Yossi Gestetner

In recent days, major NY Newspapers endorsed Mike Bloomberg for a third term as Boss of NYC. The endorsements are rather a slap down to Bloomberg’s opponent, Controller Thompson, than a ringing high-five for Bloomberg’s work.

Let’s not be foolish here: Mike has an outstanding record on budget issues, safety, education, services (through the 311 system), etc. You cannot look me in the face and say “Bloomberg is a disaster of a mayor,” and I am sure that some of you like the fact that he bought elections on his own, thus not being beholden to any special interest group. In fact, I was even ready to do work for his campaign, yet I would still not vote for Bloomberg, due to the following reasons:

1)      Now that the issue is between Bloomberg and Thompson, Bloomberg is the better pick. But had voter’s referendums to place term limits meant anything, had promises to run only twice meant anything, Bloomberg would not be now on the ballot for a third therm. So, for trampling on voters’ wishes, Mike doesn’t deserve a vote from anyone.

Bloomberg of course “smartly” says that if voters have a problem with his Term Limit actions, they can choose another candidate at the ballot box. Good joke, Mr. Mayor, but by declaring your intentions for a third term, you scared off capable people from seeking office. No sir. We do not have many options on November third but voting for you, or not voting at all. Had we had better options, you can rest assure that endorsements for your candidacy would have not piled up so fast.

2)      Property Tax. I know Mr. Mayor that you need to balance budgets, but last I checked property taxes went up just to “stabilize” the budgets following the 9/11 attacks. Well, the attacks took place, em… sort of like EIGHT years ago. Don’t you think it is time to cut back on property tax? You sure do believe so, that is why you give $400 tax rebates. But A) the rebates are still less than the increased taxes NYC property owners pay these days due to your increases. B) How about cutting back the tax rate amounting to $400 a year, rather than giving back the money in form of a rebate which amounts mostly to a campaign handout for voters? C) Cutting back sharply government expenses where it is mostly wasted, such as in the public school system, is the correct way to balance budgets.

3)      Parking Tickets. I understand the need to raise revenue, but having traffic cops ticketing drivers for “blocking the box” on a busy intersection at 12:45 pm in Midtown, is pure cruelty. Have you Mr. Mayor, ever tried driving through the streets of Manhattan, midday, in a private car? If you didn’t, try it, and let us all know if it worked for you not getting stuck on the crosswalk. In addition, keeping the streets clear for upcoming traffic is one thing, but having traffic people enforce the signs a minute after the deadline, is a little bit too much to digest every day of the week, for eight years. Mr. Mayor: Don’t give us rehashed “parking/traffic plans.” Give us a Police force which is more lenient, and have fines on the books that amount to less than a day’s work.

4) Business is Business. To those who wonder how I would be willing to work for Mike’s team while not willing to vote for him, get this glass of reality: work is work; you have do what you need to, to earn a living. Besides, the main reason why I would not vote for Bloomberg is… I don’t even live in NYC.