November 5, 2009: Vol. 32, No. 44

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November 5, 2009 / Politics / Perspective / Editorial

Mike — fix this already

The Brooklyn Paper

Given our strong endorsement of him earlier this summer, we are obviously pleased that Mayor Bloomberg won a third term on Tuesday and will be running this city for another four years.

But that doesn’t mean we are blind to the discord within Brooklyn’s electorate.

Blue Ridge Tea

Exit polls showed that blacks overwhelmingly voted for Thompson, while whites strongly backed Bloomberg. Those making less than $50,000 liked the comptroller, while more-affluent voters preferred the billionaire. The college educated preferred Bloomberg by nearly 20 points, while those with no degree flocked to Thompson.

And on and on.

Just because people disagree over whether Bloomberg deserved re-election does not necessarily mean that we are a deeply divided city. But it does mean that he needs to double his efforts to reach out to all New Yorkers — especially in Brooklyn, which Thompson carried by several percentage points. As such, Bloomberg should address these vital issues on:

• Race: Certainly, every New Yorker loves a black-and-white cookie — but as a dessert, not as an election result. In Park Slope and Windsor Terrace Bloomberg outpolled Thompson 55-40 percent. And in Bensonhurst, it was a 70-26 landslide. Yet in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill’s largely black 57th Assembly District, Thompson won 73 percent to Bloomberg’s 24 percent. Whatever the reasons for Bloomberg’s weak numbers among blacks in Brooklyn, he needs to address that community’s apparent disastisfaction.

BoroDeal

• Crime: The mayor has presided over historic reductions in crime, but he can not let up now — especially considering periodic upticks in burglaries and other major crimes. With an even deeper reduction in crime, Bloomberg can credibly make the case that he has manifestly improved the quality of life in the neighborhoods that backed his opponent.

• The Gowanus Canal: The mayor made a clean-up of the Gowanus Canal a foundation of his campign pitch to Brooklynites, arguing that his solution to this century-old environmental disaster would be quicker and better than a federal Superfund designation. But his case has not been that convincing. Cleaning the canal sooner rather than later would eliminate our doubts.

• Coney Island: Bloomberg’s other main Brooklyn re-development plan — to restore Coney Island to its original glory — has stalled.

• A true commuter-friendly city: Even more divisive than the racial divide is the chasm between cars, bikes, subway riders and pedestrians in this uniquely mobile city. For the past seven years, the mayor’s plan has been willy-nilly: paint bike lanes all over the place and see what happens. Unfortunately, in many neighborhoods, what has happened is chaos: cars and bikers at odds and pedestrians feeling left out. The mayor must re-think his policy and fix the problem pronto.

←Election: In Park Slope: Lander triumphs again

→Election: In Fort Greene: Tish James in a landslide

Reader Feedback

Scott from Coney says:

With regards to Coney Island, Mayor Mike should view this as a huge opportunity to improve New York's tourism. People already come here from all over the world to see New York, but if we can renovate Coney Island and make it a destination for the world that remains unique and charming, we can re-capture the magic of the amusement area that drew millions looking to have a good time doing things they couldn't do anywhere else. Keep it Coney Island so people still want to go there over Disneyworld or another theme park, but recognize the opportunity that is there to cash in on the world recognition that "Coney Island" already has and make it a huge fun and unique place again, instead of an ever-shrinking fun and unique place.

Nov. 5, 2009, 10:59 am

the demographer from Park Slope says:

I am white, make considerably more than $50,000, have an advanced degree and voted for Thompson. Made the decision months ago.

Nov. 5, 2009, 2:43 pm

al pankin from downtown says:

mayor bloomberg was the best man for the job, thompson, though a very nice man was not qualifed to run a city like new york...who wants our mayor to share an office with an outfit like acorn and the working familes party...
the mayors constituents didn't come out to vote, they took him for granted. that's why it was so close a race.

Nov. 5, 2009, 4:47 pm

al pankin from downtown says:

It is amusing to read about all the folks who write about saving coney island, save it from what? it should have been"saved" fifty years ago. how many of these readers actually ever go to coney island or would go? it is a wasteland. take a look around the area, it is a dump and a dangerous place. I do happen to go to coney island and eat in a wonderfull restuarant called Gargullios which has been there for over 65 years. after all these years there still is no agreement on how to rebuild the area, in downtown brooklyn we've been waiting for the renewal of atlatic yards for over fifty years. they ran the dogers out of brooklyn with the decesions that were made by the local politicians at the time...let's get something done already, enough talk.

Nov. 5, 2009, 4:57 pm

GeeGee from Gowanus says:

This paper should look hard at their own views as they relate to the general vote in Brooklyn--the largest voting borough--that went 6 points for Thompson. The views and positions taken at this paper are at odds with the community you cover. So what gives here? Who are you working for?

Much of the vote against Bloomberg is a result of a loss in trust. Where does this paper stand on truth and trust?

Nov. 6, 2009, 10:02 am

Fourth Estate from DUMBO says:

I am sure your 'strong endorsement' will convince him.

Nov. 6, 2009, 9:10 pm

Steven Rosenberg from Park Slope says:

Let me get this straight. You cite a racial and/or income split in voting, and tell Mayor Bloomberg to, in effect "get to work" fixing this.

Crime is down, and the economy will likely be bleak until spending madness ends in Washington. What has Mayor Bloomberg done wrong here?

It doesn't make for a good headline, but perhaps you should consider the possibility that tribalism still reigns, and that a black political candidate simply got most of the black vote.

Whatever.....zzzzzz.

Nov. 7, 2009, 2:47 pm

Mike from GP says:

Regarding bike lanes being placed "willy-nilly".. you obviously aren't doing any research in the City's Bike Master Plan, or into any of the presentations accompanying each bike lane installation.

Nov. 8, 2009, 6:38 pm

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