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June 03, 2006
Backlash from IND Endorsement: Elected Leaders In Brownstone Brooklyn Re-Affirm Support For Spitzer
(Press release)
Elected Leaders In Brownstone Brooklyn
Re-Affirm Support For Spitzer
Brooklyn NY- State Senator Martin Connor, Assemblymember Joan L. Millman, and Democratic District Leaders Alan Fleishman and Jo Anne Simon re-affirmed their support for Eliot Spitzer's candidacy for Governor today, in reaction to the Independent Neighborhood Democratic Club's decision to endorse another candidate. The elected officials have long been leaders of the reform club which has an excellent reputation for openness and membership driven politics.
"I remain committed to supporting Eliot Spitzer for Governor," said State Senator Martin Connor. "He has the independence, talent and vision to move New York forward. All New Yorkers will be well served by his election."
"I stand strong in my endorsement of Eliot Spitzer to be our next Governor," said Assemblywoman Joan Millman. "He will bring a fresh independent voice to Albany while staying true to Democratic principles. I firmly believe I am supporting the best candidate for the job," she concluded.
"I am extremely proud to support Eliot Spitzer for Governor," said District Leader Alan Fleishman. "He is someone who will put the people of Brooklyn and New York State before the special interests, someone who will reform government and get results in Albany and the only candidate for Governor who supports marriage equality for gay and lesbian New Yorkers."
"I intend to work as hard as I can for the election of Eliot Spitzer, in whom I have the utmost confidence," said District Leader Jo Anne Simon. "I know that he will bring accountability and sunshine to abuses such as Medicaid fraud and the shadow government of public authorities."
Posted by klowy at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2006
Suozzi Beats Spitzer at IND
The Daily Gotham has a write-up on Thursday's endorsement meeting at IND (Independent Neighborhood Democrats). It's a long post, filled with the usual inaccuracies ("He came off passionate, competent and an excellent candidate...for a Republican"). Suozzi didn't sound like a Republican to me. But the blogger supports Spitzer, so perhaps he's a tad biased. Joe Lieberman, now there's a Republican!
But the bottom line is: Tom Suozzi won the club's endorsement. One reason why he won, he took the effort to show up! Another, he said all the right things (or almost all of the right things*). And many club members were not happy about how things were handled in Buffalo where Suozzi was not permitted to speak.
Denise O'Donnel received the endorsement for Attorney General. It took three rounds, and it really looked like Sean Patrick Maloney would get the endorsement. But O'Donnel was able to get all of the votes from the other candidates on the third round. So IND's endorsement slate is a bit odd.
Yassky for Congress
O'Donnel for AG
Suozzi for Governor
(* Suozzi does not agree with gay marriage, but does support civil unions)
Posted by klowy at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2006
Kevin Breslin (obituary)
Kevin Breslin, Republican District leader in the 52nd AD passed away on Friday. Kevin had a ruptured aorta and they simply were not able to get his internal bleeding under control.
Viewing will be at Cobble Hill Chapel
171 Court Street, Corner of Amity Street
Hours are: Tuesday may 30th 2-5 PM and 7-9 PM.
Mass will be held 9:30 AM Wednesday May 31st, at:
St. Charles Bartomeo Church
23 Sidney Place
Brooklyn Heights
Posted by klowy at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
The Brooklyn Bridge Park (editorial from the NY Times)
May 28, 2006
The City
The Brooklyn Bridge Park
It would be a shame if a lawsuit filed to halt development on the planned Brooklyn Bridge Park site also puts a stop the park's progress. But legal action should not have been a surprise. Now that the city and state have undertaken a waterfront renaissance where once there were only industrial sites and warehouses along the harbor and the East River, nearby residents are asserting their own claims on the public spaces.
The issue in Brooklyn involves a 1.3 mile stretch of land with dramatic views of the water and Manhattan. The authorities, who are short of money, have cut a deal with the private sector. About 10 percent of the 85 acres of the park would be developed, providing a hotel and 1,200 luxury apartments in condominium towers.
For their part, the city and state would contribute about $150 million to build the park. Fees and revenues from the development would pay for park maintenance, about $15 million annually.
Local residents need assurances that the park will remain public, and not serve as a private backyard for anyone who can afford to live in the fancy towers. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation — an arm of the Empire State Development Corporation, a state-run authority — should be doing more to allay their fears.
It could, for example, do a better job of explaining how it arrived at the costs of maintenance. It could leave open the possibility that densities will be reduced if costs are cut. And it could guarantee that the public spaces will be just that, and — as David Yassky of the City Council has suggested — that the residential buildings will not be built faster than the park itself is.
To get this far on the park has taken 20 years. A few more reasonable compromises could move things along.
Posted by klowy at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)