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Mayor Bloomberg Visits Greenwich Village by Judy McCusker
On August 9 the Greenwich Village Block Associations (GVBA) welcomed Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Greenwich Village at a Town Hall at the Village Community School. This marks the first time that a sitting mayor has accepted an invitation to a Village forum since Mayor Edward Koch held office. At a February Gracie Mansion breakfast, Marilyn Dorato, GVBA Presiding Officer made the invitation. Mayor Bloomberg not only accepted, but brought with him other members of his administration. Councilmembers Christine Quinn and Alan J Gerson also attended. Ms. Dorato was the moderator.
 
(Below) A view of the crowd, Clare Tankel,
David Poster, Barbara Baluta.
 The GVBA took reservations to ensure that active community members could attend the gathering. Community organizations and
neighborhood business owners were also invited to send representatives. The town halls — none in the Village— of former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani were open to the public, but they were often “ hijacked” by groups with agendas and sometimes ended chaotically.
(Left) Mayor Bloomberg answers a question. (Below) Commissioner Robert Tierney: Landmarks Preservation Commission and Commissioner Amanda Burden: City Planning Commission.
On this occasion a crowd of more than 300 filled the room to capacity. Mayor Bloomberg entered to a standing ovation and left to warm applause. The enthusiastic welcome prompted an equally enthusiastic response that he “loved to come to an event with people cheering.” The Mayor was accompanied by Patricia Lancaster, Commissioner DOB; Amanda Burden, Commissioner DCP; Robert Tierney, Commissioner LPC; Jose Irizarry, Deputy Commissioner DSNY; Verna Eggleston, Commissioner HRA; John Feinblatt, Criminal Justice Coordinator; Katherine Oliver, Commissioner Film Office; William Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner, Parks; Margaret Forgione, Manhattan Borough Commissioner, DOT; Jonathan Mintz, Deputy Commissioner, DCA; Barbara Gambino, Deputy Superintendent, Region 9; Deputy Inspector Kevin Fitzgerald, Commanding Officer, Sixth Precinct; Connie Fishman, President, Hudson River Park Trust.
 Mayor Bloomberg at the Podium. (From left to right) William Castro: Commissioner Manhattan Parks; Patricia Lancaster, Robert Tierney, Amanda Burden; Jonathan Greenspun: Commissioner, Mayor's Community Assistance Unit; Marilyn Dorato; GVBA; Verna Egglston; Commissioner, Dept of Human Resources; Katherine Oliver; Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Film, Theater, Broadcasting; John Feinblatt, Criminal Justice Coordinator; Kevin Fitzgerald: Commanding officer, 6th Precinct; Barbara Gambino: Deputy Superintendant, District 9;Jose Irizarry: Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Sanitation, Margaret Forgione: Manhattan Commissioner, Dept. of Transportation.
Bloomberg on Bloomberg
Because a group of firefighters were demonstrating outside, the Mayor offered that the city budget did not allow him to give raises to firefighters and police. When he mentioned the Republican convention, good natured boos reverberated; he accepted this with equanimity adding that he had tried to get the Democrats, too. Among the achievements of his administration he cited the lowered crime rate (15% down); potholes fixed within 30 days; 311 being a well-used complaint number with documented quality of life complaints up by 61%. (Councilmember Quinn suggested getting the tracking number for follow-up information); the “Silent Night” initiative targeting Bleecker St./MacDougal St. noise; ending social promotions as “the right thing to do” — smaller classes and more teachers (for the 6,000-7,000 teaching vacancies there are 57,000 applicants); the recent class of police cadets graduating with the highest standards; a 5 year waiting list to become a firefighter; a rebounding economy and no significant numbers of people or companies are leaving the City; a current housing boom.
(Top) Richard Eric Weigle (Right)Mayor Michael Bloomberg
(Below) View of the panel
Mayor Bloomberg Visits (Cont'd.)
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