The WonksterA blog about the views and spews of editorialists, bloggers and other unsavory opinionated New Yorkers.Bloomberg Has A Lot of Billions- September 17, 2008 It would take the average New Yorker a week and a half to earn a $1,000 paycheck. Mayor Michael Bloomberg does it in 3.7 seconds. The latest assessment of Bloombergs net worth from Forbes has come in at $20 billion. Thats billion with a B. In the last five years, while his gaze was turned on ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/17/bloomberg-has-a-lot-of-billions/ New York in a Bottle- September 17, 2008 Bottling filtered New York City tap water and reselling it may sound crazy, but Tap&8217;dNY is willing to bet on it. The company promotes the idea as one of local pride and a good choice for the environment. In their manifesto, (yes, they have a manifesto), they argue that they will create local jobs, reduce ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/17/new-york-in-a-bottle/ Thompson: More Doom to Come- September 17, 2008 Nothing, emphasis on nothing, is off the table when it comes to responding to the economy and its affect on the city budget, said Comptroller William Thompson this morning at a Citizens Union sponsored breakfast brief. That includes the 7 percent tax break given to New York City property owners for the last several years. ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/17/thompson-more-doom-to-come/ Running for Office Without Even Knowing It- September 16, 2008 When Victoria Lebron decided to run for a seat on the Queens Democratic Party&8217;s county committee, she thought it would be a good idea to reach out to her competitor. Since the district her seat would cover in Astoria spans only about four blocks, she thought it would be neighborly. &8220;I also wanted to see ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/16/running-for-office-without-even-kno... Gov. Responds to Financial Crisis- September 15, 2008 Gov. David Paterson&8217;s office just put out the release below, responding to the sour financial news. It directs the state&8217;s Labor Department to &8220;reach out&8221; to affected Wall Street workers. This follows an announcement earlier today that the state would give the American International Group, or A.I.G., a $20 billion loan from its ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/15/gov-responds-to-financial-crisis/ City On Track, Despite Financial Turmoil- September 15, 2008 Its not a dark day, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, just a sad one. At a briefing on how Wall Streets turmoil could affect the citys economy, Bloomberg, flanked by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Comptroller William Thompson, said despite the bankruptcy of one major financial firm and the acquisition of another, the citys budget ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/15/city-on-track-despite-financial-tur... Weekly Web Wrappings- September 12, 2008 Billions in unclaimed funds for Queens flooding. (State comptroller&8217;s office) The shifting judicial landscape. (Judicial Reports) Congressional committee to look at Yankees Stadium and Atlantic Yards. (Atlantic Yards Report) Citi Field to go green. (Bronx Council for Environmental Quality) Fantasies of destroying New York. (New York Press) Coney Island history project. (Brooklyn Rail) East New York farmers market turns ten. (Sustainable Flatbush) State tries to reduce congestion with...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/12/weekly-web-wrappings/ Party Crashers- September 11, 2008 In a bid for change inspired by Barack Obama, a group called the New Kings Democrats was formed earlier this year to elect a slate of new members to the Brooklyn Democratic Party&8217;s County Committee. Their goal was to get 50 new members on the committee, which elects county bosses, among other things. That wasn&8217;t ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/11/party-crashers/ Winners and Losers- September 10, 2008 The primary results are in with, as usual, most incumbents holding on to their seats. Three did not far so well: State Sen. Martin Connor, defeated by former Schumer aide Daniel Squadron; indicted State Sen. Efrain Gonzalez, who lost to Pedro Espada, Jr., who has ethical issues of his own; and Assemblymember ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/10/winners-and-losers/ Lost Primaries- September 9, 2008 Some confusion unraveled on 33rd Street in Long Island City this morning when a couple of residents were turned away from the polls shortly after 10 a.m. The reason: There was nothing to vote for. Though these registered voters received a Board of Elections mailer probably sometime last week (You know the one urging you to head ...http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/09/09/lost-primaries/ |