Week of October 3, 2005
October 7, 2005
Subway Terror ThreatCity officials increased subway security yesterday after federal authorities tipped them off to what was described as the first terrorist threat specifically naming the city's transit system. Thousands of officers have been deployed -- at least one at each of the city's 468 subway stations -- and increased bag searches are being carried out on subways, busses, and ferries. The tip, which came from a military operation in Iraq, was "specific but noncredible", according to federal authorities. It involved a plan calling for a dozen people to attack the subway with explosives hidden in suitcases and baby carriages. Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to continue using the subway.
To Read More, go to City Hall News
New Plan for Preschools
Mayor Bloomberg yesterday proposed doubling the number of children enrolled in city-financed preschool programs to 250,000 children, part of a plan that he says will better help children prepare to enter a school system without social promotion. The mayor's plan also calls for consolidating the work of the three agencies that currently deal with preschoolers, and expanding preschool programs offered to municipal employees. The changes would cost $500 million; Bloomberg expects to pay with the state money from the lawsuit over the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
Rebuilding Corporation Board Criticizes Pataki Over Freedom Center (NY Times)
Federal Funding for First Responders Cut (Daily News)
Mayor Says City Contractors Must Reveal Whether They Offer Domestic Partner Benefits (NY Post)
Terror Expert Says Port Authority Ignoring His Warnings (Newsday)
NYC Calendar: Architecture Week, Open House New York, and More (Gotham Gazette)
October 6, 2005
Construction Jobs InitiativeMayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans yesterday to bolster job opportunities in the construction industry for minorities and women. Trade unions have agreed to reserve over 40 percent of slots in apprenticeships for veterans, women, graduates of public high schools, and other disadvantaged workers, giving such groups access to up to 1,000 jobs each year. The city is also planning a new high school whose curriculum will be based on preparing students for building trades. Several prominent Democrats publicly supported the mayor's proposals. Critics cite unemployment among minorities as one of Bloomberg's major failings, however, and Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer said that Bloomberg's initiative was "a day late and a dollar short."
Free Ice Rink to Open at Bryant Park this month (NY Times)
Cracks Emerge in Teachers Union Pact (Daily News)
Train Union Complains about Possible Danger in Car Wash (NY Post)
Judge Deals Another Setback to Fish Market Move (Newsday)
CUNY To Offer Online Degrees to Entice Students Back to School (NY Sun)
City Strengthens Human Rights Law (Gotham Gazette)
Civil Rights Links In The News (Gotham Gazette)
October 5, 2005
Ropes for FirefightersFive years after the Fire Department stopped issuing ropes to firefighters, the department yesterday introduced a new rope system that features 50 feet of rope, a descent device modeled on those used by rock climbers, and a metal hook that can be attached to a radiator or a window sill. The move to give all firefighters the ropes, which will cost $11 million, comes after two firefighters -- neither of whom had ropes -- died when they jumped from a burning building in the Bronx last January.
The Harlem Debate
Furor continues over Mayor Michael Bloomberg�s refusal to attend tomorrow night�s mayoral debate in Harlem. Three good government groups yesterday issued a statement saying the mayor�s decision not to take part in the debate at the Apollo could damage the integrity of the campaign finance system, which requires that candidates receiving public funds debate. Bloomberg is not accepting public funds. Floyd Flake, a key black supporter of the mayor, said Bloomberg might still show up, but a spokesperson for the mayor said Bloomberg had to take time off for the Jewish holiday this week and so had not had time to prepare.
For more, see Campaign News .
Vito Lopez Seems on Track to Lead Brooklyn Democrats (NY Times)
Most Subway Crashes Caused by Human Error (Daily News)
Bush Moves to Make African Burial Ground a National Monument (Daily News)
State Pension Fund Reaps Healthy Return on Investments (NY Post)
Deal in Congress Would Give New York More Terror Funds (Newsday)
Money from Filtration Plant Begins to Show Up in Bronx Parks (Norwood News)
East River Access From The Lower East Side (Gotham Gazette)
Waterfront Links In The News (Gotham Gazette)
October 4, 2005
A New Deal For TeachersAfter working without a contract for more than two years, the city�s public school teachers now have a new deal after the United Federation of Teachers and the city reached a tentative agreement yesterday. The 52-month contract calls for a 15 percent pay raise for teachers over the next four years, requires teachers to work longer days, eliminates some seniority rights in staffing decisions and establishes a new master teacher position with higher pay. The administration said the pact would cost $350 million more than had been budgeted this fiscal year.
For more information, go to City Hall News
Pataki Uses State Law to Hold Sex Offenders After Prison (NY Times)
Ferrer Criticized Mayor for Avoiding A Debate in Harlem (Daily News)
Cab Drivers Threaten to Strike over Gas Price (NY Post)
City Says 'Act of God' Aided in Staten Island Ferry Crash (Newsday)
Still Running: An Interview with the Conservative Party Candidate for Mayor (The New Yorker)
Who Can Afford to Live in New York City? (Gotham Gazette)
Demographics Links In The News (Gotham Gazette)
October 3, 2005
First Debate, NotMayor Michael Bloomberg has declined to participate in the first official mayoral debate of the general election, sponsored by the Campaign Finance Board and scheduled for this Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Apollo Theater in Harlem, prompting criticism from his opponents, Democrat Fernando Ferrer and Conservative Thomas Ognibene, and their supporters. For details go to Campaign 2005
Brooklyn Democratic Leader's Demise Followed His Organization's Slide (NY Times)
For Ground Zero Building, It's Back to Drawing Board (NY Times)
NYC Has Longest Green-Card Wait In Country (Daily News)
Shortage Of Emergency Medical Service Medics Puts Patients At Risk, They Say (NY Post)
Most-Experienced Teachers In Most-Affluent Schools, Analysis Of Statistics Show (NY Post)
City Sends Rebate Checks Minus Mayor's Name (Newsday)
Poll: New Yorkers Favor Term Limits For State Legislators (NY Sun)
Once-A-Year New York Issue, This Year Focusing On Politics (e.g. Essays involving Hillary, Spitzer, Bloomberg, Buckley, even Rick Lazio...) (New York Times Magazine)
1. Why liberalism � and most other American ways of thinking about politics � have their roots in Manhattan (New York Times Magazine)
2. Odd Poll of New Yorkers (e.g. Would you marry a Republican? Which famous New Yorker has the worst hair? What are New Yorkers' best and worst qualities?) (New York Times Magazine)
3. Portrait Of A South Asian Political "Fixer" In New York (New York Times Magazine)
Best Of Manhattan (New York Press)