WhaT has mayor bloomberg really done for the city?

If he had imagination, he could probably find a way to get some accountability from the MTA. For example, it wouldn't be that hard to show some anger about this C-train situation, and leash the anger this miserable situation is causing all over the city, make an ally with a gubenatorial (sp?) candidate, and get Pataki out. He hasn't even seemed _peeved_ about the current MTA disaster. He needs to be outraged, if he really wants 100% of the votes.

I'm a die hard democrat, but I refuse to engage in blaming the mayor (or the city government) for items that they have no actual control over, such as the MTA (which is state run and appointed).

And I agree with dirtgirl - if Bloomberg were to rip into Pataki (as people seem to want him to do) it would simply give Pataki a political cover for shafting the city yet again.

There's a reason that back in the day, Giuliani endorsed the ultra-liberal Cuomo - he knew that Pataki would screw us downstaters every which way he could.

Ok, I'll Bite: What Has Mayor Mike Done for the City?

<ul><li>Use City Assets for Re-election Propoganda?</li><li>Support environmental audits of select municipal departments and facilities, and identify ways to reduce the City's energy usage? (to Be launched in 2004)</li><li>Work with the Port Authority and airlines to reduce idling time on runways to reduce emissions and improve air quality? (to Be launched in 2004)</li><li>Expand the bus fleet and only permit nonpolluting, alternative fuel buses on our roads.</li><li>Give one person the authority to coordinate the city's traffic policies and all other transportation related issues?(Reconsidered)</li><li>Do not raise taxes? (Reconsiderd)</li><li>Work with the Governor and state Legislature to transfer the NYCTA to the City?(Reconsidered)</li><li>Move government offices out of Lower Manhattan(Done?!? Huh? Support LMDC?)</li></ul>

Ok, I Cheated: I went to the Bottom of the list and worked my way up. You want to go by The Mayor's own Edited list, cool.

Me, I remember the mayor saying that there is no money for Firehouses, New Schools, Contract's for NYPD, NYFD, etc. *But* there *IS* money for a Stadium.

Go figure.

Blike, again, the MTA only answers to the state, not the city.

While, I too would like more money spent in this city, particularly on education, I don't know how much Bloomberg can do to get more. I also believe that he has handled our budget shortfalls in a responsible manor.

The people with the real power are us, the voters. When was the last time you called Pataki to complain? Or getting all of your friends to do the same. That will make them listen.

Honestly, do you think a young firebrand like Gifford Miller as mayor will have more clout in Albany than Bloomberg the billionaire?

I am not a fan of Bloomy's smoking laws though.

Pataki was elected not by NYC but the rest of the state. Why should he help NYC? Bloomberg has no control over MTA. What do you expect him to do? Do you think Miller would be any better? Have you actually bothered to look at the things that Bloomberg has done for the city? I've seen firsthand the difference Bloomberg has made. Here's some food for thought.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/promises/promises.html

Yes, I'd prefer the mayor to go up to Albany and insult the governor if it actually got results. It's a hell of a lot better than what he's doing now--going up to Albany, turning around, bending over and taking it.

Nearly half of the state's residents live within the five boroughs of NYC. *WE* pay the significant share of the very money the rest of the state fools around with and won't give to us.

Yes, Bloomberg handled the small amount he had to work with. But he should've had more, and that's his fault. The mayor should be more convincing to Albany, whatever it takes. I can't believe Bloomberg hasn't stood up for us more. The fact is that Bloomberg is not convincing enough. We need a new mayor who won't succumb to Albany's might; even at the possible expense of etiquette.

New York is literally starving because of Pataki's tactics, and we need a mayor who WILL stand up to him.

So would you prefer the Mayor go up to Albany and insult the Governor? How is that going to result in the City getting more money?

Unlike Gif Miller who did just that, not helping any city resident other than himself, Bloomberg bit his tongue and is trying to produce a reasonable outcome with this budget. I actually think his political instincts in this case were pretty good. (or for a much better analysis that I can provide on the fly, consult Henry Stern at NY Civic)

Speaking of political instincts, did anyone else notice when he put out a release congratulating Verizon on keeping their headquarters in lower Manhattan, the two politicians Bloomberg thanked were democrats?

We're approaching nearly four years of Bloomberg complaining about lack of funding from Albany. Yet we're still underfunded.

We're also approaching nearly four years of Bloomberg complaining about the mismanagement of the MTA. So has Bloomberg actually done anything about it?

Those are two big problems that constantly loom over the heads of New Yorkers, and we expect our mayor to fix them. We elected Bloomberg over three years ago to address these and other problems, yet in 2005 we're still on square one.

It seems Bloomberg can talk the tough talk but doesn't follow through. How many more years of this do we need?

Maybe he has a split personality? Or simply two faced? Both are qualities needed in a politician...

In Any event, he apparently wants to extend his hobby of being the Mayor. Hiring the competition? might get pricey.