Mayor Mike Bloomberg (pictured left with another hustler) decided he wants a third term as mayor. NYC mayors may serve up to two terms (8 years) under current law. This was supported by two separate votes by the citizens of New York in the 90's. Instead of putting this on the November 4 ballot, he is taking it to the City Council to enforce. Just so happens the City Councilmembers also are limited to two terms (just 4 years) under this law. And most of them are term-limited out next year. How do you think they'll vote?In other words, I want my job longer and I will make it so. Did I mention I also vote on my own raises? Which may be irrelevant when applied to our billionaire mayor, but not for the Council, which makes $120K annually in what's considered a "part-time job." That's right, they're allowed to have another job while serving.
And Bloomberg's half-ass justification for usurping the democratic process is that we are in tough economic times, so we need a mayor who is a businessman. But Bloomberg was pushing for this well before the economic crisis fully hit. And the mayor of New York City really doesn't have a whole lot to do with the National Treasury.
So what if you like Bloomberg? Great! Name a street after him! An airport even! But don't change a law that we voted to uphold. Because it won't just apply to Bloomberg.
The most common justification for eliminating term limits altogether is, "The voters have a term limit device every few years -- it's called an election." But the sad truth is that most people don't even know who their councilperson is, so what are the chances they'll vote the incumbent out of office?
I'm personally not a big Bloomberg fan. Not only is he a Republican, he's a big donor to George W. Bush. He wanted us to have the Olympics, as if this city needs any more construction. It also took the first four years for him to realize there are boroughs outside of Manhattan.
Here is how the City Council responded to NY1's question: "Do you plan to support the mayor's bill to extend term limits?" as of this morning. Click on your councilmember to email him/her and express your opinion.
(Kudos to Bill Thompson (right), NYC Comptroller and #1 Facebook friend, for leading a lot of the opposition to what's going on.)
RESPONDED "YES"
*Maria Baez, (D) Bronx
*Leroy Comrie, (D) Queens
*Erik Martin Dilan, (D) Brooklyn
*Lewis Fidler, (D) Brooklyn
*Robert Jackson, (D) Manhattan
*G. Oliver Koppell, (D) Bronx
*Miguel Martinez, (D) Manhattan
*Michael Nelson, (D) Brooklyn
*Christine Quinn, (D) Manhattan
*Domenic Recchia, (D) Brooklyn
*Diana Reyna, (D) Brooklyn
*Joel Rivera, (D) Bronx
*Larry Seabrook, (D) Bronx
*Helen Sears, (D) Queens
*Kendall Stewart, (D) Brooklyn
*Al Vann, (D) Brooklyn
RESPONDED "NO"
*Joseph Addabbo, (D) Queens
*Tony Avella, (D) Queens
*Charles Barron, (D) Brooklyn
Anthony Como, (R) Queens
*Bill de Blasio, (D) Brooklyn
Mathieu Eugene, (D) Brooklyn
Daniel Garodnick, (D) Manhattan
*James Gennaro, (D) Queens
Vincent Gentile, (D) Brooklyn
*Eric Gioia, (D) Queens
Vincent Ignizio, (R) Staten Island
Letitia James, (D) Brooklyn
*John Liu, (D) Queens
Melissa Mark-Viverito, (D) Manhattan
Darlene Mealy, (D) Brooklyn
Rosie Mendez, (D) Manhattan
*Hiram Monserrate, (D) Queens
Annabel Palma, (D) Bronx
James Vacca, (D) Bronx
*David Weprin, (D) Queens
RESPONDED "UNDECIDED"
Maria del Carmen Arroyo, (D) Bronx
*Gale Brewer, (D) Manhattan
Inez Dickens, (D) Manhattan
*Simcha Felder, (D) Brooklyn
*Helen Foster, (D) Bronx
*Alan Gerson, (D) Manhattan
Sara Gonzalez, (D) Brooklyn
*Melinda Katz, (D) Queens
Jessica Lappin, (D) Manhattan
*Michael McMahon, (D) Staten Island
*James Oddo, (R) Staten Island
*James Sanders, (D) Queens
*Peter Vallone, (D) Queens
Tom White, (D) Queens
*David Yassky, (D) Brooklyn
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Hello - this is not for publication - just an edit - so check out what I say below and you may want to change your blog. My e-mail is coalition@banhdc.org
ReplyDeleteThe council voted themselves another raise - about 25% - check it out on line for details. They raised it to $90,000 back in the mid 90s and it was a 16% raise - then within the last few years raised it again. They are making over $120,000 - just cannot remember the exact amount at this time. CM Tony Avella did not accept the raise because he thought it was unethical. He told us that the Congress and State legislature cannot vote themselves raises.
I was at a function last night with Avella - one of the truly good guys who is not bought and paid for by the real estate industry so will have a difficult time in his mayoral run - he is truly grass roots and he has a backbone. He confirmed what i suspected. Most of the undecideds will vote for the Bloomberg bill. It is a ploy that they do to make it seem fair. Brewer is my council member and is so called undecided. I would bet my morning coffee (which i like very much) on her voting to keep her job. She is a huge disappointment but knows how to suck up to the right people.
There is also a rally at 5:30 tonight at the steps of City Hall supported by Democracy for NYC and the People have Spoken. Please let people know. Check out the web side for Democracy for NYC - they have a blurb on it - and maybe they will have some updates.
The people need to rise up - how - i do not know. But I do know that sitting on the sidelines and not being involved ends up with this kind of government. I believe it was Shakespeare who said."People get the government they deserve." Some day i will track down that quote - but for now - yes that may be true - but it hurts all of those who want better.
Thanks for adding your blog to the dialog.