Glutton for punishment caption contest

For some reason, Bill de Blasio went on a gluttonous rampage in Middle Village in the middle of a snowstorm.

First, he stuffed his face at a Greek diner:

.@NYCMayor is gearing up for the snow day with the biggest gyro platter I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Az4sRIieH3

— Natalie Grybauskas (@ngrybauskas) March 21, 2018

And then he headed over to a pizza joint:

Even after a large gyro platter, @NYCMayor NEVER turns down a slice. pic.twitter.com/9i7tcusen1

— Natalie Grybauskas (@ngrybauskas) March 21, 2018

Since it's the second day of spring and there's a foot of snow outside, it's the perfect time to caption this photo!

Because 1 de Blasio hasn't done enough damage

From Politicker:

New York City’s First Lady Chirlane McCray opened up about what has led her to consider higher office in 2021 and the challenges that come with her job during her first-ever gaggle with the media amid heightened scrutiny of her role in appointing top City Hall staffers.

On Monday night, McCray told NY1’s Courtney Gross that 2021 is among timeframes she is considering for a possible political office run. In November 2017, she told Cosmopolitan magazine she isn’t ruling out public office. And last month, she told Observer that running for office or leading a not-for-profit are both possibilities.

On Tuesday morning, after announcing that the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City—of which she is chairwoman—and the Hispanic Federation would provide $200,000 to support mental health services in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria and send a 12-person team to aid in recovery, McCray said she’s undecided on a position.

Avella Suspends Mayoral Campaign

"I will not stop fighting against the current Mayor, or anyone who tries to slow the progress of our great borough and city"

"When I started this campaign five months ago l knew that I was facing an uphill battle if wanted to topple an incumbent mayor with deep pockets. Though uphill, the battle was not impossible. If able to stay in this race the entire way knew that with my resume, coupled with the incumbent's disrespect, disregard, and disdain for the everyday New Yorker, my message could resonate with New York. Five months later, however, l have found that staying in this race without being beholden to dark money is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, it is with a somber heart that announce that as of today l am officially suspending my campaign for Mayor of New York City."

"Throughout my career in government l have prided myself on being an outsider who made it to the inside and got things done. Unfortunately, in a race like this, being an outsider doesn't get you much. These days, it seems, elections are won with dollars, not votes."

"When the election year politics end and this Mayor has to focus on governing we will see his flaws. As New Yorkers we will have to hope and pray that his mismanagement of the City does not run our city any further into the ground or slow our progress anymore."

"Suspending my campaign for Mayor is not the end of the road for me. I will continue to be the State Senator from Queens and represent the interests of Queens in Albany where was able to get 13 bills signed into law last year. I will not stop fighting against the current Mayor, or anyone who tries to slow the progress of our great borough and city. I will continue to pass progressive legislation, fight to make New York more affordable, and ensure that the government works for everyone."

Avella kicks off mayoral campaign outside controversial hotel

From WPIX:

After an unsuccessful run in 2009, State Senator Tony Avella is officially throwing his hat into the ring for New York City Mayor in 2017 -- taking on Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"It's time to stop the failed top down planning approach in this city and allow every neighborhood every resident to have a voice -- a real say in what happens to their community," Avella announced in a press conference.

The Queens democrat and State Senator of the 11th district since 2010, is often a vocal critic of the De Blasio administration -- specifically in its handling of the homeless crisis -- which is now close to exceeding 60,000 people in the city. He formed a homeless crisis task force in Albany last year.

"I believe we have reached a crossroad in the direction our City should be taking. Under Mayor de Blasio we have more homeless than ever - our taxes continue to rise and it is more expensive to live here than ever before, all of this, while our quality of life fades away," he said.

Avella kicked off his campaign at the Holiday inn express in Queens -- one of at least 69 hotels where the de Blasio administration has placed homeless people right next to paying guests.

Tony Avella likely to primary de Blasio

The rumors are getting stronger out there that State Senator Tony is going to run against Bill de Blasio next year in the mayoral primary. Avella is apparently as sick of de Blasio and his fauxgressive policies as most of the rest of the city is. Who else will joint he fray? Only time will tell.

Ulrich may run for mayor

From the Daily News:

A fiscally conservative, socially liberal Republican lawmaker from Queens is taking the first step toward running against Mayor de Blasio in 2017, the Daily News has learned.

City Councilman Eric Ulrich — who has been a critic of de Blasio — is filing paperwork with the Board of Elections to form an exploratory committee ahead of a run, according to sources.

The Howard Beach resident mailed in forms to create the “Ulrich 2017” committee on Wednesday, and earlier this week spoke with GOP leadership — including state chairman Ed Cox — and said he wanted to run, sources said.

“It’s too soon to rule anything out,” Ulrich, 31, said when asked of his plans. “I think it’s clear we can’t have Bill de Blasio for four more years.”

Guess who's getting a raise

From the Daily News:

A city commission recommended pay raises for all the city’s elected officials in a report issued Monday.

The commission said the mayor, City Council, public advocate, controller, borough presidents and district attorneys should all get pay boosts of at least 12%, with some getting more generous boosts.

The City Council would get the biggest raise — to $138,315, a 23% boost to their current $112,500 pay, but only if they agree to give up extra payments known as “lulus” and outside income.

The mayor’s salary should be boosted to $258,750, from $225,000 now, the commission said — a 15% hike.

Mayor de Blasio has said he won’t accept a raise during his current term, but might if he’s reelected.

Mayor No Show

From the NY Post:

Bill de Blasio isn’t just mayor of New York, he’s also King of the Road — spending nearly twice as much time as his predecessor on personal weekday travels outside the city, The Post has learned.

During his 22 months in office, de Blasio has spent 33 weekdays taking nonofficial trips as far away as Italy and California, according to a Post analysis of his mayoral schedules and other records.

By contrast, Mayor Mike Bloomberg spent just 19 weekdays on the road for anything other than official city business during a comparable time in office, from January 2002 through October 2003.

De Blasio’s travels — many paid for with tax dollars — have taken him to Europe four times and to Puerto Rico twice. He has also made multiple treks to both Boston and Chicago.

One getaway last year saw Hizzoner tour Italy with his family for nine days — five of them weekdays — marking the first time in more than two decades that a New York City mayor skipped work for longer than a week straight.

De Blasio’s six-plus workweeks’ worth of travel don’t even include jaunts to Albany or Washington, DC, where he was presumably conducting city business, The Post’s analysis found.

People not impressed with big bad Bill

From CBS New York:

There is good news and bad news for Mayor Bill de Blasio in a new poll about the Big Apple.

The good news is the mayor’s approval rating is up 44 percent from 39 percent last year, according to the poll conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Six in 10 voters also have a favorable impression of de Blasio, but only 40 percent say de Blasio is changing the city for the better, and 53 percent don’t think his policies are historic and transforming the city.

There’s also growing pessimism in the city.

Forty-nine percent of people say the city is headed in the wrong direction, and 57 percent say the overall quality of life in the city has gotten worse or remained the same in the past year.

Bloomberg considers London mayoral run

From New York:

In the 15 months since he ceased to be New York City's chief executive, Michael Bloomberg has made it quite clear he does not intend to spend the rest of his life doing free consulting work, lobbying for gun control, and perfecting his golf game. After Bill de Blasio took over City Hall, Bloomberg reinserted himself into the day-to-day operations of the company he founded, Bloomberg LP, despite having said that he had no intention of doing so. And, earlier this year, New York's Gabriel Sherman reported that the billionaire was interested in buying the New York Times. Now the United Kingdom's Sunday Times claims that his ambition has outgrown New York altogether. According to the paper, Bloomberg is "considering" running for mayor of London in 2016.

Protecting and polishing the Bloomberg legacy

From the NY Times:

When the de Blasio administration unveiled a promotional video this summer in its bid to lure the Democratic National Convention to Brooklyn in 2016, most viewers saw a slick, breezy collage of a pulsing New York City — schoolchildren and Citi Bikes, culinary wonders and brochure-worthy parks.

Veterans of the previous administration saw something else: a rare, if silent, affirmation of the Bloomberg age from the successors who have sharply criticized it.

“V impressed w #DNCNYC video,” Howard Wolfson, the former deputy mayor under Michael R. Bloomberg, wrote on Twitter last month, ticking off six Bloomberg-era changes, like green taxis and pedestrian plazas, highlighted on screen. “Lots of great selling points!”

Asked about Mr. Wolfson’s message, Peter Ragone, senior adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio, emailed a smiley face.

The relationship between successive administrations is rarely uncomplicated. Perceived digs fester. Legacies wax and wane. And that magic date — the point at which a mayor is expected to cease criticisms of his predecessor — is never universally agreed upon.

Yet in the more than eight months since Mr. de Blasio’s inauguration — an event at which a number of speakers, though not Mr. de Blasio, assailed the former mayor — an entirely peaceful transfer of power has proved particularly elusive. After a stinging critique of Mr. Bloomberg’s tenure helped propel Mr. de Blasio to victory last year, the mayor and his surrogates have continued to issue pointed barbs at times, while appearing less eager to highlight Mr. Bloomberg’s contributions to some well-regarded policies that have been continued or expanded.

In recent weeks, as Mr. Bloomberg’s reign has faced withering criticism over the handling of disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy and oversight at Rikers Island, among other issues, former Bloomberg administration officials have increasingly moved to defend their former (and, in many cases, current) boss.

DeBlasio not all that different than Bloomberg...

From the NY Times:

At issue was the Council’s role in approving development projects that require changes in the city’s zoning ordinances — changes that would have to occur frequently if Mr. de Blasio is to reach his ambitious affordable housing goal. The mayor has repeatedly said he is willing to allow developers to build taller, denser buildings in exchange for setting aside units for low- and moderate-income renters.

Under the city’s charter-mandated land use process, known as the Uniform Land Use Review Process, a developer whose project would exceed the size permitted under existing zoning regulations must first get the proposal certified by the city’s Planning Department.

From there, projects go before the local community board, the borough president, the Planning Commission and finally the City Council — with a public hearing at every step. Approvals are required only from the Planning Commission and the Council.

When the mayor’s office negotiates with developers for public benefits — parks, plazas or low-priced apartments — it typically does so where the administration has the most leverage: before certification, or before the Planning Commission’s vote.

As it stands, members of the Council get to negotiate with developers for even more where they hold power: before the Council votes. For a single project, individual council members can hold great sway; traditionally, the full Council defers to the member or members who represent the affected neighborhoods before even bringing it to a vote. Developers say the Council’s ability to take a second bite of the apple leads them to hold back in talks with City Hall, so that they still have something to give when they come before the Council.

In recent days, according to a Council official aware of the talks, aides to Mr. de Blasio proposed that council members raise their concerns at the beginning of the process — before certification — rather than at the end. The administration would then negotiate on the Council’s behalf and reach what the mayor’s aides suggested could be a better deal for the city as a result.

But at a meeting of the Council’s leadership on Thursday morning, a member briefed on it said that David Greenfield, a councilman from Brooklyn and the chairman of the Land Use Committee, had argued forcefully that Mr. de Blasio was trying to undermine the land use process in a way that would erode the Council’s charter-granted powers. The council member said Mr. Greenfield had warned that he expected the mayor to bring up the idea in a meeting later that day and that he would vigorously oppose it.

Happy New Year from Queens Crap!

Dinkins disses deBlasio

From the NY Times:

To punctuate an impassioned pitch for his signature plan to raise taxes on the wealthy, Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio went out of his way during a speech on Monday to praise a cherished political mentor and former boss watching from the audience.

The recipient of his warm words, former Mayor David N. Dinkins, did not exactly return the favor.

In an unscripted and cringe-inducing moment of political candor, Mr. Dinkins opined before a crowd of journalists and academics at Columbia University that Mr. de Blasio should consider a different approach to funding an expansion of prekindergarten programs, throwing a wrench into what was meant to be a carefully choreographed day of municipal theater.

Citing skepticism in Albany, Mr. Dinkins suggested that Mr. de Blasio could turn to a tax on suburban commuters, rather than the tax-the-rich plan that became a centerpiece of his mayoral campaign.

“I think we might have more success with the other one,” Mr. Dinkins said, referring to his commuter plan, a comment that prompted applause from some members of the audience.

Onstage, Mr. de Blasio kept a mirthless smile on his face. “I take your point to heart,” he said.

Voter apathy high

From Metro:

Turnout in Tuesday’s General Election for New York City mayor may have set a record low of only 22.26 percent of registered voters, according to preliminary figures from the Board of Elections.

Just over a million of 4.3 million registered voters in the city cast their ballot in the mayor’s race, not including absentee, emergency and affidavit ballots.

Since 1950, the highest turnout for a mayoral election was in 1953, when 93 precent of registered voters or 2.2 million participated, according to Board of Elections records.

The previous low in a city mayoral election was four years ago, when some 29 percent of registered voters cast their ballot.

Candidates want to be anybody but Bloomberg

From the NY Times:

Michael R. Bloomberg is a data-loving, health-enforcing nonpartisan who defined what it meant to be a mayor over the past 12 years, mentoring big-city chief executives from New Orleans to Philadelphia.

But closer to home, the major candidates vying to succeed him at City Hall in New York are not pleading for his pointers, or pressing for a place in his photo ops: none of them, Democrat or Republican, have even asked for his political blessing in the primaries next week.

They instead describe polls showing that Mr. Bloomberg’s endorsement, once deemed a coveted prize, would now dampen their appeal to the party faithful, not burnish it, and they fret over lashing themselves to his divisive policies on policing, not to mention his soured relationship with municipal unions.

It is a humbling and alien experience for the relatively popular mogul turned mayor, who is unpracticed in humility: in the race to lead a post-Bloomberg New York City, there is profound wariness of being viewed as, well, too much like Mr. Bloomberg.

Weiner first in polling

From NBC:

Democratic mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner has surged ahead of his opponents in a new NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal poll, transforming himself in just a few weeks from disgraced has-been to mayoral front-runner.

Weiner, who entered the race two years after resigning his congressional seat amid a sexting scandal, now leads City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in the crowded Democratic primary, setting up a new phase in what could end up being a remarkable political comeback.

Weiner leads Quinn 25 percent to 20 percent among registered Democrats, the poll by Marist found. That's a flip-flop from the last survey in May, when Quinn, the longtime front-runner, led Weiner 24 percent to 19 percent.

Just as telling is the number of registered New York voters who said they might vote for Weiner. Forty-nine percent said they’d consider it, up from 40 percent two months ago, before Weiner entered the race. Those who said they wouldn’t consider voting for him dropped from 52 percent to 45 percent.

The next closest contender in the Democratic primary is former Comptroller Bill Thompson, with 13 percent of registered Democrats saying they'd vote for him, up 2 percentage points from May. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio follows with 10 percent, who dropped 2 points. Then comes current Comptroller John Liu at 8 percent, Staten Island minister Erick Salgado at 2 percent and former City Councilman Sal Albanese at 1 percent.

Too much info!

From the Daily News:

Is this the mayor’s race? Or the Oprah Winfrey show?

On Monday, Democrat Bill de Blasio shared intimate details of his life, releasing a campaign ad in which he revealed that his troubled childhood and father’s alcoholism led him to doubt that he’d ever have a committed relationship.

The disclosures followed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s revelations that as a young woman she suffered from alcoholism and an eating disorder.

Anthony Weiner has discussed the state of his marriage in interviews apologizing for the sexting scandal that forced him to resign from Congress two years ago.

The confessionals might seem like cries for help — but what the candidates really are seeking is love from voters, political analysts said Monday.

“No one knows them. This is how they introduce themselves to a disinterested public,” said Christina Greer, an assistant political science professor at Fordham University.

Will he or won't he?

From the NY Post:

Anthony Weiner’s bid to rise from the political dead is ready to begin in earnest — the disgraced former congressman will announce he is running for mayor as early as next week, according to sources.

“He’s definitely running,” one Weiner ally told The Post.

After weeks of hinting at a run, Weiner has taken a major step toward firing up his campaign by hiring a manager to guide his mayoral bid, according to a report.

Sources expect Weiner will make the announcement in the next 10 days, sometime before Memorial Day on May 27 — which happens to be the second anniversary of the day he sent out on Twitter a picture of his manhood that embarrassed him into resigning from Congress.

Some think he may already have waited too long.

He needs to start getting signatures to obtain ballot status, as petitioning for all elective offices begins June 4.

Democratic mayoral debates and forums have already taken place, with Weiner on the sidelines.

From the Daily News:

Anthony Weiner has enough money to run for mayor, and now he has a campaign manager — but does he have enough time?

The former congressman is preparing to jump into the race, possibly as soon as next week, the Daily News has learned. At least two people close to Weiner have been contacting political operatives to help staff up his campaign.

Danny Kedem, who worked on Democrat Mark Murphy’s failed campaign for Congress on Staten Island last year, has agreed to serve as Weiner’s campaign manager, Politico reported.

But once he’s officially in, Weiner will have only four months until the Democratic primary. The other top Democrats have been running for years.

Weiner on Wednesday said that he did not think the lack of time would not be a problem — although he admitted that he has to formally announce his candidacy soon.

He acknowledged reaching out to hire campaign workers — and rejected reports that he’s having trouble attracting top operatives to work for him.

Mayoral candidates won't say whether they are for or against soccer stadium

From Capital New York:

On Monday, Earth Day, the mayoral candidates appeared at a forum hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters and held at the Great Hall at the Cooper Union, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the "right makes might" address that helped propel him to the White House.

At one point well into what was a largely uneventful mayoral forum, moderator Brian Lehrer, of WNYC, asked the candidates to raise their hands if they were "solidly for the stadium."

Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, former comptroller Bill Thompson, former M.T.A. chairman Joe Lhota, former Bronx Borough president Adolfo Carrion, oil and supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis, former councilman Sal Albanese, and Doe Fund founder George McDonald all kept their hands in their laps.

"Is anybody solidly against the stadium?"

No one raised their hands.