RJCRC 28th Annual Legislative Breakfast

   The Riverdale Jewish Community Relations Council 28th Annual Legislative & Awards Breakfast was held this morning. While there was a reorganizing of the RJCRC last year in which this breakfast was not held and a late start on this years legislative breakfast the room was still packed with supporters.

     In the above photo (from right to left are) Master of Ceremonies Judge Mark Friedlander, Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, Honoree William Abramson, State Senator Jeff Klein, Honoree Jeff Moerdler, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and two more honorees.

   As usual when the breakfast started more tables had to be rolled out and set up, and after that was done Judge Friedlander greeted the audience. Due to his schedule Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota spoke first, and told the audience this would not be the only time they see him. Lhota said that he would be back two more times to the community before election day. Lhota said that he wants NYC to be a great place to live and have fun, but most importantly a place to raise a family. He went on about his vision for the city while criticizing what he said was his opponents lack of vision. 

  On his way out Lhota stopped to speak to Mr. Charles Moerdler whom he had a battle with when Lhota was head of the MTA and Moerdler a board member. Mr. Moerdler told me that while the two have battled in the past, he and Lhota have a cordial relationship. 

   William Abramson received the Community Builder Award Presented to him by State Senator Jeff Klein. Jeffrey Moerdler (son of Charles Moerdler) received the Jewish Community Service Award presented to him by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. The Community Service Award was presented to Stefa Hasson, Ari Hoffnung, and Ted Weinstein by Congressman Eliot Engel. Councilman Oliver Koppell presented the Interfaith Brotherhood Award to the Menachem of Parkchester Synagogue in the Al Iman Mosque Project.

Below are some photos of the event.

Left - Judge Friedlander and Joe Lhota pose for a photo.

Right - Lhota chatting with Community Board 8 member Irving Ladimer.   

 

Left - Honoree Jeff Moerdler is seated between Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein.

Right - Joe Lhota stops to chat with Charles Moerdler as Jeff Moerdler looks on.

 

Left - The spotlight was on Honoree Jeff Moerdler as Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz presents the Community Builder Award.

Right - Councilman Oliver Koppell with the honorees of the Interfaith Brotherhood Award he presented.

CRAIN'S NEW YORK BUSINESS ENDORSES JOE LHOTA

This came in from the Joe Lhota for Mayor Campaign.  Read the bold print that I highlighted. This endorsement seems to be less than flattering, and even states that the two are much alike. The big sticking point to me is that in a time when Madison Square Garden is negotiating a new deal with the city I do not like that Mr. Lhota was a top executive of Cablevison and MSG. Mayor Bloomberg gave enough of the city away to his friends.

  Crain's New York Business today announced their endorsement of Joe Lhota for mayor of New York City. 

Boiling down the two mayoral candidates to their basic experience and skill makes our choice clear.

Despite the candidates' rhetoric, picking the city's next mayor is not about Bill de Blasio returning New York to its crime-ridden past or Joseph Lhota implementing Tea Party policies. It's not even about their actual goals, which are similar: Both men aim to address the struggles of average New Yorkers, to stop punishing small businesses, to increase the city's supply of affordable housing and to expand early-childhood education.

Rather, New Yorkers should choose the candidate most capable of fulfilling these ambitions in an unusually challenging fiscal environment, judging by the latest battle in Washington. That depends not on ideology or charisma, but on management skill and familiarity with government. It also demands an understanding of the private sector's role in supporting the many public services that help make New York a global center of corporate might and entrepreneurial moxie. On all those counts, Mr. Lhota is the superior choice.

A moderate Republican with a libertarian bent, Mr. Lhota has a résumé tailor-made for the job. He was finance commissioner, budget director and a deputy mayor in the 1990s, and knows city government down to its granular details. Before his public service, he was an investment banker, and after it, was a top executive at Cablevision and Madison Square Garden. He then ran the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, famously getting the world's largest transit system rolling again after Superstorm Sandy.

Mr. Lhota, like all candidates, has shortcomings. He's not exactly inspirational, which would be a nice quality for a mayor, though not essential. While his ideas are good—such as dramatically increasing teacher training and building affordable housing on unneeded Postal Service and MTA properties—he hasn't offered enough big ones to capture the public's imagination.

Yet his strengths more than compensate. The first function of the city's CEO is to run its sprawling bureaucracy, and Mr. Lhota has the ability and experience to do that exceptionally well. He would break down the silos in which some city agencies reside, ensuring that they work together and within a clear chain of command. At the same time, he would not run roughshod over commissioners who understand their fields far better than he does. Mr. Lhota possesses a refreshing combination of competence and humility.

Mr. de Blasio also knows government well, having worked in it or with it his entire career. But the Democrat's management experience is thin, and he has not made a case for himself as chief executive. His economic plan centers on business mandates—a dubious strategy—and his school expansion depends on an unlikely tax increase, whereas Mr. Lhota would fund prekindergarten expansion by finding budget efficiencies. That exemplifies their differing philosophies.

For his breadth of knowledge, managerial expertise and mastery of city government, Crain's endorses Joseph Lhota for mayor.

Bill deBlasio says that he will continue the fight to ban Sugary Sodas

  As for the failed ban on selling sugary sodas over 16 ounces by Mayor Bloomberg that was struck down in a lawsuit, Mayoral candidate Bill deBlasio has said that he will continue the fight in the courts to have that decision overturned.

  "I think the mayor is right and I would continue the legal process" deBlasio said in an interview. He added "the ban would help combat childhood obesity in particular". As a parent he called the fight against childhood obesity a losing battle against an enemy that is the growing with the availability of bigger and bigger sugary drinks. On the issues of health deBlasio often agrees with current Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his effort to make people eat healthier.

  Deblasio's opponent Joe Lhota is opposed to continuing the fight against sugary sodas, and the big question is how can Lhota capitalize on the issue to get votes away from deBlasio.

Mayoral Debate Tonight 7 PM

   Tonight will be the first of three scheduled Mayoral Debates between Democrat Bill deBlasio and Republican Joe Lhota. Tonight's debate is being presented by WABC TV, Univision 41, NY Daily News, and NYC League of Women Voters at 7 PM. Tonight will only be between Bill deBlasio and Joe Lhota with no other candidate for mayor on stage with them. Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion is crying foul, but tonight's debate is not an official New York City Campaign Finance Board debate. Carrion is polling at 2 percent in the latest polls, and rolled over just over $1 million from an existing account into this mayoral run. He has reported net contributions for the cycle of about $164,000. He's spent about $1.1 million and had $96,046 left as of Sept. 30, according to CFB fillings.   

    There will be two more official Campaign Finance Board debates between the candidates for mayor and it is unclear if Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion will be a part of those debates. In the governors race with seven candidates on stage there was no real reaction between the two top candidates, and it is hoped that it does not happen in the mayoral debates with candidates like Carrion who have no chance of winning. Carrion has called tonight's debate B.S. In an attempted show of strength an online petition was started by Carrion's supporters to have him be a part of the debate, but it was reported that only 500 people had committed to the petition. 

   The two CFB mayoral debates are Tuesday October 22nd on Channel 2, and Tuesday October 29th on channel 4. Tonight's debate is being carried on channel 7.

Lhota calls on City Council to support Staten Island ferry service increase

  This came in from the Joe Lhota for mayor campaign. 
You may ask why am I putting up an item on Staten Island from Republican Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota in the Bronx. The answer is that in today's Daily News there is an article that Joe Lhota has been to Staten Island 7 times since the primary, while Bill deBlasio has only been there once. Obviously Bill deBlasio knows where to spend his time, and that is not in Republican rich Staten Island where he will receive the lowest number of votes. I have been told that deBlasio will soon be visiting the Bronx several times, and I will soon be getting that schedule. As for Joe Lhota visiting the Bronx, with less than 4,000 total Bronx Republican votes cast on primary day Thursday's headline of my column in the Bronx News and Parkchester News is titled "Will Joe Lhota come to the Bronx"?
Also - Note the date of the vote listed as September 9.

  Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota today called on the City Council to vote in favor of expanding Staten Island ferry service to half hour increments during nights and weekends.  The vote will take place today, Wednesday, September 9.  

The Staten Island Ferry remains one of the only means of public transportation to and from Staten Island.  Current law forces residents who take the ferry during off-hours to wait an hour after 1 or 2 a.m. during the week and after 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

“It’s unfair, outrageous and wrong that Staten Island residents are forced to wait an hour in between ferry rides during the off hours, especially when residents in other boroughs have access for more frequent subway service,” said Mr. Lhota, who implemented free Staten Island Ferry service as the City’s budget director.  “I call on the City Council to end this borough inequity by voting to increase the frequency of Staten Island ferry service.”

Mr. Lhota has been a vocal advocate of increasing ferry service for Staten Islanders. In June, Mr. Lhota submitted testimony to the City Council urging half-hour service on nights and weekends.

"This legislation is about more than an extra boat an hour," Councilman James Oddo said. "This is about telling Staten Island residents and commuters that help is on the way and it should be a clear signal to those looking to invest in the revitalization of the North Shore that Staten Island is open  for business."

 

Bill deBlasio now leads by 50 points over Joe Lhota

   Normally the early polls will show candidates who wind up winning not the front runner. Such was the case for Democratic candidate Bill deBlasio who was running second or third in the early polls. As the campaign wore on second place poll choice Anthony Weiner dropped down and Bill deBlasio became the number two choice for Democrats. As primary day came closer there seemed to be a backlash against current Mayor Michael Bloomberg that at the time front runner Christine Quinn could not separate herself from, and Quinn wound up coming in third to deBlasio when the votes were counted. Bill Thompson ran a good race, but while at times he was almost even in the polls with deBlasio he could not pass deBlasio winding up second in a decisive election that did not need a run off to determine a winner.

  Coming back to the November Mayors race, with the results of the first poll showing Joe Lhota trailing by 40%, the second poll now shows that Lhota is trailing by 50%. In breaking down the areas of voters the closest Lhota comes to deBlasio is with white voters where deBlasio leads by only 15%. The only area where Lhota leads is with Republican voters who are outnumbered now almost 8 to 1 by Democrats. Better than 75% of those polled said that they would not switch candidates either. One interesting breakdown is that under both deBlasio and Lhota those polled thought that taxes would rise the same under either candidate. 

  So why is Lhota so far behind? Lhota's comments are what gets him in trouble. Such as the kittens that were stranded on train tracks tying up service for hours in Queens, Lhota's comment was that he would have had the trains running "Cats or no Cats". Lhota is not liked on Republican strong hold Staten Island since he raised the fare on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Lhota also raised the subway fare and some say due to his mismanagement as head of the MTA. Lhota is also seen as a bully in this election with his rants of deBlasio's past, and lack of past leadership. DeBlasio on the other hand is coming off as the darling of the people trying to help improve what Mayor Bloomberg would or did not do. 

  Can Joe Lhota make up 50% in the upcoming four weeks, I don't think so. Look for this to be a Democratic landslide for mayor. Forget about Adolpho Carrion stealing votes from deBlasio as the margin will be twenty times or more than any votes Carrion will get.

 

STATEMENT FROM LHOTA CAMPAIGN ON DE BLASIO UNIFORMED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSEMENT

 

September 25, 2013 

 

While accepting the endorsement today of the Uniformed Firefighters Association union, he fondly--and in considerable detail--recounted his 2003 fight to keep firehouses Engine 204 from closing and claimed to have prevented future firehouse closures. What Mr. de Blasio failed to mention in his remarks today was his position four years later, where he called the closure of the very same firehouse and the closing of another Brooklyn firehouse “fair and balanced.”

 

“Mr. de Blasio’s revisionist history is becoming a pattern in this campaign. The inconsistencies of his positions and remarks are increasingly troubling and raising serious issues about what voters can trust.” --Jessica Proud, campaign spokeswoman  

 

Bill de Blasio today: “Starting with the fight in 2003 to save the firehouse in the district I represent down in the city council… Engine 204 in Cobble Hill.  That fight to me just for the point of reference, that was the first time I was arrested on a municipal issue in this city.  That fight for me really was crucial because we stood up, gave our residents and the men and women who do the work, all of us stood shoulder to shoulder. You know that year we lost a few firehouses, but we didn’t lose them again after that.  And I think its no small measure due to the incredible fight that people put up in neighborhoods that were affected all over the city.  And then when the cuts were proposed year in and year out we kept coming back stronger every year.”

 

But, on May 16, 2007, a Daily News headline read: FIREHOUSE ACCORD STRUCK. Engine 204 to be leased, Engine 212 sold; 'Fair and balanced outcome,' de Blasio sez

"This is a fair and balanced outcome," Councilman Bill de Blasio said at City Hall.

First Mayoral Poll Has Bill deBlasio with a Big Lead

In the photo is 87th A.D. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda  put everything on the line to endorse Bill deBlasio for Mayor while the Bronx Democratic County organization backed Bill Thompson for Mayor in the primary.

  In the first poll of the post primary election Democrat Bill deBlasio leads Republican Joe Lhota by 42 points. the numbers are 65% for deBlasio, 22% for Lhota, 3% for Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion, and between 9 and 10 % undecided. This was a Wall Street Journal-NBC 4 New York-Marist poll that was released Tuesday. 

  Among voting segments: 

  deBlasio leads among Black voters 86% to Lhota at 3% with 11% undecided. 

  deBlasio leads among Latino voters 74% to Lhota at 11% with 15% undecided.

  deBlasio leads among White voters 50% to Lhota at 37% with 13% undecided. 

  Both men and women have deblasio ahead big with 68% of women and 61% of men for deblasio to 18% of women and 26% of men favoring Lhota. The only sub group that Lhota leads is White Catholics where Lhota has a slim lead of 45% to 40% for deblasio. 

 It looks like New York City will have its first Democratic Mayor in 20 years. 8 years of Rudy Giuliani and then 12 years of Michael Bloomberg, both Republican candidates. The big question is how large will the margin of victory be for Bill deBlasio, but then again this is only the first poll and deBlasio trailed in the first Democratic primary poll.

 

Latest Quinnipiac Poll has DeBlasio at 43%

   It may sound like Bill DeBlasio has won the Democratic Primary without a run off election by getting 43 percent of the Democratic vote in the latest Quinnipiac poll, but lets look at the numbers.
   From August 28 - September 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 750 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points and 101 likely Republican primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 9.8 percentage points.

With seven days until the primary, 24 percent of likely Democratic primary voters say there is a good chance they will change their mind, but 61 percent of Thompson voters, 59 percent of De Blasio backers and 56 percent of Quinn supporters say they definitely will vote for their candidate.

That means by having about 300 people say they would vote for Bill DeBlasio in the Democratic Primary It looks like this race is over. However when the above statement is factored in along with the margin of error of the poll that number drops down to about 175 enthusiastic, but not definite votes for Bill DeBlasio.

When you look into the numbers of the Quinnipiac College poll this is still a horse race, or should I say a race for Mayor or the Run Off election. This is like calling the Presidential race when that tiny town in New Hampshire comes in first with about a dozen votes. _____________________________________________________________

Here is a statement from the Joe Lhota Campaign about the poll   STATEMENT FROM THE LHOTA CAMPAIGN ON TODAY’S QUINNIPIAC POLL   September 3, 2013     “Today’s Quinnipiac poll showing Joe winning by a 2-1  margin is further proof that voters are looking for a serious  candidate with ideas about how to move the city forward,  while outright rejecting the negative personal and untruthful attacks being waged by Mr. Catsimatidis.   We are heading into the final week of the campaign showing strong momentum, having garnered the endorsements of every newspaper that has weighed in on the Republican primary. We  look forward to a decisive victory on   September 10th and beginning a vigorous debate in the general election.”  --Jessica Proud, Lhota campaign spokeswoman

Editors Note:  Only 101 Likely Republicans were polled with Mr. Lhota receiving 48 %. That means only 26 probable Republican votes have determined this poll.

4th Term for Bloomberg or 3rd for Giuliani?

  The New York Post today endorsed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for Mayor in the Democratic primary, and Joe Lhota for Mayor in the Republican primary. With both endorsements it was not long until Mike Bloomberg's and Rudy Giuliani's names were mentioned. 

  The Post compared Bloomberg and Giuliani to a Batman & Robin team that cleaned up New York City, and that the city "Could become like Detroit faster than you could say David Dinkins." Thugs could take over the streets, and business pack up for the suburbs the article continued. 

  The Post writes Quinn has the common sense needed to be mayor, while going into a much more detailed description of why Joe Lhota is the best chance for an "accountable and effective government". Right there the New York Post has said that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has not been accountable or effective in her role as Speaker of the City Council. One has to wonder if Quinn has a chance of getting the Post endorsement should it wind up Lhota vs Quinn in November.

  The Post in its endorsement says "As speaker, Quinn often showed courage and responsibility by siding with Mayor Bloomberg, as well as by opposing the dangerous proposals of her far more radical council members". For holding up an ill-advised mandatory paid sick-leave bill, wanting to keep Ray Kelly as Police commissioner while, and pushing for an Inspector General of the NYPD.  The Post also does not miss the opportunity to bash the UFT (United Federation of Teachers), their candidate Bill Thompson, and quoting Mayor Bloomberg “If the UFT wants it, it ain’t good.”

  The Post concludes their endorsement of Christine Quinn by saying that free from election year pressures Quinn would revert back to her more moderate and sensible positions. 

  As for Joe Lhota the Post writes that Lhota was a Deputy Mayor and head of the MTA. Lhota's opponent the post writes is a self made businessman, but there is a difference between running a business and running a government. However the Post is disappointed that Lhota has fallen short in articulating a compelling and passionate message about what is at stake.

  To read the entire New York Post endorsements of Quinn and Lhota just click this link.

Comments About the Massive Gun Bust

Massive Gun Bust Reveals Chilling Account of Criminals’

Stop and Frisk Fears

Criminals know what the Democratic mayoral candidates don’t: stop, question and frisk keeps illegal guns off our city streets, today charged former deputy mayor Joe Lhota. Mr. Lhota highlighted the recent bust of the largest gun-running ring, where criminals were caught on tape discussing the need to keep the illegal weapons outside of New York City over fears of being stopped and frisked.

One of the alleged gunrunners was heard saying: “I can’t take them . . . to my house . . . I’m in Brownsville . . . We got like, whatchamacallit, stop-and-frisk.” According to reports, the weapons were stored in South Carolina to avoid the risk of being stopped.

Mr. Lhota, who served in the Giuliani Administration during the city’s remarkable transformation from more than 2,000 murders per year to the safest big city in America, has been an ardent supporter of proactive policing strategies such as stop, question and frisk, and has warned of the dangers of the effects of a handcuffed police department.

“First, I want to commend the NYPD on their superb work in the takedown of this massive gun-running operation and stopping the distribution of these highly destructive weapons into the hands of violent criminals,” said Mr. Lhota. “The tapes revealing these criminals’ fears about stop and frisk is a sobering account of how this policing tactic has helped to save thousands of lives. It’s deeply disturbing that criminals know what the Democratic mayoral candidates fail to acknowledge: stop, question and frisk keeps illegal guns off our streets.”

Mr. Lhota once again applauded Mayor Bloomberg’s efforts to appeal Judge Scheindlin’s decision and reaffirmed his commitment to continuing a laser-like focus on crime reduction and ensuring the NYPD has the tools it needs to keep New Yorkers safe. 

LIU ON GUN BUST AND STOP-AND-FRISK

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  Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following today on Mayor Bloomberg’s announcement of the City’s largest seizure of illegal guns:

“We applaud the City’s record gun bust, but we are nonetheless outraged that the Mayor is using it as a scare tactic to justify the unconstitutional stop-and-frisk police tactic. Stopping and frisking innocent New Yorkers never has been, never is, and never will be the answer.”

 

Hispanic Ministers of New York 25th Annual Luncheon

  Saturday afternoon was the 25th Hispanic Ministers Organization of New York luncheon. All of the candidates for mayor of New York City were invited. Democrats John Liu, Bill Thompson, & Erick Salgado, Republicans Joe Lhota & John Catsimatidis, and even third party candidate Adolfo Carrion were in attendance as well as almost 700 ministers or supporters of the clergy. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Bronx Assembly members Marcos Crespo & Luis Sepulveda, And Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. who was the Master of Ceremonies. City Council Speaker Christene Quinn and Public Advocate Bill Deblasio were not in attendance.

  

  There were speeches by the mayoral candidates, and here are some of their more memorable words. City Comptroller John Liu said "The city needs the Bronx", and looking at BP Diaz added "Its great to be here in God's Country". Joe Lhota spoke of his Bronx roots, and how as Deputy Mayor to Mayor Giuliani "500 jobs for Senator Diaz were created for his community". Not to be outdone John Catsimatidis spoke of being an alter boy, and how he helped build a church in the South Bronx. Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion spoke about his job as Bronx Borough President. 

 

Left - Senator Diaz is at the microphone is about to introduce the candidates for mayor in attendance. Candidate for mayor John Liu gives the thumbs up.

Right - City Comptroller John Liu speaks to the packed room.

Left- Republican John Catsimatidis speaks to the crowd.

Right  - It was Republican Joe Lhota's turn at the Microphone.

Left - Bill Thompson speaking to the audience. 

Right - Rev. Erick Salgado Speaks with Bronx Conservative Party Leader Bill Newmark, possibly for Newmarks support for the Conservative line in the November election.

Left - New York State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli.

Right - 15th Council District candidate Reverend Joel Bauza (one of the honorees) and his wife.

Senator Diaz poses with both Republican candidates for mayor Joe Lhota (left), and John Catsimatidis (right).

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