To the editor,
I was disappointed to learn about Steve DiBrienza’s decision to run for his old City Council seat (“DiBrienza: I’m back, baby, I’m back!” online, Jan. 30).
I have lived in Park Slope my entire life, and though I have some fond memories of DiBrienza, I do believe that it is time for new life in the Council. I would have to wonder if the mayor’s choice to change the rules regarding term limits affected DiBrienza’s decision.
I think the people have made it clear (by voting for term limits twice) that they want new blood and ideas are constantly present in our local governmental bodies. There are numerous qualified candidates already in this race.
And where has DiBrienza been the past eight years? I attend endless local meetings and events and I have not seen him at any of them, nor have I seen him in the local news talking about or fighting for the issues facing this district.
I do not question DiBrienza’s commitment to public service, but this seems less about that and more about missing his old job. We need new leadership.
Steve, 16 years was enough.
Jeffrey Sandgrund, Park Slope
Follow the cash
To the editor,
Thank you for being so vigilant in covering local political races, and especially in reporting money raised by Brooklyn candidates (“Two man race for Council,” Jan. 24). In addition to the totals, I think it is also important to report where the money is coming from, or, in the case of candidate Josh Skaller, where the money is not coming from.
Not only was Josh able to raise the most money in the last quarter of any Brooklyn candidate, he did it without accepting any contributions from real-estate interests. He is doing this in order to maintain strict independence in land-use matters that will come before the Council.
And, in fact, he is the only candidate in the 39th district race to state publicly his refusal to accept such contributions.
Lisa Fane, Park Slope
The writer is a spokeswoman for Josh Skaller’s council campaign.
‘Park’ timeline
To the editor,
I attended the briefing on Brooklyn Bridge Park last Thursday and I heard a thoughtful presentation on the costs and the budget (“Brooklyn Bridge bark! Local anger spills over at ‘park’ meeting,” online, Jan. 30).
When politicians really want to find capital money, they normally can. The city and state (including the current governor) have pledged to find the money to build a world-class park. So far, the state has come up with another $80 million or so.
I have no doubt that over the next 10 to 20 years, the rest of the capital will be “found.”Sidney Meyer,
Boerum Hill
NY missed
To the editor,
I noticed the great coverage of our Miss New York and the photos included, especially on your Web site (“Update: Miss New York is wrongly snubbed!” online, Jan. 26) and in your print edition (“Miss Brooklyn: I wuzn’t robbed,” Jan. 31).
One thing you missed when grumbling over her loss is that not only did Leigh-Taylor Smith win third runner-up in Las Vegas, there have been several other New York entrants who did well in recent years at Miss America.
So the state has not been shut out, as you said, since Vanessa Williams won in 1984.
In overall ranking, New York has a good track record of awards and top Ten or Top 15 placements at the Miss America competition.
Patti Joanne, Columbus, Ohio
