October 31, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 44

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October 31, 2008 / Brooklyn news / Politics / Brooklyn Heights

Yassky fallout! Ken is loaded for ‘Baer’

By Gersh Kuntzman

The Brooklyn Paper

Add Ken Baer to the list of people angry about Councilman David Yassky’s vote to let elected officials run for a third term — but unlike everyone else, Baer is actually doing something about it.

The former head of the New York State chapter of the Sierra Club said he will continue his quest for the 33rd District seat, even if the formidable Yassky runs for re-election.

BoroDeal

“I am definitely running for the seat — whether Yassky is running or not!” Baer told The Brooklyn Paper. “That’s how outraged I am about his vote to gut term limits!”

On Oct. 23, Yassky joined 28 other members of the Council to overturn the results of two prior public referenda that created the former two-term limit. In the wake of that vote, several candidates for Yassky’s seat — notably District Leader Jo Anne Simon, Hasidic activist Isaac Abraham and former Yassky staffer Evan Thies — have indicated that they won’t run if Yassky abandons his campaign for City Comptroller and runs for a third term in the Council, as many expect him to do.

Baer said he would run on a platform of “sustainable development” and “community-derived” development plans and more support for mass transit.

←Letters: Yassky to Paper: I was right

→Gowanus: Smoke on the Gowanus water

Reader Feedback

Evan Bray from Greenpoint says:

I'm throwing my hat in the ring for the 33rd council district seat too. A B.Arch from the Cooper Union and 8 years working as a building code and zoning consultant for the City's largest commercial office landlords has given me unparalleled experience and exponentially more knowledge in all things building code and zoning related than Yassky or any of his potential challengers.

In order to achieve "sustainable development" based on "community derived" development," one would be hard pressed to do so without the kind of detailed knowledge of the Buildings Department and the Board of Standards and Appeals that I possess. Lord knows "Brownstone Brooklyn" has seen some of the most rampant, unfettered development in the history of this fair City under Mr. Yassky's watch.

If elected, I'll bring about substantive reform that ameliorates the urban fabric from Brooklyn Heights to Greenpoint. I promise you that, CD 33 residents.

Oct. 31, 2008, 3:41 pm

Bill from Park Slope says:

I will vote for anyone except for Yassky.

Down with Yassky.

Nov. 1, 2008, 1:32 am

dave from greenpoint says:

Hopefully he is not a beer drinker but he looks like…

Jan. 29, 2009, 3:14 pm

Bob from Greenpoint says:

this guy should get a real job!!! Bdw.he is to old we need sombody yonger and active...

May 20, 2009, 10:37 am

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