Candidates prove Small Business issues are in their wheelhouse.

St. Francis College hosted its second Mayoral forum on “Workforce Development and Small Business issues”. Tuesday’s quick-moving forum featured GOP candidates John Catsimatidis, Joe Lhota, George McDonald and Independence party candidate Adolpho Carrion, Jr.

Answers were candid and in-depth, and showed each candidate understands the challenges facing the NY economy. Each answer demonstrated an advantage of the Republican contenders vs. the Democrats who all gathered for the exact forum earlier in April (no matter their lack of a first-hand connection with the subject matter). Too bad, they couldn’t do this together.

NY-1’s Errol Louis moderated the forum, with an interesting array of questions presented by each of NYC’s chambers of commerce and hosted by the Brooklyn Chamber. Mr. Carrion showed clear skill across many answers. Mr. Catsimatidis was passionate about issues facing storefront businesses, as he’s been contending with them for 40 years. Mr. McDonald has run the Doe Fund for 25 years.

Joe Lhota’s experience as Deputy Mayor and within business management made for intelligent responses – but was attacked on the issue of raising Verrazano tolls (he called it a “cheap shot”). Revealing was Mr. Lhota’s response of the increases being an “every two year” occurrence by NYS legislation – that the public may not be aware that next year, and 2 years from then, the tolls are going up further.

For the entire debate – posted by Brooklyn Independent TV on youTube - just click.

Online summary by Brooklyn’s Home Reporter News (click). 

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John Catsimatidis Visits our April Meeting.

Is the City ready for another billionaire Mayor?

John Catsimatidis visited BRC amid a level of anticipation from attendees. Members wanted to hear his vision for New York – and were aware that the Kings County GOP weeks before had chosen him as its choice for NYC Mayor. (Brooklyn’s County GOP had previously backed Adolpho Carrion.)

Mr. Catsimatidis was the last of five prospective candidates for the Republican line to visit Sam’s restaurant in the 2013 race. Respectful of their sacrifice and commitment to public service, BRC has been able to openly learn the backgrounds, achievements, pose local issues to them in extended Q & A periods, and see up close how questions were answered. While Mr. Catsimatidis could not take many questions – his next stop was paying respects at wake services – he immediately blended in with the group by sitting among them, trying the pizza and telling anecdotes about his family.

Mr. Catsimatidis prides himself as a “mayor for all the people” and a man that has been “all over the City” due to the locations of his stores and real estate concerns.

Known for his business success including Gristedes supermarkets, aerospace ventures and for philanthropy with PAL (Police Athletic League), with political and Hellenic/Greek organizations – Mr. Catsimatidis delivers an interesting narrative near immediately. He’s a home grown success story. He tells of a modest upbringing in upper Manhattan/Harlem – and ultimately ties into the American dream.

He tells a life-story of hard-work and how management of a food market led to ownership (at about 21 years old) – and how he shed aside formal education in New York University “with 6 credits left” to focus on the lucrative business he was building uptown. Decades later, Mr. Catsimatidis is a billionaire who believed he was ready to run for Mayor in 2009 “but stepped aside being Bloomberg was doing a good job”.

On a macro-business level, Mr. Catsimatidis relays how “money” and investments have come into NYC – on the faith of what Mayor Bloomberg has done for the international business community, planned for NY, and the general stability of law and order. He’d like to do more of that.

He says a main focus is education. He feels he’s ready to “give back, not take” for all he’s amassed. He feels that the lower income and middle class families, and students in particular, need to understand how to earn a better living. “They should have an option to learn a trade and make 70, 80 thousand dollars.” Creating jobs is a strongpoint of his, as he says he’s created “10s of thousands of jobs and no other candidate can say that.” He tells of fundraising for Brooklyn Tech, where he graduated from despite being raised in Manhattan.

Later, he added that he’s “a man of vision” due to his idea of a 3rd World’s Fair to summon 100 of greatest high-tech companies to New York and demonstrate their visions for the future of the City. He said this “would create another 10, 20 thousand good jobs in construction and operations” and (borrowing an idea of Mayor Bloomberg’s team for the Olympic bid) spread pavilions throughout each borough – accessible by water taxis.

But for purposes of the primary, Mr. Catsimatidis says using his own money is an advantage – as he’s not asking for any more. “I have friend-raisers, not fundraisers.”

In expressing how he can win vs. other candidates, Mr. Catsimatidis cited statistics of the Romney national election – how New York went “89 to 19 against the Republican”. (He added playfully that he would’ve won had he run.) The 89-19 statistic got some heads nodding with the added thought that “any Republican needs ‘Reagan Democrats’ to win”…However, the 2009 NYC mayoral election was far closer. Moreover, the voting for a national candidate (that didn’t campaign here) overlooks that Giuliani won 2x, and Bloomberg 3x. The Republican line, it could be said, has delivered the last 5 mayoral terms in a row in NYC since 1994.

Mr. Catsimatidis also relays something that no other candidate can say… that stalwarts of the Democratic Party including Pres. Bill Clinton and possibly Congressman Charles Rangel may very well support him in a general election. This may have to do with his connections/friendships or prior support of their races – but is a certain speculation of wide support across party lines

He offered that he has a friendship and sponsorship of a one-man play (“Fiorello”) with actor Tony Lo Bianco who plays Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. Mr. Catsimatidis draws inspiration from both the play and the legacy/life of Mayor La Guardia – and has recently supplied tickets for a performance in upper Manhattan. He offered to possibly bring the show to each borough, so that more may see it. Of his campaign manager Rob Ryan, Mr. Catsimatidis said he “was the son of Fiorello LaGuardia’s chief of staff”.

Answering a question, Mr. Catsimatidis also spoke of how he’ll communicate with labor unions, with many contracts coming due for negotiation in the next election. “I’ve never had a problem with unions in my businesses, across decades,” he added, underlining his point of being able to handle the negotiations.

Our attendees did have many questions for Mr. Catsimatidis – including asking about an interview with NY Times and NY-1’s Sam Roberts in June, 2012 when he speculated on a run for a Mayor by characterizing himself as “I am a Clinton Democrat” (3:40-4:05 on the video) that couldn’t be elected as a Democrat, as a businessman. Does that mean he’s changed parties in his past or recently? That history will probably be explained across the primary – which Mr. Catsimatidis informed is on September 10^th.

Brownstone has now seen all 5 for Mayor in less than 4 month’s time – and appreciates each candidate coming to our areas of Brooklyn. Doubtless we will see more of them across the 5 months from now until the Republican primary election.

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“We got a call, and we got the guy.” — Watertown, Massachusetts Chief of Police

 

The Watertown, Massachusetts police chief summed-up how a vigilant homeowner called believing someone was in her backyard — and how it led to the arrest of Public Enemy #1 across Boston’s recent history.

In a horrific week for Boston and America standing with it — terrorists that later were identified as brothers, set two bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. What typically is a joyous holiday (Patriots Day) on Monday, was turned into scenes of carnage taking 3 lives, injuring over 140 with many losing limbs horribly to the exploding shrapnel.

Today, four days later…a day-long manhunt ended after the 9 pm hour in Watertown, Massachusetts — when Suspect #2 was captured alive and taken into custody at a local hospital (albeit in critical condition). Just before midnight last evening, his older brother referred to as Suspect #1 was killed and may have actually detonated a bomb on himself. The events were bitter that touched off the manhunt, beginning with the killing of an MIT security guard, gunfire and explosions across the towns north of Boston. The tension built each hour, as the Boston-area was put under total lockdown. Four towns were subject to door to door searches, and there were leads that turned up far less than what was hoped as hours grew into noon, then into evening, and into the night.

But the got their man.

The Boston police, Watertown and many other towns, Massachusetts State police, FBI, U.S. District Attorney and many levels of Federal offices — worked together with the pure resolution to get this guy. And congratulations to all, that they did.

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Our White House (and Google) Forget the 45th Anniversary of the MLK, Jr. Assassination.

Early morning, April four

Shot rings out in the Memphis sky.

Free at last, they took your life

They could not take your pride.

From the song: Pride (In The Name of Love) by U2

The Obama White House is usually spared criticism by our media…so when the 45^th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination comes and goes without mention by the WH…there’s hardly an outcry. That happened today. Until maybe when someone was surfing Google on their lunchtime, and the WH scrambled to add a brief blog release?

You would think that schools across the USA as led by the White House might have…should have…been more aware for all it teaches about the American experience and cultural significance. That the day before all print media would have gotten releases from a WH seeming always to look for popular tie-ins for self-promotion at the very least, or have the story read from the AM radio shows? Maybe even Google could have highlighted Martin Luther King, Jr. today on its famous home-page with a “Google Doodle” that millions see each day it chooses to do so? But, no.

Odder still, earlier this week on Easter Sunday, many Americans were angered that Google would highlight farmhand rights activist Cesar Chavez – over any recognition of the day being Easter. (In fairness, they haven’t highlighted Easter since 2000.) On that Monday, it was realized that Google was actually coordinating a promotion with the Obama White House – which officially decreed the Sunday as Cesar Chavez Day, March 31, oddly to commemorate what would have been his 86^th birthday. (His 85^th was an election year.) On Easter Sunday, the Obama family went to mass and participated in an Easter roll/hunt on the WH lawn — but across the internet, it was all about Cesar Chavez?

What makes this tie-together, is that the Obama team actually evoked MLK just a few days ago…in promoting the legacy of Cesar Chavez. And it is quite possible that the significance of April 4th, 45 years ago today, went unrecognized?

The actual proclamation of Pres. Obama included this passage:

In 1966, when Cesar Chavez was struggling to bring attention to his cause, he received a telegram from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “As brothers in the fight for equality, I extend the hand of fellowship and goodwill,” he wrote. “We are with you in spirit and in determination that our dreams for a better tomorrow will be realized.”

Well, what was realized today on April 4th, 2013?

In fact, the White House must have been alerted of the ‘faux pas’ – as a press release/ White House blog mention was released at 4:30 pm today (or about the time most of DC’s offices are emptying for the day) in time for the nightly news on the East Coast, of course, to be alerted that the WH cared.

It was posted in the name of a senior advisor, Valerie Jarret — at 4:30 pm.

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George McDonald Announces Support for LICH (1st Mayoral Candidate to Do So).

Republican mayoral candidate George McDonald announced his strong opposition to NY State government’s mismanagement of Long Island College Hospital (LICH) — which threatens the immediate care for 100,000s of patients per year from Red Hook around to Vinegar Hill, Carroll Gardens to all parts of downtown Brooklyn, and pink slips for 2,000 employees.

Last Monday evening, George McDonald was guess speaker at the Brownstone Republican Club’s March meeting and listened to our concerns, updates and positions regarding what seems a higher valuation of the real estate of the physical building by the State group of SUNY officials now charged with its (mis)management, then the actual institution’s care for millions of Brooklyn residents. Today, LICH provides a safety-net of medical support for over 2 million residents.

George McDonald said:

“Coming on the heels of the closing of LICH, it is deeply disappointing that the fiscal crisis facing Downstate is being ignored by our elected officials in Albany. Downstate is critical to the health-care network in Brooklyn and an intelligent effort must be put forth to ensure its continued viability. As Mayor, I will work with the community and our elected officials to ensure we have the resources in place to keep Downstate open and thriving.”

During the meeting, BRC president Joe Nardiello reinforced both the history and vitality of LICH – and opened discussion to the general meeting attendees for their concerns, support, thoughts on the matter. For months, the community has reached out to Governor Cuomo via voicemails and letters and thus far, has gotten no reaction.

Nardiello reminded all that none of our local elected officials have called on our Gov. Cuomo by name for response, and on-record review of what his own appointed Board at SUNY Downstate is doing (headed by Carl McCall) – when they typically will line-up in unison at bus stops to protest easier targets like the MTA. Nardiello wondered if they are favoring party-lines and protecting self-interests relative to the governor’s anticipated 2016 run for the White House, over the life and death issue that’s very much at hand for LICH.

http://www.mcdonald2013.com/2013/03/

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George McDonald Brings a Focus That is Well-Received.

George McDonald proved himself a passionate speaker during Monday evening’s meeting of the Brownstone Club, particularly on subjects of crime, small business support, welfare and NYC’s “right to shelter” rule.

“Work defines you,” said Mr. McDonald in his remarks that covered his extensive experience in leading and founding The Doe Fund, a multi-state non-profit organization that seeks to restore and bridge homeless men to mainstream work.  “Because they mostly seem OK with this (societal condition), I made my departure with the Democratic party long ago. I didn’t like it, either, when Pres. Obama said that many can aspire to join “the middle class” during his State of the Union – when the American Dream is founded on aiming higher!”

George McDonald at Brooklyn’s Brownstone Republican Club.

“Early on with The Doe Fund, I spoke with 100s of men about what they wanted – and they all said “a job”. It is the way to confidently adjust from incarceration or drug abuse,” said Mr. McDonald. “That why we call our program Ready, Willing and Able… because its what they are. They want to contribute, to work and be self-sufficient.”

He went on to relay his accomplishments with many ‘graduates’ of his programs, across our geography – and connected reasons why they fall into this condition with the failings and lack of proper focus of NYC programs. Education and crime are both costs to New York City for what it overlooks, and how young people fall through the cracks. But, he’s seen them. He’s helped many. He knows ways to re-construct mechanisms to lessen the burdens on this citywide segment of NYC’s population.

“We also cannot have 20% of our homeless coming to NYC, being from outside of the City – for the burdens it puts on the system. The “Right to Shelter” rule, where the public cannot know or ask for ID…but must shelter or face lawsuits, etc. has to be ended. The costs are staggering. Ultimately, no one is made to work or needs to try and get out of this.”

McDonald also said that NYC seems to do all it can, to harm small businesses…who can employ so many more as an economic engine.

“Tonight’s speaker was the most ‘real’ to me…in that he seems to really care about raising the condition for so many struggling people across New York,” said one Brownstone member of the candidates she’s met so far in 2013. “So far, I would walk his petitions if he needs it, come the time.”

George McDonald was very friendly, and was well received before and after his extensive question & answer period. He was knowledgeable and fielded questions ranging from gun-laws to local housing concerns to the safety of NYC shelters, and also vowed to discover more and “communicate” with State officials as per Brownstone’s concern over our local hospital (LICH) being threatened by the very SUNY leadership that was supposed to be stewarding its health and rebound from Continuum’s mismanagement (which seemed to put Real Estate value/grabs over the focus and care of the institution).

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Clearly, there’s solid interest at BRC meetings in seeing Republican mayoral candidates up-close.

On an evening that weather-wise felt more like early February with piling snow, hail and biting cold…the number of BRC attendees may have easily been low. Instead, about 30 were on hand, a number even more surprising when word spread of a tandem event in Manhattan drawing potential attendees to an off-Broadway play on the upper eastside. (It was Tony Lo Bianco reprising Mayor Fiorello La Guardia in “The Little Flower” as sponsored by Gristedes supermarkets and hosted by its owner and declared GOP candidate John Catsimatidis).

While the general public is just beginning to hear the names, and reflect on media coverage of GOP mayoral candidates – the pregame is well underway.

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Fully 6 Months After Benghazi — 0 “Brought to Justice” — as our Media Falls Fast Asleep

At the half-year point after the USA was attacked overseas in Benghazi, Libya – our American media has allowed this White House to gently put it to bed.

Clearly, there’s damage done to the American political system when our media loses its objectivity, and seems to work in accordance with a White House that can do no wrong. Six months ago, our President conducted a media campaign ahead of the 2012 president election in September and October of 2012 — claiming that the attackers would be “brought to justice”.

Now, on March 11th.. will anyone ask for a status report on that investigation?

Despite the murder of our US Ambassador, a rarity that hadn’t occurred in nearly 40 years across an always dangerous climate in many countries, plus the murders of two Navy Seals, and a 4th American in an assault that would last nearly 8 hours — plus, the furious reaction across the USA, for why it was allowed to occur without defense, more serious reaction nor immediate response for an effort to capture anyone responsible — it seems our media was made to “quell” our outrage, and then calmly ignore the issue.

Despite the testimony at Congressional hearings as near as February 7th (last month) from now former from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta who said that the President knew of the attacks as they were launched, but retired for the evening. That no one was updated, nor asked him for an update across the near 8 hour assault. (click for video) – there’s no follow-up. Famously, the next day, the President’s re-election campaign had an event  schedule in Las Vegas and it went as planned.

In her testimony two weeks before Panetta, questioned about events/decisions surrounding the 9-11-2012 attack former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exclaimed: “what difference does it make!?”

Our media has seemed to lay-down obediently, with that directive.

In fact, besides this BRC blog post…you may not hear a reflection on Benghazi today, unless you stumbled upon its Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Benghazi_attack

In the days immediately following, the WH seemed to blame youtube as it released news to all major outlets of an insensitive youTube video to Islamic faith and expressed that “religious tolerance” was a tenet of American life. Our media in large, then reported about this video’s LA producer, reported on its actors’ reactions/regrets for making it - and it resulted in the arrest of its producer (that’s the only person held accountable?). All this for a youTube video that had a total of 155 global website visits, before it was made famous by the media attention. Our US President then went on national TV with David Letterman referring to the same, met with the ladies on ABC’s “The View” and that same day, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly.. again, highlighting religious tolerance and a video, etc.  At the U.N. President Obama stated according to the Wikipedia account: “…there should be no doubt that we will be relentless in tracking down the killers and bringing them to justice.“ He referred to “Innocence of Muslims” as “a crude and disgusting video [that] sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world.” He said, “I have made it clear that the United States government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity.” He further stated, “There is no video that justifies an attack on an Embassy.”

In the week following the 9-11 attacks, DC officials went on air across media (famously, UN Ambassador Rice on an ABC-TV’s Sunday morning talk show). Our government made its own video which was exported to Afghanistan to promote tolerance. Nearly 10 days after the attacks, Pres. Obama went on Spanish-language TV and mentioned the youTube video saying “natural protests arose because of the…video”. All of this seemed an all-out media campaign by the White House, to shift focus from recognizing and pursuing those responsible for a terror-strike on the 9-11 anniversary.

Two days before the presidential election, while the USA media was more greatly focused, at that time on the aftermath of SuperStorm Sandy, CBS News released a portion of its 9/12 interview with President Obama that it chose not to include/edited from its 9/23 special report. Again from a direct quote on Wiki (as of today) regarding the resulting debate on whether or not, Pres. Obama had recognized the 9-11 murders as a “terrorist attack”: ”…President Obama had been saying that he declared the Benghazi attack a terrorist attack since his announcement in the Rose Garden on September 12 and highlighted the newly released video interview with Steve Kroft: “KROFT: Mr. President, this morning you went out of your way to avoid the use of the word terrorism in connection with the Libya Attack, do you believe that this was a terrorism attack? OBAMA: Well it’s too early to tell exactly how this came about, what group was involved, but obviously it was an attack on Americans. And we are going to be working with the Libyan government to make sure that we bring these folks to justice, one way or the other.“

While the Congressional hearings seemed to chase its tail on who knew what, when.. and parsed bureaucratic language on circling responsibilities and timelines… and processes of gathering information in real time, etc. etc.

Weeks turned into months.

It’s now March 11th, and 0 have been brought to justice.

It’s March 11th, 6 months to the day.

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