I always read with interest the very insightful political posts of The Brooklyn Optimist otherwise known as Morgan Pehme. As the city is hotly debating our Mayor's move to run for a third term. Morgan looks at the bigger picture. I think you will find it interesting. Here is what he writes.
Despite the recent deluge of articles about Mayor Bloomberg and the Council's scheme to extend term limits, one significant consequence of the proposed change has been carelessly overlooked.
City officials won't be the only ones making out on this backroom deal. Our Statewide politicians will see big dividends too.
Why does Governor Paterson favor doing away with term limits? Let's see. Do you think that it could have anything to do with Mayor Bloomberg being the only candidate who could beat him in 2010?
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1 comment:
Dear Katia:
We need a lengthy discussion and open public debate before we change term limits. A change of the law by any other mechanism than a vote would be a mistake. We all see being termed out does not mean good people need to leave government service. They can move up the ladder of service and have a chance to continue and run on their records for new positions and be rewarded for past good service and use their accumulated experience to continue to do a good job. It does not have to be limiting. Our councilman Bill De Blasio seems to be doing a good job on this issue. Yes he wants to be able to move up and there is good reason for him to do that. He has done a good job.
It was very good and courageous and also a real community service for you (Katia) to publish the information last week about lobbyist and developers spending money to make their desires clear to Mr. De Blasio. There is nothing illegal and maybe not even unseemly about the lobbying of officials. A developer is only one vote, so they use their money to buy time to meet with politicians to lobby their causes to try to balance the vote of a whole community. Bill De Blasio has been willing to meet with community members often as we have requested it. He heard our voices about the text amendment and is reacting to our appeals for help to get down zoning. Yes he sometimes walks both sides of an issue, that may be the nature of the job. We see in every presidential debate and interview that politicians are hard pressed to be totally forthcoming about difficult issues. This is not new and I believe we all accept some shade of the truth and end up judging relative honesty and integrity in our candidates. The shame of this BSA issue with Olivier house is that we have worked so hard for what we think is right for Carroll Gardens. We did it in the most democratic way with lots of energy. Now the process has moved through the system, still part of our democracy but to the point where money via lawyers and experts clearly are favored over community will and efforts. It will be a grave disappointment for us if Mr. Stein is granted the variance. I truly hope councilman De Blasio understands this.
The revelation about lobbying is the need for the opposing role we need to play as citizens. Our role has to be intense and increase. We see we are up against those who will spend big bucks to get what they want. It makes no sense for a politician to say lobbying has no affect because if so, believe me, business interest would not spend the sums we see they are spending on it. Also these same lawyers and lobbyist are arguing the BSA for Mr. Stein. What we need to do is to be even more active in greater numbers to take time out to make the appointments in groups of community leaders to meet with and get the ear of our politicians to let them know some of these issues are critical enough that they will cost critical votes and support.
Mayor Bloomberg has shown NYC prosperity by puffing up Wall Street and the real estate bubble. The intense housing market push will not continue to make us grow. He may not be best for the job at all and extending term limits maybe a loss leader to solving the problems we face. The Gowanus is about to be rezoned from manufacturing to housing. Regardless of the heights of the buildings I think we need a comprehensive look at land use throughout Gowanus, Carroll Gardens and even Red Hook. City Planning needs to give a bigger look at the totality of the environmental pact. Where will our new economic growth come from? We are sorely in need of it now. Should we so quickly abandon local manufacturing and healthy business development other than in housing? Good working space and infrastructure are essential for the economy too and certainly we need to look at them more closely in our neighborhoods.
Vince
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