Phhhhewwww, pass the air conditioning, summer's here. And so are the tourists. On my way to lunch just now, I passed a guy with a video camera who was walking backwards up Water Street. Obviously unable to see where he was going, he turned around and ran right into a suited-up Wall Street type.
"Hey, watch it, asshole," said the suit. Why do I suspect that will be the highlight of the video?
Well, whodathunkit, but common sense prevailed in Albany yesterday: the proposed west-side stadium for the Jets is as good as dead, and with it the 2012 Olympics.
I am not opposed to the idea of having a stadium on the west side. I am opposed to spending 600 million taxpayer dollars to construct a stadium without plans for improved traffic flow, parking and public transportation for a consumer base that lives largely outside of the city. I am opposed to the cash-strapped MTA (the agency that runs buses and subways in NYC) selling the property to the Jets for less than half of its appraised value.
In response, Mayor Bloomberg chastised Speaker Silver and Senate Leader Bruno and said those who opposed the stadium would have to explain why they were against jobs and economic growth. Bloomberg, I gave you more credit than that. Opposing a completely unnecessary and potentially disastrous venture to be paid for by people with many other urgent priorities is not being against economic growth and jobs, it's being responsible. I still want to see the far west side developed; we can create jobs and housing and make great use of that area.
And I, for one, am delighted that the Olympics won't be coming to Manhattan. What a mess that would be.
Outside of New York, a judge in Washington State pulled the plug on the trial accusing Governor Gregoire and the Democratic party of rigging the election using illegal votes. Turns out the only illegal votes the Republican challenger could prove were cast were for him. Seriously.
Back in New York, I went to a take-out Chinese restaurant for lunch today for cold sesame noodles. (Mmmm.) I asked for chopsticks. "We no carry," was the response. What the hell?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
The BBC was suggesting this morning the race for the Olympics is between London and Paris.
Please let it be Paris.
I've never understood the allure of hosting the Olympics. I mean, it happens for two weeks and then... it's over. That's it. Sure, it'll bring in extra money at the time, but is it really worth it for all that has to be done to prepare for them (building new facilities, etc.)
And does NYC really need another stadium or venue?
Cold sesame noodles; mmm, I like you more all the time. And not just because you're cute in a red suit. As for the west side stadium, good riddance. The Olympics are far over-valued by the people who want them to come to town for the privilege of saying "I brought the Olympics to my city." They should hang politicians for that. Atlanta was a prime example of over-hyped, under-utilized venues that cost a fortune and practically bankrupted half the small businesses in downtown as a result of traffic redirection and street closings. NYC doesn't need to bring the Olympics here. As if the #1 tourist destination in the US needs that many more tourism dollars to fill its coffers. No, what we need is a better MTA that doesn't sell its assets for fifty cents on the dollar while raising fares. We need a mayor that worries about how New Yorkers could better travel in this city before he extends an invitation to the world to jam our over-burdened trains and subways even more than they already are.
New York is better off without the Olympics, and I am beginning to think, without Michael Bloomberg.
The stadium is the one issue where I have been thoroughly displeased with Bloomberg. Overall, I think he's been a very good mayor. He's been forced to make some no-win decisions a couple of times, and I think he has handled himself with integrity. The stadium just never made any sense. (Actually, neither does the WTC rebuilding -- the property owner does not have one single tenant lined up for the proposed building.) When I think of all the things that need to be done in New York City in terms of health care, education, safety, anti-terrorism efforts and public transportation, $600 million is a big chunk of change. The sick thing is that Woody Johnson could afford to build the Jets stadium all on his own if he chose.
Oh, and as for the Olympics, I say give them back to Greece permanently. Build one fantastic facility, the cost of which can be shared by all the participating countries, that will be worthy of the investment because it can be used repeatedly. Of course, that idea will never get approved because then only Greece gets the tourist profits. Whatever, who cares.
Derailing that stadium was awesome. Maybe we can give the money for healthcare to the poor or rehab for addicts.
Nah, let's just had it out in tax cuts instead. Trickle-down!
Oh, I am with you on your Olympics idea. I think that's a terrific idea. Lots of people want to see Greece anyway, why not give them the opportunity? I thought they did a fabulous job with the last Olympics. But yes, who cares? As long as they aren't here, I'm happy.
Post a Comment