Twenty-nine Council members voted against the democratic process yesterday in the Council and many New Yorkers swore they would not forget. Many made incoherent and previously-debunked arguments for their vote (Bloomberg and his billions can help steer NYC through bad times) and most of those backed it up with some form of "if they don't like it they can vote us out next year." Well, while the term limits debacle sorts itself out in the courts until then, we will certainly make good on their challenges.
One of the worst offenders was David Yassky, who told reporters on Wednesday that their amendment to make this into a referendum was not merely a fig leaf. While Gale Brewer voted no on the bill after the amendment failed, Gerson and Yassky both gave the Mayor what he wanted despite the majority of the Council stiffing their amendment. So indeed, Yassky used it as cover. As the Times notes he is at the eye of this storm and already he has a challenger that wants him to pay.
From PolitickerNY:
At least one candidate, Ken Baer, says he would challenge Yassky in the Democratic primary.
Evan Thies, Yassky's former chief of staff, told me in an email this morning that he still plans to run for City Council, since Yassky is still planning to run for comptroller.
As to what he would do if Yassky runs again, Thies wrote, "Under that scenario, I would support David for re-election." He went on to say, "Though we disagree mightily on several issues -- especially his term limits vote -- his institutional knowledge of the Council and City politics, the acumen he's displayed in the job, and his record of accomplishment in the District will make him the best candidate in my view."
I asked Thies if he would run against Yassky in the hypothetical, and unlikely event that Thompson runs for mayor, but Yassky decides to run for Council again, instead of comptroller.
"I would not," Thies wrote. "But that would be a 180 from his state position."
Well it wouldn't be the first time that Yassky pulls a 180. Baer on the other hand has been adamantly against the Mayor's power grab and has an axe to grind with Yassky when it comes to development issues such as Atlantic Yards. So far it is a crowded field but if Yassky runs for re-election it'll scare away Thies at the very least. So much for that whole "more choice" crap that the Mayor and his minions like to tout. I hope Baer gives him hell and that we get one good challenger for each of the other twenty-eight that sided with Bloomberg over the will of the people.
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