Monday, December 14, 2009

City Council defies Bloomberg

From WNYC:

The City Council has rejected the Bloomberg administration's proposal to convert a former national guard armory in the Bronx into a shopping mall.

It was the first time, city council members said, that an economic development initiative spearheaded by Mayor Bloomberg has failed in a full council vote.

Negotiations had centered on the issue of a living wage: whether retailers at the mall would be forced to pay $11.50 an hour or more. City council members supported the idea; Mayor Bloomberg opposed it.

Last week, Mayor Bloomberg said dictating wages would be meddling in the marketplace.

Members said negotiations broke down in the past few days. The vote was 45-to-1, with one abstention.


The 1 "yes" came from outgoing council member Helen Sears.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just as well. Millions would have been spent to upgrade the facility, and then no vendors would have signed up. Who wants to shop inside a 19th century armory?
The proper use for this space is indoor sports-- of all types. Not shopping.

Anonymous said...

turn it to an animal shelter. There is none in the Bronx, it is cruel

georgetheatheist said...

How about an illegal imnmigrant deportation center?

Anonymous said...

How about an illegal imnmigrant deportation center?
----------------------
Now there's an idea. We can lure them there with medical and food stamps and a few bucks, then deport their asses. That would sure set our books straight.

Anonymous said...

Sears thought the question was "Do you want milk in your tea?"

Anonymous said...

No. she thought they said "Put in more lead paint".

Taxpayer said...

This is the second time in recent weeks that the council gave the Commissar the finger.

Keep it up.

If he's doing it for his wealthy developer cronies, stop him.

Anonymous said...

Rather then having arguments like this, maybe the city council should establish a minimum wage within the city's borders that represents a living wage within this city and if that cannot be done legally, the city council should make a concerted effort to lobby the state on raising the minimum wage. While they are at it, they should also lobby for an increase in unemployment benefits. A maximum of $450per week is not livable in NYC.

Anonymous said...

This is the second time in recent weeks that the council gave the Commissar the finger.

Keep it up.

If he's doing it for his wealthy developer cronies, stop him.

NO Quinn is just doing it for show to win the speaker seat next year. It is all fake.

Anonymous said...

Yes, let's kill over a thousand permanent jobs for Bronx residents because you don't like Bloomberg. Genius.

Anonymous said...

What good are jobs that don't pay the rent and bills? How about trying to keep the jobs that are there from leaving? Stella D'Oro anyone?

Anonymous said...

Rather then having arguments like this, maybe the city council should establish a minimum wage within the city's borders that represents a living wage within this city and if that cannot be done legally, the city council should make a concerted effort to lobby the state on raising the minimum wage. While they are at it, they should also lobby for an increase in unemployment benefits. A maximum of $450per week is not livable in NYC.

OR - maybe the market should establish the minimum wage so businesses can afford to stay in NYC, so they can hire people, so that people have jobs...