Mixed Bag of Term Limits Extension Criticism and Support

Here are some quotes, given during the terms limits bill signing hearing, that Mayor Bloomberg listened to/had to endure:

"You're public enemy number one! That's all I have to say. To hell with your agenda!" - Brooklyn resident David Tieu, 21; the Daily News said Tieu said he "dropped out of City University because of tuition hikes." The Times has big photograph of Tieu gesturing at Bloomberg and the Post has video of him (video after the jump) accusing Bloomberg of driving out the working class.
The Times noted that Patrice Senior, "a nurse from Brooklyn, accused Mr. Bloomberg of 'plantation politics.'"
"I've never seen a man more arrogant than you." - Michael Ribnicki, who the Post says is a retired postal worker from the Upper East Side.
"Seeking a third term had nothing to do with an economic crisis. It had to do with your inflated ego ... I suggest you run as the hack-party candidate." - 81-year-old Ben Haber, retired lawyer.
"You have everything well oiled, and I would like you to sign this so the people of New York City have a choice to keep you in office." - Jill Whitaker, personal assistant in Manhattan.
"Mayor Bloomberg is the right person at the right time." - Building and Construction Trades Council president Edward Molloy

The Times reported, "137 people spoke — 68 against the legislation and 65 for it, according to a tally by The New York Times. Four people did not make their preferences known. (One man simply brandished a copy of his résumé and asked the billionaire mayor for a job 'with a six-figure salary.')"

Of course, Mayor Bloomberg did sign the bill, but pointed out he is not elected yet. Bloomberg believes he's giving NYC voters more choice by extending term limits and throwing his (third-party) hat into the ring next year.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on November 4, 2008 1:51 PM

Comments [rss]

HUGO_MEGO

Bloomberg is one of the biggest assholes in NYC.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

why don't you people get it. it is not how great you believe this asshole is. it is how many people have shed blood to fight for our right to vote. It is about how many americans are dying overseas for democracy and this asshole dismissed our votes. It is a disgrace and people should be ashamed that they did not vocalize outrage. There were a few including myself but the whole city whould have acted up. What Bloomberg did is worse than those morons who burn the American Flag.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

excuse my language, folks and sweet Jen C. but FUCK Bloomberg. What he did was a disgrace. not only did they turn away people from the 2 public hearing only hear in Manhattan but they already had their minds made up. Bloomberg should be ashamed of himself. And most people should be ashamed of themselves for the lack of outrage. He turned NYC into a banana republic where people were turned away from the public hearing. A lot of people didn't even know about public hearings and the council members were bought off by our tax monies to dole out to their favorite pig projects. honestly I hope he dies.

WorksInDUMBO

eh I like him...and anyway, who else we got?

goyogago

i didn't say he didn't earn his money. I didn't say he wasn't self made.

rich (duh). spoiled (gets anything he wants). brat (throws tantrum when people dare oppose him)

Wza

Saw him on tv standing in line to vote, dumbass trying to play it off like he's an average joe like the rest of us.

ANGRYGOD11

I hate the way our 2 clear public referendums on term limits were ignored.

I believe Bloomberg should be removed from power for planning in advance to ignore our civil rights during the Republican Convention.

I hope he loses the next election.

However, the rich brat comment makes little sense. Bloomberg is the son of an accountant for a dairy outside of Boston. He went to public school. He is a self-made billionaire who started his media/info empire in 1980. He's not a Hilton bimbo.

goyogago

LMAO at Bloomberg being the best mayor. you were obviously not exercising your right to protest in 2004.

Guy is a thug, plain and simple. spoiled rich brat. used to getting anything he wants, and he can because he has money and people are greedy and weak.

don't forget he did everything in his power to get Bush re-elected. fellates developers, has continued turning this city into a mall.

basically giulianni with more money.

Shinobi Shaw

LORD BLOOMBERG has mandated he be respected, bow to your masters slaves!

JacqueMehoff

oh I forgot, bloomberg can go eff himself.

get the Maverick at babeland bloomie.

GOP

LOL at a deliveryman "lecturing" The Bloomberg. Bloomberg is the greatest mayor NYC has ever had.

JacqueMehoff

jill whitaker was there the last time,

I have video of her rolling her eyes when councilwoman james asked her a question. she's not used to black people.

she's not a native ny'er but a michiganer.

makes you wonder who has time to go to these things.

I saw the guy asking for a job and there was an architect complaining about the DOB.

Atomische

Here's some advice for Mayor Bloomberg on how to cut spending: You only need one pen to sign something.

enfant

I don't get the anger. The man has amazing approval rates, first of all, so he can't be all that evil ("...you can't fool all the people all the time").

Egomaniac, rich bastard, arrogant --that really doesn't seem to affect the way people evaluate his performance.

Second, he's not instating dictatorship. Everyone will still be able to vote him out.