May 9, 2007, 3:52 pm
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Jay-Z Visits City Hall for Ceremony Honoring Mom Gloria Carter
May 9th, 2007

Jay-Z at City Hall

Today, the City Council commended Gloria Carter for her work overseeing the Sean Carter Foundation, local toy drives, assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims and other civic roles. Just a few days before Mother’s Day, her son Jay-Z accompanied her to the ceremony

By Sydney Beveridge on May 9, 2007, 3:50 pm
In category: Gotham City | 5 Comments »

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Groups Stepping up for Budget Talks
May 9th, 2007

With city budget talks commencing, the City Hall steps were full of supporters for various causes.

CUNY and the Landmarks Preservation Commission (featured in photo) rallied in front of the building today.

Rally for Landmarks Preservation

A full calendar of the Finance Committee hearings is on the council webpage.

By Sydney Beveridge on May 9, 2007, 3:42 pm
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Rudy the Weird
May 9th, 2007

For better or worse, the presidential candidacy of Rudolph Giuliani has given those of us who know him best New Yorkers a chance to relieve his administration. And to many what stands out is not 9/11 or crackdowns on squeegee men but the former mayors weirdness.

Writing in Vanity Fair, Michael Wolff finds that both reporters who have covered the man and those who have worked for him consider him to be nuts, actually mad. Every New Yorkers can lay claim to having witnessed, and in many cases suffered, his periods of mania, political behavior that, in the end, can’t have much of a rational explanation.

Among the specifics, Wolff cites: Giulianis attack on ferret owner who called in to the mayor’s radio show to protest the city’s ban on them as pets; his bitter fights with anybody in his administration who got more publicity than he did: his refusal to meet with black elected officials; his jihadish campaign against the Brooklyn Museum of Art over a painting that mocked the Virgin Mary; and his authoritarian campaign against jaywalkers. Wolff also looks at Rudy the parent (non-parent?): His two children were often left in the care of the police who to keep them happy and quiet stuffed them full of food.

Digging Deeper comes up with its own litany: The former mayor married his cousin, was forced to admit marital infidelity during an ugly divorce proceeding, and is a serial cross-dresser Giuliani put a particularly odious fix in to slide under the Vietnam-era draft He got lots of publicity for the sharp reduction in New York City crime, but the real mover there was Police Commissioner William Bratton, who Giuliani got rid of. And then there are the foibles of the commissioner Giuliani kept: Bernie Kerik. All this, the blog says, makes Giuliani so vulnerable to the facts of his history that in a national election hed be in trouble against Porky Pig.

No More Mr. Nice Guy cites what the blogger calls a creepy and disturbing scene scene in the documentary film Giuliani Time, in which Giuliani mocks a man with Parkinson’s disease who calls in to his radio show complaining that his benefits have been cut off. And Chucks Weird World offers a picture of the former mayor in drag showing a lot of leg.

For its part, Gothamist provides a link to the ferret audio clip and revisits the Giuliani weirdness dossier available on The Smoking Gun. Prepared by Giuliani’s campaign staff before his successful 1993 run for mayor, it highlights his marriage to his second cousin, his avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War and his alleged racism (remember the washroom attendant rally, which could explain Giulianis defense of Dom Imus?)

Mike Lupica cant resist commenting on the marriages: The Catholic boy from Brooklyn . has been married three times already. You put his three with the three that the current Mrs. Giuliani has in the books and come up with six, a world’s record for any presidential candidate. But Lupica continues, It will be much tougher for Giuliani to run away from being the mayor of New York who thought a small-timer named Bernard Kerik was not just a hero police commissioner, but somebody who should be running Homeland Security and has now plead guilty to misdemeanor charges and is under federal investigation.

Wayne Barrett takes on another eccentric aspect of Giulianis mayoralty: His almost pathological devotion to the Yankees. And, Barrett says, that fealty paid off for the mayor. It turns out Giuliani owns four World Series rings which memorabilia and baseball experts say are collectively worth a minimum of $200,000. His payment of only $16,000 for the baubles, the article says, could be be a serious breach of the law, and one that could still be prosecuted.

By Gail Robinson on May 9, 2007, 11:35 am
In category: Civil Rights, Electoral Politics, Gotham City | 6 Comments »

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What They're Saying
May 9th, 2007

After praising outgoing Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair Peter Kalikow as a strong and increasingly independent voice for the transportation needs of the region, Newsday says that Kalikows successor will have to find the money for ambitious projects such as the Second Avenue subway and extension of the Number 7 line. And so, the editorial says, the next chair whoever that might be — should seriously consider Mayor Michael Bloombergs congestion pricing proposal.

Looking at the new school budgets announced yesterday, the Post faults Schools Chancellor Joel Klein for giving in to the teachers union by insuring that no school lose money under the new funding formula. Kleins efforts to placate the union and its president Randi Weingarten are almost destined to fail, the Post says, as Weingarten continues her attacks on mayoral control of the school system and incidentally on the Post too.

In a column in the Daily News, Jonathan Zimmerman of NYU says critics of a proposed school offering Arabic language classes are being shortsighted. To win the war on terrorism, we’re going to need many more people who know Arabic, get the difference between Sunnis and Shiites and understand the complex culture of the Middle East, he writes.

By Gail Robinson on May 9, 2007, 7:54 am
In category: Civil Rights, Education, Gotham City, Public Finance, Transportation | No Comments »

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